Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The income disparity between the top 20 percent and bottom 20 percent of households widened with many of the country's low-paying jobs being slashed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The average monthly income of households belonging to the bottom 20 percent was 1.49 million won, which remained flat year-on-year, according to Statistics Korea (KOSTAT).
In contrast, those from the top 20 percent of households enjoyed a 6.3 percent hike to 11.15 million won in monthly income during the period.
South Korea's average household had a monthly income of 5.35 million in the first quarter, which is 3.7 percent more from a year earlier.
KOSTAT attributed the rise in inequality to the shrinking wages of low-income households, and a cut down in temporary positions.
The state-run statistics agency added that the number of workers at big companies has increased, and wealthy families received bigger national pensions.
With the number of temporary jobs continuing to decrease in April, KOSTAT warned that worsening income inequality could subsist in the second quarter.
In response to the statistics, the government pledged to hasten its efforts to stabilize the job market and offer financial support to poorer families.
