Import Prices Drop for Fifth Straight Month on Falling Exchange Rate [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Bank of Korea, June Export-Import Price Index and Trade Index (Preliminary)
② 49,012 cases last year, up 47% from 2021
③ Virtual asset-related bill stalls at first step... prices continue to fall

MARKET INDEX

○Trump quashes rumors of Powell's dismissal, leading to a rebound in the New York stock market... Nasdaq hits another all-time high

○Markets fluctuate during trading hours due to rumors of dismissal

○Stabilization of wholesale prices in June also improves investor sentiment

TOP 3 NEWS

■ Import prices fall for the fifth consecutive month... Supporting consumer price stability

○Last month, import prices fell by 0.6% compared to the previous month
○The average KRW-USD exchange rate was 1,366.95 won, down 2.0% from the previous month
○Continued decline in import prices limits upward pressure on consumer prices 

■ "You just need to transfer money for a moment"?account frozen after falling for scam

○As of April this year, 25,502 cases
○Types of accounts used for scams are diversifying, including group accounts and virtual accounts
○"Increase in various financial fraud crimes is the cause"

■ First step in virtual asset institutionalization hits a snag... Bitcoin retreats to $110,000 level

○Even the Republican Party voted against it... Procedural vote rejected
○Expectations for institutionalization dashed, Bitcoin falls to $116,000
○Share prices of related companies also fall in succession

Graphic News: Number of employed people increases by 183,000 in June... Around 200,000 for four consecutive months (Summary)

○Employment rate at 70.3%, highest ever for June

○Number of employed in manufacturing down by 83,000; construction down by 94,000

○Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries also decline due to weather and other factors

Money-Making Law

■ Talent war between Yulchon and HwaWoo, neighbors near COEX

○Only 400 meters apart across from COEX
○Even a 20-year "Yulchon man" and managing partner have moved
○Many M&A lawyers have also moved from HwaWoo
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2025071615124727256

■ Why the driver was acquitted after a roof carrier flew off and hit a bus

○Court: "Difficult to recognize the accident"
○"Not guilty of failing to take action after the accident"
○Exceeded the speed limit by more than 20 km/h
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2025071615172647493

■ Three loud outbursts in an apartment... Not considered 'disturbance to neighbors'

○Court: "Three loud outbursts are not enough to conclude disturbance of neighbors' peace"
○Shouted, "Living with a man is immoral behavior"
○First trial: 100,000 won fine; appeal: acquitted
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2025071616053759688

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

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

KOSDAQ NRB subscription, planned public offering price: 18,000~21,000 won

08:00 Korea unemployment rate (June)

○Overseas

18:00 Europe Consumer Price Index (YoY) (June)

15:00 UK Unemployment Rate (May)

21:30 Canada Foreign Securities Purchases (May)

21:30 US Retail Sales (MoM) (June)

21:30 US Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (July)

21:30 US Initial Jobless Claims

◇Weather for Lunch & Commute

○Lowest temperature: 24℃ (▼1℃) ｜Highest temperature: 29℃ (▲3℃)
○Precipitation probability: 60% in the morning｜60% in the afternoon
○Fine dust: Good in the morning｜Good in the afternoon

3 minutes is all you need?essential, high value-for-time economic news. Published daily at 8:00.