Prologue: The Reshaping of the Global Economy: Time for Those Who Plan Its Direction

In 2026, the global economy entered a period of strategic restructuring and rebalancing, not simple recovery.
It outlines the structural factors shaking the global economy, including geopolitical conflicts, supply chain restructuring, changes in monetary and financial policies, and AI and digital innovation, and explores the challenges facing Korea and the global economy and how to respond.

Chapter 1: Global Economic Trends and Outlook
The real test of the U.S. economy starts now.
The year of a "qualitative leap" for the Chinese economy is coming.
Will Japan still be cruising in 2026?
Europe and Emerging Markets: Risks and Opportunities in a Low-Growth Era

Comprehensive analysis of the current status and outlook of major economies, including the United States, China, Japan, Europe, and emerging countries.
The United States is influencing the global economy and corporate environment with policies to restructure supply chains and support advanced industries, while China is transitioning to a moderate growth structure amid real estate adjustments and slowdowns in manufacturing and exports.
Japan, Europe, and emerging countries are exploring strategic responses and investment opportunities in a low-growth environment, and are forecasting the direction of the global economy.

Chapter 2: Critical Variables That Shaken the Global Economy
The risks of a second Trump administration persist.
AI development and the potential for relative growth delays in emerging economies
Digital currency shaking the global monetary order
Is the Decarbonization Transition an Opportunity? A Turning Point for the Korean Economy

Analyzes key variables that determine the direction of the global economy.
This comprehensively explains the impact of structural factors, including the policies of the second Trump administration, the US-China conflict, AI development and growth delays in emerging markets, the introduction of digital currency, and the decarbonization transition, on the economy and industry as a whole.
These variables are key considerations in formulating strategies for Korean and global companies.

Chapter 3: The Future of the Korean Economy
Two years into the Lee Jae-myung administration... the end of the long, dark tunnel is in sight.
Tariff negotiations conclude, signaling a resurgence in Korean exports.
Market uncertainty brought about by legalism
Characteristic changes and trend-forming factors in each housing market cycle

We assess the Korean economy's gradual recovery, sluggish domestic demand, and growth driven by export-oriented manufacturing.
It analyzes economic risks and opportunities resulting from domestic and international variables, including policy changes, regulatory environments, housing market fluctuations, tariff negotiations, and the trade environment, and presents the direction the Korean economy will take in 2026 and structural response strategies.

Chapter 4: The Future of Korean Industry
The Korean semiconductor industry and AI are reshaping the global order.
A more difficult year than ever for domestic automakers
In an era of AI services becoming commonplace, a strategy tailored to AI utilization is needed.
The shipbuilding industry is facing a test, and it must prepare for 2026 and beyond.
2026 is a soft landing for the construction industry.
Distribution Structure Restructuring: From Quantitative Expansion to Qualitative Competition
The food and beverage industry must overcome domestic market limitations to survive.
The steel and chemical industries continue to face crisis.
Changes in other major industries (pharmaceuticals, media, games, etc.)

It comprehensively covers the outlook and strategies of major industries, including semiconductors, AI, finished vehicles, shipbuilding, construction, distribution, food and beverage, and steel and chemicals.
By analyzing industry-specific challenges and opportunities, technological innovation, the global competitive landscape, and structural changes in the market, we present strategic directions for Korean companies to maintain competitiveness and secure growth opportunities.

Chapter 5: Investment Strategies
Stock market gains slow amid bullish trend
Despite slowing growth, AI is supporting the US stock market, leading to a "moderate rise."
Balanced investments in domestic and international funds are the answer.
Bitcoin 2026: A Cycle or a New Order?
A Year of High Volatility… A Survival Portfolio
Three Trends to Watch in Pension Insurance
Tightening Apartment Regulations, Expanding Opportunities for Officetels
Reconstruction and redevelopment… A year of speed and transparency

This book comprehensively presents investment environments and strategies across domestic and international stock markets, funds, real estate, cryptocurrencies, pensions, and insurance. It analyzes investment opportunities focused on high-growth potential industries such as AI, eco-friendly industries, biotechnology and K-healthcare, and robotics and automation, and provides guidance on portfolio design strategies that simultaneously promote survival and growth in volatile markets.

The "2026 Economic Outlook" will diagnose the structural challenges and industrial changes facing the Korean and global economies amidst chaos and uncertainty, and serve as a roadmap for preparing for sustainable growth and advancement through strategic choices and opportunity discovery.

In 2026, the global economy faces a period of not just recovery, but rebalancing and strategic realignment.
Expectations of a post-pandemic normalization have already been diluted, and structural factors such as supply chain restructuring, delayed interest rate and price adjustments, and geopolitical conflicts continue to create long-term uncertainty.
Inflation has not been fully resolved, and major central banks are pursuing limited interest rate normalization to balance financial stability with growth recovery.
In this context, the '2026 Economic Outlook' focuses on exploring new strategies and opportunities amidst the chaos.

Changes in the global economy and key variables
If I had to describe 2026 in one word, it would be the 'Strategic Rebalancing Era.'
With the global economic recovery momentum limited, policy responses, industrial investment, and supply chain strategy adjustments in major countries are emerging as key variables that will determine the economic direction.


Since the second term of Donald Trump's administration, the United States has shifted its trade and industrial policy from one centered on tariffs to one centered on supply chain restructuring and expanded subsidies.
Support for advanced manufacturing sectors (semiconductors, batteries, electric vehicles, and AI infrastructure) is encouraging companies to relocate their production bases and expand employment, while also having a structural impact globally, increasing trade costs and deepening technological blockades.


The Chinese economy faces a continued real estate market correction, a gradual recovery in consumption, and manufacturing and export sectors facing slowing global demand and pressure from technological regulations.
The government is seeking to stabilize growth by expanding fiscal spending and industrial subsidies, but the structural shift from rapid growth to moderate growth is already a fait accompli.
In a survey of experts, 43% predicted that China's economy would worsen somewhat, while only 17% predicted that it would improve.
The US-China competition is expected to continue as a managed conflict rather than a short-term resolution.

The Korean Economy: Pressures and Opportunities for Structural Transformation
There are projections that the Korean economy will show a gradual recovery.
Although the pressure of sluggish domestic demand still remains, the analysis suggests that growth momentum is likely to be maintained, centered on export manufacturing industries such as semiconductors and automobiles.

However, the internalization of the U.S. supply chain, China's technological self-sufficiency strategy, and Japan's technological resurgence require Korean companies to redesign their supply chains, diversify production bases, and strengthen technological independence.
The opportunities are clear. AI, cloud computing, advanced modular semiconductors, next-generation batteries, defense, robotics, and K-healthcare are strategic industries where Korea can secure a technological edge in global competition.
In particular, 83% of experts predicted that the AI ​​industry would move beyond the "fad" phase and enter a phase of substantial industrial expansion by 2026. AI, combined with semiconductors, automation, robotics, and the cloud, is highly likely to accelerate structural changes across industries.

Investment Strategies and Practical Guides
The investment environment in 2026 remains a time of uncertainty and structural change, requiring reorganization.
It is important to focus investment on areas with high growth potential, such as AI semiconductors, eco-friendly industries, bio/K-healthcare, and robotics/automation.
Policy changes, the potential abolition of the gold investment tax, fluctuations in interest rates and raw material prices, and economic recovery in emerging markets also act as key variables in investment strategies.

This book analyzes domestic and international stock market trends and changes in industrial structure, providing practical investment guidance for both individual investors and corporations.
Considering the Korean stock market's low price-to-earnings ratio (PER) and price-to-book ratio (PBR), the market highlights the potential for long-term investment opportunities centered on industries with high growth potential, such as AI, eco-friendliness, bio/K-healthcare, and robotics/automation.

conclusion

"2026 Economic Outlook" provides practical insights and response strategies to all economic entities seeking strategic choices and opportunities amidst changes in the global economy and industrial structure.
It will serve as a compass for preparing for 2026, containing practical solutions for rebalancing and strategic restructuring the global economy, strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's core industries, and addressing geopolitical and supply chain risks.