After a six-year court battle, a Seoul court ruled against the National Health Insurance Service in the case filed against major tobacco companies, saying there was no direct link with the insurer’s financial burden and the firms’ business activities. NHIS first filed a compensation suit Against KT&G, the leading tobacco manufacturer here, and the local headquarters of British American Tobacco and Philip Morris, claiming that their sales of cigarettes had caused extra costs fo

Industry Nov. 20, 2020

Hyundai Steel said Thursday it will hold online conferences to introduce its automobile brand H-Solution and the technologies on future mobility next month. The South Korean steelmaker said it will hold four online conference sessions from Dec. 2-10 to present the automotive steel brand H-Solution and its technologies and products relevant to future mobility. On the first day of the conference, the steelmaker will discuss prospects for the materials used in producing electric and hydrogen f

Mobility Nov. 19, 2020

Starbucks Coffee Korea said Thursday it would start a test-run for coffee deliveries next week, and open a new delivery-only outlet. According to the coffee chain, it will open Yeoksam E-mart branch in Gangnam, Seoul on Nov. 27, where the coffeemaker will take only delivery orders made from the company’s mobile app. The 100-square-meter store will act as the space for employees to make drinks and prepare food, and for storing merchandize, Starbucks said. It will also have space for de

Consumer Nov. 19, 2020

As General Motors Korea continues to struggle with labor strife and dwindling performance, GM’s international chief hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the country. In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Steve Kiefe, the president of GM’s international operations, said GM has other options to produce cars in Asia, including China, where it builds nearly 5 million vehicles a year. GM workers have been staging two four-hour strikes daily since Oct. 30. The major stic

Mobility Nov. 19, 2020

CJ Logistics said Wednesday it will introduce electric trucks to replace its diesel vehicles, for the first time in the Korean logistics industry. The company said it will introduce 1-ton electric freight vehicles and also start a new business installing EV charging stations for the trucks. To begin, the company said it will operate two electric trucks each in two sub-terminals in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, and Ulsan. Marking the introduction of the electric vehicles, CJ Logistics held an ope

Mobility Nov. 18, 2020

BMW Group unveiled Tuesday a new electric vehicle concept for its Mini brand, dubbed Mini Vision Urbanaut, tha seeks to bring a living-room like feel to the interior. During its #NEXTGen 2020 digital showcase held online, the German-based automaker revealed the new “digital vision vehicle” that uses a purely electric drive system. “In the MINI Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences,“ Adrian

Mobility Nov. 17, 2020

South Korean cosmetics giant Amorepacific said Tuesday it would invest 3 billion won ($2.7 million) in Dmil, a multi-channel network company. According to Amorepacific, Dmil is a media contents firm, producing and selling cosmetics-related content and items, partnering with 250 content creators, including YouTubers Jella, Woorin and Chaeyoung. “From this investment, Amorepacific Group will establish a close partnership with beauty influencer-made contents and in commerce,” Lee Yo

Consumer Nov. 17, 2020

The revamped version of the SM6 is gaining popularity for its new powertrain, Renault Samsung Motors said Tuesday. First released in 2016, the automaker presented the revamped version of the new SM6 in July this year, with upgrades in its powertrains. The automaker said it took three and six months to present the upgraded mode, to take in and reflect the opinions of its customers. For the development of the facelifted SM6, the company plowed in 230 billion won ($208 million), Renault Samsung

Mobility Nov. 17, 2020

Amazon is partnering with Korean e-commerce platform 11st to avail purchase of its goods to Korean customers, 11st operator SK Telecom said Monday. According to SKT, which is SK Group’s mobile carrier that operates online shopping platform 11st, the two made an agreement for Amazon’s equity participation in 11st. Amazon is reportedly expected to purchase up to 30 percent of 11st’s company shares. Depending on 11st’s performance, which includes the company’s plan

Consumer Nov. 16, 2020

South Korea will have a mega carrier ranking as one of the world’s top 10 by fleet, following the country’s No. 1 carrier Korean Air’s decision to acquire its close rival Asiana Airlines on Monday. In the past months, Kumho Industrial struggled to find a new owner for Asiana, the country’s second biggest carrier. Most recently, its attempt to sell it to HDC Hyundai Development, a local property developer, collapsed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, Korean Air an

Mobility Nov. 16, 2020

A total of 17 South Korean conglomerates, including LG Electronics, SK Holdings and CJ CheilJedang, made the list of the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, according to consulting agency Korea Productivity Center on Sunday. The DJSI, co-operated by US-based finacial data firm S&P Dow Jones Indices and Switchland-based RobecoSAM, serves as the evaluation method for global sustainability management and the standard for investment. The indices consist of three geographical breakdowns--wo

Industry Nov. 15, 2020

GAPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- Renault Samsung Motors CEO Dominique Signora stressed the importance of maintaining good labor relations Wednesday, following the reelection of a hardline union chief days before.  Speaking to reporters during a test-driving event for the revamped QM6, Signora also said his company would make utmost efforts to gain competitiveness in global sales, as exports are crucial for company sales.  The automaker decided to export the XM3, its compact sports util

Mobility Nov. 11, 2020

South Korean steel maker Posco said Tuesday it held a completion ceremony for a facility to reduce pollution at its Pohang steel mill’s sinter plant. According to Posco, its sinter plants are where the steel producer mixes iron ore fines with other fine materials at high temperatures into sintered ores, which can then be used to make steel. The process creates air pollution, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, which are a source of fine dust. The new facility converts the n

Industry Nov. 10, 2020

Renault Samsung Motors said Friday it launched a revamped model of its bestselling sports utility vehicle QM6. The updated QM6 is the second face-lift for the SUV since June 2019, when it was first upgraded as the QM6 LPe, the country’s first LPG-powered SUV, and the premium trim Premiere. This time, major changes were made to the appearance, with a new chrome radiator grille, Quantum Wing, the automaker said.  “Since the first launch in 2016, QM6 has numerous records in

Mobility Nov. 6, 2020

SPC Group said Thursday it opened Passion 5 Terrace, a bakery restaurant brand inside the Passion 5 building in Hannam district in Seoul. Passion 5 is the group’s flagship premium bakery brand. The newly opening Passion 5 Terrace will be dedicated to the company‘s origin, bread, and will run under the slogan, “Made from origin, Baked with Passion,” the company said. The Passion 5 Terrace has installed a stone milling system and has been designed so that customers can

Consumer Nov. 5, 2020