Most Popular
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Debate rages over ‘overly fatty’ samgyeopsal
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40 flights canceled on Jeju Island due to bad weather
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[Weekender] Korean psyche untangled: Musok
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N. Korea slams US, other countries for seeking alternative to UN sanctions monitoring panel
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Pandemic left Korea more depressed than before: report
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Gov't appears to shelve punitive measures against mass walkout by doctors
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[Eye Interview] 'If you live to 100, you might as well be happy,' says 88-year-old bestselling essayist
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From fake prostitution ring to nonexistent robber, prank calls hamper police
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Missing S. Korean traveler in Paris found safe after 2 weeks
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S. Korea, China, Japan in talks to hold trilateral summit May 26-27: official
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Over 1 in 3 delivery workers in 20s and 30s, CJ Logistics says
More than 1 in 3 of delivery workers of CJ Logistics, the industry’s largest, are in their 20s and 30s, the company’s data showed Thursday, contrary to the popular perception that couriers come from older generations. Some 8,100 delivery workers fall under the age groups, accounting for 37 percent of some 22,000 delivery workers. The findings are based on an analysis of its staff during the first half of this year. Once considered a “job for older men,” the company exp
July 15, 2021
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CU opens convenience stores in Mongolian int'l airport
South Korea's major convenience store chain CU said Thursday it has launched two stores in a new international airport in Mongolia as part of efforts to boost its presence in the country. CU said the company has become the first South Korean convenience store chain that has established outlets in the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport. The sole international airport in Mongolia, which opened on July 1 and is also known as Chinggis Khaan International Airport, is about 50 kilometers from the
July 15, 2021
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More convenience stores close after midnight amid rising labor costs
More South Korean convenience stores are staying closed or going cashierless in the hours between midnight and early morning -- a trend industry insiders say is being pushed by a rise in labor costs. According to industry sources, the number of GS25 stores closed between midnight and 6 a.m. accounted for 16.4 percent in 2020, up 2.8 percentage points from 13.6 percent in 2018. Just over 1 in 5 7-Eleven stores are opting to remain closed in the early hours, an increase from 2018 when the figure
July 14, 2021
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First-generation e-commerce platform Interpark up for sale
South Korea’s first-generation e-commerce platform Interpark, which gained popularity as an online book store and a ticket sales platform, is now up for sale. The company has confirmed reports that it had tapped security firm NH Investment & Securities to oversee the sale though no final decisions have been made. Multiple reports have said the firm is seeking to sell 28.41 percent of its shares, currently owned by CEO Lee Ki-hyung and affiliated persons. With its market capitalizati
July 13, 2021
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Fresh COVID-19 wave hits department stores
After a cluster of COVID-19 infections was reported at a department store in Seoul, large retail outlets are fearing it will cause a ripple effect and scare shoppers away. As of Sunday, nearly a week after the first infection was identified at Hyundai Department Store’s branch at Coex, Gangnam, at least 118 cases have been found to be linked to the store. The first patients were two staffers who tested positive on July 4. They worked on the basement floor, where the supermarket and fo
July 12, 2021
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11st to release all Built New York’s BTS tumblers in Korea
E-commerce platform 11st will begin selling an entire line of BTS tumblers and bottles produced by New York-based design company Built New York in collaboration with the South Korean pop group, in Korea on Monday. Though a bottle and a tumbler inspired by BTS’ video for “Idol” were released in June, a total of 16 items will be sold for the first time in the country through a live show known as “Live 11,” the platform said. With each design representing a member of
July 12, 2021
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Small businesses devastated by prolonged pandemic, survey says
Sales and net income for small businesses in South Korea dropped nearly 20 percent during the first half of this year, with a majority of business owners expecting worse later this year, a new survey has revealed. Nearly 8 in 10 owners of small businesses, including restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, said their revenue had taken a hit so far this year, the survey released by the Korea Economic Research Institute on Monday showed. It was down by an average of 21.8 percent. Clothing, flower an
July 12, 2021
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Homeplus taps ex McDonald’s Korea CEO as new CMO in executive shakeup
South Korean supermarket chain Homeplus has appointed former CEO of McDonald’s Korea Cho Ju-yeon as its new chief marketing officer, in an executive reshuffle announced on Thursday. Cho made headlines in 2016 when she became the first female CEO at the South Korean unit of the fast food restaurant. Hwang Jeong-wook, who formerly served as the chief financial officer at the Korean unit of AstraZeneca, will become the new chief financial officer at Homeplus. The move comes as the company
July 8, 2021
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BAT’s tobacco heating product reduces harmful exposure: study
BAT Korea unveiled a new study on Monday that showed its tobacco heating product Glo was able to “significantly” reduce harmful exposure to toxic substances. The recent study published in the Journal of Internal and Emergency Medicine offers the “first real-world evidence” that switching from cigarettes to exclusive use of Glo, the company’s flagship product, has a similar impact on indicators of potential harm as quitting smoking, BAT said. The findings, which we
July 5, 2021
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Coupang investigated by FTC over accusations of meddling with algorithms
South Korea’s antitrust watchdog has launched a probe into e-commerce giant Coupang over the accusation that the company has meddled with algorithms to prioritize its own products, according to multiple reports on Sunday. According to the reports, the Korea Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-the-spot inspection at Coupang’s headquarters office in Seoul late last month following accusations that it had violated the Fair Trade Act. One of the accusations claims that Coupang had me
July 4, 2021
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Nongshim Group inaugurates heir Shin Dong-won as new chairman
Shin Dong-won, the eldest son of the late founder and chairman of Nongshim Group Shin Choon-ho, has been inaugurated as the new chairman of Nongshim Group, the South Korean food company said Thursday. The promotion of Shin, who was formerly Nongshim’s vice chairman, was decided at a temporary board of directors meeting, the company said, to allow him to succeed to the post of his late father who died of chronic illness in March at the age of 92. Under the second-generation leader, Non
July 1, 2021
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Merged GS Retail aims to challenge online, offline rivals
The new GS Retail is kicking off in July as GS Group’s retail business unit, the company said Wednesday. The new entity was created by the marriage of two GS retail arms -- the old GS Retail and GS Home Shopping. The purpose of the merger, decided at the end of 2020, is to integrate the group’s presence in online and offline commerce platforms and boost its competitiveness in the overall retail sector. The new GS Retail, which officially launches Thursday, will be in charge of op
June 30, 2021
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Yanolja announces plans to increase R&D investment
Global leisure platform Yanolja said Monday it will hire some 300 personnel for research and development during the second half of this year. Under the “Tech All-In” vision, the company, which offers various holiday bookings including for hotels and trains, plans to increase its R&D staff by a total of 1,000. The move comes as Yanolja seeks to solidify its position as a leading global tech company. It currently offers business-to-business solutions to hotels in over 170 countri
June 28, 2021
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Fashion brand Ami taps K-pop group Enhypen as global ambassador
French designer brand Ami has tapped K-pop group Enhypen as its first global ambassadors. The septet, with previous hit singles including “Fever” and “Drunk-Dazed,” will help the brand expand its presence at home and abroad, Samsung C&T said Monday. Founder and creative director Alexandre Mattiussi said the energy, authenticity and message of inclusivity from the group resembles that of Ami, as he welcomed the decision. Famous for its signature logo featuring the l
June 28, 2021
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Coway named “Best Korea Brand” by Interbrand
Coway, a South Korean home appliance rental firm, has been named one of the “Best Korea Brands 2021” by global management consulting firm Interbrand. This year’s recognition marks the seventh year running that the company has been named among the 50 best brands that represent South Korea. Coming in the 27th place, Coway’s brand value enjoyed a 8.1 percent year-on-year increase and was estimated at 1.12 trillion won. Leading the global environmental home appliances with
June 27, 2021
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South Korea’s growing craft beer boom
Craft beers are enjoying a surge in popularity as more beer drinkers in South Korea seek to broaden their choices, bucking the years-long trend of sticking to major mass-produced beers which have dominated the country. According to data from convenience store chain CU, sales of craft beer are growing exponentially, up nearly 500 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year. The upward trend appears to be continuing this year as sales have risen by 239.2 percent as of June 21, compared to the
June 27, 2021
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Shinsegae Department Store to build new landmark in Suseo
Shinsegae Department Store will build a new department store in the envisioned Suseo Station Transit Center Complex, the company said Friday. According to the retail giant, a consortium led by Hanwha Engineering and Construction and participated in by Shinsegae has been chosen as the preferred candidate for the Suseo Station Transit Center Complex Development Project, which is worth about 1.2 trillion won. The Suseo Station Transit Center Complex Development Project aims to develop a 115,927
June 25, 2021
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SPAO launches daywear hanbok collection
E-Land Group’s fast fashion brand SPAO said Thursday it would launch a casual hanbok collection ranging from robes, pajamas to accessories. Ten items featuring patterns inspired by plum blossoms and bamboo will be released as part of the collection, which will go on sale online on the brand’s official website and fashion e-commerce platform Musinsa on Friday. The collection, which is a collaboration project with hanbok brand Leesle, garnered attention before its official release ov
June 24, 2021
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BAT unveils eco-friendly package for Glo
BAT Korea has unveiled a new “Eco Package” for its tobacco heating product Glo in its latest effort to embrace environmental, social and corporate governance values. To minimize carbon emissions and resources during the product distribution process, the size of the package has been reduced 30 percent, the South Korean unit of the British multinational company said. In addition, the product instructions have been simplified while the charging adapter, which was mainly made of plast
June 24, 2021
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Coupang faces biggest backlash yet as criticism mounts over working conditions
In March, Coupang made history as the first South Korean startup to make its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in the US, becoming a subject of both awe and envy among entrepreneurs here. But a few months later, it now faces growing criticism, with many suggesting the company achieved stellar growth by sacrificing the safety and well-being of its workers. A series of deaths among its workers and a fire at one of its distribution centers last week seem to have reinforced that view. Outside
June 22, 2021