Financial Services Commission's "20% Investment Limit" Stern Warning, Leveraged ETF Market on 'Alert'
Lee Eok-won, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, issued a stern warning on July 28, 2026, stating that if demand in the overheated single-stock leveraged ETF market does not cool down, he will review implementing a drastic measure to restrict individual investment limits to "within 20%" of total investment amounts, sounding the alarm in the market. This is a measure that can be taken after first reviewing the effectiveness of supplementary plans such as strengthening basic deposits scheduled to take effect on July 31, as the financial authorities
2026.07.28
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol Receives Invalidated Election Ruling in Shocking Verdict... Will the People Power Party Lose 39.7 Billion Won?
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to one year and six months in prison with a three-year suspended sentence on charges of publishing false information during the 20th presidential election process on the 27th in a first trial verdict. Judge Cho Soon-pyo of the Seoul Central District Court ruled the defendant guilty of violating the Public Official Election Act in the verdict. If this sentence is confirmed by the Supreme Court, the People Power Party will face an unprecedented situation requiring it to return 39.7 billion won in presidential election funds to the Central Election Management Commission.
2026.07.28
Minister Kim Yun-deok of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Considers Unprecedented 'Green Belt Release'... Driving Non-Apartment Housing Supply
Minister Kim Yun-deok of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made a groundbreaking statement today (27th), saying "if necessary, we are actively considering ways to partially release Greenbelt (Developmental Restriction Zones) to expand housing supply." Along with this announcement, he unveiled plans to prepare multifaceted measures to revitalize non-apartment housing supply and stabilize housing for youth, signaling major ripples in the real estate market. The minister announced this at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall, presided over by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo,
2026.07.28
K-Bio 1 Trillion Mega Fund 'Imminent', 'First-Ever' Phase 3 Clinical Trial Fund Launch!
Korea Investment Partners has been finally selected as the lead operator of the country's 'first-ever' Phase 3 clinical trial specialized fund, addressing a long-standing wish of domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies for global new drug development, with 150 billion won in funding support expected to begin in earnest. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced today the selection of Korea Investment Partners, stating that this fund will address investment gaps in the late-stage clinical phase that requires massive capital during the new drug development process and support clinical trial completion and commercialization.
2026.07.27
Hong Kong ELS Sanctions Pushed Past July Again…Banking Sector on Edge, Lotte Card Nearing Completion
In the final week of July 2026, news of final confirmation of banking sector sanctions related to incomplete sales of Hong Kong H-Index ELS fell short of expectations and was pushed back to next month once again. As of July 27, 2026, according to financial industry sources, banking sector sanctions related to incomplete sales of Hong Kong H-Index linked securities (ELS), which were originally expected to be finalized this month, have been confirmed to be postponed again beyond July. Many investors and
2026.07.27
Kakao Bank, First Strike at Internet Banking Looming...Limited Impact on Customers?
Facing an unprecedented situation as the first strike at an internet-specialized bank, Kakao Bank is signaling ripple effects across the industry ahead of a one-day strike scheduled for the 31st over labor-management conflict regarding the performance compensation system. As of July 27, 2026, the Kakao Bank Labor Union (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Chemical, Textile, Food Industry Union, Kakao Chapter) has failed to narrow differences with management over the performance compensation system and plans to proceed with a strike for one day on July 31st
2026.07.27
10.1 Billion Won Korea-Japan Fund Makes First Investment in AI 'Seraphim'
The 'Startup Korea Korea-Japan Jeju Startup Fund,' a 10.1 billion won fund established last year, has made its first investment in 'Seraphim,' a Jeju startup targeting the global market, marking the beginning of full-scale capital flows from both Korea and Japan into Jeju's startup ecosystem. On July 24, 2026, Jeju Province announced that Seraphim, a Jeju startup, was selected as the first investment company of the 'Startup Korea Korea-Japan Jeju Startup Fund' worth 10.1 billion won.
2026.07.24
Middle East Oil Price Shock at $100... KOSPI Stock Volatility Expected to Intensify
The KOSPI, which surged 4.40% the previous day and surpassed the 7,000 mark, faces a triple headwind on July 24: soaring international oil prices breaking through $100 due to escalating Middle East tensions and weakness in the U.S. New York stock market. All eyes are on whether the index will be swept up in another wave of severe volatility. On July 23, the KOSPI closed at 7,096.89, up 299.19 points (4.40%) from the previous trading day. Breaking through the 7,000 mark on a closing basis
2026.07.24
Trump's Surveillance Net...South Korea, 10 Countries Redesignated as Currency Watchlist Countries
On July 23, 2026 (local time), the U.S. Treasury Department under the Donald Trump administration redesignated South Korea and nine other major trading partners as currency monitoring countries, signaling continued scrutiny of the South Korean economy. The U.S. Treasury announced the decision through a semi-annual report on "Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners" released that day. South Korea, along with China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Germany,
2026.07.24
Only 8 out of 73? High-ranking government officials' '100 million won cryptocurrency' Min Kyung-tae shows clear preference for altcoins
According to the 'Ad-hoc property registration details of high-ranking government officials' disclosed through the Government Gazette by the Government Ethics Committee today (24th), only 8 out of 73 high-ranking government officials who underwent status changes from April 2 to May 1 were found to hold virtual assets. The highest amount exceeded 120 million won in combined family assets for Min Kyung-tae, ambassador to Algeria, but most officials reported virtual assets in the millions of won range, showing a tendency to hold altcoins
2026.07.24
Middle East Tensions Ignite Brent Oil Past $100 Per Barrel... 7% Supply Crisis Looming
On the 23rd (local time), amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, international crude oil benchmark Brent crude surged past $100 per barrel for the first time in about two months, with military clashes between the U.S. and Iran and attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea sending shockwaves through global crude supply chains. International oil prices experienced a sharp surge on the day. September-delivery Brent crude on the London ICE futures exchange rose 6.4% from the previous session to $100.0 per barrel
2026.07.24
KB Kookmin Bank Participates in Deposit Token Payment… Settlement Shortened from 1-3 Days to 'Immediate'
KB Kookmin Bank has been confirmed as a core participating institution in the 'Deposit Token-Based Payment Infrastructure Expansion Project,' taking the lead in innovative digital transformation that will inject new vitality into Korea's people-oriented economy. KB Kookmin Bank was selected today as the final participating institution in the 'Deposit Token-Based Payment Infrastructure Expansion Project,' one of the 'Blockchain Innovation Projects' being promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).
2026.07.23
Alphabet AI Investment 'Light and Shadow'...Stock Price Down 3%, Will KOSPI Be Shaken?
Alphabet's two-sided earnings announcement of 'expanded AI investment' and 'concerns over excessive spending' has emerged as a key variable for the domestic stock market. Despite revenue exceeding market expectations, the stock price plummeted due to investment burden concerns, signaling volatile trading on the KOSPI. Alphabet's second-quarter earnings announced the previous day (22nd) showed revenue of $119.8 billion, a 24% surge compared to the same period last year, exceeding market forecasts. In particular, the cloud division reached $24.8 billion
2026.07.23
Hedges presents 'AI+Master Craftsmen' K-fashion preview for 2027
LF Hedges held a 2027 Spring/Summer (SS) global order fair in Myeongdong, Seoul today (23rd), capturing industry attention by showcasing next year's K-fashion trends through artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Korean traditional aesthetics, and global collaboration. The 'Space H Seoul' flagship store was created with a sensory atmosphere inspired by Notting Hill in London, spanning 1,200㎡ (approximately 360 pyeong). The store features 2027
2026.07.23
Oil Price Stabilization Brings 'Limited-Term' Car Insurance Discount Ending on 27th
Starting next week on the 27th, the insurance premium discount special clause for vehicles participating in the five-day car insurance rotation program will officially end after approximately four months of operation. This is because the policy's necessity has diminished following the downgrade of the crude oil resource security crisis alert to the 'caution' level on July 1st and stabilizing oil prices. The Financial Services Commission and the non-life insurance industry have made a final decision to end this special clause by the 27th. This discount special clause is coming to an end after just four months of operation. This special clause
2026.07.23
5 Payment Habits of Credit Card 'Experts'
Credit cards are financial tools that can enhance the efficiency of consumer spending when used properly. However, careless use can increase unnecessary expenses and burden of card payments. In reality, credit card experts do not simply use cards frequently, but rather develop habits of making planned purchases and maximizing benefits. Here are 5 representative payment habits practiced by people who use credit cards smartly.
2026.07.22
SC First Bank Targets 'Gangnam Big Players' with Assets Over 1 Billion Won…Opens Dogok PB Center
SC First Bank opened the 'Dogok Private Banking Center' today (22nd) in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, targeting high-net-worth individuals with deposits of 1 billion won or more, and strengthened its market position with international-level asset management services. SC First Bank will open a new asset management center in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on July 22, 2026, to tap into the high-net-worth individual market and make a full-scale entry into the domestic private banking (PB) market.
2026.07.22
U.S. Rate Shock, Only Dollar and Gold Shield…BOK Considers Expanding Gold Holdings
As the importance of asset composition of 'dollars and gold' rather than the 'total amount' of foreign exchange reserves is highlighted for currency defense against U.S. interest rate hike shocks, the Bank of Korea, which ranks at the bottom globally in gold holdings, is drawing attention as it is reviewing expansion of its gold ratio through purchases of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). When the shock of interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) occurs, the value of currencies in each country depreciates by an average of about 0.4%,
2026.07.22