MNI: Japan Govt Keeps Econ Assessment; Upgrades Exports

MNI BRIEF: China To Ensure Credit Supply For Private Companies

MNI BRIEF: China Bond Connect Holdings Down In January

MNI: China Tier-one Housing Markets Likely To Stabilise

MNI BRIEF: China House Price Declines Narrow In January

MNI: PBOC Net Drains CNY19.1 Bln via OMO Wednesday

MNI: UK JAN CPI -0.1% M/M, +3% Y/Y

RBNZ SAYS IT HAS SCOPE TO LOWER FURTHER IN 2025

MNI: RBNZ CUTS OCR 50BP TO 3.75%

GERMANY: Economy Ministry Lowers 2025 Growth Forecast As Expected

MNI EXCLUSIVE: EU-Mercosur Deal Close, But Likely Short-Lived - Officials

GERMANY: Kukies Considers Potential Non-Implementation Of 2024 Suppl' Budget

© 1982-2025 MNI. All rights reserved.
Terms | Privacy
Log Out
Free Trial

SOUTH KOREA: Korea Country Wrap: Trade Surplus Soars. 

SOUTH KOREA
EM BulletBulletSouth KoreaAPACEmerging Market News
  • Korea’s Surplus could Draw Trump’s Attention.  Korea’s current account surplus rose to $12.37bn in December, from $10.04bn in November.  Whereas historically a current account surplus was a point of pride at the export driven success of an economy, in the current environment it draws the attention from an American President armed with tariffs, especially when 18.7% of its exports went to the US in 2024, highest in non-Japan Asia. (source: MNI – Market News)
  • South Korea has blocked access to DeepSeek AI services from government devices, joining a list of companies and countries taking action to limit usage of the Chinese startup’s artificial intelligence chatbot due to security concerns.  South Korea’s defense, foreign and trade ministries have restricted officials’ access to the service on government computers, Yonhap News reported, citing multiple sources it did not identify.  (source: BBG).
  • The KOSPI’s strong week continues rising +0.66%, following yesterday's gains of +1.11%.
  • KRW:  the currency is weaker again today down -0.378 at 1,448.15
  • Bonds: longer dated bonds rallied hard today with the 10YR 2.785% (-3.8bp), 20YR 2.706% (-4.7bp)
173 words

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.
  • Korea’s Surplus could Draw Trump’s Attention.  Korea’s current account surplus rose to $12.37bn in December, from $10.04bn in November.  Whereas historically a current account surplus was a point of pride at the export driven success of an economy, in the current environment it draws the attention from an American President armed with tariffs, especially when 18.7% of its exports went to the US in 2024, highest in non-Japan Asia. (source: MNI – Market News)
  • South Korea has blocked access to DeepSeek AI services from government devices, joining a list of companies and countries taking action to limit usage of the Chinese startup’s artificial intelligence chatbot due to security concerns.  South Korea’s defense, foreign and trade ministries have restricted officials’ access to the service on government computers, Yonhap News reported, citing multiple sources it did not identify.  (source: BBG).
  • The KOSPI’s strong week continues rising +0.66%, following yesterday's gains of +1.11%.
  • KRW:  the currency is weaker again today down -0.378 at 1,448.15
  • Bonds: longer dated bonds rallied hard today with the 10YR 2.785% (-3.8bp), 20YR 2.706% (-4.7bp)