Economy

The rush for tech M&As in Asia has slowed to a crawl in China and South Korea. (Source photos by Reuters)
26 April 2022
A man walks past a fresh seafood stall in a street market in Seoul on April 4.
Economy

South Korea GDP growth slows to 0.7% on COVID consumption slump

Yoon Suk-yeol will come in as president of Asia's 4th-largest economy next month

26 April 2022
Shoppers purchase packets of vegetable oil at a supermarket in Mumbai on March 7: Higher food prices can lead to higher inflation expectations.
Opinion

Rising cost of living puts Asian policymakers in the hot seat

Second K-shaped shock to hit low-income households after the pandemic

20 April 2022
The IMF expects global gross domestic product to expand 3.6% in 2022, down from the 4.4% predicted in January -- before Russia invaded Ukraine and before lockdowns in China. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Economy

IMF cuts emerging Asia growth estimate on war, COVID lockdowns

Warns of 'significant slowdown' in global economic expansion

19 April 2022
Rhee Chang-yong, seen in 2019 in his former role as International Monetary Fund director for Asia and the Pacific, said Tuesday his top priority was to stabilize consumer prices. (File photo by AFP/Jiji) 
Economy

BOK governor nominee Rhee hints at further rate hikes

In hearing, former IMF director says top priority is to stabilize rising prices

19 April 2022
A market in Singapore. The price of food and energy has been rising in the Asia-Pacific.
Economy

Asia-Pacific central banks bite the bullet on rate hikes

From Seoul to Singapore, policymakers under pressure to keep up with inflation, Fed

15 April 2022
Containers are stacked at the Chinese port of Qingdao. Chinese imports from Russia grew 26% in March. (Xinhua via Kyodo)
Trade

China, South Korea lift Russian energy imports, eroding sanctions

Even countries opposing Moscow take advantage of discounts

14 April 2022
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is set to tackle the country's rising consumer price index, which hit a 10-year high in March.
Economy

Yoon shows will to tighten South Korea's finances, stem inflation

Incoming finance and infrastructure ministers target consumer, home prices

12 April 2022
Costs were already rising before Russia invaded Ukraine. Now, Asia's businesses and households are being squeezed even harder. 
Asia Insight

Inflation starts to bite in Asia on war, COVID, supply squeeze

Growing public anger puts governments to the test ahead of elections

29 March 2022
Yoon Suk-yeol during his election campaign rally in Seoul on Mar. 8: Yoon seems more skilled at tapping into public discontent than at detailing a way out.
Opinion

South Korea's clash of corporate titans after 'Squid Game' election

Yoon Suk-yeol seems little interested in making hard economic choices

17 March 2022
A health care worker tests for COVID-19 in Seoul. South Korea has seen a surge in new cases as the government lifts restrictions.
Coronavirus

South Korea becomes world's COVID hot spot as infections surge

Seoul to ease curbs despite new daily cases topping 400,000

17 March 2022
A man looks at posters of presidential candidates on a street in Seoul on March 3: The winner will face problems ranging from U.S.-China tensions to soaring inflation.
South Korea election

South Koreans cast ballots in presidential election

Two outsiders, leftist Lee and conservative Yoon, lead field of 10 candidates

9 March 2022
U.S. trade restrictions covering products made with American technology could create pitfalls for Asian companies. (Source photo by AP and Ken Kobayashi)
Ukraine war

From Samsung to Sony, Asia tech grapples with Russia sanctions

Complying with U.S. clampdown now could invite China repercussions later

4 March 2022
The two main presidential candidates -- Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party, left, and Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party -- are pledging to run the economy in a way that facilitates innovation while providing a safety net.
Asia Insight

Innovate or die: Korea Inc. faces harsh choice as election looms

Nation's next president tasked with reshaping export-oriented economy

22 February 2022
A clay path runs through a forest in Dong Nai Province. Vietnam's wood pellet exports have tripled in five years as Japan and South Korea look for an alternative to coal. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Climate Change

Asia swaps coal for wood fuel, but emissions still a threat

Critics say biomass burning in South Korea and Japan poses logging, carbon risks

13 February 2022
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, with Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong at an event in 2019. Conglomerates like Samsung have driven the country's economic growth but have also come to be seen as a symbol of inequality. (Yonhap via Kyodo)
Comment

Overtaking Japan? South Koreans see no reason to celebrate

Economic data points to Seoul's rise, but many do not feel benefits

11 February 2022
Busan Port in South Korea on Nov. 5. The nation's economy grew faster in the October-December period than in the previous quarter due to strong exports.
Economy

South Korea GDP growth hit 11-year high in 2021 on strong exports

Market drops despite data, overshadowed by U.S. Fed worries

25 January 2022
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, meets with Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Jan. 20.
International relations

South Korea inks deal to lend Egypt $1bn for infrastructure

With Moon in Cairo, leaders also discuss sale of self-propelled howitzers

21 January 2022
Students rush out of an exam site after finishing the National College Entrance Examination in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in June 2021: regional demand for higher education has barely begun to be tapped.
Opinion

The good economic news behind China's population free fall

Comparison with South Korea reveals reasons to be optimistic

19 January 2022
 The Bank of Korea building in Seoul. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara) 
Economy

South Korea eyes further rate increases after 2nd straight hike

Government announces a $12bn supplementary budget to help small businesses

14 January 2022
A container ship cruises in front of Yokohama Bay Bridge.
Business trends

RCEP stirs higher hopes for Japan than China or South Korea: poll

Despite significance of trade megadeal, many Chinese business chiefs focused on U.S. market

14 January 2022
Indonesia, the world's biggest thermal coal exporter, has allowed 37 loaded coal vessels to depart after they secured approvals from authorities.
Commodities

Indonesia relaxes export ban to allow 37 coal vessels to depart

Partial easing comes amid pressure from Asian nations and to avoid 'fire risks'

13 January 2022
As the pandemic continued in 2021, Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing seized power, the U.S. and U.K. agreed to share nuclear submarine tech with Australia, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai made an explosive revelation and BTS ruled the airwaves. 
Asia Insight

From Myanmar to AUKUS to BTS: Newsmakers that shaped Asia in 2021

As COVID raged, the security landscape shifted and superstars made their mark

28 December 2021
South Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks to Nikkei Asia. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Interview

South Korea says CPTPP membership would stabilize supply chains

Trade minister Yeo sees 'win-win' for all; will apply to join pact by May

27 December 2021
Xi Jinping on screen at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, pictured on Nov. 12: the future price China's 1.4 billion people will pay for Xi's myth-building campaign rose exponentially in 2021.
Opinion

Asia's 2021 bull market in emperor-has-no-clothes moments

Xi Jinping happier than most to see this year stagger to a close

22 December 2021