Korean Financial Markets Daily - 2025-06-10
☕ Morning Espresso - Korean Credit Market
Daily intelligence from YNA, Einfomax & TheBell
June 10, 2025 - 07:47 KST
✨ HIGHLIGHTS
📊 News Reported by Multiple Sources
Shinhan Execs Undergo 6-Week AI Training Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX
Shinhan Financial Group's chairman Chin Ok-dong and other top executives are undergoing a 6-week AI training program as the company looks to drive innovation and digital transformation across the group. The training is being conducted ahead of Shinhan's upcoming 'AX Shinhan-Ignition' management forum, which will focus on the group's future leadership in the AI-driven era. Shinhan aims to establish a clear direction for leveraging AI technology to drive innovation and upskill its 237 senior leaders, including CEOs, executives, and department heads.
Meritz Securities Raises $400M to Support Meritz Capital Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX
Meritz Securities, a subsidiary of Meritz Financial Group, has announced a 500 billion won ($400 million) rights offering to support its affiliate Meritz Capital. The move is aimed at strengthening Meritz Capital's capital position as it responds to the corporate rehabilitation filing of Homeplus, a major retailer in which Meritz Capital has a significant investment. The rights offering will see Meritz Financial Group, the sole shareholder of Meritz Securities, subscribe to 4 million new shares at 12,500 won per share. Meritz Capital has also approved a 500 billion won rights offering, with Meritz Financial Group set to participate. This strategic capital injection underscores the group's commitment to supporting its affiliates and managing credit exposures during challenging market conditions.
Construction Slump, US Tariffs Weigh on Korean Economy Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX
According to a report by the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the South Korean economy is in a stagnant state, with the construction sector underperforming and exports slowing due to US tariff measures. The national think tank noted that economic indicators point to a broader slowdown, with downside risks expanding since January. KDI highlighted the dual challenges of a prolonged construction slump and weakening exports, which are impacting the overall economic performance. The report underscores the need for policymakers to address these headwinds and implement measures to stimulate the economy.
Won Rises on US-China Trade Talks Optimism Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX
The South Korean won-dollar exchange rate rose 2.90 won to 1,359.30 won on June 10, the first increase this month, as optimism grew over upcoming US-China trade negotiations. The won had opened at 1,353.50 won, but then strengthened after the US dollar index rebounded from below the 99 level on positive signals from the high-level trade talks. The won's gain came despite the overall strength of the US dollar, underscoring the market's focus on the potential progress in the US-China trade dispute and its implications for the Korean economy and credit conditions.
Shinyang Securities Launches Industry's First Insurance Claim Trust Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX
Shinyang Securities has become the first securities firm in South Korea to launch an 'insurance claim trust' product, allowing customers to manage and distribute their life insurance payouts. This new offering comes after regulatory changes last year that enabled this type of trust structure. The product allows policyholders to convert their death benefits into a trust, which the trust company then manages and disburses to beneficiaries according to the customer's pre-determined conditions. This provides more flexibility compared to the traditional lump-sum payout, enabling tailored distribution based on the beneficiary's life stage and financial planning needs.
⏰ NEWS TIMELINE
16:26 - Korea East-West Power Launches Internal Control Working Committee to Establish Internal Control Foundation Source: EINFOMAX
Korea East-West Power (KE-W Power) announced on the 10th that it has launched the 'Internal Control Working Committee' and held an inaugural meeting.The Internal Control Working Committee, composed of 42 in-house expert members, was launched to establish a thorough and robust internal control foundation that serves as the basis for 'an eco-friendly energy company leading energy innovation'. The company plans to enhance its overall risk response capabilities and strengthen the actual level of control.At the inaugural meeting, the working committee members with expertise in 21 different areas re-evaluated the inherent risk levels and control levels of their respective areas, and examined the appropriateness of control risk factors.KE-W Power has been working to strengthen its internal control system since March to achieve its management goals.
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:45 - Dollar-Won Exchange Rate Hovers Around 1,360 Won on Increased Payment Demand and Foreign Investor Net Buying, Up 4.40 Won Source: EINFOMAX
The dollar-won exchange rate maintained its movement around the 1,360 won level, supported on the upside despite the global strength of the U.S. dollar. In the Seoul foreign exchange market on the 10th, the dollar-won exchange rate was trading at 1,360.80 won as of 1:40 pm, up 4.40 won from the previous day. The dollar-won exchange rate opened at 1,353.50 won, down 2.90 won from the previous day. The dollar-won fell to as low as 1,353.10 won in early trading, recording the lowest point of the year based on the regular session. After confirming support in the lower 1,350 won range one more time, the dollar-won recouped all of its earlier declines. The dollar-won, which turned to an upturn during the session, was affected by increased payment demand and foreign investor net buying of Korean stocks.
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:29 - Treasury Bond Futures Remain Weak... Foreign Investors Sell, 30-Year Bond Options Exercised Source: EINFOMAX
Treasury bond futures continued their downward trend on the 10th. In the absence of any major news, the weakness persisted as foreign investors sold treasury bond futures and the non-competitive options on 30-year government bonds were exercised. According to the Seoul bond market, the 3-year treasury bond futures fell 5 ticks from the previous trading day to 107.27 as of 1:26 pm. Foreign investors sold around 7,400 contracts, while financial investment firms net purchased around 9,000 contracts. The 10-year treasury bond futures fell 28 ticks to 117.97. Foreign investors net sold around 8,200 contracts, while financial investment firms bought around 5,100 contracts. A bond dealer at a securities firm said that "the exercise of options on 30-year government bonds" was the reason for the weakness.
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:20 - Court Indefinitely Postpones President Lee's 'Daejang-dong Trial' Source: EINFOMAX
The trial of President Lee Jae-myung on charges related to the Daejang-dong, Baekseok-dong, Wirye New Town, and Seongnam FC cases has been indefinitely postponed, following the postponement of his trial on election law violations.The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement Division 33 (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-kwan) has changed the date of the first trial hearing for these cases, previously scheduled for April 24, and will set a new date later.However, a separate trial hearing for former Democratic Party of Korea floor leader policy coordination chief Jeong Jin-sang has been scheduled for May 15.The court had previously set trial dates for March 13 and 27, but accepted the then-candidate Lee's request to postpone the hearing to April 24 to 'ensure a fair campaign period' ahead of the presidential election.The Seoul High Court had also postponed a separate trial the previous day.
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:14 - President Lee Approves '3 Special Prosecutor Bills' - 'Intention to Restore Constitutional Order' (Comprehensive) Source: EINFOMAX
At the Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, the '3 Special Prosecutor Bills (Insurrection Special Prosecutor Act, Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act)' were passed on the 10th. Kang Yu-jeong, a spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a briefing that day that President Lee had approved the 3 special prosecutor bills that were sent to the government the previous morning. The special prosecutor bills will be promulgated after going through the approval and gazette publication process by President Lee. This is the first law to be promulgated after President Lee's inauguration. The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act (a special prosecutor law to uncover the truth about the obstruction of the investigation and cover-up of the case of the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong, who died during a search operation in July 2023) aims to investigate the circumstances of the accident and the obstruction of the investigation by high-ranking government officials regarding the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong, which occurred during a search operation in July 2023.
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:02 - President Lee, President Xi Hold First Phone Call... Invite Xi to APEC in Gyeongju in November Source: EINFOMAX
President Yoon Suk-yeol held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to cooperate to develop the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level. Kang Eun-jung, a presidential spokesperson, said that President Yoon and President Xi had a phone conversation for about 30 minutes starting at 11:30 am on the 10th at the presidential office in Yongsan. This was the third summit-level call following those with former U.S. President Donald Trump and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The spokesperson said that "President Xi congratulated President Yoon on his election victory and proposed to cooperate to develop the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership," and that "President Yoon responded that Korea and China should work together to further develop their relationship."
Read More: EINFOMAX
15:00 - The Solution to Trade Crises is... * Source: EINFOMAX*
Experts have suggested that to address global protectionist trade crises, it is necessary to diversify supply chains and build integrated governance at the government level.
The Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) under the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Advanced Trade Forum held a seminar on 'Trade and Economic Security Policy Tasks and Outlook' on the 10th.
At the event, Professor Lee Seung-ju of Chung-Ang University diagnosed that the \
Read More: EINFOMAX
14:45 - President Lee Approves '3 Special Prosecutor Bills' - 'Intention to Restore Constitutional Order' Source: EINFOMAX
President Lee Jae-myung presided over a Cabinet meeting on the 10th and approved the '3 Special Prosecutor Bills (Insurrection Special Prosecutor Act, Kim Geum-hee Special Prosecutor Act, Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act)'. Kang Yu-jeong, a spokesperson for the Presidential Office, announced in a briefing that the 3 special prosecutor bills, which were sent to the government the previous morning, had been approved by President Lee. The special prosecutor bills will be promulgated after the approval and publication process. This will be the first law promulgated by President Lee after his inauguration. The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act (a special prosecutor law to uncover the truth about the obstruction of the investigation and cover-up of the case involving the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong during a search operation in July 2023) aims to investigate the circumstances of the Marine Chae Sang-byeong's death incident that occurred during a search operation and the obstruction of the investigation by high-ranking government officials.
Read More: EINFOMAX
14:15 - Kia Begins Mass Production of Next-Generation Military 'Medium Standard Vehicle' Source: EINFOMAX
Kia announced on the 10th that it has begun mass production of the next-generation military 'Medium Standard Vehicle'. The Medium Standard Vehicle being mass-produced this time is the next-generation model introduced for the first time in 48 years since 1977. After signing a business contract with the Army in December 2019, the company has gone through the process of prototype development, development testing and operational testing evaluation, initial testing and pilot production, and is now moving into full-scale mass production.The Medium Standard Vehicle, which will be released in two models of 2.5 tons and 5 tons, is designed with features such as the ability to ford 1-meter deep streams, electromagnetic shielding, cold-weather (-32°C) starting, 60% gradeability (climbing and descending slopes through forward and reverse), and 40% side slope capability.
Read More: EINFOMAX
14:03 - BBQ, Celebrating 30th Anniversary, Sponsors FC Barcelona Match in Seoul - "Providing Opportunity to Attend Live Match" Source: EINFOMAX
Genesis BBQ, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has provided an opportunity for fans to attend a live match of the renowned Spanish soccer club FC Barcelona.At a press conference held at Hotel Lotte in Sogong-dong on the 10th, Yoon Hong-geun, the Chairman of Genesis BBQ, stated that "BBQ, as the main sponsor, has invited Barcelona to host a sports and cultural festival for 50 million people in Korea." He added that "this is a global festival where sports, brands, fans, and culture come together, and it is a stage of gratitude to the people who have been with BBQ for the past 30 years." The Chairman noted that "this not only showcases the teamwork that bridges generations and cultures, but also symbolizes the values of an organization that is growing and moving forward together."
Read More: EINFOMAX
📚 TAIL
Direct Sources
• Policy & Economy: YNA Economy • Bond & Forex: Einfomax Markets • Corporate Credit: TheBell Financial
Intelligence Summary
• Articles Analyzed: 352 • Active Sources: YNA, EINFOMAX, THEBELL • Analysis Time: 573.5s • Coverage Period: Last 24 hours
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