SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s GM operations are feeling the brunt of a prolonged U.S. tariff reduction delay, as sales of its flagship export models — the Trax Crossover and Trailblazer — plunge sharply, rekindling concerns over the automaker’s future in the country. According to industry data released Saturday, GM Korea sold 23,723 [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Once a symbol of comfort and affordability, fried chicken has become an expensive indulgence for many South Koreans, as soaring prices trigger public frustration and social media backlash over what consumers are calling “chickenflation.” “I tremble when paying for chicken these days,” said Lee, a 27-year-old college student in Seoul. [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A growing number of disputes over public access and shared resources are flaring up among apartment complexes in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam area, reflecting what some sociologists call an “urban tribalism” fueled by skyrocketing property values. In Gangdong District, residents of the 4,066-unit Godeok Arteon complex voted late last month to [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea rose more than 30 percent in September from a year ago, driven by strong demand for Tesla and steady sales of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), industry data showed Friday. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), the number [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — As global demand for digital services such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing accelerates, a new report warns that South Korea must develop a sustainable and balanced approach to digital trade that aligns openness with technological sovereignty. According to a study released Thursday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — As soaring bakery prices push past 10,000 won for just a few items at franchise shops, Koreans are increasingly turning to low-cost private label (PB) bread sold at convenience stores and large retailers. The shift has fueled what industry insiders are calling a “budget bakery boom,” with PB bread [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s imports of coffee beans jumped sharply from a year earlier in 2024, with imports this year widely expected to reach an all-time high, customs data showed Thursday. Imports of coffee beans, including both raw and roasted products, came to US$1.24 billion last year, up 13 percent from $1.1 billion the previous year, [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has entered a new era, surpassing 250 trillion won ($180 billion) in total assets and reshaping what it means to be a “mega fund” in one of the country’s fastest-growing financial sectors. According to data from the Korea Securities Depository released Tuesday, the number [...]
Government Kicks Off “New Leap Fund” to Wipe Out Old Debts for Over 1 Million Borrowers SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has launched a new debt relief initiative aimed at helping long-term defaulters rebuild their financial lives, but officials face a key hurdle in securing cooperation from private lenders that [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Food prices in South Korea have risen more than 20 percent over the past five years, far outpacing overall inflation and placing a growing strain on household budgets. According to data released Wednesday by the National Data Office, the consumer price index for “food and non-alcoholic beverages” in September [...]