Lime, the world’s leading operator of rented electric scooters and bikes, said in a statement on Wednesday that it will be withdrawing its operations from South Korea on June 30. Constant traffic law revisions and differing local government policies were named by the company as the primary reasons behind this “tentative suspension” of operations. Lime saw a sharp drop in its customers in 2021, when a law that made wearing helmets mandatory for people riding electric scooters

Mobility June 16, 2022

The largest fair in South Korea for startups wishing to go abroad kicked off on Thursday in Seoul. The aim is to help the nation‘s budding enterprises attract investment and forge partnerships with big corporations. The annual event titled NextRise is hosted by the Korea International Trade Association and Korea Development Bank. This year’s event will be held for two days, starting on Thursday and ending Friday. The event, taking place at COEX, Samseong-dong, Seoul, features pres

Industry June 16, 2022

Honorary Chairman Cho Seok-rae of South Korean conglomerate Hyosung Group was awarded the 2022 14th YoungSan Diplomat Award on Tuesday for leading economic cooperation between South Korea, Japan and China. 　　 The nonprofit Seoul Forum for International Affairs presents the YoungSan Diplomat Award each year to individuals who have contributed in improving Korea’s image and national interests on the international stage. 　 “As a leader of the business sector and a graduate of engineer

Industry June 14, 2022

KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo and Tomas Anker Christensen, Denmark’s ambassador for climate change, discussed the role of the financial sector in achieving carbon neutrality, officials said Friday. In the meeting held Thursday, Yoon explained KB’s efforts in promoting awareness of a low-carbon economy and shifting the group’s strategy in line with carbon neutrality. KB is currently pursuing its net-zero goals with a strategy called “KB Net Zero S.T.A.R,&rdq

Market June 10, 2022

South Korean data processing solution developer DataStreams said Wednesday that it has been chosen as a preferred bidder by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency, or NIA, to participate in a project to create a big data platform for infectious diseases. DataStreams is currently in negotiations with the NIA and is set to officially sign the deal later this month. The project worth 7 billion won ($5.5 million) will create a database to integrate informatio

Technology June 10, 2022

Budding cosmetics brand Barenbliss is garnering success in the Southeast Asian market, seeing rapid growth in online sales and receiving rave reviews from local media less than a year into its debut. In an interview with The Korea Herald, Barenbliss co-founder Jina Kim attributed her brand’s success to its “unique philosophy and insightful observations.” “Every product was produced on the basis of Bare Essential Plus, No Harm Plus, and Bliss Moment, the philosophies

Consumer June 9, 2022

A hole-in-one should be a cause for rejoicing on the golf course, but the cost of such celebrations are driving more golfers to insure themselves against their own success. An ace can be costly in Korea, as the golfer traditionally pays for an after party, donates a commemorative tree, pays for a follow-up match and tips the caddies. Short-term golf insurance products that cover holes-in-one are becoming increasingly popular in South Korea. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, the insurance

Industry June 7, 2022

Fast-food chain McDonald’s Korea said Monday that it has relaunched its limited edition side menu McWings. McWings is a fried chicken snack that comes with a complimentary dipping sauce. First released in 2014, McWings created a fad in 2019 when it sold out earlier than expected. It has since become a favorite seasonal menu among chicken maniacs for its crispiness and salty flavor, according to the burger franchise. “McDonald’s is presenting a wide range of chicken menus, i

Consumer June 6, 2022

JM Solution, the skin care brand from South Korean cosmetics company GP Club, said Thursday that it has recently started supplying products in Europe through local retailers. Its Believe in Nature face mask line is the first to hit the European market. The firm said it will continue diversifying its product lineup in phases. For the latest European push, the firm has partnered with two German retailers, Muller and dm-drogerie markt, which boast a combined 4,359 stores in 15 countries in Euro

Consumer June 2, 2022

Local builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction opened a model house for its new Hillstate Yangju Okjeong Patio Foret housing complex on May 13. Customers can tour the model house until June 12 after making a reservation through Hillstate Patio Foret’s official website. A virtual tour is also available. The new building can accommodate up to 809 households in 84-square-meter block houses. Each three story house was designed to include two parking spaces and an electric vehicle charg

Industry May 31, 2022

The South Korean coffee industry has accumulated approximately 270 billion won ($216 million) worth of unspent stored value on prepaid cards and online coupons, said People’s Power Party lawmaker Yun Chang-hyun on Monday, citing a report from the Fair Trade Commission. About 92 percent of the unredeemed balance -- 250 billion won out of the 270 billion won -- came from Starbucks Korea, according to the report. Unspent stored value refers to the balance that is charged on gift cards and

Industry May 30, 2022

South Korean internet provider SK Broadband has said it will broadcast movies recognized at the 19th Seoul International Eco Film Festival on its internet protocol television platform B tv starting Thursday. The movies screened at the festival will be broadcast exclusively on B tv and Mobile B tv platforms four times a day between June 2 and June 8. SK Broadband has been sponsoring the event for the second year running. SK Broadband has also filmed its own documentary titled “Countdown

Industry May 30, 2022

Food companies are seeking to cooperate together within the industry to appeal to the younger generation who have become an important consumer demographic. Lotte Chilsung Beverage, the beverage unit of South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group, said Friday it would launch a makgeolli-flavored soft drink product in collaboration with Korean traditional liquor company Kooksoondang Brewery, starting Wednesday. Makgeolli cider, or “maksa” for short, is a cocktail of Korean rice wine calle

Industry May 27, 2022

Samsung Medical Center said Thursday that it has created a consultative group on Friday to accelerate its plan of adopting a robot-driven smart hospital system. The hospital was selected in 2021 by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, an organization under South Korea’s Industry Ministry, to receive up to 1.5 billion won ($1.18 million) in subsidies to carry out a project to operate robots in the hospital. SMC currently operates one robot specializing in the distribution o

Technology May 26, 2022

South Korean cablemaker LS Cable & System has been accelerating its cooperation with local small and medium-sized enterprises to foster shared prosperity. LS Cable & System said Thursday that it has launched a local area network cable testing device in collaboration with Kangwon Electronics, a local company specializing in hardware and software wholesale. The newly developed device allows for the fast and accurate inspection of LAN cables for short circuits and wiring errors. It was

Industry May 26, 2022