Investment banks cut Kospi targets amid high inflation

Major foreign investment banks have revised down their targets and ratings on South Korea’s benchmark Kospi, which has been coping with market volatilities stemming from growing inflationary pressure and the prolonged Russia-Ukraine War. Japan-based Nomura Securities lowered its investment rating on the Korean market from “overweight” to “neutral” last week, suggesting investors to hold and not buy shares. Nomura cited the recent slowdown in the expansion of the

MarketJune 6, 2022

Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong poised for 2-week trip to Europe

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is poised to embark on a two-week trip to Europe on Tuesday, highlighting the South Korean chip-to-consumer electronics giant’s need for a breakthrough. Also under the spotlight is whether the largest conglomerate in Korea would be looking to secure a new growth driver in Europe, coupled with Samsung‘s fresh investment pledge announced earlier in May. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday approved Lee’s absence from the t

TechnologyJune 6, 2022

Korea’s household debt highest among major economies: report

South Korea’s household debt topped 104 percent of gross domestic product, marking the highest level among 36 major economies, the Institute of International Finance’s data showed. Korea’s household debt fell to 104.3 percent of GDP in the first quarter of this year from 105 percent in the same period a year earlier, still outrunning rivals by a large margin, according to the report the Washington-based private financial industry association released May 18. Household debt l

EconomyJune 6, 2022

[Photo News] Hybrid electric race

Hyundai Motor‘s hybrid vehicle, i20 N Rally1, is seen racing at the fifth round of the 2022 World Rally Championship held on the Italian island of Sardinia between Thursday and Sunday. Two drivers in Hyundai‘s world rally team came in first and third, awarding the South Korean carmaker its fifth win at the championship’s Italian events. The 2022 WRC is the first year in the championship’s history where hybrid electric-powered units fully replaced internal combustion engin

IndustryJune 6, 2022

[From the Scene] 'Danuri' all set for Korea's first moon exploration

DAEJEON -- South Korea is gearing up to become the seventh nation in the world to carry out a lunar probe mission with its first lunar orbiter set for an Aug. 2 launch. The country's first lunar mission, which has been named "Danuri" through a nationwide naming contest, has completed the final stages of space tests including durability checkups against extreme temperatures and electromagnetic waves at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. It is waiting to be transported to its laun

TechnologyJune 6, 2022

Hana Financial stresses connectivity in vision for 2030

Hana Financial Group has announced a set of mid- to long-term strategic goals for 2030 as it reorganized its corporate culture and strategy departments to better prepare for future industries such as the metaverse and blockchain. For the past 11 months since June last year, some 12,000 staffers of Hana Financial took part in a bottom-up project called “New Vision” consisting of staff surveys, in-depth interviews, metaverse workshops, collecting customer opinion, outside expert inter

MarketJune 6, 2022

McDonald’s McWings makes a comeback

Fast-food chain McDonald’s Korea said Monday that it has relaunched its limited edition side menu McWings. McWings is a fried chicken snack that comes with a complimentary dipping sauce. First released in 2014, McWings created a fad in 2019 when it sold out earlier than expected. It has since become a favorite seasonal menu among chicken maniacs for its crispiness and salty flavor, according to the burger franchise. “McDonald’s is presenting a wide range of chicken menus, i

ConsumerJune 6, 2022

AI uses digital waste for upcycled clothing design

Tilda, a virtual artist powered by the artificial intelligence engine of South Korean conglomerate LG, has showcased 30 upcycled clothing designs on World Environment Day that fell on Sunday, according to the company Monday. The collection on the metaverse comprising 13 jackets, 14 trousers and three hats, dubbed the “Digital Upcycling Project,” was designed to highlight using digital waste to reduce carbon footprint. In its first solo fashion collection, Tilda combined digital w

TechnologyJune 6, 2022

Genesis' global sales exceed 700,000 units

Hyundai Motor Co. said Monday the accumulated sales of its independent Genesis brand models exceeded 700,000 units last month despite the prolonged chip shortage. The South Korean carmaker sold 699,751 Genesis vehicles, including 188,547 overseas sales, from its launch in November 2015 to end-April this year, according to Hyundai's sales data. In May, the carmaker sold an additional 12,234 units of Genesis models in the domestic market, bringing cumulative sales to 711,985 units, the data s

IndustryJune 6, 2022

Gasoline, diesel prices rise for 4th straight week amid tight supply

The weekly average prices of gasoline and diesel in South Korea both climbed for the fourth consecutive week on a continued energy crunch around the world, industry data showed Saturday. The average retail price of gasoline stood at 2,013 won per liter from May 29-June 2, up 19.3 won from a week ago, according to Opinet, a website operated by the state-run Korea National Oil Corp.  In Seoul, where oil prices are usually higher than other regions, the average retail price of gasoline

EconomyJune 4, 2022

KB Chairman, UK deputy minister discuss net-zero partnership

KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo and the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s Deputy Minister Garry Grimstone discussed partnership in achieving net-zero carbon emissions and green investment, the South Korean bank said Friday. In the meeting held Friday, Grimstone called for KB’s active cooperation with UK businesses in investment of renewable energy, according to the firm. He noted the growing importance of renewable energy in achieving the join

MarketJune 3, 2022

Seoul stocks rebound on eased inflation woes

South Korean stocks rebounded Friday from the previous session's sharp fall, amid eased inflation concerns after the group of major oil exporting countries announced a plan to increase the crude supply and the US job market showed weaker-than-expected growth. The local currency rose sharply against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 11.66 points, or 0.44 percent, to 2,670.65. Trading volume was moderate at 552.2 million shares worth 7.45 trillion won (US$

MarketJune 3, 2022

Mom’s Touch in search for new owner

South Korean chicken burger chain Mom’s Touch is searching for a new owner following its delisting from the nation’s second bourse Kosdaq on Tuesday. Its largest shareholder, local private equity firm Korea F&B Holdings, plans to buy shares at 62,000 won apiece for the next six months in order to protect minority shareholders. Following its delisting, industry watchers say sell-off talks are also expected to gain momentum. “Listed companies have legal obligations suc

ConsumerJune 3, 2022

Korean Air kicks off engine development for small satellite launch vehicle

The country’s largest air carrier Korean Air will develop common bulkhead propellant tanks for small satellite launch vehicles by 2027 as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Space Pioneer project, the company said Friday.  Under a ministry-led program, some 211.5 billion won ($170 million) will be spent until 2030 on developing the country’s bulkhead propellant tanks for small satellite launch vehicles, a device for umbilical release and mobile launch pad, as well

MobilityJune 3, 2022

Inflation exceeds 5% for 1st time in 13 years

SEJONG -- Korea’s inflation surpassed 5 percent on-year last month in the wake of an ongoing glitch in global supply and rapid growth in domestic demand amid normalization from the pandemic, state data showed Friday. According to Statistics Korea, consumer prices climbed 5.4 percent in May compared to a year earlier. This posted the highest figure in more than 13 years, dating to August 2008, when 5.6 percent growth in prices was reported. This also marked the first time that on-year inf

EconomyJune 3, 2022

[Newsmaker] KB raises awareness of saving bees for World Environment Day

KB Financial Group said Friday it had produced and launched a video highlighting the impact of the declining bee population on the environment for the upcoming World Environment Day. The video titled “Warning of the Bees” portrays how climate change and excessive exposure to pesticides threaten the existence of bees, as well as the alarming consequences for humanity. It also paints the stories of people contributing to the effort to revive the bee population. The video is part o

MarketJune 3, 2022

Aviation service restrictions to be lifted, more outbound routes approved

South Korea’s Transport Ministry said Friday that it would lift restrictions on the operation of international flights and also expand the number of outbound routes, getting ready to go back to pre-pandemic status. Authorities said measures for aviation industry’s normalization will be applied from Wednesday. The ministry has approved some 762 international flights per week for June, 230 more flights added compared to in May, but said it was also willing to give more approvals if

MobilityJune 3, 2022

Seoul shares open higher on hopes of easing inflation

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, tracking the overnight US rally partly fueled by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' decision to increase the oil supply that helped ease inflation concerns. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 17.09 points, or 0.64 percent, to 2,676.08 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The OPEC Plus decided Thursday (local time) to add 648,000 barrels per day to the market next month, raising the size from the 432,000 barrels per

MarketJune 3, 2022

Inflation growth hits nearly 14-year high in May on high energy prices

South Korea's consumer prices rose at the fastest clip in almost 14 years in May due to high energy and food costs over the protracted war between Russia and Ukraine and the economic recovery, data showed Friday. Consumer prices jumped 5.4 percent last month from a year earlier, accelerating from a 4.8 percent on-year spike in April, according to the data from Statistics Korea. It marked the steepest on-year increase since August 2008, when consumer prices soared 5.6 percent. Inflation grow

EconomyJune 3, 2022

Hyundai, Kia's May US sales fall 31% amid chip shortage

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. said Friday their combined sales in the United States fell 31 percent last month from a year earlier amid the prolonged chip shortage. Hyundai and Kia sold 117,373 vehicles in the world's most important automobile market in May compared with 170,315 units a year ago, according to the companies' sales data. Hyundai's sales plunged 34 percent to 59,432 units last month from 90,017 a year ago, while Kia's declined 28 percent to 57,94

IndustryJune 3, 2022