{
  "id": 19351644,
  "title": "Million-dollar bonuses, shuttered shops: 2 sides of Korea's economy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/million-dollar-bonuses-shuttered-shops-2-sides-of-koreas-economy-19351644",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T15:27:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/others/20261111/million-dollar-bonuses-shuttered-shops-2-sides-of-koreas-economy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea's semiconductor industry is experiencing a boom, leading to substantial bonuses for employees at major chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. This surge in earnings, driven by the artificial intelligence revolution, has significantly boosted corporate profits. However, the economic recovery does not extend equally across the country. Young job seekers are struggling to find their first job, as the initial resume screening remains a significant hurdle. Small business owners are also grappling with declining sales, as luxury retailers and department stores continue to enjoy robust sales despite challenges faced by local restaurants and small enterprises. This stark contrast in economic fortunes underscores a widening divide in Korea's economy, leaving many to question whether the nation's headline economic figures truly reflect the lives of its people.",
  "summary": "Korea's semiconductor boom is generating enormous bonuses for employees at major chipmakers, with some even considering early retirement. But for young job seekers struggling to land their first job and small business owners facing falling sales, the country's economic recovery feels increasingly out of reach. \"Even with strong qualifications, it's difficult to get past the initial resume…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}