Delinquency ratio on bank loans rises for 2nd month in May

The delinquency ratio on loans extended by banks in South Korea rose for a second consecutive month in May, data showed Tuesday. The delinquency ratio on banks' won-denominated loans stood at 0.51 percent at end-May, up 0.03 percentage point from a month earlier, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service. The rise follows a 0.05 percentage-point on-month increase in April. The May reading marks a 0.15 percentage-point rise from a year earlier. The amount of newly overdue

EconomyJuly 16, 2024

Korea sees surge in social media creators earning over W100m annually: report

Amid the burgeoning community of social media platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, the number of Korean individuals earning over 100 million won ($72,300) annually from their content on these platforms increased from 2020 to 2022, according to a report released Monday. The report submitted by the National Tax Service to Rep. Cha Gyu-geun of the Rebuilding Korea Party revealed the total number of individual creators increased from 27,560 in 2020 to 39,366 in 2022. Over the same period, the to

IndustryJuly 16, 2024

Import prices rebound in June on rise in costs of petrochemicals, raw materials

South Korea's import prices rebounded in June as a rise in prices of petrochemical goods and raw materials offset a fall in oil prices, central bank data showed Tuesday. The import price index rose 0.7 percent last month from a month earlier following a 1.3 percent on-month dip the previous month, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). From a year earlier, prices also rose 9.7 percent last month following a 4.7 percent on-year advance the previous month, the data sh

EconomyJuly 16, 2024

Proptech startup DNK eyes expansion into Japan

DNK, a Seoul-based property management solution provider, formerly known as Dongnae, said Tuesday it has launched its fully redesigned property management system that enhances convenience for asset managers through centralized operational services. Currently managing over 15,000 units in the Korean market, the system now offers advanced features such as tenant tax reporting tools and banking virtual account integration. It supports English and Korean. Additionally, DNK disclosed its intention to

CompaniesJuly 16, 2024

Kentucky governor meets with S. Korean battery firms to woo investment

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear met with officials from South Korea's major electric vehicle (EV) battery and materials companies in a bid to attract additional investment to the US state, industry sources said Monday. The Kentucky governor came to Korea on Sunday for meetings on Monday with executives of car battery maker SK On Co. and Lotte Chemical Corp., which makes EV battery materials, according to the sources. He also plans to meet officials from LG Chem Ltd., which owns about an 80 perce

IndustryJuly 15, 2024

LG Electronics sets up HVAC tech lab in Frankfurt

LG Electronics said Monday it has opened a new research lab in Frankfurt, Germany dedicated to developing its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies, with a focus on providing practical air solutions for the European market. The Frankfurt facility, covering around 1,000 square meters, is the third of its kind, following branches in Changwon, Korea and Atlanta, the US. Its primary focus is to develop high-quality HVAC technologies for residential, commercial and industrial

CompaniesJuly 15, 2024

Trump presidency won’t be a bane for Korean firms: FKI chief

The head of the Federation of Korean Industries, the country’s major business lobby has said another term for former US President Donald Trump would be favorable for Korean companies operating there, as he would not discriminate against foreign firms that invest in the country. Ryu Jin, the FKI chairman who also serves as the chairman of Poongsan Corp., suggested that Trump’s win in the November presidential election may offer a better business environment for Korean firms than tha

EconomyJuly 15, 2024

Seoul shares end higher as investors assess Trump shooting

Seoul shares closed slightly higher Monday as investors digested the aftermath of the assassination attempt of former US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 3.92 points, or 0.14 percent, to 2,860.92. Trade volume was moderate at 418 million shares worth 12 trillion won ($8.67 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 491 to 381. Foreigners sold a net 80.7 billion won, while individuals offlo

MarketJuly 15, 2024

Chinese rivals to take on Samsung with slimmer foldable phones

Amid Samsung Electronics’ leadership as a foldable phone pioneer, its Chinese rivals appear to be racing to shrink the size of their new phones. Last week in Paris, Samsung unveiled its new foldable phones the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6, touting them as the slimmer and lighter phones to be powered by its new artificial intelligence features, called Galaxy AI. Just a few days after Samsung's highly-publicized Unpacked event, China’s Honor launched its version Friday, saying the new

TechnologyJuly 15, 2024

[Business Diplomacy] Lessons from IRA: Hyundai Motor bolsters government relations in US

This article is the fifth installment in a series of interviews and analyses on how South Korean corporations can sharpen their diplomatic capabilities to brighten their prospects for overseas growth in this mega-election year around the world. -- Ed. Hyundai Motor Group has been exerting all-out efforts into strengthening its government relations capabilities in the United States after the Korean auto conglomerate got caught off-guard by the impact of the Joe Biden administration’s In

CompaniesJuly 15, 2024

Committee on Space Research underscores international cooperation

BUSAN -- Yoon Young-bin, the head of Korea AeroSpace Administration, or KASA, on Monday reiterated the importance of collaboration and cooperation in space to make progress across borders for the prosperity of humanity at the 45th Committee on Space Research, or COSPAR, at Bexco in Busan. “In order to become an influential member of the international space community, we will actively pursue cooperative activities in the field of space exploration and space science where global collaboratio

TechnologyJuly 15, 2024

LS Cable vows stern measures against Taihan

LS Cable & System pledged Monday to take every legal action possible against Taihan Cable & Solution if the latter’s alleged theft of the former’s technologies is found true, labeling Taihan’s maneuver as a clear crime. The police have recently opened a probe into Taihan over the suspected violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act. Last month, the police initially suspected Gaun Architects & Engineers of leaking technologies it o

CompaniesJuly 15, 2024

HD Korea Shipbuilding's merger with STX Heavy gets antitrust approval

The Korea Fair Trade Commission has approved HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's acquisition of STX Heavy Industries, subject to conditions that prevent supply refusal and price increases for marine engine parts for three years to ensure fair competition. The merger of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the leader in the marine engine and components market, with STX Heavy Industries, the third-largest player in the same sector, is set to significantly enhance H

IndustryJuly 15, 2024

SKT debuts veterinary diagnostic service in North America

SK Telecom said Monday that it has sealed partnerships in Canada and the US to expand its proprietary artificial intelligence-driven veterinary diagnostic service, X Caliber, into the North American pet market, the largest globally. Originally launched in Korea in September 2022, X Caliber executes diagnostic results through AI analysis of X-ray images. This expansion into North America follows its recent launches in Australia and Indonesia. Expansion in Canada has been confirmed through a distr

TechnologyJuly 15, 2024

[Photo News] US Ambassador at HD Hyundai shipyard

US Ambassador to South Korea Philip S. Goldberg (center left), HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun (center right) and other officials pose for a photo at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard on Monday in Ulsan. The ambassador inspected the shipyard to evaluate potential opportunities for the US Navy to outsource maintenance, repair and overhaul services. HD Hyundai said they discussed leveraging the company’s shipbuilding capabilities to support maritime collaboration between Korea a

IndustryJuly 15, 2024

Hyundai Steel extends global sales network for eco-friendly steel

Hyundai Steel is expanding sales bases in international markets such as Europe and America for carbon-reduced steel plates in response to the global push for carbon neutrality and the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Recently, Hyundai Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with Tawesco, a leading auto parts company in the Czech Republic, and Eusider, an Italian company specializing in automotive steel plate processing. These companies supply steel materials to major

IndustryJuly 15, 2024

[Photo News] Winner of Genesis Scottish Open

Robert MacIntyre, a Scottish professional golfer, has won the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open that took place at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, from Thursday to Sunday. MacIntyre was given the Electrified GV70, an all-electric sports utility vehicle along with the first prize money of $1.58 million. From left in this photo are Song Min-kyu, global head of Genesis, Robert MacIntyre and Chang Jae-hoon, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. (Hyundai Motor Group)

MobilityJuly 15, 2024

Seoul shares open nearly flat amid US rate cut hopes

Seoul shares opened nearly flat Monday as investors continued to cash in profits amid expectations over a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September on the back of eased inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.03 point to stand steady at 2,857.03 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, all three major US indexes gained ground amid growing hopes for the Fed's rate cut this year. In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics remained unchanged, while No.

MarketJuly 15, 2024

[KH Explains] Here's why 'sugar-free' is not such a sweet deal

Beverages and food items labeled with "zero" -- intended to indicate they are sugar-free -- have faced criticism in Korea, as their promoted benefits often lead consumers to overconsume them, believing they contain no ingredients that could negatively impact health. In recent years, zero-labeled items have emerged among Korean consumers, largely driven by the increasing demand for healthier sugar-free snacks. These products provide a similar sweetness as those made with regular sugar b

IndustryJuly 14, 2024

[KH Explains] Are pedal cams the answer to Korea’s sudden acceleration disputes?

In the wake of several tragic car accidents across Korea, pedal cameras are being proposed as a new tool to address the contentious issue of sudden unintended acceleration, or SUA. These cameras, which capture drivers’ foot movements, are being touted as a means to provide clear evidence and settle disputes over the true cause of accidents. The conversation is divided: Should car manufacturers include pedal cameras as standard equipment, or should individual drivers be responsible for inst

MobilityJuly 14, 2024