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  • Baemin Identifies Top Dining Trends for First Half of 2026: Americano and Burgers
    Baemin Identifies Top Dining Trends for First Half of 2026: Americano and Burgers Baemin has identified Americano and burgers as the most popular menu items in the delivery and dining market for the first half of 2026.Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baemin, released its '2026 Baemin Dining Trends' report on July 19, analyzing its own order data from January to May to assist partner restaurants.Americano orders increased by approximately 60% compared to the same period last year. Baemin attributed this surge to the popularity of Dubai's Chonduk Cookie (Duchonku), as many customers chose Americano as a beverage to accompany the dessert. In fact, in the first quarter of this year, Americano accounted for 12.7% of dessert orders from Dubai, significantly outpacing the second-place Cafe Latte, which had a mere 1.3% share.This preference is attributed to the versatility of Americano, which pairs well with a variety of foods. Demand for Americano has been reflected in its popularity as a refreshing drink after spicy or rich meals, as well as with desserts and baked goods.A Baemin Dining Trends representative stated, "Americano is not only popular on its own but also serves as an excellent complement to both desserts and main dishes."Burgers also emerged as a noteworthy menu item. According to delivery orders on the Baemin app, burger orders from January to May rose by 14.2% compared to the same period last year, and increased by 46.5% compared to two years ago.This growth is seen as a response to rising prices, with more customers seeking affordable meal options. Burgers, in particular, have gained popularity due to their price competitiveness, allowing customers to enjoy a meal with drinks and sides for around 10,000 won.Meanwhile, the 2026 Baemin Dining Trends report is available for free on Baemin's restaurant management portal, which serves as a comprehensive information hub for restaurant owners. Since its launch in 2014, the Baemin Academy has surpassed 350,000 enrolled students to enhance the competitiveness of restaurant operators.Park Jin-soo, head of the Partner Operations Center at Woowa Brothers, remarked, "We provide diverse content utilizing Baemin data to help our partners respond swiftly to the rapidly changing trends in the delivery and dining industry."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:44:00
  • Ministry of Planning Launches Public Engagement for Long-Term National Development Strategy
    Ministry of Planning Launches Public Engagement for Long-Term National Development Strategy The Ministry of Planning and Budget has initiated a public consultation process to gather opinions for the establishment of a long-term national development strategy. The government aims to enhance citizen participation and improve policy effectiveness by creating a comprehensive communication system that includes both online and offline channels. On July 19, the ministry announced that it has begun soliciting proposals from firms to manage the 'Public Communication Project Related to the Long-Term National Development Strategy.' This initiative follows a directive from Minister Park Hong-geun during an expanded executive meeting, where he emphasized the need to gather public input for the development of the long-term national strategy. Minister Park stated, "As we enter the second half of the year, it is time to implement the plans we have developed. We must consider a variety of public opinions, including suggestions from the younger generation, in the process of establishing the long-term national development strategy." The ministry plans to move away from a linear, department-centered approach to planning by operating a combination of online and offline channels to gather feedback from stakeholders across different age groups and sectors. Key activities will include town hall meetings for the general public, sector-specific discussions, academic seminars, and surveys of various experts. The ministry intends to collect diverse opinions through these channels. To ensure the objectivity of the survey results, the ministry will employ scientific research methods, including statistical surveys and focus group interviews (FGI). Additionally, in-depth interviews will be conducted by age group to analyze perceptions and needs in detail. The ministry plans to comprehensively analyze and document all processes and survey results from this communication project. Based on the public suggestions and expert discussions gathered through the national survey, a final white paper will be produced and published. This white paper will serve as foundational research and policy reference material for the long-term national development strategy that the ministry will establish in the future. A ministry official stated, "This project aims to systematically analyze public opinions gathered through online and offline channels in the process of deriving long-term strategic tasks at the national level. We will select a qualified operating firm through a proposal process and proceed with the planned survey schedule."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:12:00
  • Retail Investors Pour 35.8 Trillion Won into Semiconductor Stocks Amid Market Correction
    Retail Investors Pour 35.8 Trillion Won into Semiconductor Stocks Amid Market Correction As the KOSPI index has experienced significant fluctuations since reaching a record high, individual investors have poured over 35 trillion won into the market during this correction phase. Retail investors, often referred to as 'ants,' have focused their purchases on major semiconductor stocks such as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, since the KOSPI hit its peak on June 22, individual investors have net bought a total of 35.8 trillion won, including 27 trillion won in individual stocks and 8.8 trillion won in domestic equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs).The bulk of this investment has flowed into semiconductor giants. From June 22 to July 16, individuals net purchased 23.34 trillion won worth of SK Hynix, making it the most bought stock. Samsung Electronics also saw net purchases of 13.23 trillion won, with over 36.5 trillion won invested in these two stocks alone.Foreign and institutional investors have also shown interest in semiconductor and AI-related stocks, but their choices differed. Foreign investors net bought 9.96 trillion won of LG Innotek, followed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics at 4.92 trillion won and Hanmi Semiconductor at 3.42 trillion won. Institutions focused on SK Square, purchasing 17.48 trillion won, along with significant buys in Samsung Electronics (12.41 trillion won) and Isu Petasys (6.71 trillion won).However, the investment performance has been disappointing. Comparing the closing prices from June 22 to July 16, SK Hynix, the top net purchase by individuals, fell from 2,919,000 won to 1,842,000 won, a decline of 36.9%. LG Innotek, the most purchased by foreigners, dropped 40.9%, while SK Square, the top net purchase by institutions, fell 38.5%.While individual investors have been active in buying during the correction, the use of borrowed funds for investment and cash reserves have significantly decreased. The Korea Financial Investment Association reported that the balance of margin trading loans fell from 38.53 trillion won on June 22 to 34.37 trillion won on July 15, a decrease of 4.16 trillion won (10.8%). This decline is attributed to position adjustments and profit-taking to avoid forced selling during the market downturn. During the same period, investor deposit funds also dropped from 132.19 trillion won to 109.87 trillion won, a decrease of 22.32 trillion won (16.9%).Despite this, analysts believe that individual investors still have significant buying power. They argue that the decrease in investor deposit funds alone does not indicate weakened demand, as actual deposits continue to show a net inflow. Lee Sang-yeon, a researcher at Shin Young Securities, stated, "Investor deposits are an indicator that moves in tandem with the stock index, and based on actual deposits reflecting cash inflows and outflows, the net inflow trend continues. Individual demand has not collapsed yet, and as long as the bullish market trend persists, its impact will be limited." He added that in a phase where borrowing costs are rising, the pace of expansion in margin and unpaid trading could slow or reverse.Kim Jae-seung, a researcher at Hyundai Motor Securities, also noted, "Rather than judging individual investor sentiment and demand solely based on customer deposit funds, it is essential to consider net purchases of individual stocks and domestic equity ETFs together."Looking ahead, the key question is whether the accumulated buying by individual investors during the correction will translate into selling during a market rebound. Kim emphasized, "Since individual buying has concentrated around the KOSPI range of 7,000 to 8,500, attention should be paid to the potential for selling pressure when the market rebounds."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:12:00
  • Interest Rates Near 3% as Real Estate Market Faces Uncertainty
    Interest Rates Near 3% as Real Estate Market Faces Uncertainty The Bank of Korea is on the verge of raising its benchmark interest rate to the 3% range, creating tension across the real estate market. The increase in rates is expected to not only heighten the borrowing burden for buyers but also impact financing for reconstruction and redevelopment projects, project financing (PF) refinancing, rising sale prices, jeonse loan burdens, and the shift to monthly rent.According to the financial sector, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Committee raised the benchmark interest rate from 2.50% to 2.75% on July 16. If the rate increases again, it will enter the 3% range.Industry experts believe that the rising interest rate trend could simultaneously pressure both demand and supply in the real estate market. While past rate hikes were primarily seen as factors that dampened buyer interest, this time, the increase in project costs and financing expenses could lead to a reduction in supply.Kim Jin-wook, chief economist at Citibank Korea, stated in a report, "The Bank of Korea's rate hike will affect household credit loans and demand for overdraft accounts, but its impact on the housing market's upward trend will be limited. Factors such as the structural housing supply shortage in Seoul from 2026 to 2028 will accelerate the upward trend in the metropolitan housing market."Redevelopment and reconstruction sites are expected to be the first to feel the impact. These projects have significant financial costs, including operational expenses for associations, relocation costs, project loans, bridge loans, and main PF. As interest rates rise, the burden of interest on associations will increase, potentially leading to higher contributions from members. With construction costs already straining project viability, rising financial costs could delay projects or complicate the selection of construction firms.The PF market will also be directly affected by rising interest rates. Developers and construction companies typically use bridge loans during the land acquisition phase and switch to main PF after obtaining permits. An increase in rates will raise refinancing costs, and financial institutions may adopt a more conservative approach to project viability assessments.Concerns are growing in the real estate development sector that stricter PF loan conditions due to rising rates will make it difficult to extend bridge loan maturities and transition to main PF, leading to inevitable delays in construction and a decrease in new supply. The Korea Construction Industry Institute has also analyzed that a contraction in PF funding could result in delays in housing starts and weaken the supply base.The trend toward increased monthly rent is also expected to intensify. As jeonse loan rates rise, tenants may be more inclined to choose monthly rent or half-jeonse rather than increasing their deposits. Landlords may also prefer to switch to monthly rent if the structure of receiving jeonse deposits to reduce loans weakens.An industry insider noted, "With the recent decrease in jeonse listings in Seoul and the rise in jeonse loan rates, the burden on tenants could increase. With a shortage of jeonse listings and rising loan interest burdens, the options for young people, newlyweds, and first-time homebuyers will inevitably narrow."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:08:00
  • South Korean Government Considers Rural Development Fund Amid CPTPP Membership Talks
    South Korean Government Considers Rural Development Fund Amid CPTPP Membership Talks The South Korean government is reviewing contributions to the Rural Development Cooperation Fund and is moving to join a new trade consultative body, leading to speculation that efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are intensifying. Concerns are growing within the agricultural sector about the potential negative impacts of market opening.According to relevant authorities on July 19, the government's actions regarding the Rural Development Cooperation Fund and joining the trade consultative body are being viewed by the agricultural community as preliminary steps toward CPTPP membership, which is a multilateral free trade agreement involving countries in the Asia-Pacific region.Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned during a report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on July 16, "Did we not create a 1 trillion won fund for cooperation following the Korea-China FTA?" He added, "The target amount of 1 trillion won is quite small, and currently, only about 300 billion won has been raised."He continued, "Since we promised farmers a 1 trillion won compensation, the government should also take responsibility. This is a matter of trust," suggesting that if there is a shortfall of about 700 billion won, the government could explore options to cover it given the current favorable tax revenue situation. The possibility of using increased tax revenue from the special rural tax due to a strong stock market in the first half of the year is being discussed.While the expansion of the fund for rural development appears beneficial for farmers, the agricultural sector remains cautious due to the government's recent actions. On July 17, the government officially announced its membership in the Future Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), a consultative body focused on free trade among middle powers.The concern is that six of the FIT-P member countries are already CPTPP members. Since existing members must agree to new members, joining FIT-P is seen as a favorable step toward CPTPP membership. Some view the FIT-P membership as a foundation for joining the CPTPP, while others interpret the fund contributions as an effort to quell farmers' dissatisfaction.The agricultural sector's apprehension about CPTPP membership stems from the significantly higher level of market opening it demands compared to existing FTAs. The expected high tariff elimination rates and the difficulty in establishing exception clauses are concerning. Additionally, the capacity to respond to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which have been used to restrict agricultural imports, may weaken under the CPTPP framework.Joining the CPTPP is expected to adversely affect rice, apple, and livestock farmers. Countries like Australia and Vietnam may demand increased exports of their rice to South Korea, and there is a possibility of importing apples from New Zealand and Japan. There are also forecasts that beef from Australia and Mexico could enter South Korea at lower prices.As a result, voices of concern are growing among agricultural organizations and farmers. Norman Ho, the permanent representative of the Korean Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, stated, "CPTPP is not just a trade agreement; it directly relates to the foundation of domestic agriculture and food security. The government should halt its membership push and develop effective measures to stabilize agricultural prices and alleviate production costs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:08:00
  • Should Young Adults Have Access to Housing Loans?
    Should Young Adults Have Access to Housing Loans? "Without parental support, it is impossible to buy a house."This statement emerged during a recent real estate finance forum hosted by the Financial Services Commission. It succinctly summarized the two-hour discussion. A young participant expressed frustration that the income and asset criteria for policy loans exclude those who truly need assistance, urging for a reduction in barriers.The response was predictable. Concerns were raised that increasing loans could stimulate housing prices and household debt. The argument is that simply providing more purchasing power in a supply-constrained market would primarily benefit homeowners. Loosening loan restrictions could lead to rising home prices, while tightening them would prevent young people from buying homes.This dilemma has persisted for years. Both sides present valid points, amplifying the sense of frustration. For many young people, loans are essentially the only means to afford a home, given that current housing prices are beyond what can be saved from salaries alone. At the same time, it is undeniable that increasing loans channels more money into the housing market, supporting higher prices.The government is aware of this contradiction. Tightening regulations invites criticism of 'kicking away the housing ladder for the working class,' while broadening exceptions leads to accusations of 'supporting housing prices through debt.' It is understandable that the financial authorities are grappling with the potential side effects of either choice.However, throughout the discussion, a peculiar disconnect was evident. The government focused on how much debt to allow young people to take on, while the young participants questioned why they should have to incur such debt in the first place. They were asking fundamentally different questions in the same forum.Increasing the limits on policy loans may enhance the immediate possibility of purchasing a home. However, if home prices remain unchanged, the burden of principal and interest that young buyers must shoulder for a lifetime will also increase. While they may succeed in acquiring a home, their lives could become dominated by debt repayment, delaying choices such as marriage, childbirth, job changes, and entrepreneurship.Conversely, if loan restrictions are uniformly tightened, those lacking cash will be pushed out of the market. Individuals who can receive substantial financial support from their parents will endure, while those who cannot will be excluded. For young people with income but insufficient initial assets, loan regulations effectively become a barrier to entry. Rather than preventing 'parental advantages,' these regulations may reinforce asset disparities.That said, the call is not to eliminate all loan regulations. Speculative demand and borrowing beyond repayment capacity should certainly be curtailed. However, not all loans should be treated as equal risks. The funding for additional purchases by multiple homeowners and the financing for first-time homebuyers are fundamentally different in purpose. Uniform regulations that do not distinguish between actual residency, income flow, life cycle, and housing prices will struggle to curb speculation while protecting genuine demand.Policy loans should not merely increase limits. If the government provides loans for home purchases but then leaves borrowers to struggle under excessive repayment burdens, it cannot be considered comprehensive housing support. Measures such as expanding long-term fixed rates, improving repayment structures, and supporting asset formation for young people must accompany any loan provisions.Financial policy is a tool for addressing housing issues, not housing policy itself. Increasing loan limits may not be laying down a ladder but rather pushing individuals to climb with heavier burdens. Conversely, restricting loans is akin to closing off access to the ladder altogether.What young people seek is not the right to incur more debt, but a fair opportunity to secure a home based on their own income, independent of their parents' bank balances. The question the government should be asking is not 'Should we loosen or tighten loans?' but rather 'Why has it become impossible to buy a home without debt?' If the question is flawed, the answer will inevitably be flawed as well.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:04:00
  • Korea Approaches 3% Benchmark Interest Rate Amid Economic Concerns
    Korea Approaches 3% Benchmark Interest Rate Amid Economic Concerns The Bank of Korea has shifted to a tightening monetary policy for the first time in three and a half years, bringing the benchmark interest rate closer to 3%. Market attention is now focused on the possibility and frequency of further rate hikes, especially amid ongoing inflation concerns driven by high oil prices and exchange rates. The tightening trend in major economies, including the United States, is likely to accelerate Korea's rate increase.On July 16, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Committee raised the benchmark rate from 2.50% to 2.75%, marking the first increase since late 2022 and indicating a shift from an accommodative to a tightening stance.Financial analysts predict that the Bank of Korea may implement consecutive rate hikes in August, with the final rate potentially reaching between 3.25% and 3.50%. Rising international oil prices are expected to contribute to long-term consumer price increases, and a narrowing interest rate gap with the U.S. could help reduce exchange rate volatility.The implications of the benchmark rate increase are expected to ripple through the Korean economy. Homeowners with mortgage loans will face increased financial burdens. As of July 16, the mixed mortgage rates from the five major banks ranged from 4.77% to 7.49%. If further rate hikes occur, mortgage rates could exceed 8%.As interest burdens grow, the risks associated with borrowing for investment, known as 'debt investment,' are also increasing. As of the end of last month, the balance of overdraft loans from commercial banks reached 41.34 trillion won, the highest level in over three years. The KOSPI index has experienced significant fluctuations, dropping below 7,000 points, which has heightened the repayment pressures for individual investors who borrowed to invest.For businesses, rising financial costs are expected to dampen capital investment and research and development spending. Companies with lower profitability may face increased pressure for restructuring, leading to reduced employment and a slowdown in the overall economy.Companies that issued corporate bonds during the low-interest period will also face higher rates when refinancing as their bonds mature. Firms with lower credit ratings may find it increasingly difficult to secure funding due to significantly higher borrowing costs.The government is not exempt from these challenges. An increase in interest rates will raise the cost of issuing government bonds, expanding the government's interest burden and potentially constraining its fiscal capacity. This could limit the government's ability to implement supplementary budgets or other fiscal policies.A financial sector official stated, "The interest rate hike increases costs not only for households and businesses but also for government financing, altering the overall cost structure of the economy. The focus should be on the pace of future rate increases and the ultimate level of the final rate rather than just the current hike."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:04:00
  • Spain and Argentina Face Off in World Cup Final
    Spain and Argentina Face Off in World Cup Final The top teams from Europe and South America will clash for the FIFA North American World Cup trophy. Spain and Argentina will meet in the tournament final on July 20 at 4 a.m. KST at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.This marks the first time the reigning champions of the UEFA European Championship and the CONMEBOL Copa America will face each other in a World Cup final. Spain won the 2024 Euro by defeating England, while Argentina triumphed over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America.Spain, seeking its second World Cup title after 16 years since the 2010 South Africa tournament, boasts a formidable defense, having conceded only one goal in seven matches. Even Kylian Mbappe, who scored 10 goals in the tournament, could not find the net against Spain.The Spanish national team is currently on a 37-match unbeaten streak (28 wins, 9 draws), having not lost since a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024. This ties them with Italy's record of 37 matches without a loss from 2018 to 2021. If Spain avoids defeat in regulation time during the final, they will set a new record for unbeaten matches.All eyes will be on 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who aims to become the first player to win both the Euro and World Cup in the same decade. After celebrating his birthday on July 13, Yamal played a crucial role in Spain's Euro 2024 victory with 1 goal and 4 assists in seven matches. Although he has only one goal in this World Cup, his impactful play has been notable.Argentina, the reigning champions from the 2022 Qatar tournament, could become the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups, following Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). A victory would also mark Argentina's fourth World Cup title and complete a historic four consecutive major tournament wins, including the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.At the center of Argentina's efforts is Lionel Messi, who is vying for the World Cup Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (top scorer) awards, along with a potential Ballon d'Or win in October. Messi's chances of winning the Golden Ball are high, having contributed significantly to Argentina's success in the knockout stage, including two assists in the semifinal against England. He has recorded 8 goals and 4 assists in the tournament.No other player on the Spanish team has matched Messi's individual achievements. Historically, seven of the eleven Golden Ball winners have come from teams that did not win the tournament, suggesting that Messi's third Golden Ball win (following 2014 and 2022) is likely, regardless of Argentina's final outcome.However, the race for the Golden Boot has become more competitive. Messi, who was leading in offensive points, lost his top position to Mbappe, who scored two goals and provided one assist in the third-place match, bringing his total to 10 goals and 4 assists. If Messi wants to claim the Golden Boot, he must score at least two goals and provide one assist in the final or match Mbappe's goal tally while considering playing time, as Messi has played 712 minutes compared to Mbappe's 769 minutes.Messi's performance in the World Cup could also influence his chances of winning a ninth Ballon d'Or. According to a report from Football Planet, the award's organizer, France Football, stated that there is "no reason" Messi should not win, indicating that his achievements, even while playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), would not hinder his candidacy.The all-time record between the two teams stands at 6 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses, indicating a balanced matchup. Their last World Cup encounter was 60 years ago in 1966, when Argentina defeated Spain 2-1.While the historical record is even, Spain holds a slight edge in this tournament's predictions. According to simulations by the sports statistics platform Opta, Spain has a 56.05% chance of winning, while Argentina stands at 43.95%. Spain's earlier semifinal match may have contributed to their additional rest days.The likelihood of the match going into extra time is estimated at 29%.Additionally, the tournament winner will receive a specially crafted "champion ring" from FIFA, marking the first time in World Cup history that the trophy and medals will be accompanied by this unique award. A total of 2026 rings will be produced, including 30 custom-made for the winning team, each with a unique number. The remaining 1996 rings will be available for purchase as official licensed merchandise worldwide.After the final, the team captain and coach will receive the temporary champion rings first, followed by the actual champion rings, which will be custom-made for the 30 players.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 17:04:00
  • Interest Rates Rise as Borrowing Becomes More Difficult
    Interest Rates Rise as Borrowing Becomes More Difficult The Bank of Korea's interest rate hike is increasing the financial burden on borrowers. With financial authorities managing household loan limits, banks are raising their lending thresholds, compounding the difficulties for borrowers who are already facing higher interest rates.As of July 16, the fixed-rate mortgage interest rates at the five major banks (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup) range from 4.77% to 7.49%, with the upper limit surpassing 7%. Compared to the end of May (4.26% to 7.10%), the lower limit has increased by 0.51 percentage points, and the upper limit by 0.39 percentage points. This reflects market expectations of further interest rate hikes.Variable-rate loans, which previously offered lower rates, are also on the rise. The variable rates at the five major banks are now between 4.13% and 6.58%, up by 0.06 to 0.21 percentage points from the end of last month. This increase is due to the rising COFIX (Cost of Funds Index), which has exceeded 3% for the first time in 19 months, reaching 3.05% last month.The situation is concerning as loan limits are rapidly decreasing while interest rates continue to rise. As of July 15, the outstanding household loans at the five major banks, excluding policy loans, totaled 649.66 trillion won, an increase of 4.69 trillion won from the end of last year (644.97 trillion won). This figure exceeds the annual increase target of 4.34 trillion won set by the Financial Supervisory Service by approximately 3.5 trillion won. Major banks are tightening lending standards by reducing mortgage limits and restricting access to mortgage credit insurance (MCI) and mortgage credit guarantees (MCG).With the added burden of rising interest rates, borrowers are expected to face even greater financial challenges. The Bank of Korea has left open the possibility of further rate hikes this year, and banks are finding it difficult to lower rates due to household loan management. If additional rate increases occur, banks' funding costs will rise, leading to upward pressure on loan rates.According to data submitted by the Bank of Korea to lawmaker Lee Jong-wook, a 0.25 percentage point increase in mortgage rates would raise the annual interest burden on borrowers by approximately 1.8 trillion won, with each borrower facing an average increase of 296,000 won. If rates rise by 0.75 percentage points, the average annual interest burden per borrower could increase to 889,000 won.Borrowers with variable-rate loans may see their repayment capacity deteriorate more quickly due to rising rates. Variable-rate mortgages are adjusted periodically based on benchmark rates like COFIX, which means the impact of rate increases is felt more rapidly by households. As of the end of May, the proportion of new variable-rate mortgage loans was 58.4%, the highest level since June 2021 when it was 60.5%.A financial industry official stated, "New borrowers must consider both loan limits and interest burdens. If rising rates increase repayment pressures, there is a risk of higher delinquency rates, particularly among vulnerable groups, leading to potential household loan defaults. Close monitoring is necessary." 2026-07-19 17:04:00
  • BTS Concludes European Tour with 710,000 Fans in Attendance, Ending in Paris
    BTS Concludes European Tour with 710,000 Fans in Attendance, Ending in Paris Group BTS has wrapped up their 'ARIRANG' European tour in Paris, France.On July 18, BTS held the 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN PARIS' at Stade de France, concluding their European tour.During this tour, BTS performed a total of 10 shows across five cities: Madrid, Brussels, London, Munich, and Paris, attracting approximately 717,000 fans. All shows sold out immediately upon ticket release, confirming their immense popularity in Europe.The Paris concert drew an audience of 92,000 per show, marking the highest attendance for a single concert in BTS's history.Paris holds special significance in BTS's tour history. They previously concluded their 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF' European leg at Stade de France in 2019. Returning to the same venue after about seven years, they celebrated the finale of their new European tour.The members expressed their gratitude, stating, "We were really happy and thankful for the love we received from so many people. From the start of the European tour to Paris, it was such a joyful experience. We were overwhelmed to perform in front of so many fans."They also remarked in French, "A city of fashion, gastronomy, romance, and the best ARMY. Paris has everything we love. We will definitely come back."Jin recalled his experience as a torchbearer for the '2024 Paris Summer Olympics,' saying, "I was with you on those beautiful streets, and I am so happy to be together again. Thank you for making this day so wonderful for us."French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife attended the concert, having visited the venue on July 17 to watch BTS perform.Local media praised the concert, with Le Parisien describing it as an explosive and rich show. Le Monde referred to BTS as a group that has elevated K-pop to the pinnacle of the global music industry, highlighting their journey from debut to the present.Earlier, the German daily Welt introduced BTS as one of the most successful pop groups of the modern era, noting their role as a representative example of transcending Western-centric cultural trends.BTS also set several records during this European tour. They became the first Korean artists to perform at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels and Allianz Arena in Munich. At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, they attracted the highest audience for a concert held at that venue.The tour significantly impacted the host cities. According to global real estate and hotel data firm CoStar, Madrid's hotel industry recorded its highest revenue per available room in June, with BTS's concert identified as a key event influencing hotel demand.In London, they held 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG - LONDON,' combining performances with city-themed content. The event integrated BTS's music and narratives into major landmarks like the London Eye, the River Thames, and the British Museum, creating a cultural event enjoyed by fans, citizens, and tourists alike.Meanwhile, BTS is set to co-headline the halftime show at the '2026 FIFA North America World Cup' final on July 20 at New York New Jersey Stadium, sharing the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 16:52:00