LG Display picks CSOT as preferred bidder for Chinese LCD plant

LG Display said Friday it picked its Chinese rival CSOT as a preferred bidder for its liquid crystal display plant in Guangzhou, China. CSOT, a display-making subsidiary of China appliance giant TCL, is the world's second-largest LCD maker following its crosstown rival BOE. LG said it plans to continue talks with CSOT on more detailed deal conditions. The company did not elaborate on the deal size, but industry sources estimate the sale could be worth about 2 trillion won ($1.45 billion). T

IndustryAug. 2, 2024

S. Korea's consumer prices rise 2.6% in July

South Korea's inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. It was the first time in six months that the price growth accelerated. In January, inflation slowed to 2.8 percent, dropping below 3

EconomyAug. 2, 2024

S. Korea's inflation picks up in July on high fruit, oil prices

South Korea's inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. It was the first time in six months that the price growth accelerated. In January, inflation slowed to 2.8 percent, dropping below 3

EconomyAug. 2, 2024

Seoul stocks open sharply lower on US losses amid slowdown woes

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, as disappointing US economic data raised concerns over an economic slowdown despite the Fed's rate-cut signals. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 68.48 points, or 2.47 percent, to 2,709.20 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US data showed unemployment claims hit the highest in almost a year and manufacturing shrank. The monthly employment data is set to be released Friday. The Fed signale

MarketAug. 2, 2024

Samsung's union tells members to return to work as it eyes prolonging strike

Samsung Electronics Co.'s labor union instructed its striking members Thursday to return to work by early next week, but made it clear the strike will continue for the long haul. The National Samsung Electronics Union, the largest labor union of the South Korean tech giant, made the announcement on its YouTube channel, calling on its 31,000 members to go back to work, effective immediately, and by next Monday to shift the fight to "a long-term plan." "We need a transition o

CompaniesAug. 1, 2024

Seoul shares up for 2nd day on Fed's rate-cut signal

South Korean stocks increased for two straight sessions Thursday driven by the US Federal Reserve's strong signal for a rate cut next time. The local currency rose sharply against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased 6.99 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 2,777.68, following a 1.19 percent rise the previous day. Trade volume was moderate at 463.9 million shares worth 10.6 trillion won ($7.75 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 632 to 247. Foreig

MarketAug. 1, 2024

US Fed’s dovish signal puts Korean rate cut on table

The US Federal Reserve's signal for a key rate cut has paved the path for the Bank of Korea to embark on an interest rate-cutting cycle soon, amid concerns about surging household debts and currency volatility. After keeping the benchmark rate unchanged at a range of between 5.25 and 5.5 percent, US Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted the Fed could bring down the rate soon on the condition the US economy follows its expected path. Fueled by the anticipation of the Fed’s rate cut, the value

EconomyAug. 1, 2024

Samsung, LG's electric auto parts sales soar despite EV slump

The Korean automotive electric parts sector is thriving even as electric vehicle sales slow down, driving significant gains for Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics in the second quarter. Automotive electric parts encompass a range of components integral to modern vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid models. These include infotainment systems offering multimedia and connectivity features, digital cockpits replacing analog gauges with digital displays and premium car audio systems from

MobilityAug. 1, 2024

Samsung labor union demands chief step in

Samsung Electronics’ labor union protested in front of Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s residence in Seoul on Thursday, calling on the Samsung chief to step in over their stalled wage talks with management. The National Samsung Electronics Union, which accounts for about 24 percent of the total workforce of the tech giant, launched an indefinite strike on July 8. “We ask Chairman Lee to come forward and show his position to resolve the full-scale strike,” the union said at a press

IndustryAug. 1, 2024

[KH Explains] Can Korea commercialize UAM in 2025?

Korea’s private and public sectors have been working relentlessly to commercialize urban air mobility, or UAM, in 2025 as the country looks to take the lead in the up-and-coming global UAM sector. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has laid out the K-UAM roadmap with two-part demonstration projects of "Grand Challenges," or GC1 and GC2. The ministry explained that UAM, which mainly focuses on utilizing electric vertical take-off and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft to

MobilityAug. 1, 2024

Buyout deals surface amid Qoo10 affiliates' exit rush

The local units of the cash-crunched Singapore-based Qoo10 group are scrambling to escape the sinking boat, with possible acquisition deals coming onto the table. Among the speculations was Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress' buyout of the Korean online marketplace WeMakePrice, yet AliExpress Korea denied the rumor Thursday. "We are not considering acquiring WeMakePrice, and we confirm that we have not been contacted by the company," said an official from AliExpress Korea. Ear

EconomyAug. 1, 2024

Korea-Vietnam cooperation seeks cost cuts, tech gains

The business communities in South Korea and Vietnam are anticipating reductions in production costs and technology advancements, respectively, from bilateral economic cooperation between the two nations, according to a survey released Thursday. The survey, conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, collected responses from a total of 257 business and industry officials from Korea and Vietnam who attended the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum held in Seoul on July 1. In the survey, Korea

IndustryAug. 1, 2024

SKT's 20-year sponsorship elevates Korean fencing to Olympic glory

Achieving remarkable success at the Paris Olympics, Korean fencing is shining alongside SK Telecom's two decades of sponsorship. Since starting its sponsorship of the Korean Fencing Federation in 2003, SKT has been a steadfast supporter of Korean fencing. Over the years, the company contributed 30 billion won ($21.9 million) through the federation. "Our support has been instrumental in Korea's development into a fencing powerhouse," said an SKT official. The company has consi

IndustryAug. 1, 2024

Samsung unveils 1 terabyte microSD storage cards

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker, said Thursday it has launched two types of 1 terabyte high-capacity microSD cards: Pro Plus and Evo Plus. These new products incorporate the industry's highest capacity, 1-terabit triple-level cell eighth-generation V-NAND technology, stacked in eight layers. This technological advancement allows terabyte-class high capacity previously achievable only in SSDs to be implemented in the compact form factor of a microSD card, wit

TechnologyAug. 1, 2024

Korean Air to stop serving ramyeon onboard for safety

Korean Air said Thursday it would no longer serve instant cup noodles to economy class passengers on long-distance routes for safety reasons, starting Aug. 15. The nation's flag carrier said the decision aims to reduce the risk of accidental scalding from hot liquids. Cup noodles will be replaced with other offerings, including corn dogs, pizzas and hot pockets. Korean Air's decision comes amid a surge in severe turbulence in recent years. According to a recent study, incidents of seve

IndustryAug. 1, 2024

[Photo News] LG Chem's wheelchair art

LG Chem, in partnership with the social enterprise Circle of Change Lab, has donated 100 custom-designed spoke guards made from recycled plastic to 10 children using wheelchairs. These guards, which protect fingers and clothing from getting caught on wheels, feature custom designs that allow kids to express their personalities with favorite characters, drawings and patterns. LG Chem provided the materials and covered processing costs, producing 100 LETZero guards for this project. One recipient

CompaniesAug. 1, 2024

[Photo News] 63 years of IBK

Industrial Bank of Korea celebrated its 63rd anniversary at its headquarters in central Seoul, Thursday. At the event, IBK Chairman and CEO Kim Sung-tae shared his vision to make the policy lender become a "leading global financial service provider." He stressed the importance of IBK's role in providing the right financial services for customers, supporting small business owners, leading digital innovation, maintaining sound financials and fulfilling social responsibility. (Indust

IndustryAug. 1, 2024

Overdue wages hit all-time high in H1: data

South Korea recorded an accumulated over 1.04 trillion won ($764 million) in overdue wages in the first half of this year, marking the highest-ever figure in either half of a year, government data showed Thursday. It marked the first time that overdue wages across the country had surpassed 1 trillion won, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor. In total, 150,503 employees had overdue wages between January and June of this year. Last year's overdue wages had already marked an al

EconomyAug. 1, 2024

Seoul stocks open higher on dovish Fed

South Korean stocks started higher Thursday, driven by the US Federal Reserve's rate-cut signals. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) gained 18.65 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,789.34 in the first 15 minutes of trading. At its rate-setting meeting, the US central bank froze its key rate in the 5.25-5.50 percent range. Chair Jerome Powell said a reduction in policy rate "could be on the table" at its upcoming meeting next month. The comments pushed up US stocks,

MarketAug. 1, 2024

Exports extend gains to 10th straight month in July

South Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the tenth straight month in July on the back of the robust performance of semiconductors, data showed Thursday. Outbound shipments rose 13.9 percent on-year to $57.4 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports added 10.5 percent on-year to $53.8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.62 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 14 consecutive months. The com

EconomyAug. 1, 2024