Global markets are gripped by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Iran’s strikes on Israel and Gulf sites triggering a sharp flight to safety and heightened volatility. This renewed instability threatens to disrupt critical energy supply routes, pushing safe-haven assets higher and casting a long shadow over global economic outlooks, particularly for energy-importing nations like South Korea.
US equities experienced a significant sell-off across all major indices, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq leading declines, as investors reacted to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East and sought to de-risk portfolios. In Asia, the KOSPI followed suit, retreating amidst global risk aversion and domestic concerns over industrial input costs. The KOSDAQ, however, showed relative resilience, likely buoyed by strong performance in specific sectors such as gaming.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they conducted missile and drone strikes the previous day against targets in Israel and US-linked military facilities across the Gulf, hitting sites in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, including a Patriot air-defence maintenance facility. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
France 24
Soaring energy prices are expected to impact China's economy less than most other countries, due to its massive oil reserves and alternative energy sources.
CNBC
Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a ‘toll booth’ regimeAP News
AP News
The agreement would see EU tariffs on US goods reduced to zero while US tariffs on EU imports set at 15%.
BBC World
Exclusive: China's top chipmaker has supplied chipmaking tech to Iran military, US officials sayReuters
Reuters
The home loan interest rate in February reached 4.32%, marking the highest in 2 years and 3 months, and has been rising for 5 consecutive months. (Article details: Economy, Finance & Securities, Reporter Kim Ga-yoon, Modified 2026-03-27 15:04, Registered 2026-03-27 14:45. Your browser does not support the audio element.)
한겨레
Lotte Chemical will suspend operations at its production plant in the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, South Jeolla Province, for two months. With an emergency in naphtha supply due to the Middle East situation, the company intends to manage risks by bringing forward the scheduled maintenance that requires equipment shutdown. Lotte Chemical announced on the 27th that it would suspend operations of all production facilities at its Yeosu plant. The scheduled date for production resumption is May 29th. This suspension was originally...
조선일보
The Blue House has independently embarked on energy saving to respond to the energy crisis caused by the Middle East situation. According to the Blue House on the 27th, the Presidential Secretariat set a target to reduce energy consumption by 10-15% and notified employees of related guidelines the previous day (26th). Accordingly, elevator operations on the lower floors of Yeomin Hall 2 and 3 will be restricted, and measures to reduce electricity consumption through the efficient use of office equipment, lighting, heating, and cooling will also be implemented. Energy-saving measures will also be implemented at Chunchugwan, where the press corps office is located. Chunchugwan announced today that some areas, including common spaces and corridors, will operate with lights off. Previously, President Lee Jae-myung presided over an emergency economic review meeting the previous day, stating, "This crisis is not a problem for a specific country alone, but a common challenge that the entire world is facing. While there is no immediate solution to reverse the situation, it is a time when we must gather more wisdom and urgently foster solidarity to share the burden." President Lee added, "The public sector must set an example," and "I ask the public to actively participate in small daily practices such as energy saving."
동아일보
The stock price of Pearl Abyss, which released the new domestic open-world game 'Crimson Desert,' is rising. As of 3:07 PM on the 27th, Pearl Abyss was trading at 58,700 won, up 7,900 won (15.55%) from the previous trading day.
매일경제
Officetel rental yields have reached an all-time high, benefiting from loan regulations. (Korea Economic Daily, Reporter Jeong Eui-jin, Input 2026.03.27 15:19, Modified 2026.03.27 15:23). A view of officetels in the Mapo-gu area of Seoul.
한국경제