Jurisdiction takes center stage in Coupang US lawsuit

Jurisdiction has emerged as the key issue in a US class-action lawsuit over Coupang's massive personal data breach. Judge Ann Donnelly on Tuesday questioned why the case should be heard in New York rather than in South Korea during a preliminary hearing at the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The plaintiffs, represented by South Korean law firm Daeryun and its US partner SJKP, underlined that Coupang Inc. is an American company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and tha

2026-09-02 14:56:06:00

FTC raids Coupang again after first attempt comes up empty

South Korea’s antitrust regulator sent about 30 investigators to Coupang’s Seoul headquarters Tuesday, taking the unusual step of reopening its probe under a different law just over a week after the e-commerce giant blocked an earlier inspection. The renewed inspection marks a sharp escalation in the standoff between the Fair Trade Commission and Coupang, with the regulator deploying a large team and reportedly demanding records covering nearly a decade of business activities and transactions. A

2026-09-01 15:32:32:00

From 118 kg to a new life: A doctor’s journey with obesity drugs

For most of his life, cardiovascular surgeon Chang Hyoung-woo treated his obesity with the familiar prescription of diet, exercise and willpower. He even underwent surgery, losing 26 kilograms — only to regain nearly half of it. After his experience with a new generation of obesity drugs, Chang, 46, now argues that people with severe obesity should be offered medication as a primary treatment rather than being expected to rely on lifestyle changes alone. “For patients with severe obesity, diet a

2026-08-31 15:05:53:00

Housing policy veteran nominated as land minister

South Korean Vice Minister for Transport Hong Jee-sun was named to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Sunday. Hong, born in Donghae, Gangwon Province, in 1970, has served in the bureaucratic sector since passing the country’s higher civil service examination for local public officials in 1996. As of 2015, he spent about eight years at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government overseeing railroads, construction and logistics. He also served as an assistant governor for urban hous

2026-08-30 14:26:07:00

SK Chemicals eyes European can-coating market

SK Chemicals is positioning its polyester resin business to capture new opportunities in Europe’s can-coating market as tighter restrictions on bisphenol A take effect in the European Union. The new regulation, which came into full force in July, is expected to accelerate the replacement of BPA-based epoxy coatings that have traditionally been used to prevent corrosion and protect food and beverages from direct contact with metal. Polyester-based coatings have consequently emerged as a leading a

2026-08-30 13:35:21:00

Daewoo E&C eyes Vietnamese energy projects

Daewoo Engineering & Construction Chairman Jung Won-joo has met Vietnamese Industry and Trade Minister Le Manh Hung to discuss the Korean builder's willingness to be part of the Southeast Asian country's energy development projects, the company said Thursday. According to Daewoo E&C, Jung highlighted Daewoo E&C’s more than three decades of experience in Vietnam and its extensive local network during the meeting with the Vietnamese delegation in Seoul on Wednesday. "Based on our experiences and c

2026-08-27 14:34:55:00

LG Chem maps W15tr R&D push beyond petrochemicals

LG Chem is doubling down on transformation from a petrochemical-focused company into a materials powerhouse centered on semiconductors, mobility and batteries, as it aims to rebuild its business portfolio in alignment with future-leading industries. The company previously announced its road map to invest 15 trillion won ($10.8 billion) in research and development through 2035 with about 70 percent earmarked for future growth sectors. It has also established a new organization directly under CEO

2026-08-25 14:26:42:00

LX Pantos completes defense logistics project

LX Pantos said Tuesday it had successfully completed a high-security defense logistics project to transport air-to-air missiles from France to South Korea for the latter's military's domestically developed amphibious attack helicopter program. The company said it carried out the project at the request of Korea Aerospace Industries, which is developing the amphibious attack helicopter under a defense acquisition program led by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The air-to-air missile

2026-08-25 14:15:06:00

Hanmi signs record $2.3b obesity drug deal with Genentech

Hanmi Pharmaceutical said Monday it has inked an exclusive licensing agreement with Genentech for its obesity drug candidate HM17321 in a deal that could be worth up to $2.3 billion, setting new record for the firm for a licensing contract of a single drug candidate. Under the contract, Hanmi will receive an upfront payment of $190 million from Genentech, a US biotechnology subsidiary of Swiss multinational pharmaceutical giant Roche. The total value of the deal could reach as much as $2.3 billi

2026-08-24 14:27:46:00

EuBiologics secures WHO prequalification for typhoid vaccine

EuBiologics said Friday its typhoid conjugate vaccine has received prequalification from the World Health Organization, opening the door for the Korean vaccine maker to bid for international public procurement programs. Prequalification means the WHO recognizes the vaccine's safety, quality and efficacy, and clears the way for UN agencies and other international organizations to buy them for global health programs. This is EuBiologics’ second WHO-prequalified vaccine, following its oral cholera

2026-08-23 14:22:11:00