The government is set to implement a comprehensive plan for “smart cities” incorporating new technologies. The primary focus is accelerating the entry into foreign markets through the restructuring of the “K-City Network” project. This initiative aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of Kore
Hanwha Life Insurance President Kim Dong-won attended the Davos Forum held in Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 19.Visiting Davos for the second consecutive year, President Kim Dong-won conducted over 10 business meetings during the event. He focused on determining the direction of Hanwha Life Insurance’s
The government is restructuring industrial and energy technology development projects to focus on high-risk, next-generation, and large-scale tasks. There will be a significant reduction in the financial burden on companies. The plan is to transition to a demand-driven process where businesses and r
SK D&D and SK gas announced on Jan. 16 that they have established a joint venture, SA Grid Solutions, with Apex Clean Energy, a U.S.-based renewable energy company, and signed an investment agreement for an Energy Storage System (ESS) business.Previously, in December 2023, SK D&D and SK gas founded
South Korean ramen exports nearly reached US$1 billion last year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Jan. 17, ramen exports stood at US$952.4 million last year and marked a whopping increase of 24.4 percent compared to the previous year. Ramen exports have been consi
Korea’s automobile exports hit a record high of USUS$70.9 billion in 2023.Korea’s automobile exports increased 31.1 percent year on year to US$70.9 billion last year, according to 2023 annual automotive industry data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) on Jan. 16. This sur
The Financial Services Commission (FSC) has stated that trading bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) violates domestic capital market regulations in South Korea. However, overseas bitcoin futures ETFs will continue to be traded as usual.On Jan. 15, the FSC announced that the issuance of bitcoin
LG Electronics recently announced the establishment of an electric vehicle (EV) charger manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas, in the U.S. The facility, covering an area of approximately 5,500 square meters, has the capacity to produce over 10,000 chargers annually.The Texas plant serves as a pro
Amid police investigations into allegations of illegal expenditures on a local board meeting in Canada by POSCO Holdings, the holding company of POSCO Group, new suspicions have emerged regarding similarly extravagant overseas board meetings held in the past.According to a comprehensive report by CB
A bill to amend the Petroleum and Petroleum Alternative Fuel Business Act passed the National Assembly’s plenary session on Sept. 9, paving the way for refiners to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).SAF is an aviation fuel derived from renewable biomass or carbon dioxide. It has the same compos
Doolim-Yaskawa, a leader in the robot-based automation industry, is supplying a painting automation solution to Hyundai Motor Group's US car factory. Last month, they completed the Off-Line Test (OLT) of their robot system in their own factory and announced that they are currently working on a proje
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that Yoo Jeong-bok, mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, participated in the Consumer Electronics Show 2024 being held from Jan. 9 to 12.At this year’s CES 2024, Incheon is operating a 132.23 square meter pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas C
Lotte Chilsung Beverage announced on Jan. 9 the opening of a pop-up store for its Saero zero sugar soju on Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.The Saero pop-up store is designed to expand the brand experience and increase intimacy with the young local population in Vietnam. Recently, Saero
Korea’s current account has been in surplus for seven consecutive months as its exports recovered.Korea’s current account surplus stood at US$4.06 billion in November last year, according to provisional balance of payments statistics released by the Bank of Korea on Jan. 9. It had been in surplus fo
Hyundai Motor Company today presented its vision for a hydrogen-powered, software-driven transformation beyond mobility applications at CES 2024. Under the theme ‘Ease every way,’ the company held its Media Day at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas to highlight its future blueprint for
In 2023, overseas construction orders totaled US$33.31 billion, exceeding US$30 billion for the fourth consecutive year. However, it is just short of the target of US$35 billion.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) on Jan. 8, 321 Korean overseas construction compa
The big three Korean shipbuilders -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean -- are expected to lower their annual order targets for 2024 compared to last year. According to a recent industry report, HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding intermediate holding comp
Starting from the second half of this year, South Korean companies will have the option to settle export and import payments in Korean won when engaging in trade transactions with certain countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This move is expected to allow businesses to
Three mid-sized Korean-based automakers -- GM Korea, KG Mobility, and Renault Korea Motors -- exported eight out of every 10 units they sold last year, according to industry sources. These three companies, which exited the tunnel of losses by expanding exports, plan to solidify their rebound momentu
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at soohong.cho@nhqv.com -- Ed.Sales growth to slow at HMG in 2024In 2024, an earnings growth slowdown is largely expected for HMG. The company has set a global wholesale target of 7.443mn units (+1.9% y-y) and domestic sales