Lee Seung-heon Signals Caution on Rate Hikes, Supports Higher Property Taxes to Cool Korea’s Housing Market 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Australian Pension Funds Boost Currency Hedging as Aussie Dollar Strengthens 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Gold and Silver Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Markets Eye Key U.S. Economic Data 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Yen Firms on Intervention Talk 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea lost about 277,000 jobs in July to push the number of unemployed people to 1.13 million, up by 41,000 lost jobs from last year.
The figure represents a jobless rate of 4 percent, up by 0.1 percent from last year.
The unemployment rate is the highest since July 1999 when there were 1.47 million without jobs and the fifth consecutive month of decline in employment.
The increase in unemployment was mostly attributable to those aged 40 and above.
The unemployment rate for those aged between 15 and 29 was at 9.7 percent, down 0.1 percentage point on-year.
The employment rate for those between 15 and 64 reached 66 percent, down 1.1 percent from last year.
The number of temporary workers plunged by 395,000 in July, while jobs for day laborers dropped 44,000.
By industry, the foodservice and accommodation and segment saw a drop of 225,000 jobs last month, and the wholesale and retail sector losing 127,000.
The decrease is attributed to people refraining from having gatherings or going outside, along with a sharp plunge in the number of inbound tourists.
In contrast, the social welfare sector gained 161,000 jobs in June, and the logistics industry added 58,000 jobs.
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki described as "hurtful" the weak job figures for young adults and the troubles faced by industries requiring face-to-face interactions, such as restaurants and accommodation.
Hong noted on social media that jobs have been decreasing by a smaller margin since May. He added that the recent heavy rainfall might adversely impact recovery.
