Experts dismiss Lotte's liquidity crisis rumors amid stock plunges

Lotte Group's stock plummeted to record lows on rumors of a liquidity crisis, but experts claim these concerns are overstated and emphasize the need for better debt control. The holding company’s stock closed at 20,550 won ($14.80) on Monday, down 6.6 percent from the previous day, while Lotte Chemical saw the sharpest decline among its subsidiaries, falling 10.22 percent to 65,900 won and reducing its market capitalization to 2.82 trillion won, a 15-year low. Both stocks hit 52-week

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

ZYX Technology teams up with Jeonbuk University to foster CAD experts

South Korean design software developer Zyx Technology announced Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jeonbuk National University to nurture future software talent in North Jeolla Province. Under the partnership, ZYX Technology plans to offer ZYX CAD licenses worth a combined 1 billion won ($720,000) over the next three years, while carrying out research and development in the AI software sector. ZYX CAD is a versatile computer-aided design software that leverages multipl

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Seoul shares end tad higher ahead of Nvidia earnings; won up for 3rd day

South Korean stocks rose for the second straight day Tuesday following a sharp gain the previous session ahead of the release of AI giant Nvidia's third-quarter earnings. The local currency rose for the third consecutive day against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 2.88 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 2,471.95. The main index soared 2.16 percent Monday, marking the largest gain since Sept. 26. Trade volume was moderate at 401.2 million shares worth

MarketNov. 19, 2024

Hyundai E&C appoints first CEO born in 1970s, signals generational shift

The appointment of Lee Han-woo, head of Hyundai Engineering & Construction's housing business division, as its new executive vice president and CEO marks a generational shift as Lee becomes the company's first CEO born in the 1970s. Born in 1970, Lee joined the company in 1994 and has held a range of leadership roles over the past 30 years, including head of the strategic planning division. As the incoming CEO, he is expected to enhance Hyundai E&C's global portfolio in ci

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Mixed reactions as Korea seeks to lift 52-hour work limit for chipmakers

Amid intensifying competition for chip supremacy, Korean lawmakers are pushing to lift the national cap on working hours to give chipmakers more flexibility. The ruling party's proposal, however, has sparked mixed reactions, with critics labeling it "regressive." In South Korea, home to the world's top memory chip makers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, employees are prohibited from working more than 52 hours per week -- consisting of 40 regular hours and up to 12 hours of o

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Carmakers, battery suppliers vie for leadership in battery management

Battery Management Systems, or BMS, often called the “brain” of an electric vehicle battery, play a crucial role with integrated hardware and software to monitor and control battery cells while safeguarding against potential fires. While battery manufacturers excel in advancing battery technologies, the BMS field has traditionally been a specialized area for automakers, who develop and integrate their own systems into battery modules. However, since a series of EV fire incidents in K

MobilityNov. 19, 2024

Korea's space development to hit wall without private sector initiative: report

The private sector should take the initiative in South Korea’s space development, currently led by state-run institutes, and foster the ground equipment and satellite communication service industries for the country to ascend as a space powerhouse, a report suggested Tuesday. The Federation of Korean Industries, a Korean business group, examined the current status of the aerospace industry and suggested development plans through a report commissioned by Kwak Shin-woong, a professor at Kook

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

[Contribution] How can Korean chip giants adapt to shifting global landscape?

By Jang Hye-lim The return of President Donald Trump signals a transformative moment for the global semiconductor industry. Geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and rapid technological advancements are reshaping this critical sector. South Korea's semiconductor giants, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, are global leaders in the memory chip market, but maintaining their dominance in this evolving landscape will require strategic adaptability. They face unprecedented challenges as they

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

CJ CheilJedang to divest W6t bio division

South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang has reportedly decided to sell its industry-leading bio division, which had been a key pillar alongside its food business, signaling a shift in its strategic growth priorities. According to investment banking sources Tuesday, CJ CheilJedang is believed to have appointed Morgan Stanley as the lead manager for the sale and is engaging with potential buyers. The main auction is expected to take place as early as next month, with the division estimated to value

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Vice foreign minister vows support for Posco Future M’s anode plant

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun visited Posco Group’s battery materials subsidiary Posco Future M’s anode manufacturing plant in Sejong, pledging to support the facility in recovering its production levels. While touring the site Monday, Kang said, “Natural graphite and anode materials are critical minerals with high reliance on imports, underscoring the urgent need to diversify the supply chains. The government will actively support companies, including Posco Future M

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Hanwha Life partners with Stanford HAI for AI technologies

Hanwha Life, a leading Korean insurance company and subsidiary of Hanwha Group, announced Tuesday that its artificial intelligence research unit has been conducting a joint study with Stanford University's AI institute after signing a collaboration agreement. Launched in June, Hanwha Life AI Research Institute aims to keep pace with changes in the market, focusing on four key areas: enhancing investment strategies, developing a “digital persona,” integrating AI into health care

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Daewoong develops drug candidate for oral obesity treatment

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced Tuesday that it has filed for a domestic patent for a new obesity drug that suppresses appetite and promotes fat burning. The company said the candidate drug targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors and is designed as a small molecule-based oral agonist. GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels and body weight. GLP-1 boosts insulin secretion to control blood sugar and suppress the appetite, while GIP supports insulin release and promotes fat

CompaniesNov. 19, 2024

Court again rejects arrest warrant for Qoo10 CEO over massive payment delays

A Seoul court again rejected an arrest warrant for Qoo10 CEO Ku Young-bae on Tuesday on fraud and embezzlement charges related to his e-commerce group's large-scale payment delays to vendors. The Seoul Central District Court made the decision following a hearing Monday, saying there was "room for dispute" over whether the allegations constitute a crime and no evidence suggesting Ku attempted to flee or destroy evidence since a previous request for an arrest warrant was rejected la

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

S. Korean banks' Q3 net down on decreased interest income

South Korean banks' net profit fell in the third quarter of the year from three months earlier on a fall in interest income, data showed Tuesday. The combined net profit of 20 banks in the July-October period came to 6.2 trillion won ($4.44 billion), down 13.9 percent from three months earlier, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service. From a year earlier, the reading marks a 14.8 percent rise. The interest income of the 20 banks came to 14.6 trillion won in the third qu

EconomyNov. 19, 2024

Seoul shares open tad higher after rally

South Korean stocks started a tad higher Tuesday following the previous day's rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.11 points, or 0.21 percent, to 2,474.18 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main index jumped 2.16 percent Monday, the sharpest daily gain since Sept. 26, led by a rally in chipmakers, such as Samsung Electronics. In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.13 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6 percent. In Seo

MarketNov. 19, 2024

Woori Bank raided over improper loans tied to ex-chairman

South Korean prosecutors raided the headquarters of Woori Bank on Monday as part of an ongoing probe into alleged improper loans linked to family members of former Woori Financial Group Chairman Son Tae-seung. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office searched offices at Woori Bank’s central Seoul headquarters, including those of the group chairman and the bank’s CEO, seeking internal documents, payment records and transaction logs tied to the alleged 35 billion won ($25 m

IndustryNov. 18, 2024

Korea Zinc buyout could jeopardize high-tech supply chains: sources

Young Poong’s bid to buy Korea Zinc has been met with concerns that the takeover of the world’s largest zinc smelter could erode its position in the global markets and cause high-tech supply disruptions. Industry watchers have cast doubt over the ability of Young Poong and private equity firm MBK Partners to run Korea Zinc, which exerts negotiation power in setting global zinc prices. “Based on Korea Zinc’s track record in the zinc smelting market, which has been built

CompaniesNov. 18, 2024

Hana eyes senior services in Hong Kong expansion

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo pledged to enhance wealth management services tailored to senior generations in Hong Kong, emphasizing the group’s global expertise and commitment to deepening ties between South Korea and the city’s financial sectors. Ham made the remarks during a meeting Thursday with Peter Lam, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, following the South Korean financial delegation’s investor relations event in the city. The meeting als

IndustryNov. 18, 2024

Seoul shares rise over 2% on strong Samsung buying

South Korean stocks jumped more than 2 percent Monday as investors scooped up Samsung Electronics' shares on the chip giant's massive buyback plan. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) gained 52.21 points, or 2.16 percent, to close at 2,469.07. It marked the largest daily gain since Sept. 26, when the Kospi jumped 2.9 percent Trade volume was moderate at 431.2 million shares worth 10.4 trillion won (US$7.5 billion), with gai

MarketNov. 18, 2024

LG Energy Solution inks exclusive battery deal with Bear Robotics

LG Energy Solution said Monday it forged an exclusive deal with US-based Bear Robotics to supply its cylindrical batteries, marking a significant expansion into sectors beyond electric vehicles. The battery maker’s 21700 cylindrical cells -- measuring 21 millimeters in diameter and 70 mm in height -- will be installed in Bear Robotics’ service robot “Servi Plus” and logistics robot “Carti.” The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. “This is n

MobilityNov. 18, 2024