Major global investment banks are raising their future growth expectation for South Korea’s economy due to its strong export, with some now projecting growth of 4%. South Korea is also projected to record the highest growth rate among the Group of 20 (G20) economies.According to the International Finance Center Korea on the 7th, this year’s GDP growth projection average suggested by major 8 IB is 3.5%, which is 0.2% higher point(p) than last month (3.3%).IB has been adjusting growth forecasts for 6 consecutive months, since April. All 8 IBs predicted that Korea’s economy will record about 3% development. The number of IBs that predicted 3% growth rate increased from 3 places in late June, 6 in late July, and 8 in late August.Especially, JPMorgan raised its forecast for Korea’s economic growth this year to 4.0%. This is 0.2% higher than what JPMorgan had suggested late August.Other than that, UBS(2.8→3.5%), Bank of America(3.1%→3.6%), City(3.7→3.8%) adjusted their forecasts.According to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, they stated that this year’s Korea prediction has been modified the most among the G20.OECD said of Korea, “this year, strong export and production increase will lead the growth, and modest recovery in consumer spending will continue next year as well.”This year, from January to September, Korea’s cumulative exports surpassed $800 billion, breaking the highest record. It exceeded last year’s export value ($709.3 billion) which was the highest. September’s export value was $120.94 billion, which is 83.5% more than last year's September.As the probability of semiconductors export boom continuing into next year is getting higher and higher, IB’s adjustment is being continued to next year’s figure. 6 IBs among 8 of them set the prediction higher for next year.Due to that, next year’s development rate prediction average is 2.8%, which increased 0.3%p then last August's average(2.5%), being closer to Bank of Korea’s prediction(2.9%).OECD predicted the growth rate as 2.6%. This is also 0.7%p higher than June’s prediction(1.9%). ▶원문 기사: '수출 호조' 올해 한국 경제 성장률 4% 전망치도 나왔다 (이코노미스트, 2026.10.7) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

It has been pointed out that highway rest-stop stores across the country are paying excessive store commission fees–sometimes exceeding 60%–to operating companies, and that this cost is increasing the financial strain on travelers by being passed directly onto consumers through soaring food prices.According to data obtained from the Korea Expressway Corporation by Jo In-cheol and Hwang Hee, Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers serving on the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the average commission rate charged to stores at 203 highway rest areas nationwide, excluding directly operated stores, reached 33.2% in 2026. Specifically, 28 of these rest areas were found to charge commission rates of 40% or higher.By service area, the Daecheon Service Area (Seoul-bound) on the West Coast Expressway recorded the highest average commission rate in the country at 59.1%, while the Daecheon Service Area (Mokpo-bound) also collected over half of its revenue, 50.6%, in commissions. This was followed by Haman (Suncheon-bound) at 46.2%, Maesong (Mokpo-bound) at 45.2%, and Manghyang (Busan-bound) at 45.1%. Looking at individual shops, commission rates at the Daecheon Service Area (Seoul-bound) reached as high as 63% for stalls selling walnut cakes, fish cakes (hot bars), squid, and toast, while coffee shops faced a rate of 62%. This means that for every KRW 10,000 in sales, up to KRW 6,300 is deducted for rental commissions and other fees–a figure more than two to three times higher than the commission rates typically seen in department store food sections, which are usually around 20%.This distorted distribution and vendor-entry structure has driven a steep rise in food prices at highway rest areas. Among the 10 major food items, nine recorded average price increases of double digits compared with August 2021. Pork cutlet (tonkatsu) saw the largest price hike over the five-year period, increasing 27.5% from an average of 8,984 won to 11,454 won as of August this year. During the same period, prices rose for walnut cakes (from 4,391 won to 5,420 won, or 23.4%) and Americano coffee (from 4,066 won to 4,845 won, or 19.2%), while bibimbap (10,068 won) and gukbap (9,801 won) both saw an 18.4% increase. There were also significant price disparities between rest areas. For instance, the price of pork cutlet reached 17,000 won at Anseongmatchum Rest Area (Pyeongtaek) but was only 7,000 won at Dongmyeong Rest Area (Chuncheon), a difference of 10,000 won.An analysis of sales during the holiday period revealed a clear concentration of consumption in coffee and snacks. Over the five-day Chuseok holiday, Americanos sold a total of 877,000 cups, generating KRW 4.178 billion in revenue and maintaining their position as the top-selling item by both volume and revenue for the fifth consecutive year. They were followed by snacks, instant noodles (up 119.7% year-on-year), coffee beverages, and walnut cakes. The rest areas recording the highest revenues during the same period were Haengdamdo (KRW 1.436 billion) and Deokpyeong (KRW 1.255 billion).The Korea Expressway Corporation acknowledges that the current system has a “high-commission structure,” but faces limitations in directly intervening in private operators’ business practices due to potential violations of the Fair Trade Act. The corporation has introduced direct public contracts at eight locations, including newly established rest areas, while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has also announced a reform plan to replace the multi-tiered subcontracting structure with direct contracts. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient to address the excessive profiteering prevalent at the more than 200 existing rest areas.Members of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee stated that “charging rent at rates exceeding those of department stores at public facilities such as highway rest areas places pressure on small business owners operating on-site, while these costs are passed on in full to consumers through meal prices of around KRW 10,000, increasing the financial burden on consumers.” They called for a substantial expansion of direct public contracts and practical measures to stabilise prices, including the designation of affordable food options.▶원문 기사: 휴게소 음식값 상승, 원인 찾았다…'최대 60%' 입점 수수료에 부담감↑ (이코노미스트, 2026. 10. 6) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Consumers’ criteria for choosing oral hygiene products are shifting from a focus on the temporary freshness or fragrance to “data-driven consumption,” with concerns about the safety of ingredients and specific clinical evidence. As awareness of chemical ingredients and alcohol-induced irritation increases, demand for precisely managing individual oral problems, such as gum disease, dental plaque, and bad breath, is also growing. As these trends converge, the mouthwash market is also expanding into the area of high-functionality specialized care.In response to these market changes, Dong-A Pharmaceutical has launched eight types of “Advanced Zero,” which improve the formulation of its flagship mouthwash brand, Gagreen, and has begun reorganizing its product lineup. The product line is characterized by applying the principle of ethanol-free formulation across the entire lineup to reduce concerns about chemical irritation, while also securing human application test data from an external accredited institution to demonstrate its functionality. The test results showed specific indicators, including a reduction of up to 99.99% in harmful bacteria, immediate relief from bad breath, and a 64% reduction in the gingivitis index after two weeks of use, allowing the products to be differentiated by function.This reform carries strategic significance because it goes one step beyond the existing “Free” marketing, which simply excluded certain harmful ingredients, by presenting quantified evidence of practical efficacy in disease prevention. It also dispels the prejudice that a mild feel during use means weaker efficacy; the product line was divided into two categories: a dental line focused on immediate bad breath control and a flavor line reflecting consumer preferences. In this way, an oral care product that had traditionally remained at the level of everyday household goods has been elevated into a personalized oral care solution.The domestic oral care market has recently seen a clear trend toward “derma oral care,” which demands a level of expertise comparable to that of quasi-drugs, in line with growing interest in today's dentistry. Major manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson (Listerine), LG Household & Health Care, and Amorepacific, are also successively launching derivative products that combine specialized functions, such as gum care, whitening, and the inhibition of tartar formation, while incorporating alcohol-free formulations as a basic feature. Beyond competition in simple daily necessities, securing consumer trust by incorporating pharmaceutical and biotechnology technologies has emerged as a key factor determining market share.The pharmaceutical industry expects that, as consumers become stricter about ingredient standards, certified clinical data and manufacturing quality control capabilities will become the criterion for determining brand competitiveness. Based on the production technology of its Icheon plant, which obtained South Korea’s first GMP certification for quasi-drugs, and its accumulated pharmaceutical R&D infrastructure, Dong-A Pharmaceutical plans to continuously strengthen its efforts to target the functional oral care market, where safety and efficacy are combined.▶원문 기사: 단순 청량감서 ‘임상 데이터’로 승부… 구강케어 시장, 기능성 세분화 가속 (이코노미스트, 2026.9.29) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting at the White House on the 24th (local time) to discuss key bilateral issues including Taiwan, Iran, trade, and artificial intelligence (AI). Following the meeting, President Trump described it as a "great meeting," but with fundamental differences between the two nations over Taiwan and advanced technology remaining, attention is focused on the future direction of negotiations.President Trump and President Xi held a closed-door, one-on-one summit for about 30 minutes in the Oval Office at the White House that morning, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting with senior officials from both countries.During the meeting, President Xi conveyed his hope that the US would maintain its stance against "Taiwanese independence" and handle the Taiwan issue with caution. China reaffirmed its existing position, defining the Taiwan issue as the core matter in US-China relations.President Xi remarked, “China’s position on safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity is very clear,” mentioning that the United States must handle the Taiwan issue with prudence for the sake of bilateral strategic cooperation and the development of relations. The United States has traditionally used the phrasing that it "does not support" Taiwan independence. Reuters reported that this differs from the term "oppose" requested by China, and to date, no movement by the US government to change its existing phrasing has been confirmed.The two countries also continued dialogue surrounding economic issues. The US side explained that they agreed to extend the existing US-China trade truce until January 10 next year. However, key sticking points—such as tariffs, Chinese purchases of American goods, rare earth supplies, and regulations on advanced technology—remained as tasks for follow-up negotiations. The fact that US-China tensions have not escalated further and the negotiation phase continues can be viewed as a factor that partially reduces uncertainty in global financial markets. Since the Korean stock market is also sensitive to US-China trade, advanced technology regulations, and shifts in the Chinese economy, it is likely to be influenced by the outcome of future negotiations between the two nations.In particular, key domestic export industries such as semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, and chemicals count both the US and China as primary markets or supply chain bases. If trade friction and technology regulation disputes between the US and China ease, it could serve as positive catalyst for investment sentiment. Conversely, if restrictions surrounding advanced technology or rare earths tighten again, volatility in related sectors could increase.In fact, the summit covered not only trade but also competition in AI and advanced technology as key agenda items. Reuters reported analyses suggesting that because AI competition between the two countries remains intense, achieving significant progress beyond a symbolic agreement will not be easy.The Taiwan issue is another key variable watched closely by the domestic market. If tensions across the Taiwan Strait ease, the burden of East Asian geopolitical risk could diminish; however, if differences between the US and China resurface, it could heighten uncertainty across semiconductor supply chains and Asian financial markets as a whole. Diplomatic authorities from the US, South Korea, and Japan had also previously reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and supply chain stability ahead of the summit.During the meeting, President Xi also made remarks to the effect that the two nations "can overcome the Thucydides Trap." The Thucydides Trap is a concept that explains the possibility of competition between an emerging power and an established hegemon leading to military conflict.President Xi emphasized that if the US and China cooperate, both can benefit, highlighting the need to strengthen military communication and crisis management systems. However, some analysts interpret that the mention of this concept itself demonstrates that strategic competition and military tension still persist between the two countries.The Iran issue was also brought to the table.President Xi stated that each country's sovereignty and security must be respected, expressing his view that the US and Iran should resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation. He also conveyed his hope that both sides would reach a comprehensive agreement, including on the nuclear issue.After the summit, President Trump briefly told reporters on the White House grounds that it was a "great meeting." However, he offered no further detailed explanation regarding specific policy agreements.Analysis suggests that whether domestic financial markets react strongly and immediately to this summit depends on the details of follow-up negotiations. While extending the trade truce lowers concerns over direct US-China confrontation, key issues that directly affect the market—such as tariffs, rare earths, and semiconductor and AI regulations—remain unresolved.Accordingly, in the domestic market, actual investment sentiment is expected to be driven not by the friendly atmosphere of the summit itself, but by future variables such as whether tariffs and tech regulations are eased, economic and trade trends in China, and shifts in US-China relations surrounding Taiwan.▶원문 기사: 시진핑 “美 대만 독립 반대 견지”…트럼프 “훌륭한 회담”, 국내 증시 영향 '촉각' ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 현 사회현상에 대해 학생들 시선에서 ‘왜’라는 질문을 갖고 직접 취재해 작성한 기획기사입니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단의 기획기사는 영문과 국문, 두 형태로 게재합니다. The Korean stock market has recently experienced an unprecedented boom. After remaining stagnant for a long period, KOSPI benefited from the revision of the Commercial Act and the semiconductor cycle. This was largely driven by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the two largest companies on KOSPI by market capitalization. Their earnings improved significantly as demand for semiconductors from big tech companies surged. In addition, the weakening Korean won contributed to increased foreign buying, causing KOSPI to surge in a short period of time.However, KOSPI could not avoid a correction following its rapid rise. The KOSPI index, which had been forecast to reach 10,000, plunged to 6,000, while foreign investors quickly exited the market to take profits. SK Hynix, which had risen above 3 million won, fell to around 1.1 million won, losing nearly two-thirds of its value. Following several circuit breakers, concerns about a semiconductor bubble deepened. What ultimately stopped the decline was the performance of the big tech companies, the largest consumers of semiconductors. Both Microsoft and Alphabet reported earnings above market expectations, helping halt KOSPI's decline. KOSPI is currently moving sideways again, maintaining high volatility without a clear trend.This volatility can be a major burden for individual investors who have recently entered the market. In particular, it can be especially challenging for teenage investors, who have recently shown growing interest in the stock market. So, how do teenage investors view the current market, where sharp rises and falls continue to occur? How much profit are teenage investors making, and how are they investing? We spoke directly with teenage stock investors to find out.“I'm so anxious that I check stock prices even during class.” With relatively small amounts of capital and limited access to information, teenage investors are particularly vulnerable to highly volatile markets. As a result, they need to make more cautious investment decisions and adopt more careful strategies than adult investors. We first surveyed 15 teenagers about their current investment activities.When asked, “Are you currently investing in stocks?”, 13 out of 15 said that they were investing in KOSPI, and 12 of them said that they owned shares of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. When asked, “Have you ever felt anxious about the semiconductor cycle and market volatility?”, 14 responded that they had either experienced such anxiety in the past or were currently experiencing it.Seventeen-year-old Kim Woo-jin (pseudonym), who participated in the interview, began investing in stocks one year ago with the help of his parents.“My investment period happened to coincide with KOSPI's rise, so I made a profit of more than 20 percent. Because of that, I found stock investment attractive from the very beginning,” he said.As KOSPI continued to rise, Kim began making additional purchases in an attempt to chase the rising market. However, KOSPI eventually began to decline at the end of June this year.When asked how he felt at the time, Kim said, “KOSPI fell so quickly that I was really shocked. As volatility increased, so did my anxiety. I was so nervous that I checked stock prices dozens of times a day, even during class at school.”Kim is now considering relatively less volatile assets such as bonds, as well as blue-chip stocks with high dividend yields. However, he expressed concerns about continuing to invest, saying, “I'm not sure whether I can continue investing because of the anxiety.”Kim's experience shows that teenage investors are not simply seeking profits; they are also directly experiencing market volatility and the risk of losses. Like Kim, more teenagers are becoming uncertain about how to respond to the fluctuations of KOSPI. As more young investors approach stocks like a form of gambling in pursuit of high returns, the number of teenagers suffering significant losses may also increase.So, what do the growing number of teenage stock investors need? In order to support their investment activities and help them develop sound financial habits, the first priority should be systematic financial education.When we asked the 15 students who participated in the interviews for their opinions on financial and stock-market education, all of them agreed that “financial education would be helpful.” However, only six students said that mandatory education before investing was necessary. The other nine said that it would be more appropriate to require pre-investment education only for certain high-risk products, such as leveraged investments.Kim also agreed that financial education was necessary, but said, “Rather than simply restricting investment experience, I think it is more important to provide education that helps students understand the risks and losses that can actually occur in the market.”As interest in the Korean stock market grows and more teenagers participate in investing, financial education needs to evolve beyond simply teaching students how to invest. It should focus on developing their ability to assess risk and control their emotions. In particular, in a highly volatile market environment, it is important to help teenage investors develop long-term financial literacy rather than focusing solely on short-term returns. To achieve this, the government and education authorities should establish a more specific and systematic financial and stock-market education system for teenagers.The Korean stock market recently experienced a major boom driven by the Commercial Act revision and the semiconductor cycle. following sharp correction and high volatility have created significant challenges for new and teenage investors.A survey of 15 teenagers showed that most invested in major semiconductor companies and experienced anxiety about market volatility. Teenage investors need financial education that teaches them to understand risks and control emotional decision-making. The government and education authorities should establish systematic financial and stock-market education programs for teenagers.

◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 현 사회현상에 대해 학생들 시선에서 ‘왜’라는 질문을 갖고 직접 취재해 작성한 기획기사입니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단의 기획기사는 영문과 국문, 두 형태로 게재합니다. 한국 증시는 근래 전례가 없던 호황을 맞이했다. 장기간 횡보장을 보이던 코스피는 상법 개정과 반도체 사이클이 맞물리며 수혜를 받았다. 이는 코스피 주가의 1,2위를 다투고 있는 삼성전자와 SK 하이닉스의 비중이 막대했다. 빅테크 기업들의 반도체 수요 폭증으로 인하여 실적이 크게 개선된 것이다. 이에 더해 원화 약세로 인한 외국인들의 매수세까지 더하며 코스피는 단기간만에 폭등을 하게되었다. 다만 단기간 폭등 후의 조정은 코스피 또한 피해갈 수 없었다. 1만을 전망하던 코스피 지수는 6000까지 급락했고, 외국인은 차익실현을 목표로 빠르게 빠져나갔다. 300만원을 넘어가던 SK 하이닉스는 110만원 대로, 3배 가까이 떨어졌다. 수차례의 서킷브레이커 이후 반도체 버블에 대한 우려가 깊어졌다. 이 하락세를 멈춘 것은 반도체의 가장 큰 소비자인 빅테크 기업들의 실적이었다. 마이크로소프트와 알파벳 모두 시장 기대치를 웃도는 실적을 발표하며, 하락하던 코스피를 멈추었다. 코스피는 현재 다시 횡보장을 보이며, 뚜렷한 추세 없이 높은 변동성을 유지 중이다. 이러한 변동성은 시장에 새롭게 진입한 개인투자자들에게 큰 부담으로 작용한다. 특히 최근 주식시장에 대한 관심이 보이며 투자에 나서는 10대 청소년 투자자들에게는 매우 큰 부담이 아닐 수 없다. 그렇다면 청소년 투자자들은 급격한 상승과 하락을 반복하는 현재의 증시를 어떻게 바라보고 있을까? 청소년들은 현재 시장 안에서 얼마나, 어떻게 수익을 올리고 있을까? 청소년 주식 투자자들을 직접 만나 이야기를 들어봤다. “불안해서 수업시간에도 주가 확인해요” 비교적 적은 시드머니와 정보력의 한계 등 여러 가지 요인으로 인해서 청소년 투자자들은 변동성이 큰 장에 더욱 취약하다. 때문에 성인 투자자보다 몇 배 더 신중한 투자 전략과 선택이 필요한 상황. 먼저 청소년 투자자 15명을 상대로 현재 투자 상황에 대해 물었다. “현재 주식에 투자하고 있느냐”는 질문에 15명 중 13명이 코스피에 투자하고 있었고, 그중 12명이 SK 하이닉스와 삼성전자에 보유지분이 있다고 밝혔다. “반도체 사이클과 시장의 변동성에 불안감을 느낀 적이 있느냐”는 질문에는 14명이 “그런적이 있다” 또는 “현재도 그렇다”고 답했다. 인터뷰에 응한 17세의 학생 김우진(가명) 군은 1년전부터 부모님의 도움을 받아 주식투자를 시작했다. “투자시기와 코스피 상승장이 맞물려 총 20%가 넘는 수익을 거뒀었다. 그래서 시작하자 마자 주식 투자가 매력적으로 느껴졌다”고 말했다. 이후 지속적으로 상승하는 코스피 장으로 인해서 추격 매수를 감행했다. 하지만 결국 올해 6월 말 코스피가 하락하기 시작했다. 당시 심경을 묻는 질문에 김군은 “순식간에 코스피가 하락해서 너무 놀랐다. 변동성이 높아짐에 따라 불안감도 커졌다. 너무 불안해서 하루에도 수십번씩, 학교 수업 중에도 수시로 주가를 확인했었다”고 말했다. 김군은 현재 변동성이 비교적 적은 채권이나 배당금이 높은 우량주 주식들을 고려하는 중이다. 하지만 “불안함으로 인해 투자를 지속할 지 의문”이라며 주식투자에 대해 우려를 표했다. 김군의 이러한 경험은 청소년 투자자들이 단순히 수익을 기대하는 것을 넘어, 실제 시장의 변동성과 손실 위험을 직접 경험하고 있음을 보여준다. 김군의 사례와 같이 출렁이는 코스피선 안에서 갈팡질팡하는 청소년들도 늘고 있다. 높은 수익을 기대하며 일종의 도박처럼 주식에 접근했다가 큰 피해를 입는 경우도 점점 늘어날 것으로 보인다. 점점 많아지는 청소년 주식 투자자들에게 필요한 것은 무엇일까? 청소년 투자자들의 투자 활동을 돕고 건전한 금융 개념의 구축을 돕기 위해서는 가장 먼저 체계적인 금융 교육이 필요하다.인터뷰에 참여한 15 명의 학생에게 금융, 주식 교육에 대해 의견을 묻자 모두 “금융 교육이 도움이 될 것”이라고 답하였다. 다만, 투자전 교육의 의무화에는 6명만 “필요하다”고 답했으며, 나머지 9명은 “현재처럼 레버리지와 같은 특정 고위험 상품에만 투자전 교육 시행이 더 적절할 것 같다”고 답했다. 김군 역시 금융교육이 필요하다는 데에는 동의하면서도, “단순히 투자 경험을 제한하기보다는 실제 시장에서 발생할 수 있는 위험과 손실을 이해할 수 있도록 하는 교육이 더 중요하다”고 말했다.한국 증시에 대한 관심이 높아지고 청소년들의 투자 참여도 증가하는 상황에서, 금융교육은 단순히 투자 방법을 가르치는 것을 넘어 위험을 판단하고 자신의 감정을 통제하는 능력을 기르는 방향으로 발전할 필요가 있다. 특히 변동성이 큰 시장 환경 속에서 청소년 투자자들이 단기적인 수익률에만 집중하지 않고 장기적인 금융 이해력을 형성할 수 있도록 돕는 것이 중요하다. 이를 위해 정부와 교육당국은 좀더 구체적이고 체계적인 청소년 금융, 주식 교육 시스템을 갖춰야 할 것이다.

IBK Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) has launched a new debit card featuring popular Pokémon characters, aiming to enter the character-themed card market. Available exclusively through online and mobile channels, the card combines collectible designs with everyday discount benefits and can be issued to individual customers aged seven and older.On July 28, IBK announced the release of its new “I-Pokémon Check Card.” The card comes in seven designs featuring popular Pokémon characters: Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Psyduck, Jigglypuff, and Ditto.The card offers practical discounts for everyday spending. Customers receive a basic discount of 0.2% at all domestic and international merchants, while purchases in selected categories including online shopping, coffee, and public transportation qualify for a special discount of 0.6%.The card is available to individual customers aged seven and older, with each customer limited to one type of card. Customers can apply through the i-ONE Bank Personal Banking app or the IBK Card app. For minors aged 18 and under, parents can apply on their behalf through the “My Child Check Card” service in the i-ONE Bank Personal Banking app.An IBK representative stated that the bank hopes the card will offer both practical benefits and enjoyment through Pokémon characters that appeal to people of all generations. The representative added that IBK will continue to introduce financial products with distinctive designs and benefits to make everyday life more enjoyable.▶원문 기사: 피카츄부터 메타몽까지…기업은행, ‘I-포켓몬 체크카드’ 출시 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

Research has found that youth suicide rates are closely associated with the residential environment of the regions where young people live. Areas with higher housing prices and larger residential spaces tended to have lower youth suicide rates. It has been pointed out that urgent measures are needed that take spatial characteristics into account, such as improving neighborhood environments in underdeveloped areas and supporting housing stability for households with adolescents.According to a recently published paper in Health and Social Welfare Review, an academic journal of the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, titled “The Effects of Local Environments on Youth Suicide: Focusing on Housing and Commercial Area Characteristics,” housing prices, residential floor area, and the proportion of small-sized housing units in a region showed a statistically significant negative relationship with youth suicide rates. A negative relationship means that as one value increases, the other tends to decrease, indicating an inverse relationship.The researchers analyzed ten years of youth suicide mortality data, from 2013 to 2022, from 215 regions out of Korea’s 229 cities, counties, and districts, excluding 14 areas where there were no suicide deaths. The analysis showed that the average youth suicide rate was 41.37 deaths per 100,000 people. By region, the rate ranged from a minimum of 6.13 to a maximum of 162.7, showing an extreme regional gap of as much as 26.5 times.A detailed analysis of residential environment characteristics showed that youth suicide rates were lower in areas with higher housing prices and larger residential spaces. Areas with higher housing prices tend to have better neighborhood infrastructure, such as libraries and parks, which was interpreted as potentially reducing factors associated with suicide risk. Larger living spaces were also found to provide family members with greater physical privacy and a more comfortable residential environment, which may help reduce conflicts within the home and support psychological rest. In addition, a higher proportion of small-sized housing units, which indicates that housing may be relatively easier to secure, also appeared to contribute to greater housing stability and lower suicide rates.The researchers emphasized that these findings reaffirm the importance of creating supportive socioeconomic environments and well-organized communities as part of efforts to prevent youth suicide. Accordingly, they suggested that areas with lower property values and lower housing prices should prioritize expanding public spaces, such as libraries and youth centers, where young people can safely spend time outside their homes. These spaces could serve as a kind of “shared living room” for adolescents. They also called for the expansion of facilities specifically for adolescents along routes to and from school, along with sufficient installation of CCTV cameras and streetlights, in order to create safer street environments.At the same time, the need for housing policies tailored to households with adolescent children has also emerged. Researchers pointed out that practical support measures should be established, such as raising minimum living-space standards to ensure that adolescents have sufficient personal space for psychological independence and expanding the supply of public rental housing that meets these standards.▶원문 기사: "집값·주거면적 높을수록 청소년 자살률 낮아"…지역 주거환경 밀접성 확인 ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

The ‘FIRST Global Challenge 2026,’ an international robotics competition for youth, will take place in Incheon from October 7 to 10. Students from approximately 190 countries are expected to participate. The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual international robotics competition organized by FIRST Global, a U.S.-based non-profit public service organization. National teams compete by designing, building, and programming robots to complete specific tasks. Going beyond a mere robotics contest, this event aims to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, international cooperation, and problem-solving skills. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Igniting Innovation.’ Centered around the issue of wildfires, which are becoming increasingly severe due to climate change, participants will explore ways to use technology to prevent the spread of fires, minimize damage, and enhance the resilience of forests and local communities. Participating students will use standardized robot kits to complete game-based tasks, competing in their skills in design, programming, and construction. At the same time, they will gain experience in collaboration, systems thinking, and leadership while working to solve real-world problems through technology. FIRST Global aims to bring together young people from around the world to solve shared challenges and transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. Expectations are high for the South Korean team, a regular participant in the event. The team has been thoroughly preparing by designing, building, programming, and testing their robot ahead of the competition. As the event is being held in Korea this year, the team hopes to leverage the home-ground advantage to showcase the experience and technical expertise they have accumulated and achieve excellent results. Through this competition, FIRST Global plans to provide young people from various nations with the opportunity to collaborate across borders and cultural divides, helping them grow into future leaders in science and technology. The organization’s primary goal is to foster interest in STEM fields and cultivate technological leadership among the next generation through this international robotics competition, which involves students from approximately 190 countries. FIRST Global is a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting leadership in science and technology, innovation, and international cooperation among youth.

‘Pharmacy shopping’ is surging among the foreign tourists in South Korea. Instead of buying edications such as cold medicine and painkillers, pharmacy has been a new destination for K-Beauty·Health products like regenerative creams, skincare products, and dietary supplements.Orange Square, the operator of WOWPASS, a platform for payment·Commerce for foreign tourists visiting South Korea has analysed the payment data during the first half year for 3 years(January-June), the result was that there was approximately 10 times increase of Korean pharmacy payment amount. During the same time, the number of payments has also increased by approximately 5 times. An interesting point is that the payment amount is about 2 times more than the number of payments. This shows that not only are more foreign tourists visiting pharmacies, but they are also spending more per visit.The foreigner’s pharmacy shopping was focused on Seoul, where visitors mostly stay. For the last half year of 2026, 80% of pharmacy payments were found in Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Gangnam, and Seongsu. In particular, 40% of the payment was found in Myeong-dong. From outside Seoul, there were lots of visits to major tourist destinations like Busan, Incheon, and Jeju, which also showed high usage of pharmacy.The purpose of foreigners finding pharmacies has also changed a lot. The result of approximately 400,000 ‘Place Review’, from WOWPASS, among the foreigners that stated their purpose of visiting, 72% of them said that they have visited to purchase beauty, health, or dietary supplement products. Only 28% have said that they have visited pharmacies to purchase medications to treat illnesses or symptoms.According to the real reviews, foreigners visited pharmacies to buy regenerative creams after medical or cosmetic treatments in Korea bought dietary supplements and cosmetics as well. This was caused by the tester system and foreign language assistant.These changes were also found in products that were found mostly by foreigners. The products that were most mentioned by reviews were skin-treatment cream such as regenerative cream followed by acne treatments, dietary supplements and health functional foods, skincare products, and artificial tears and eye health supplements. However, products like illness treatments were not even on the top 5 items.Some foreigners shared pharmacies as shopping information. They share pharmacies that have foreign language assistants, offer famous products at relatively low prices while sharing information about promotions and certain events by review.The ‘place review’ from WOWPASS is only available for people who used a WOWPASS card. Until now, visitors from more than 110 countries have left reviews.The official from Orange Square has said that “Pharmacies are now places for K-beauty and health related products not only a place for purchasing medications.” And added, “It seems like this type of spending will spread more, particularly in areas that are frequently visited by foreign tourists.”▶원문 기사: 명동 약국에 외국인 줄서는 이유…‘약’ 아닌 이것 사러 간다 (이코노미스트, 2026.9.10) ◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with 이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.