ANDYLISM Business Insight

 South Korea’s total national liabilities reached 2,772 trillion won at the end of 2025, raising new concerns about the country’s long-term fiscal health. The figure increased by 186.3 trillion won, or 7.2%, from the previous year. Compared with 2011, when the government first submitted its national financial statements to the National Assembly, national liabilities have increased by approximately 1,998 trillion won over 14 years. On paper, South Korea still had positive net assets of 821.5 trillion won. However, an analysis by the National Assembly Budget Office found that the country’s net asset position would fall to negative 636.5 trillion won if assets held by the National Pension Service were excluded. The figures do not mean that South Korea is facing immediate bankruptcy. They do, however, highlight the importance of managing government borrowing, fiscal deficits and future pension obligations over the long term. AI-Generated Image South Korea Recorded a Fiscal Deficit i...

 “U.S. HITS SOUTH KOREA WITH 12.5% TARIFF” AI-generated image The United States has introduced a new 12.5% tariff on imports from South Korea under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, raising fresh concerns for Korean exporters and global supply chains. The new measure took effect on July 24, 2026, replacing the temporary 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122. It is part of a broader U.S. tariff package targeting dozens of trading partners over their alleged failure to prevent goods produced with forced labor from entering their domestic markets. South Korea has been placed in the higher 12.5% tariff group, while several other economies face a lower rate of 10%. Why Did the United States Introduce the New Tariff? The Office of the United States Trade Representative, commonly known as the USTR, investigated whether major trading partners had adequately restricted imports connected to forced labor. According to the U.S. government, South Korea and a number of other economies ...