Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor manufacturing line in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
Korea’s financial system continues to be on the trail to restoration, supported by stronger home demand and stable efficiency within the semiconductor sector, regardless of lingering uncertainties, the finance ministry stated Friday.
The Ministry of Financial system and Finance made the evaluation in its month-to-month financial report, referred to as the Inexperienced Ebook, marking the fourth consecutive month it has used the time period “restoration” to explain the financial state of affairs.
“Lately, our financial system has continued to point out a restoration development, backed by enhancements in home demand, together with consumption, and strong exports led by semiconductors,” the report stated.
Nevertheless, the ministry cautioned that uncertainties stay, citing ongoing employment difficulties in weak sectors, corresponding to building, and heightened month-to-month volatility in key indicators as a consequence of base results from sharp will increase within the third quarter.
The report additionally cited the continued impression of U.S. tariff measures and different exterior dangers as sources of concern.
“The worldwide financial system is dealing with a worsened commerce surroundings as a consequence of tariffs, and there are issues over volatility in worldwide monetary markets and a slowdown in commerce and progress as a consequence of geopolitical dangers,” the report stated.
In December 2025, the nation added 168,000 jobs from a yr earlier, sharply down from the 225,000 on-year enhance recorded in November. The December determine marked the smallest on-year progress since August.
Employment losses continued within the manufacturing and building sectors, in addition to among the many youthful inhabitants.
Industrial output grew from a month earlier in November, pushed by strong semiconductor manufacturing, whereas facility funding elevated 1.5 p.c on-month, led by greater funding in equipment
Retail gross sales, a gauge of personal spending, dropped 3.3 p.c over the interval, following a quick rebound the earlier month.
In December, the nation’s exports expanded 13.4 p.c from a yr earlier to $69.6 billion, extending their successful streak to 11 consecutive months on the again of robust demand for semiconductors.
Shopper costs elevated 2.3 p.c on-year in December, exceeding the central financial institution’s 2 p.c goal for the fourth consecutive month, largely as a consequence of rising import costs amid the weak Korean received.
Wanting forward, the federal government stated it’ll proceed to implement lively macroeconomic insurance policies and measures to spice up consumption, funding and exports with a view to maintain financial restoration momentum.
It additionally pledged to speed up its financial progress technique for this yr, geared toward elevating potential progress, selling balanced nationwide improvement and decreasing inequality.
