**AI PRISM* Customized Economic Briefing**
*Editor's note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an AI-based customized news recommendation and summarization service developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six tailored news items for each reader type.*
[Key Issue Briefing]
■ Korean Autonomous Driving Enters Middle East: Autonomous a2z became the first company in the national core technology sector to obtain export approval, marking its full-scale entry into the UAE market. Kakao Mobility, Mobiltech, and StradVision have also signed consecutive export contracts with Middle Eastern partners, accelerating Korean autonomous driving technology's expansion into the region.
■ Semiconductor-Driven Economic Recovery: The Bank of Korea raised this year's growth forecast to 2%, citing strong semiconductor exports as the key driver. The Monetary Policy Board held the base rate steady at 2.5% for the sixth consecutive time while unveiling its first-ever "K-dot plot," signaling rates will likely remain unchanged for the next six months.
■ Commercial Code Revision and Pharmaceutical Response: Just one day after the third Commercial Code amendment mandating treasury stock cancellation passed, Doosan (000150) resolved to cancel all 3 trillion won worth of its treasury shares. Celltrion (068270) commenced operations at its Branchburg, New Jersey plant, beginning contract manufacturing for Eli Lilly as a preemptive response to tariff uncertainties.
[News for University Students and Job Seekers]
1. "Land of Opportunity Big Tech Hasn't Cracked"... Korean Autonomous Driving Plants Flag in Middle East
Autonomous a2z obtained the first-ever national core technology export approval in the autonomous driving sector following review by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The company established a joint venture with G42, a subsidiary of UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, targeting $7.6 million (approximately 11 billion won) in orders this year. The company aims to generate $78 million (approximately 110 billion won) in local revenue by 2035. Kakao Mobility signed an agreement with Diriyah Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, securing a paid proof-of-concept contract to supply integrated mobility solutions for the "Diriyah Project." With global tech giants including Google, Tesla, and Baidu yet to establish dominance in the Middle East, Korean companies have an opportunity to gain first-mover advantage.
2. "Semiconductors Lifting Growth Rate by 0.35 Percentage Points"... BOK Raises This Year's Growth Forecast to 2%
The Bank of Korea raised its growth forecast for this year by 0.2 percentage points from 1.8% to 2% in its revised economic outlook released on the 26th. BOK Governor Lee Chang-yong explained that "strong semiconductor market conditions and favorable global economic growth will push exports and facility investment above initial expectations." Last month's semiconductor exports surged 102.5% year-on-year to $20.69 billion. The Consumer Composite Sentiment Index rose for the second consecutive month to 112.1. Regarding the impact of U.S. tariff policies, Governor Lee noted the effects are "limited for now," but added this could change depending on future responses including item-specific tariffs.
3. "Revenue Up 7-Fold on Military Expansion"... Drone Company Aims to Be First in Sector to Go Public
Drone specialist startup Nearthlab selected Samsung Securities as its IPO lead manager and obtained an A-grade technology evaluation, accelerating preparations for a KOSDAQ technology special listing. Following the launch of military products including kamikaze drones "Kaiden" and "Jaiden," the company's revenue increased approximately 6.6 times in 2024 compared to the previous year. It also signed an export contract worth $10 million (approximately 14.3 billion won) with a Middle Eastern country last year. CEO Choi Jae-hyuk said the company plans to invest IPO proceeds in strengthening intelligent drone technology and establishing local subsidiaries for expansion into Western markets including the U.S. and Europe. "I hope Nearthlab's listing will serve as a signal flare for more drone companies to gain recognition in capital markets," Choi emphasized.
[Reference News for University Students and Job Seekers]
4. "Rates Likely to Stay Frozen in Six Months"... BOK Unveils K-Dot Plot for First Time
The Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Board held the base rate at 2.5% on the 26th and released its first-ever "K-dot plot" showing board members' interest rate projections for six months ahead. Of the 21 dots, 16 clustered at the current rate of 2.5%, indicating most board members expect rates to remain unchanged in six months. The K-dot plot was introduced after criticism that the existing "three-month forward guidance" had too short a timeframe and unclear messaging. It will be published four times annually in February, May, August, and November. Lee Hyo-sun, senior research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute, said "it's hard to find reasons to cut rates given inflationary pressures and exchange rate instability."
5. One Day After Third Commercial Code Revision... Doosan to Cancel 3 Trillion Won in Treasury Stock This Year
Just one day after the third Commercial Code amendment mandating treasury stock cancellation passed the National Assembly, Doosan resolved to cancel all 2,568,528 shares of its treasury stock within the year. The cancellation amounts to approximately 3.1225 trillion won based on closing prices. Doosan will dispose of all shares except for 632,500 Restricted Stock Units reserved for employee compensation. The amendment requires newly acquired treasury shares to be canceled within one year of acquisition, and existing treasury shares within 18 months of the law taking effect. Attention is now focused on how companies with large treasury stock holdings will respond, including SK (034730), which holds 24.8% of its issued shares, and Shinyoung Securities, which holds 51.23%.
6. Celltrion Activates U.S. Plant... "Producing Eli Lilly Volume"
Celltrion began full-scale contract manufacturing operations at its Branchburg, New Jersey plant in February, moving to resolve tariff uncertainties. The Branchburg plant completed facility-wide inspections by the end of January and is currently producing contract manufacturing volume for Eli Lilly. Celltrion is pursuing a system to directly supply U.S.-made pharmaceuticals to the local market by linking its local production system with its established direct sales network. In the short term, the company plans to continue sales unaffected by tariffs using two years' worth of supply already stocked in the United States.
