South Korean small business sales rose 4.53 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, but profit margins fell for a second straight quarter as expenses increased faster, a report by Korea Credit Data showed. Average revenue per business was 47.11 million won, while average spending rose 5.83 percent to 35.22 million won. Delinquent amounts on sole proprietors’ loans rose 4.3 percent from the previous quarter to 15.2 trillion won.

South Korea\'s financial authorities expanded the scope of eased network separation rules for AI use to secondary financial institutions and electronic financial business operators. The number of firms to be selected rises to as many as 15, and eligibility thresholds are lowered. Selected institutions can use external AI and security SaaS after putting alternative controls in place. Industry expectations are mixed, with some firms cautious. Global fintech investment rose to $103.1 billion in the first half, with focus expected to shift to AI and financial infrastructure.