President Lee: "If $350 Billion Is Invested as the US Demands, Korea Faces Financial Crisis" [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Lee: "Without a currency swap, investing $350 billion in the US as requested could trigger a repeat of the 1997 financial crisis"
② Impact of US tariffs... September exports down 10.6% on a daily average
③ KOSPI hits record high, driven by both semiconductors and foreign investors... Bullish outlook through the first half of next year

MARKET INDEX

○New York Stock Exchange rises across the board on Nvidia and OpenAI investment cooperation

○All three major indices hit record highs on AI optimism

○Strong iPhone sales also drive tech stocks higher

TOP 3 NEWS

■ President Lee: "If the $350 billion investment in the US is paid in cash, Korea will face a financial crisis"

○The United States wants the $350 billion to be paid in cash
○President Lee refuses, warning of a potential financial crisis
○Lee emphasizes halting North Korea's nuclear production before denuclearization

■ Due to tariff effects... Average daily exports down 10.6% through the 20th of this month

○Korea Customs Service releases export and import data for September 1-20
○Late Chuseok holiday adds 3.5 working days; total exports up 13.5%
○Working days in October will decrease by 2

■ KOSPI uptrend expected to continue through the first half of next year, supported by semiconductors and foreign investors

○Strong market expected to continue through the first half of next year
○Additional foreign capital inflows remain likely
○Positive environment with low dollar, low oil prices, and low interest rates

Graphic News: "AI to handle medical review and accident liability ratios"... Insurance industry innovation accelerates

○KB Insurance introduces AI agent for determining automobile accident liability ratios
○Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance launches 'AI medical review' service
○Hanwha Life, Kyobo Life, and others are also advancing innovative financial AI services

Money-Making Law

■ "Appointing two additional directors is not a hostile M&A"

○Daejeon District Court dismisses injunction request by Chairman Yoon and CEO Yoon
○Vice Chairman Yoon allowed to attend Kolmar BNH shareholders' meeting
○Court rules there is no basis for claims of hostile M&A or supermajority requirements
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025092215532128592

■ "Year-end bonuses count as ordinary wages, performance-based pay does not"

○Supreme Court recognizes year-end bonuses at Korean Red Cross as ordinary wages
○Rules performance-based pay is not considered ordinary wages
○Transportation subsidies, welfare improvement allowances, and position allowances remain classified as ordinary wages 
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025092215522115542

■ 'Work-related accident' recognized for employee who died after three consecutive days of company dinners

○Court rules death from excessive drinking after company dinners is a work-related accident
○Seoul Administrative Court cancels denial of benefits by Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service
○Successive company dinners and their connection to work are recognized; survivor benefits must be paid
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025092215504804192

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

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

KOSDAQ KB No.33 SPAC subscription, final public offering price 2,000 KRW

○Overseas

01:00 US FOMC member Barkin speech

01:00 Germany Buba President Nagel speech

02:15 Canada BoC Deputy Governor Rogers speech

02:30 Germany Buba Balz speech

16:15 France Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (September)

16:30 Germany Services Purchasing Managers' Index (September)

17:30 UK Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) (September)

22:45 US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (September)

22:45 US Services Purchasing Managers' Index (September)

◇Lunch & Evening Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature: 18℃ (▼1℃) ｜Highest temperature: 27℃ (▲2℃)
○Precipitation probability: 30% in the morning | 30% in the afternoon
○Fine dust: Good in the morning | Good in the afternoon

3 minutes is all you need. Essential, cost-effective economic news. Published daily at 8:00 AM.