South Korea's key economic indicators to be released soon... Semiconductor industry outlook and inflation variables under focus

Next week, various indicators that provide a comprehensive view of our country’s economy will be released. This information is crucial for understanding the current economic situation and price changes.

First, the National Data Office plans to publish the “January Industrial Activity Trends” on March 4. This report will showcase the current production status of Korea’s key export industries, such as semiconductors and shipbuilding. Recently, semiconductor exports have surged sharply, showing a positive trend, but the construction sector remains sluggish. Additionally, overall consumer goods consumption has not yet seen a lively recovery, which is an area to watch.

On the same day, the “February Consumer Price Trends” will be released. While the inflation rate is considered stable, prices of categories directly related to daily life fluctuate significantly, requiring vigilance. To address such price instability, the government has decided to establish a special task force among relevant departments to more centrally manage the prices of essential goods.

On March 6, the Bank of Korea will also release the provisional “January Balance of Payments” statistics. In December last year, the current account recorded the largest monthly surplus in history. Given the increase in semiconductor exports, a large surplus is also likely in January this year. This is supported by the growth momentum of major export categories, which is helping to maintain balance in the accounts.

Meanwhile, financial authorities plan to discuss issues related to the lending industry and virtual assets. The Financial Supervisory Service will emphasize the reliability of the lending industry and protecting retail finance through a CEO roundtable, while the Financial Committee will review the contents of the Digital Asset Act at the Virtual Asset Committee meeting and plans to strengthen regulatory capacity.

These releases and meetings are expected to be key variables influencing the long-term vitality of our economy. The economic activity levels and price trends reflected in these indicators will directly impact future economic policies and directions.