Kakaopay CEO urges adoption of fractional share investing

　South Korea should adopt fractional share investing in order to enhance financial inclusiveness and diversify asset portfolio of small investors still rely heavily on real estates, the head of a local fintech firm suggested on March 4. 　By allowing investors to buy less than a full share, investors with a tight budget can have more chances to invest in blue-chip stocks that used to be out of their reach, Ryu Young-joon, CEO of Kakaopay said during a seminar held by Rep. Lee Kwang-jae of the D

SK Group expected to launch REIT this month

　South Korean conglomerate SK Group will set up a company to run a real estate investment trust, or REIT, this month, according to reports March 4. 　A REIT owns or finances real estate property to generate income, and allows investors to partially own valuable real estate and receive dividends. 　SK Holdings, the holding company of SK Group, is expected to obtain approval to establish the REIT later this month. After setting up a new subsidiary as early as this month, it will likely launch a RE

Digital therapeutics developer LifeSemantics eyes March IPO

　South Korean digital health platform developer LifeSemantics said March 4 it is ready to go public to raise up to 12.5 billion won ($11.11 million) worth of fresh funds. 　The firm plans to make a market debut on the nation’s tech-heavy Kosdaq market at the end of this month. 　Founded in 2012, LifeSemantics has focused on its business on health information and technology and artificial intelligence-powered programs. Its main platform “LifeRecord” provides MyData, digital ther

Coupang ready to go public

E-commerce giant’s IPO pricing is expected to be determined on March 10

Carbon-neutral Philips sets higher goals for 2025

Global health care company pursues energy efficiency, sustainability as key business goals

Tailored foreign investing advice gets new twist

Collector of Korean art, TV celebrity, motivational speaker and investment adviser -- those are just a few of the titles Mark Tetto, 40, has under his belt. After about 10 years of living in Seoul, the Italian American multihyphenate is taking on a new challenge in leading Topor & Co. Korea, one of the first investment advisers in South Korea that handles private wealth management for wealthy families. In the past five years as a partner at TCK, his primary focus was to manage a globally d

Avoiding regulatory overlap crucial for Seoul to become financial hub: BNP Paribas head

South Korea could be home to international financial behemoths if the government avoids regulatory overlap and takes a more flexible approach to operational issues faced by foreign banks in the rulemaking process, the head of BNP Paribas South Korea said.  In an interview with The Korea Herald, Philippe Noirot, head of territory for BNP Paribas South Korea, said “overlapping regulations” may pose hurdles for foreign financial institutions’ to enter into the South Korean m

NYSE hopes to see more Korean firms listing in US

‘Innovative’ S. Korean companies are ready to scale up to become global, NYSE executive says

Who will acquire eBay Korea?

Sale likely to shake up local e-commerce landscape

Hankook Tire’s sibling war intensifies ahead of proxy war at month-end

Elder sister joins in, siding against youngest brother in management feud

Leadership challenge intensifies family feud at Kumho Petrochemical

A nephew is challenging the leadership of his uncle, incumbent Chairman Park Chan-koo, at Kumho Petrochemical, launching a campaign to win the support of shareholders Wednesday. Park Chul-whan, the company’s largest shareholder with 10 percent of the shares, opened a website for his shareholder proposal in which he claimed that mismanagement was blocking growth of the company and suggested the direction that the company should go to increase its value.  The younger Park is the son

Banks still wary of cryptocurrency partnership

The resurgence of cryptocurrency trading as well as upcoming changes in law that mandate investments in bitcoins be made with accounts under real names are likely to provide new opportunities for commercial lenders seeking new income sources. But many are still reluctant to make ties with crypto exchanges, citing risks in the volatile market and lack of confidence over forging partnerships with smaller crypto exchanges here. Currently, three banks -- Shinhan, NH Nonghyup and K bank -- are in p