Hyundai Casper EV to make Japan debut early next year

Hyundai Motor plans to bring its Casper Electric mini SUV to Europe later this year and Japan in early 2025, following robust domestic sales. The company reported Sunday that it sold 28,784 units of the Casper -- both gasoline and electric versions -- in the Korean market from January to August this year, marking a 1.4 percent increase from the same period last year. Total Casper sales surged in August, with 5,031 units sold -- making it the first month in 2024 to break the 5,000 mark. The boost

MobilitySept. 8, 2024

Samsung SDI to showcase advanced energy solutions at RE+ 2024

Samsung SDI will present its latest energy storage systems at RE+ 2024, the largest clean energy expo in North America, held in Anaheim, California, for four days starting Monday. The company’s showcase will revolve around the theme "A Sustainable Future Driven by PRiMX." PRiMX is a branding term for Samsung SDI’s advanced battery technology portfolio. Leading the lineup is the Samsung Battery Box 1.5, the company's next-generation ESS battery system ready for US lau

IndustrySept. 8, 2024

SK chief convenes CEOs to inspect global businesses

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won stressed the need for a sharp focus and prompt response to evolving AI, semiconductors and energy solutions sectors during an executives' management review meeting held on Saturday, the Korean conglomerate said Sunday. “Enhancing the competitiveness of our core businesses in AI and semiconductors while adapting to the evolving business environment is a formidable challenge, but one we must confront,” said Chey at the SK Seorin Building headquarte

IndustrySept. 8, 2024

[2024 IFA] Samsung’s AI push has long way to go: CEO

BERLIN -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and co-CEO Han Jong-hee said Saturday that the tech giant’s recent push for artificial intelligence-powered home appliances still has a long way to go in fulfilling the increasingly sophisticated demand from consumers “Our products are not keeping up with very high consumer expectations. … If we consider consumer expectations to be at 100, our product currently stands at around 30,” Han said during a press conference held on th

TechnologySept. 8, 2024

[Hello India] India makes fresh overture to lure Korean financial firms

India’s financial regulators boasted their fast-growing economy and young workforce at a rare investment forum held in Seoul on Friday, making a fresh overture to lure Korean investments. The event, co-hosted by Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service and the Embassy of India here, featured key officials from Indian financial regulatory bodies and drew around 140 executives from Korean financial institutions. “India is emerging as a global production hub with remarkable growth i

EconomySept. 8, 2024

[2024 IFA] LG AI Home envisions zero-labor home

BERLIN -- LG Electronics has announced a brand new era for the company by introducing its artificial intelligence home hub, featuring what it calls "affectionate intelligence," at this year’s IFA trade show that kicked off Friday in Berlin. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of LG AI Home, a smart living solution that utilizes generative AI to seamlessly communicate and connect with customers,” Lyu Jae-cheol, the tech giant's home appliance chief, said Thurs

TechnologySept. 8, 2024

[2024 IFA] Samsung CEO weighs in with AI connectivity to take on rivals at IFA

BERLIN -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and co-CEO Han Jong-hee said the Korean tech giant is looking to artificial intelligence connectivity to take on its rivals, as this year’s IFA in Berlin, one of the world’s largest consumer appliance trade shows, kicked off Thursday. “Who can provide consumers with a richer experience of connecting products” is the key message to convey, Han told The Korea Herald on Thursday at Samsung Electronics pavilion, upon his visit to th

TechnologySept. 6, 2024

SPC chair cleared of tax evasion charges

An appeals court on Friday cleared Hur Young-in, founder and chair of South Korean bakery giant SPC Group, of tax evasion charges, bringing an end to the year-long legal dispute. The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court ruling that found the SPC chief not guilty of breach of trust. Hur faced allegations of instructing group affiliates Paris Croissant and Shany to sell stocks of Mildawon, another SPC company producing flour, to SPC Samlip at lower prices in December 2012 that, according to prose

CompaniesSept. 6, 2024

US’ new export controls to have little impact on Korean businesses: ministry

The US' new export controls on critical technologies including quantum computing and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing will have little impact on South Korean businesses, Korea's Industry Ministry said on Friday. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security published an interim final rule on Thursday, implementing controls on 24 goods involving critical and emerging technologies including the gate all-around (GAA) chipmaking process, in order to hinder techn

IndustrySept. 6, 2024

Seoul shares dip for 4th day amid US recession woes

South Korean shares closed sharply lower Friday, extending their losing streak to a fourth consecutive session amid concerns over a potential US recession. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 31.22 points, or 1.21 percent, to close at 2,544.28. Trading volume was moderate at 368.9 million shares worth 8.5 trillion won ($6.4 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 760 to 139. Foreign investors extended their selling streak to a fo

MarketSept. 6, 2024

HS Hyosung to showcase advanced carbon fiber in US

HS Hyosung Advanced Materials said Friday that it will present new products from its advanced carbon fiber brand, Tansome, at the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo 2024, the largest composites exhibition in the US, which runs from Monday to Thursday. The exhibition is hosted by the leading composites industry associations, the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering and the American Composites Manufacturers Association. At the event, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials pla

CompaniesSept. 6, 2024

Korea to certify safety of EV battery from October

The South Korean government said Friday it will certify the safety of electric vehicle batteries beginning October, four months ahead of the initial plan, as it rolled out various measures to prevent EV fires. According to the government’s EV fire safety management measures, both domestic and imported auto brands will be subject to the authorities’ EV battery certification requirement. The government will disclose the information of the battery cell manufacturer, battery type and key

MobilitySept. 6, 2024

Seoul shares open lower ahead of US jobs data

South Korean shares opened slightly lower Friday ahead of the US jobs report that may serve as another indicator of a possibly looming recession. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 7.63 points, or 0.30 percent, to 2,567.87 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The index has been on a steady decline since Tuesday, when the United States reported a worse-than-expected manufacturing purchasing managers index. The US is set to release its latest jobs data Friday. In Seoul, large caps

MarketSept. 6, 2024

S. Korea logs current account surplus for 3rd month in July

South Korea racked up a current account surplus for the third consecutive month in July, driven by robust exports, central bank data showed Friday. The country's current account surplus reached $9.13 billion in July, marking a surplus for the third consecutive month, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea. The July surplus was smaller than the previous month's $12.56 billion, the largest since September 2017. The country's goods account racked up an $8.49 billion surplus in July followi

EconomySept. 6, 2024

Industry, science ministers discuss economic cooperation with Czech envoy

South Korea's industry and science ministers met with a senior Czech official Thursday to discuss bilateral cooperation, building on a recent nuclear power plant deal between the two countries. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun met with Czech National Security Adviser Tomas Pojar who was visiting Seoul as a special envoy of the prime minister, expressing hope for closer ties in areas including the nuclear energy industry, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. In July, the Cz

IndustrySept. 5, 2024

Seoul shares down for 3rd day on US woes

South Korean shares dropped for a third consecutive session Thursday amid concerns of an economic recession in the United States. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 5.30 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 2,575.50. Trading volume was moderate at 371 million shares worth 10 trillion won ($7.48 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 519 to 358. Retail investors purchased a net 457.6 billion won worth of local shares, extending

MarketSept. 5, 2024

[HIT Forum] Honing diplomatic skill of businesses

To safeguard their interest and tackle the threat of geopolitical risk to their operations in foreign markets, Korean firms are asked to develop the skills and mindset of the diplomat, and their first job is understanding the fast-changing regulatory environment with a long-term commitment, experts said Thursday “Diplomacy is no longer just a matter of national defense and security. It is an economic issue directly related to the country's future livelihood. At the center are compan

EconomySept. 5, 2024

[HIT Forum] Korean CEOs urged to adopt long-term perspective on lobbying

Experts in global business diplomacy on Thursday discussed emerging lobbying trends and assessed the readiness of Korean companies to navigate complex geopolitical developments, offering strategies for more effective lobbying. This discussion was a key part of the annual The Korea Herald HIT Forum, held this year at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. The event's theme, "Business Diplomacy — Navigating business through mega election year," underscored the ch

IndustrySept. 5, 2024

[HIT Forum] AmCham chief highlights Korea-US ties in shifting dynamics

American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman and CEO James Kim on Thursday stressed the importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties between South Korea and the US amid changing dynamics in global interactions. “As we navigate this mega-election year globally, the importance of ‘business diplomacy’ has never been more critical,” Kim said, delivering a congratulatory speech at The Korea Herald HIT Forum held Thursday in central Seoul. Kim, who has taken on top posts a

IndustrySept. 5, 2024

[HIT Forum] Strategic lobbying critical for Corporate Korea: top Washington lobbyist

Corporate Korea should engage in strategic lobbying at both federal and state levels to navigate the US’ regulatory landscape and protect its interests amid shifting political dynamics. This was the key takeaway from a special session at The Korea Herald HIT Forum, held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on Thursday, as seasoned US lobbyist Brian Ballard shared his insights on the art of business diplomacy in the run-up to the US presidential election this year. During

IndustrySept. 5, 2024