In January, the trade deficit grew in the economy, and the high price system was strengthened due to foreigners leaving the stock market and an aging workforce.
The trade balance recorded a deficit of $4.89 billion in January, the consecutive deficit following December of last year.
Foreign investors net sold 1.67 trillion won of listed stocks in January, and net sold 2.6 trillion won in the KOSDAQ market and net bought 629 billion won in the KOSPI market.
The employment statistics for January increased by 522,000 people in their 60s, 273,000 people in their 20s, and 245,000 people in their 50s. It only increased by %P.
Employment in January was led by government-funded health and social welfare by 250,000, while accommodation and restaurants increased by 128,000 and transportation depots by 121,000. Wholesale and retail business – 56,000 people, association repair, personal service – 21,000 people, financial insurance – 15,000 people, etc., repeated the pattern of decline.
Statistics Korea's 'January Employment' showed only an increase of 153,000 people, with 26,953,000 employed and 17.1 million inactive, and 1,135,000, up from a sharp decline of -982,000 in January last year. Balance of Trade expanded from a deficit of $452 million in December last year to a deficit of $4.89 billion in January.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as of the 10th of this month, exports of $15.7 billion fell 12.6% from the same period of the previous year, and imports amounted to $19.2 billion and a trade deficit of $500 million.
Contrary to the increase in imports, the decrease in exports decreased from an increase of 15.2% in January to October (24.2%), November (31.9%), and December (18.3%) of last year.
In a report on the 15th, the Korea Energy Economics Research Institute said, "Energy imports amounted to $136 billion last year, 22.1% of the country's total imports. The price of LNG for domestic power generation will rise to the level of $150,” he said, heralding an increase in electricity prices.
According to the Financial Supervisory Service's 'January Foreign Securities Investment Trend', foreigners net sold 1.67 trillion won of listed stocks, net purchases of 6.751 trillion won of listed bonds and redemption of 3.78 trillion won, for a total of 3.673 trillion won. He said on the 14th that he said, "Foreigners have maintained the trend since the net investment in the bond market in January last year."
The import price index for January was 132.27, up 30.1% from the same period of the previous year and 4.1% from the previous month, which is the 11th consecutive month of increase since March of last year.