Korea on alert over reshaped global economy during Trump's 2nd term

The export-reliant Korean economy is bracing for Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with the energy and high-tech sectors here expected to bear the brunt of the US policy shift centered on his trade protectionism and the rollback of Joe Biden's green energy push. Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said on Thursday he expected considerable changes in external economic conditions in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harri

Nov. 7, 2024

Celebrity chef Paik's franchise company soars in market debut

Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won’s franchise company Theborn Korea made a strong debut on the Kospi market Wednesday as investors endorsed his affordable food brands and his popularity grew globally, with a recent Netflix series giving further tailwind to his business. Theborn Korea saw its shares traded as high as 58,100 won ($41.60) at the market open — a 70.9 percent jump compared to the 34,000 won the stock was priced at earlier in the week. That gave the company a valuation of aroun

Nov. 6, 2024

Young Poong's environmental violations come to light

Young Poong, a Korean zinc smelter, has come under fire for environmental violations and an array of industrial accidents occurred at its Seokpo refinery. According to the company, its Seokpo refinery in North Gyeongsang Province was ordered by the Supreme Court to shut down for two months for violating a water conservation law. It is the world's sixth-largest zinc producer, which makes up around 2.4 percent of global production in 2023, according to global energy data provider Wood Mackenz

Nov. 5, 2024

After opposition U-turn, Korea to repeal plan for financial capital gains tax

Korea’s main opposition party reversed its plan to introduce capital gains taxes on financial investment income on Monday, putting an end to a four-year stalemate with the ruling party as the underperforming domestic stock market struggles to make a breakthrough. “We decided to agree to the abolishment of the capital gains tax, which the government and the ruling party have been pushing for,” said Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, during

Nov. 4, 2024

Korea downplays impact of US investment ban on Chinese tech

Korean authorities expect the United States’ decision to ban outbound investments in artificial intelligence and other technology sectors in China to have a limited impact on South Korea's economy. On Monday, the Biden administration said it finalized rules that will bar US funds from flowing into Chinese technology such as quantum information technologies, AI systems and advanced microelectronics due to national security concerns. The new rules, directed by an executive order signed

Oct. 29, 2024

Korea's economic growth slows in Q3 on weaker exports

South Korea’s economy has grown by 0.1 percent in the third quarter from the prior quarter, undershooting forecasts by big margins due to unexpectedly slowed exports, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Thursday. The country's real gross domestic product -- a key measure of economic growth -- expanded 0.1 percent on-quarter in the July-September period, missing the 0.5 increase forecast by the central bank in August. This is a red flag for Asia’s fourth-large

Oct. 24, 2024

KEF chief meets with EU ambassadors to beef up economic ties

Member companies of the Korea Enterprises Federation met with ambassadors of the European Union on Tuesday to elevate economic cooperation and discuss strategies for embracing the shift in the labor market induced by industrial restructuring. Top officials from 23 EU member nations’ embassies in Korea, including Maria Castillo Fernandez, the ambassador of the EU, attended the business roundtable event hosted by the KEF held at a hotel in Seoul on Tuesday. Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the

Oct. 22, 2024

Tariffs top US election agenda for Korean firms

Whether Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris or Republican candidate Donald Trump takes the White House, US tariff policy for the next four years is the top concern for Korean firms, according to Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry poll results on Monday. In a survey conducted on 300 Korean manufacturing companies from Oct. 2-11, over a quarter of Korean companies, or 25.6 percent, said Trump's plan of “expanding universal and reciprocal tariffs” grabbed their at

Oct. 21, 2024

Finance minister vows all-out efforts to win Czech nuclear deal

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok vowed to secure the final deal for Czech nuclear plants amid ongoing criticism that it would result in a pork-barrel project. “We will put an utmost effort to ensure that the construction of the Czech nuclear power plant reaches the final contract without any setbacks,” Choi said during a ministerial meeting on external economics. Korea's consortium, led by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, is s

Oct. 17, 2024

Korea to pump in W8.8tr in 2025 to contend in global chip race

The South Korean government will inject 8.8 trillion won ($6.45 billion) next year to advance the country’s semiconductor ecosystem through low-interest loans while accelerating infrastructure construction and nurturing talent. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok announced a slew of plans for comprehensive support for the chip industry while presiding over a ministerial meeting Wednesday, with firms in the sector clamoring for more concrete measures to catch up to global rivals. “We wil

Oct. 16, 2024