South Korea’s exports to China are expected to surge in 2024 due to a recovery of the IT market in China. However, South Korea is unlikely to record a large trade balance surplus as in the past due to an increase in imports of Chinese batteries and the declining competitiveness of Korean products.“I
Despite the current economic downturn, South Korea’s top three battery manufacturers are ramping up their investments in infrastructure this year to strengthen their business foundations. According to industry sources on Feb. 18, LG Energy Solution plans to invest approximately 10.9 trillion won in
SK telecom and KT have announced their plans to showcase advanced technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, which opens on Feb. 26 in Barcelona, Spain. SKT is set to occupy a large exhibition space of 992 square meters in the Fira Gran Via Hall 3, un
This year it is projected that the annual overseas construction contract orders for South Korean companies will reach US$40 billion. It is expected that the contract amount will expand compared to previous years through projects such as nuclear power plants, renewable energy, and investment developm
The presidential office stated regarding Cuba, with which diplomatic relations have recently been established, that “as a major reserve of nickel and cobalt, which are essential for secondary battery production, Cuba holds significant potential for cooperation in mineral supply chain sectors.”Accord
Hanwha Aerospace is building the largest private space launch vehicle production facility in South Korea.The company announced on Feb. 15 that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the tentatively named “Space Hub Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Center” in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, on the same d
For the first time in 25 years since the foreign exchange crisis, South Korea’s economic growth rate last year fell behind Japan. However, projections indicate South Korea is expected to outpace Japan again this year. Due to prolonged low growth, Japan’s economic size has slipped to the place of fou
South Korea has climbed to the third highest position among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of the proportion of corporate taxes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), marking the highest level in the last 50 years.According to the report “Current St
Korea Western Power (KWP) has secured a landmark solar power project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the first time a South Korean company has won such a large-scale solar power project in the country. This project represents the largest single solar power project ever won by a Korean com
In South Korea, Apple has recorded its highest-ever market share. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, last year, Apple exceeded a 25% market share in the domestic smartphone market for the first time, having increased its market share by 1 percentage point annually since 2020 an
Hanon Systems (018880) announced on Feb. 14 that its preliminary consolidated financial results for last year showed an operating profit of 277.2 billion won (US$207.9 million), up 8.1% from the previous year. Sales revenue increased by 10.8% to 9.5593 trillion won and net income rose by 120.2% to 5
Executives and experts from domestic e-commerce companies such as Coupang are collaborating to develop strategies in response to the aggressive expansion efforts of Chinese e-commerce platforms including AliExpress and Temu.According to industry sources on Feb. 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry an
The Korea Development Institute (KDI) has maintained its economic growth forecast for South Korea at 2.2 percent for this year. However, it has slightly lowered its forecast for private consumption, citing prolonged high interest rates as a contributing factor.According to the “Economic Outlook” rel
On Feb. 14, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, “We will strive to position South Korea as the most favorable destination for businesses worldwide.”President Yoon hosted a luncheon meeting with foreign investment company representatives at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in the Jung
News about BYD’s entry into South Korea has drawn attention to changes in the share of the South Korean electric vehicle market dominated by Hyundai Motor. BYD is a Chinese electric vehicle maker. Experts predict that BYD’s price competitiveness will play a big role in determining its success in the
Korean shipbuilders lagged behind Chinese shipbuilders to take second place in global ship orders in January.Global ship orders totaled 2.57 million CGT (96 ships) in January, down 26 percent year on year, according to Clarkson Research, a U.K.-based shipbuilding and shipping market research firm. O
The share of long-time workers among all wage earners in South Korea has plummeted from its previous value to the average level of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries, according to a survey. In particular, the proportion of wage earners who work more than 60
APR, scheduled for a listing by the end of this month, held a press briefing on Feb. 13 to disclose its future business vision and strategy post-IPO.At the event, APR CEO Kim Byung-hoon expressed his ambition to grow APR into the world’s leading beauty tech company, spearheaded by Medicube. He belie
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at jaekwang.rhee@nhqv.com -- Ed.Both 4Q23 and 2023 earnings reached historic highs. This year, earnings should remain steady, with share price momentum being driven by an uptick in overseas orders. KAI is targeting 2024 aircr
The European Union (EU)’s decision to approve a Korean Airlines-Asiana Airlines merger is fast approaching, drawing more attention from the airline industry. While many experts believe that approval will be given with some conditions, a formal outcome has not come out, keeping both airlines on edge.