Rising Again and Again... Consumer Prices Stay in the 2% Range for Three Consecutive Months [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
①Statistics Korea releases March consumer price trends
②Aston University UK publishes research report
③Bank of Korea: "US influence on GDP rises, China’s influence declines"

MARKET INDEX

○Trump announces reciprocal tariffs after market close
○WSJ "Three proposals including universal tariffs under discussion"
○Market holds breath amid global trade war concerns

TOP 3 NEWS

■ Stable inflation near 2% for three months... 'Processed foods and Yeongnam wildfires' are variables

○Statistics Korea releases March consumer price trends
○Last month’s consumer price inflation rate at 2.1%
○Wildfire damage not reflected... processed foods show rising trend

■ "Global economy could suffer losses of 206 trillion won... Korea’s damage greater"

○Aston University UK analyzes bilateral trade data of 132 countries in 2023
○Models ripple effects under six scenarios
○Korea highly ranked in trade of automobiles, thus impacted

■ US-China demand shock causes largest drop in Korea’s GDP

○Bank of Korea rebuilds global projection model (BOK-GPM) for analysis
○Diversify export markets in preparation for intensified US-China trade disputes
○Need to strengthen monitoring of dollar trends and US financial conditions

the Chart : Lost 187.7 billion won but recovered only 13.4 billion... Recovery rate single-digit for 3 consecutive years

○Financial accidents increased but recovery rate worst
○7.2% last year... only 9.9% over past 5 years
○Sometimes no recovery at all... "Internal controls must be stricter"

Money-Making Law

■ Investigation into bunker oil payments of 15 shipping companies over 5 years

○Customs Service starts Foreign Exchange Transactions Act investigation on 15 major shipping companies
○Shipping industry protests "Customary payment methods for years"
○Shipping Association discusses joint response... legal disputes possible
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025040214400861294

■ Legal tech enters university classrooms

○Hanyang University opens regular courses
○Yonsei and Sungkyunkwan Universities also include in classes
○Sogang University develops AI services linked to engineering
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025040215474584840

■ "EU’s core agenda now is defense industry" - France’s Linard Kim, GGV Chief Counsel & Luxembourg’s Hong Seung-pyo, Attorney

○Kim, adopted from Korea, hopes to serve as bridge between Korea and France
○Hong says "Korean companies in defense and semiconductors will become European partners"
○Korean companies need to reconsider European market strategies amid EU regulatory changes
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025040215550733467

※ 'Money-Making Law,' a content partnership corner between Asia Economy and Law Times, is published every Tuesday and Thursday.

Today’s Key Schedule

○Domestic

06:00 Korea Foreign Exchange Reserves (USD) (March)

○Overseas

04:00 US President Trump Speech

15:30 Switzerland Consumer Price Index (MoM) (March)

22:45 Services Purchasing Managers Index (March)

23:00 ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI (March)

◇Lunch & Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature 6℃(▲1℃) ｜Highest temperature: 16℃(▲1℃)
○Precipitation probability 10% in the morning｜0% in the afternoon
○Fine dust Moderate in the morning｜Moderate in the afternoon

OK in 3 minutes, essential time-efficient economic news. Published daily at 8 AM.