Journalist

Cho Jae Hyung
  • Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan Visits Kolmar Korea, Pledges Support for Reshoring and Regional Investment
    Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan Visits Kolmar Korea, Pledges Support for Reshoring and Regional Investment Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan visited Kolmar Korea, which has been named the first “reshoring” company of the year, and pledged expanded support as the government encourages firms operating overseas to bring production back to South Korea. Kolmar Korea said Kim visited its Sejong plant in Jeonui-myeon, Sejong City, on the 27th, delivered the official designation certificate in person and held a meeting with company officials. KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung and Korea Industrial Complex Corp. Chairman Lee Sang-hoon joined the tour and reviewed the company’s cosmetics manufacturing capabilities. The Sejong plant is a key facility that serves as headquarters for Kolmar’s global production network. Built in 2014, it was the largest single plant in Asia at the time. It produces 890 million units of basic skincare products a year for about 4,500 customers in South Korea and abroad. Kolmar’s sunscreen products, which have helped drive the global K-beauty boom, are also made entirely at the site. At a reshoring roundtable held after the tour, Kolmar Group Vice Chairman Yoon Sang-hyeon and representatives from eight reshoring-designated companies, including Simtech, Nepes, Daehan Electric Wire and Sungwoo Hitech, discussed ways to boost domestic investment and improve government support programs. “Now, the competitiveness of companies and countries is determined by how stably they can secure supply chains,” Kim said. “The government will actively support companies so that returning home and investing in regional areas becomes the most reasonable and attractive choice.” Yoon said Kolmar plans to strengthen production capacity with Sejong City as its base to meet rising global demand as K-beauty’s profile grows. He said the company will work in step with government support for reshoring firms to enhance K-beauty manufacturing competitiveness and serve as a bridge for broader industry growth. Earlier, Kolmar said it consolidated its China production at its Wuxi plant and notified the industry ministry of its intention to expand its domestic production base. It was selected in January as the first reshoring company of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:40:02
  • Lotte Home Shopping Opens AIGLE Flagship Store at Seoul’s Lotte World Mall
    Lotte Home Shopping Opens AIGLE Flagship Store at Seoul’s Lotte World Mall Lotte Home Shopping is stepping up its push into offline retail by opening a series of permanent stores for French outdoor brand AIGLE in key shopping districts in Seoul. The company said Monday it opened an AIGLE permanent store on April 24 at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil. The store is the first in South Korea to apply AIGLE’s “Rubber Forest” concept, inspired by the brand’s signature rubber material and designed to reflect its nature-friendly philosophy. It is also debuting AIGLE’s 2026 spring-summer “Solar Pack” line, aimed at summer demand with enhanced UV-protection features. The lineup includes functional windbreakers, T-shirts and pants, as well as more than 20 types of the brand’s signature rain boots. To mark the opening, customers who spend 500,000 won or more will receive a limited-edition bag made in collaboration with global accessories brand Topologie, the company said. Lotte Home Shopping has been developing a new business focused on securing distribution rights for promising overseas fashion brands and selling them in South Korea as part of its effort to build future growth engines. After signing a distribution-rights agreement with AIGLE in 2024, it ran pop-up stores in major fashion hubs including Apgujeong and Hannam-dong to build brand awareness. It opened an official online mall in March last year to expand its digital presence. Starting this year, it plans to open large permanent stores in prime districts to complete an omnichannel network spanning online and offline sales. The company said it plans to open another store next month near Dosan Park in Seoul’s Gangnam district. “We plan to continue expanding AIGLE permanent stores in key commercial districts such as Jamsil Lotte World Mall and Dosan Park,” said Lee Sang-yong, head of Lotte Home Shopping’s Growth Business Division. “We will further strengthen our position as a distribution platform that successfully establishes global fashion brands.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 10:50:15
  • CU to Raise International Parcel Shipping Rates 7% as Fuel Surcharges Jump
    CU to Raise International Parcel Shipping Rates 7% as Fuel Surcharges Jump CU convenience stores will raise prices for their international parcel delivery service, citing a sharp rise in air fuel surcharges as global oil markets remain unsettled in the wake of the war between the United States and Iran. According to industry officials on the 27th, CU Post, which operates CU’s parcel service, will increase international shipping rates by about 7% starting May 1. A CU official said, “International parcel rates will rise from the first of next month due to higher fuel surcharges imposed by our partner express carrier as international oil prices climb.” CU’s partner carrier DHL has sharply increased its air fuel surcharge in recent months. The surcharge was 28.75% in early February but surged in April. It rose to 39% for April 1-12, then to 46% for April 13-19 and 47.75% for April 20-26. For April 27-May 3, it reached 48%. DHL plans to keep the surcharge high at 47% for May 4-10. That is an increase of nearly 20 percentage points in about three months. International parcel services at convenience stores have been popular with office workers who cannot visit post offices or courier branches during business hours, allowing customers to send items overseas at nearby stores 24 hours a day. The service has drawn strong demand from families of international students and overseas direct-to-consumer sellers. The rate hike is expected to increase the perceived logistics burden for consumers who need to ship goods abroad. Rival GS25 is also said to be carefully reviewing a possible increase. A GS25 official said, “It is true that discussions about a rate increase are taking place with our partner, but we have not received an official notice confirming anything yet.” An industry official said air express delivery is among the sectors most sensitive to oil-price swings, adding that freight-rate pressure across the logistics industry could persist for some time as oil-producing countries maintain production cuts and military tensions in the Middle East intensify, driving volatility in global crude prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:51:17
  • Lotte Mart Targets Golden Week Travelers; Gmarket Extends Midnight Cutoff for Fast Delivery
    Lotte Mart Targets Golden Week Travelers; Gmarket Extends Midnight Cutoff for Fast Delivery Lotte Mart steps up promotions for foreign shoppers ahead of Golden Week holidays Lotte Mart said April 26 it will strengthen promotions for foreign customers to coincide with major holiday periods, including Japan’s Golden Week (April 29 to May 6) and China’s Labor Day break (May 1-5). The retailer will work with Japan-based online travel platform Konest to offer Lotte Mart discount coupons. It will also provide hotel-guest-only discount vouchers through Lotte City Hotel Gimpo Airport, where Japanese guests account for a large share of stays, the company said. Lotte Mart will also issue special coupons through Taiwan’s Line Pay through May 15. On WeChat Pay, it will run a random discount event offering immediate discounts of up to 88 yuan. At its foreign-visitor hub stores — Zettaplex Seoul Station and the Gwangbok branch — customers who spend above a set amount will receive gifts such as luggage tags and travel shopping bags. “As a shopping landmark representing Korea, we will build stores global customers want to return to, based on differentiated products, tailored benefits and outstanding shopping convenience,” said Yoon Yeo-ryeong, who oversees promotional marketing for Lotte Mart and Super. Gmarket extends ‘Star Delivery’ order cutoff to midnight Gmarket said April 26 it will extend the order cutoff time for its fast-shipping service to midnight as it seeks to strengthen delivery competitiveness. Starting April 28, the cutoff for “Star Delivery” will move from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m., the company said. Star Delivery is a guaranteed-arrival service that delivers items on the promised date. It includes “Fulfillment Star Delivery,” operated from the Dongtan Mega Center, and “Seller Star Delivery,” run directly by merchants. The midnight cutoff will apply first to fulfillment items. During this year’s Lunar New Year holiday period, Gmarket extended the cutoff from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. After sales between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. rose 56% from the prior year’s holiday period, it kept the 11 p.m. deadline in place, the company said. Gmarket said the change will allow consumers to place late-night orders while still receiving next-day delivery benefits, and it expects sellers to gain additional sales opportunities. The company said it plans to improve logistics infrastructure and operating efficiency and gradually expand Star Delivery coverage. Hyundai Department Store begins Seoul Forest eco-garden project with customers Hyundai Department Store has launched an environmental donation project to create green space in the city with customers. The company said April 26 that it held the first planting for its “Grow My Garden” project on April 25 at Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Under the program, customers donate by selecting one of eight garden areas, and Hyundai Department Store covers half the cost. Participants included donating customers, about 50 company employees and family members, and officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the nonprofit Forest for Life. They planted about 2,000 trees and flowering plants. Hyundai Department Store said it plans to plant an additional 2,000 perennials and seasonal flowers through April 28. The roughly 800-square-meter “Green Friends Garden” created through the project will be unveiled at the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show, which opens May 1, the company said. Hyundai Department Store said it will install amenities such as benches and lighting so the public can use the space freely, and it plans to run customer-participation gardening programs. CJ OnStyle says KBO scarves and key rings are driving demand for team goods South Korea’s professional baseball league, the KBO, is drawing strong interest, and related goods are expanding beyond food and beverages into fashion and lifestyle items. CJ OnStyle said April 26 that an analysis of sales data from April 9 to 25 — after it launched KBO goods — found fashion accessories such as bandana scarves, lightweight folding umbrellas and stadium-bag key rings ranked among top sellers. In the first 10 days after launch, cumulative sales reached 35,000 items, the company said. Fashion accounted for 52.8% of total sales volume. CJ OnStyle said it expanded sales channels to external platforms including Naver and 29CM starting April 20, citing early momentum. “KBO league fans increasingly see goods not as simple souvenirs but as a way to express personal taste and style,” a CJ OnStyle official said. “We will identify fandom trends early and connect them to product planning to broaden the base for fandom commerce.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 16:49:05
  • Korean Fish Market Vendors Grow Into 10 Billion-Won Businesses Through Coupang
    Korean Fish Market Vendors Grow Into 10 Billion-Won Businesses Through Coupang More vendors from traditional seafood markets in South Korea are using Coupang as a springboard to grow into small and midsize companies with annual sales in the 10 billion-won range, the e-commerce company said. The shift is credited to moving beyond complex distribution chains and face-to-face sales by using Coupang’s direct-from-source shipping and dawn-delivery system. Coupang said the number of small businesses based in major seafood markets and ports — including Busan’s Jagalchi Market, Yeosu, and areas such as Jeju, Noryangjin and Jindo — selling through Rocket Fresh has recently risen to 10. Their transactions now account for about 17% of Coupang’s overall seafood dawn-delivery sales, the company said. Coupang attributed the growth to direct deals that bypass the typical multi-step route from fishing grounds to wholesalers, sub-wholesalers and retailers, improving margins while expanding sales nationwide. The gains are reflected in company results. Dried-seafood seller Haemalgeun Food, which started from a street stall at Garak Market in 2012, reported sales of 40 million won when it joined Coupang in 2015. Ten years later, last year, sales topped 16 billion won — more than 400 times higher. The company has since built a modern production plant spanning 1,600 pyeong and increased its workforce by more than 10 times. Juil Co., which began as a seafood street stall at Seoul’s Jungbu Market in 1976, said it shifted after joining Coupang in 2018 from bulk raw-product sales to small packages and brand-focused offerings aimed at one-person households. Sales rose from 20 million won in its first month on Coupang to about 1 billion won a month, turning it into a midsize business. Good Morning Seafood, a newer seller from Noryangjin, said customized consulting from Coupang helped boost its sashimi sales volume by more than fivefold from early levels, and it is preparing additional hiring. Coupang said it expanded its direct-from-source seafood purchases from about 1,500 tons in 2024 to about 1,870 tons last year, and is continuing to add new sourcing areas nationwide, including Namhae in South Gyeongsang Province and Sinan and Wando in South Jeolla Province. A Coupang official said the company will prioritize finding more small merchants in traditional markets and, through Rocket Delivery and Rocket Fresh, focus on expanding sales channels, shared growth and digital transformation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 13:55:53
  • Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin Visits Vietnam, Urges Push Into New Businesses
    Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin Visits Vietnam, Urges Push Into New Businesses Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin chose Vietnam for his first overseas on-site management trip of the year, checking major operations and calling for expansion into new businesses while meeting local officials to discuss future growth. Lotte Group said on the 26th that Shin visited Hanoi from the 21st to the 24th and toured key sites including Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi and Lotte Center Hanoi. On the 23rd, he visited Lotte Mall West Lake, received briefings on the performance of major Lotte affiliates operating in Vietnam — including Lotte Department Store, Lotte Mart and Lotte Hotel — and inspected the facilities. Lotte Mall West Lake, which officially opened in September 2023, is a large-scale mixed-use mall that brings together the group’s core capabilities. Cumulative visitors topped 30 million through last month, and cumulative sales reached 600 billion won as of the end of last year. The group expects it to enter the “1 trillion won sales club” within the year. After touring the site, Shin said Vietnam is a key country for the group’s global business and called the continued growth of its core businesses, including food and retail, “very encouraging.” He urged the company to further strengthen competitiveness in existing businesses while also focusing on new areas such as advanced urban development, eco-friendly materials and advanced logistics. Shin also visited a promotional zone at the mall for “Cau Thu Nhi,” a youth soccer entertainment program Lotte has co-produced with Vietnam’s state broadcaster VTV since 2011. The show, which focuses on discovering and developing young soccer talent, has been popular locally. Shin met Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national soccer team, wished the team success and expressed support for developing prospects. During the trip, Shin also stepped up engagement with senior Vietnamese figures. On the 22nd, he held a series of meetings with Vu Dai Thang, chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, and To An Xo, a party secretary and aide to the state president, among others. Shin shared Lotte’s investment results over more than 30 years since entering Vietnam and said the group would pursue various urban development plans centered on its strengths to contribute to Hanoi’s development. Shin also attended official events tied to President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam, including a state banquet and a business forum. He previously led an economic delegation to Indonesia in April last year to seek expanded cooperation between companies in the two countries, and in March he took part in an economic delegation to the Philippines. 2026-04-26 09:57:20
  • Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin Eyes Faster Expansion in Vietnam During State Visit
    Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin Eyes Faster Expansion in Vietnam During State Visit Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, is traveling to Vietnam as part of an economic delegation accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on a trip to India and Vietnam, drawing attention to whether the group will accelerate its local expansion. Lotte has long positioned Vietnam as a key overseas base to overcome growth limits in its domestic retail business. Industry officials said April 22 that Shin is expected to strengthen ties with Vietnamese political and government figures and personally review the group’s priority projects. One focus is the Thu Thiem Eco Smart City project in Ho Chi Minh City, with investment of about 20.1 trillion dong (about 1.1296 trillion won). The project sits in the 2A functional zone, a core area of the Thu Thiem new urban district, on a 74,513-square-meter site. Lotte received a 50-year operating right in 2017 to build a financial center, mixed-use commercial facilities and housing, but the project was stalled for eight years due to a Vietnamese government audit and delays in land-price calculations. Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee was reported to have accepted part of Lotte’s request, approving an adjustment of the equity structure among affiliates and a transfer of up to 35% to a third party, signaling progress. Lotte’s strategy in Vietnam centers on building a “lifestyle platform” that combines department stores, hypermarkets and mixed-use shopping malls. The company is expected to push beyond expanding store networks toward building a broader platform ecosystem aimed at Vietnamese consumers’ daily lives. Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi, which opened in July last year, spans about 354,000 square meters — roughly the size of 50 soccer fields — and includes global beauty brands such as Hermes and Chanel, along with an aquarium and KidZania. In less than a year, cumulative sales topped 300 billion won, with an average of 50,000 visitors a day and total visitors surpassing 25 million. Lotte Center Hanoi, marking its 10th anniversary this year, is also undergoing a full renovation to reinforce its landmark status. Retail and food-service affiliates are also supporting the broader push. Lotteria, which entered Vietnam in 1998, operates 260 stores with menus tailored to local tastes and has posted annual sales of more than 100 billion won each year since 2022, maintaining the top spot in the franchise sector. Lotte Mart, which runs 15 stores, reported operating profit up 24.3% last year from a year earlier. Lotte’s footprint in Vietnam is extending into logistics and culture. Hotel Lotte (three locations), Lotte Duty Free (three locations) and Lotte World (aquarium) have built out tourism infrastructure. Lotte Global Logistics plans to start operating its Dong Nai cold-chain center next month to upgrade supply chains. Lotte Cultureworks, which operates 44 cinemas, has introduced locally tailored premium theaters, and Lotte Ventures is active as Vietnam’s first foreign venture investment firm. A Lotte official said the group views Vietnam as a core growth market and plans to steadily expand existing businesses while continuing to seek new opportunities. 2026-04-22 15:48:20
  • Hanse Yes24 Group blood drive collects donor cards to aid children with cancer
    Hanse Yes24 Group blood drive collects donor cards to aid children with cancer Hanse Yes24 Group has launched a relay blood donation campaign involving employees across its affiliates to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Kim Gi-hong, a pioneer of South Korea’s blood donation movement. Industry officials said the “Life Sharing, Love Blood Donation Campaign” began April 16 at the group’s headquarters in Seoul’s Yeouido. Employees from key affiliates, including Hanse Yes24 Holdings, Hanse Corporation, Color & Touch, Yes24, and Dong-A Publishing, volunteered to donate. Staff at Hanse Mobility in Daegu are scheduled to continue the campaign on May 20 and May 27. This year’s campaign is also aimed at providing direct support for children with cancer. Blood donor cards donated by employees will be delivered to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The group said it will also set aside 10,000 won per card through a “special matching grant” to provide additional support for patients’ treatment costs. The companywide relay was planned to honor the legacy of Dr. Kim, the late father of group founder and chairman Kim Dong-nyeong. Dr. Kim, a physician credited with laying the groundwork for laboratory medicine in South Korea, became head of the Korea Blood Donation Association in 1971. He introduced systems such as blood donation deposits and patient reimbursement, and worked to end the then-widespread practice of paid blood selling. Hanse Yes24 Group has held an annual companywide blood donation campaign since 2022. It also received a Blood Services Merit Award from the Korean Red Cross this year in recognition of its efforts. “Dr. Kim’s dedication to saving lives through blood research is now being carried forward as hope for children with cancer,” Hanse Yes24 Holdings Vice Chairman Kim Seok-hwan said. “We will continue to uphold his spirit of sharing life by helping stabilize the blood supply and strengthen the culture of blood donation.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:18:27
  • HiteJinro’s Premium Scotch ‘King Charles’ Rolls Out Nationwide at GS25 Convenience Stores
    HiteJinro’s Premium Scotch ‘King Charles’ Rolls Out Nationwide at GS25 Convenience Stores HiteJinro’s British premium Scotch whisky brand ‘King Charles,’ which the company imports and distributes, is now available at neighborhood convenience stores. The company confirmed the product’s rollout to GS25 stores nationwide alongside a full package redesign, aiming to capture demand for what it calls “everyday premium whisky” through short-distance shopping channels. According to the liquor industry on the 21st, HiteJinro began selling ‘King Charles Blended Scotch Whisky’ this month at all GS25 locations nationwide. The move significantly expands distribution beyond liquor specialty shops to more than 10,000 convenience stores, widening consumer access. Timed with the convenience-store launch, the brand also refreshed its bottle design to reinforce its identity. To more clearly reflect the brand’s origin story honoring King Charles II—credited with leading a revival of British culture and the arts in the 17th century—the crown logo on the front label was changed to a more upscale, hand-drawn style. A silver-and-white Roman numeral “II” was applied consistently to the front and the cap, with gold accents added across the design. King Charles, for which HiteJinro has handled domestic distribution exclusively since November 2023, is made by blending selected premium malt spirits from Scotland’s Speyside and Highland regions with Lowland grain whisky in what the company describes as an optimal ratio. The product has also received international recognition, winning gold medals at the Global Scotch Whisky Masters in 2023 and 2025, and a gold badge at the International Spirits Challenge in 2024. “People who enjoy drinking at home and want to experience a premium blended whisky at a reasonable price will find it a top choice,” said Kwon Gwang-jo, HiteJinro’s premium area head.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 17:38:32
  • 11st Launches Happy Family Week Discounts for May Gift Shopping
    11st Launches 'Happy Family Week' Discounts for May Gift Shopping With high prices persisting, South Korean e-commerce platform 11st is rolling out a large-scale discount campaign aimed at shoppers feeling the pinch as they prepare gifts for May, a month marked by family holidays. 11st said Monday it will run its “Happy Family Week” promotion through May 8, offering special deals on gifts spanning all ages, from Children’s Day toys to Parents’ Day home appliances and budget-friendly health supplements. The event, held in collaboration with popular domestic and global brands, features price cuts, live-stream sales and exclusive free gifts, the company said. Among the headline deals, 11st will offer steep discounts on massage devices, a common gift for parents. On April 28, it will sell Bodyfriend’s healthcare robot “Legnum Robot” at a discount of more than 540,000 won off the list price. It will also bundle popular lines and official refurbished products from brands including “New Falcon” and “Da Vinci AI,” with discounts of up to 61%. For value-focused shoppers, 11st is also promoting health supplements priced in the 20,000- to 30,000-won range, including premium deer antler, black ginseng and black goat extract. Orders placed before midnight on weekdays will be delivered free the next day via its “Shooting Delivery” service, it said. Other discounted items include anti-aging cosmetics such as Sulwhasoo, luxury accessories including Louis Vuitton, and seasonal staples such as carnations and cash envelopes. For Children’s Day, 11st is partnering with Lego. It will host a Lego-themed live broadcast at noon on April 22, followed by a “Lego One-Day Big Deal” on April 23 offering up to 30% off selected sets, including Lego Harry Potter, City, Duplo and Super Mario Game Boy series products. The company is also issuing a daily first-come, first-served 4,000-won cart coupon for customers who spend at least 50,000 won in the toy category through the end of this month. During the event period running through April 26, the top spender on participating Lego items will receive a free gift valued at 250,000 won: a “Lego Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car.” “We will target the April-May gift market with ample inventory and benefits so customers can prepare gifts economically even amid high prices,” said Ko Kwang-il, head of 11st’s sales group. 2026-04-21 15:46:43