Updated : 2025-11-25 18:53:43 KST
The International Monetary Fund says the South Korean economy stepped onto a stage of recovery in the second half of this year and is set to see substantial improvement next year. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers the assessment and outlook. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a "U-shaped" recovery for the South Korean economy over the next two years. According to the 2025 Article IV Consultation Report released on Monday, the IMF expects Korea to face moderate growth before momentum builds again with this year's growth forecast at 0.9 percent.
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U-shaped U자형의
momentum (일의 진행에 있어서의) 탄력[가속도]
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The IMF cited a gradual recovery in private consumption. For 2026, the outlook gets even better to 1.8 percent. This, as the effects of accommodative policies take hold and external uncertainties are expected to ease. Inflation is also looking to stabilize. It's expected to drop to the 2-percent range from this year to next year and fall further to 1.8 by the end of 2026. A key point of attention in the report is the nation's fiscal health. The IMF projects that South Korea's government debt-to-GDP ratio will rise from the current 40-percent range to surpass the 50-percent mark in 2026.
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cite 인용 하다(quote), 언급하다; <예를> 들다
accommodative [əkɑ́mədèitiv] 적응[순응]적인, 조절적인, 협조적인
take hold 확고히 자리를 잡다
look to do ~ 하기를 기대하다
debt-to-GDP ratio 국내총생산 대비 부채 비율
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Despite this breach of the 50-percent threshold, the Fund assesses the debt level as sustainable. Given the lingering downside risks—such as deepening geopolitical fragmentation and potential slowdowns in AI demand —the IMF advises that maintaining the current loose monetary and fiscal stance is appropriate to support the economy. The report also highlighted structural vulnerabilities in Korea's trade model. With 70 percent of exports concentrated in electronics and autos, and over half destined for the U.S., China, or ASEAN, the IMF urges diversification.
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breach ~의 파괴[파기], 위반
threshold 경계, 한계점, 문턱
geopolitical fragmentation 지정학적인 분열
slowdown 둔화
loose monetary 느슨한 통화
destined for …행(行)인.
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The recommendation is a strategic shift toward high-value services and the cultural sector. The Fund specifically validated the government's push to monetize "soft power." It said "The authorities' plans to provide more targeted support to innovative business models and ensure sustainable revenue generation from cultural services, including through intellectual property licensing, are welcome." The report concludes that fostering these innovative sectors is essential for Korea to maintain its competitive edge and achieve its potential growth targets. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
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validate 인정하다
monetize 통화로 정하다
soft power 연성 권력(간접적이고 무형의 영향력을 행사하는 힘).
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Economy
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=289716