MBK Partners, a big-name private equity house based in South Korea, has stepped into the ongoing management dispute involving the country’s leading zinc smelter Korea Zinc, siding with its rival Youngpoong Group. Youngpoong Group’s owning family, the Chang clan, which holds a combined 33.1 percent shares in Korea Zinc, teamed up with MBK Partners by signing a shareholder agreement Thursday, in an agreement to jointly exercise voting rights on the shares. The two also agreed on a ca

Industry Sept. 13, 2024

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok vowed Thursday to curb snowballing household debt and thoroughly control the payment crisis involving e-commerce platforms Tmon and WeMakePrice. The nation's household debt has been on fast growth, sparked by a rise of mortgage loans with the increasing number of housing transactions since around June, Choi said at a meeting of economy-related ministers held at the governmental complex in central Seoul. "The government will work to stably control the risi

Economy Sept. 12, 2024

Foreign investors are on a massive selling spree of South Korean stocks, dumping shares worth over 1 trillion won ($746 million) on the benchmark Kospi Wednesday, fueled by concerns that the US economy could be heading toward a recession. On Wednesday, overseas investors shed shares worth 1.04 trillion won on the Kospi, continuing the sell-off stance shown in recent weeks. After offloading shares over 2.7 trillion won in August, they ditched shares worth 4.41 trillion won this month, according t

Market Sept. 11, 2024

South Korean asset managers are eagerly introducing diverse fund products tracking the Indian stock market, seeking lucrative opportunities in its strong growth. Korea Investment Management, a big-name asset manager here, listed two active funds tracking India-domiciled companies Tuesday, the ACE India Consumer Power Active ETF and ACE India Market Representative Big5 Group Active ETF. According to the firm, Korea Investment Management is the first company in Asia to launch an actively managed f

Market Sept. 10, 2024

While South Korean regulators maintain a wary eye against short selling, the prolonged ban and imposing stricter guidelines on the practice could drive foreign investors away from the local equity market, experts said. Following heavy market fluctuations, local regulators enforced a complete ban on short selling in November. Short selling is a trading strategy that involves borrowing and selling stocks expected to decline in price. The halt, initially set to last until June, has been prolonged

Market Sept. 9, 2024

Standard Chartered Bank Korea has appointed Lee Kwang-hee, managing director and executive vice president, as its new CEO, the global lender said Friday. Lee, recognized as an expert in corporate banking, will succeed the outgoing CEO, Park Jong-bok. "A detailed evaluation was conducted on the nominees' leadership in the financial sector, willingness to share the bank’s vision, efforts for boosting public interest and sound business administration," the bank's executive

Industry Sept. 8, 2024

American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman and CEO James Kim on Thursday stressed the importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties between South Korea and the US amid changing dynamics in global interactions. “As we navigate this mega-election year globally, the importance of ‘business diplomacy’ has never been more critical,” Kim said, delivering a congratulatory speech at The Korea Herald HIT Forum held Thursday in central Seoul. Kim, who has taken on top posts a

Industry Sept. 5, 2024

With South Korea's sole bourse operator set to introduce this month a stock index comprised of Korean companies well complying with the government-led corporate value-up program, the market expects bank shares and large-cap stocks to make the list. As part of the value-up program announced earlier this year, Korea Exchange is to launch the Korea Value-up Index in September, enlisting “best practice” companies to boost the appeal of the local stock market. Though the bourse opera

Market Sept. 4, 2024

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea joined hands with Tools for Humanity, the developer of Worldcoin, to stress the importance of personal data protection in the era of artificial intelligence. On Tuesday, the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding at a ceremony held in Seoul, agreeing to launch the “#IAmHuman” campaign here, highlighting the importance of safeguarding personal identity within an AI-driven economy. “The partnership is focused on promoting the p

Economy Sept. 3, 2024

South Korea may be nearing the end of its fight against inflation, as the rate of rising prices eased to the 2 percent target last month, backed by a retreat in the prices of international crude oil and farm produce, data showed Tuesday. The Consumer Price Index, a key gauge of inflation, advanced 2 percent on-year last month, according to Statistics Korea. It was the lowest advance since 1.9 percent in March 2021. CPI inflation, which remained at 1.9 percent in March 2021, reached its peak at 6

Economy Sept. 3, 2024

Blockchain network Kaia, formed through the merger of platforms launched by Korean tech giants Line and Kakao, announced Monday it hopes to serve as a gateway between Web2 and Web3 in Asia and beyond. The merger between Kakao's blockchain platform Klaytn Foundation, and Finschia Foundation under Naver's affiliate Line Tech Plus was completed under the name “Kaia” on Thursday. The two platforms' respective tokens will be integrated under the name "Kaia," which

Industry Sept. 2, 2024

Sharpening diplomatic skills is becoming an inevitable mission for Corporate Korea to give new traction to its export-oriented growth amid rising economic fragmentation. The unparalleled technology and unique cultural content that made-in-Korea products hold have led the country to be a trendsetter for Asia and beyond. This year, Korean companies faced new challenges and opportunities induced by major elections taking place around the world, coupled with growing protectionism and trade tensions.

한국어판 Sept. 2, 2024

The Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, the nation's primary mutual financial institution, also known as Saemaul Geumgo, announced Friday it has set aside 1.4 trillion won ($1.05 billion) in reserve in the first half of 2024 to ensure the financial stability of the credit union. The allowance for bad debts, also called a bad debt reserve, is a provision made in a company’s accounts in recognition of debts that cannot be collected. Allocating the reserve leads to a loss

Industry Aug. 30, 2024

The Korea Exchange, the country's sole bourse operator, has recently voiced alarm about excessive and speculative trading of biopharmaceutical stocks tied to the resurgence of COVID-19 and the spread of mpox. Retail investors' interests in pharmaceutical and biotech stocks have soared in recent weeks amid the country’s heightened caution against infectious diseases. Buoyed by short-term speculations, stock prices of some biopharmaceutical companies have experienced a sharp gain r

Market Aug. 29, 2024

South Korean investors remain unable to promptly respond to changes in the US stock market, as local brokerage firms' suspension of their trading service during the Korean daytime is expected to continue. Following the shutdown fiasco from the market meltdown earlier this month that led to the cancellation of orders worth 630 billion won ($471 million) in trades here, 19 brokerage houses have temporarily suspended the daytime trading service of US shares from Aug. 16. Blue Ocean ATS is the

Market Aug. 28, 2024