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
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
A scenario analysis has been conducted on the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, which poses a major risk to the Korean secondary battery industry for electric vehicles which is expected to expand supply in earnest beginning from 2025.If U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who has ment
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
Hanmi Group announced on March 25 that it has dismissed Lim Jong-yoon, president of Hanmi Science, and Lim Jong-hoon, president of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, effective March 25.The group stated that the two presidents caused disputes over important resolutions of the Hanmi Science board of directors, inf
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on March 21 that it will be holding the “On-device AI Ultra-differential Challenge” launch ceremony at the Josun Palace Hotel in the Gangnam district of Seoul in collaboration with LG Electronics, Microsoft Korea, and Intel Korea. This event marks the begi
Thanks to the booming export of Hallyu content such as dramas, movies, and webtoons, South Korea’s trade balance in intellectual property rights achieved its largest annual surplus in history last year.According to statistics released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on March 20, the provisional trade bal
While major countries such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union (EU) are rushing to provide subsidies for semiconductors, there are growing voices that Korea will lose the global semiconductor war if it does not subsidize Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, citi
The U.S. Congress began to keep Hyundai and Kia in check as the two Korean automakers continue to enjoy the growth of their electric vehicle sales in the U.S. market. The U.S. Congress made a thing of their business strategy of discounting subsidized electric vehicles through a lease car exception u
Shinhan Bank announced on March 14 that Shinhan Bank Indonesia has signed a strategic business agreement with Indonesian electronic payment company Indodana (PT Artha Dana Teknologi Indodana) to expand its digital platform-based lending market.Indodana is a digital payment solutions provider that ha
Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) announced on March 14 that it will launch the country’s first airport online duty-free shops at Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports in Korea, following the selection of a new duty-free shop operator for Gimpo Airport on March 6.KAC completed the construction of a common
To strengthen its global operations, Shinhan Bank is accelerating the development and marketing of products targeting local customers, including the launch of digital loan products overseas.According to Shinhan Bank on March 12, Shinhan Bank Indonesia is partnering with local fintech platform compan
KEB Hana Bank announced that its German subsidiary, “KEB Hana Bank Germany,” has obtained an international credit rating of “Aa3” from Moody’s, one of the world’s top three credit rating agencies.KEB Hana Bank (D) AG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KEB Hana Bank, has been operating in Frankfurt, Germa
For four consecutive years, South Korea has maintained its position as the top country among 34 advanced and emerging markets worldwide in terms of household debt relative to gross domestic product (GDP). As of the end of last year, the ratio stood at 100.1 percent, slightly lower than the previous
Four low-cost carriers (LCCs) -- Jeju Air, Air Premia, Eastar Jet, and Air Incheon -- participated in a preliminary tender for the sale of Asiana Airlines’ cargo business division.The four LCCs submitted letters of intent (LOIs) after UBS, the sale organizer, finished accepting LOIs for the prelimin
Since taking office in early July 2022, Ongjin County Mayor Moon Kyung-bok has been busy listening to the voices of his residents. This has been producing remarkable positive results.In 2023, Ongjin County paved the way for a new leap forward, including finalizing a plan for the construction of Baek
Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and other major semiconductor firms have called for government attention and support in relation to the U.S. government’s impending subsidy payments.During a “Public-Private Semiconductor Strategy Meeting” held on the morning of Feb. 26 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce
Chinese direct purchase shopping app Temu is stirring controversy in South Korea by attracting new members with cash-like credit points and free gifts through fishing-like events. Consumers have criticized Temu’s ambiguous prize events as “consumer deception” and “multi-level personal information sc
The legal battle between the sons of the founder of Hanmi Pharmaceutical -- Lim Jong-yoon and Lim Jong-hoon -- and the OCI Group has intensified. OCI Group holds a significant stake in Hanmi Science, the parent company of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group. The legal battle remains on the question of integr
The Bank of China has lost its lawsuit against South Korea’s tax authorities to cancel a 35.8 billion won (US$26.8 million) corporate tax penalty in a Supreme Court ruling in South Korea. The Supreme Court has confirmed the original ruling that the plaintiffs lost the case against the Jongno Tax Off