Despite a record influx of foreign workers, South Korea’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still facing a labor shortage.According to a comprehensive survey on foreign labor employment conducted by the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (K-Biz), 29.7% of the 1,200 SMEs employ
Ahead of its Galaxy Unpacked event in the United States, Samsung Electronics has embarked on a campaign to promote ‘Galaxy AI’ at major landmarks around the world.On Jan. 7, Samsung Electronics announced the launch of digital outdoor advertisements for its Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event across 13 countr
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
Last Edited Jan. 9, 2024, 12:40 p.m. A previous version of this story incorrectly said that the company had decided to stop taking orders, which the company asserts is not true. The previous version of the story also said that the company is planning to reduce the number of its docks, which the comp
The majority of Chinese companies listed on the South Korean stock market have experienced a sharp decline in their stock prices over the past year. This is attributed to the economic downturn in China last year, which worsened investor sentiment towards Chinese companies coupled with accumulated di
According to market research firm Euromonitor, in 2023, the average coffee consumption per adult in South Korea reached 405 cups per year, more than double the global average of 152 cups. This marks the highest consumption rate among major Asian countries, translating to more than one cup of coffee
Previously dedicated to producing pouch-type batteries, SK on has now embarked on the development of the “4680 battery,” a product Tesla has successfully made a game-changer in the electric vehicle (EV) market. This move to broaden its portfolio by adding cylindrical batteries follows its success wi
The Korean government has earnestly taken steps to address the escalating population crisis, which has emerged as a significant social concern in the nation. More efforts will be made to bolster support for childbirth and the upbringing of infants and children, aimed at mitigating the population dec
More than four out of 10 listed companies in Korea were unable to pay interest with money they made, according to a recent survey. High interest rates and stagflation worsened the business environment, raising red flags on their financial conditions.As of the third quarter of 2023, 710 of 1,674 list
In 2023, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Korea exceeded US$32.7 billion, a record high. High-tech materials, parts, and equipment such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and biotech items led the increase in FDI in Korea.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Jan. 4, FDI
The Korean government has set a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent in exports as a target for 2024 compared to last year. It has also set a target to begin an era of US$700 billion in exports in 2024. The key will be the recovery of semiconductor exports and exports to China blamed for a drop in K
The overseas non-performing loan portfolios of the four major banks in South Korea surged to nearly 300 billion won in just one year. The rapid increase raised concerns as delinquency amounts spiked due to the impact of high-interest rate shocks, prompting warnings about the management of overseas f
The government has announced its intention to reduce the ratio of household debt to gross domestic product (GDP) to below 100 percent by the year 2027.On Jan. 4, the government released the “2024 Economic Policy Direction,” outlining its strategy for managing household debt.According to the Bank for
The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced on Jan. 4 that it has uncovered additional evidence of illegal short selling amounting to tens of billions of won, following the detection of naked short selling by global investment banks BNP Paribas and HSBC.In a New Year’s press conference for in-
Following the United States, South Korea has also issued a voluntary corrective action (recall) for all Tesla vehicles equipped with the Autopilot autonomous driving assistance feature.The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea announced on Jan. 4 that they are recalling a tot
BMW Korea has reclaimed its position as the leader in the South Korean imported car market for the first time in eight years, surpassing Mercedes-Benz Korea. Sales of eco-friendly cars, including electric and hybrid vehicles, have overtaken gasoline cars.According to the Korea Automobile Importers &
The 42nd JP Morgan Healthcare Conference is set to take place from Jan. 8 to 11 in San Francisco, California, in the U.S. This annual event, held every January, is renowned as the world’s largest healthcare investment venue where major global pharmaceutical companies, emerging biotech firms, and pro
Blueprints of a submarine designed by Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) have been leaked to Taiwan, with the police currently investigating the matter. The leaked submarine blueprints pertain to the DSME1400 model, a variant of the 209-class KSS-1 submarine. Three of t
Dong-A ST announced on Jan. 4 that it has signed a license-in agreement with SK Biopharmaceuticals to license out its new epilepsy drug Cenobamate in 30 countries including Korea, Southeast and Southwest Asia, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and Turkiye.Under the agreement, Dong-A ST will receive dr
Hanwha's multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the Arion-SMET, has completed a week-long field test conducted by the US Marine Corps and US Army. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for the robotic vehicle, positioning it as a potential contender in the global UGV market.The fiel