South Korea

“한국, 강한 성장 동력 갖춘 글로벌 금융 허브” [박신영이 만난 월가 사람들]

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

Jim Zelter, president of Apollo Global Management, describes South Korea as a global financial hub with strong growth momentum, highlighting the country’s sophisticated institutional investors and globally competitive companies. Apollo has increased its presence in Korea, appointing Lee Jae-hyun as head of its Korean operations.

Zelter notes the U.S. economy’s stronger-than-expected resilience, predicting that inflation will remain elevated for some time, keeping long-term Treasury yields high. He stresses the importance of precise investment strategies focused on asset performance gaps, financial soundness, and interest-rate sensitivity amid economic uncertainty.

Apollo sees significant investment opportunities in real-economy sectors such as digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy, noting that these require large capital commitments and offer attractive returns for disciplined credit providers. Zelter views concerns over an AI investment bubble as overstated if capital inflows support long-term asset investments like power and infrastructure, signaling sustainable growth in AI-related industries.

The shift of capital from public to private markets continues, with private lenders providing bespoke long-term financing solutions that banks do not typically offer. Despite warnings about potential risks in private credit, Zelter states that current default rates remain low and problems are largely isolated to cases of weak underwriting.

For Korean companies, Zelter advises focusing on securing stable, long-term financing and managing balance sheets carefully amid a higher interest rate and volatile exchange rate environment. Growing emphasis on income-focused strategies, such as private credit investments generating stable cash flows, is expected to increase as firms navigate global market conditions.

애플 아이폰 위성통신, 한국 지원되나

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

Globalstar, the satellite communications company partnered with Apple for the iPhone's satellite communication functionality, has completed a significant expansion of its ground infrastructure in South Korea. This includes the installation of three new C-3 tracking antennas at the Yeoju ground station in Gyeonggi Province, each approximately six meters in diameter. The enhancements aim to improve service quality, increase redundancy, and prepare for next-generation services such as IoT and device-to-device direct communication.

The new infrastructure forms part of Globalstar’s third-generation C-3 satellite system, which is being deployed across 15 locations in 9 countries. Apple invested $1.5 billion into Globalstar’s C-3 satellite system plan announced in November 2024 to strengthen the iPhone’s non-terrestrial network capabilities. Globalstar has also launched a new satellite constellation and expanded its ground infrastructure based on this partnership.

The expanded Yeoju facility is expected to be integrated into a new Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) network with plans to extend approvals for new services in South Korea. Apple has secured prepayment agreements enabling its customers to use these satellite communication services. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 85% of Globalstar’s network capacity is allocated exclusively to Apple.

환율 다시 1480원 눈앞…'약발 안 먹히는' 환율 정책, 실물경제 경고등

Newsis | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

The won-dollar exchange rate is once again nearing the 1,480 won level despite government interventions, signaling diminishing effectiveness of current exchange rate policies. Since late last year, authorities have implemented various stabilization measures such as dollar sales from reserves, loosening financial regulations, strengthening market monitoring, and providing tax incentives to ease foreign currency demand. However, these efforts have not halted the upward trend of the exchange rate, which has rebounded after temporary declines following interventions.

Sustained high exchange rates pose significant risks to the real economy, including increased import costs that lead to higher consumer prices and rising operational expenses for companies heavily reliant on foreign currency payments. This situation is expected to strain ordinary households through increased costs for imports, overseas travel, education, and remittances. Economists suggest the ideal exchange rate to support economic stability lies around 1,300 won, far below current levels.

The government maintains that it is too early to evaluate the full impact of its measures, noting some initiatives are ongoing or phased and emphasizing a cautious, gradual approach. Officials also indicated potential use of macroprudential tools, such as stricter controls on foreign currency transactions by financial institutions, if instability persists. Experts, however, highlight the need for structural reforms that boost growth potential and industrial competitiveness to restore market confidence and achieve sustainable exchange rate stability. Without these medium- to long-term reforms, the won may remain vulnerable to future fluctuations.