A South Korean company’s overseas gas field project, which had been suspended for nearly a year due to local opposition, has dramatically resumed thanks to intergovernmental cooperation.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority approved an environmental license for SK E&S to drill an offshore gas fie
GC Biopharma Corp’s eight-year endeavor has finally come to fruition as its blood product successfully enters the U.S. market. This achievement marks the first Korean blood product and the seventh new drug to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).On Dec. 18, GC Biopharma
Recent data reveals that less than 1 percent of the South Korean population, specifically the top wealth holders, possess nearly 60 percent of the total financial assets of all households. Their combined financial assets amount to 2,747 trillion won (US$2.11 trillion), with real estate assets reachi
To defend the leadership of Cho Hyun-bum, the chairman of Hankook & Company, the holding company of Hankook Tire, his father, Cho Yang-rae, the honorary chairman, has stepped forward as a “white knight,” acquiring an additional 0.32 percent stake in the company. Hyosung Advanced Materials, led by Ch
Securities firms have been caught engaging in illegal “bond shuffling” practices, transferring bond losses, sometimes amounting to as much as 500 billion won (US$383.44 million), to other clients in an attempt to preserve investment returns for certain institutions and corporations. These activities
The smartphone market is witnessing a surge in demand for NAND flash, as manufacturers’ significant production cuts have reduced inventory buildup, and the impending launch of smartphones equipped with “on-device artificial intelligence (AI)” is anticipated. This trend is expected to boost NAND pric
With the imminent release of devices featuring AI services as core functions, closely integrated into our daily lives through smartphones and PCs, the true era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) popularization is unfolding. Devices that can summarize conversations, suggest optimal responses automatical
Analyses suggest that South Korea’s foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) production capacity may decrease somewhat due to the semiconductor competition between China and the United States and the competitive reshaping of supply chains by major global countries.According to the market resea
Last year, the debt of the central and local governments, non-profit public institutions, and non-financial public enterprises in the public sector reached nearly 1,600 trillion won (US$1.24 trillion), marking a historic high. The debt of non-financial public enterprises such as Korea Electric Power
With Cho Hyun-sik, the advisor of Hankook & Company and the eldest son of the tire maker’s honorary chairman, preparing to take over the leadership in collaboration with MBK Partners, Cho Yang-rae, the honorary chairman of Hankook & Company, is once again offering support to Chairman Cho Hyun-bum, t
After one year and nine months, SK hynix has reclaimed the second position in the KOSPI market capitalization rankings, surpassing LG Energy Solution. With the semiconductor industry showing signs of recovery while the outlook for the secondary battery sector is unfavorable, it seems that SK hynix w
Information and communication technology (ICT) and automobiles are leading Korean exports. ICT exports emerged from a 17-month recessionary tunnel on the coattail of memory semiconductors. Automobiles are close to surpassing US$70 billion in annual exports for the first time ever.According to the Mi
As the shareholder meeting season approaches in March next year, activist funds are gearing up for more assertive actions. Some stocks targeted by activist funds are experiencing price fluctuations in anticipation of the resolution of undervaluation. The securities industry is anticipating that shar
LS Group’s carbon free electricity (CFE) business is gaining momentum. The sub-subsidiary of LS Group, a company specializing in environmentally friendly core materials and components, has seen a sharp increase in its corporate value.According to the Korea Exchange on Dec. 13, LS Materials’ stock cl
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at jooyh@nhqv.com -- Ed.Amid the process of Lotte Rental expanding its used car rental business, its used car sales volume has decreased. But, its sales and OP growth should sustain in 2024 on both export expansion and brand
The continued decline in semiconductor prices and a slowdown in the growth rate of automobile exports have led to a deterioration in the growth and profitability indicators of domestic companies in the third quarter from July to September.According to the results of the “Q3 Corporate Management Anal
On Dec. 12, Canada’s renowned coffee brand, Tim Hortons, held a media event at its first domestic location, the Sinnonhyeon Station branch in the Gangnam district of Seoul. During the event, the company unveiled the reasons behind its entry into the South Korean market and discussed its strategies f
Samjong KPMG (KPMG Korea) predicts that the semiconductor and smartphone markets will rebound in 2024 thanks to the full-scale commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. On the other hand, the automobile, shipping, construction, and distribution industries are likely to show slugg
As expectations for a stock market rebound rise due to the complete ban on short selling, there is an increase in related funds in the market. With investor deposits recovering to 50 trillion won in just two months, there also seems a surge in the balance of margin loans.According to the Korea Finan
LIG Nex1 has initiated the pursuit of acquiring Ghost Robotics, a U.S.-based robotics company known for developing robotic dogs.The company announced in a regulatory filing on Dec. 8 that it will acquire a 60% stake in Ghost Robotics for 315 billion won (US$238.46 million).To facilitate the acquisit