Korea's cash stimuli program helped merchants but stopped short of aiding economy: BOK SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) -The handouts of consumer coupons by the new Korean government last year aimed to jump-start lethargic consumption boosted revenue of around 2.8 trillion won ($1.8 billion) for small businesses last year, the Bank of Korea said Wednesday while acknowledging short-lived effect from cash benefits on broader economy. The central bank said in its latest study in Issue Note that about 30.9 percent of the 9.1 trillion won distributed through credit cards translated in June 10, 2026

Korean Inc. scores second best in profitability, but zombie firms hit record high SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) -Korean Inc. scored their second-best in profitability last year largely thanks to staggering margins of chipmakers, while the broad polarization deepened with zombie population hitting their all-time high, central bank study showed Wednesday. According to the preliminary corporate management analysis for 2025 released by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the revenue growth rate for non-financial corporations subject to external audits stood at 2.5 percent last year. Th June 10, 2026

Seoul starts probe on FX banks over won speculation SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korean financial authorities have launched a joint inspection on suspected speculative activities pressuring the Korean won against major currencies after the U.S. dollar went as high as 1,550 won over the weekend, the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Wednesday. The Bank of Korea and the Financial Supervisory Service will conduct both written reviews and on-site inspections from Wednesday, following an emergency market monitoring meeting held last Sund June 10, 2026

FSS to launch probe as won volatility deepens SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will launch a joint inspection with the Bank of Korea (BOK) to crack down on speculative currency trading and other market-disrupting activities, as they step up warnings to banks after the won briefly weakened past 1,560 per dollar earlier this week. The South Korean currency later pared losses following repeated verbal intervention by financial authorities, but officials remain on alert as expectations of further U.S. r June 9, 2026

Korea's Q1 GDP strongest in more than 5 yrs, nominal growth 50-yr high *Updated with additional data, comments, and market response SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - South Korea's economy turned out strongest three-month performance in more than five years in the quarter ended March with nominal growth at a 50-year high, according to the finalized first-quarter figure, but the bigger surprise came from income — up record 9.2 percent — as booming chip prices amplified the gains from the AI-driven semiconductor boom. Real gross domestic product e June 9, 2026

Korea's Q1 GDP strongest since Q3 2020 as chip sector drives one-fifth of growth SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - South Korea's economy expanded at its fastest pace in more than four years in the first quarter, driven by a semiconductor-led investment and export boom that drove near one-fifth of the growth, central bank data showed Tuesday. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.8 percent from the previous quarter and 3.8 percent from a year earlier in the January-March period, according to the Bank of Korea's final estimate. The figures were revised up from pre June 9, 2026

Financial watchdogs step up warnings as won slides despite verbal interventions SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - Financial authorities on Sunday issued their strongest warning yet over speculative trading and other suspicious activity, as the South Korean won's sharp decline pushed the won-dollar rate above 1,560. They vowed to step up inspections and scrutiny of illegal foreign exchange transactions by importers and exporters at an emergency meeting convened by Finance and Economy Minister Koo Yun-cheol, which was attended by key financial chiefs including Bank of Ko June 7, 2026

BOK taps new deputy governors SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - Bank of Korea governor Shin Hyun-song appointed two new deputy governors on Friday, filling vacancies in the central bank's research and statistics division and its management division. The appointments mark one of Shin's first major personnel moves since taking up the post of monetary chief in mid-April, placing emphasis on economic forecasting, policy communication and internal management as the central bank navigates heightened market volatility. June 5, 2026

South Korea extends current account surplus streak to 36 months SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korea extended its current account surplus in April, boosted by strong semiconductor exports, according to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday. The country's current account surplus reached US$28.29 billion in April, the second-largest on record, after hitting an all-time high of US$37.93 billion in the previous month. South Korea has now recorded monthly current account surpluses for 36 consecutive months, the second-longest such June 5, 2026

Financial chiefs vow to tighten scrutiny on stock leverage amid overheated rally SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korea's top economic and financial policymakers on Thursday pledged to strengthen preemptive risk checks on borrowing-backed stock trading, as a rapid market rally fuels concerns that excessive leverage could amplify losses for retail investors and destabilize broader financial markets. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol chaired a joint market monitoring meeting at the government complex in Seoul, attended by Bank of Korea govern June 4, 2026