Analysts warned Tuesday that Korea’s productivity will suffer if Asia’s fourth-largest economy fails to address its low rate of female workforce participation. South Korea continues to struggle with low female economic activity due to socioeconomic factors including a lack of financial support for child care and education, and discrimination.The analysts suggested government intervention and policy revisions that could benefit both private companies and female workers.Easing the taxes on working

Industry Aug. 5, 2014

Hanwha Life Insurance, the nation’s second-largest insurer, is reaching out to customers with heartfelt a advertising campaign. Its latest television commercial, called “Live your today,” is part of a series of marketing initiatives encouraging people to lead happier lives. The new commercial questions the traditional way of thinking that calls for the younger generation to sacrifice the present for a better future, emphasizing that the more important values in life involve pursuing true happine

Industry Aug. 4, 2014

Speculation is rife that KB Financial Group’s attempt to buy LIG Insurance may fail as the banking group’s top executive may face severe sanctions from financial authorities.KB Financial Group is scheduled to submit the application to financial authorities this week to take over the country’s fourth-largest nonlife insurer, according to market watchers. The banking group promised to apply within 45 days of signing a deal with LIG Insurance on June 27. The deadline is Aug. 11. KB Financial Group

Industry Aug. 3, 2014

Social media is an important digital platform to build social networks and share activities. According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency, around 55 percent of South Koreans used social media in 2013, and the number is expected to rise this year. With more personal information being exposed online, however, experts are voicing concerns about privacy issues. They say digitalized personal information can be a target for hackers or criminals, who attempt to take advantage of such data. “South

Technology July 25, 2014

Displaying navigation information on car windshields may become reality in about a decade, according to a local display expert. “If thin, transparent and curved display panels could be attached to a windscreen, drivers would be able to see navigation information displayed there,” Chu Hye-yong, head of the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute’s display research department, said in an interview with The Korea Herald. The related technology is expected to become commercialized by n

Industry July 23, 2014

Foreign game companies are eyeing South Korea’s 1.3 trillion won ($1.2 billion) mobile game market, which is the second largest globally, behind only Japan. The London-based King Digital Entertainment and Helsinki-based Supercell in may began promoting their marquee mobile games “Candy Crush Saga” and “Clash of Clans” in the domestic market. Supercell spent around 10 billion won advertising “Clash of Clans” on television, subway platforms and billboards over the last couple of months. The commer

Industry July 20, 2014

Winix, once a parts supplier for Samsung Electronics’ refrigerators and water dispensers in the 1980s, has grown into a leading dehumidifier manufacturer in South Korea, beating home appliance giants including LG Electronics.Dunstin Yoon, senior director of Winix’s management innovation, said the company will make all-out efforts to retain its leadership in the dehumidifier market, especially during July and August, the hottest and most humid months of year.“We will continuously forge ahead to m

Industry July 16, 2014

Flexible and transparent displays have emerged as the next promising technology that could change the way consumers watch content on screens.A local researcher, however, said they require new components such as circuits and sensors that also need to be flexible and transparent before the displays can be fully commercialized.A team of South Korean researchers has recently developed flexible, transparent touch sensors which can better detect the intensity, direction and location of users’ fingers.

Industry July 16, 2014