Korea Trendy News-en

President Lee Jae-myung's administration is set to launch a comprehensive economic stimulus program on July 21, targeting the revival of Korea's struggling traditional markets and local businesses. A Bold Economic Recovery Initiative President Lee Jae-myung took to Facebook on July 12 to emphasize the importance of revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts, stating that "when local markets thrive, the economy thrives." The President strongly advocated for the successful implementation of the People's Recovery Consumption Coupon policy, expressing his commitment to fostering economic virtuous cycles through increased domestic consumption. The government's People's Recovery Consumption Coupons represent a large-scale domestic demand stimulation policy, providing a minimum of 150,000 won (approximately $115 USD) per person to all Korean citizens. This policy is considered a ...

Historic Achievement Marks End of Samsung's Three-Decade Dominance SK Hynix has achieved a historic milestone by capturing 36% of the global DRAM market share in Q1 2025, surpassing Samsung Electronics' 34% and ending the latter's 33-year reign as the industry leader. This represents the first time since 1992 that Samsung has lost its top position in the memory semiconductor market, marking a seismic shift in the global technology landscape. HBM Technology: The Game Changer The breakthrough came through SK Hynix's dominance in High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) technology, where the company commands over 90% market share in advanced HBM products like HBM3E 12-stack memory. This specialized memory type has become essential for artificial intelligence applications, positioning SK Hynix at the center of the AI revolution. HBM represents a paradigm shift in memory technology, designe...

Government Mobilizes Comprehensive Measures for Economic Recovery The Korean government has announced the imminent launch of its "Consumer Recovery Coupon" program, positioning it as a crucial catalyst for overcoming the nation's economic challenges. During the Lee Jae-myung administration's first National Policy Coordination Meeting, officials outlined comprehensive measures to stabilize consumer prices and revitalize the domestic economy. Beyond Simple Stimulus: A Structural Recovery Approach Government officials emphasized that the Consumer Recovery Coupon represents more than a one-time support measure. The policy is designed as a comprehensive strategy to drive recovery across Korea's economic structure, with particular focus on benefiting neighborhood commercial districts and small business owners who form the backbone of the domestic economy. Professor Lee Jun...

Hello! Have you heard of the 'Topping Economy'? This innovative trend currently shaking up global consumer markets in 2025 is completely transforming our consumption patterns. Today, let's dive deep into everything about the topping economy, where personality and personalization have become new economic drivers! What is the Topping Economy? The 'Topping Economy' refers to a consumption method where consumers can choose additional elements that reflect their personal tastes and individuality on basic products. Just like adding desired toppings to pizza, it's an economic phenomenon where consumers actively customize products to create their own unique value. Why the Topping Economy is Exploding in 2025 1. Gen Z and Gen Alpha's Pursuit of Individuality Young generations want to express 'a me that's different from others.' The...

US President Donald Trump officially notified South Korea on July 7th (local time) that he would impose a 25% reciprocal tariff on all Korean products starting August 1st. This measure comes after trade negotiations between the US and South Korea, which have been ongoing since April, failed to reach a conclusion, and is expected to have significant impact on the Korean economy and export industries. Key Details of Trump's Tariff Letter President Trump released a letter addressed to President Lee Jae-myung through his social media platform Truth Social. In the letter, Trump stated, "Our relationship has unfortunately been far from reciprocal," and announced that "starting August 1, 2025, we will impose a 25% tariff on all Korean products coming to the United States." This tariff rate is identical to the 25% reciprocal tariff announced by President Trump on April 2nd. While Korea had received a 90-day grace period to conduct negotiations, the failure to rea...

Labor and management representatives are engaged in fierce conflict over the 2026 minimum wage determination, with the Minimum Wage Council set to make its decision on July 10th. While management advocates for a freeze, labor demands substantial increases, creating a tense standoff. Current Minimum Wage Council Deliberations The Minimum Wage Council has conducted three meetings to discuss next year's minimum wage. The current minimum wage stands at 10,030 won per hour, with next year's rate expected to be determined between 10,210 won and 10,440 won. The council consists of 27 members: 9 worker representatives, 9 employer representatives, and 9 public interest representatives. The council comprehensively considers workers' cost of living, wages of similar workers, labor productivity, and income distribution rates when determining the minimum wage. Management Position: Freeze and Differential Application Management strongly advocates for freezing the minimum wage, ci...

YouTube Shorts has revolutionized the digital marketing landscape in 2025, becoming an essential tool for brands looking to connect with younger audiences and drive engagement. With the explosive growth of short-form content, marketers who master YouTube Shorts strategies are seeing unprecedented returns on their investment. Recent industry reports show that YouTube Shorts videos generate 3x higher engagement rates compared to traditional long-form content, making it a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. The platform's algorithm now prioritizes Shorts content, giving even small creators the opportunity to go viral overnight. Why YouTube Shorts is Transforming Marketing in 2025 The accessibility factor is what makes YouTube Shorts particularly appealing. Unlike traditional YouTube content that required expensive equipment and editing skills, Shorts can be created with just a smartphone and basic creativity. This democratization of content creation has opened doo...

🤖 2025 Productivity Revolution: Complete Free AI Tools Guide + Pro Tips Are you still manually handling tasks that AI could automate in seconds? In 2025, free AI tools are exponentially boosting workplace efficiency. Today, we'll explore practical AI tools and specific implementation strategies that you can use immediately in your professional life. 🧠 Text Creation and Editing Revolution ChatGPT and Claude have become accessible AI writing tools for everyday users. Beyond simple Q&A, they excel at blog post creation, email drafting, and report summarization. Pro tips for practical use include assigning specific roles. Starting with "You are a marketing expert" yields more professional responses. Additionally, specify desired formats clearly. Requesting "organize this into 5 bullet points" produces targeted results more effectively. Google Bard excels at real-time information searches, making it valuable for creating content about latest trends o...

The AI Revolution in South Korea: Why Everyone is Learning AI Tools In July 2025, South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented AI adoption boom. Universities like Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology are conducting intensive workshops on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for faculty members. The Korea International Trade Association is providing practical ChatGPT training for regional export companies, while business leaders like Ji-ji Jang from Branding For You are sharing "AI Funnel Content Strategies" at global forums. This surge in AI education reflects a crucial shift: AI tools are no longer optional—they're essential for staying competitive in the modern Korean workplace. From content creation to data analysis, AI is transforming how Korean professionals approach their daily tasks. Understanding Korea's Top AI Tools and Their Applications ChatGPT: The Universal Choice OpenAI's ChatGPT remains the most popular AI tool among Korean use...

LG Electronics announced a dramatic 46% decline in second-quarter operating profit to 639.1 billion won ($491 million) compared to the same period last year, as the South Korean tech giant grappled with intensifying U.S. trade policies and weakening global consumer demand. Despite revenue growth, mounting operational challenges have significantly impacted the company's profitability across key business segments. Revenue Growth Masks Profit Decline While LG Electronics achieved revenue growth of 8.3% year-over-year to 21.7 trillion won in the second quarter, the sharp profit decline reflects the complex challenges facing global appliance manufacturers. The company attributed the disappointing performance to increased tariff burdens in key markets and widespread consumer hesitancy to make major appliance purchases. The Home Appliance & Air Solution (H&A) division, traditionally LG's profit engine, experienced the most severe impact. Sales of major appliances incl...

In July 2025, Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods has sent shockwaves through the Korean economy and global markets. This tariff is part of a massive trade war affecting 183 countries worldwide, representing one of the most significant trade policy shifts in recent history. Understanding the implications and response strategies is crucial for businesses, investors, and policymakers. 🔥 Understanding Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs Reciprocal tariffs are Trump administration's response to what they perceive as "unfair trade advantages" taken by various countries in their trade relationships with the United States. The tariff rates are calculated based on the US trade deficit with each nation, reflecting Trump's core belief that trade deficits represent American losses. 💡 2025 Reciprocal Tariff Overview Country Tariff Rate Effective Date ...

The Korean government has significantly expanded its support programs in the second half of 2025, presenting unprecedented opportunities for individuals and businesses. With a 23% increase in budget allocation compared to the previous year, these programs focus heavily on youth support, SME assistance, and digital transformation initiatives. Top 7 Government Support Programs 1. Youth Leap Account 2.0 An upgraded savings program for young Koreans aged 19-34, offering up to 50 million won over five years with government interest subsidies of 6% monthly. Korean Context: This program reflects Korea's commitment to addressing youth unemployment and helping young people build financial stability in an increasingly expensive housing market. 2. K-Digital Training Expansion Free training programs in AI, big data, and cloud technologies, with full tuition support up to 5 million won plus monthly living allowances. 3. Small Business Fresh Start Support Comprehensive support...

The 2025 Offshore Wind Supply Chain Conference was successfully held, marking a new turning point for the domestic and international offshore wind industry development. The conference brought together 74 companies from six countries to share cutting-edge technologies and projects, contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the offshore wind sector. Global Offshore Wind Companies Converge in Korea This conference witnessed significant participation from major companies from offshore wind industry leaders including Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These companies expressed high regard for Korea's offshore wind market potential and demonstrated strong commitment to investment and technological cooperation. Latest Technology Trends and Project Updates The conference highlighted cutting-edge technologies including large-capacity offshore wind turbines, floating wind power platforms, and offshore power transmission...

The electric vehicle revolution is rapidly expanding beyond passenger cars to encompass commercial trucks and heavy construction equipment. The latest electric truck models now support 40-ton payloads and can be equipped with up to six battery packs, achieving massive 540kWh capacity. Breakthrough in Commercial Vehicle Electrification These technological advances have dramatically reduced charging times for electric trucks, with full charging now possible in just two and a half hours. This represents a critical turning point for commercial vehicle electrification, addressing one of the industry's most significant operational concerns. Previously, the electrification of heavy commercial vehicles faced substantial barriers due to limited battery capacity and extended charging times. However, recent electric truck releases have made significant strides in overcoming these technical limitations. The 540kWh high-capacity battery sys...

SK Telecom has unveiled comprehensive countermeasures following a recent major hacking incident, with CEO Yoo Young-sang announcing the waiver of termination fees for affected customers and a massive 700 billion won security investment plan over the next five years. Immediate Customer Support Measures In response to the data breach that compromised customer information, SK Telecom has implemented direct compensation measures for affected users. The decision to waive termination fees for customers who wish to cancel their services represents a significant step toward minimizing customer burden during this crisis. The company has also initiated a comprehensive system-wide security audit to accurately assess the extent of the damage and prevent future incidents. Unprecedented Security Investment The announced 700 billion won security investment over five years represents the largest commitment of its kind among South Korean ...

Critical bilateral talks between South Korea and the United States regarding mutual tariffs commenced on July 5th in Washington, as the deadline for the current grace period approaches on July 8th. High-Stakes Diplomatic Mission Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo arrived in Washington to engage in intensive negotiations with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other senior officials. The discussions represent a crucial juncture in South Korea-US economic relations, with potentially far-reaching implications for bilateral trade. The Trump administration has significantly escalated pressure by raising the proposed mutual tariff rate from 50% in April to as high as 60-70%, creating urgency for both sides to reach an agreement. Background and Current Situation The mutual tariff implementation date has already been adjusted once, moving from July 9th to August 1st. However, with the current grace period set to expire on July 8t...

Industry Restructuring Urgency The Construction Industry Research Institute emphasizes urgent need for merger and acquisition support to help struggling construction companies recover, citing real estate market challenges and project financing issues. Original: https://trendy.storydot.kr/realestate/construction-industry-ma-support-urgent

Historic End of Mobile Device Era for Korean Tech Giant LG Electronics has officially concluded its 30-year smartphone business operations and is now fully committing to new business sectors. The company that once ranked third globally in smartphone market share is now redirecting its focus toward future growth drivers including AI semiconductors and smart home platforms, marking a significant strategic transformation. This dramatic shift represents more than just discontinuing an underperforming product line – it signals LG's comprehensive business model restructuring from traditional hardware manufacturing toward technology platform services and next-generation computing solutions. The Rise and Fall of LG Mobile LG Electronics began its mobile phone business in the 1990s and achieved remarkable success, reaching third place globally in smartphone manufacturing at its peak. Throughout the 2000s, LG competed fiercely with Samsu...