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  • Seouls Rental Market Faces Shortage as Prices Rise
    Seoul's Rental Market Faces Shortage as Prices Rise In Seoul's rental market, listings in mid-low price areas are rapidly disappearing, limiting options for tenants. The shortage is particularly pronounced in outer districts like Nowon, Jungnang, and Guro, contrasting with the high-priced rentals in Gangnam.According to real estate platform Asil, as of July 16, the number of rental listings for apartments in Jungnang dropped to 84, a 78.7% decrease from 412 a year ago. Nowon saw a decline from 1,086 listings to 304, a 72.1% drop, while Guro experienced a 71.5% reduction.Geumcheon reported a 71.2% decrease in rental listings, with Dongdaemun down 65.6%, Gwanak down 65.0%, and Dobong down 62.3%. Given that the overall decline in rental listings across Seoul is about 16% over the past year, the drop in mid-low price areas is particularly significant.These areas have historically served as a 'buffer zone' in Seoul's rental market. According to the Seoul Real Estate Information Plaza, the average rental price for apartments in Seoul last month was 660.15 million won. In contrast, the average rental prices were significantly lower in Nowon at 340.60 million won, Guro at 423.23 million won, and Jungnang at 438.71 million won.The average rental price in Nowon is about half of the citywide average, while Guro's average is only 64.1% of the average. The rapid decline in listings in these price ranges is affecting newlyweds, young people, and households without homes who cannot afford the higher rents in Gangnam or the city center.As a result, the rental crisis is being felt first in mid-low price areas rather than high-priced regions. Tenants are finding fewer options to move to lower-priced rentals within Seoul. The disappearance of mid-low rental listings may increase pressure to switch to monthly rentals or move to the outskirts in Gyeonggi or Incheon.One factor contributing to the decline in rental listings is the expansion of land transaction permission zones, which imposes a residency requirement. The government expanded these zones across Seoul as part of its housing market stabilization measures last October. Consequently, buyers in newly designated districts are now required to reside in the property for two years.The difficulty of gap investments, where buyers purchase homes while renting them out, has made it increasingly common for buyers to move in directly, reducing the number of properties available for rent. This trend is particularly pronounced in mid-low price areas where both investment and actual residency demand have been strong.Additionally, the increase in lease renewals among existing tenants is exacerbating the shortage of rental listings. An analysis by Zigbang of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction disclosure system found that the proportion of new rental contracts in Seoul dropped from 52.6% in January to 45.0% last month. Conversely, the share of lease renewals rose from 47.4% to 55.0%.A real estate industry insider noted, "In a situation where rental prices are rising, tenants are opting to extend their existing contracts rather than search for new rentals. New contracts reflect the increased market rates immediately, while renewals often negotiate based on the previous deposit amount."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 14:12:00
  • President Lee Proposes Returning Election Deposit for Youth Candidates to Previous Levels
    President Lee Proposes Returning Election Deposit for Youth Candidates to Previous Levels President Lee Jae-myung suggested on July 19 that the Democratic Party of Korea consider reverting the election deposit amounts for candidates back to previous levels. He expressed concern that the recent increase in deposits, particularly for youth candidates, has made it difficult for them to participate in elections. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, "It is sad that financial constraints prevent people from running for office, as it also increases the temptation for corruption." He highlighted that one of the key reforms initiated by former President Roh Moo-hyun was the introduction of a public election system, noting that during his time as party leader, he had proposed reducing deposit amounts significantly to prevent a proliferation of candidates. He acknowledged that sitting lawmakers might have less financial burden due to their access to political funds, but emphasized that those outside the National Assembly, especially young candidates, face greater challenges. "Given that the party's finances are not in dire straits, and considering the need for policy support for youth, I suggest we think about returning the deposit amounts to previous levels," he said. Additionally, President Lee expressed a desire to support youth candidates by promoting their fundraising accounts, stating, "As someone who has faced financial struggles in my youth and overcome numerous challenges, I want to help promote their support accounts." He also addressed potential criticisms of his involvement in party matters, clarifying, "Some may see this as interference in party affairs, but under current laws and party regulations, the president, as a party member, is allowed to express opinions on party matters, so I hope there are no misunderstandings." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 14:04:00
  • Four Korean Teams Advance to DEF CON CTF 34 Finals, Showcasing K-Cybersecurity
    Four Korean Teams Advance to DEF CON CTF 34 Finals, Showcasing K-Cybersecurity Four teams from South Korea are among the 12 finalists in the DEF CON CTF 34, an international hacking competition. As cyber threats evolve with the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the skills of South Korean white-hat hackers are gaining recognition on the global stage.According to the security industry, the finals will take place from August 7 to 9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring the top 12 teams that advanced from the preliminary rounds. Among these, four teams include participants from South Korean companies and institutions: SK Shieldus EQST, Naver Cloud, Samsung Research, Tiori, Toss, ENKI Whitehat, Raon Secure, KR Security, and Korea University.Notably, SK Shieldus EQST formed an international team called 'The Seoul Sauna Shogunate' with Naver Cloud, Ruby Lab, Finland's H-T8, and Japan's TPC to reach the finals. This marks the first time SK Shieldus has advanced past the DEF CON CTF preliminaries.DEF CON CTF, which began in 1993, is regarded as the world's premier international hacking competition, often referred to as the 'Hacking Olympics' or 'White Hat World Cup.' It evaluates not only the ability to find vulnerabilities but also skills in attack and defense, system operation, and vulnerability research.This year's preliminaries were held online over 48 hours in June. Reflecting advancements in generative AI, many challenges were designed to be difficult to solve using AI alone. While AI can assist in identifying vulnerabilities, successfully executing an attack requires complex analysis, experience, and the ability to design attack scenarios, thereby assessing participants' practical skills.In fact, the team that included SK Shieldus solved complex problems involving data recovery, network packet analysis, and web hacking over approximately 30 hours. They had to restore corrupted hexadecimal data to reconstruct network packets, which were then used to tackle subsequent web hacking challenges. This highlighted the importance of not only individual skills but also teamwork and information sharing.The finals will simulate real-world corporate security environments. Competing teams will operate provided servers while simultaneously attacking vulnerabilities in other teams' servers and defending their own. Success in attacks and the stable operation of services will both be evaluated. Additionally, events such as 'Live CTF,' where representatives solve problems in real-time, and 'King of the Hill,' which tests the most efficient attack techniques, will also take place.The security industry views this achievement as a testament to the growth of the domestic white-hat hacker ecosystem and the competitive edge of practical security talent required in the AI era. With teams formed by companies, universities, and international researchers competing against some of the world's top security experts, this event is expected to showcase South Korea's cybersecurity capabilities. 2026-07-19 14:04:00
  • Daum Launches Sovereign AI Full Stack in Collaboration with Upstage, AXZ, and FuriosaAI
    Daum Launches 'Sovereign AI Full Stack' in Collaboration with Upstage, AXZ, and FuriosaAI Upstage has partnered with AI semiconductor company FuriosaAI to introduce a domestic full-stack Sovereign AI service on the portal Daum. The service operates Upstage's large language model (LLM) on Furiosa's AI neural processing unit (NPU) and applies it to Daum's 'AI Overview' service. This collaboration showcases the potential for self-sufficiency in domestic AI technology by integrating local AI semiconductors, models, and portal services.On July 15, Upstage CEO Kim Seong-hoon, FuriosaAI CEO Baek Jun-ho, and AXZ CEO Lee Geon-soo held an online discussion to present the 'AI Overview' service they developed together. They also discussed future collaboration plans, including Daum's agent AI initiatives.The AI Overview service runs Upstage's LLM Solar on FuriosaAI's NPU Renegade. Unlike traditional search methods where users must click through multiple links to find information, this AI reads documents first and summarizes key points. Daum began a pilot service for AI Overview on July 1.Lee Geon-soo explained that the AI Overview is specialized in handling the latest information based on real-time data. He noted that while Google has started offering AI-generated summary answers at the top of search results, Daum focuses on retrieving the most current information from its partnerships with media outlets, cafes, and Tistory.Currently, the AI Overview utilizes approximately 24 chips across three server nodes, processing around 500 million tokens daily. Lee stated, "We have implemented a 'hybrid search' that combines keyword and vector search methods to retrieve the latest information," adding that they are working to address hallucination issues that arise during the summarization process through robust harness engineering.Baek Jun-ho highlighted the cost and power efficiency of the Renegade as a key strength. He explained that optimizing frontier models like Solar requires careful adjustments, and FuriosaAI has developed a compiler that efficiently converts AI models and a serving engine tailored to various service scenarios.The three companies plan to continue their collaboration through Daum's agent AI services. Following the AI Overview, Daum aims to expand into vertical AI services for shopping and dining, with a goal of promoting 'one agent per person.' Currently, AI Overview is exposed to about 20% of all search queries on Daum, with plans to increase this share to over half in the future.Daum's AI agents are expected to actively reflect real-time trends and the latest information from the AI Overview. As search trends evolve following the introduction of Daum's real-time trend service, they aim to create personalized agents based on user interests.Lee noted, "Recently, the top real-time search trend was 'Samsung Electronics stock,'" adding, "We will create agents that deliver necessary information to each user without them having to search daily for Samsung's stock or related news about competitors."FuriosaAI plans to continue expanding its solutions and products to support optimal token costs and performance for Daum's AI Overview and agent AI services.Kim emphasized, "Using AI Overview on the Daum portal means leveraging both Upstage's Solar and FuriosaAI's NPU. We need to create a virtuous cycle where the use of domestic AI models and infrastructure increases, thereby enhancing quality."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 14:04:00
  • Government Eases Local Investment Grant Requirements for New Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
    Government Eases Local Investment Grant Requirements for New Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures The government is significantly relaxing strict support requirements that have hindered local investments by companies. Starting July 20, new subsidiaries and joint ventures will also be eligible for grant support, and benefits will be enhanced for the introduction of domestic equipment.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will implement revised criteria for national financial support for local investment by businesses, aimed at promoting local investments. The local investment promotion grant system provides financial support from both national and local governments for companies relocating from the capital region or investing in local facilities.A key feature of the revised guidelines is that new subsidiaries and joint ventures will now be eligible for grants. Previously, only companies with at least one year of operation were eligible, making it difficult for newly established entities to qualify. Now, companies with less than one year of operation can also receive support.Additionally, businesses that lease part of their investment facilities will also be included in the support criteria. The previous regulation that prohibited grant applications for leased facilities has been improved, allowing applications for areas outside the planned leased space.The requirements for maintaining area and employment levels, which placed excessive burdens on businesses, have also been revised. Previously, all facilities of a company receiving grants were subject to area and employment maintenance obligations. Going forward, only existing facilities in the same industry as the new investment will need to be maintained.Support measures to strengthen the domestic equipment ecosystem have also been established. If a company introduces domestic equipment for more than 70% of its machinery purchase costs, the grant support rate will be increased by 2 percentage points to encourage the use of domestic equipment. Furthermore, the costs of purchasing used equipment will also be recognized as part of the investment amount.The revised guidelines will apply to grant applications submitted after July 20. Companies can apply through the local government in their investment area to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.A ministry official stated, "We will continue to actively support local investments by businesses while ensuring thorough management of supported companies to drive genuine revitalization of the local economy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 14:00:00
  • Amazon Logistics Executives Visit APRs Pyeongtaek Factory to Assess K-Beauty Supply Chain
    Amazon Logistics Executives Visit APR's Pyeongtaek Factory to Assess K-Beauty Supply Chain Executives from Amazon's global logistics and supply chain visited APR's smart factory to assess the company's manufacturing and logistics capabilities, which support the rising global demand for K-beauty products. APR announced that the delegation, including Amazon's Global FBA President Piyush Sarawagi, recently toured the APR Factory's second campus in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The visitors examined the surface mount technology (SMT) process for integrating electronic components into beauty devices, as well as the product assembly and inspection lines, and a two-story logistics center. They also observed the smart factory system that allows real-time monitoring of production status and the operation of automated logistics equipment. The delegation showed particular interest in APR's integrated operational system, which controls everything from planning to production and logistics, as well as its global supply chain response strategies. This visit comes as APR's international business is rapidly expanding. In the first quarter of this year, APR reported sales of 593.4 billion won and an operating profit of 152.3 billion won. Overseas sales surged by 179.9% year-on-year to 528.1 billion won, accounting for 89% of total revenue. Sales in the United States also increased by 250.8% to 248.5 billion won. The APR Factory's second campus opened in May 2024 and has the capacity to produce up to 6 million beauty devices annually. Through its smart factory system, APR implements real-time monitoring of all processes and data-driven manufacturing management. The company plans to gradually expand automated assembly and inspection lines for some beauty devices to minimize defect rates and maximize manufacturing efficiency. An APR representative stated, "This visit demonstrates the growing interest in K-beauty and APR's manufacturing and logistics competitiveness in the global market. We will continue to enhance our smart manufacturing and logistics systems to strengthen our ability to respond to increasing global demand."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 14:00:00
  • Reforming Basic Pension to Address Elderly Poverty
    Reforming Basic Pension to Address Elderly Poverty Jeong Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, announced plans to revise the criteria for basic pension payments in the second half of this year. The current system provides nearly the same amount to the bottom 70% of seniors aged 65 and older, but the new proposal aims to implement a progressive support structure where those with lower incomes receive more. This change addresses concerns that the basic pension, introduced to reduce elderly poverty, does not accurately reflect the severity of poverty among seniors. Under the current system, the income recognition amount, which is calculated based on the income and assets of elderly households, determines eligibility for monthly payments of up to 349,700 won. While this approach is straightforward and supports a broad range of seniors, the relative evaluation method that mandates 70% of the elderly population to be recipients has increasingly revealed contradictions over time. The most significant issue is the blurring of policy goals. Seniors with minimal income and those with relatively stable incomes receive similar amounts. By spreading limited resources too broadly, sufficient support does not reach those seniors in dire need. Although the basic pension has a high coverage rate, its effectiveness in alleviating elderly poverty is limited. The 70% threshold also does not align with reality. As the income and assets of the elderly population generally increase, the eligibility criteria also rise. This means a certain percentage of all seniors must continue to be included, regardless of their poverty status. Conversely, seniors just above the threshold receive no pension at all, leading to a 'cliff effect' where small income differences can drastically affect disposable income. The government's consideration of a median income-linked approach could serve as a starting point to rectify these issues. Instead of determining eligibility based on rank among seniors, the focus would shift to whether individuals have the income necessary to maintain their living standards. If the goal of the basic pension is to ensure a minimum standard of living for seniors rather than merely distributing payments to 70% of them, applying an absolute poverty standard aligns with this principle. However, the progressive support structure must not be distorted into a means of reducing the number of recipients to save funds. Payments to low-income seniors should be increased to cover actual living expenses, while mechanisms must be established to prevent sudden loss of benefits for existing recipients. A gradual reduction in payments based on income brackets is necessary. Reforming the 70% threshold into another cliff is not acceptable. The couple reduction system also needs revision. Currently, if both partners receive the basic pension, each amount is reduced by 20%. While the rationale is that living together saves on expenses, low-income elderly couples still face significant burdens from medical costs, caregiving, and housing. The government's phased reduction should prioritize the poorest couples. Marital status should not disadvantage seniors in their retirement income. The relationship with the National Pension also needs clarification. If those who have diligently paid premiums perceive that they are worse off in calculating the basic pension, it could diminish their incentive to enroll in the National Pension. The basic pension should be clearly distinguished as a minimum income guaranteed through taxation, while the National Pension serves as an income-based pension based on contributions. Revisions to the basic pension should be pursued within a multi-layered retirement income system that encompasses the National Pension, retirement pensions, and basic living security systems. Financial sustainability cannot be overlooked. As the elderly population rapidly increases, continuously expanding both the payment amounts and the number of recipients could impose an unbearable burden on future generations. Therefore, focusing on concentrated support for the impoverished rather than universal distribution is essential. The accuracy of income and asset assessments should be improved, and mechanisms should be established to evaluate the effects of poverty reduction and financial burdens periodically. The success of the basic pension reform hinges not on how many people receive it, but on how much it improves the lives of the most vulnerable seniors. The government should not settle for politically convenient flat increases but must also address payment criteria, reduction systems, and relationships with other pensions. It is time to transform the pension from one that merely adheres to the 70% figure into one that effectively reduces elderly poverty. 2026-07-19 14:00:00
  • SK Telecom Concludes Tech4Good Hackathon with 115 Young Innovators Finding AI Solutions for Social Issues
    SK Telecom Concludes 'Tech4Good Hackathon' with 115 Young Innovators Finding AI Solutions for Social Issues SK Telecom successfully concluded the 'Tech4Good Hackathon' in collaboration with Hana Financial Group. A total of 115 young participants developed services using AI technology to support socially vulnerable groups.On July 19, SK Telecom announced the completion of the Tech4Good Hackathon, themed 'AI Services for an Inclusive Future.'The event took place from July 15 to 16 at SK Telecom's training center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, as part of an AI talent development program. It featured 61 participants from SK Telecom's youth AI education program 'FLY AI Challenger' and 54 participants from Hana Financial Group's 'Hana Youth Financial Talent Development Project,' totaling 115 participants, including university students. This marks the third hackathon jointly organized by the two companies since they began their collaboration in 2023 to nurture future AI talent.Participants competed in three areas: solutions for supporting socially vulnerable groups and sustainable societies, AI services for digitally marginalized communities, and ESG services that integrate finance and telecommunications. SK Telecom's developers served as mentors, providing technical guidance and advice based on real-world development experience.The grand prize was awarded to the 'T1' team for their personalized AI storybook and accompanying discipline solution based on children's experiences. The excellence awards went to the 'Haemul Pajeon' team, which developed a service allowing parents with speech difficulties to narrate stories to their children in their own voices, and the 'Sibi Ganji' team, which created a service that reconstructs stock information for visually impaired individuals through auditory and tactile means. The winning teams received a total prize pool of 10 million won, including 3 million won for the grand prize and 2 million won for the excellence awards.Um Jong-hwan, head of SK Telecom's Sustainable Management Division, stated, 'This hackathon was an opportunity to confirm the potential of AI technology to create a better society. We will continue to strive to expand the social value created by AI.' 2026-07-19 13:56:00
  • Middle East Conflict Escalates: Urgent Economic Contingency Plans Needed
    Middle East Conflict Escalates: Urgent Economic Contingency Plans Needed The Middle East conflict has reached a critical juncture. Iran has directly attacked a U.S. military base in Jordan with missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of two American service members and one missing. In response, the United States launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Iran has warned that it could threaten not only the Strait of Hormuz but also the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key gateway to the Red Sea, using Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The potential for limited clashes to escalate into a broader conflict across the Middle East and major maritime transport routes is increasingly likely.The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are vital arteries for the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage for Middle Eastern crude oil and liquefied natural gas, while the Red Sea and Suez Canal provide the shortest route between Asia and Europe. If both routes are blocked or face increased risks, international oil and natural gas prices, shipping rates, and insurance premiums are likely to surge. Rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope would significantly increase transportation times and costs, potentially leading to a compounded energy crisis that could drive up logistics, raw materials, and food prices.This situation is particularly dire for South Korea, which heavily relies on energy imports. Disruptions to the shipping of Middle Eastern oil and gas would have a cascading effect on industries such as refining, petrochemicals, power generation, steel, automotive, and shipping. Rising oil prices and freight costs would increase production expenses for companies and push consumer prices higher. For households and businesses already struggling with high exchange rates and interest rates, the added cost shock from the Middle East could further undermine domestic demand and investment recovery.Moreover, the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.75% on July 16, citing inflation concerns. If the Middle East crisis prolongs and international oil prices and exchange rates rise again, pressure for further interest rate hikes will increase. While fiscal measures may be needed to defend the economy, the need for tight monetary policy due to inflation could lead to conflicting policy challenges. The war is no longer just a distant foreign policy and security issue; it has become a direct threat to South Korea's economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and livelihoods.The government must not rely on optimistic scenarios. It should immediately assess energy and logistics contingency plans based on normal operations, partial blockades, and simultaneous blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. This includes verifying oil and gas stockpiles, potential release timelines, alternative import routes, and vessel availability in collaboration with businesses. Support measures for shipping companies and small exporters regarding freight and insurance costs should also be prepared in advance.Additionally, a financial market safety net must be established quickly. A surge in oil prices combined with risk-averse sentiment could lead to a decline in the value of the won, foreign capital outflows, and rising bond yields. Authorities must closely manage foreign currency liquidity and be ready to implement market stabilization measures immediately. Adjustments to fuel taxes and energy prices, as well as support for vulnerable groups, should not be reactive but rather based on pre-established response criteria.Short-term measures alone will not suffice. South Korea must diversify its oil and gas import sources, expand renewable energy and nuclear power, and enhance national stockpiling capabilities to bolster energy security. The diversification of key raw material supply chains and export routes cannot be delayed any longer.The situation in the Middle East is now beyond the realm of prediction. The government's task is not to speculate on the outcome of the war but to prepare for the worst-case scenario to ensure the economy does not come to a standstill. With the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea now in turmoil, it is time to activate the economic security emergency system.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 13:52:00
  • Foreigners to Trade Korean Won at Overseas Banks as Government Eases Regulations
    Foreigners to Trade Korean Won at Overseas Banks as Government Eases Regulations Foreigners will soon be able to trade the Korean won at overseas banks. The government aims to lower barriers for foreign investment in won-denominated assets, thereby enhancing potential growth rates.On July 19, the government announced a "Roadmap for the Internationalization of the Won." This initiative seeks to transform the won from a regulated currency into a freely exchangeable currency, allowing foreigners to trade it without restrictions abroad.Previously, the government initiated a 24-hour foreign exchange market to increase foreign trading of the won. The new measures will eliminate restrictions on transactions conducted by foreigners at offshore won payment institutions. This means that U.S. citizens can open won accounts at banks in the U.S. to conduct transactions. The Bank of Korea plans to establish an "offshore won payment network" to facilitate these transactions, which will operate 24 hours a day starting in January.Lee Hyung-ryul, Director of the International Finance Bureau at the Ministry of Finance, explained in a briefing on July 16, "Offshore won payment institutions will operate on a registration basis rather than requiring licenses. This means that Americans can open won accounts at banks in New York."The new measures are expected to lift restrictions on foreign investments in won-denominated stocks and government bonds. Lee emphasized, "Removing these restrictions is key to the internationalization of the won."To address potential liquidity shortages during nighttime hours, the government plans to allow foreign financial institutions to obtain the necessary won for transactions without restrictions through temporary borrowing.Launch of Offshore Won Payment NetworkTo ease foreign exchange transaction regulations, the government will more than double the pre-reporting threshold for capital transactions, including won loans for foreigners. It is also considering increasing the self-limits for banks transferring funds from domestic to offshore accounts. Previously, these transactions required pre-reporting, but the government is contemplating a shift to a post-reporting system.Regulatory easing for financial institutions will include improving the convenience of offshore account operations and allowing third-party foreign exchange transactions by foreign financial companies.The plan also includes establishing a digital asset payment infrastructure. This will provide a legal basis for the issuance, circulation, and trading of won stablecoins and regulate cross-border transactions. The government aims to amend the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and other laws in line with the establishment of a Digital Asset Basic Law next year.The Bank of Korea will also conduct a pilot project for tokenizing government bonds linked to a central bank digital currency (CBDC) next year. Additionally, it will formally join Project Agora, which aims to build a digital cross-border payment system based on blockchain and CBDC.Revisions to Foreign Investment in KOSPI and Korean BondsThe government plans to enhance access for foreign investors to the domestic securities market and increase incentives for won-denominated transactions. Among the 25 tasks outlined in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) roadmap for capital markets, 22 bureaucratic tasks will be continuously monitored and improved to ensure institutional stability, while the remaining three tasks will be implemented without delay.In particular, the government will improve financial institution infrastructure for automating securities trading and settlement, enhance investor registration, and expand English disclosures for all KOSPI-listed companies by March next year.To increase the utility of won held by foreigners, the government is also considering measures to allow offshore securities lending. This aims to encourage foreign investment in government bonds by permitting bond lending transactions among foreigners within the international depository system.Furthermore, the government will create an environment conducive to investment by allowing participation in the repurchase agreement (RP) market for foreign central banks and international financial organizations.Measures to enhance the convenience of won payments abroad will also be included. The government plans to expand QR payment integration with key tourist countries. A service was launched in Indonesia in April, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with India the same month. Future plans include increasing QR payment integration with Singapore and Thailand.Expansion of Won Liquidity SupplyThe government will establish a liquidity supply system within the offshore won payment system and develop measures to improve won liquidity for securities and trade transactions.To secure private liquidity, regulations will be established to allow foreign exchange banks to provide won liquidity smoothly to foreign financial institutions participating in the offshore payment system. Foreign financial institutions will be able to obtain the necessary won for transactions without restrictions through temporary borrowing from foreign exchange banks.Additionally, the Bank of Korea will consider increasing liquidity during nighttime hours based on demand within the offshore payment network. Until the offshore won payment network system is upgraded, the government will explore options for providing liquidity.Currently, the Bank of Korea supplies won to the central bank of China through a currency swap and plans to apply this method to other countries as well.Lee stated, "We aim to encourage foreigners to hold and freely utilize the won without hesitation, thereby promoting investment in won-denominated assets. This policy shift signifies a transition in foreign exchange policy that can enhance potential growth rates." 2026-07-19 13:52:00