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  • Should You Invest in Yen or Dollars? Understanding Currency Investment Strategies
    Should You Invest in Yen or Dollars? Understanding Currency Investment Strategies 투자 시장에서 '변화'는 곧 기회의 동의어다. 출렁이는 무언가에 본능적으로 돈은 쏠리게 마련이다. 최근 출렁임이 두드러진 투자처는 '환율'이다. 한국은행에 이어 미국, 일본 중앙은행이 금리를 올리거나 올릴 게 확실시되면서 환율 변동 폭도 커지는 추세다. 이에 따라 주식이나 예·적금 대신 달러와 엔화를 직접 모으는 '환테크'(환율+재테크)에 대한 관심도 달아오르는 분위기다. 환테크, 어떻게 하면 잘 할 수 있을까. 환테크는 쉽게 말해 환율이 낮을 때 외화를 사뒀다가 환율이 오른 뒤 다시 원화로 바꿔 환차익을 얻는 방식이다. 최근 환테크의 '메인스트림'은 엔화다. 5대 시중은행(KB국민·신한·하나·우리·NH농협은행)의 엔화예금 잔액은 지난 15일 기준 1조1305억엔으로 지난달 말보다 478억엔 증가했다. 8월 한 달 증가액(438억엔)을 보름 만에 넘어선 규모다. 미국과 일본의 금리 차가 좀처럼 좁혀지지 않으면서 엔화 약세가 장기화하자 향후 반등을 기대하고 미리 엔화를 확보하려는 수요가 늘어난 것으로 풀이된다. 원·엔 환율은 지난달 말 100엔당 850원대까지 내려왔다. 환테크는 어떻게 시작해야 할까. 가장 손쉬운 방법은 은행의 외화통장을 이용하는 것이다. 은행 앱에서 외화예금 계좌를 개설한 뒤 원화를 달러나 엔화로 환전해 넣어두면 된다. 외화예금에서 받는 이자에는 원화예금과 마찬가지로 이자소득세가 부과되지만, 환율 변동으로 얻은 환차익에는 세금이 붙지 않는다는 점이 특징이다. 최근에는 소액으로 외화를 모을 수 있는 상품도 등장했다. 토스뱅크 '외화 저금통'은 자동이체를 설정하면 별도의 환전 절차 없이 하루 최소 1만원부터 달러로 바꿔 적립할 수 있다. 카카오뱅크 '달러세이프박스'는 하루만 달러를 예치해도 연 2.1%의 금리를 제공한다. 카카오뱅크 외화통장은 외화를 살 때 환전수수료를 받지 않고, 신한은행 '쏠트래블 외화예금'도 외화 매수 시 100% 환율 우대를 제공한다. 외화통장을 고를 때는 환전수수료도 따져봐야 한다. 환율이 올라도 외화를 사고파는 과정에서 수수료가 발생하면 실제 수익은 줄어들기 때문이다. 특히 외화를 살 때 수수료를 면제해주는 상품이라도 원화로 다시 바꿀 때는 수수료가 붙어 환전 비용이 예상보다 더 커질 수 있다. 현재 토스뱅크는 외화를 팔 때 환율 100% 우대가 적용된다. 카카오뱅크는 70%, 우리은행과 신한은행은 50%를 적용하고 있다. 달러를 단순히 보유하는 대신 이자 수익까지 챙기고 싶다면 증권사의 외화RP(환매조건부채권)도 선택지가 될 수 있다. 외화RP는 증권사가 보유하고 있는 달러 표시 채권을 투자자에게 매도하고 일정 기간 후 약정 가격으로 증권사가 다시 매수하는 상품이다. 증권사가 판매하는 달러화 상품 중 가장 안정적이며 은행의 달러 예금보다 금리가 높다. 다만 외화예금과 달리 예금자보호 대상이 아니라는 점은 유의해야 한다. 미국 국채나 주식·달러 ETF에 직접 투자하는 방법도 있다. 국채의 경우 증권사 앱의 '해외채권' 메뉴를 이용하면 1년, 3년, 10년 등 원하는 만기와 금리를 확인하고 채권을 매수할 수 있다. 미국 국채는 달러 자산을 보유하면서 채권 이자를 받을 수 있다는 점에서 메리트가 있다. 금리가 움직이면 채권 가격도 변할 수 있고, 만기를 채우지 않고 중간에 매도하면 손실을 볼 수 있다는 점은 유념해야 한다. 달러 ETF는 환율에 따른 달러 가치 변동을 추종하는 상품으로 증권계좌만 있으면 주식처럼 거래할 수 있다. 다만 국내에 상장된 달러 ETF는 레버리지나 인버스 상품이 많아 달러를 직접 보유하는 것보다 가격 변동 위험이 클 수 있고, 투자수익에는 소득세도 부과된다. 달러와 엔화가 많이 떨어졌다고 해서 현재 환율을 '바닥'으로 단정해서는 안된다. 원·달러 환율은 지난 6월 말 1549.4원에서 이달 초 1350원대까지 떨어졌다. 6월 말 달러를 샀다면 두 달여 만에 10%가 넘는 환차손을 입은 셈이다. 외화예금에서 받는 이자만으로 이 정도의 환율 하락을 만회하기가 쉽지 않다. 전문가들은 환율의 저점을 예측하기 어렵기 때문에 목돈을 한 번에 환전하기보다 분할 매수할 것을 조언한다. 일정 금액을 여러 차례 나눠 달러나 엔화로 바꾸면 특정 시점의 높은 환율에 목돈을 투자해 손해를 보는 위험을 줄일 수 있기 때문이다. 2026-09-17 18:08:10
  • Trump and Xi Clash Over Iran and Ukraine in Upcoming Summit
    Trump and Xi Clash Over Iran and Ukraine in Upcoming Summit In a summit scheduled for September 24 in Washington, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to address key issues including trade, technology, the Iran conflict, and the Ukraine war. Both conflicts share a commonality in that the U.S. requires China's influence. However, the likelihood of China fully complying with U.S. demands appears low.The most pressing issue is Iran. The U.S. is intensifying economic isolation to weaken Iran's military capabilities and nuclear program. The challenge lies in the fact that China, Iran's largest oil buyer, is not participating in U.S. sanctions. China has established a covert trade network with Iran based on a barter system, where Iran supplies oil and China provides coupons for purchasing Chinese products instead of cash. This method allows them to completely evade the international financial system monitored by the U.S.Iran Sanctions: Divergent PositionsOn September 15, Treasury Secretary Scott Vessen announced that Trump and Xi would continue discussions on trade relations between China and Iran during their summit. It is anticipated that Trump will pressure Xi to actively participate in sanctions against Iran.However, China's official stance contradicts that of the U.S. The Chinese Foreign Ministry clearly stated last month that "sanctions and pressure do not help resolve issues; they only escalate tensions and worsen the situation." It is expected that Xi will express opposition to U.S. sanctions against Iran during the summit.China also disagrees with the U.S. claim that Iran should abandon its nuclear ambitions. While opposing Iran's development of nuclear weapons, China insists that Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear energy, as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), must be recognized. On September 10, China explicitly mentioned Iran's right to peaceful nuclear use at the United Nations Security Council, stating that the issue should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than military pressure.China Unmoved by Russia SanctionsThe situation is similar regarding the Ukraine war. Trump hopes Xi will exert influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate a ceasefire. On September 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a large-scale sanctions bill aimed at weakening Russia's military capabilities. The bill includes provisions for imposing tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas in large quantities, directly targeting major buyers like China and India.Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that China will halt its purchases of Russian oil and gas. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war and the implementation of sanctions against Russia, China has maintained trade relations with Russia. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on September 15 that China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions lacking legal basis and not approved by the United Nations Security Council. If the U.S. imposes a 100% tariff on China, it is expected that China will respond with retaliatory tariffs, export controls on rare earths, and a halt to purchases of U.S. products, similar to last year.Tightrope Walk: Seeking a Delicate CompromiseUltimately, during the summit on September 24, Trump is likely to demand two things from Xi: cooperation in reducing oil transactions with Iran to tighten its economic situation and assistance in persuading Putin to end the Ukraine war.However, Xi is not expected to readily accept these demands. China draws a line by not supporting Iran's nuclear weapons development or the prolongation of the war while refusing to participate in U.S. unilateral sanctions. Regarding Russia, China supports negotiations for a ceasefire but sees no reason to join U.S. pressure against Russia.As the costs of direct U.S. pressure on both Iran and Russia increase, China's cooperation becomes increasingly crucial for the U.S. Conversely, for Xi, both Iran and Russia represent important partners in securing an independent diplomatic space amid strategic competition with the U.S. Therefore, the upcoming U.S.-China summit is expected to seek a compromise where China collaborates on non-proliferation and ceasefire negotiations while partially aligning with U.S. sanctions policy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:08:00
  • Meeting safety education in Seoul
    Meeting safety education in Seoul A child takes part in a hands-on booth experience at the 'Seoul Safety Festival' held at Yeouido Park's Culture Plaza in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, September 17, 2026. 2026-09-17 18:07:38
  • Meeting safety education in Seoul
    Meeting safety education in Seoul Children take part in a hands-on booth experience at the 'Seoul Safety Festival' held at Yeouido Park's Culture Plaza in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, September 17, 2026. 2026-09-17 18:06:34
  • Telecom Industry Calls for Shift in Policy Amid AI Traffic Surge
    Telecom Industry Calls for Shift in Policy Amid AI Traffic Surge The telecom industry is urging a shift in communication policy focus from reducing fees and expanding service providers to promoting investment in future networks as the era of artificial intelligence (AI) unfolds. Experts suggest that a new revenue model is needed that ensures network quality—such as latency, security, and stability—rather than just data usage.On September 17, a seminar titled 'Challenges for the Telecom Industry in the Age of AI Transition (AX) and 6G' was held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, organized by Korea University's Center for Technology Law and Policy.Dr. Lee Jong-kwan from the law firm Sejong, who presented at the seminar, warned that the spread of AI could become the second major burden on networks following the rise of over-the-top (OTT) services. He noted, "Existing internet traffic has been predominantly driven by video consumption, leading to a high proportion of downloads. In contrast, the AI era will see users uploading large amounts of data, including images, videos, and audio, to servers while continuously exchanging information with AI, which will increase upload traffic as well."According to market research firm Omdia, AI traffic is expected to increase 48 times and AI-related traffic by 3.6 times from 2025 to 2030. By 2030, AI-based traffic is projected to account for approximately 64% of total traffic.In contrast, the actual cost of 1 Gbps internet has decreased from 38,500 won in 2014 to 31,124 won in 2025, a drop of 19.2%. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for the three major telecom companies has also fallen from 31,103 won in 2019 to 28,746 won in 2025, a decrease of 7.6%.Dr. Lee emphasized, "While domestic telecom policy has historically prioritized competition and fee reductions, it now needs to consider the sustainability of network investments and industrial competitiveness. We must move away from the outdated perception that telecom companies are already highly profitable." During the subsequent discussion, participants argued that the focus of domestic telecom policy should shift from current priorities of fee reduction, expanding service providers, and user protection to future network investment and securing industrial competitiveness. They highlighted that in the AI and 6G era, telecom companies must ensure network quality in terms of ultra-low latency, stability, security, prioritization, and connectivity while receiving compensation for these services.The three major telecom companies—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—unanimously stressed the need for a policy shift towards investment and innovation. Shin Sang-min, Vice President of SK Telecom, stated, "Current telecom policy places too much emphasis on fee reductions and expanding the number of service providers. As budget mobile operators have already become a major competitive force, we need to transition from quantitative growth focused on subscriber expansion to qualitative growth centered on service and technology differentiation." To achieve this, he proposed expanding voluntary negotiations between mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and reducing government intervention in the wholesale market. He also called for a joint effort between the government and telecom companies to transition from legacy markets, such as the termination of 3G services.Concerns were raised about the disconnect between telecom companies' network investments and the resulting revenues. KT Executive Director Seo Eun-il pointed out, "Telecom companies bear the costs of network investments, but the resulting profits are going to platform and content providers. We need to launch quality-assured services first and then implement a regulatory framework to assess their impact." He added that strategic infrastructure, such as 6G frequencies, undersea cables, and low-orbit satellites, requires tax and financial support as well as the creation of public demand.There were also calls to improve the low profitability of the telecom industry. LG Uplus Executive Director Lee Kyu-hwa stated, "We need to relax regulations that make it difficult for the three telecom companies to differentiate their pricing, allowing for greater autonomy in pricing design while still protecting general users." In response, the Ministry of Science and ICT indicated that it is considering promoting network investment as a key direction for telecom policy, in addition to maintaining fair competition and user protection. Nam Seok, Director of Telecom Policy at the ministry, stated, "We are looking to seriously consider investment promotion as one of our policy directions. We are currently discussing with telecom companies how to transition existing legacy networks and promote investment in next-generation infrastructure through a newly formed public-private consultative body." He added, "As satellite, undersea cables, cloud, and AI are interconnected into a single ecosystem, we need a comprehensive legal and institutional framework that goes beyond the existing Telecommunications Business Act, as well as a system for cooperation and coordination among service providers." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:04:20
  • Korean Shipbuilders Expand Non-Shipping Ventures Amid Boom
    Korean Shipbuilders Expand Non-Shipping Ventures Amid Boom Korean shipbuilders are expanding their non-shipping ventures, including engines, special vessels, and offshore plants, capitalizing on the current boom in the shipping industry. Learning from past experiences of oversupply during previous supercycles, they are investing profits from this boom into diversifying their business portfolios to prepare for the next downturn.According to Korea Credit Rating on September 17, major shipbuilders such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries have secured more than three years' worth of orders. Given their order backlogs, analysts believe that this strong performance is likely to continue in the medium term.During the last shipbuilding supercycle, increased production capacity led to oversupply after a sharp decline in ship orders following the 2008 global financial crisis. This time, industry insiders report that shipbuilders are focusing on strengthening their non-shipping businesses rather than aggressively expanding production capacity, aiming to reduce reliance on high-value ship types like liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is building a relatively balanced portfolio that encompasses engine machinery, special vessels, and offshore plants. Notably, in the engine machinery sector, the company recently signed two contracts to supply engines for data centers in the United States, totaling 1.58 trillion won. Unlike previous demand, which was closely tied to new ship orders, the market for engines is now expanding beyond shipping.Hanwha Ocean is leading the way in business restructuring among the three shipbuilders, focusing on special vessels and local production in the U.S. Following its acquisition of a shipyard in the U.S., the company is also pursuing a 100% acquisition of the U.S. division of Australian shipbuilding and defense firm Austal.Samsung Heavy Industries is positioning offshore plants as another growth pillar. Leveraging its experience in constructing some of the world's largest floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities, the company is enhancing its high-value offshore plant business. This year, it secured orders for two FLNG units, bringing its total offshore sector revenue to $4.4 billion, which accounts for about 40% of its total orders of $11.7 billion.The key question is whether the non-shipping ventures can generate stable profits and cash flow during future downturns in the shipping market. Special vessels are less correlated with shipping market conditions due to their ties to defense budgets and security policies, but they also face uncertainties in overseas orders and upfront investment burdens. Offshore plants, while large in scale, carry risks related to design changes and cost fluctuations.Engines are seeing some demand from non-shipping markets, such as data centers, but their overall contribution to total demand remains limited. Ultimately, the success of diversifying into non-shipping ventures will depend on the ability to maintain stable profits and cash flow even amid a slowdown in the shipping market.An industry insider stated, "Given that the share of shipping in major shipbuilders' revenues is high, it can be seen as an investment for the future during a profitable period. Based on the lessons learned from the difficulties faced after past booms, they are pursuing diversification in special vessels, U.S. operations, and offshore plant technology development."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:04:10
  • ATEEZs BAD Transformed into Latin Trot Hits 1.2 Million Views Amid AI Cover Trend
    ATEEZ's 'BAD' Transformed into Latin Trot Hits 1.2 Million Views Amid AI Cover Trend The idol group ATEEZ's song has been transformed into a 'Latin trot' through artificial intelligence (AI), gaining significant attention online. AI cover content that reinterprets the latest K-pop songs into trot, 7080 pop, and traditional Korean music is emerging rapidly.According to the domestic YouTube AI music aggregation site Gemboard, the video 'ATEEZ - BAD (Latin Trot Version)' released by the YouTube channel 'ERRDAY DRIP' has surpassed 1.2 million views and ranked sixth on the AI Music Top Weekly Chart.The video was released on July 12. It features a music video that reimagines ATEEZ's original song 'BAD' with a blend of Latin music and trot, created and synthesized through AI.The original 'BAD' is the title track from ATEEZ's mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR: Part.5,' released on June 26. The album includes five tracks, including 'BAD,' 'MAMACITA,' 'TOXIN,' 'Fallin',' and 'Body.'AI covers transforming K-pop into trot are not limited to 'BAD.' The same channel released a trot version of singer Choi Yena's 'Catch Catch' on June 13, which also exceeded 1.5 million views on YouTube. This video was also created and synthesized using AI.A video reinterpreting NewJeans' 'Right Now' into trot was released on June 24, altering the original melody and atmosphere to evoke the unique rhythm and vocal style of trot.AI-driven genre transformations extend beyond trot. Gemboard features AI cover videos that reinterpret TVXQ's 'Mirotic' in a traditional Korean style, as well as SHINee's 'Replay,' f(x)'s 'La Cha Ta,' and the collaboration of SeeYa, Davichi, and T-ara's 'Women's Generation' into the vibe of 1970s and 1980s pop.AI music content is being created not only by mimicking the voices of existing artists but also by changing the genre and overall atmosphere of songs. With the emergence of videos that reconfigure the latest K-pop into trot, 7080 pop, and traditional Korean styles, AI covers are establishing themselves as a distinct content type, allowing audiences to experience familiar songs in entirely new ways.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:04:10
  • Korean Semiconductor Industry Resilient Amid U.S. Rate Hike
    Korean Semiconductor Industry Resilient Amid U.S. Rate Hike The U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate hike has raised concerns about global financial tightening, but experts predict minimal impact on South Korea's semiconductor industry. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have established a "triple defense" strategy, characterized by robust long-term supply contracts, strong cash liquidity, and a market structure favoring high bandwidth memory (HBM), which can mitigate the effects of high interest rates.According to industry reports on September 17, the Federal Reserve decided to raise the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 3.75% to 4.00% during its two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. This marks the first monetary tightening action in over three years since July 2023.While this decision signals a renewed phase of global financial tightening, experts believe the repercussions for Samsung and SK Hynix's supply chains will be minimal. The solid contract structure serves as a significant buffer. Typically, interest rate hikes are seen as factors that dampen investment from big tech companies, but a substantial portion of memory orders from firms like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are secured through long-term supply agreements (LTA) lasting up to five years. Due to the nature of LTAs, it is challenging for companies to adjust order volumes or terminate contracts in response to short-term interest rate fluctuations or worsening financial conditions.Lee Jong-hwan, a professor at Sangmyung University, stated, "Big tech's AI infrastructure investments are not volatile businesses swayed by short-term interest rate policies. The existing LTA volumes alone can sufficiently absorb the short-term performance volatility of domestic semiconductor companies."Concerns about reduced equipment investment from the supply side are also being alleviated. As of mid-2023, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix had combined cash and short-term financial assets amounting to approximately 278 trillion won, having added about 117 trillion won in cash over the past six months. Notably, SK Hynix has strengthened its financial health by reducing debt and increasing net cash amid high interest rates.Despite rising external borrowing costs due to high interest rates, both companies have secured the financial resources necessary to proceed with next-generation process transitions and new factory constructions without disruption.The supplier-dominant structure centered on high-value-added memory, particularly HBM, is also working in favor of the domestic industry. The surge in demand for HBM for AI servers has led manufacturers to focus on these production lines, maintaining tight supply for general-purpose DRAM as part of a virtuous cycle. Industry analysts suggest that even if certain big tech companies hesitate to make purchases due to the Fed's interest rate hike, the competitive nature of the market makes it difficult for clients to significantly reduce orders.The Bank of Korea noted in its monetary credit policy report earlier this month that "despite the global tightening trend, the key drivers supporting the solid growth of the domestic economy are strong semiconductor exports and robust equipment investment." It emphasized that structural demand for high-value-added memory, such as HBM, plays a significant role in offsetting the macroeconomic tightening shocks.Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University, remarked, "In the fierce competition for AI server dominance, securing a core memory supply chain is a matter of survival for global big tech companies. The macroeconomic challenges posed by the Fed's interest rate hike are unlikely to undermine the strong supply-demand structure and solid performance established by K-semiconductors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:04:00
  • Hanwha Ends Dual Leadership in Defense Sector, New Leaders Face Challenges
    Hanwha Ends Dual Leadership in Defense Sector, New Leaders Face Challenges Hanwha is set to conclude its dual leadership structure in its defense subsidiaries after two years. While the focus was previously on creating synergies, the company now aims to enhance expertise and accelerate decision-making in line with the growth of the K-defense sector.According to industry sources on September 17, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems will hold a shareholders' meeting on the 18th to approve the appointment of Lee Boo-hwan and Yang Gi-won as internal directors. Following the meeting, the board is expected to finalize their appointments as CEOs.In October 2024, Hanwha appointed Son Jae-il as the CEO of Hanwha Systems, initiating the dual leadership system for both companies. This arrangement was intended to leverage Hanwha Aerospace's global export network alongside Hanwha Systems' defense electronics and communication technologies. This marked the first time a single leader oversaw both companies.However, the decision to revert to a traditional structure after two years is interpreted as a response to the rapid growth of the K-defense sector. As both companies have expanded their business through overseas contracts, the emphasis has shifted from synergy creation to strengthening expertise and improving decision-making speed. Indeed, the defense order backlog for Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems increased from approximately 39.7 trillion won at the end of 2024 to about 46.8 trillion won by the end of the second quarter this year, a rise of over 7 trillion won.With the change in management structure, the new leaders face significant challenges. For Lee Boo-hwan, the priority is to establish an internal management system that matches the rapid growth of the company. Hanwha Aerospace reported its first quarterly operating profit exceeding 1 trillion won in the second quarter of this year, with its defense order backlog reaching around 38 trillion won.However, risks related to internal management are also increasing. A June explosion at the Daejeon facility resulted in seven casualties, and the plant has yet to resume normal operations. Recently, allegations surfaced regarding age and school restrictions in the hiring process for experienced workers, prompting the Ministry of Employment and Labor to initiate an investigation. This highlights the need for a comprehensive overhaul of safety and personnel management, separate from performance growth.Expanding the aerospace business is another major challenge. Hanwha is considered a strong candidate for acquiring Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which is rumored to be privatized. Hanwha currently holds a 15.89% stake in KAI, making it the second-largest shareholder. If an acquisition occurs, integrating KAI's comprehensive aerospace capabilities into the business will be crucial for completing the group's defense value chain across land, sea, air, and space.For Yang Gi-won, the focus will be on securing new growth drivers and managing profitability. Hanwha Systems has achieved success in existing defense projects, such as the Cheongung-II multifunction radar and K2 tank electronics, but it needs to expand its global orders in future sectors like space, AI-based defense solutions, and electronic warfare. As related investments ramp up, the ability to maintain profitability while managing increased costs will be put to the test.An industry insider noted, "It is true that overseas orders for K-defense have recently slowed down. It has become essential to establish specialized management systems tailored to each company's characteristics while simultaneously enhancing execution capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 18:04:00
  • Government Invests 49.2 Billion Won in Small Business Energy Equipment, But Inspections Fall Short
    Government Invests 49.2 Billion Won in Small Business Energy Equipment, But Inspections Fall Short The South Korean government has invested 49.2 billion won over two years to replace energy equipment for small businesses, but only 34 locations were inspected last year. Despite the ability to verify the closure status of supported businesses, there have been no instances of such checks by relevant agencies. Some businesses have completed their equipment disposal restriction period without being included in the inspection list.According to data from the Korea Energy Agency obtained by Rep. Park Soo-min of the ruling People Power Party through the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee, the agency allocated 49.277 billion won to 1,299 businesses as part of the 'Small Business Energy Efficiency Improvement Support Project' for 2024-2025. In 2024, 769 businesses received 29.651 billion won, while 530 businesses received 19.626 billion won last year.Last year, the agency identified 334 of the 769 businesses supported in 2024 as subjects for post-management, selecting 34 for field inspections. The remaining 435 were excluded from inspections because their one-year disposal restriction period had expired. At that time, businesses receiving over 30 million won in government support were subject to a three-year disposal restriction, while those receiving less were subject to one year.As of September this year, there are 1,349 businesses still under the disposal restriction period, including 334 from 2024, 221 from last year, and 794 from this year. These businesses received a total of 65.656 billion won in subsidies.During the disposal restriction period, businesses must maintain the equipment they received support for. Any transfer, disposal, or abandonment of the equipment requires prior approval from the agency, and violations can result in the recovery of all or part of the subsidies.However, the agency has never checked the closure status of supported businesses. Although it can be verified through the National Tax Service using the business registration number, there have been no reported cases of such checks. The agency plans to consider using closure information to identify and select inspection targets in the future, explaining that it is difficult to confirm transfer status through agency data.There have been no cases of voluntary reporting for equipment disposal or violations detected through inspections in this project. No violations have been confirmed through complaints or reports. In contrast, the similar 'Energy Efficiency Market Creation Project' received one closure report in 2023 and one transfer report in 2024. The agency is currently pursuing an evaluation of the remaining value of the equipment for the closure case and the recovery of subsidies.Starting this year, the agency has extended the disposal restriction period to five years. It plans to increase the number of field inspections from 34 last year to about 100 this year, raising the inspection rate from 10% to 30%. The agency maintains that comprehensive inspections are burdensome due to travel costs and administrative demands. It will also establish operational guidelines by the end of the year that include instructions for voluntary inspections and reporting, as well as criteria for disposal restrictions and subsidy recovery. However, this year will still use a sampling inspection method, meaning some businesses will not undergo on-site verification.Rep. Park Soo-min stated, "The government's role should not end with providing financial support. If hundreds of billions of won have been invested without even confirming closure statuses, we need to examine whether there were truly no violations or if there were management blind spots that prevented detection." He emphasized the need for a robust post-management system that includes confirming violations and recovering funds before expanding support. 2026-09-17 18:04:00