Journalist

Ahn Seon-young and Seo Hye Seung
  • Hana Financial to consolidate key units at new Cheongna headquarters in Incheon
    Hana Financial to consolidate key units at new Cheongna headquarters in Incheon Hana Financial Group is preparing to open what it calls a new “Cheongna era” in Incheon’s Cheongna International City, consolidating key affiliates at a new headquarters complex and aiming to build a finance cluster modeled on Spain’s Santander City. The plan traces back to 2007, when former Hana Financial Group Chairman Kim Seung-yu visited Santander City and Banco Santander and began shaping the idea. Banco Santander, once a regional bank in northern Spain, built a financial town on the western outskirts of Madrid and used it as a base to expand overseas, growing into a major global lender. According to the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority on Sunday, the third-phase Hana Dream Town project, which includes the group’s headquarters building, was 92% complete and is scheduled to be finished in June. The building will have seven basement levels and 15 above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 128,474 square meters. Once completed, Hana Financial plans to begin moving major affiliates to Cheongna starting in September, including the holding company as well as its bank, securities, card and insurance units. The group said it aims to bring together offices now spread across areas including Jung-gu, Yeouido and Gangnam, narrowing physical distance between affiliates and speeding decision-making. The complex is planned as a multi-use campus designed to strengthen data- and digital-based collaboration, rather than a simple office relocation. The move is notable as the first case among major South Korean financial holding companies to relocate a headquarters outside Seoul. Other large groups keep headquarters in central Seoul, including KB Financial in Yeouido, Shinhan Financial near City Hall, Woori Financial in Myeong-dong and NH NongHyup Financial in Seodaemun. Incheon City expects the complex, once fully operating, to generate an estimated 877.3 billion won in production-inducing effects and create 7,666 jobs. Officials also anticipate broader spillover effects such as an inflow of younger residents, higher consumption, increased business activity and growth in local tax revenue. With large-scale financial infrastructure concentrated in Cheongna, the area is expected to accelerate its shift toward a self-sustaining city combining work, housing and commercial functions, analysts said. Hana Financial Chairman Ham Young-joo said in his New Year’s address that the Cheongna relocation is “not simply moving office locations,” but “a comprehensive change” and a starting point for a major transformation in how the group works and its culture. He said the group would lead digital finance and aim to take a bigger role in global financial markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 15:03:12
  • Mideast Tensions Stoke Korea’s Strong Dollar, Inflation Fears, Pressuring Banks
    Mideast Tensions Stoke Korea’s Strong Dollar, Inflation Fears, Pressuring Banks Rising geopolitical risk tied to the Middle East is increasingly hitting South Korea’s financial markets with a double shock: a weaker won and higher inflation. With oil prices and the exchange rate climbing at the same time, pressure on consumer prices is building, raising concerns the path of the policy rate could shift and adding to strain across the financial sector. According to the Korea Center for International Finance on Saturday, the average 2026 consumer inflation forecast from eight major global investment banks rose to 2.4% at the end of March from 2.0% at the end of February, an increase of 0.4 percentage points. Such a jump in the average outlook in just one month is unusual. South Korea relies on the Middle East for about 70% of its oil resources, leaving it directly exposed to energy-price shocks. The won-dollar exchange rate moving above 1,500 won has also pushed up import costs. If the Middle East situation drags on, the Bank of Korea is expected to raise its benchmark rate once or twice in the second half of the year, which could increase interest burdens for households and companies and weigh on the real economy. Those risks are also sharpening concerns about the soundness and profitability of financial holding companies and banks. If high rates and high inflation persist together, repayment capacity for households and businesses can weaken, lifting delinquency rates. The industry is watching closely for a buildup of potential bad loans, especially in sectors sensitive to the business cycle. A higher exchange rate can also increase risk-weighted assets, adding pressure to manage common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratios. The financial industry estimates that every 10-won rise in the won-dollar rate could lower financial groups’ CET1 ratios by about 0.01 to 0.03 percentage points. To offset that, groups are expected to step up loan-loss provisions and tighten risk-weighted asset management. Funding costs are rising as well. While banks’ funding rates are climbing quickly due to higher market rates and intensifying competition for deposits, loan demand is showing signs of slowing as high borrowing costs combine with measures to manage household debt. With net interest income accounting for around 80% of financial groups’ earnings, a narrower net interest margin would translate into weaker profits. Financial groups moved to emergency management systems soon after the Middle East crisis erupted and have stepped up risk responses. They shifted to real-time monitoring of exchange-rate moves and their impact, checked foreign-currency deposit liquidity, and focused on foreign-currency soundness management. They have also continued sending customer alerts to help clients navigate volatility in exchange rates and stock prices. Annual business plans drawn up earlier are now likely to be revised. Plans were based on an expected average won-dollar rate of about 1,410 this year, but the March average was 1,492.5 won, the highest monthly level since the financial crisis. With market conditions deteriorating faster than expected, firms are being forced to review overall business strategies. 2026-04-05 14:48:00
  • Mortgage Rates Hit 7% in South Korea, Raising Repayment Pressure for Borrowers
    Mortgage Rates Hit 7% in South Korea, Raising Repayment Pressure for Borrowers After moving in step with expectations of U.S. rate cuts, the broader downtrend in interest rates has been jolted by the unexpected shock of the Iran war. With hopes fading for policy-rate cuts by central banks at home and abroad, and market rates — a key benchmark for lending — rising quickly, borrowers are facing tougher choices. As of Thursday, five-year fixed-rate mortgage loans at South Korea’s five major commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — were quoted at annual rates of 4.42% to 7.02%, according to the financial industry on April 3. The top end of the fixed-rate range rising above 7% marks the first time since October 2022, about three years and five months ago. Compared with mid-January (4.13% to 6.29%), the upper bound is up 0.72 percentage points and the lower bound up 0.29 points. Experts say the upswing is unlikely to reverse sharply in the near term and advise consumers to adjust their financial plans accordingly. With interest burdens rising, managing debt to reduce repayment pressure is emerging as the immediate priority. Borrowers who bought homes in 2020 and 2021 by maximizing loans in a low-rate environment — and who are now renewing five-year fixed-rate mortgages — are entering a period of full rate resets starting this year. In many cases, monthly interest payments are expected to rise by hundreds of thousands of won or more. Borrowers should consider using the right to request a rate cut when their circumstances qualify. Those whose loans are more than three years old may also want to use rules that waive early repayment fees, allowing them to respond more quickly as market rates move. When choosing between fixed and variable rates, borrowers should factor in the possibility that rates may stay elevated rather than fall. For customers with heavy principal-and-interest payments or high debt relative to income, a fixed rate may be more stable by reducing exposure to rate swings. By contrast, higher-income borrowers with smaller loans and a strong likelihood of early repayment may find a variable rate — with a lower initial burden — more practical. “If the war drags on and oil prices stay above $100, the Fed could raise its policy rate, and the Bank of Korea could respond with hikes,” said Choi Ji-hoon, a gold private banker team leader at Hana Bank’s Club1 Hannam PB Center. “If the policy rate rises, loan rates have no choice but to rise as well.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-04 07:03:40
  • IBK Bank Eyes Potential 400% Return as King and the Man Who Lives With Him Tops 15 Million Viewers
    IBK Bank Eyes Potential 400% Return as 'King and the Man Who Lives With Him' Tops 15 Million Viewers As the film 'King and the Man Who Lives With Him' ("Wangsanim") passed 15 million moviegoers, attention has turned to the investment results of IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, one of its main backers. Industry watchers are cautiously raising the possibility that its return could surpass the current No. 1, 'Extreme Job.' According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office system, Wangsanim had drawn a cumulative 15.78 million viewers as of April 1. At the current pace, it is expected to top 16 million after the weekend. Cumulative revenue was tallied at 152.2 billion won. With a net production cost of 10.5 billion won and a break-even point of about 2.6 million admissions including marketing, the film recouped its investment early in its run, and most additional revenue is being booked as profit. With the film posting standout box-office results, investors’ profit expectations have also risen. IBK invested 1 billion won in the project, and the industry estimates the final rate of return could be around 400%. IBK’s previous best performer was 'Extreme Job.' The bank invested 790 million won and posted a 337% return. The film’s revenue was 15.5 times its total production cost, the highest ratio on record for a Korean film. Wangsanim’s total production cost has not been finalized, but the industry puts it at about 13 billion won. On that basis, revenue would be about 11.7 times production cost. The film is still in theaters, and additional income remains from overseas sales and OTT rights, which could lift the final return. For Korean films, theater revenue typically accounts for 60% to 70%, while exports and ancillary rights distribution make up 30% to 40%. That is why expectations are growing that Wangsanim could overtake 'Extreme Job' as the top-returning film. As IBK-backed films continue to succeed, the bank’s investment approach is also drawing renewed attention. The bank is known for closely reviewing production structure and risk factors rather than relying only on budget size or star casting. It is reported to consider whether small and midsize firms participate in production, whether the film contains political or religious elements, and whether the director or actors have a history of controversy. In the final adjustment stage, IBK applies unusual criteria, including a 10% deduction if the director is 60 or older, a 10% deduction if the director has had three consecutive hits, and a 10% addition if the director’s previous film failed to break even. In that sense, director Jang Hang-jun’s prior film 'Rebound' failing to reach break-even is described as having helped lead to IBK’s investment. Based on these standards, IBK has directly or indirectly invested in 13 of the 16 Korean films that have surpassed 10 million admissions, including 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents,' 'Ode to My Father' and 'Along With the Gods.' The average return on the bank’s investments in those 10-million-viewer films stands at 172%. 2026-04-02 15:09:00
  • South Korea’s Big Four Financial Groups Seen Earning Over 5 Trillion Won in Q1; Woori Profit Up 30%
    South Korea’s Big Four Financial Groups Seen Earning Over 5 Trillion Won in Q1; Woori Profit Up 30% South Korea’s four major financial holding companies — KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — are expected to post combined net profit of more than 5 trillion won in the first quarter, supported by steady interest income and a recovery in noninterest earnings. Woori Financial Group is projected to stand out, with profit expected to jump more than 30% as one-off costs fade. According to market estimates compiled by financial data firm FnGuide on Tuesday, the four groups’ combined first-quarter net profit consensus totals 5.1968 trillion won, up 5.4% from 4.9289 trillion won a year earlier. By group, KB Financial Group is expected to remain the top earner with 1.7124 trillion won, followed by Shinhan Financial Group at 1.5247 trillion won and Hana Financial Group at 1.1565 trillion won. While the top three are seen posting modest growth of 0% to the low 2% range, Woori is forecast to rise 30.2% to 803.2 billion won. Woori’s improvement is largely attributed to base effects. Large one-time expenses booked in the first quarter of last year — including costs tied to launching a securities unit and voluntary retirement programs — are no longer weighing on results, along with higher selling and administrative expenses linked to expanded digital investment. In the first quarter, Woori is also expected to record gains from selling part of its stake in K Bank and related gains tied to its remaining shares. Noninterest income is projected to rise more than 40%, helped by the acquisition of Tongyang Life Insurance and ABL Life Insurance and improved performance at Woori Investment & Securities. Across the sector, balanced growth in interest and noninterest income is seen supporting results. The groups are expected to have defended their net interest margins amid tighter household lending rules, while nonbank affiliates such as securities and insurance units contributed through higher fee income. Analysts also expect lower credit costs, as last year’s provisioning issues — including those tied to Hong Kong H-index-linked equity-linked securities and loan-to-value-related fines — have not resurfaced. Still, a weaker won is expected to be a headwind. The average weekly closing rate for the won against the U.S. dollar in the first quarter was 1,465 won, the highest level since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. A sharp rise in the exchange rate can lead to sizable foreign-exchange losses on foreign-currency assets, weighing on profitability. The market expects foreign-exchange translation losses ranging from tens of billions of won to around 100 billion won, depending on the company. The groups’ total shareholder return ratio for the first quarter is expected to settle in the 40% to 50% range. Under the government’s value-up policy, financial holding companies use capital above a 13% common equity Tier 1 ratio for shareholder returns. Woori’s CET1 ratio stood at 12.9% at the end of last year, but its total shareholder return ratio is expected to rise to about 45% to 46% this year as net profit surges. KB’s ratio is projected to exceed 55%. “Greater exchange-rate volatility could create temporary loss factors, but overall earnings capacity is being maintained,” a financial industry official said. “As provisioning pressure gradually eases and nonbank portfolios help offset results, financial holding companies’ performance this year is expected to remain stable without major swings.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-01 17:03:00
  • South Korea to Bar Loan Maturity Extensions for Multi-Homeowners, Tighten Household Debt Growth
    South Korea to Bar Loan Maturity Extensions for Multi-Homeowners, Tighten Household Debt Growth Financial regulators are set to announce new measures this week aimed at curbing household lending, including a plan to generally bar extensions of loan maturities for borrowers who own multiple homes. The steps are expected to align with tighter real estate rules by sharply lowering the target growth rate for total household debt and setting a separate target for mortgage lending. According to the financial sector on March 30, the Financial Services Commission will hold a household debt review meeting on April 1 chaired by FSC Chairman Lee Eok-won and will 발표 its household debt management plan for this year. The plan had been scheduled for late February but was delayed by more than a month as issues involving multi-homeowners moved to the forefront. The measures are expected to include a principle of not allowing maturity extensions on mortgages held by multi-homeowners. The aim is to encourage repayment of principal and interest when loans come due, increasing pressure on owners to put homes on the market. An exception is expected for homes under ongoing jeonse or monthly-rent contracts, with extensions allowed until the lease ends to protect tenants’ housing stability. Regulators expect the move could bring about 10,000 homes owned by multi-homeowners onto the market in Seoul and the surrounding capital region. Rental business operators hold about 12,000 apartments in the capital region, and more than 80% are estimated to reach maturity this year. The total could rise further when including second-tier financial institutions and individual multi-homeowners. Measures related to what President Lee Jae-myung described as speculative, nonresident single-homeowners are likely to be announced after additional review. The report said it is difficult to separately classify speculative borrowers because nonresident ownership can stem from various reasons, including caring for parents or children’s education. Total household debt growth this year is expected to be reduced further from last year’s 1.8%. Authorities are widely considering setting the target growth rate at around 1%, and they have not ruled out presenting a target in the 0% range. Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin said at a news briefing on March 26, “It will be difficult to expect (the total target) to increase by financial sector,” adding that the target would be tightened and managed at “no more than half” the nominal GDP growth rate. For mortgages, which have led the rise in household lending, regulators are expected to issue more specific guidance. While rules have focused on overall household lending, officials are considering setting a separate target for total mortgage lending and raising the minimum risk weight from 20% to 25%. In the second-tier financial sector, lending standards are expected to tighten, particularly at mutual financial institutions. Household loans at Saemaul Geumgo exceeded the previous year’s target by four times last year, and regulators are requiring this year’s loan balance to be managed at or below the level at the end of last year. The steps are seen as an effort to decisively slow household loan growth and cut off funding flowing into the real estate market. Household loans across the financial sector rose 37.6 trillion won last year, with the increase narrowing by about 4 trillion won from the previous year. This year, however, loans rose 1.4 trillion won in January and 2.9 trillion won in February, posting increases for two straight months. 2026-03-30 14:54:00
  • Kim Yong-hwan Warns Current Turmoil Resembles 2008 Crisis as Uncertainty Grows
    Kim Yong-hwan Warns Current Turmoil Resembles 2008 Crisis as Uncertainty Grows Kim Yong-hwan, who has spent more than four decades on the front lines of South Korea’s financial sector, warned that today’s conditions resemble the 2008 global financial crisis. Kim, who served as senior deputy governor of the Financial Supervisory Service in 2008, was involved in the country’s response at the time. In a telephone interview with Aju Economy on the 19th, Kim said the collapse of subprime mortgages in 2008 has “only changed form,” now appearing as troubled private lending tied to U.S. big tech companies in 2026. “Anxiety is rising that it is similar to that time,” he said, adding that uncertainty at home and abroad is unusually high. Private lending refers to companies borrowing through funds raised by nonbank financial firms, a form of private debt. As concerns grow about potential weakness centered on U.S. big tech, it has emerged as a new flashpoint in global finance. With the global private-lending market swelling to the trillions of won, rising delinquency at some firms and fears of tighter liquidity are, critics say, rapidly building “hidden risks.” Kim said that when global shocks hit, South Korea’s markets tend to swing more sharply than those of major economies. With tensions rising in the Middle East, domestic stocks have been seesawing by roughly 10%. He attributed the volatility to a narrow investment base rather than weak fundamentals. “It’s not that Korea’s fundamentals are weak, but the capital market is not broad-based, so the financial market is more exposed to volatility,” he said, arguing that a deeper direct-financing market would make Korea less sensitive to external shocks. He also voiced concern about Korea’s growth structure. “Only a very small number of conglomerates such as Samsung, SK and Hyundai are doing well, while small and mid-sized firms continue to struggle,” Kim said. He added that per capita gross national income has failed for 12 years to break through the $30,000 threshold, and said Korea should consider whether it can grow like Taiwan, which entered the $40,000 era last year. Unlike South Korea, where a handful of large companies account for most exports and investment, Taiwan is often assessed as having a more dispersed industrial base built around small and mid-sized firms. Kim said Korea needs a structure in which large companies and smaller firms grow together for stable development, underscoring the need for balanced growth. Drawing on experience with multiple financial crises and industrial shifts, Kim advised younger officials that the most important thing in policymaking is to avoid haste and keep the big picture in view. “Especially in an era like this, when people expect AI to solve everything, policymakers need judgment and balance that come from experience,” he said. Kim entered public service in 1979 through the 23rd class of the state civil service exam and held posts including director of the Welfare and Living Affairs Division at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, director general of Supervisory Policy Bureau II at the Financial Supervisory Commission, standing commissioner at the Financial Services Commission, and senior deputy governor at the Financial Supervisory Service. He later served as president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea and chairman of NH NongHyup Financial Group, and now works as an adviser at Shin &u0026 Kim. Earlier this month, he published a memoir, “Flow Like Water, Stand by Principles.” 2026-03-19 15:03:00
  • Shinhan Bank’s Ddaenggyeoyo delivery app tops 8.5 million users, fueled by low fees
    Shinhan Bank’s Ddaenggyeoyo delivery app tops 8.5 million users, fueled by low fees Shinhan Bank’s food delivery platform Ddaenggyeoyo, once known as “a delivery app made by a bank,” has grown into a nationwide service, drawing 8.5 million users in four years. Analysts attribute the growth to a “shared-growth” model that pairs low brokerage fees with a no-ad-fee structure, appealing to both customers and small merchants. Shinhan Bank said March 16 that Ddaenggyeoyo surpassed 8.5 million cumulative users as of the end of February, four years after its official launch. The total rose by 500,000 in two months after topping 8 million at the end of last year. The number of affiliated merchants has also expanded rapidly, increasing by about 120,000 in a year from fewer than 200,000 at the end of 2024. Order volume has climbed even faster. Annual orders were under 100 billion won in 2023, rose to 113.6 billion won in 2024, and surged to 669.8 billion won in 2025. Orders totaled 143.2 billion won in the first two months of this year. Some forecasts say annual orders could exceed 1 trillion won if the pace continues. More than two-thirds of users — 72% — place repeat orders, suggesting the service has built stable customer satisfaction, the bank said. Ddaenggyeoyo entered a fiercely competitive market dominated by a handful of large platforms, where high brokerage fees and advertising costs have been a major complaint among self-employed business owners. Positioning itself as a public-minded delivery app, Ddaenggyeoyo has focused on local small businesses. While some apps charge brokerage fees of about 9% to 10% plus advertising fees, Ddaenggyeoyo keeps its brokerage fee at about 2% and does not charge advertising fees, the bank said. In the financial sector, Ddaenggyeoyo’s growth is also being viewed as an example of a bank expanding into everyday financial services. The “Ddaenggyeoyo interest-subsidy loan,” linked to the platform, is aimed at reducing financing costs for affiliated small merchants. The program began in Seoul in July 2025 and, as of February, had issued 2 billion won in Seoul and 3.4 billion won nationwide that month, pushing cumulative lending past 50 billion won. Shinhan Bank has also expanded related services, including Ddaenggyeoyo savings products, a rider-only check card and promotions such as discount coupons to connect merchants, riders and users. Lee Eun-hee, a professor of consumer science at Inha University, said Ddaenggyeoyo reduces fee burdens for store owners while offering incentives such as coupons to encourage use. She said the key to sustained growth will be whether the platform can maintain market share boosted by public delivery-app consumer coupons and convert it into a self-sustaining user base.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 06:03:00
  • Korea’s Elder Care Demand Surges as Nursing Home Rules Slow New Supply
    Korea’s Elder Care Demand Surges as Nursing Home Rules Slow New Supply South Korea’s shift into a super-aged society is driving a sharp rise in demand for elder care, but the supply of nursing homes is falling far short, constrained by regulations that make it difficult to open new facilities. Industry officials warn that a “care gap” could soon become reality as entry barriers keep capacity from expanding fast enough. As of Tuesday, industry sources said nursing home bed capacity has increased by an average of 8.4% a year since 2008. However, only 38% of facilities earned A or B grades in evaluations by the National Health Insurance Service, which are generally preferred by families. About one in four facilities was cited for violating staffing standards (24.9%), and 28.5% fell short on adequate toileting services, failing to meet basic requirements. The mismatch is already visible on the ground. Mid- to large-sized nursing homes typically have capacity for about 200 residents, but waiting lists can run into the thousands depending on the facility, according to industry accounts. With population aging accelerating, the number of people waiting is expected to grow, yet new construction is not keeping pace. Under the enforcement rules of the Elderly Welfare Act, operators seeking to build elderly medical welfare facilities or senior welfare housing must first secure land and buildings that meet set standards. In practice, that means a provider cannot establish a facility based only on operating capability or a service model; it must first obtain physical infrastructure, such as purchasing land and constructing a building or leasing suitable premises. Industry officials say those requirements function as a steep barrier to entry. In urban areas, it is difficult to secure enough land for a nursing home, and land purchases and construction costs can range from tens of billions to hundreds of billions of won, effectively limiting new entrants. Factoring in the opportunity cost tied to owning land and buildings, losses in Seoul are estimated at about 8 million won a month, excluding noncovered service revenue. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the lead agency, has acknowledged the need to improve regulations and is reviewing revisions. But industry groups say steps such as limited easing of facility standards or streamlined administrative procedures have had little impact in the field. Related organizations have formally urged the government to relax establishment requirements and expand the use of public land for facilities. Some experts also argue for a larger role for private nursing homes. Compared with public facilities, private providers can offer more varied services and more tailored care, and can differentiate themselves through facility conditions and programs. They also tend to have shorter waiting periods and can operate more flexibly in areas such as family visits and daily convenience, the article said. Experts say the government should focus on oversight and safety nets while supporting private providers behind the scenes as the main source of supply. Jang Si-ryeong, a senior researcher at the Bank of Korea’s Economic Research Institute, said, “With the end-of-life elderly population set to double over the next 25 years, it is clear that public finances alone have limits.” She added that policymakers should consider ways to offset high real estate costs in major metropolitan areas such as Seoul and Busan to encourage a stable supply of facilities in city centers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-12 06:04:30
  • Oil Tops $100 as Bond Yields Rise, Raising Risk of 7% Mortgage Rates in South Korea
    Oil Tops $100 as Bond Yields Rise, Raising Risk of 7% Mortgage Rates in South Korea Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed international oil prices above $100 a barrel, adding to upward pressure on market interest rates. If bond yields keep climbing, some analysts say mortgage rates could top 7%. As of the 9th, the five major commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — were offering five-year fixed (hybrid) mortgage rates of 4.14% to 6.74%, according to the banking sector. Compared with early this year’s 3.94% to 6.24%, the top end has risen 0.50 percentage points in about two months. Mortgage rates have continued to rise even though the Bank of Korea has kept its policy rate unchanged for six straight meetings, largely because yields on financial bonds used as benchmarks have moved higher. The five-year financial bond yield jumped 43.1 basis points — from 3.497% in early January to 3.928% on the 9th. (One basis point equals 0.01 percentage point.) Markets have also seen weakening expectations for rate cuts, while talk of a possible supplementary budget has raised concerns about heavier government bond issuance and supply-demand pressure. Analysts say the latest surge in oil prices has added to the upward push on bond yields. West Texas Intermediate futures briefly rose to $111.24 on the morning of the 9th, breaking above the psychological $100 level for the first time since July 2022, when prices were driven up by the war in Ukraine. With oil rising, the upper end of mortgage rates is expected to exceed 7% soon. Market estimates suggest a 10% rise in oil prices could lift government bond yields by up to 15 basis points. If banks’ funding costs and spreads are also adjusted, the increase in mortgage rates could widen to around 40 basis points, analysts said. In July 2022, five-year fixed mortgage rates were about 4.2% to 6.1%. As the impact of oil above $100 filtered through with a lag, rates topped 7% by October that year, reaching 5.3% to 7.4%. With the Iran situation raising even a “$150 oil scenario,” some analysts say mortgage rates could climb into the mid-7% range if tensions persist. Banks’ efforts to manage household lending are also accelerating the rise in borrowing costs. KakaoBank raised mortgage rates by 0.36 percentage points on March 5, lifting its maximum rate to about 6.5%. It was the bank’s second increase this year, following a 0.1-point hike in January. Industrial Bank of Korea also reduced the limits on its interest-rate discount coupons for mortgages and jeonse loans by 0.1 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point, respectively. Cutting preferential rates has the effect of raising borrowers’ loan rates. Kim Jina, a researcher at Eugene Investment & Securities, said worries are resurfacing that higher oil prices could fuel inflation, lead to policy-rate hikes and push up market rates, as seen during the Russia-Ukraine war. “Korea is especially sensitive to inflation and rate increases, so the swings will be severe,” she said. 2026-03-09 15:57:00