Current Economic Trends
In May, industrial production, services production, facilities investment, and construction investmentdeclined, while retail sales remained unchanged. In June, the number of employed persons increasedand consumer prices rose at a faster pace. In May, total production fell (down 1.1% m-o-m and down 0.8% y-o-y), as industrial production (down2.9% m-o-m and up 0.2% y-o-y), services production (down 0.1% m-o-m and up 1.0% y-o-y), andconstruction (down 3.9% m-o-m and down 20.8% y-o-y) dropped. In May, retail sales remained unchanged (0.0% m-o-m and down 0.2% y-o-y), and both facilitiesinvestment (down 4.7% m-o-m and up 7.5% y-o-y) and construction investment (down 3.9% m-o-m anddown 20.8% y-o-y) fell. In June, exports increased by 4.3 percent from a year ago and average daily exports increased by 6.8percent compared to the previous year. In June, the Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) rose by 6.9 points month-on-month to 108.7. TheComposite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) decreased by 0.5 points to 90.2 in June, and the CBSIoutlook for July declined by 0.1 points to 89.4. In May, the cyclical indicator of the coincident composite index and the cyclical indicator of the leadingcomposite index decreased by 0.4 points and 0.1 point, respectively. In June, the number of employed persons grew by 183,000 jobs compared to the previous year and theunemployment rate fell by 0.1 percent point from a year ago. In June, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed by 2.2 percent year-on-year, driven by a higherpetroleum product prices and a wider increase in processed food prices. The index when excluding foodand energy prices increased by 2.0 percent. In June, Korean equity prices rose, yields for Korean Treasury Bond rose, and the Korean Wonstrengthened against the dollar. In June, housing prices rose (up 0.14% m-o-m), while Jeonse (lump-sum deposits with no monthlypayments) prices also rose (0.03% m-o-m). Recently, the Korean economy has continued to face downward pressure, with delayed recovery indomestic demand particularly in consumption and construction investment and persistentemployment challenges in vulnerable sectors. In addition, concerns over a slowdown in exports hasgrown amid worsening external conditions caused by U.S. tariff measures. However, some positivesigns have emerged such as improving consumer sentiment. The global economy is facing sustained volatility in global financial markets and concerns over slowertrade and growth, primarily due to the worsening trade conditions driven by tariff measures imposed bymajor economies. The government will make every effort to swiftly implement the 31.8 trillion won supplementary budgetaimed at revitalizing the economy and improving peoples livelihoods. It will also mobilize all availableresources to ensure that the Peoples Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons scheduled to bedistributed on July 21 serves as a catalyst for boosting domestic demand, including householdconsumption and regional economies. At the same time, the government will fully commit to addressingtrade-related risks, including providing support for Korean companies affected by U.S. tariffs. * For further details, please refer to the attached file.
Aug 2025
![[2026.06] 원·달러 환율](/userdata/main/incContent/sideLink/28/aaahkMSP2oK2fgXjARu9z20260805144529unfke.jpg)
