Türkiye Earthquake Could Result in Loss of Up to 1% of Country's GDP in 2023

This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows smoke rising from burning containers at the harbor of Iskenderun in Hatay, a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's southeast, on February 7, 2023. (Photo by Handout / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows smoke rising from burning containers at the harbor of Iskenderun in Hatay, a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's southeast, on February 7, 2023. (Photo by Handout / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
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Türkiye Earthquake Could Result in Loss of Up to 1% of Country's GDP in 2023

This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows smoke rising from burning containers at the harbor of Iskenderun in Hatay, a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's southeast, on February 7, 2023. (Photo by Handout / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows smoke rising from burning containers at the harbor of Iskenderun in Hatay, a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's southeast, on February 7, 2023. (Photo by Handout / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)

The potential economic effects of the earthquake in Türkiye could result in a loss of up to 1% of the country's gross domestic product this year, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said in a report published on Thursday.

The bank added this is a "reasonable estimate" due to the expected boost from reconstruction efforts later this year, which will offset the negative impact to infrastructure and supply chains, Reuters said.

"The earthquake affected to a large extent agricultural areas and areas where there is light manufacturing, so spillovers to other sectors are limited," EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told Reuters.

Türkiye and neighboring Syria have been rocked by a devastating earthquake on Feb. 6 which has killed more than 41,000 people and left millions in need of humanitarian aid, with many survivors having been left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures.

Growth for Türkiye, the single biggest recipient of EBRD funds, has been revised down to 3% from 3.5% in 2023, without considering the impact of the earthquake in the estimates.

The bank added that growing external financing requirements and political uncertainty associated with elections in 2023 create significant economic vulnerabilities.

Türkiye’s earthquake has thrown into disarray plans for elections to be held by June, sparking frantic debate within President Tayyip Erdogan's government and the opposition over a possible delay.

"As depreciation of the Turkish lira outpaced inflation since 2015, Türkiye’s exports have been growing fast, benefiting from lower costs expressed in US dollars," the report added.

Türkiye’s lira hit a fresh record low on Wednesday.



Blinken Expresses Confidence in South Korea Democratic Process as Yoon Faces Arrest

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (not pictured) in Seoul, South Korea, 06 January 2025. EPA/Chung Sung-Jun / POOL
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (not pictured) in Seoul, South Korea, 06 January 2025. EPA/Chung Sung-Jun / POOL
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Blinken Expresses Confidence in South Korea Democratic Process as Yoon Faces Arrest

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (not pictured) in Seoul, South Korea, 06 January 2025. EPA/Chung Sung-Jun / POOL
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (not pictured) in Seoul, South Korea, 06 January 2025. EPA/Chung Sung-Jun / POOL

South Korean investigators will seek an extension of a warrant to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, as visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed confidence in the key Asian ally's handling of the political turmoil.
Investigators probing Yoon over his Dec. 3 martial law on Friday again failed to serve an arrest warrant, blocked by presidential security service guards who formed a human chain to prevent access to Yoon, Reuters reported.
The arrest warrant, the first for a sitting president, expires at midnight on Monday (1500 GMT). The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) plans to request an extension of the arrest warrant in court on Monday.
Yoon, who has been impeached over his martial law declaration, is under criminal investigation for possible insurrection.
The brief six hour martial law declaration plunged one of Asia's strongest democracies into uncharted territory with the impeachment of not only Yoon, but also the prime minister who became acting president, and the appointment of a second acting leader.
Yoon's actions drew a rare rebuke from officials in Washington including Blinken's deputy, Kurt Campbell, who has said it was "badly misjudged."
Speaking after his meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Blinken said Washington had expressed "serious concerns" to Seoul over some of the actions Yoon took over the course of his martial law declaration.
But the events unfolding since then have been a reflection of South Korea's brand as a democratic success, "which is remarkably strong," Blinken said at a news conference.
"The response that we’ve seen, and that we expect to continue to see, is one that is peaceful and fully consistent and in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law."
Yoon was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14 and suspended from presidential duties. The Constitutional Court is trying the case to decide whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him.
The CIO, which is leading the criminal insurrection probe into Yoon, has sent a notice to police requesting them to take over execution of the arrest warrant.
A police official said at a news briefing that police believed there was a legal dispute over such a transfer and would discuss it with the CIO.
Yonhap news cited a police official as saying the arrest warrant will now be executed under the authority of the police joint investigation team and the CIO.
Yoon's lawyers have argued that the CIO anti-graft force has no authority under South Korean law to investigate any case involving insurrection accusations.
On Monday, Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon, said the bid to transfer the execution of the arrest warrant is effectively an admission by the CIO that its probe and the warrant were "illegal".
The unprecedented attempt to arrest an incumbent president has intensified dueling rallies by those supporting Yoon, with the "Stop the Steal" slogans popularized by US President-elect Donald Trump voters, and those calling for Yoon's punishment.
On Monday, a group of hardcore Yoon supporters led by Christian pastor Jun Kwang-hoon held a news conference and described the fight for Yoon as an "international battle" for freedom.
"Sadly, there's no Fox News in Korea," it said in a statement, referring to the American cable news channel popular with Trump supporters.
Jun said Yoon supporters would continue rallies outside his residence until they "reap the results".