An analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) suggests that the average person ingests as many as 5 grams of microplastics weekly – that’s the equivalent of eating a whole credit card. While the exact effects of plastics on human health are still relatively unknown, the World Health Organization (WHO
Korea’s export value index rose for the fifth consecutive month in February thanks to a recovery of the semiconductor industry. Export value is the current value of exports converted to U.S. dollars and expressed as a percentage of the average of the base period (2000). Semiconductor exports are sho
Hyundai Motor Group announced on March 27 that it will hire 80,000 people and invest 68 trillion won in Korea over the next three years from this year to 2026. The plan is expected to create about 198,000 decent new jobs.The announced investment in Korea is a significant increase from the 56.2 trill
Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep partner collaboration, and building a strong ecosystem foundation were championed as next-level growth engines to new opportunities in industry digitisation at the recent Huawei Cloud APAC Partner Connection Summit 2024.Huawei Cloud Asia Pacific hosted approximatel
There is a prospect that a new era will open in three years where the entire population of 50 million people across the nation can receive anything with a day of ordering it with free shipping.On March 27, Coupang announced its intention to expand its Rocket Delivery service to encompass the majorit
As Korean battery companies are struggling amid slowing growth in the global electric vehicle market, they are expected to improve their profit margins despite falling sales in 2024.“This year, LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are expected to maintain profit margins in the 5 percent range, while S
Last year, the amount spent in Korea through mobile devices such as smartphones and smartwatches exceeded that spent through physical cards for the first time. Thanks to the expansion of mobile payments, the average daily card usage surpassed 3 trillion won (approximately US$2.23 billion).According
Samsung Electronics released a new model of its premium air purifier, the Bespoke Cube Air Infinite Line, on March 25, featuring a new filter that does not require periodic replacement. The highlight of this model is the Infinite Line Filter.The Infinite Line Filter consists of a washable sterilizat
SK’s oil development project, which has been aiming to become a “resourceless oil-producing country” for 40 years, is expected to record its highest performance ever this year. The plan is to maximize profitability through full-scale production in the Chinese block, for which it has secured independ
Six of the world’s top 10 shipping companies posted negative growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to a sluggish global shipping market. Among them, only two posted a profit thanks to the acquisition of mega-ships: HMM, a Korean shipping giant that claims eighth place, and Taiwan’s Evergreen.Amon
This March, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul takes centre stage as an official partner of the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, which comes to the Korean capital for the first time. Securing its place as a gastronomic hotspot in the city’s thriving culinary scene, the contemporary Gwanghwamun hot
The 17-year trend of Japan’s persistent negative interest rates has come to an end, yet the market’s response remains tepid. This is attributed to assessments indicating difficulty in perceiving a full-fledged tightening. However, there are prospects suggesting that the yen may strengthen from the s
Investment in 12-inch (300 mm) fab (semiconductor production plant) equipment is expected to surpass US$100 billion by 2025 and reach US$137 billion by 2027.The International Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Association (SEMI) reported on March 20 in its “300 mm Fab Outlook” that investment in
SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced today that the company has shipped approximately 440,000 doses of SKYCellflu to Biogenetech in Thailand from its vaccine manufacturing facility ‘L HOUSE’ in Andong, S
Bereum, a pioneering force in postbiotic, has recently inked a strategic collaboration with Hyundai Corporation Group to venture into the North American market. The contract, valued at $10 million, marks a significant milestone in the company's journey, positioning it as the sole domestic competitor
While domestic demand including consumption continues to remain weak, exports, which have been driving up Korea’s economic recovery, are also facing a threat on the account of a slump in exports to China. Exports to China grew by more than 16 percent in January this year, snapping a 19-month streak
Coway Co., Ltd., the “Best Life Solution Company,” showcased its product lineups at the Inspired Home Show held at McCormick Place in Chicago, USA, from March 17th to 19th, 2024, aiming to accelerate its penetration into the North American air purifier market.The Inspired Home Show is the largest ho
The online stock trading platform Webull, which is gaining popularity among global individual investors based on its commission-free policy, is entering the domestic securities market in Korea. Consequently, there are concerns that individual investors who currently invest in the U.S. stock market t
Samsung C&T has sold the rights to a solar power project of 200 megawatts (MW) to Hanwha Solutions. The sale comes after all preparatory work for the construction of the solar power plant was completed, suggesting that Samsung C&T disposed of the project to recover its investment.According to the in
Patent applications originating from the Republic of Korea at the European Patent Office (EPO) grew by 21% last year, according to the EPO’s Patent Index 2023 published today. This was the highest growth rate among the 20 leading innovating countries, and more than five times the average growth at t