[Weekender] The ‘Samsung Man’

One out of 100 salaried workers in Korea works at Samsung Group ― the nation’s largest conglomerate with 30 affiliates. There are around 490,000 Samsung employees, with half of them working outside Korea. Most Koreans have respect for big family-run businesses that have contributed to laying the foundation for today’s economic prosperity over the past decades. Working at Samsung, among others, has long been considered a social status symbol. The so-called “Samsung Man” refers to the most talente

March 6, 2015

[Weekender] Shifting corporate culture

Samsung Group, the largest conglomerate in South Korea, was founded as a small trade firm by the late founder Lee Byung-chull in Daegu in 1938 that shipped dried fish to China. Now managing the world’s largest electronics firm under its wings along with many other businesses, Samsung has become the most coveted workplace here.Its flagship unit Samsung Electronics topped the list of the most desired employers in Korea for six consecutive years, according to a 2014 survey by Saramin, a job portal.

March 6, 2015

Ex-execs spread ‘Samsung DNA’

Samsung executives are being increasingly pursued to inject the “Samsung DNA” into other big businesses, including rivals.According to latest data from the Korea Exchange, more than 10 percent of the nation’s listed companies have hired former Samsung executives as CEOs. Recent high-profile appointments include KT chairman Hwang Chang-kyu and SK Group vice chairman Im Hyung-kyu. Hwang, who took office as CEO of the nation’s No. 2 telecom carrier last year, worked for Samsung Electronics serving

March 6, 2015

[Weekender] ‘Samsung Man’ not just a job

Kim, 45, vividly remembers when Samsung Group divested all shares in its discount store retail chain to U.K.-based retailer Tesco in 2011. His company was subsequently renamed from Homeplus Samsung Tesco to Homeplus, which meant it was time for him to give up the pride of being a “Samsung Man.”Kim says he felt like being deprived of his social status and respect from his family and friends. Now, some 7,500 Samsung workers whose companies were sold to Hanwha last year are going through the same a

March 6, 2015

KT shows off futuristic 5G technologies at MWC

KT, one of South Korea’s top three mobile carriers, showcased a number of new technologies based on the ultrafast 5G network service at this year’s Mobile World Congress, the industry’s largest annual gathering, held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2-5.KT chairman Hwang Chang-gyu delivered a keynote speech, titled “5G and Beyond, Accelerating the Future” in which he shared the company’s latest 5G-based ICT technologies and vision for the 5G era. Industry experts say that the commercialization of

March 6, 2015

Adobe CEO calls Korea crucial for cloud strategy

Adobe chief Shantanu Narayen called South Korea one of the key markets for the company’s strategic shift to its marketing cloud business.“Korea is in the forefront on a number of technology innovations,” he told reporters in Seoul on Thursday, citing the influence of big companies like Samsung globally and the advanced network connectivity. “We see a unique opportunity to grow our presence in Korea.”The CEO visited Korea to meet local employees and clients. He declined to elaborate on his visit.

March 5, 2015

Facebook praises Samsung’s contributions to free Internet project

BARCELONA, Spain ― Aside from running a social networking and mobile messaging service, Facebook is also a crusader of the Internet, encouraging Web firms, mobile carriers and device-makers to join an initiative to help bring the world, especially less-connected nations, online.A top official from Facebook said that handset-makers including Samsung Electronics deserve credit for the accomplishments so far in boosting the use of Internet around the world.“Handset manufacturers like Samsung play a

March 5, 2015

[Herald Interview] Facial recognition developer offers better home security

With technological development many things in life have become simpler and easier. The way we enter a house will soon become much “smarter” as well, with facial recognition technology set to replace sets of keys.Jeong Gyu-taek, chief executive of start-up FiveGT, which produces facial recognition devices, is a South Korean tech pioneer who wants to keep the home safe and secure through biometric technology. “Home security systems have been changing over time and in the near future people will no

March 4, 2015

Rivals keep keen eye on Samsung’s curve appeal

BARCELONA, Spain ― With early reviews gushing over Samsung’s new flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 and its Edge variant, keen attention is being paid to the novel curved display that is rounded on both sides. The curved design allows users to see alerts illuminating off a flat surface, even when the device is screen-side down. Users can also color-code specific contacts to know who is calling or texting by how the notifications flash. Opinions are still mixed about the functionality of the “dual-edg

March 4, 2015

[Newsmaker] Samsung mobile chief returns with new Galaxy

SEOUL/BARCELONA, Spain ― Samsung Electronics has fired its greatest shot against archrival Apple, with its new flagship smartphone the Galaxy S6 and its Edge variant being touted as the “most beautiful Samsung phone ever” during the unveiling event in Barcelona. The new phones use metal instead of plastic, are equipped with wireless charging and advanced camera technology, and feature Samsung’s new mobile payments system. The luxurious makeover is being led by the company’s co-CEO and mobile div

March 3, 2015

Fingerprint sensor firm attracts Chinese phone makers at MWC

BARCELONA, Spain ― CrucialTec, one of the world’s leading fingerprint sensor makers, is attracting attention at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the world’s largest mobile and communications trade show.“Since there are few biometric module makers competent enough to integrate solutions, hardware and packaging technology into fingerprint modules, many device-makers and some fingerprint sensor suppliers visit the company’s booth to discuss business collaboration,” CrucialTec CEO Char

March 3, 2015

Samsung likely to expand dual-edge lineup

BARCELONA, Spain ― Samsung Electronics, largely buoyed by a positive response to the dual-edge display of its new Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone, is considering adopting the unique styling to its other high-end models. The Korean tech giant unveiled the Galaxy S6 and its Edge variant on the eve of the Mobile World Congress, the telecom industry’s largest gathering of the year that runs through Thursday in the Catalan capital.The Edge, whose curved display wraps around the sides of the device, is espe

March 3, 2015

Samsung takes on Apple with new flagship phones

BARCELONA, Spain ― Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest smartphone-maker by sales, finally unveiled its new flagship smartphones ― the S6 and its variant S6 Edge ― in Barcelona on Sunday, a day before the official start of the Mobile World Congress, a global mobile and telecommunications trade show.Intermittently mocking and deriding California-based Apple and its iPhones, Samsung showed confidence that it could outrun its archrival with the new Galaxy smartphones at its annual “Unpacked” ev

March 2, 2015

Samsung debuts own version of Apple Pay

SEOUL/BARCELONA ― Samsung Electronics on Sunday debuted its own mobile payment system, Samsung Pay, during the unveiling of its new flagship smartphone the Galaxy S6 and its Edge variant. Samsung plans to launch the service this summer in South Korea and the United States, with Europe and China to come later.Samsung Pay is a mobile wallet application that allows users to pay for goods and services by waving their smartphone near a register instead of swiping a credit card or pulling out cash.  <

March 2, 2015

Samsung takes on Apple with new flagship phones

BARCELONA, Spain -- Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest smartphone-maker by sales, finally unveiled its new flagship smartphones -- the S6 and its variant S6 edge -- in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, a day before the official kick-off of the Mobile World Congress, a global mobile and telecommunications trade show.Shin Jong-Kyun, the chief executive of Samsung Electronics’ mobile business unit, delivers a keynote speech at the tech giant’s annual Unpacked event in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday. (Sa

March 2, 2015

LG Chem to bulk up in specialty materials, batteries

YEOSU, South Jeolla Province ― LG Chem vice chairman and CEO Park Jin-soo said the nation’s top chemicals maker will pour more resources into its materials business, pledging to double sales in specialty materials and batteries by 2018. “We are working on new materials that will change the future,” Park said Friday in a press conference held at the company’s plant in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. “Currently, petrochemical products make up 75 percent of our revenue. We aim to reduce that figure t

March 1, 2015