KB Kookmin Bank and Starbucks Korea on Wednesday announced a partnership to launch a bank account product exclusively for local devotees of the US coffee chain. Set for launch in early 2025, the new partnership will introduce the first-ever "Starbucks Account," a savings account tailored to Starbucks customers, offering unique benefits that blend banking services with daily coffee purchases. Additionally, KB Kookmin Bank’s digital certificate service will be integrated into the S

Technology Oct. 16, 2024

The Korean bakery brand Paris Baguette has opened its 600th overseas store, the newest one in Toronto, Canada, just a year after celebrating its 500th store, the brand's company SPC Group announced Tuesday. This new location marks Paris Baguette’s seventh store in Canada. Paris Baguette has been expanding rapidly over the past year, recently securing agreements to enter new markets in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Brunei and Laos. By the end of this year, the brand plans to open

Companies Oct. 15, 2024

Oktoberfest has arrived at Songnidangil BBQ Village, bringing a taste of Bavaria to the heart of Seoul for the entire month of October. In partnership with German beer Paulaner, the Oktoberfest beer of which is served in Munich's Oktoberfest tents, Korean chicken giant BBQ Chicken is offering a special Bavarian-themed menu and festive atmosphere at its Jamsil branch in southern Seoul. At the heart of the celebration is the Oktoberfest Platter, a feast featuring brathendl (roast chicken), br

Industry Oct. 14, 2024

Japan Tobacco Group subsidiary JTI Korea is sharpening its focus on a consumer-first approach as it prepares to launch its first heated tobacco product in Korea by year-end, part of the company’s broader strategy to foster sustainable growth amid shifting market conditions, JTI Korea said Monday. As a company that has been recognized as a "Top Employer in South Korea" for five consecutive years, David Wheeler, general manager of JTI Korea, in a message to employees emphasized the

Companies Oct. 14, 2024

Samsung SDI invited over 60 students and industry experts from Europe’s top institutions at its tech and career forum in London, aiming to secure global talent to strengthen the firm's technological competitiveness, the company said Sunday. The Tech & Career Forum, held on Saturday local time, attracted master’s and Ph.D. students, as well as industry experts, from prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, the Technical University of Munich and the Swiss Federal In

Technology Oct. 13, 2024

LS Cable & System, a leading South Korean cable manufacturer, announced Thursday that it has become the first in the global cable industry to obtain ISO 37301 certification from the British Standards Institution for meeting international compliance and ethical standards. The company said it sought the certification to build trust with global clients and investors, with BSI recognizing its approach to management policies and regulations. LS Cable & System expects the certification to prov

Industry Oct. 10, 2024

South Korean chemical company OCI Holdings has ramped up its localization efforts in Malaysia, hosting a series of community-focused events in Sarawak, where it operates its solar PV polysilicon production, to boost its presence and support sustainable growth, the company announced Thursday. As part of its ESG commitment, the company held a badminton class on Sept. 29, led by Korea’s Olympics badminton champion Lee Yong-dae at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Bintulu campus. With over 300

Industry Oct. 10, 2024

South Korean biotech firm SK Bioscience said Tuesday it has invested $3 million in the US-based biotech firm Fina Biosolutions to acquire a stake in the company as part of the company’s broader strategy to secure next-generation vaccine technologies and enhance its global competitiveness in the vaccine market. Founded in 2006, Fina Biosolutions specializes in conjugate vaccines widely used in vaccines to prevent illnesses such as pneumonia, meningococcal disease and typhoid. The company is

Industry Oct. 8, 2024

South Korean design software developer Zyx Technology unveiled its latest products at Automation World Vietnam 2024 held in Ho Chi Minh City, in an effort to expand its business in Southeast Asia, the company said Wednesday. At the event, Zyx Technology introduced its flagship products: its general-purpose design software ZyxCAD, the AI-powered Works and Zyx Designer, and its GIS based Smart Construction Platform. These advanced tools are designed to improve design efficiency and support smart

Industry Oct. 2, 2024

South Korea's leading tobacco company KT&G said on Wednesday that it is showcasing its top duty-free products at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France, to strengthen its presence in the international duty-free market. The company is displaying its premium brands such as Raison, Bohem and Esse -- the world’s bestselling ultra-slim cigarette -- while emphasizing its global business performance at its booth installed at the event from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. M

Companies Oct. 2, 2024

Korean Air announced Tuesday that it has topped the 2024 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the business and first class category for the second year in a row. The airline also placed second for best in-flight food for the second consecutive year, while its cabin crew ranking improved from sixth to fourth place. The USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards honors top performers across a range of categories. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts, with the final winners

Industry Oct. 2, 2024

The Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, the nation's leading mutual financial institution, held an international forum in collaboration with the United Nations to discuss ways to boost digital financial inclusion in Jeju last week. The event drew ministers from 15 UN member states, financial experts from Japan and Italy, and representatives from global tech giants such as Google and GSMA. The forum tackled two primary topics: expanding financial access and fostering sustaina

Industry Sept. 29, 2024

Hyundai Engineering & Construction has started sales for its latest residential complex Hillstate Gayang The Wise with easy access to transportation and abundant living infrastructure in Daejeon, the firm said Sunday. The high-rise complex in Dong-gu district consists of three 49-story towers with four underground levels, offering 358 units ranging from 84 to 155 square meters. The planned Dongbu Station on Daejeon Metro Line 2, the complex is poised to become a prime residential area once t

Industry Sept. 29, 2024

South Korean construction management firm HanmiGlobal said Thursday that it has been ranked 8th in Engineering New Record’s top construction management and project management firms of the year. This year marks the fourth consecutive year the firm has secured a spot in the top 10. The annual ranking is determined based on global sales in the previous year, including those from the US. In 2023, HanmiGlobal posted $244.8 million in construction management and project management sales. In last

Companies Sept. 26, 2024

Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group and its entertainment and media subsidiary CJ ENM, made history as the first Asian female entrepreneur to receive the Global Citizen Award at the Atlantic Council’s ceremony in New York on Monday. “Entertainment may not have the power to end wars, but it does have the power to build bridges. Bridges of compassion, hope and empathy,” Lee told over 700 influential attendees at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, emphasizing the transformative power of culture,

Companies Sept. 26, 2024