Yoon govt. maintains 'stable' macroeconomic management in first half: finance ministry

The Yoon government has successfully maintained stable macroeconomic conditions to mitigate the impact of multiple global crises, the finance ministry said Monday, highlighting the success of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's economic and fiscal policies over the past 2 1/2 years. The review was presented in a report issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance to mark the midpoint of President Yoon's single five-year term, which fell on Sunday. "From the start of the administ

EconomyNov. 11, 2024

Exports fall 18% in Nov. 1-10 period despite strong chip sales

South Korea's exports slid 17.8 percent on-year in the first 10 days of November due mainly to fewer working days and falling demand from major economies, data showed Monday. Outbound shipments reached $14.91 billion in the Nov. 1-10 period, compared with $18.13 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. The number of working days during the cited period of this year came to 7 days, compared with 8.5 days a year earlier. Per-day exports only slippe

EconomyNov. 11, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on Trump uncertainties

South Korean stocks opened lower on Monday, as investors sat on the sidelines over policy uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.6 points, or 0.49 percent, to 2,548.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics moved down 2.11 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.8 percent. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution, on the other hand, increased 8.91 percent. Top steelmaker Posco Holdi

MarketNov. 11, 2024

Korean shipbuilders upbeat on Trump’s call for collaboration

Korean shipbuilders are raising hopes to expand their presence in the US, following President-elect Donald Trump’s call for more bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. According to Seoul’s presidential office, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Trump had a 12-minute phone call Thursday morning after Trump won a second nonconsecutive presidential term. After exchanges of congratulations and gratitude, Trump specifically mentioned Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities and the US&

IndustryNov. 10, 2024

LG Display unveils world's most stretchable display

South Korean display maker LG Display announced Sunday it succeeded in developing the world’s first stretchable display capable of expanding up to 50 percent, the highest elongation rate within the industry. The latest breakthrough, the outcome of five years of research, was unveiled during an industrial gathering at LG Science Park in Seoul on Friday. LG's new prototype features a 12-inch screen that stretches up to 18 inches while delivering a high resolution of 100 pixels per inch

IndustryNov. 10, 2024

Chubby banana milk bottle eyes national heritage listing

For over half a century, yellow banana-flavored milk has held a special place in Korean culture, gracing supermarket shelves as a nostalgic favorite across generations. Now, its maker, Binggrae Co., aims to elevate the beloved drink’s status even further. The Korean dairy maker said Sunday that it is launching an effort to have the chubby shape of its top-selling drink’s bottle included on the state-registered cultural heritage list. It is currently gathering data to apply for elig

CompaniesNov. 10, 2024

Loans from high-interest second-tier lenders soar amid tight lending rules

Loans from savings banks, credit unions and other secondary financial institutions rose sharply last month as authorities tightened credit regulations for major banks, officials said Sunday. Loans from savings banks, credit card firms, insurance companies and other second-tier lenders surged over 1.5 trillion won ($1.02 billion) in October, the largest gain since July 2021, according to the officials from the financial sector. In detail, cash advances and other loans from credit card firms and c

EconomyNov. 10, 2024

Top court to review SK chief’s $1b divorce settlement

South Korea’s Supreme Court has decided to review SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won’s bid to overturn the country's most expensive divorce suit, opening up the possibility for the head of the nation’s second-largest conglomerate to reduce the size of the settlement. On Saturday, the justices accepted the appeal by Chey who was ordered by the Seoul High Court in May to pay his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong 1.38 trillion won ($1 billion), or 35 percent of their common wealth, in

CompaniesNov. 8, 2024

Celltrion hits record Q3 sales

South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion said Friday it achieved record revenue in the third quarter, driven largely by increased global prescriptions of its flagship biosimilar products. According to a regulatory filing, Celltrion posted consolidated sales of 881.9 billion won ($645.7 million) for the quarter, a 31.2 percent increase from the same period last year. Operating profit totaled 207.7 billion won, with an operating margin of 23.6 percent. In particular, cumulative sales for t

CompaniesNov. 8, 2024

IFC Seoul in acquisition talks for over W3tr

Singapore’s ARA Asset Management is reportedly in talks with Brookfield Asset Management to acquire the International Finance Center Seoul, one of South Korea's largest mixed-use commercial properties, according to sources Friday. Following its purchase of the Conrad Seoul Hotel in August, ARA is now discussing a potential deal with the owner of IFC Seoul to buy the remaining office towers and retail mall. Located in Yeouido, Seoul, the IFC complex was initially developed by US-based

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

KT&G declines FCP proposal to buy ginseng unit

South Korean top tobacco company KT&G has rejected a recent proposal from the Singapore-based activist private equity fund Flashlight Capital Partners to acquire Korea Ginseng Corporation, a KT&G affiliate. In a move to turn down Flashlight Capital Partners' bid, KT&G issued a statement Friday and reiterated its commitment to a long-term growth strategy focused on three core businesses, including health functional foods -- the segment Korea Ginseng Corporation falls under. KT&am

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

Starbucks to open store on North Korea's doorstep

Starbucks Korea will open a new outlet this month, just 1.4 km away from North Korea. The store will be located on the second floor of the observatory at Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. Aegibong, a 154-meter peak, offers a direct view of North Korea’s Kaepung County and Songaksan. Since the park’s opening in 2021, the observatory has drawn large crowds. Last year, almost 140,000 tourists visited the park to catch a glimpse of North Korea. The ecopark features an o

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

Posco considers selling off steel plant in China amid market oversupply

Posco Group is reportedly considering selling its stainless steel plant in Zhangjiagang, China, as part of a broader restructuring initiative led by Chairman Chang In-hwa to streamline 125 low-profit and non-core assets. According to industry sources Friday, Posco is in the process of selecting an advisory firm to aid in decision-making regarding the sale of Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel. With an annual production capacity of 110,000 metric tons, the plant was constructed near the Yangtze

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

Seoul shares down despite Fed's rate cut; won sharply up

South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as uncertainties over the incoming Trump administration's policies overshadowed a back-to-back rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The local currency sharply rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 3.48 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 2,571.15. Trade volume was moderate at 440.7 million shares worth 9.63 trillion won ($6.94 billion), with losers outpacing winners 469 to 388. Foreigners sold a net 18.1 billion

MarketNov. 8, 2024

Naver to enhance 'AI Briefing' after record Q3 earnings

South Korean internet giant Naver on Friday reported record-high quarterly earnings for the July-September period, showing strong performances in all of its major businesses including the search platform, commerce and content. During an earnings call, Naver Chief Executive Officer Choi Soo-yeon said the company would expand its "AI Briefing" summary function to mobile phones next year. The feature provides direct answers to search queries by understanding user intent and context based

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

LG ramps up US battery push with $6.7b supply deal for Rivian EVs

South Korea's LG Energy Solution has secured a landmark deal with Rivian, the US electric vehicle maker known for its rugged electric trucks and SUVs. The South Korean battery manufacturer will deliver a total of 67 gigawatt-hours worth of 4695 cells -- named for their 46mm diameter and 95mm height -- over the next five years. Although neither company disclosed the exact financial details, Korean industry analysts estimate that the deal could be worth at least $6.7 billion, based on the typ

MobilityNov. 8, 2024

Korean transformer export surge on clean energy, AI demand

South Korea’s transformer industry is booming thanks to rising global demand for clean energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Leading Korean manufacturers like HD Hyundai Electric and Hyosung Heavy Industries have seen a significant surge in orders for their high-capacity transformers, which are essential for handling the massive electricity loads required by renewable energy projects and data centers supporting AI. With their order books full and growing, these companies are n

IndustryNov. 8, 2024

BOK warns of growing uncertainties over global inflation, monetary policy

The South Korean central bank said Friday uncertainties have grown over global growth, inflation, and monetary policy paths of major economies following Donald Trump's presidential election victory, vowing enhanced market monitoring and timely responses. Bank of Korea Deputy Gov. Ryoo Sang-dai made the comment during a meeting meant to check the market situation after the Federal Reserve on Thursday decided to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage point, the second consecutive

EconomyNov. 8, 2024

Seoul shares open sharply higher on US rate cut

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, after the US Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point. The Korean won also sharply gained against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 25.57 points, or 1 percent, to 2,590.2 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The rate cut marked the second consecutive reduction following a 50-basis-point cut in September. The move came after Republican flag

MarketNov. 8, 2024

US Fed cuts key lending rate by quarter-percentage point

The US Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point on Thursday, marking the second consecutive reduction following a jumbo 50-basis-point cut in September. After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the central bank announced the decision to reduce the rate to the 4.50 to 4.75 percent range. It came after Republican flag-bearer Donald Trump won in Tuesday's presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris. In a press release, the Fe

EconomyNov. 8, 2024