Headline: Won slides, even as record chip exports power Korea’s trade<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top Story<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The won weakened, near its softest levels in over a decade, even as semiconductors continue to drive record export performance. June chip exports hit an all-time high of ~$14.97B (up 11.6% YoY), with memory exports topping $10B for the first time as DRAM prices keep climbing on AI\/HBM demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The won softness reflects broader FX and rate dynamics, the mechanisms by which currency exchange rates fluctuate in response to shifting global interest rates, macroeconomic policies, and market supply and demand, rather than a chip-cycle downturn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sector Watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semiconductors: AI-driven memory demand (HBM, DDR5) remains the strength story, with record June exports and rising DRAM prices supporting Samsung\/SK Hynix sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Automotive: Hyundai’s 125 trillion won (~$86 billion USD) 2026-2030 domestic R&D plan continues, explicitly dedicated to mobility products and core next-generation technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biopharma: no material US-facing development in the last 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BCW Take<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 15% cap holding is good news, alongside the chip cycle with record memory exports this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New: The Hyundai Way is now available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside the culture, leadership, and strategy that built a global automaker, the work-funneling model, the chaebol timeline, and the five transformation vectors reshaping Hyundai’s next decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Order on Amazon: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GRPDFVNF<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your team is weighing Korea exposure this year, this is the lens I bring to client work. Reply if you’d like to talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join our LinkedIn Newsletter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay in the loop on Korea-US business. Get the briefing and more, free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subscribe here: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/newsletters\/korea-facing-2024-7016052268013678592\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Headline: Won slides, even as record chip exports power Korea’s trade Top Story The won weakened, near its softest levels in over a decade, even as semiconductors continue to drive record export performance. June chip exports hit an all-time high of ~$14.97B (up 11.6% YoY), with memory exports topping $10B for the first time as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[10,12,30],"class_list":["post-640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-korean-business-news","tag-bridging-culture-worldwide","tag-don-southerton","tag-korea-market-entry-expert"],"yoast_head":"\n