Journalist

Jung Yeon-woo
  • Coupang Eats Says Cheongnyangni Market Sales Rose 54% After March Promotion
    Coupang Eats Says Cheongnyangni Market Sales Rose 54% After March Promotion Coupang Eats said a promotion it launched to help revitalize traditional markets is showing measurable results. The company said Tuesday that sales at participating merchants on its platform rose about 54% in March from February, based on orders, after about 100 shops at Cheongnyangni General Market joined its “Our Neighborhood Traditional Market” campaign. Coupang Eats said the campaign was designed to promote products from small merchants at traditional markets, which it described as a backbone of local economies, and to encourage consumer spending. Cheongnyangni Market was selected as the first site, with participating businesses ranging from well-known food alleys — including fried chicken, jokbal and bossam, and soondae-guk and hangover soup — to grocery-style vendors selling side dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and seasonal seafood. A member of Coupang Eats’ store marketing team said the company offered Wow members a 2,000-won discount coupon during the promotion, helping customers buy market foods and groceries at lower prices, and that the benefit contributed to higher sales. Ohwadang, which sells Korean-style desserts at the market, said its sales jumped fivefold from the previous month as orders surged, adding that the increase helped introduce customers to items including butter glutinous rice cakes and other desserts. Yungane, a Korean restaurant that has operated at Cheongnyangni Market for 23 years, said orders and sales increased and that the coupon event was a major help. Gohyang Jokbal, which sells jokbal, said March is typically a slow period as the weather warms, but its sales nearly doubled as orders rose. Coupang Eats said it plans to run the “Our Neighborhood Traditional Market” campaign next at traditional markets in the Daegu area and expand it further. Kim Myeong-gyu, CEO of Coupang Eats Service, said the results at Cheongnyangni show traditional markets can strengthen their competitiveness through online channels, adding that the company will continue providing practical support so local markets can grow steadily.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 17:50:12
  • Eduwill Launches Early-Bird Promotion for GED Exam Prep Courses
    Eduwill Launches Early-Bird Promotion for GED Exam Prep Courses Eduwill said Tuesday it will run a “GED Early-Bird Promotion” through the end of this month for students preparing for the exam over the long term. The company said the promotion is designed to help first-time test-takers choose online lectures and secure the latest study materials at the same time. Customers who buy eligible courses during the period will receive a free exchange benefit for two 2027 new-edition books that include analysis of the latest past exam questions and full-length practice tests. The offer applies to Eduwill’s flagship “GED All Pass” and “Lifetime Pass” courses. Eduwill said the programs provide a step-by-step curriculum, from basic theory to key summaries and past-question analysis. An Eduwill official said passing the GED requires analyzing the latest past questions and building test-day readiness through practice exams. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 17:35:00
  • South Korea Launches Global K-Founders Network in India to Expand Startup Cooperation
    South Korea Launches Global K-Founders Network in India to Expand Startup Cooperation South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it held a launch ceremony Monday for the 'Global K-Founders Network in India' at the Global Business Center (GBC) in New Delhi. The Global K-Founders Network is an international project the ministry is starting this year to connect Korean entrepreneurs and investors working across the world. The ministry said it plans to step up efforts to help Korean startups expand overseas, including through high-level talks with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). Starting with the India launch, the ministry said it will broaden exchanges to major regions including the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia, aiming to build a sustainable, private-sector-led framework for international cooperation. The ministry said it chose India as the first hub for supporting Korean startups abroad, citing the country's large domestic market and strong human resources. On Sunday, the ministry said it activated a Korea-India SME cooperation working group with India's Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and signed a memorandum of understanding to build a partnership to support small and midsize companies entering India. First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok said, “If India's outstanding talent and Korea's innovative startup capabilities come together, it will create strong synergy, and we will further solidify cooperation between the two countries' startup ecosystems so that Korea's 'Entrepreneurship for All' can succeed on the global stage as well.” 2026-04-21 15:50:31
  • South Korea Moves to Aid Cafes Hit by Rising Coffee Bean and Packaging Costs
    South Korea Moves to Aid Cafes Hit by Rising Coffee Bean and Packaging Costs The South Korean government has begun preparing support measures for cafe owners facing a management crunch as the Middle East war drives up the cost of supplies. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups on the 21st held an emergency meeting with the National Cafe Owners Cooperative to assess business conditions for small cafe operators strained by a weak won and higher oil prices, and to hear on-the-ground concerns. Cafe owners said costs have risen as prices for plastic cups, vinyl and other packaging materials increased amid a spike in oil prices and difficulties securing naphtha. With instability in the Middle East pushing up oil and raw material prices, naphtha’s monthly average price last month rose more than 67% from the previous month, per ton. Coffee beans, a key input, have also climbed. Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.’s food industry statistics system showed Arabica beans traded in March at $6,768.12 per ton, up about 9.19% from the February average. The ministry and the cooperative shared details on price hikes and delivery conditions for items such as plastic cups and vinyl, and discussed possible support steps for small business owners affected by the war. They also reviewed proposals to help cafes shift from plastic to alternative materials and to ease the cost burden on small operators during that transition. The meeting marked the government’s third industry-specific support effort, following similar sessions with bakeries and the broader food service sector. The ministry has previously raised the issue of surging plastic container prices with relevant agencies during talks with the Korea Foodservice Industry Association. Second Vice Minister Lee Byeong-gwon said, “We have listened to a range of difficulties faced by small business owners through meetings with bakeries and the food service industry, but coming to the field, the impact feels even greater.” Lee also said the government would actively seek cooperation with rules it announced on the 15th on banning hoarding and allowing emergency supply-demand adjustments for petrochemical product feedstocks. The rules bar hoarding of seven basic fractions produced from naphtha: ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, xylene and other fractions. “If instability in the supply of packaging containers occurs, we will closely monitor conditions with relevant ministries, including by designating additional items as needed,” Lee said. 2026-04-21 15:15:55
  • South Korea bans travel to all parts of Iran
    South Korea bans travel to all parts of Iran SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - A travel ban has been issued on all parts of Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. According to the ministry, the government raised its travel alert for Iran to the highest level, which prohibits travel to the country, from the previous level that had advised South Korean nationals to leave. The measure, which took effect from Thursday evening, came after last week's U.S.-led airstrikes against Iran amid growing concerns over the safety of South Koreans in the already volatile region. The ministry warned that South Koreans visiting or staying in Tehran without prior authorization may face punishment, according to relevant laws. "We advise South Koreans planning to travel to Iran to cancel their trips and those already there to leave immediately," the ministry said. 2026-03-06 08:56:45
  • Gasoline, Diesel Prices Top 1,800 Won Nationwide; Seoul Nears 1,900
    Gasoline, Diesel Prices Top 1,800 Won Nationwide; Seoul Nears 1,900 Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have increased volatility in global oil prices, and rising demand at the pump has pushed average gasoline and diesel prices at South Korean stations above 1,800 won per liter. According to the Korea National Oil Corp.’s Opinet price information system, the nationwide average gasoline price stood at 1,840.5 won per liter as of 7 p.m. on the 5th, up 63.0 won from the previous day. It was the first time the national average topped 1,800 won since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel rose more sharply. The nationwide average diesel price climbed 111.0 won in a day to 1,839.8 won per liter. Diesel last exceeded 1,800 won on Dec. 12, 2022, when it was 1,807.4 won. The recent rise in domestic fuel prices is widely attributed to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have amplified swings in global crude prices. With concerns growing over potential supply disruptions, international crude prices have been trending higher, adding upward pressure to domestic petroleum product prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 20:12:16
  • Bodyfriend Lunar New Year Deals, Ceragem Wins 4 Good Design Awards, New Products From Yuhan-Kimberly, Hanssem and Ace Bed
    Bodyfriend Lunar New Year Deals, Ceragem Wins 4 Good Design Awards, New Products From Yuhan-Kimberly, Hanssem and Ace Bed Bodyfriend launches Lunar New Year promotion, 'The Standard of Gifts' Bodyfriend said Tuesday it is launching its Lunar New Year “The Standard of Gifts” promotion for customers who rent or buy its health care robots, offering benefits worth up to 2.52 million won. The company said customers who rent or purchase eligible products can combine three offers — a special Lunar New Year gift benefit, an upfront-payment discount program and a co-branded credit-card statement discount — for total savings of up to 2.52 million won. Products included are the aesthetic health care robot “Quantum Beauty Capsule,” the full-body twist health care robot “Edenrobo” and the AI health care robot “Da Vinci AI.” A Bodyfriend official said the promotion offers “unprecedented price benefits” and includes an additional gift, allowing customers to receive “one more unit.” Ceragem wins four main prizes at U.S. Good Design Awards Ceragem said Tuesday that four of its major health care products won main prizes at the U.S. Good Design Awards. The winners were the relaxation appliances “Pause M8 Fit” and “Pause M10,” the circulation-improvement medical device “Celtron Circulation Chair,” and the beauty device “Medispa Pro.” A Ceragem official said the awards reflect global recognition of the company’s design philosophy, which considers not only appearance but also users’ living spaces and experiences. Yuhan-Kimberly launches Kleenex 'Humid Moist Mask Black' Yuhan-Kimberly said Tuesday it has launched the “Kleenex Humid Moist Mask Black,” designed to provide a humidifying effect. The company said the mask uses a humidifying pad that supplies moisture, helping keep the nose and throat comfortable in dry conditions. Kleenex introduced the humidifying-mask concept in South Korea in 2016, and the company said it has since become an everyday essential. Yuhan-Kimberly said the product is popular as an in-flight item for overseas travel and that last year’s annual sales rose about 900% from two years earlier. A Yuhan-Kimberly official called the Kleenex Humid Moist Mask a steady seller whose usefulness in dry environments — including winter, seasonal transitions and long flights — has been proven by consumers over 10 years. Hanssem unveils new FLO dining table series Hanssem said Tuesday it has launched its new FLO dining table series, aimed at creating a modern, on-trend dining space. The company said the concept is “harmony that blends into the space,” pairing a clean, straight tabletop with soft curved details for a neat but comfortable look. Hanssem said the table uses bold legs for stability and a matte finish for a more premium appearance. It comes in two colors: “Cotton White” and “Warm Black.” A Hanssem official said the FLO table combines a basic, timeless design with the company’s quality standards. Ace Bed launches OLIVO single bed with modern take on British retro style Ace Bed has launched the OLIVO single bed, a modern reinterpretation of British retro style. The company said Tuesday it is introducing OLIVO and will target consumers seeking a stylish bedroom with a new product that strengthens both design and functionality. Ace Bed described OLIVO as a fabric bed that balances comfort and refinement. The company said the headboard’s muted olive-green color and tidy check pattern create a calm but lively mood, and that the nature-inspired color works well with natural and modern interiors. An Ace Bed official said OLIVO would be a good choice for customers looking for an intellectual, classic interior with British retro sensibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:18:33
  • INTERVIEW: South Koreas Tesolo targets global humanoid market with robotic hand
    INTERVIEW: South Korea's Tesolo targets global humanoid market with robotic hand SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - South Korean robotic gripper maker Tesolo is positioning itself at the forefront of the emerging “physical AI” era, betting that its multi-joint robotic hand can become a core component of next-generation humanoids. The company plans to accelerate commercialization through partnerships with major Korean manufacturers and global humanoid robotics startups. In an interview, CEO Kim Young-jin said Tesolo’s competitive edge lies in its ability to generate high-quality AI training data through advanced manipulation. “We aim to leverage our strengths in AI data collection to elevate our status in the robot automation market,” he said. Founded in 2019 after Kim’s research tenure at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Tesolo specializes in robotic grippers — an essential technology that enables robots to grasp and manipulate objects with human-like dexterity. Its flagship product, the DG-5F (Delto Gripper-5F), features five fingers and 20 active joints, allowing precise, delicate movements modeled after the human hand. Kim said the company is now focused on deploying its technology in industrial settings. “Although we’re currently in the sample market, we have completed all verification for field use,” he said, adding that Tesolo plans to introduce the DG-5F to automotive production lines. Tesolo has also accelerated its global push. The DG-5F made its international debut at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where it won an innovation award in robotics. Kim said the company held “successful meetings” with U.S. humanoid developers and advanced academic collaborations with Stanford University and ETH Zurich, contributing to roughly $2 million in exports this year. The company will also showcase its technology at the “K-Humanoid” booth at CES 2026. Tesolo is expanding further into China, where it already operates three dealerships in Beijing and Shanghai and collaborates with PND Robotics. “We are focusing on robot-hand platform development to showcase a variety of convergent technologies,” Kim said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 08:41:31