Daiso's budget cosmetics find devoted following

Editor's Note: This is the fourth article in our series exploring the evolving landscape of the Korean beauty industry and the products that captivate international visitors. SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - In South Korea’s bustling beauty market, a surprising contender has quietly become a cultural force: Daiso, the ultra-low-cost retailer known more for household goods than cosmetics. The chain, beloved by locals and tourists alike, is defying expectations — and industry

June 9, 2025

South Korean manufacturers accelerate shift to smart factories

SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - As industries worldwide undergo sweeping technological and structural shifts, manufacturers are redefining production at its core. Nowhere is this transformation more pronounced than in South Korea, where industrial heavyweights, such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG, are rapidly embracing the smart factory — an integrated, data-driven model reshaping global manufacturing norms. From intelligent communications to AI-driven production lines, the South Kore

June 9, 2025

Samsung maintains lead in European microwave market for 10th straight year

SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics retained its position as the top-selling microwave brand in Europe for the 10th consecutive year in 2024, according to data from market research firm Euromonitor. The South Korean electronics maker captured a 12.8 percent share of the European market by sales volume, cementing its lead in a region it has dominated since 2015. The Euromonitor survey covered 19 European countries. Samsung attributed its continued success to a combination o

June 9, 2025

Naver bets on 'sovereign AI' with launch of Silicon Valley venture arm

SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest internet company Naver introduced its new investment arm, Naver Ventures, at a networking event on June 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palo Alto. The announcement marks a renewed push by the company to assert itself in the evolving artificial intelligence landscape — not by chasing the biggest players, but by charting a path rooted in specificity, sovereignty, and strategic restraint. The initiative was unveiled by Lee Ha

June 9, 2025

Korean economy shrinks in early 2025

SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025, ending two consecutive quarters of modest growth. This reflects ongoing weakness in domestic demand and construction investment, according to revised figures released Thursday by the Bank of Korea. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent from the previous quarter, matching preliminary estimates. The decline followed 0.1 percent expansions in both the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

June 5, 2025

Korea's ETF market surges past 200 trillion won milestone

SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s exchange-traded fund market surged past a major milestone this week, with total net assets reaching a record 201.28 trillion won (approximately $150 billion) on Thursday, according to data released by the Korea Exchange. This marks the first time the fast-growing sector has crossed the 200 trillion won threshold. The achievement underscores the ETF market’s rapid ascent in the country. Net assets have nearly doubled since June 2023

June 5, 2025

S. Korea finalizes $17 billion Czech nuclear deal

SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - The state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has finalized a landmark agreement to construct two next-generation nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic — marking the country’s first overseas nuclear project in 16 years. The agreement, signed June 4, paves the way for the construction of two reactors at the Dukovany site in southern Czechia. Valued at approximately 26 trillion won (around $17 billion), the deal is South Korea’s first

June 5, 2025

Korean Air charts global ambitions as group nears 70-year milestone

Editor's Note: This article is the 21st installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - As Hanjin Group prepares to mark its 70th anniversary this November, South Korea’s largest transportation conglomerate is plotting a course for global expansion. The centerpiece of the group’s transformation is Korean Air, which solidifi

June 5, 2025

Samsung to unveil new foldable smartphone next month

SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics plans to unveil the latest iteration of its foldable smartphone line, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, in early July. The forthcoming model is being positioned on par with its flagship Galaxy S Ultra series. Samsung says the device will feature upgraded hardware, advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, and a refined user experience — hallmarks traditionally reserved for its most premium offerings. In a blog post, Samsung provided a fi

June 5, 2025

Exhibition showcases trend of electric vehicles

SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korea’s premier electric vehicle exhibition, EV Trend Korea 2025, opened in Seoul on Tuesday with an awards ceremony honoring standout innovations in the nation’s fast-growing EV sector. The three-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Environment at COEX convention center, brought together major industry stakeholders, including the Korea Battery Industry Association and the Korea Automotive Environmental Association. Ahn Se-chang, director g

June 4, 2025