Global tech titans rush to visit Seoul to win AI leadership

With the competition in artificial intelligence-based services intensifying globally, heads of Big Tech firms have visited Korea one after another to enhance cooperation with Korean tech companies and take the lead in burgeoning markets. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Toronto-based AI chip startup Tenstorrent CEO Jim Keller visited Korea last week. Just a month after the visit of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the two tech titans seemed to hurry to visit here for consultations on their cooperation

TechnologyMarch 3, 2024

Hana Financial Group targets baby boomers with Lim Young-woong

In just nine days of its release, a 16-second video featuring trot singer Lim Young-woong posted on YouTube by Hana Bank has garnered over 6.8 million views as of Sunday. The video introduces the 32-year-old singer as the new face of Hana Financial Group, one of Korea's top five financial conglomerates. The YouTube channel of the group's banking subsidiary Hana Bank has also seen a substantial increase in subscribers, jumping from 188,000 to 218,000 within the same period. Hana's

IndustryMarch 3, 2024

KEPCO, Korea Gas report combined liabilities of nearly W250tr last year: data

Korea Electric Power Corp. and Korea Gas Corp., two major state-run companies, have reported combined liabilities of nearly 250 trillion won ($187.1 billion) as of end-2023 due to hikes in global energy prices, data showed Sunday. KEPCO has said in a regulatory filing its total debt reached 202.4 trillion won last year, up 9.6 trillion won from a year earlier. Korea Gas' total debt came to 47.4 trillion won, down from 52 trillion won in 2022, according to the company's regulatory filin

EconomyMarch 3, 2024

S. Korea's meat consumption exceeds rice intakes for 2nd year

South Koreans' meat consumption exceeded rice intakes for a second consecutive year, a report showed Saturday. According to the report by the state-run Korea Rural Economic Institute, the country's per-capita meat consumption was estimated at 60.6 kilograms last year, up 1.3 percent from the previous year's 59.8 kg. Last year's meat consumption was higher than per-capita rice intake of 56.4 kg, according to the report. The report said the meat consumption will rise to 61.4 kg

ConsumerMarch 2, 2024

Korea faces long road in unlocking corporate value like Japan

As global investors scrutinize South Korea’s plan to boost corporate valuations, they note a key hurdle — the prevalence of family-controlled businesses, or chaebols, which are often blamed for keeping stocks undervalued. From Samsung Electronics to Hyundai Motor, Korean conglomerates are run by members of the founding families who can wield outsized power through complex cross-shareholdings. The controversial structure and a tendency to sideline minority shareholders are among reaso

MarketMarch 2, 2024

Korean crypto exchanges ride on bitcoin rally

Local crypto exchanges are enjoying a boom in their returns amid the snowballing bitcoin rally. Upbit, the largest crypto exchange here, saw its transaction volume in the past 24 hours surpass 12 trillion won ($8.9 billion) as of Thursday at 3 p.m. It was the first time for the figure to go over 10 trillion won since 2021. As of Friday 2:15 p.m., its transaction volume in the past 24 hours stood at 9.96 trillion won. The volume is similar in size to the average daily transaction volume for Kospi

IndustryMarch 1, 2024

Korean stocks benefit from Zuckerberg's Seoul visit

Following the high-profile visit of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week, stocks related to advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and display panels are gaining attention. In a report on Friday, Korea Investment and Securities suggested eight stocks, including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, that would benefit from Zuckerberg's visit to Seoul. Traveling to Korea for the first time in about a decade, Zuckerberg met with President Yoon Suk Yeol and b

IndustryMarch 1, 2024

Will Samsung introduce Galaxy AI to budget phones?

As Samsung Electronics is expected to roll out its new Galaxy A series this month, anticipation is growing on whether the mid-range smartphone models will feature the tech giant’s latest artificial intelligence features. According to industry sources on Friday, the leading smartphone maker is expected to roll out the Galaxy A35 and A55 smartphones that support 5G connection. Amid growing attention, tipsters are even predicting the launch date as March 11. SamMobile, a leading source for Sa

IndustryMarch 1, 2024

InterBattery 2024 to spotlight all-solid-state, affordable batteries

InterBattery 2024, the largest battery industry exhibition in Korea, will take place at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from March 6 to 9, attracting 579 companies from 18 countries and nearly 75,000 attendees for a comprehensive showcase of innovation, industry conferences and networking opportunities. Organized by the Korea Battery Industry Association and COEX, this year's event marks the largest gathering in the event's history, showcasing 1,896 boot

MobilityMarch 1, 2024

LG, Honda complete steel framework for JV battery plant

LG Energy Solution, the nation's largest electric vehicle battery maker, said Friday that its Ohio-based joint venture plant with Honda has recently completed its steel framework, indicating a smooth ride ahead for the plant’s full operation slated for 2025. The companies held a ceremony in Ohio's Fayette County on Thursday to celebrate the completion of the steel framework for the facility, which means that the construction has moved from site preparation and laying the foundati

MobilityMarch 1, 2024

SK chief to lead KCCI for 2nd term

SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won is set to serve as chairperson of the country’s business organization Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry for another term. On Thursday, members of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry unanimously agreed to tap Chey as chair of the regional chamber under the KCCI for a three-year term that ends in February 2027 during a general meeting of members held in Seoul. With Seoul members’ backing, Chey, whose first term expires in March, is on the course

IndustryMarch 1, 2024

Eximbank’s capital increase to pave way for Polish arms export

The National Assembly passed the revision bill to raise the Export-Import Bank of Korea's capital limit from the current 15 trillion won to 25 trillion won ($12.24 billion to $15 billion) on Thursday, giving the policy lender some extra room to level up its financing for the arms export deal to Poland. The revision of the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act was passed as a total of 209 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, while 29 voted against it. There were 34 abstentions. Under the revision

EconomyFeb. 29, 2024

SK Ecoplant, China's CSCEC to carry out W2.6tr hydrogen project in Egypt

Korean energy and environmental solutions provider SK Ecoplant said Thursday that the company will work together with the China State Construction Engineering Corp. on a 2.6 trillion won ($1.9 billion) green hydrogen project in Egypt. SK Ecoplant, CSCEC and the Egyptian government signed a memorandum of understanding in Cairo on Wednesday, the company added. Under the project, SK Ecoplant and China’s largest construction company will establish solar panels and wind turbines in Egypt, which

IndustryFeb. 29, 2024

Seoul shares close lower ahead of key US inflation data, holiday

South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of some key US inflation data and the holiday this week. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 9.93 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,642.36. Trade volume was moderate at 484 million shares worth 12.5 trillion won (US$9.44 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 545 to 341. Institutions were net sellers by offloading 507.3 billion won, while

MarketFeb. 29, 2024

[KH Explains] What does Apple's dead car project mean for Samsung, Hyundai?

Earlier this week, Apple announced that it will ditch its decade-long car project, saying more resources will be poured into artificial intelligence in the future. An Apple-made car had long been a buzzword across industries. Carmakers had braced for a direct threat, while tech rivals had started working on their own car projects. But Tuesday’s surprise announcement was a reality check moment not just for the iPhone maker but also for the whole tech industry: Making a car proved too diffic

IndustryFeb. 29, 2024

Chanel boutique shuts down in protest of Gucci pop-up

French luxury fashion house Chanel has closed its boutique within a Seoul department store, citing operational disruptions caused by Italian rival Gucci. "Chanel has decided to close its boutique in the Galleria Department Store Luxury Hall starting Wednesday due to the department store's plan to set up a pop-up store, which adversely affects our store's visibility and operational environment," said Chanel in a statement released Thursday. According to industry sources, the s

CompaniesFeb. 29, 2024

Yoon, Zuckerberg discuss AI, digital ecosystem in Seoul

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, formerly Facebook, on Thursday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence, upon the US tech giant’s request. The presidential office confirmed that Yoon and Zuckerberg met at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu earlier in the day. During the 30-minute meeting, they shared visions for creating an AI digital ecosystem and ways to strengthen cooperation between Meta an

TechnologyFeb. 29, 2024

[Photo News] The all-new CLE Coupe

Mercedes-Benz Korea showcased its all-new CLE Coupe and all-new CLE Cabriolet from Tuesday to Wednesday in Seoul, the company said Thursday. In this photo, Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl (right) poses with the all-new CLE Coupe at the showcase. According to the German automaker, the new vehicle is offered in two trims -- the CLE 200 and CLE 450 4MATIC -- with starting prices at 72.7 million won ($54,500) and 96 million won, respectively. (Mercedes-Benz Korea)

MobilityFeb. 29, 2024

Bitcoin soars to record high in Korea

The price of bitcoin traded in Korea climbed to its highest ever Thursday, fueled by a global rally initiated from spot exchange-traded funds and an impending halving. Bitcoin, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency, traded in Korea at up to 90 million won ($67,490) on the country’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, at 3:47 p.m. On the previous day, it broke its previous high of 82.7 million won at around 6 p.m. for the first time since November 2021. After peaking at 90 million won, bitco

MarketFeb. 29, 2024

LG Uplus seeks partnership with Google, Meta in AI push

LG Uplus, one of the top three telecommunications providers in South Korea, has announced its venture into the generative AI field with the introduction of its AI model, ixi-GEN, setting the stage for competition with its larger rivals SK Telecom and KT in offering AI-driven services for consumers and businesses. LG Uplus CEO Hwang Hyeon-sik made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona this week. He outlined plans to launch ixi-GEN in the first half of this year and

TechnologyFeb. 29, 2024