Prices of Korean beef rose following a series of lumpy skin disease breakouts in cattle across the country, data released Thursday showed. According to data from the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation, the wholesale prices of Korean beef logged an average of 19,365 won ($14.25) per kilogram as of Wednesday. The price saw a 6.5 percent increase compared with 18,179 won a week ago prior to the outbreak. The first confirmed case of lumpy skin disease was reported last Friday. Du

Industry Oct. 26, 2023

Samsung Biologics said Wednesday it exceeded 1 trillion won ($741 million) in quarterly sales for the first time, following the operation of its fourth plant and profits generated by long-term contract manufacturing orders. According to regulatory filings for the July-September period, Samsung Biologics’ quarterly sales on a consolidated basis hit a record high of 1.34 trillion won, marking 18 percent on-year growth. Operating profits were 318 billion won during the same period, down 2 per

Industry Oct. 25, 2023

KT Corp. said Tuesday it will establish a digital infrastructure in Saudi Arabia together with Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Saudi Telecommunication Company (Saudi Telecom), in line with the kingdom’s aims to diversify its industry structure under Saudi Vision 2030. KT said that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai E&C and STC Group – the parent organization of Saudi Telecom -- in Riyadh on Monday during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to

Technology Oct. 24, 2023

Samsung Biologics said Tuesday it inked a partnership with Kurma Partners, a French venture capital firm specializing in financing health care companies, to offer a variety of drug-related services to Kurma Partners' portfolio companies. Under the partnership, Samsung Biologics will provide biotech companies invested in by Kurma Partners with its customizable chemical, manufacturing and control solutions. Customizable CMC solutions refer to drugs-related services such as the development of

Industry Oct. 24, 2023

Eugene Group, a mid-sized South Korean conglomerate with businesses ranging from distribution to finance, has become the largest shareholder of local news channel YTN, according to industry sources on Monday. The group reportedly acquired a 30.95 percent stake in YTN for about 319.9 billion won ($236 million). The stake in question was previously owned by the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp.’s subsidiary Kepco KDN, an electric power grid service company, and the Korea Racing Authority.

Industry Oct. 23, 2023

South Korean bakery giant SPC Group's flagship bakery chain Paris Baguette will make its first inroad into the Middle Eastern and African market as a part of its efforts to tap into the global halal food market worth some $2 trillion in value, said SPC Group, Monday. SPC Group said it signed a memorandum of understanding with a United Arab Emirates-based conglomerate Galadari Brothers Group on Sunday to establish a joint venture by 2024. Galadari Brothers Group currently operates businesses

Industry Oct. 23, 2023

Incorporating sustainability into corporate strategies doesn’t just help the planet, it also helps a company in practical ways — such as attracting more funds and motivating employees, Royal Philips’ head of sustainability told The Korea Herald in a recent interview. “Companies that create and offer sustainable solutions gain more advantages,” Robert Metzke, who oversees the Netherlands-based global health care giant’s strategies for sustainable development,

Industry Oct. 23, 2023

South Korean air carrier Asiana Airlines will reportedly convene a meeting of its board of directors on Oct. 30 to decide whether or not to sell its cargo business, as a part of its efforts to accelerate its merger with its bigger rival Korean Air, industry sources said Friday. In order for the sale of the company’s cargo unit to be approved, four out of six of Asiana’s directors must agree. "Nothing has been concretely confirmed in regards to the board of directors' meetin

Industry Oct. 20, 2023

South Korean trading company STX said Friday it had decided to initiate a paid-in capital increase of 80 billion won ($58 million), in a bid to finance funds for expanding its global secondary battery businesses and Trollygo, the company's new business-to-business trading platform to be launched next month. According to STX, the firm held a board of directors meeting at the STX headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul, to decide new issuance of a total of 7.36 million common shares. The price

Industry Oct. 20, 2023

Starbucks’ recent decision to allow customers to purchase items cheaper than the value of their coupons and get a refund on the price difference is being greeted with enthusiasm by Korean consumers. The new coupon system, which is expected to take effect starting as early as December, has been a longstanding wish among consumers here -- until now, they were often required to spend extra money if they wanted to use mobile gift certificates and coupons at the nation's most popular coffe

Industry Oct. 19, 2023

South Korean construction management firm Hanmi Global said Thursday the company will hold the 2023 Datacenter Innovation Forum at Coex, southern Seoul, on Nov. 6. Via presentations from global companies such as program management service provider Turner & Townsend, British design engineering company Bryden Wood and architectural design company Arup, the forum will review the latest global trends in the efficient construction of data centers. "Following the emergence of digitalization a

Industry Oct. 19, 2023

Posco International said Wednesday it completed a production facility for traction motor cores, or parts responsible for converting electric energy into kinetic energy in electric vehicles, in Mexico, in a bid to accelerate its foray into the North American market. Posco International said it held a ceremony in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, to commemorate the completion of Posco International Mexico E-Mobility, or PI-MEM. According to Posco International, the completed facility stands on 63,925 square m

Industry Oct. 18, 2023

SK Chemicals said Tuesday it has partnered with global cosmetics giant The Estee Lauder Companies, in a bid to provide eco-friendly plastic solutions and accelerate its efforts to popularize cosmetics containers that incorporate recycled materials. SK Chemicals said it signed a letter of intent with Estee Lauder to provide Ecotria CR and Skypet CR to the cosmetics firm. Both materials feature advanced recycling technology that allows the chemical decomposition of plastic into monomers. SK Chemic

Industry Oct. 17, 2023

South Korean liquor giant HiteJinro said Monday it is building the company's first overseas manufacturing plant in Vietnam, riding high on the growing popularity of the nation's distilled spirit abroad. According to HiteJinro Singapore, the company confirmed a sublease agreement with the Green I-Park Industrial Complex in Vietnam's Thai Binh province to establish HiteJinro’s new soju manufacturing plant at the site. HiteJinro Singapore is HiteJinro’s affiliate newly es

Industry Oct. 16, 2023

The cost of daily necessities in South Korea has surged over the past 50 years amid the nation's rapid economic growth and soaring inflation, revealed data released Monday. According to data compiled buy the Korea Price Research Center, a 1 kilogram cut of Korean beef that would have cost 1,366 won in 1974 now costs 145,900 won ($108), while the price of pork rose from 700 won per kilogram to 31,800 won during the same period. Beef and pork experienced the steepest price hikes of 100-fold a

Consumer Oct. 16, 2023