Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korea's major financial groups classify 3 trillion won loans as estimated loss in Q1

Some 3 trillion won ($2 billion) worth of loans extended by Korea's four major financial groups have been classified as "estimated loss" in the first quarter, financial sector data showed Sunday.

2026-05-03

Local banks expected to limit household loan growth to just one percent this year

Major lenders in Korea are expected to limit the growth in their household loans to 1 percent this year, sources said Sunday, lower than their initial target of around 2 percent and also lower than the 1.5 percent previously suggested by authorities.

2026-04-12

Repeated short-term market curbs fail to tame housing market

Upward pressure on Seoul’s housing market is intensifying despite stricter tax measures. A decline in listings amid higher tax burdens is pushing up prices.

2026-04-11

Gov't to operate low-interest loan program for SMEs facing difficulties due to trade deals

The government will operate a low-interest loan program for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are suffering or expected to suffer damage from Korea's trade agreements with foreign countries.

2026-04-06

Risky real estate development loans dropped sharply in 2025: FSS

Outstanding loans extended to risky real estate development projects dropped sharply last year via sell-offs or recapitalization, the financial watchdog said Sunday.

2026-04-05

Major banks' household loans fell again in March due to continued regulation

Household loans by major banks fell again in March amid continued strict regulations, industry data showed on Wednesday.

2026-04-01

Lenders forced to further limit household loan growth, not to extend loans to owners of multiple homes

All local lenders in Korea will be forced to further tighten their household lending this year and not extend loans to owners of multiple homes, the financial regulator said Wednesday, in a stepped-up move to rein in record household debts.

2026-04-01

Korea's financial exposure to real estate market up in 2025, but pace of growth slows: BOK

Korea's financial exposure to the real estate market rose slightly in 2025, but the pace of growth slowed from a year earlier, a central bank report showed on Thursday.

2026-03-26

Overdraft borrowing jumps after U.S.-Iran conflict as investors rush to buy stocks

Personal overdraft borrowing at major Korean banks increased by about 1.3 trillion won ($875 million) in March as investors borrowed money to buy stocks after a market drop triggered by clashes between the United States and Iran.

2026-03-08

Small, midsize construction firms log record delinquency rate in 2025 as sector slump drags on

Small and midsize construction firms are struggling to repay loans as the construction sector stays in a prolonged slump, according to recent data, with the industry weakness dragging down the overall economy in 2025.

2026-02-23