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
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
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
Starting in the second half of this year, non-index-linked general public funds will be directly listed on the Korea Exchange and traded like exchange traded funds (ETFs). With increased convenience for investors and reduced sales commissions, expectations are high for the revitalization of the fund
Nexon Korea, the operator of the online game MapleStory, is set to face a hefty fine of more than 10 billion won from the Korea Fair Trade Commission for selling game items with virtually zero chance of being won.The KFTC announced on Jan. 3 that it would impose a corrective order and a fine of 11.6
In a trend led by younger demographics, traditional TV viewership is diminishing, whereas the use of Over The Top (OTT, or online video streaming) services is rapidly expanding, even among the elderly. The Korea Communication Commission announced these findings in its “2023 Broadcast Media Usage Beh
A plenary session of the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business Act, which will require large-scale stock transactions by insiders of listed companies to be disclosed in advance beginning from the second half of 2024.The Financial Services Comm
In response to the demand from individual investors for the introduction of a no-borrowing short selling monitoring system, securities-related agencies have indicated that it is practically challenging and proposed institutional investors to establish their own systems.During a forum hosted by the K
A South Korea-based brokerage firm has been fined billions of won for allegedly allowing global investment banks (IBs) to short sell stocks without borrowing, ratcheting up tension in the Korean securities industry. This is because although the sanctions were imposed on the foreign-affiliated securi
LG Electronics is intensifying its foray into the automotive market by enhancing its capabilities in car security platforms. The company plans to expand its market presence by strengthening global marketing and incorporating security technologies into its infotainment systems and telematics componen
According to the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) on Dec. 25, the total value of construction contracts in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reached US$8.38 billion from the beginning of the year to the end of November this year, mar
In the future, cryptocurrency issuing companies will no longer be able to arbitrarily recognize profits or assets.The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) under the Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced on Dec. 21 that it had passed the “Supervisory Guidelines for Accounting Treatment of
The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is reportedly seeking a combined fine of 20 billion won (US$15.36 million) for BNP Paribas and HSBC, both of which have engaged in naked short selling. The FSS aims to impose an individual fine of 10 billion won on each of the financial institutions.Bloomberg
The deadline for Google and Apple to submit their opinions on corrective measures proposed by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) regarding the “coercive practices of utilizing their own in-app payment system” has been extended once again. Following Google’s recent defeat in a first-instance l
The South Korean government is considering applying antitrust regulations following abrupt price hikes by major content platforms such as YouTube and Netflix.A senior ruling party official stated in a media interview on Dec. 21, “A 40% hike in consumer prices at once is a kind of monopolistic abuse.
The prosecution has launched a forcible investigation into Kyungbo Pharmaceutical, accused of providing billions of won in rebates to hospitals.The Food and Drug Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Song Myung-sub) announced that they condu
As Kakao Corporation and its executives face trial over allegations of stock manipulation involving SM Entertainment, controversy arises within Kakao Pay, a subsidiary that has been pursuing the acquisition of management rights of Siebert Financial, a U.S.-based securities firm, since the beginning
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of Korea has decided to promote the enactment of a platform competition promotion act, which will designate large platforms that dominate the market as market dominators and prohibit them from engaging in unfair competition practices such as getting preferential treat
Samsung Heavy Industries disclosed on Dec. 18 the arbitration tribunal’s decision regarding the damage compensation for defects in the cargo holds of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers they built.On Dec. 15 (local time), the London arbitration tribunal ruled that Samsung Heavy Industries must
More than half of the 82 major conglomerates surveyed have holding companies, with 38 groups transitioning to a “holding company system.” The average ownership stake in holding companies held by conglomerate owners and their families has slightly decreased compared to the previous year.According to