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.
China is dominating the global battery market backed by overwhelming growth in its home market. Stopping China’s rise in the global battery industry has become a big challenge for Korea, which ranks second in the market behind Chinese companies as well as the United States and Europe.Six of the worl
Korea’s four major oil refiners are posting a gradual drop in their exports to China. They are diversifying their export destinations to Australia, Japan, and other countries to fill the void. China used to be Korea’s top petroleum product export market.According to the Korea National Petroleum Asso
As global electronic component companies that manufacture Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs) seek breakthroughs by expanding their automotive MLCC businesses amid ongoing smartphone demand slumps, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a leading South Korean MLCC company, is focusing its investments on the
Civic groups in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, collectively known as the “POSCO Citizens’ Response Committee,” held an urgent executive committee meeting on Feb. 12 to formally oppose the nomination of former POSCO President Jang In-hwa as the CEO candidate for POSCO Holdings.The Citizens’ Commi
Starbucks Korea, the leading coffee chain by sales, has been reported to have the fourth-largest number of stores worldwide. According to the distribution industry on Feb. 12, data from Starbucks’ global website showed that, as of the end of last year, the number of Starbucks stores in South Korea i
SK on has announced a supply agreement to receive natural graphite from its American anode material partner, Westwater Resources. This acquisition of American-sourced graphite strengthens SK on’s response capability to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).On Feb. 12, SK on disclosed that it had finaliz
On Feb. 7, Bloomberg reported that Tesla sold only one unit of the Model Y in Korea in January, citing Korean market research firm CarIsYou and government data.The growth of the electric vehicle market in Korea slowed as high interest rates and inflation have kept consumers from spending, while conc
The CEO Candidate Recommendation Committee of POSCO Holdings finally chose former POSCO President Jang In-hwa, a long-time POSCO insider, with rich experience in the steel business.POSCO Holdings held an extraordinary board meeting on Feb. 8 and resolved to select former POSCO President Jang In-hwa
Apple is accelerating the development of a “foldable iPhone,” entering the foldable phone market pioneered by Samsung Electronics with its Galaxy Fold five years ago.The Information, a specialist IT media outlet, reported on Feb. 7 (local time) that Apple is developing prototypes of a clamshell-shap
The domestic copper foil industry is strategically increasing investments in North America and Europe, aiming to gain a competitive advantage over China, which is launching a low-cost offensive in the medium to long term.As of Feb. 7, industry sources indicate that Lotte Advanced Materials plans to
Despite a slowdown in the growth of electric vehicles, it was revealed that the usage of electric vehicle batteries increased by 38.6 percent last year compared a year earlier. Chinese companies CATL and BYD jointly secured the top two positions in the global market. The market share of South Korea’
Korea’s current account surplus reached US$35.5 billion in 2023. This was mainly because the volume of goods exports reaching a yearly high at the end of 2023.The current account surplus stood at US$7.41 billion in December, according to a December 2023 provisional balance of payments data released
Xiaomi and Huawei, major Chinese smartphone manufacturers, are set to launch a series of new premium phone models, intensifying competition for Samsung Electronics, which is already contending with Apple’s iPhone. The Xiaomi 14 series will be globally released this month, featuring the Qualcomm Snap
SK innovation reported on Feb. 6 that its revenue for the last year amounted to 77.2885 trillion won (US$58.2400 billion) with an operating profit of 1.9039 trillion won. Compared to the previous year, revenue and operating profit decreased by 0.98% and 51%, respectively.In the fourth quarter of las
Due to the strength of the U.S. dollar, the foreign exchange reserves decreased last month for the first time in three months.According to the statistics of the “Foreign Reserves as of the End of January 2024” publication released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Feb. 5, South Korea’s foreign reserves
The feared situation has finally emerged for China’s e-commerce giant AliExpress, which ambitiously entered the South Korean market by prioritizing cost-effectiveness.In particular, consumer dissatisfaction is pouring in regarding services and customer responses, which have been consistently critici
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has raised its global economic growth forecast for this year, but lowered its economic growth forecast for South Korea. While the organization said that global trade markets such as markets of semiconductors and information technology
Chinese shipyards are sweeping up orders for methanol-powered ships, an eco-friendly, low-carbon type of vessel, as South Korea’s shipbuilding industry seeks to take orders for high-value vessels. In particular, China is expanding orders based on its capacity to produce and supply methanol, raising
The South Korean battery industry, on the brink of achieving an annual export milestone of US$10 billion, has seen a slowdown in its growth momentum. This deceleration is attributed to a reduction in battery demand due to a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand, along with the relocation of produ