SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — A new social media trend in South Korea that pairs exaggerated claims of poverty with images of conspicuous wealth is drawing growing backlash, as critics argue that the so-called “poverty meme” trivializes real economic hardship in a country marked by widening inequality. The trend, popular on the platform Threads, typically [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s government plans to enact a sweeping Climate Adaptation Act next year and expand the use of artificial intelligence to forecast floods, road icing and wildfires, as it steps up preparations for intensifying climate risks, officials said Tuesday. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said the Fourth National [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — More than seven in 10 foreign nationals running small businesses in South Korea are Chinese, highlighting the growing role of Chinese entrepreneurs in the country’s local service economy, according to a new report released Tuesday. An analysis by the Korea Immigration Policy Institute found that Chinese nationals accounted for 72.5 [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics has stepped up its push into new growth sectors with its second billion-euro acquisition of the year, signaling a renewed appetite for large-scale dealmaking as it expands beyond its traditional strongholds. The company said Tuesday that it had acquired the advanced driver-assistance systems business of Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The rapid adoption of foldable smartphones is reshaping the global smartphone market, driving a structural shift toward higher prices and more premium specifications, industry analysts say. Foldable devices, once the domain of early adopters, are gaining traction among mainstream consumers as demand grows for larger screens and multitasking capabilities. That [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government on Tuesday laid out a five-year strategy aimed at overhauling the country’s chemical industry, betting that a shift toward high-value and environmentally friendly products will help it fend off mounting competition and chronic oversupply from China. Under the plan, announced by the Ministry of Trade, [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — As weight-loss drugs gain popularity in South Korea, gyms that once thrived on New Year’s diet resolutions are beginning to feel the strain. Fitness centers across Seoul report a noticeable shift in consumer behavior as more people turn to prescription obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro instead of exercise [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s National Assembly took a major step toward expanding climate protections on Thursday, approving a bill that formally defines “climate-vulnerable populations” and requires the government to prioritize their safety in national climate policy. The Special Committee on the Climate Crisis passed a bipartisan amendment to the country’s Carbon Neutrality [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of foreign workers in South Korea surpassed 1.1 million in 2025 to reach a record high, with the proportion of employed international students also sharply up, a survey showed Thursday. As of May, there were 1.69 million foreigners aged 15 or older residing in Korea, up 8.4 [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea plans to provide artificial intelligence (AI) job-training to more than one million people by 2030, the government announced Thursday, outlining an expansive workforce initiative aimed at preparing the labor market for rapid technological change. The Ministry of Employment and Labor unveiled the plan — titled the “AI+ Competency-Up [...]