South Korea’s exports recorded $98.9 billion last month, continuing their good performance.Semiconductors, the country’s main export item, led exports by recording more than $40 billion for two consecutive months. The trade surplus also exceeded $30 billion, following the previous month.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced on August 1 that July exports were $98.89 billion, which increased by 62.8% compared to the same period last year.It was the second-highest monthly export amount in history, following June’s record($102.25 billion), when monthly exports exceeded $100 billion for the first time.Semiconductor exports increased by 179% to $41.01 billion, also recording the second-highest monthly export amount ever. The highest record was $44.8 billion in June.Despite concerns about Apple’s possibility of using Chinese memory semiconductors and China’s announcement of a new artificial intelligence (AI) model, semiconductor exports continued to show strong performance as fixed prices kept rising.Exports of all IT products also recorded growth. Computer exports increased sharply by 404.0% to $4.79 billion.As big tech companies continued expanding their investment in AI infrastructure, demand for enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs) continued to increase.Exports of wireless communication devices reached $1.81 billion, up 51.0%, thanks to strong sales of premium products such as the Galaxy S26. Display exports recorded $1.61 billion, up 2.4%, as they exclusively supplied new products such as the foldable iPhone Ultra.Among the country’s 20 major export items, exports increased in 19 items in July, except for home appliances.By region, exports increased in 8 out of 9 major export regions, excluding the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).Exports to China increased by 96.2% to $21.68 billion, exceeding $20 billion for the second consecutive month. Exports to the United States also increased by 69% to $17.43 billion.Thanks to strong performances in major items such as semiconductors and ships, exports to ASEAN increased by 73.7% to $18.8 billion, and exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 55.7% to $9.38 billion. Both achieved the highest export records ever.Exports to the Middle East, which had been decreasing due to the influence of the war in the region, also increased by 24.7% to $1.83 billion. Although automobile exports performed poorly, general machinery, petrochemicals, and wireless communication devices showed good results.Imports in July increased by 26.5% to $68.56 billion, and the trade balance recorded a surplus of $30.32 billion.The accumulated trade surplus from January to July reached $168 billion, increasing by $134.1 billion compared with the same period last year.▶원문 기사:7월 수출 989억달러…반도체 2개월 연속 400억달러 돌파 (이코노미스트, 2026. 8. 1) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The KOSPI index finished with its largest gain in history, fueled by massive buying from foreign investors. SK Hynix finished the trading session at its Daily Cap. Analysts attribute the increase largely to SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won directly purchasing 4.8 billion won worth of SK Hynix shares (3,620 shares) on the open market on July 30.Data from the Korea Exchange shows that on July 31, the KOSPI finished at 6,595.45, surging 1,001.89 points (17.91%) from the previous trading day, setting a new record for both the largest single-day point gain and percentage increase.The second-highest daily percentage gain was 11.95%, recorded on October 30, 2008, during the global financial crisis.On the same day, Samsung Electronics jumped 26.81% to finish at 262,500 won, while SK Hynix hit its daily limit, soaring 29.95% to 1,718,000 won. Both companies recorded their highest single-day percentage gains in history.SK Hynix’s surge to its daily limit is interpreted as being heavily influenced by Chairman Chey's open-market stock acquisition. On the previous day, Chairman Chey bought common shares of SK Hynix at 1,322,000 won per share.This marks the first time Chairman Chey has held SK Hynix shares under his personal name.SK Hynix stated that Chairman Chey's purchase reflects his confidence in the semiconductor firm's value and his view that the stock was significantly undervalued, positioning the move as part of responsible management.Investors viewed Chairman Chey’s open-market purchase as a clear signal of confidence in the company's mid-to-long-term growth and corporate value, which positively impacted overall market sentiment.Previously, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Jeju Summer Forum on July 17, Chairman Chey commented on investing in SK Hynix: "Because memory chips will always be in demand, the trajectory will trend upward over time. Rather than buying and selling frequently, holding onto shares steadily is a better way to preserve wealth."Foreign investors led the index's record rally through aggressive buying, posting a net purchase of 7.2196 trillion won. Institutional investors also bought a net 1.1782 trillion won. In contrast, retail investors sold a net 8.2543 trillion won.Both foreign net purchases and retail net sales reached a record high in the history of the South Korean stock market.▶원문 기사: "외국인이 돌아왔다" 코스피 불기둥…SK하이닉스는 '상한가' 마감(2026. 7. 31) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The gap between the capital area and non-metropolitan regions enlarging the insolvent economy from industrial imbalance is concerned. While the metropolitan area is economically benefiting from AI and semiconductor industry, the local economy is suffering from contraction in construction and petrochemicals.According to the Bank of Korea’s ‘2026 the First Half Year’s Regional Economic Preference’, the capital region exemplified a significant improving economic trend. However, the Southeastern region, Honam region, and Gangwon region remained steady, while Chungcheong Region, Daegyeong Region, and Jeju Region also could not close the gap with Seoul. The main reason for the gap was the semiconductor and export industry. The metropolitan area benefited from expansion of memory demand for AI and DRAM and NAND flash price increase. However, the main regional industries were deteriorated by raw material’s price increase and stagnation of the construction industry. The problem is that economic polarization in the real economy is also putting regional banks in danger. Although the commercial banks, which give loans for major companies, are remaining sound, regional SMEs and small business owners are struggling with rising delinquency rates.According to the financial sector, 5 regional banks had a delinquency rate of 1.33%. This is 1.19% higher than last year’s result. The local bank’s delinquency rate was near 0%, but just after a year and a half, it increased to 1.3%. This is higher than 2009, when the global financial crisis almost happened, the first quarter’s report. At the same time, the annual delinquency rate of 5 commercial banks was 0.39%. As delinquency rates rose, the burden of loan-loss provisions increased significantly. This resulted in net profit of 5 regional banks becoming 606.4 billion KRW, which is 76.9 billion KRW less than last year. The current situation of non-performing loans reflects the stagnated regional economies. According to the Bank of Korea: Economic Statistics System, at the end of May, Daegu’s corporate loan delinquency rate was 1.29%, which was the highest. Gwangju(1.09%) and Jeju(1.09%) also resulted in around 1% of corporate loan delinquency rate. Household loan delinquency rate also increased around regional areas. For example, Jeju recorded the highest rate at 1.24%, followed by Jeonbuk (0.84%) and Gwangju (0.62%).Due to the economic slowdown, revenue decreased with high interest rates, which caused household stores and SMEs to be hit hard. According to the ‘2026 SME Financial Condition Survey’, SMEs that expected next year’s business management to stagnate were 25.7%. This is 10.9% more than this year’s forecast. A financial sector official stated, “The stagnation in regional economies is creating a financial distress, resulting in higher delinquency rate, and weakening rural economies.” The officer also added, “The financial support policy for regional vulnerable borrowers and SMEs is needed so that the semiconductor boom will not affect.”▶원문 기사: 기업도 은행도 지방에서 ‘한숨’…수도권과 차이 어디서 났나 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 31) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Bank of Korea’s president Shin Hyunsong’s speaking that people need to pay attention to the price fluctuation of the semiconductor than the stock price of the semiconductor industries such as Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix in the situation where the ‘semiconductor power’ is leading Korea’s economy, is getting spotlighted. It is an analysis that the riffle effect of domestic demand may change depending on how high the semiconductor price is and how long it maintains its price. On July 16th, after the Bank of Korea announced that it would raise the base interest rate by 0.25% point, governor Shin Hyunsong said that, in establishing monetary policy, they are paying much more attention to the semiconductor price itself than the stock prices of companies. It means the semiconductor price is the key variable that determines Korea’s terms of trade. An increase in semiconductor prices leads to higher profits and expanded orders for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which in turn supports the domestic economy through wage increase and other income growth. Since major semiconductor contracts are present through business-to-business (B2B) transactions, the prices do not appear in the spot market, but are mostly made under long-term contracts, making them difficult to identify. Nevertheless, they are regarded as one of the most important factors for predicting the future of Korea’s economy.Due to the impact of rising semiconductor prices, Korea’s real gross domestic income (GDI) growth rate recorded exceptional 13.2% in the first quarter of the year. During the same period, the gross domestic product(GDP) growth rate was 3.8%. The gap between the two growth rates (9.4 % points) marked the largest difference since related statistics began to be collected in 1960.The report pointed out that the biggest reason behind the sharp rise in GDI was the improvement driven by rising export prices. Looking at the periods of economic improvement in 2009, 2015~2016, and 2020, the major factors were falling international oil prices and lower import prices caused by the global financial crisis, the pandemic (the state when the infectious disease become widespread wordwide across politics, economy, and society), and the U.S. shale boom. Recently, however, even amid soaring international oil prices due to the war between the United States and Iran, rising semiconductor prices have been leading the improvement in the terms of trade.According to an empirical analysis conducted by the Korea Bank, in the past when lower import prices led the improvement in the terms of trade, households regarded it as a ‘temporary increase in income’, causing a weak effect on private consumption. As people did not expect their income to continue increasing, households placed more weight on saving than spending.On the other hand, when higher export prices lead changes in the terms of trade, the spillover effect on income becomes much stronger through higher wages driven from expanded sales. As the belief that income will continue to increase grows, private consumption also recovers. In fact, due to the recent announcements of large-scale performance bonuses by semiconductor companies, the overall wage growth rate has become significantly higher than during previous periods of improvement in the terms of trade. During the period of rising import prices, companies also respond to expanding global demand by rapidly increasing production capacity, immediately leading expanded investment.However, it also pointed out that behind the unprecedented semiconductor boom and the sharp rise in GDI lies the risk of increasing economic polarization. This is because such a trend may increase overall macroeconomic volatility and undermine the economy’s medium to long-term growth potential.The growth of the semiconductor industry has caused the Information Technology (IT) manufacturing sector in Korea’s total manufacturing output to rise 51%, further intensifying the concentration of industrial production. Since the IT manufacturing industry has relatively low production and employment multiplier effects, and workers in related industries account for only 2.6% of total employment, the benefits of growth may become concentrated among employees of a small number of large corporations. A financial investment industry official explained, “If the effects of large performance bonuses and wage increases are limited to only a few major companies, it is difficult for the benefits to spread throughout the overall economy,” adding “Non-IT sectors may instead face sluggish business conditions and rising cost pressures.”The concentration of growth itself in a specific industry may become a problem. In the case of semiconductors, the industry is highly affected by demand cycles, meaning that investment and tax revenues can fluctuate significantly depending on changes in demand.Researcher from Bank of Korea stated, “As tax revenues become increasingly dependent on the semiconductor industry, fiscal capacity may fluctuate greatly depending on the semiconductor business cycle. After the surge in tax revenues generated during the IT boom of 2021~2022, they quickly turned into tax revenue shortfalls during the subsequent industry downturn,” adding “It is necessary to consider the risk that Korea’s high dependence on the IT industry could amplify volatility in the economy, public finances, and financial markets, and to draft medium and long-term policies accordingly.”▶원문 기사: “주가보다 반도체 ‘가격’이 내수 온기 가른다” (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 20) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has urged the public to use GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) obesity medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, with caution, within the approved indications and dosage. Recently, these drugs have gained popularity, known as "diet drugs," leading to an increase in use among youths, overseas direct purchases, and unauthorized advertising.On the 8th, the MFDS stated that "a series of GLP-1 obesity medications are aimed at obesity patients and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional in accordance with the approved dosage and administration."A series of GLP-1 obesity medications work by activating the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate insulin secretion and appetite, resulting in weight loss. Notable example products include Wegovy, which contains semaglutide, and Mounjaro, containing tirzepatide.These medications are approved for obese adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, or for overweight adults with a BMI between 27 kg/m² and 30 kg/m², while having at least one weight-related medical condition, such as hypertension.The MFDS also emphasized that even when products approved for youth use are prescribed, careful attention must be paid to the risk of insufficient nutrition and excessive weight loss during growth. Moreover, healthcare providers should closely monitor patients for gastrointestinal side effects that may lead to dehydration or acute pancreatitis.The MFDS expressed particular concern about the misuse of a series of GLP-1 obesity medications as they are perceived as simple "diet drugs." They emphasized that these medications must only be used with a physician's prescription and under the guidance of a pharmacist, and should never be purchased through overseas direct purchases or private transactions.Products obtained through overseas direct purchases have not been approved for use in South Korea, meaning their safety and efficacy have not been sufficiently verified. In addition, their manufacturing and distribution processes are hard to verify, which raises the risk that they may be counterfeit medicines or substandard products. They also warned that consumers may not be protected by legal measures, such as product recalls or compensation, even if they experience the damage after using these products.MFDS plans to produce informational content, such as card news and short-form videos centered on Social Networking Service (SNS), to promote the safe use of GLP-1 obesity medications. MFDS will also collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to provide information on websites frequently used by youths and parents.Along with this, the MFDS will conduct intensive inspections of local governments, medical institutions, and pharmacies to identify unauthorized advertising and exaggerated promotional claims within obesity medications. These appropriate follow-up measures will be taken against any violations.An official from MFDS stated, "MFDS will continue to improve users' understanding of obesity medications and provide guidance continuously on their safe use within the scope of their authorized indications, creating an environment that supports the safe use of pharmaceuticals."▶원문 기사:식약처 "위고비·마운자로 오남용 우려"…해외직구·청소년 사용 주의 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 8) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group, predicted that the imbalance between supply and demand for memory semiconductors will worsen next year due to the continuous expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), and announced plans to consider constructing semiconductor plants in locations from the Honam region in Korea to the United States to expand production capacity. Chey emphasized that prices must be stabilized by increasing supply, saying, “There are projections that demand will increase by at least 60–100% next year compared to this year.” At a press conference held during the 49th KCCI Jeju Forum at the Shilla Jeju hotel on July 15, Chey said, “I am not sure if I should go as far as to describe the situation as ‘complete chaos’,” adding, “From a company’s perspective, semiconductor demand continues to surge, so factories need to be built quickly.”He assessed that “virtually no semiconductor company will significantly increase its supply next year”, and that “the gap between demand and supply will inevitably widen much further next year than this year.” He further emphasized that the “supply-demand gap could develop into an even greater problem, as governments need to secure memory semiconductors for their domestic companies to continue production in the interest of economic security.”He also left open the possibility of building production facilities in the United States. Regarding U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s call for Korean semiconductor companies to invest in the United States, he said, “He has been saying the same thing. It is nothing surprising,” adding, “I believe that if possible, we should build facilities in the United States as well.”Regarding the KRW 1,000 trillion AI data center project being pursued with the government, he explained, “You cannot build an AI Data center without customers. If it has been built, that means there are already customers,” and “Building a facility with a capacity of about 1 gigawatt costs KRW 70 trillion, and no one does this entirely with their own capital; it relies on project financing.” He added, “Under the financing conditions, the contract term cannot be shorter than at least five years, and for a longer arrangement, a 15-year long-term contract must exist before we can say that the project has taken off.”Regarding investment in the Honam region, he explained, “The government determined that Honam was the best location , and we announced the investment plan based on the assessment that it was necessary,” adding, “Once the project actually begins, unexpected obstacles or other issues could arise.”Meanwhile, Chey expressed the view that the recently increasing surging prices of memory semiconductors actually need to be lowered. He said, “This may sound strange, but current prices are abnormal and already too high,” adding, “If we face problems related to chip inflation, we (the semiconductor suppliers) become the target of criticism.” He added, “We need to increase supply now and bring prices down.”▶원문 기사: 최태원 "반도체 수요 아비규환…내년 공급 부족 더 심화"(2026. 7. 19) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The scale of devastation caused by the series of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month continues to grow. With the officially confirmed death toll already exceeding 5,000, concerns are mounting that the anticipated arrival of El Niño, a climate phenomenon associated with extreme weather, could further worsen living conditions for thousands of displaced residents staying in temporary shelters.According to AFP on July 18, Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, announced that the officially confirmed death toll had reached 5,069 as of July 17 (local time). The number of injured remained unchanged at 16,740, and Rodríguez stated that most of the injured have already been discharged from hospitals. The disaster began on June 24, when two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela in quick succession. The coastal state of La Guaira, located just north of the capital, Caracas, suffered the heaviest damage and was left in ruins. Authorities reported that at least 300 victims remain unidentified, and officials are collecting DNA samples before burying the bodies in a public cemetery.Efforts to determine the exact number of missing people have been complicated by the lack of official government statistics. While the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure, opposition groups estimate that around 30,000 people are missing. The United Nations estimated the number of missing at 50,000 just three days after the earthquakes, on June 27. Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey previously warned that the final death toll could range anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000.Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that El Niño could bring an even greater disaster to those displaced by the earthquakes. Lucas Gejis Acrat, the IOM's Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator in Venezuela, said that discussions are underway within the United Nations regarding the possibility of a very strong El Niño developing. He warned that, with many residents already homeless, an El Niño event could severely impact Venezuela.The unusually warm ocean surface temperatures associated with El Niño are expected to increase the likelihood of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also stated that there is a 63% chance that current conditions will develop into a "Super El Niño," defined as tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures exceeding the seasonal average by more than 2°C.▶원문 기사: 베네수엘라 지진 사망자 5000명 넘어서…'슈퍼 엘니뇨' 우려까지 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 18) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

According to Cafe24, inventory is no longer just merchandise sitting in a warehouse. It has become a key source of data that directly influences advertising efficiency and sales. As a result, the way online shopping malls are managed is evolving. On the 1st, Cafe24 announced that online stores adopting its AI-powered Inventory-based Marketing (AIM) service, which integrates real-time inventory data into advertising operations have improved their inventory turnover efficiency. Inventory-based Marketing is a service that analyzes product inventory levels and sales trends in real time and reflects that information in advertising campaigns. Products with sufficient stock receive increased advertising exposure, while products nearing stock depletion have their exposure reduced, enabling merchants to use their advertising budgets more efficiently.The online shopping mall management team’s inventory management a challenge that has been difficult to solve for a long time. The items that were almost out of stock were always on the ads and the ones that had a lot in stock weren't shown in ads, which created unnecessary advertisement fees in many cases. Their original method of handling the advertisements and inventory separately has shown a boundary, and they are leaning toward a production environment where they analyze the product and the actual stock of that product together. In line with this trend, Cafe24 provides an operating environment that analyzes advertising performance alongside inventory data. According to the company, faster inventory turnover allows merchants to recover sales revenue more quickly, enabling them to reinvest those funds in new product development or additional marketing initiatives. One example is the women's fashion online store Meriet, which linked inventory analysis with its ordering process after adopting AIM. As a result, its inventory turnover rate more than doubled, increasing from 9.2 to 20.7 times. Meanwhile, the average inventory depletion period was reduced by more than half, from 39.8 days to 17.6 days. Meriet CEO Ji-su Yoo said, “By analyzing inventory and purchase order data together, we were able to respond to surges in demand without running out of stock. We generated more sales from the same inventory while actually reducing the risk of stockouts.” This trend was observed not only in individual cases but also across online stores that adopted the service. Cafe24 compared performance before and after implementation among online stores connected to a Warehouse Management System (WMS) that enables real-time inventory analysis. The results showed that the average inventory turnover rate increased by 12%, while the average inventory depletion period decreased by 22%. According to the company, faster inventory turnover also made it easier for merchants to plan and prepare inventory for upcoming seasonal products. Looking ahead, Cafe24 plans to continue enhancing its marketing services by further linking advertising operations with product and inventory data. A company representative said, “The competitiveness of an online store depends not only on how effectively it runs advertising campaigns, but also on how efficiently it utilizes data. We will continue strengthening our integrated operating environment by connecting sales, inventory, and advertising data. ▶원문 기사: 재고가 마케팅이 됐다…카페24, 쇼핑몰 운영 공식 바꾼다 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 1) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

AI sleep healthcare specialized company, HoneyNaps unveiled that they got FDA approval for ‘SOMNUM V3.0’, AI based sleep diagnosis software. FDA approval code for this is K253390.SOMNUM is a healthcare AI system that features sleep stages and sleep related primary event analyzation based on Polysomnography. HoneyNaps already got FDA approval for SOMNUM V1.1.2, and from this time’s V3.0 approval, they were able to advance product and strengthen U.S. market expansion base.SOMNUM V3.0 is built to automatically diagnose apnea and hypopnea, and distinguish and analyze apnea into obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep through AI algorithm.The company explained that they increased event analysis performance by gaining Overall Agreement of 97~99% in each respiratory event. This can be used in increasing decipher accuracy that is needed in sleep-disordered breathing severity evaluation and treatment direction determination. Alongside with SOMNUM V3.0 commercialization, HoneyNaps is also working on automatic AI evaluation technology and next generation digital biomarker development. By using Hypoxic Burden, Arousal Burden, and Ventilatory Burden, they are working on a technology that evaluates sleep apnea patient’s symptom severity and health risk in detail, and they are planning to prepare additional FDA approval for the next version that includes such features.HoneyNaps company official had said “This FDA approval means that SOMNUM V3.0’s respiratory event distinguish algorithm got verified for its clinical accuracy in American regulation standard, and “the company will strengthen competitiveness in global sleep diagnosis AI market by the development of follow-up version that applied digital biomarker.”▶원문 기사: 허니냅스, AI 수면진단 소프트웨어 ‘SOMNUM V3.0’ FDA 승인 (이코노미스트, 2026. 7. 3) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Perfume is becoming the main category in the beauty market. In the past, perfume was confined to a corner of cosmetics stores, but nowadays sports brands, fashion platforms, and department stores are scrambling to enter the fragrance business. The scale of the perfume market is rising rapidly. Selling perfume is not only selling the scent, but it is also used as a way to showcase a brand’s image.According to the industry on the 18th, sports brand Adidas is recently strengthening domestic marketing of fragrance line "Adidas vibes”. Adidas Vibe is a line that can be used casually in daily lifeand recently appointed actor Jae-won Kim as its domestic ambassador.Global perfume company Coty is handling the license business and LG Household & Health Care is distributing domestically. It’s an attempt to expand the brand experience beyond sports wear. The expansion of the fragrance market is not just about sports brands. Fashion platforms are also entering the fragrance business as they see it as a new growth area. According to the industry, 29CM, operated by Musinsa, recently launched a fragrance collection through its private brand, 29CM First Trophy. The collection expresses the atmosphere of Seongsu-dong through scent.Perfume is no longer just a cosmetic product. It is becoming a consumer item that shows personal taste and lifestyle. Along with perfumes, home fragrance products such as diffusers and room sprays are also gaining popularity. In fact, 29CM's beauty sales in the first half of this year jumped 301% from a year earlier, led by fragrance products.Department stores are also beefing up their fragrance business. Lotte Department Store's Jamsil branch recently expanded its fragrance section. More than 20 brands, including global niche perfume brands such as Kilian and Ex Nihilo, have opened stores there.Niche perfumes focus on exclusivity and individuality rather than mass production. As more consumers look for scents that are different from others, niche perfumes are becoming one of the main categories in beauty stores.The way perfume is sold is also changing. In the past, customers simply bought products displayed on shelves. Nowadays, more experiential stores allow customers to try different scents and receive consultations from fragrance experts. Choosing a fragrance itself is becoming part of the shopping experience.Seongsu-dong is one of the places where this trend is most noticeable. As more fragrance brands open flagship stores and hold pop-up events, the number of foreign tourists continues to increase. At some beauty stores, foreign customers account for as much as 74% of total sales.Industry experts expect fragrances to become a new growth engine for the beauty market. Compared with makeup and skincare products, fragrances have a longer trend cycle and can attract consumers across all ages and genders.An industry official said, "Perfume is no longer just a beauty product. It has become a consumer item that represents personal taste and lifestyle. In the future, providing a unique brand experience will be more important than simply creating a new scent."▶원문 기사: 아디다스 바이브부터 니치향수까지..MZ세대 사로잡는 프래그런스 시장 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.