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South Korea
Intelligence for Better Decision Making
Number of births in South Korea
July 26, 2024 | Indirect Indicator- April and May saw an increase in births in South Korea, the first consecutive monthly increase in over eight years.
- In May, births increased by 2.7% to 19,547 year-over-year, marking the second consecutive monthly rise.
- There was a significant increase in births in Seoul, with a 9.7% rise in April and a 5.8% rise in May.
- The increase in births is partly attributed to post-pandemic rebound in marriages and a base effect from the low birthrate the previous year.
- Despite the increases, the total number of births from January to May is the lowest ever recorded.
- The total fertility rate has fallen below 0.8 for the first time, projected at 0.68 for the year.
- Deaths decreased by 1.2% to 28,546 in May, contributing to a net population decline of 8,999.
- South Korea's population has been shrinking for 55 consecutive months.
- Marriages surged significantly, with a 21.6% rise in May and a 24.6% rise in April, leading to a consistent increase.
- Despite the positive birth and marriage trends, the overall population continues to decline due to the higher number of deaths.
- Joo Hyeong-hwan, vice chairman of the Low Birth Rate and Aging Society Committee, expressed cautious optimism about the recent trends.
Four-year prison term sought for actor Yoo Ah-in over drug charges
July 26, 2024 | Indirect Indicator- Prosecutors are seeking a four-year prison sentence for actor Yoo Ah-in on charges of habitual illegal drug use.
- Yoo Ah-in, 37, is accused of using propofol under the guise of cosmetic procedures on 181 occasions from 2020-2022.
- He also faces allegations of abusing other anesthetics, including midazolam and ketamine.
- Yoo is accused of acquiring approximately 1,100 sleeping pills through prescriptions under others' names.
- The actor has also been accused of using marijuana while in the United States.
- During the final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Yoo expressed remorse for his actions.
- Yoo promised to become a healthier and more honest person regardless of the court's ruling.
- The court's ruling is expected on September 3.
- Prosecutors are also seeking a fine of 2 million won ($1,400) and forfeiture of 1.54 million won from Yoo.
Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - Jan. 29, 2024
News
Media
280
Government
Releases
7
City/State
Releases
0
Embassy
Releases
1
Foreign
Service
Advisories
0
Service
Advisories
0
Academic/
Think
Tank
0
Think
Tank
0
Podcasts
0
Videos
0
Social
Media
0
Business
Releases
0
Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.
The goal is to provide intelligence that allows decision makers to avoid being blindsided by what they may have missed, while informing them to make better decisions as well.
Risk Categories Reported on Today
Risk Category
Items Reported On
Crime
4
Accidents
3
Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes
12
North Korea
8
Terrorism
1
Political Scandal or Corruption
2
Cyber Attacks and Data Loss
2
Erudite Risk also includes operations categories so you can monitor the environment for better decision making. Everything is tied together--what happens in risk affects operations and what happens in the market impacts risk profiles.
We categorize key intelligence into one of 30 different operations intelligence categories.
Different roles and functions within the organization can monitor different key issue areas. HR may monitor employment, wages, regulations, labor and management relations, etc., while P&L leaders may monitor overall developing trends.
Operations Categories Reported on Today
Operations Category
Items Reported On
Demographics
4
Tech Development/Adoption
6
Trade Issues and Numbers
3
Politics and Elections
3
Political Policy Resistance
1
Bizdev-Partnering
6
Real Estate
3
(LEAD) U.S. sanctions China-based individuals, entities accused of supporting N.K. missile, space programs
Yonhap | English | News | July 26, 2024 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes
The United States imposed sanctions on a China-based network of six individuals and five entities for their support of North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs. The Treasury Department's announcement highlighted ongoing violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions by North Korea, particularly following its recent ballistic missile technology launches. The sanctions underscore the U.S. commitment to enforcing international sanctions and disrupting procurement networks aiding North Korea's military technology. Entities such as Beijing Sanshunda Electronics and Shenzhen City Mean Well Electronics were named, along with individuals like Chen Tianxin and Du Jiaxin. The North relies on foreign materials for its programs and utilizes overseas agents and foreign companies to secure these components. Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact of the disbandment of a U.N. sanctions-monitoring panel in April on efforts to identify sanctions violations by Pyongyang.
U.S. sanctions China-based individuals, entities accused of supporting N.K. missile, space programs
Yonhap | English | News | July 26, 2024 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes
The United States imposed sanctions on a network of six individuals and five entities based in China for allegedly supporting North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs. This action followed North Korea's unsuccessful attempt in May to launch a military reconnaissance satellite, violating U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit such activities. The U.S. Treasury Department emphasized the enduring nature of these resolutions and its commitment to effective enforcement against sanctions evasion. Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson described North Korea's missile technology development as irresponsible and destabilizing. The U.S. aims to disrupt procurement networks that facilitate these technologies and hold accountable those involved in enabling these activities.
WeMakePrice crisis feared to trigger chain of defaults
Korea Times | English | News | July 26, 2024 | Supply Chain Issues
WeMakePrice and its parent company, Qoo10, are facing potential insolvency, leading to a surge in customers demanding refunds and local banks halting accounts receivable loans for small merchants tied to these e-commerce firms. This situation is raising concerns about possible defaults across the financial market due to Qoo10's aggressive global expansion and the questionable financial health of its subsidiaries. Major banks have suspended lending to sellers deemed high-risk to limit asset losses. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) reported that WeMakePrice and TMON have collectively registered 170 billion won in failed settlements. An investigation into potential violations of the Electronic Commerce Law is underway, with a dedicated consumer complaint response team established to assist affected customers.
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