President Lee Mentions 'Growth' 31 Times: "Overcoming K-Shaped Growth" [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① New Year's Press Conference: "Redrawing South Korea's Growth Map"
② Government to Supply 1.7 Trillion Won in Cooperative Finance
③ Export/Import Status for January 1-20 (Preliminary)... Exports Up 14.9%

MARKET INDEX

○All three major U.S. stock indexes closed higher... Trump withdraws major tariffs on Europe at Davos

○The U.S. establishes a framework for future agreements with NATO on Greenland and the Arctic

○Military options ruled out... 'Sell America' sentiment calms as tensions ease

TOP 3 NEWS

■ President Lee mentions 'growth' 31 times: "Complete redeployment of government capabilities, overcoming K-shaped growth"

○President Lee holds New Year's press conference on the 21st
○"No worries" about 100% semiconductor tariffs
○Exchange rate expected to fall to the 1,400 won range

■ "Sharing order and export achievements with SMEs"... Government supplies 1.7 trillion won in cooperative finance

○Announcement of win-win growth strategy for large and small businesses
○Realizing 'growth for all' with every company
○Expanding the win-win cooperation ecosystem through an online platform

■ 'Semiconductor boom' drives 14.9% export growth through the 20th of this month..."Exports expected to rise for 8 consecutive months" (Update)

○Korea Customs Service, January 1-20 export/import status
○Semiconductor exports up 70.2%
○Ministry of Industry "Focusing capabilities to achieve $700 billion in exports for the second consecutive year"

Graphic News: Gold and Silver Prices Soar... Why Is Bitcoin Falling? [Why&Next]

○Gold surpasses $4,700, silver breaks $93-both record highs
○Meanwhile, Bitcoin has recently fallen to $90,000
○"If geopolitical risks persist, 'decoupling' will continue"

Money-Making Law

■ Most sought-after lawyers for recruitment... 1-3 years at law firms, 4-6 years at companies

○90% of law firm hires prefer those with 1-3 years' experience, ready for immediate work
○In-house legal teams focus on experienced lawyers with 4-6 years
○Due to demand for experienced hires, new lawyer recruitment falls to 15%
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2026012115072657790

■ 'Turning a blind eye' at the National Assembly... Legislative gap in reserved portion of inheritance becomes reality

○Missed amendment deadline leads to inevitable trial delays
○Confusion intensifies among parties to inheritance disputes
○Bills by Assemblymen Kim Hankyu and Park Jiweon, among others, remain pending
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2026012115091669510

■ Court orders Korea Gas Corporation to pay 300 billion won to Samsung Heavy Industries

○Court recognizes KC-1 design defect liability... Partial victory for Samsung Heavy Industries
○Korea Gas Corporation ordered to pay 299.6 billion won in damages to Samsung Heavy Industries
○Samsung Heavy Industries' responsibility also acknowledged... Only 70% of damages to be compensated
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2026012115113281412

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

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

08:00 GDP (QoQ) (Q4)

○International

01:45 Europe: Speech by ECB President Lagarde

08:50 Japan: Adjusted trade balance

22:30 U.S.: GDP (QoQ) (Q3)

22:30 U.S.: Initial jobless claims

22:30 U.S.: Core personal consumption expenditures (Q3)

22:30 U.S.: GDP price index (QoQ) (Q3)

◇ Lunchtime & Evening Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature: -14°C (▼1°C) ｜Highest temperature: -5°C (0°C)
○Precipitation probability: 0% in the morning｜0% in the afternoon
○Fine dust: Good in the morning｜Good in the afternoon

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