Import Prices Rise for Six Consecutive Months Due to High Exchange Rate [3-Minute Brief]

[Quick Overview]
1. Import prices up 0.7% last month... Rise continues for six straight months due to higher exchange rates
2. Relentless exchange rate surge... "High exchange rate expectations and supply-demand imbalance are the main factors"
3. Transaction volume up, value down... Seoul apartment market shifts to "mid- to low-priced" focus

MARKET INDEX

○ All major indices in the New York Stock Exchange fell as both technology and financial stocks weakened.

○ A rotation market is underway, with funds moving from highly valued tech stocks to small and mid-cap stocks.

○ In China, the ban on importing Nvidia H200 chips and the implementation of a cap on credit card interest rates had an impact.

TOP 3 NEWS

■ "Due to the high exchange rate..." Import prices rise for six consecutive months, increasing the burden on consumer prices

○ This is the longest period of increase since May to October 2021.
○ Import price changes are reflected in consumer prices with a 1-3 month lag.
○ "We need to closely monitor exchange rates and international oil prices this month."

■ "Barely managed to bring it down"... The unstoppable surge in exchange rates in the new year, what's behind it?

○ Despite strong warnings, the effect of government intervention lasted only three days.
○ The supply-demand imbalance has not been resolved... A strong dollar and a weak yen persist.
○ Some point to "expectations of further exchange rate increases" as the underlying reason.

■ In Gangnam, apartments are given to children, while in Gangbuk, buyers are leveraging loans... Seoul apartment transaction volume increased, but total transaction value hit a yearly low

○ Although transaction volume increased in December, the total transaction value dropped sharply.
○ There was concentrated buying of Gangbuk apartments priced under 900 million won.
○ The transaction map is being reorganized around "mid- to low-priced" and "actual demand" properties.

Graphic News: A 10% surge in just one day... Expectations for 'robot listing' focused on Hyundai Motor Company

○ After unveiling the "New Atlas" at CES, related stocks soared.

○ There is growing interest in how the IPO of Boston Dynamics will affect the value of Hyundai's stake.

○ "We need to separately consider 'stake value re-evaluation' and 'synergy with core business.'"

Money-Making Law

■ "Personal information leaked due to hacking... Mere anxiety is not grounds for compensation"

○ Email addresses and passwords of 400,000 people were leaked; members claimed "emotional distress."
○ The court ruled that there was no emotional distress warranting compensation.
○ The company immediately reported the leak to the Personal Information Protection Commission and the Cyber Investigation Bureau.
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2026011415363697642

■ Death caused by a signboard falling in strong winds... Both business owners and building owners cannot avoid responsibility

○ Lower courts recognized 30-80% liability.
○ Cases from Typhoon Kong-rey in 2018 and Typhoon Maysak in 2020 should be referenced.
○ The Supreme Court stated that the scope of compensation should be set excluding the contribution of natural forces.
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2026011415364803300

■ Korean-American "Sandy Lee" appointed as key witness lawyer in Maduro drug case

○ Revealed to a Law Times reporter
○ Born in Seoul, specializes in international drug cases
○ Also took on the "Scorpion" drug cartel case
☞Read the article:  https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2026011415364300874

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

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic

08:00 Korea Unemployment Rate (December)

08:55 Korea Trade Balance (December)

10:00 Korea Interest Rate Decision (January)

○ Overseas

00:00 US Existing Home Sales (December)

00:00 US Business Inventories (MoM) (October)

00:30 US Crude Oil Inventories

16:00 UK GDP (MoM) (November)

16:00 Germany Wholesale Price Index (MoM) (December)

16:45 France Consumer Price Index (MoM) (December)

18:50 Spain 10-Year Government Bond Auction

22:30 US Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (January)

22:30 US Initial Jobless Claims

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

◇ Lunchtime & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature: 3°C (▲12°C) ｜ Highest temperature: 8°C (▲6°C)
○ Precipitation probability: 60% in the morning ｜ 20% in the afternoon
○ Fine dust: Sometimes "bad" in the morning ｜ "bad" in the afternoon

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