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BYD surges to No. 4 in Korea's imported car market
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is rapidly expanding its foothold in South Korea, climbing to fourth place in the country’s imported passenger market in the first nine months of this year. BYD sold 20,137 vehicles from January to September, more than triple the 6,107 units it sold throughout 2025, according to industry data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Monday. Its share of the imported passenger car market jumped from 2 percent to 7.2 percent, placing the Chine
Oct. 20, 2026 -
K-food chiefs lead European charge at SIAL Paris
Korea’s top food executives are out in force this week at SIAL Paris 2026 — Europe’s leading food and beverage trade fair — showcasing their flagship brands alongside the new products set to drive growth in what has become one of K-food’s fastest-growing markets. The five-day fair, running through Wednesday, draws about 8,000 exhibitors from over 130 countries, among them 11 Korean food firms, such as Samyang Foods, Nongshim, Ourhome, Samlip, Binggrae and Lotte Wellfood. Samyang Foods said Tuesd
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Samsung's 2027 memory output already 80% booked: KB Securities
Samsung Electronics has reportedly secured long-term supply agreements covering about 80 percent of its planned memory chip production for 2027, strengthening its earnings outlook despite growing concerns over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence investment boom, according to KB Securities. "Samsung is estimated to have already secured approximately 80 percent of its planned memory production for 2027 through long-term supply agreements," said Kim Dong-won, head of research at KB Se
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Samsung-backed Element showcases next-gen DNA sequencing tech in Seoul
US genomics technology firm Element Biosciences, backed by Samsung Electronics as its largest shareholder, is kicking off a global road show in Seoul on Tuesday to showcase its latest DNA sequencing and multiomics technologies. Founded in San Diego in 2017, Element develops genomic analysis technologies aimed at improving accuracy and lowering costs. The company entered the market in 2022 with its AVITI DNA sequencing system. Samsung joined Element's Series D funding round in July 2024, contribu
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Samsung Bioepis secures 10-year biosimilar supply deal in Brazil
Samsung Bioepis said Tuesday it has secured a 10-year deal to exclusively supply its rare disease biosimilar SB12 to Brazil's public health system, strengthening its foothold in Latin America's largest pharmaceutical market. The South Korean biopharmaceutical company formed a consortium with Brazilian drugmaker Bionovis and state-run laboratory Bahiafarma under Brazil's Productive Development Partnership program. Starting in 2027, Samsung Bioepis will supply SB12, a biosimilar of the rare diseas
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Korea targets 1,000 overseas restaurants in K-food quality push
South Korea is stepping up efforts to improve the quality of Korean restaurants overseas, aiming to certify 1,000 establishments within five years as global interest in Korean cuisine continues to grow. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to overhaul its overseas restaurant designation system, strengthen culinary training and help restaurants secure Korean ingredients and skilled workers. Awareness of Korean food overseas rose to 68.6 percent in 2025 from 60 perce
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Hanwha Life launches youth financial literacy program in Indonesia
Hanwha Life Insurance is expanding its financial education programs overseas, launching an initiative in Bandung, Indonesia, to help young people navigate growing risks of digital finance. Run in partnership with Save the Children, the program focuses on financial literacy and protection against online scams, illegal lending and gambling. The initiative uses a peer-education model, training high school students to teach fellow students with support from university mentors at Bandung Institute of
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Finance minister pledges support for global 'AI basic society'
South Korea will help build a global "artificial intelligence basic society" in which no country is left behind in the AI transformation, the finance minister said Tuesday. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il made the remarks during a speech at the Global AI and Digital Summit, a three-day event co-hosted by the science ministry and the World Bank, which opened in Seoul on Tuesday. "South Korea, which received support from the international community as an aid recipient, has experienced how technolog
Oct. 20, 2026 -
Seoul shares open sharply lower after rebound amid AI concerns
South Korean shares opened sharply lower Tuesday, weighed down by losses in major tech heavyweights as investors attempted to cash in recent gains amid woes over investments in the artificial intelligence value chain. After opening 0.6 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 130.58 points, or 2.26 percent, to 5,637.43 as of 9:15 a.m., bucking overnight gains on Wall Street. The index has risen for two consecutive sessions after a sharp dip amid woes over AI-related se
Oct. 20, 2026 -
LS MnM weighs copper output cuts as smelting margins collapse
South Korean copper smelter LS MnM may cut copper concentrate purchases to protect profitability as a supply-demand imbalance drives processing fees to record lows, even as copper prices approach all-time highs. The company said Monday it is reviewing plans to adjust raw material purchases and production levels depending on market conditions and processing margins. LS MnM, South Korea’s only dedicated copper smelter, operates the Onsan smelter in Ulsan, with an annual production capacity of 680,
Oct. 19, 2026 -
Samsung Electro-Mechanics wins W360.5b memory substrate supply deal
Samsung Electro-Mechanics said Monday it has signed a 360.5 billion won ($271 million) contract to supply high-performance package substrates for memory chips to a major global customer, expanding its long-term supply agreements into its substrate business. Under the one-year deal, the company will supply the substrates from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2027. Samsung Electro-Mechanics did not identify the customer. The agreement comes as demand for advanced memory components rises alongside the rapid
Oct. 19, 2026 -
Agriculture Ministry eyes legal action over egg import, farmland claims
SEJONG — South Korea’s Agriculture Ministry said Monday it was considering legal action over social media posts about Brazilian egg imports as it stepped up efforts to counter what it described as maliciously distorted information about its policies. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said misleading claims about egg imports and a farmland survey continued to circulate on YouTube, Instagram and other platforms despite its repeated explanations through statements, interviews and
Oct. 19, 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz steps up Korea EV push with new CLA, GLC
Mercedes-Benz is ramping up its electrification push in South Korea, with the debut of the all-new electric CLA sedan and GLC SUV in the country’s fiercely competitive electric vehicle market. Speaking at a press briefing at the company’s Seongsu-dong studio in Seoul on Monday, Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Shirin Emeera highlighted both models as a pivotal turning point in the brand’s electrification journey, noting they are the first to feature its new purpose-built EV architectures. The all-new ele
Oct. 19, 2026 -
Samsung, LG Display gear up for Apple's next OLED wave
South Korea's leading display-makers are preparing fresh investments in advanced organic light-emitting diode production as Apple expands the technology into laptops, tablets and monitors, creating new growth opportunities in the premium display market. Apple is expected to unveil an OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro and an OLED-equipped iPad Mini later this month, with Samsung Display reportedly supplying all initial panels for both products, according to industry officials. The launches would mark
Oct. 19, 2026 -
Seoul shares end higher on institutional buying amid AI investment concerns
Seoul shares ended higher Monday, supported by institutional buying, as investors weighed concerns over whether heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure would generate sufficient returns. The Korean won was trading higher against the US dollar. After opening 3.17 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index reversed course to close up 99.96 points, or 1.76 percent, to 5,768.01, after falling as low as 5,488.41. Institutions bought a net 574.66 billion won ($432
Oct. 19, 2026