SEOUL, March 6 (Korea Bizwire) — A majority of Seoul residents support raising the minimum age for senior citizens’ free subway rides from the current 65 years, with most favoring 70 as the new threshold, according to a survey released on March 5. The findings were presented at a public forum on elderly transportation benefits hosted [...]
SEOUL, March 5 (Korea Bizwire) — As countries worldwide adjust their immigration policies, South Korea’s permanent residency system is drawing increased interest, particularly as the nation seeks to attract skilled foreign workers amid demographic challenges. While the United States recently made headlines with a proposal to sell permanent residency for $5 million, South Korea’s own system [...]
SEOUL, March 5 (Korea Bizwire) — In a strategic move to attract top foreign talent in advanced industries, South Korea has introduced a new visa program aimed at highly skilled professionals. The government announced the initiative on Wednesday following the 30th Foreign Policy Committee meeting, presided over by Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok. [...]
SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s e-commerce market is entering a new phase of competition as major players escalate their efforts to enhance delivery services, aiming to challenge Coupang’s dominance in logistics. With next-day delivery now an industry standard, retailers are racing to expand same-day shipping to differentiate themselves and meet rising consumer [...]
SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Once a haven for budget-conscious shoppers and vintage fashion enthusiasts, South Korea’s secondhand clothing markets are now feeling the strain of high inflation and shifting consumer habits. Vendors at Dongmyo Flea Market, one of Seoul’s most famous thrift-shopping destinations, report a sharp drop in sales, with some saying business [...]
SEOUL, March 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly one in three newly minted Ph.D. holders in South Korea last year remained unemployed, a record-high figure that underscores a tightening job market even for the country’s most highly educated individuals. According to data from Statistics Korea, only 70.4% of Ph.D. recipients who graduated in 2024 had secured employment [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs announced an ambitious five-year animal welfare plan on February 27 that includes banning convicted animal abusers from owning pets and increasing fines for animal abandonment to 5 million won, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to animal protection. [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s National Assembly passed the so-called ‘K-Chips Act’ on February 27, expanding tax benefits for semiconductor companies in a move aimed at strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness in chip manufacturing. The legislation comes at a crucial time as geopolitical uncertainties, including the new U.S. administration’s trade policies, add pressure [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies are rapidly expanding their presence in the Middle Eastern market, capitalizing on the region’s growing healthcare demands and high-income population. Daewoong Pharmaceutical recently launched its botulinum toxin product, Nabota, in Saudi Arabia, a market known for its stringent entry barriers for such products. The company [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced plans to become the first local government in South Korea to develop and publish a “coexistence index” that will evaluate delivery platforms on their commitment to fair business practices and cooperation with small businesses. The initiative, aimed at curbing excessive commission fees and preventing [...]