An international stage where youth from around the world competed in technology and collaborated across borders through robotics has concluded in Incheon. The "2026 FIRST Global Challenge," which brought together high school-aged participants from over 190 countries, wrapped up after four days of competition, announced the top-winning teams, and confirmed Madrid, Spain, as the host city for next year’s event.Held from October 7 to 10 at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon, this event is an international youth robotics competition organized by the U.S.-based non-profit, FIRST Global. The competition features youth representing their respective countries who test their robot design, construction, and programming skills while collaborating across borders to solve shared challenges. This marked the first time the competition was held in South Korea.The theme of this year's competition was "Igniting Innovation." Participants built and operated robots in matches designed around the global challenges of wildfire prevention, damage mitigation, and recovery. The event went beyond merely testing robot performance, encouraging participants to use technology to address real-world social issues.The winning alliance team consisted of four countries… Evaluating Both Technical Skills and Collaborative CapabilitiesThe victor of the gold medal in the tournament final was a coalition comprised of the teams from Venezuela, El Salvador, Uzbekistan, and Moldova. The silver medal went to a combined team from the UAE, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Luxembourg, while the bronze medal was awarded to a team representing China, Turkmenistan, the Cayman Islands, and Türkiye.Countries achieved success across various individual categories as well. Mexico won the gold award for the "Albert Einstein Award," which recognizes overall excellence in the competition, while Uzbekistan took the gold for the "FIRST Global Grand Challenge Award," based on cumulative scores throughout the event. The gold award for innovation in the "Igniting Innovation NTE" program—an initiative focused on experiencing new technologies—went to the Cayman Islands.A notable aspect of this competition was the simultaneous presence of national rivalry and multinational cooperation. While participating teams competed as representatives of their respective nations, they also formed alliances with teams from other countries during the matches. The competition structure emphasized not only technical proficiency but also communication, problem-solving, and collaborative skills.South Korean Team Ranks 74th Overall: A Chance to Assess Global Competitiveness Beyond Just the ScoreThe South Korean team ranked 74th in the official standings. Based on the overall leaderboard, South Korea earned a total ranking score of 164.4 points across 11 matches.Beyond the symbolic significance of hosting this international competition in Korea for the first time, the results served as an opportunity to evaluate the nation's capabilities in youth robotics education and preparation for international competitions. However, it is difficult to fully assess the participating students' technical growth or educational achievements based solely on competition rankings. A comprehensive view is required, taking into account various factors such as robot design and construction, programming, match strategy, and international cooperation.The competition provided a platform for young people to develop competencies in science and technology through robotics and to gain experience in solving shared problems alongside participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. A key challenge remains to ensure that participation in this international event does not end as a one-time achievement, but leads to continued learning, research, and career exploration.will.i.am Attends… Expanding International Cooperation in AI and Robotics EducationArtist and tech entrepreneur will.i.am also attended the event. He serves as a board member of FIRST Global, founder and CEO of FYI.AI, and a Goodwill Ambassador for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI Skills Coalition.During the event, FIRST Global and the ITU’s "AI for Good" initiative announced plans to expand cooperation on robotics and AI education for youth. As part of this collaboration, FIRST Global will provide 60 Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) kits to the teams that advance to the finals of the ITU’s "Robotics for Good Youth Challenge." These teams will compete in the final round during the "AI for Good Global Summit," scheduled for June 21–24, 2027, in Geneva, Switzerland.This initiative aims to bridge the experience gained at the international robotics competition with further studies in programming, AI, and engineering. It is significant for broadening the scope of international cooperation, ensuring that students have continued opportunities to learn and apply technological knowledge even after the competition concludes.Next Stop: Madrid… Continuing International Youth Technology ExchangeAt the closing ceremony, Madrid, Spain, was announced as the next host city for the 2027 FIRST Global Challenge. Launched in Washington, D.C., in 2017, the competition has traveled through various global cities—including Dubai, Geneva, Singapore, and Athens—before arriving in Incheon, where it will continue in Spain next year.This event demonstrated that robot competitions allow young people to develop technical skills while also experiencing international communication, cooperation, leadership, and resilience. Participants competed representing their respective nations yet collaborated to solve shared challenges.Although the 2026 competition in Incheon has concluded, the youths' technological endeavors and international exchanges will continue in Madrid. The South Korean team is now called upon to build on this experience by further honing its technical capabilities and strengthening its competitiveness on the global stage.

◆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. 요즘 한국을 찾는 외국 관광객 수가 지속적으로 늘어나는 추세를 보이고 있다. 2026년 상반기 외국인 관광객은1070만명을 돌파하며 기록적인 성장을 보이고 있다. 특히 1~7월 외국인 관광객수는 전년 동기 대비 20% 이상 상승했다. 이렇게 한국을 찾는 관광객이 늘어난 데에는 K컬처의 영향력이 가장 크다는 평가가 지배적이다. 많은 외국인들이 미디어를 통해 K컬처를 접하고, 한국에 대한 관심을 키우며 한국을 방문하고 싶어한다. 그렇다면 지금까지 K컬처라고 불리는 K팝과 K드라마 등 한국 컨텐츠를 전세계에 가장 많이 홍보한 미디어는 무엇일까? 바로 SNS, 그 중에서도 유튜브 쇼츠와 인스타그램 릴스다.올해 1월 문화체육관광부가 발표한 자료에 따르면 최근 한국을 찾는 관광객의 64%가 비디오플랫폼의 영상, 56.6%가 SNS의 쇼츠와 릴스를 통해 처음 한국을 알게 됐다고 한다. 이처럼 쇼츠와 릴스는 무시할 수 없는 영향력을 보여주고 있다. 인플루언서들은 짧은 영상을 통한 컨텐츠로 K컬처를 널리 퍼뜨리고 있으며 쇼츠와 릴스는 한국 관광 사업의 중요한 부분 중 하나가 되어가고 있는 것이다.짧은 영상 컨텐츠는 한국의 관광객 수를 늘릴 뿐만 아니라 한국에 막대한 경제적 영향을 끼치고 있다. 쇼츠와 릴스가 한국 음식, 옷, 문화 등을 소개하면서 관광객들의 소비도 더욱 늘어나기 시작했다. 이에 더해 한국 인플루언서들은 국내 마케팅 시장의 규모도 확장시키고 있다. SNS는 K컬처에 대한 관심을 유도하고 소비로 연결시켜서 한국의 관광 사업을 주도하고 있는 것이다. 또 한국을 찾아 K컬처를 즐긴 외국 관광객들이 본인들이 한국에서 찍고 만든 숏폼 컨텐츠를 다시 SNS에 올리며 더 큰 홍보 효과를 불러오고 있다. 그렇다면 청소년 관광객들에게는 얼마나 영향을 미칠까? 릴스와 쇼츠는 정말로 관광객 소비에 막대한 영향을 미치고 있는걸까? 한국을 방문하는 외국인 청소년들의 한국을 바라보는 관점은 어떠하며, 이들에게 SNS는 어떤 영향을 주었을까? 이에 대해 더 자세히 알아보기 위해 한국을 관광객으로 방문했던 두 명의 외국인 청소년 엘빈 리(Elvin Li• 17세•중국)와 킹슬리 메이친(Kingsley Machin• 17세•영국)을 인터뷰했다. 숏폼, 릴스 보며 한국 여행 계획짜는 외국인 청소년들Q: 여행을 계획할 때 주로 어디에서 여행 정보나 아이디어를 얻어?킹슬리: 대부분의 정보를 인터넷에서 찾아보는 편이야.엘빈: 인스타그램 릴스를 가장 많이 보는 것 같아. 부모님은 구글이나 여행 블로그 등을 통해 여행 계획을 짜지만, 나는 릴스에서 여행 아이디어를 얻는 경우가 더 많아.Q: 틱톡, 유튜브 쇼츠, 인스타그램 릴스 등에서 K컬처 관련 콘텐츠를 얼마나 자주 접해?킹슬리 : 예전에는 숏폼 콘텐츠를 자주 봤지만 지금은 학업 때문에 전보다 많이 보지는 못하고 있어. 그래도 가끔 유튜브에서 ‘영국남자(Korean Englishman)’ 같은 채널을 통해 한국에 대한 정보를 얻고 있어. 엘빈 : 거의 매일 봐. 한번 K팝과 한국 음식 관련 영상을 본 뒤부터 알고리즘에 한국 관련 콘텐츠가 계속 떠. 최근에는 화장품과 관련된 컨텐츠를 많이 찾아보게 되었는데, 올리브영에서 사야 할 제품을 추천하는 영상을 본 적이 있어.Q: 숏폼 콘텐츠가 한국을 방문하고 싶게 만든 적이 있어?킹슬리: 한국 음식과 관련된 콘텐츠를 보면 한국에 가보고 싶어. 특히 ‘영국남자’ 채널에서 여러 장소를 방문하고 다양한 한국 음식을 먹어보는 영상이 흥미로웠어.엘빈: 많이 있어. 성수동, 한남동도 처음에는 틱톡을 통해 알게 됐어. 사람들이 팝업스토어를 방문하는 영상을 보고 직접 가보고 싶다는 생각이 들었어. SNS에서 계속 보이는 음식이 있으면 한국에서 직접 먹어보고 싶어져.Q: 숏폼 콘텐츠가 여행지, 음식, 쇼핑을 결정하는 데 얼마나 영향을 미쳐?킹슬리: 여행지를 결정하는 데에는 큰 영향을 받지 않지만 무엇을 먹거나 새롭게 시도할지에는 영향을 받을 수 있어. 온라인에서 ‘두쫀쿠’를 본 뒤 한국에서 직접 먹어보고 싶다고 생각한 적이 있어.엘빈 : 생각해보면 꽤 큰 영향을 받는 것 같아. 한국에 오기 전 인스타그램 릴스에서 음식 추천 영상을 저장해두고 실제로 편의점에서 찾아 사 먹었어. 개인적으로 유명 관광지보다 SNS에서 본 카페들이 더 좋았어.두 학생은 여행을 계획하는 단계에 대해선 다른 답변을 보였지만, 숏폼 컨텐츠를 통해 한국에서 무얼 하고, 사고, 먹는지에 대한 영향을 끼친다는 공통점이 있었다. 그 중에서도 엘빈 군은 킹슬리 군보다 릴스와 쇼츠를 더 많이 시청한다고 말했으며 숏폼 컨텐츠가 실제 제품 소비로 이어지는 과정을 밝히기도 했다. 이는 다양한 SNS 숏폼 컨텐츠가 K팝과 K컬처를 홍보하는 수단을 넘어 관광 급증을 통한 막대한 경제적인 영향을 끼친다는 걸 보여준다. 릴스와 쇼츠를 통한 한국 제품의 노출이 관광객들의 소비를 늘리고 이가 더 많은 사람들에게 반복적인 노출로 이어져 급격한 속도로 한국을 세계적인 관광지로 만들고 있는 것이다. 과열된 SNS정보 경쟁…특정장소 쏠림 문제 해결해야 SNS의 영향력으로 인해 한국을 찾는 외국인들이 많아지는 것은 긍정적이지만 SNS의 관광객 급증으로 인한 문제점도 동시에 드러나고 있다. SNS를 통해서 보았던 한국의 이미지와 달라 실망하는 외국인들도 적지 않다. 또한 인구 밀도가 높은 서울 등 도심, 그중에서도 일부 특정 지역에 관광객들이 몰려들면서 관광객들은 물론 지역 주민들까지 불편함을 호소하기도 한다. 이로 인해 “쇼츠와 릴스가 주도하는 관광객 급증은 꼭 좋기만 하진 않는다”는 우려가 나오고 있다. Q: SNS에서 본 장소를 실제로 방문했을 때 예상과 달랐던 경험이 있어?엘빈 : 한남동에서 그런 경험이 있었어. 릴스에서는 팝업스토어가 여유로울 줄 알았는데 실제로 가보니 나와 같은 관광객들이 너무 많았어. SNS에서 보고 사진을 찍으려고 오는 사람들이 많아서 디저트를 먹기 위해 오랫동안 줄을 기다려야 했어.킹슬리 : 제주 녹차밭에 갔을 때 그런 경험이 있었어. SNS에서 봤을 때는 꽤 한적한 것 같았는데 실제로 가보니 사람이 정말 많았고 예상보다 훨씬 관광지화돼 있어 쉽게 구경하기 힘들었어.두 학생은 한국의 다른 관광지를 방문했지만 비슷한 문제를 발견했다. SNS에서는 한가로워 보였던 장소가 실제로는 극도로 많은 관광객들 때문에 매우 붐볐던 것이다. 숏폼 콘텐츠는 유행하는 장소를 사람들에게 알릴 수 있지만, 특정 장소가 알고리즘을 통해 반복적으로 노출되면 그 장소로만 너무 많은 사람들이 몰리는 부정적인 결과가 생길 수도 있다. Q: 전반적으로 숏폼 콘텐츠가 한국 관광에 긍정적인 영향을 준다고 생각해, 부정적인 영향을 준다고 생각해?킹슬리 : 긍정적인 영향과 부정적인 영향이 모두 있다고 생각해. SNS를 통해 한국 음식과 문화, 이전에는 알지 못했던 장소를 알게 되면서 한국에 대한 관심이 커졌어. 하지만 특정 장소가 SNS에서 크게 유행하면 사람들이 한꺼번에 몰려 지나치게 붐빌 수도 있어. 그래도 개인적으로는 긍정적인 영향이 더 크다고 생각해.엘빈 : 긍정적인 영향이 훨씬 크다고 생각해. 나와 같은 외국인들은 이전에는 잘 몰랐던 한국 음식이나 옷을 SNS를 통해 알게 되고, 나도 실제로 거기에 더 많은 돈을 썼어. 하지만 사람들이 SNS에서 유행하는 똑같은 장소에 몰리는 것은 관광객뿐만 아니라 한국인들에게도 문제가 될 수 있는 것 같아. 관광지가 더 다양해진다면 관광객과 한국인 모두 부담을 덜 느낄 것 같아.SNS의 숏폼 컨텐츠는 짧은 영상 길이에도 불구하고 관광객들의 여행에 큰 영향을 끼친다. 릴스와 쇼츠는 단순히 어떤 장소를 방문하게 하는 것이 아니라, 특정 여행지 코스 또는 제품을 트렌드로 만들어서 경제적 파급력까지 키우고 있다. 특히 청소년, 20,30대 젊은 관광객들은 SNS와 트렌드의 변화에 더 민감하기 때문에 일부러 더 많은 인파가 몰리는 유행하는 장소를 방문할 때도 많다. 그러나 이런 현상이 지속될 경우, 오히려 부정적인 영향이 커진다. 특정 장소에 사람이 많이 몰리면 지역 주민들은 물론이고 그 지역을 방문하는 모든 사람들은 교통 혼잡 등 여러가지 문제를 겪을 수 있다. 경제적인 측면에서 바라봤을 때 관광 사업은 또 다른 사업들의 성장에도 기여하며 좋은 영향을 끼칠 수 있지만, 이를 통한 혼잡함과 사회적 적대감 등의 문제를 만들 수도 있다. 이제 한국은 인플루언서들의 숏폼 컨텐츠를 통한 영향력을 최대한 키워가는 동시에 SNS를 통한 홍보의 한계와 단점들은 줄여나가야 한다. 그래야 한국이 지속 가능한 관광 사업을 이어나갈 수 있을 것이다.

◆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 number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea is continuously rising. In the first half of 2026, the number of foreign tourists exceeded 10.7 million, which is a historical record for South Korea in terms of foreign arrivals. From January to July, the number increased by more than 20% compared with the same period last year. However, the tourists these days tend to visit the same places as everyone else compared to the earlier years. People can find these trendy locations more easily through access to social media. In fact, the influence of Social media on K-culture is being considered as the major reason for this growth. Through SNS, foreigners engage with and develop an interest in K-culture, and are more likely to visit. Then what form of social media has driven the proliferation of Korean content including K-pop and K-dramas around the world? Social media, especially YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, have done most of the work. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in January, 64% of tourists first got to know about Korea through video platforms. On the other hand, 56.6% of tourists did so through social media. There may be some overlap, but both forms of media still have considerable influence.Short-form content increases the number of foreign tourist, and at the same time has a great economic impact on Korea. When foreigners come across Shorts and Reels that contain content about Korean food, fashion and culture, they become motivated to spend more on Korean products. These days, Korean influencers are major contributors to the expansion of the domestic marketing industry. SNS drives foreigners’ interests in K-culture and turns that interest into visits and consumption, becoming a vital part of Korea’s tourism industry. After their visit, foreign tourists started to upload their own short-form content, leading to more exposure of K-culture to foreigners. Then to what extent does this influence teenage tourists? Do Shorts and Reels actually have a great impact on their visit to Korea? How do foreign teenagers view Korea, and how has SNS influenced their spending? To investigate these questions further, I interviewed two 17-year-old tourists who had visited Korea: Kingsley Machin from the United Kingdom and Elvin Li from China. Where do you usually get information when planning a trip?Kingsley: Usually, I get most of my information online when I start planning a trip.Elvin: Most of the time, I look for tourist places in instagram reels, since there are many influencers sharing good information about Korean tourist places. My parents on the other hand often use google and travel blogs.How often do you watch short-form like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels? How often do you come across K-culture content?Kingsley: I used to watch short-form content quite often, but now that I’m in Y12 doing the IB, I barely watch it anymore. When I used to doomscroll on Instagram Reels, I didn’t really come across that much K-culture content since most of the content I watch is based in the USA. However, I’d occasionally see accounts like Korean Englishman on YouTube, but not that often.Elvin: Every day. Recently, my algorithm is mostly filled with short-form content about Korean tourist places to visit, food to eat, and products to buy. I’ve also recently seen content about Olive Young. What types of K-culture content do you usually come across, and does it make you more interested in visiting Korea?Kingsley: Most of the K-culture content I come across is food-related, especially when watching Korean Englishman. I really enjoy his vlogs and the videos where he tries different Korean foods, as I find it interesting seeing the different places he goes and the food he tries.Elvin: I mostly watch content about K-culture, K-food, and K-pop. I do think it encourages me and potentially other teenage tourists to visit Korea. I first got to know about Hannam-dong through Tiktok. I wanted to visit pop-up stores that I saw on Tiktok, and other SNS contents also made me want to try Korean food.How much does short-form content influence where you go, what you eat, or what you buy while traveling? Can you give an example?Kingsley: Personally, short-form content doesn’t really influence where I go since I’ve already been to most places in South Korea. However, it can influence what I want to eat or try. For example, I’ve seen the 두쫀쿠 online and it made me want to try it myself when I’m in Korea.Although it isn’t influenced by social media, I would like to visit North Korea one day because I’m interested in experiencing the cultural differences between North and South Korea and seeing how different life is on the other side of the peninsula.Elvin: I’ve never really thought about it before, but I guess there is to some extent. I saved some food recommendations from Instagram reels before visiting Korea to try them as soon as I arrived. When I also visited cafes that I saw from short form content but weren’t really popular among tourists, I still really liked them. Regardless of the significance of short-form content’s impact on his decision, the interview shows that social-media content not only advertises and promotes K-culture but creates great economic impact through tourism. Exposure to Korean goods and services through Reels and Shorts encourages tourist spending, leading to more short-form content about K-culture, which then helps Korea become a global tourist destination and generates further economic benefits.Despite the benefits that the surge in foreign tourism gives to Korea, there are some considerable problems caused by it too. Since SNS content only reveals the best parts, visitors are sometimes disappointed when they visit the places themselves. These days, tourists are becoming overcrowded in certain areas, especially in towns of Seoul that are densely packed with buildings and stores. This is creating inconvenience for not only foreign visitors but local residents in those areas. Therefore, the surge in tourism driven by Shorts and Reels might not be entirely beneficial to the whole of South Korea, Have you ever visited a place you saw on social media and found it very different from what you expected—for example, much more crowded or commercialized?Kingsley: Yes, the Jeju Green Tea Park. I had seen it on social media and expected it to be quite peaceful, but when I actually went, it was really crowded and felt much more touristy than I expected.Elvin: Yes, Hannam-dong. I could only watch short clips of pop-up stores, which looked quite uncrowded. However, so many foreign tourists like me had watched the same dessert, the same cafe and the same reel on SNS, and I had to wait in such a long queue. Overall, do you think short-form content has a positive or negative impact on tourism in Korea? Why?Kingsley: I think it has both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, it can make people more interested in Korea by showing them Korean food, culture, and places they might not have known about before. However, it can also make certain places extremely crowded when they go viral, like the Jeju Green Tea Park. Overall, I think it’s positive for tourism, but it can become negative if too many people visit the same places because of social media.Elvin: First of all, I think the positive impact is greater. As foreign tourists like me are exposed to K-food, K-pop, and other Korean culture, we spend more and positive economic impact is created. Nevertheless, too much of this causes problems. If popular tourist places like Hannam-dong become too famous, overcrowding and congestion can cause problems for both the locals and tourists. I think tourists should start visiting a wider variety of places to prevent congestion and spread economic benefits over large areas. The short length of SNS content does not mean that it creates little impact but conversely it leaves greater influence on foreigners and are more attractive. Short-form content does not only stimulate tourists to visit Korea, but they also determine their destinations and consumption pattern by influencing trends; Ultimately, it leads to significant economic impact. Younger tourists from teenagers to those in their 20s are more responsive to trends and social norms, tending to visit popular places even when they are packed with tourists.Negative effects should be worked on immediately. Congestion is a problem for both locals and tourists. Economic benefits do not fully compensate for overcrowding and social conflict between locals and tourists. Korea must therefore work on maintaining the beneficial impact of short-form content but at the same time should reduce the challenges created by them. Doing so will eventually promote sustainability and improve Korea’s economy in the long term.

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.