Korea's business sentiment slips on weakening manufacturing SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) -South Korea's business sentiment turned lower in September as manufacturing confidence weakened sharply, while nonmanufacturing sentiment was helped by the Chuseok holiday demand and expectations of higher consumer income. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries fell 0.5 point from August to 99.1, marking its first decline in three months, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK) Tuesday. The outlook for October remained unch September 29, 2026

Korea's Q2 corporate card spending hit record amid chip boom SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — South Korea's corporate credit card spending topped 60 trillion won ($45.4 billion) for the first time in the second quarter, rising 10.6 percent from a year earlier in line with a surge in corporate earnings from chip boom, central bank data showed. Corporate credit card spending reached 61.7836 trillion won in the April-June period, the highest in the quarterly series, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). Corporate users include c September 28, 2026

Finance minister, BOK chief pledge closer policy coordination SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — South Korea’s finance minister and central bank governor agreed Monday to strengthen policy coordination and joint market monitoring as rising global bond yields, geopolitical risks and tighter cross-market linkages increase uncertainty. Lee Hyoung Il, deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, visited The Bank of Korea (BOK) and met Governor Shin, Hyun Song, six days after Lee took office on September 22. The two officials September 28, 2026

BOK flags market volatility as global bond yields rise SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — The Bank of Korea (BOK) said Monday it was closely monitoring South Korea’s financial markets after global bond yields rose considerably over the Chuseok holiday amid shifting monetary policy expectations and renewed Middle East tensions. The central bank held a market review meeting at 8 a.m., chaired by Deputy Governor Kwon Min-soo, to assess international market developments during the Sept. 24-27 holiday and their potential impact on Korea September 28, 2026

Korea's retail vacancy rate hits 13.36%, highest since 2021 SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — South Korea's average vacancy rate for retail properties rose to 13.36 percent in the second quarter, the highest since 2021, Korea Real Estate Board data showed Monday. The rate increased 1.4 percentage points from 11.96 percent in the first quarter of 2021, according to data provided by the board to Rep. Hwang Hee. Vacancies have risen for seven consecutive quarters since the third quarter of 2024. The vacancy rate was higher than in ear September 28, 2026

Seoul demands Kyiv apology over North Korean POW disclosure SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) -Seoul has officially demanded that Kyiv explain and apologize for revealing the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, warning that the alleged breach of a confidentiality agreement could seriously damage bilateral ties, a presidential spokesman said Sunday. The unusually sharp rebuke escalated a dispute over whether the two governments had agreed to keep the transfer secret. The presidential office said Ukraine itself had requested September 28, 2026

Korea's factory sentiment improves, profit outlook lags: KCCI SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) — South Korean manufacturers turned less pessimistic about the fourth quarter, although six in 10 still expect annual operating profit to fall short of their targets, a Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) survey showed Sunday. The manufacturing business survey index rose six points to 86 from 80 in the third quarter, according to the KCCI, which surveyed 2,413 manufacturers nationwide. A reading above 100 means more companies expect busin September 27, 2026

Korea's 2026 excess tax revenue seen topping 50 tln won SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) — South Korea is expected to collect more than 50 trillion won ($36.8 billion) in excess tax revenue this year, pushing annual tax receipts to a record, said government officials. The Ministry of Finance and Economy is preparing to release a revised 2026 tax revenue estimate at the end of September, with annual receipts seen above 465.4 trillion won. The projection would put tax revenue more than 50 trillion won above the 415.4 trillion won target September 27, 2026

Korea secures more Mexican crude, opens door to defense deals SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) -South Korea secured an additional 13 million barrels of Mexican crude oil and laid the groundwork for Korean defense companies to participate in Mexico’s military modernization program, said Seoul's top security aide. President Lee and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to deepen cooperation in energy supply chains and defense as part of a broader effort to turn their strategic partnership into more concrete economic and industrial tie September 25, 2026

Korea, Mexico seal investment pact overhaul, open oil supply-chain channel SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - South Korea and Mexico agreed to deepen economic and supply-chain ties spanning oil, critical resources and investment while expanding cooperation into artificial intelligence, aerospace and defense, as President Lee Jae Myung and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to give new momentum to relations between the two major manufacturing economies. The two leaders adopted a 2026–2030 Korea-Mexico Joint Action Plan during their summit at the Na September 25, 2026