Exports Up 7.6% from August 1-20... Exports to the US Down 2.7% [3-Minute Brief]

Published 22 Aug.2025 08:00(KST)

[At a Glance]
① Korea Customs Service releases trade data: $800 million trade surplus
② Total loans unchanged, but non-performing loans surge to record high
③ Bank investments in PEFs sharply reduced... "Need to prevent reverse discrimination against domestic PEFs"

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

Exports Up 7.6% from August 1-20... Exports to the US Down 2.7% [3-Minute Brief]

○ The New York stock market fell across the board due to caution ahead of Powell's Jackson Hole speech.
○ Fed officials continue to express caution regarding rate cuts.
○ "I do not support easing at this time" "Clear data is needed"

Top 3 NEWS

■ Exports up 7.6% until the 20th of this month thanks to semiconductors and automobiles... Exports to the US down 2.7% due to tariff impact

○ Korea Customs Service, August 1-20 import and export trends
○ Semiconductors up 29.5%, passenger cars up 21.7%
○ US steel exports down 4.5% due to 50% tariff

■ 'Delayed and delayed again' bankruptcy... Non-performing loans with no interest income soar to 11 trillion won

○ As of June this year, 11 trillion won at 14 banks
○ Sharp increase not only at regional banks but also at the four major banks
○ Defaults lead to business closures and bankruptcies

■ A system that only hurts 'domestic' players... No place for small and mid-sized PEFs

○ RWA restrictions hinder bank investments in PEFs
○ Polarization intensifies as funds flow to large GPs
○ Additional regulations would only strengthen the competitiveness of foreign PEFs

Graphic News: "The road was cleared, but they never made it home" Korea Expressway Corporation, 36 industrial accident funerals in 6 years

○ Public sector construction sites are more dangerous than private ones
○ 36 industrial accident deaths in 6 years, already 6 this year
○ "Clients are also responsible, penalties must be clear" Construction Safety Special Act announced

the Chart: Producer prices surged in July heatwave "Spinach up 172%, cabbage up 52%"

○ Agricultural, forestry and fishery products up 5.6%... Largest increase in 1 year and 11 months
○ Beef and pork up 6.5% and 4.2% respectively from previous month
○ External factors such as oil prices and exchange rates remain mixed and should be monitored

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

○International

02:00 US 30-year TIPS bond auction

08:30 Japan Nationwide Consumer Price Index (YoY) (July)

15:00 Germany GDP (QoQ) (Q2)

21:30 Canada Retail Sales (MoM) (June)

23:00 US Federal Reserve Chair Powell speech

◇Lunch & Evening Weather

○Lowest temperature: 25℃(0℃) ｜Highest temperature: 32℃(0℃)
○Chance of precipitation: 30% in the morning ｜ 20% in the afternoon
○Fine dust: Good in the morning ｜ Good in the afternoon

All you need in 3 minutes: essential, value-for-money economic news. Published every day at 8 a.m.