Economy
- Increase in Mortgage Loans by Five Major Banks: Last month’s mortgage loans recorded the largest increase in 2 years and 8 months, raising concerns about household debt management.
- Hanwha Investment & Securities: Anticipated operating loss in Q2 due to increased costs related to NCSoft’s new releases, lowering the target stock price from 240,000 KRW to 220,000 KRW.
- Hanwha Ocean: Signed a contract to supply 8 LNG carriers and VLCCs to UAE state-owned enterprises, with this year’s order value 1.5 times last year’s.
- Korea Investment & Securities: Raised the target stock price for LIG Nex1 from 215,000 KRW to 260,000 KRW.
- Bitcoin: Rose 48% in the first half of the year, but the outlook for the second half is not bright.
- SK On: Declared emergency management, decided to freeze all executives’ salaries.
- Amazon: Reached a market capitalization of 2 trillion USD, with a 29% increase in stock price this year.
Society
- Seoul City Hall Intersection Traffic Accident: 9 people dead, 4 injured due to a 68-year-old driver’s sudden acceleration claim.
- Factory Fire in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do: Fire at a factory in Daegot-myeon, issued a level 2 response alert.
Politics
- Preliminary Feasibility Study System: Movement to undermine the system designed to prevent unnecessary project implementations.
- Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon: Announced plans to erect a large flagpole during the 2nd-anniversary press conference, seeking public opinion.
- New Minister of State Affairs: Established for the first time in 11 years to strengthen cooperation with the opposition.
Education
- High School Credit System: To be implemented in 2028, universities to introduce a no-major admission system starting next year.
Technology & Industry
- Apple AirPods Camera Installation Prospect: Targeting mass production in 2026, possibly linked with Vision Pro.
- Renault Korea’s ‘Grand Koleos’: Expected success with 3,000 units contracted on the first day.
- Pet Biotech Brand ‘Duca’: Stempoint Co., Ltd. has revamped the brand identity.
International
- U.S. Supreme Court: Deciding on the immunity of former President Trump regarding the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.
Finance
- Threat to Seoul’s Fiscal Soundness: Protective measures to prevent reckless budget execution are collapsing.
- Consumer Price Inflation: Recorded 2.4% in June, maintaining over 2% for three consecutive months.