Convenience stores have been emerging as popular lunch spots among office workers in South Korea amid the ever-rising costs of dining out, a trend many in Korea call "lunchflation." Riding high on upbeat sales, convenience store chain CU recently launched a new store specializing in instant ramen products in the bustling Hongdae district in western Seoul. Not only does the store offer a wide variety of ramen products, but it also has an area where customers can prepare and enjoy ramen,

K-Wellness Dec. 11, 2023

Starbucks Korea said on Monday it would hold its annual Christmas event to raise funds for nongovernmental organizations and community organizations. The fundraiser is the specialty coffee chain's largest social contribution event, and started in 2015. This year’s event is set to kick off Tuesday for 10 days across its stores nationwide. Throughout the event, Starbucks Korea will raise 500 million won ($378,000) by donating 1,000 won for every order of its “Pink Chamomile Relaxe

Companies Dec. 11, 2023

SK Group said Sunday it has formed an alliance with Korean energy firms and business groups to expand the voluntary carbon market, which allows carbon emitters to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits. On Friday, a total of 11 institutions and enterprises signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding to form an alliance for the "Environmental Protection Credit Market," on the sidelines of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also called COP28, which take

Companies Dec. 10, 2023

Lotte Shopping, the retail arm of Lotte Group, said Tuesday it is set to start the construction of a new logistics center in Busan in partnership with UK retail tech firm Ocado. Lotte held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, called the Customer Fulfillment Center, which will be located on a 42,000 square-meter site within an industrial complex. As part of a partnership with Ocado signed in November last year, Lotte plans to adopt the UK firm’s artificial intelligence-based new

Companies Dec. 5, 2023

Kang Do-hyung, president of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, has been nominated as the new minister of maritime affairs and fisheries, according to the presidential office Monday. Born in 1970 on Jeju Island, Kang studied ocean science at Inha University. He earned his doctor’s and doctorate degrees in maritime life science at Jeju National University. Kang initiated his professional career at KIOST, a private oceanography research organization based in Busan, as a seni

Politics Dec. 4, 2023

LG Display's newly appointed chief executive officer Jeong Cheol-dong emphasized the importance of improving performance for turnaround as he begins his official duty Friday. "Getting out of the red is the most urgent priority, and for that, it is important that we complete the deals as we promised to our customers and achieve our planned targets,” Jeong said, sending his inaugural message to employees via email. "We will put a strong drive on cost innovation across the busi

Companies Dec. 1, 2023

Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Friday it has signed a contract with Russian pharmaceutical company JSC Pharmasyntez to export Envlo, an SGLT-2 inhibitor for diabetes treatment developed by the South Korean pharmaceutical company, to five member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia. Under the agreement, Daewoong Pharmaceutical will supply its SGLT-2 inhibitor to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Russia, once JCS Pharmasyntez compl

Companies Dec. 1, 2023

The Korea International Trade Association held the Korea Grand Sourcing Fair 2023 at Coex in southern Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday as part of its efforts to help domestic exporters enter overseas markets. According to KITA, this year’s event was attended by 152 buyers from 26 countries, who conducted more than 2,300 consultations with nearly 800 Korean companies. In particular, the proportion of buyers from the US, Vietnam, India, China and Japan, all key export markets, made up more th

Industry Nov. 30, 2023

Hyundai Elevator has joined hands with Erbud, the third-largest constructor in Poland, to cooperate on a reconstruction project in Ukraine, the Korean company said Wednesday. Hyundai Elevator and Erbud signed a memorandum of understanding in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday. The signing ceremony was attended by Hyundai Elevator’s Managing Director of Global Sales Division Cho Cheol-ho, Erbud’s Vice President Jacek Leczkowski and other company officials. Erbud specializes in commercial and

Industry Nov. 29, 2023

South Korean liquor giant HiteJinro said Tuesday it is expanding its distribution network of soju products in the UK as part of efforts to strengthen its market presence in Europe. Since last week, HiteJinro has started selling its Jinro Green Grape Soju and Jinro Peach Soju at 88 Sainsbury's stores and via online shopping portals, including Sainsbury's Online and Ocado, the company said. According to HiteJinro, the company's distilled spirit exports to the UK have been increasing

Market Nov. 28, 2023

The Korean Intellectual Property Office has moved to strength relations with authorities in the Middle East to pursue cooperation in intellectual property fields, ranging from manpower training to patent information utilization. According to the KIPO, its commissioner, Lee Insil, held a series of meetings with her Middle Eastern counterparts during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Oct. 20-22. Lee and Abdulla Al Saleh, the UAE's undersecretary for the Economy

Industry Nov. 28, 2023

Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s blockbuster “Smugglers” on Friday won best picture at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards, a prestigious film awards show in South Korea. The 130-minute crime action film tells the story of a group of “haenyeo”-- female divers from Jeju Island -- who become involved in illegal smuggling to make ends meet. “Smugglers” secured an additional three trophies, including best supporting actor for Zo In-sung, best new actress for Go Min-

Film Nov. 26, 2023

Enjoy luminous night view at Seokchon Lake With the days getting shorter, more light festivals illuminating the long dark nights of winter are on their way. Seokchon Lake -- a popular destination for watching cherry blossoms in spring --- in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, seeks to become a beautiful night view spot. The lake’s 4.17-kilometer circular walking trail is decorated with various lamps, lanterns and media art, entertaining those who stop by. While strolling along the path, you can s

Culture Nov. 24, 2023

Westin Josun Seoul presents ‘Warner Bros-themed’ package Westin Josun Seoul is offering the “J & Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Celebration” package until Feb. 29. The package covers one night’s stay and two complimentary tickets for the “Warner Bros. 100th: Celebrating Every Story” exhibition at the DDP in central Seoul. The exhibition features special goods featuring the film production company’s symbolic movie works such as the Harry Potter

Food Nov. 24, 2023

Convenience food ruled at 2023 Coex Food Week, an expo that focuses on the food industry as well as culture and trends in South Korea. While dedicated to promoting business-to-business opportunities, the food expo is also open to the public. This year, it kicked off Wednesday and runs through Saturday at Coex in southern Seoul. On Wednesday, visitors flocked to booths offering free samples. Perennial favorites included tteokbokki, dakbal, or fried chicken feet, dumplings and pizza. Convenience w

Food Nov. 23, 2023