SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) — A heated debate has erupted over South Korean discount retailer Daiso’s sale of low-cost health supplements, as pharmacists oppose the move while consumer groups argue it infringes on consumer rights. The Korea Consumer Organizations Council issued a statement on March 7 condemning the pharmacist associations’ objections, stating, “Health supplements are [...]
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 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) — More than half of South Koreans spend nearly two hours daily on YouTube, reinforcing its dominance in the country’s digital landscape, according to a report by Mobile Index from IGAWorks released on March 2. As of February 25, YouTube’s total usage time in South Korea reached 69.65 million hours, the [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — As health-conscious consumers seek healthier lifestyles and weight management strategies in 2025, South Korea is experiencing a surge in popularity of the “slow-aging” diet, which emphasizes low-glycemic and minimally processed foods designed to slow bodily aging and boost mental wellness. Demand for these healthy meal options has significantly increased, especially [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — With persistent high inflation straining consumer budgets, “off-price” retail (OPR) stores in South Korea are experiencing rapid growth, enticing customers with premium brand clothing at discounts of up to 90%. Originally emerging in early 20th-century America, off-price retail involves purchasing surplus or past-season items directly from brand owners and [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — In a strategic move to increase profitability and attract new customers, South Korea’s travel agencies are rapidly expanding their offerings of premium package tours. These upgraded travel experiences remove common frustrations found in budget packages, such as mandatory shopping trips, optional tour fees, and guide tipping, instead emphasizing quality and [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the most desired product in the new subscription application product category among consumers in their 20s and 30s, a poll showed Wednesday. According to the survey conducted recently on 1,000 adults by market research firm Macromill Embrain, 94.8 percent of respondents said [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean users of the popular short-video app TikTok are on the rise despite concerns over possible data leakage, an industry data tracker said Wednesday. The monthly active users (MAU) of TikTok and TikTok Lite, which are owned by China-based ByteDance, reached 4.89 million and 4.79 million, respectively, in [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Gold and dollar deposits at South Korea’s major banks have reached record highs as investors seek safe-haven assets amid global economic uncertainty and a strong U.S. dollar. According to financial industry data released on February 18, the combined balance of dollar deposits at the country’s five largest banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, [...]