South Korea

"스테이블코인 제도화 늦어지면 FTA처럼 받아들일 수밖에"

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | Regulation

Kim Gyu-yun, CEO of HappyBlock, warns that delaying the formal regulation of stablecoins in Korea will lead to a loss of negotiating power, forcing the country to accept externally created regulatory rules, similar to past experiences with free trade agreements (FTAs). He emphasizes that stablecoin flow cannot be stopped by Korea alone and urges prompt regulatory institutionalization to maintain control and influence.

Kim highlights that attempts to issue won-based stablecoins are already occurring overseas, beyond Korean regulatory reach. This market creation abroad risks forming a foreign exchange market outside Korea's control, potentially undermining the Bank of Korea’s ability to regulate and stabilize the domestic financial system.

He notes that global financial markets are quickly adopting blockchain-based products within regulatory frameworks, citing expansions by traditional exchanges like CBOE and CME. Korea’s regulatory delays risk causing capital outflows, weakening the won, and reducing financial sovereignty, as the country falls behind in embracing new financial technologies.

Kim advocates for early collaboration between domestic financial institutions and blockchain startups to build understanding and infrastructure for smart contracts, security, and compliance. Given the lost time and complexity, acquiring or partnering with experienced startups is essential to develop Korean-style stablecoin regulations and blockchain finance systems effectively.

태양광 업계 "銀 시세 급등 열받네"...원가 29%가 은값

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | Supply Chain Issues

Silver prices have surged to over $93 per ounce, marking a more than 300% increase in the past year. This spike has significantly impacted the solar industry, as silver, though used in small quantities in solar panels, now accounts for up to 29% of manufacturing costs, up from 3.4% in 2023 and 14% last year. The rising cost of silver is adding to the financial strain on solar panel manufacturers, many of whom have operated at a loss due to oversupply issues since the early 2010s.

To manage increasing costs, the solar industry is raising panel prices and actively seeking cheaper substitutes for silver. In the Chinese solar market, manufacturers recently increased module prices by 1.4–3.8%, with a 500W panel now estimated to cost about 400 yuan. Analysts predict that continued raw material price increases will likely lead to higher solar module prices. Efforts to decrease silver usage have resulted in a reduction from 11.2 mg per watt in 2024 to 8.96 mg per watt in 2025, with expectations that silver consumption in the solar industry will drop by 800–1,000 tons compared to the prior year.

Some manufacturers, such as Longi Green Energy Technology, JinkoSolar, and Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy, are already experimenting with non-silver substitutes. However, the industry cautions that unverified substitutes could compromise panel performance and warranty reliability, potentially exposing manufacturers to significant compensation liabilities. The solar sector now represents about 17% of total silver demand, more than double its share a decade ago, according to the Silver Institute.

Yonhap | English | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a New Year's message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, as reported by North Korea's state media on January 18, 2026. The message was mentioned without any detailed content, reflecting a restrained approach amid Pyongyang's growing ties with Moscow. Kim also sent New Year's greetings to leaders of Vietnam, Singapore, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. The report referred to Xi by his title and mentioned his wife without naming her.

Earlier in January, North Korean media had reported that Xi and his wife sent a New Year's message to Kim, again without providing specific details. This cautious and minimal coverage of the exchanges with China contrasts sharply with Pyongyang's portrayal of its relationship with Russia.

In December 2025, North Korean media published detailed accounts of letters exchanged between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kim described the relationship with Russia as a "precious common asset," while Putin praised North Korea's "heroic" deployment of troops in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The report underscores Pyongyang's overt support for Moscow, as reflected in extensive media coverage and diplomatic gestures compared to its muted communications with Beijing.