The amount of debts owed by households and businesses in Korea was more than twice Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP). About half of the nation’s companies were unable to pay even interest on their debts with money they earned from sales, revealing their vulnerability.The ratio of private credit t
According to sources in the shipping industry on March 28, Gemini Cooperation, a shipping business alliance between the world’s No. 2 shipping company Maersk and No. 5 Hapag-Lloyd to go live in February next year has proposed a plan to exclude Busan Port of South Korea and ports of Japan, Vietnam, a
Align Partners, which conducted an activist campaign against JB Financial Group, has succeeded in placing two directors on the board. This marks the first instance of a shareholder-proposed director being included in a South Korean financial company.At the 11th regular shareholders’ meeting of JB Fi
On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, Pulmuone has expressed its determination to grow into the global number one “sustainable food company.”On March 28, the company held the “2024 Pulmuone Open Shareholders’ Meeting” at the Science and Technology Convention Center in the Gangnam district of Seou
Danggeun Market (Karrot), the publisher of South Korea’s local super app ‘Karrot’, achieved record-high revenue and its first turnaround since its establishment. Danggeun Market’s accomplishments are impressive, especially considering they were achieved during a global economic downturn. The company
Pacifico Energy Korea has signed a Co-Existence Agreement to accelerate the development of the company’s Myeong Ryang Offshore Wind Project with the Seogeocha Island Offshore Wind Promotion Committee, which comprises of residents of Seogeocha Island located in Jindo County, South Jeolla Province. Wi
LG CNS announced on March 27 that it has signed an investment agreement for the establishment of a joint venture with Indonesia’s Sinar Mas.Through this agreement, the two companies will establish a joint venture (JV) in Indonesia. The JV will target Indonesian businesses and public customers, pushi
Qoo10 has acquired AK Mall, an internet shopping mall previously operated by AK Plaza, through its subsidiary, Interpark Commerce.Interpark Commerce finalized a business transfer agreement with AK Plaza for AK Mall on the March 27.AK Mall has been known for selling products from department stores wi
Doosan Enerbility is making its entry into the aircraft engine business, leveraging its accumulated expertise in power generation gas turbines to broaden its business domain and secure differentiated gas turbine technology.On March 26, Doosan Enerbility announced that it had added “aircraft engine m
Amid the payment of massive subsidies by the United States and Japan for the revival of the semiconductor industry, the government has decided to review the provision of subsidies to the nation’s high-tech industries, including semiconductors. This marks the first official mention by the government
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
South Korean fashion company ShinWon Corporation (CEO: JJ Park) held an ESG Management Vision Declaration Ceremony to establish a mid-to long-term plan for ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and advance as a sustainable company.Through the declaration ceremony, ShinWon aims to publicly anno
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
Japan has committed to developing and exporting a next-generation fighter jet by 2035 in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy.On March 26, Japan decided to relax the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” during a Cabinet meeting, thereby approving the export o
In an interview conducted on March 25 at the Pascucci Centro Seoul branch in the Jung district of Seoul, Chairman Mario Pascucci stated there is no bakery franchise of significant scale in Italy that can compete with Paris Baguette, expressing a strong desire to launch Paris Baguette in Italy as soo
South Korea and Malaysia have agreed to resume negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced on March 26 that Jung In-gyo, chief trade negotiator of the Ministry, met with Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Mal
A recovery in the influx of Chinese group tours into South Korea is becoming noticeable. Chinese tourists to South Korea have passed the pre-COVID-19 level and are getting closer to the level where they peaked in the past. New momentum in China’s recovering economy is also something that can help se
Hyundai Card, which commenced offering Apple Pay services since March last year, has received a favorable performance report.According to the Credit Finance Association’s report on March 26, Hyundai Card secured the second position in cumulative personal credit sales transaction volume for January a
Korea’s trade surplus with the United States, which peaked in 2023, is likely to gradually shrink in the future, according to a new report.The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET) released a report on a structural analysis of the causes of Korea’s surplus in trade with the United
The rapid increase in direct overseas purchases through Chinese e-commerce companies such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein has led to discussions about alternative measures to mitigate the side effects. However, it has been confirmed that the proposal to tax small imported goods is closely linked to t