At HIT Forum, PM calls for ‘irreplaceable Korea’

Korea's export-led growth continues at a brisk clip this year, and the government moves in tandem to advance capital market innovation, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said at the latest edition of The Korea Herald's HIT Forum on Tuesday. In a video message marking the forum's opening, Han called the theme, "Korea Premium: Connecting Korean Opportunities with Global Capital," well-timed and parallel to the direction the government hopes to take the market. "Forecasts point to Korea's economy growi

2026-09-09 11:17:32:00

S. Korea's nominal GDP growth tops 26%, highest in 47 years

South Korea's economy expanded in nominal terms at its fastest annual pace in nearly 47 years in the second quarter, as a semiconductor-led export boom widened the country's terms of trade, Bank of Korea data showed Tuesday. Nominal gross domestic product rose 26.4 percent in the April-June period from a year earlier, the sharpest increase since the third quarter of 1979. Output for the quarter reached 834.9 trillion won ($622 billion), up 9.2 percent from the first quarter. The country's real G

2026-09-08 14:48:30:00

aT offers AI-backed consulting for flower farmers facing climate shifts

The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., known as aT, said Monday it held a consulting session pairing artificial intelligence-driven analysis of flower auction data with expert cultivation guidance to help farmers cope with rising costs and unpredictable weather. Held jointly with the Rural Development Administration on Friday at a rose farm in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, the session drew on auction prices, shipment volumes and trading data accumulated at aT's flower distribution

2026-09-07 17:43:52:00

At 81, Amorepacific vows to lead global beauty standards

Amorepacific Chairman Suh Kyung-bae unveiled his blueprint for the beauty conglomerate's next chapter at its 81st anniversary, vowing to rewrite industry benchmarks for global growth under what the company calls "new beauty." Suh, who has guided Amorepacific through several pivotal transitions, used the milestone to reaffirm his innovation-driven, customer-first approach. "What has powered Amorepacific across 81 years is our devotion to customers and our willingness to blaze new trails," Suh sai

2026-09-07 13:59:03:00

APR's Medicube tests negative for banned dye tied to unauthorized seller

South Korean beauty company APR said Friday that lab tests found no trace of Sudan Red, a banned industrial dye, in two batches of its Medicube skin cream that Singapore's health regulator flagged in a recall. Testing at certified institutions, including in Korea, found no such dye in samples APR sent from Medicube's PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream corresponding to the batch numbers cited by Singapore's Health Sciences Authority — 2E122I.2E117I and 2E191G.2E193G. Sudan Red is a synthetic azo dy

2026-09-06 14:54:50:00

Japan Airlines takes stake in Korean Air's parent as alliance deepens

Japan Airlines has bought shares in Hanjin KAL, the holding company that controls Korean Air, as the two carriers announced a renewed, wide-ranging partnership, industry sources said Friday. JAL revealed the stake purchase Wednesday alongside the partnership announcement without disclosing the size of the holding or the price paid. "It is an independent investment decision based on Hanjin KAL's long-term market value," JAL said. No regulatory filing has surfaced disclosing a stake of 5 percent o

2026-09-06 11:50:14:00

Kirin pours Hyoketsu into Korea’s RTD boom

For 10 days in June, around 4,000 people gathered in a corner of Yeouido Hangang Park for a pop-up staged at the Kirin Ichiban Premium Beer Bar, a riverside bar run by the Japanese brewer. The draw wasn't the bar's namesake beer, but Hyoketsu, a canned Japanese chuhai, or shochu highball, made of fruit juice and vodka. Chilled below freezing while still liquid, it turned to slush on contact when poured, true to the pop-up's "Ice Magic" concept. The drink itself is a testament to Kirin's belief i

2026-09-05 16:00:00:00

Homeplus wins court approval for rehabilitation plan, averting bankruptcy

The Seoul Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday approved Homeplus's corporate rehabilitation plan, letting the hypermarket sidestep bankruptcy and setting it on course to exit court receivership. Secured creditors, unsecured creditors and shareholders voted in separate classes at the same-day meeting, with approval requiring more than 75 percent, 66.7 percent and 50 percent support, respectively. "We declare the rehabilitation plan approved, with 100 percent approval among secured creditors, 75.90 perce

2026-09-02 17:51:48:00

Shinsegae to build Aman's first Korean property in high-end lifestyle push

Shinsegae Property, the real estate development arm of Shinsegae Group, is bringing ultra-luxury hospitality brand Aman's first Korean property to Seoul's Cheongdam-dong, under Chairman Chung Yong-jin's vision of setting a new standard for the country's high-end lifestyle market. The company announced Wednesday that it will develop Aman Seoul, handling planning, strategy and execution, while Aman will handle design and operations, managing the hotel and residences under a long-term agreement. Am

2026-09-02 13:56:56:00

Lotte wins antitrust approval to divest Lotte Rental stake to TPG

Lotte Group won approval from the Korea Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday to sell its stake in Lotte Rental, held by Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel, with the deal expected to close in October. Lotte agreed last month to sell a 61.2 percent controlling stake, held by Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel, for 1.31 trillion won ($953 million), or 59,000 won per share. The group said it would use the proceeds to strengthen the hotel units' finances and fund renovations and premium brand growth. The s

2026-09-01 21:06:30:00