Is Japan's Semiconductor 'Sobu-Jang' Golden Era Returning? [3-Minute Brief]

[3-Min Brief 3-Second Summary]
① 'Comprehensive Trading Companies' Also Noted by Trade Authorities
② Monetary Policy Committee Likely to Keep Interest Rates Steady in February
③ Construction Companies Significantly Lowered This Year's Order Targets

MARKET INDEX

- U.S. New York Stock Exchange closed for 'Presidents' Day'
- Recently, S&P 500 index surpassed the 5000 mark
- Wall Street divided between cautious and optimistic views

Top3 NEWS

[Image source=Yonhap News]

■ [Rediscovering Trading Companies] Also sought by trade authorities... Emerging as a key link in supply chains

- As uncertainties like trade disputes increase
- Global networks of trading companies gain renewed attention
- Supply chain management emerges as a new growth area

■ [Monetary Policy Committee poll] "February rate hold" 100%... Rate cuts unlikely in the first half

- Bank of Korea expected to unanimously hold rates in February
- Survey results from 20 domestic economic experts
- U.S. also likely to hold benchmark rates in March

■ Apartment transactions decline, prices fall... Construction companies drastically lower order targets

- High interest rates and economic uncertainty weaken buying momentum
- Construction firms say "Better to give up orders than incur losses"
- This year's order targets fall far below last year's results

the Chart: Will Japan's semiconductor equipment sales surpass 4 trillion yen for the first time?

- Recovery trend in Japan's semiconductor industry expected to become more prominent
- Increasing number of companies receiving government support amid semiconductor industry recovery
- U.S. and China semiconductor regulations create niche market opportunities

Profitable Law

■ Kim In, current chairman of Saemaeul Geumgo, promotes executives under investigation and trial

- Numerous executives under investigation and trial for bribery allegations promoted
- "How can those indicted or internally disciplined be senior executives?"... Rising criticism in the financial sector
- "Decision to retain indicted executives causes management risks and trust decline"
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024021915073755436

■ "Recommendation system for court chief candidates should be resolved through legislation"

- Supreme Court Chief expresses views on 'court chief candidate recommendation system'
- Did not implement recommendation system in first judicial personnel appointment after inauguration
- "Relaxation of legal career requirements will be pursued after general elections"
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024021915103268827

■ Civic group acquitted, ruling that membership fees from regular members are not subject to the Act on the Regulation of Solicitation of Donations

- Civic group providing free meals to vulnerable groups acquitted in retrial
- Core issue whether 'Jeong Heewon and 200,000 affiliated members' are recognized as 'affiliated persons'
- Convicted in first and second trials but acquitted in retrial
☞Read article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2024021915125076195

※ 'Profitable Law,' a content partnership corner between Asia Economy and Law Times, is published every Tuesday and Thursday.

Term in the News: 'Stipend' paid to science and engineering graduate students

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- Government-level incentive paid monthly at a certain level to graduate students
- A system to encourage students to enter science and engineering fields and support their studies and livelihood
- President Yoon: "80,000 KRW support for master's students participating in R&D, 110,000 KRW for doctoral students"

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic
- 06:00 February Consumer Confidence Index
- 20th: KOSDAQ Eugene SPAC No.10 subscription, public offering price 2,000 KRW
- 20th: KOSDAQ BNK No.2 SPAC subscription, public offering price 2,000 KRW
- 20th: KOSDAQ Yuanta No.15 SPAC subscription, public offering price 2,000 KRW
- 20th: KOSDAQ SK Securities No.11 SPAC subscription, expected public offering price 2,000 KRW


- Gyeonggi Pangyo TH212
- Gwangju WePark Ilgok Park
- Gyeonggi Yeongtong Xi Central Park

○ Overseas
- 09:30 Australia Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes
- 16:00 Germany January New Car Registrations
- 22:30 Canada January Consumer Price Index

◇ Lunch & Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature 0℃(▼10℃) ｜ Highest temperature: 9℃(▼3℃)
○ Precipitation probability: Morning 30%｜Afternoon 40%
○ Fine dust: Morning Moderate｜Afternoon Moderate

OK in 3 minutes, essential time-efficient economic news. Published daily at 8 AM.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.