SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Foreign investment in South Korean securities recorded the largest net inflow in nearly two years in May, supported by easing domestic political uncertainties and reduced concerns over the United States’ trade policy, the central bank said Friday. Offshore investors purchased a net US$9.29 billion worth of local stocks and [...]
SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Roughly eight out of ten South Koreans believe public hospitals are essential, particularly in times of medical crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic and recent government-doctor disputes. Yet despite broad public recognition of their importance, actual usage of public hospitals remains relatively low, according to a new government-funded study. [...]
SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s petrochemical sector is ramping up restructuring talks, including potential consolidation of naphtha cracking center (NCC) facilities, as companies grapple with sustained oversupply from China and a prolonged global economic slowdown. The shift comes as the administration of President Lee Jae-myung prepares to roll out policy support for [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Motor is doubling down on its push into the high-performance electric vehicle market with the upcoming debut of the Ioniq 6 N, a sleek and powerful EV sedan poised to rival models like the Porsche Taycan. On Thursday, the automaker released teaser images of the Ioniq 6 N, [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Naver is doubling down on its push into generative AI-powered search, announcing the launch of a new “Integrated Agent” system aimed at delivering seamless, conversation-based search experiences that move beyond traditional keyword queries. At a press briefing held Thursday at its D2SF headquarters in Seoul, Naver outlined its vision [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — K-pop idol group Super Junior will launch a world tour as it celebrates the 20th anniversary since its debut this year, the group’s agency, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The tour titled “Super Show 10″ will kick off in Seoul on Aug. 23-24 and continue in 15 other big cities [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s tobacco market is undergoing a seismic shift, with traditional cigarettes giving way to e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products that promise less smoke and odor — but are raising fresh public health concerns. A government-commissioned report released Thursday by the Korean Society for Smoking Cessation, titled “2024 In-Depth [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A growing number of South Korean office workers in their 20s and 30s say that no paycheck is worth compromising on workplace ethics, fairness, and alignment with personal values — a shift reshaping the country’s job market and corporate culture. According to a survey released Wednesday by JobKorea’s Content [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The proportion of South Korean companies unable to cover their interest expenses with operating profits reached an all-time high in 2024, underscoring persistent financial stress among smaller firms despite improved overall corporate earnings. According to the Bank of Korea’s annual corporate management analysis released Wednesday, 40.9% of non-financial, for-profit companies [...]
Seoul, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — As President Lee Jae-myung’s administration sets its sights on making South Korea one of the world’s top three artificial intelligence (AI) powers, a growing chorus within the tech industry is calling for a shift in focus — from grand-scale infrastructure projects to practical, sector-specific solutions that bridge the widening gap [...]