Samsung's ₩2,655T Domestic Investment Foreign Sell-off ₩8T · Won/Dollar 1,530

Samsung Group announced on June 29 at a national briefing at Cheong Wa Dae that it would invest ₩2,655 trillion domestically. Samsung Electronics will invest approximately ₩2,450 trillion from 2026 to 2040, allocating ₩2,100 trillion to semiconductors alone.

On June 29, KOSPI dropped to as low as 8,100 intraday amid a record ₩8T foreign net sell-off, but recovered to close down 16.56 points (0.20%) at 8,394.65 on domestic buying. The won closed at 1,529.70 — a 17-year high.

Bitcoin fell below ₩90 million and $60,000 on June 29, according to Newsis. Amid U.S. interest rate risk, the crypto market was mixed, with Bitcoin recording a double-digit decline from its monthly high.

Seoul issued a consumer advisory for cooling equipment. Key complaint types include delayed repairs, defective installation, and refusal to compensate for defects. Cooling equipment accounts for 68.1% of summer consumer consultations.

Excessive penalty charges or outright refusal of refunds when canceling online platform bookings account for 65.5% of disputes. The Korea Consumer Agency warned of the risks of non-refundable booking terms.

Following accumulated consumer complaints about unexplained review deletions, shopping malls will be required to disclose their review deletion criteria starting July, according to Financial News reporting on second-half policy changes.

Samsung Group's June 29 investment plan allocates ₩425 trillion to Honam for a new Gwangju semiconductor fab and digital twin innovation hub, plus ₩625 trillion to the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions for AI chips, robotics, and batteries, according to Financial News.

Ahead of the August 17 party leadership convention, some progressive commentators criticized President Lee Jae-myung's centrist outreach as alienating core supporters. The leadership race is narrowing to a contest between former floor leader Jeong Cheong-rae and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, according to The Korea Herald.

Statistics Korea's May 2026 employment survey showed 40,000 fewer employed persons year-on-year, the first decline since December 2024. The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 2.9%.

Manufacturing employment fell 140,000 year-on-year in May, a 23rd consecutive monthly decline. Youth employment (ages 15-29) dropped 255,000 — the largest decline since January 2021, according to Youth Daily.

The number of regular employees fell 7,000 year-on-year in May 2026, the first decline in approximately 26 years and 5 months since December 1999 — an unusual reversal even through COVID-19, according to Reportera.

Samsung Group unveiled a ₩2,655 trillion domestic investment plan at the Cheong Wa Dae national briefing on June 29. Samsung Electronics will invest approximately ₩2,450 trillion from 2026 to 2040, with ₩2,100 trillion earmarked for semiconductors, according to Financial News.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both filed future business and management plans with DART on June 29. The combined figure is approximately ₩3,200 trillion, linked to the national advanced industry push, according to Newspim.

KOSPI dropped to as low as 8,100 intraday on June 29 amid a record ₩8 trillion foreign net sell-off, but recovered on domestic buying to close down 16.56 points (0.20%) at 8,394.65.

The won/dollar rate broke through 1,530 intraday on June 29 and closed at 1,529.70, the highest since the 2009 financial crisis — approximately 17 years ago. The exchange rate pressure compounded the sell-off's impact on the market.

Bitcoin dropped below ₩90 million and $60,000 on June 29, according to Newsis. U.S. interest rate concerns weighed on a mixed crypto market, with Bitcoin recording a double-digit monthly decline.

Kiwoom Securities is reviewing options including a third-party allotment of new Bithumb shares, according to Financial News on June 29. The report describes it as an early-stage discussion to build a digital asset business base.

On June 29, CNT Tech's 22nd investment fund invested in TireFly, an AI-based authenticated used-tire distribution and mobile fitting platform. The model combines AI tire condition authentication with at-home installation, according to Platum.

Hyundai Motor's labor union held the launch ceremony for its central strike committee on June 30, formalizing discussions on wage negotiation tactics and partial strike timing for 2026, according to Money Today.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is advancing a large-scale autonomous vehicle demonstration project deploying 200 vehicles in Gwangju, alongside an AI-based autonomous driving data platform, according to Korea Policy Briefing.

Samsung Electronics allocated ₩2,100 trillion of its ₩2,450 trillion filing to semiconductors on June 29. The Pyeongtaek-Yongin cluster receives ₩2,030 trillion to strengthen AI chip and advanced packaging capabilities, according to Newspim.

Following the U.S.-Iran ceasefire MOU, the Strait of Hormuz reopened. Korea announced it would lift the public institution two-day vehicle rotation starting July 1. About 95% of Korea's imported crude passes through the strait.

President Lee Jae-myung and Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam agreed to strengthen energy, infrastructure, and supply chain cooperation. A contract for Ho Chi Minh metro rail vehicles was confirmed, according to Korea.net News.

Yeoju City sent a trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta, conducting 86 business consultations and securing approximately $1.693 million in contract negotiations, according to OhmyNews.

SK Biopharmaceuticals signed a joint research agreement with generative AI drug developer Insilico Medicine to expand its central nervous system (CNS) pipeline, according to Innobiolab.

Yuhan Corporation's non-small cell lung cancer drug Lazertinib (Rybrevant) retained National Health Insurance coverage through a risk-sharing agreement re-contract at approximately 35.3% below the current list price, according to Innobiolab.

Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the European Medicines Agency completed their first joint review of a domestic biopharmaceutical product, conducted via simultaneous submission, according to Innobiolab.

KHNP's evaluation committee on June 17 selected Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang as the site for two new large reactors (2.8GW) and Gijang in Busan for an SMR. Yeongdeok won with an 86.18% resident approval rate; total project cost is approximately ₩12 trillion.

As of June 2026, the number of solar power sites in Korea exceeded 200,000, with cumulative installed capacity entering the 32GW era. Distributed installations across homes, buildings, and rural areas have been expanding.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy maintained the Q3 2026 (July-September) fuel cost adjustment unit at +5 won/kWh, keeping electricity rates unchanged despite a formula-based cut signal, citing KEPCO's debt exceeding ₩200 trillion, according to Aju Economy.

SM Entertainment announced that TVXQ's U-Know Yunho will release a new single 'Time' on July 20. It is his first release in eight months since his debut full-length album last November, according to The Korea Times.

The government selected two regional locations as K-Beauty export hubs to support small and indie brands in going global, building an integrated support system, the government announced.

A joint briefing by four public agencies unveiled 20 support programs worth approximately ₩50 billion, including overseas joint logistics, K-Beauty loans, and pop-up and flagship store programs, according to Logistics News.

Korea's cosmetics exports grew 24% year-on-year in May 2026. Growth was broad-based across skincare, haircare, body care, and home beauty devices, according to Shinhan Group Insights.

An AI deepfake detection model jointly developed by the Ministry of the Interior and the National Forensic Service improved accuracy from 76% to 92% and was deployed in the June 2026 local elections, according to Economic Mingle.

Deepfake video removal requests jumped from 388 during the 2024 general election to 10,510 during the 2025 presidential election — a roughly 27-fold increase — according to Financial News.

From November 2024 to October 2025, deepfake illegal video crimes totaled 1,553 of 4,413 cyber sexual violence cases (35.2%), a 35% increase from the prior year period.