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Growing Exercise Gap Highlights Widening Health Disparities

Growing Exercise Gap Highlights Widening Health Disparities

SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) —  A new report reveals that South Koreans with higher incomes are significantly more likely to engage in physical activities such as walking, aerobic exercise, and strength training, exacerbating health disparities linked to income levels. According to the 2024 National Health Statistics released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency [...]

Aging Population Spurs ‘Grand Generation’ Market Boom

Aging Population Spurs ‘Grand Generation’ Market Boom

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) —  As South Korea approaches the milestone of 10 million senior citizens aged 65 and older, businesses are being urged to tap into the rising purchasing power of this demographic, according to a new report from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The report, titled ‘GG Market Strategy Report,’ [...]

South Korea’s Rental Market Sees Record Shift Toward Monthly Leases

South Korea’s Rental Market Sees Record Shift Toward Monthly Leases

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) —  The share of monthly rental contracts in South Korea’s housing market reached a record high in 2024, nearing 60% of all lease agreements, as rising interest rates and concerns over rental fraud (in particular jeonse frauds) accelerated the transition away from traditional lump-sum deposits. According to data from the Supreme [...]

K-Fashion and K-Beauty Surge in Japan, Riding Wave of Korean Pop Culture

K-Fashion and K-Beauty Surge in Japan, Riding Wave of Korean Pop Culture

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) —  South Korea’s fashion and beauty industries are gaining significant traction in Japan, driven by the global popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas. Industry players are leveraging this momentum with targeted efforts to expand their presence in the Japanese market. Leading the charge, companies like Musinsa, CJ Olive Young, and department [...]

Chinese AI Startup Shakes Up Global Market, Raising Concerns for U.S. Tech Giants and Korean Semiconductor Industry

Chinese AI Startup Shakes Up Global Market, Raising Concerns for U.S. Tech Giants and Korean Semiconductor Industry

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) —  The emergence of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, challenging dominant players like Nvidia and raising questions about the future dynamics of the AI and semiconductor sectors. DeepSeek recently unveiled its advanced AI models, including the V3 large language model and the R1 inference-specialized [...]

Controversy Surrounds Saemangeum Airport Over Bird Strike Risks Following Air Disaster

Controversy Surrounds Saemangeum Airport Over Bird Strike Risks Following Air Disaster

JEONJU, South Korea, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) —  The planned Saemangeum International Airport in South Korea is at the center of heated debate, with environmental groups and regional authorities clashing over its potential bird strike risks. Following the Jeju Air disaster at Muan International Airport, concerns have intensified about the safety of constructing an airport near [...]

Brandy Melville’s One-Size Policy Sparks Debate in South Korea Amid Body Image Concerns

Brandy Melville’s One-Size Policy Sparks Debate in South Korea Amid Body Image Concerns

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — Brandy Melville, a fashion brand known for its “one-size” policy, has ignited intense debate in South Korea following the opening of its first store in Seoul’s Seongdong District. The brand’s exclusive sizing, which caters primarily to petite frames (XS-S), has drawn both fascination and backlash as consumers grapple with its [...]

Korean Bullfighting Excluded from Intangible Cultural Heritage Consideration Amid Animal Welfare Debate

Korean Bullfighting Excluded from Intangible Cultural Heritage Consideration Amid Animal Welfare Debate

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) —  The long-standing tradition of bullfighting in South Korea, celebrated as a local cultural event in regions like Cheongdo, will not be designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, following a decision by the Cultural Heritage Administration. The move comes amid heated debate over whether the practice should be preserved as [...]

Seoul Unveils Ambitious Plan to Become a Global Biotech Leader

Seoul Unveils Ambitious Plan to Become a Global Biotech Leader

SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has announced an ambitious initiative to position the country as one of the world’s top five biotech powerhouses by establishing a Korean-style bio cluster and accelerating AI- and data-driven biotech research and development (R&D). The plan aims to elevate the biotech industry to a level [...]

Gender Gap in Teen Dating Costs Highlights Tradition vs Equality

Gender Gap in Teen Dating Costs Highlights Tradition vs Equality

SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A stark gender divide exists among South Korean teenagers regarding dating expenses, with young women overwhelmingly favoring equal cost-sharing while young men show more traditional views, according to a lifestyle report released by Woori Bank on January 23.  The “Teens’ Diary” report, which surveyed 3,729 teenagers aged 14-18 nationwide, revealed [...]