[Herald Interview] Toonsquare aims to open new era for webtoon creation with AI

Fueled by the surge in digital content consumption during the pandemic, the global webcomic market has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, with South Korea, home to a $1.1 billion webtoon market, cementing its position as a leader in this burgeoning industry. Leveraging Korea's unmatched market data and intellectual property, Seoul-based artificial intelligence startup Toonsquare, which provides creative tools for webcomic creators, is now aiming to expand its global presence, with g

Oct. 6, 2024

Money Festa 2024 offers investment tips in uncertain market

Herald Media Group hosted Money Festa 2024 last week, a two-day event offering insights into the latest investment trends spanning from real estate to equity, shedding light on making wise investment decisions to achieve financial freedom. "Everyone dreams of a financially-free life, but the reality is harsh," Choi Jin-young, CEO of Herald Media Group, said in his opening speech at The Platz exhibition hall in Coex, southern Seoul, on Oct 1. "I hope the attendees can find the answ

Oct. 6, 2024

Fight over Korea Zinc becomes game of chicken

The fight for management control of Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelter, has escalated into a game of chicken worth over 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion). As the bidding war heats up, its would-be controllers are at risk of falling prey to a “winner’s curse.” On Friday, the last day of the initial tender offer period launched by private equity fund MBK Partners and Young Poong, the biggest shareholder of Korea Zinc, the coalition raised its offer to 830,000 won per

Oct. 6, 2024

McDonald’s Korea recognized for enhancing job security for seniors

McDonald's Korea said Sunday that it has received a commendation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for its ongoing efforts to improve job security for senior citizens. The award ceremony was held Wednesday in Seoul to mark the 28th National Day of Older Persons here. The hamburger chain has established “inclusivity” as one of its core corporate values, aiming to promote diversity and equal opportunities. Since 2011, in particular, the company has developed jobs specificall

Oct. 6, 2024

LG Energy Solution aims high in North America’s ESS market

LG Energy Solution has reaffirmed its commitment to growing its presence in the rapidly expanding North American energy storage system market, aiming to capitalize on the region’s increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. In a recent interview with UK-based industry publication Energy Storage News, Kim Hyung-sik, vice president and head of the ESS battery division at LG Energy Solution, outlined the company’s strategy for targeting North America. He emphasized the crucial r

Oct. 6, 2024

[KH Explains] Can G-Star level up?

G-Star, Korea’s top annual gaming convention, is getting ready for its 20th edition set to open at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center, or Bexco, on November 14. The G-Star organizing committee said this year’s event will feature 3,281 booths, slightly more than the previous year, which was the largest event in G-Star's 20-year history and drew nearly 200,000 visitors. “This year’s G-Star marks a very important moment as we welcome the convention's 20th

Oct. 6, 2024

More foreign automakers to share EV battery data with Korea

A growing number of foreign automakers in Korea -- Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi among them -- are now cooperating with local authorities to improve EV safety by providing detailed information on their battery management systems in the wake of a serious electric vehicle fire in Incheon this past August. A BMS monitors EV battery safety by tracking key factors like temperature and voltage, preventing malfunctions, and reducing the risk of fires. According to information provided by the Korea

Oct. 6, 2024

Over 60% of automotive exports shipped to N. America in Jan.-Aug.

Over 60 percent of South Korea's automotive exports during most of 2024 have been shipped to North America, according to industry data, raising concerns about the need for more balanced global export strategies. The combined exports of the five South Korean automotive firms — Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, KG Mobility, and Renault Korea Motors — totaled 1,857,111 units during the January-August period. Of those, 61.4 percent, or 1,140,073 units, were shipped to North America, mar

Oct. 6, 2024

Daily stock trading volume dips to lowest in Sept. amid sluggish conditions

The daily stock trading volume fell to the lowest of the year last month as worsening market conditions spooked investors, data showed Saturday. The average daily trading volume of listed shares came to 16.67 trillion won ($12.36 billion) in September, the lowest since the start of the year, according to the data from the Korea Exchange, operator of South Korea's main bourse. The reading also marks an 8 percent decline from 18.2 trillion won the previous month. The figure has been a steady

Oct. 5, 2024

Hyundai Motor joins forces with Waymo to bolster foundry business

Hyundai Motor announced Friday that it has entered a multi-year, strategic partnership with Google’s autonomous driving technology subsidiary Waymo as the Korean automaker looks to bolster its newly established autonomous vehicle foundry business. According to the announcement, the two sides will work together to integrate Waymo’s sixth-generation fully autonomous technology into Hyundai’s all-electric sports utility vehicle Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5s headed for the Waymo fleet will

Oct. 4, 2024

Market uncertain on Korea's October rate cut despite slowed inflation

Despite clear signs of slowing inflation, market sentiment remains mixed regarding whether South Korea's central bank will follow the US Federal Reserve to pivot toward lowering rates this month. Statistics Korea reported that the consumer price index — a key measure of inflation — rose 1.6 percent on-year in September, down from 2 percent in August, marking the lowest level since February 2021, when it recorded a 1.4 percent increase. The last time the index fell below the 2 pe

Oct. 4, 2024

Samsung unveils 'personalized AI' for all devices

Samsung Electronics announced it would be introducing artificial intelligence in all of its major home appliances and mobile devices to offer a more personalized and secure user experience, at this year's Samsung Developer Conference on Thursday. Celebrating the 10th year of the annual event, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-hee revealed the company's "AI for All" vision, renewing the company's commitment to using AI technology to enhance security and p

Oct. 4, 2024

Samsung starts mass production of industry's top-level SSD for on-device AI PCs

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of memory chips, announced Friday it started mass producing the industry’s highest-performing solid-state drive with the largest capacity, making it optimal for on-device artificial intelligence applications for personal computers. The new PM9E1, which is a PCIe 5.0 SSD, provides a powerful performance and enhanced power efficiency built on its in-house 5-nanometer-based controller and eighth-generation V-NAND technology, the chipmaker s

Oct. 4, 2024

Seoul shares rebound on bargain hunting; won sharply down

Seoul shares closed slightly higher Friday, snapping three consecutive sessions of losses, as investors hunted bargains despite the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved up 0.31 percent, or 8.02 points, to 2,569.71. Trading volume was moderate at 405 million shares worth 9.63 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with gainers outpacing losers at 462 to 412. Foreigners bought a net 41 billion won

Oct. 4, 2024

KG Mobility vows to advance autonomous driving technology

KG Mobility will push for advancing autonomous driving technology based on its cooperation with companies that have core technologies in the self-driving sector, the Korean automaker said Friday. The Korando E-Motion, the country’s first nighttime autonomous driving taxi developed by KG Mobility and SWM, a local autonomous driving startup, began its ride-hailing service in Gangnam-gu’s trial operation zone last month. The two companies previously signed a memorandum of understanding

Oct. 4, 2024

[Photo News] Genesis shines on red carpet

Supported by Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury brand Genesis, the Busan International Film Festival celebrates its 29th year. Over 100 Genesis G90 Black and GV80 Coupes will chauffeur top directors, actors, and festival officials to the outdoor theater. Beyond the red carpet, Genesis will offer test drives of the GV60, GV70 EV and G90 Black along Busan’s scenic coastal roads. Guests can also visit an interactive booth to preview films from the comfort of the G80 and GV80 Coupe. This year

Oct. 4, 2024

Main opposition leadership to decide on postponement of financial income tax

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Friday decided to let its leadership make the final decision on whether to postpone the adoption of the financial investment income tax, which is set to take effect on Jan. 1. The decision made during a general meeting of party lawmakers in the morning, comes as the ruling People Power Party has been calling for the Democratic Party, which currently holds the majority of seats in the 300-member Assembly, to agree on the abolition or a postponement

Oct. 4, 2024

HD Hyundai's hydrogen engine wins top award at H2 MEET

HD Hyundai Infracore's hydrogen engine HX12 has won the top award at a global hydrogen exhibition, H2 MEET 2024, the Korea Automobile Journalists Association announced Friday. Journalists from the KAJA's 58 press members visited H2 MEET at Kintex in Gyeonggi Province from Sept. 25 to 27, to assess the latest hydrogen technologies of the participants and graded them based on the public's feedback, market potential and innovativeness, in cooperation with the exhibition organizers. H

Oct. 4, 2024

Tender offer by MBK Partners for Korea Zinc set to expire

A tender offer by private equity firm MBK Partners to gain a controlling stake in Korea Zinc Inc., the world's biggest zinc smelter, is set to expire Friday, with all eyes on how the smelter's stock would perform, some analysts said. MBK, in cooperation with Young Poong Corp., the largest shareholder of Korea Zinc, raised its original tender offer price for Korea Zinc last week to 750,000 won ($567) per share from 660,000 won. In a rare counteroffer this week, Korea Zinc Chairman Choi

Oct. 4, 2024

Seoul shares open nearly flat amid geopolitical uncertainties

Seoul stocks opened nearly flat Friday, as investors sat on the sidelines amid the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.02 percent, or 0.48 point, to 2,561.21 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares lost ground amid the growing conflict between Israel and Iran, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.44 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite falling 0.04 percent. International benchmark Brent crud

Oct. 4, 2024