| Mobile Web

All articles List

Finance

Bank of Korea likely to hold rates at first monetary policy meeting of 2026

The Bank of Korea is expected to hold its benchmark rate at its first Monetary Policy Board meeting of 2026 on Jan. 15, as the won remains weak and volatile and policy-change triggers appear limited. Analysts focus on possible changes to forward guidance, growth forecasts and the central bank’s stance on the exchange rate and inflation. Views differ on growth upgrades, while concerns persist over housing market overheating and financial imbalances.

AI & Enterprise

OTT growth spurs debate on broadcast telecom fund overhaul, but prospects remain unclear

Debate in South Korea over restructuring the Broadcast and Telecommunications Development Fund has stalled despite shrinking TV advertising revenue and rapid growth in online advertising, including OTT. A bill to charge large OTT operators up to 1 percent of sales has been pending for 18 months. Industry and political concerns include reverse discrimination between domestic and global platforms, enforcement limits on foreign firms and potential trade frictions, alongside arguments that global OTTs contribute via investment.

Finance

Alipay global ambitions grow as K Bank gains momentum in third IPO bid

Ant Group is accelerating its push into the global payments market, with Alipay Plus linking more than 40 mobile payment apps across dozens of countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The network is used mainly by tourists at 150 million merchants in more than 100 countries and is expanding QR-based payment services to small businesses in developing countries. In South Korea, K Bank is in focus as it pursues a third IPO attempt, alongside product updates and new card features.