Korea’s economy will likely grow 4.3 percent this year, falling short of a 5 percent expansion forecast earlier by the government due to external uncertainties, a poll showed Monday.According to the survey of 32 experts by the Federation of Korean Industries, the economy will likely expand 4.4 percent in the second half of this year, with 38 percent of those surveyed citing global economic uncerta

Industry May 30, 2011

The number of jobs offered by South Korea’s listed companies soared to a record high last year as companies increased employment on the back of their strong earnings, data showed Monday.A total of 1.09 million people were hired by the 719 companies listed on the Seoul main stock index in 2010, up 10.8 percent from the previous year, according to the data by the Korea Listed Companies Association.

Industry May 30, 2011

Foreigners’ ownership of South Korean land edged up 0.7 percent in the first quarter from three months earlier, posting a much slower growth rate seen before the recent global financial crisis, the Land Ministry said Sunday.As of the end of March, foreigners owned a combined 225.3 million square kilometers of land, 1.57 million square kilometers more than at the end of 2010, the Ministry of Land,

May 29, 2011

Korean airlines are expected to jack up their fuel surcharges on international flights for July and August, but the increase rate will likely slow amid easing fuel prices, officials and industry sources said Sunday.The average price of jet fuel hovered at about $3.16 a gallon on the Singaporean spot market from April to May 28, compared with $3.02 per gallon between February and March, according t

May 29, 2011

North Korea’s trade volume soared 22 percent in 2010 from a year earlier as the communist state boosted exports of minerals to earn hard currency and increased imports of fuels, mostly oil, a local trade agency said Friday.North Korea’s imports and exports, excluding those with South Korea, jumped 22.3 percent on-year to $4.17 billion last year, according to the state-run Korea Trade-Investment Pr

May 29, 2011

BRUSSELS (AP) ― Japan and the European Union agreed at a summit meeting Saturday to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement that would deepen economic ties between two of the world’s largest economies. As a bloc, the EU is the world’s largest economy; Japan is number four.Negotiations will be preceded by what the leaders called a “scoping exercise” to ensure that both sides share the same goa

World Business May 29, 2011

He never stopped running and showed tireless work rate, but it was not good enough to stop the world’s best player, Lionel Messi. Park Ji-sung of Manchester United played the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Spanish giant Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, ending the 2010-2011 season with mixed feelings. The former Korean captain was determined to make up for the

Soccer May 29, 2011

The number of Korean travelers going overseas rose 4.7 percent in the first four months of 2011 from a year earlier despite a recent earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, the top destination for outbound tourists, data showed Friday.According to the data released by the Justice Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of Koreans going overseas came to 4.09 million in the January-Ap

Industry May 27, 2011

The Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific Airways jointly launched two “DiscoverHongKong” mobile apps ― “DiscoverHongKong AR” app and “DiscoverHongKong City Walk” app ― which use augmented reality technology. The applications enable Hong Kong visitors to find tourist information near their location easily. The HKTB said it is collaborating with PCCW to provide Wi-Fi services at more than 8,00

Travel May 27, 2011

Air Busan said it will open a Busan-Tokyo Narita flight on June 23, adding to existing flights bound for Fukuoka and Osaka. To celebrate the flight opening, the first 990 round-trip flights traveling between June 23 and July 20 will be offered for 99,000 won until the end of May, the air carrier said. But those who leave on Fridays and Saturdays will be paying 149,000 won. Air Busan will run the B

Travel May 27, 2011

The Singapore Tourism Board said the country’s largest shopping event, “The Great Singapore Sale,” will run for eight weeks from May 27 to July 24. The shopping event offers up to 70 percent discount on items including clothes, accessories and even spa packages. The event will be held in shopping districts such as Orchard Road and Marina Bay as well as on the outskirts of the city. Singapore Arts

Travel May 27, 2011