

Why spot bitcoin ETFs remain off limits for Korean investors
Authorities wary about accepting crypto as underlying asset Local authorities‘ decision to keep the doors shut for exchange-traded funds linked to the price of bitcoin has led to concerns that Korea may be left behind by changing global financial trends. While the US Securities and Exchange Commissi
Jan. 17, 2024 - 16:08:38EV tires: Profit surges, sustainability lags
Heavier weight and faster acceleration mean EVs get through tires more quickly – posing challenges and opportunities for tiremakers South Korea‘s tire industry is booming, with leaders Hankook, Kumho, and Nexen posting impressive financials, thanks largely to the surging demand for electric vehicle
Jan. 16, 2024 - 14:07:43Korean defense firms aim big in US market
Hanwha Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries, LIG Nex1 look to score orders from world’s biggest military spender South Korean defense firms are seeking to break through into the US market, the biggest in the world, as the industry looks to carry on its export momentum. Hanwha Aerospace on Thursday
Jan. 7, 2024 - 16:04:33Lukewarm EV sales offset by boom in hybrid cars
Carmakers hint at adjusting strategy for electrification, with renewed emphasis on hybrid vehicles With the yearslong electric vehicle boom showing signs of dying down, hybrid cars using a combination of electric and gasoline power are seeing a boost in sales in Korea. In the January-November period
Jan. 4, 2024 - 15:40:11How young are ‘young’ CEOs in Korea?
Younger executives increasingly taking helm not just to spur innovation but also for chaebol system “Generational shift” has long been a buzz phrase in the year-end leadership reshuffle at Corporate Korea for years. 2023 was no exception. The nation’s conglomerates, especially the top four, have tou
Jan. 3, 2024 - 15:31:39How will South Korea use its seat on UN Security Council?
South Korea embarked on its two-year tenure as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council as 2024 commenced, aiming to foster unified action on crucial security matters, including North Korea‘s nuclear buildup, amid ongoing discord among the five veto-wielding permanent members. South Korea‘s
Jan. 2, 2024 - 15:55:05Nexon’s failed stake sale reignites dispute over ‘punitive’ inheritance tax
China’s Tencent, Saudi state fund cited as potential bidders to acquire W4.7tr stake, stoking fears of outflow of national wealth Controversy over South Korea‘s high inheritance tax has resurfaced as the government failed again in its tender offer to sell a 4.7-trillion-won ($3.62 billion) stake in
Jan. 1, 2024 - 17:01:19Hyundai Motor aims to open era of flying mobility
Korean auto giant focused on developing advanced air mobility with US unit Supernal Flying cars have long been a fixture in science fiction movies. For Hyundai Motor Group, the vision of vehicles flying in the air is not just a whimsical idea anymore as the Korean auto giant appears determined to ma
Jan. 1, 2024 - 17:00:19An extra day is not necessarily a bonus
2024 is a leap year, which is bad news for some As the year 2024 approaches, people around the world are gearing up for a leap year, but not everyone will be welcoming the extra day. The concept of a leap year arises from the fact that a year in the international solar calendar is not exactly 365 da
Dec. 31, 2023 - 16:01:10Why vaccination rate remains low despite surge in flu patients
The number of suspected influenza cases in South Korea has surged to a five-year high, but the immunization rate has remained relatively unchanged. The rate of patients showing symptoms suggestive of influenza per 1,000 outpatients for the second week of December stood at 61.3 – the highest figure s
Dec. 28, 2023 - 17:03:51Kakao’s ‘Beyond Korea’ strategy hits snag
Kakao Mobility‘s deal to acquire Germany’s FreeNow grinds to sudden halt amid management risk The ongoing legal risks surrounding Kakao Corp. seem to be eating into subsidiaries‘ plans for global expansion, with a series of acquisition deals toppled recently. Kakao Mobility‘s stock purchase deal wit
Dec. 27, 2023 - 17:30:31Naver, AfreecaTV rivalry heats up as Twitch exodus begins
Competition depends on securing more female streamers who are key profit sources With Amazon-owned popular game livestreaming platform Twitch’s decision to withdraw from the Korean market, the competition to lure the market leader’s popular streamers and millions of users appears to be in full swing
Dec. 26, 2023 - 16:39:47What‘s at stake in Korea’s digital currency push
Rise of stablecoins threatens central banks; privacy concerns remain a challenge The Bank of Korea is proactively pushing for the introduction of a central bank digital currency to maintain its grip on the sovereign currency amid the continued digital transformation of the finance sector. The BOK ha
Dec. 21, 2023 - 16:40:21What’s behind life insurance companies‘ rush into senior care industry?
Insurance companies are seeking to capture business opportunities in the senior care and retirement community industry with the country quickly approaching having the world‘s oldest population. Tucked into a quiet neighborhood in central Seoul, KB Financial‘s arm for senior nursing care, KB Golden L
Dec. 20, 2023 - 09:05:55Why Hyundai Motor has no plan to adopt Apple’s upcoming CarPlay
Amid hegemony war in future mobility, carmaker focuses on advancing own operating system to secure more control over massive data Hyundai Motor Group could compete head-to-head with Apple in software, a domain where Apple, as the world‘s most valuable company, is known to excel, as the South Korean
Dec. 18, 2023 - 15:38:37