Government's First Economic Assessment of the Year: "Recovery Trend Continues"...Domestic Demand and Semiconductor Exports Remain Strong [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Government: "Economic recovery trend continues...construction slump and U.S. tariff uncertainties remain"
② Mortgage loans reduced, but home prices remain high...Korea's household debt ranks 6th in the OECD
③ Median monthly rent in Seoul surpasses 1 million won...housing insecurity grows among renters

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○U.S. New York Stock Exchange closed on the 19th for Martin Luther King Day

○Attention focused on President Trump's special speech at Davos

○He is expected to address key diplomatic and economic issues

Top 3 NEWS

■ Government maintains "economic recovery trend" for third consecutive month...improvement in domestic demand and robust semiconductor exports

○Recent Economic Trends (Green Book), January 2026 edition
○Strong export performance led by semiconductors continues...domestic demand improves
○Uncertainties remain regarding U.S. tariffs and construction investment

■ Household loans tightened, but...Korea's household debt-to-GDP ratio remains among the highest in the OECD

○Household debt-to-GDP ratio at the end of last year: 89.0%
○6th highest among major OECD countries...pace of debt improvement slowing
○Financial authorities: "Will continue to strengthen DSR-based management this year"

■ Monthly rent of 1 million won is now the median in Seoul...rental market anxiety rises

○Median monthly rent in December: 1,007,000 won
○Psychological threshold for high rents surpassed
○First time since Korea Real Estate Board began compiling statistics

Graphic News: Local financial institutions overhaul governance under financial authorities' strict oversight

○Announced improvements to the outside director system

○Chairman's control under single outside director system

○Calls for structural reforms to address excessive concentration of power

the Chart: Card companies face challenges, but...last year, "fundamental competitiveness" actually increased

○Despite sluggish industry conditions, number of employees at 7 major card companies increased

○Card costs rose despite lower funding rates... "Evidence of expanded future investment"

○Companies focus on strengthening core business competitiveness, such as overseas travel and premium cards

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

06:00 Korea Producer Price Index (MoM) (December)

06:00 Korea Producer Price Index (YoY) (December)

○Overseas

08:50 Japan Core Machinery Orders (MoM) (November)

11:00 China GDP (YoY) (Q4)

11:00 China Fixed Asset Investment (YoY) (December)

11:00 China Unemployment Rate (December)

13:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (November)

22:30 Canada Core Consumer Price Index (MoM) (December)

23:00 France 3-Month BTF Auction

◇Lunch & Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature 10℃(▲▼3℃) ｜Highest temperature: 30℃(▲▼3℃)
○Precipitation probability: morning 20%｜afternoon 30%
○Fine dust: Good in the morning｜Good in the afternoon

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