Mega malls emerge as Korean retailers' answer to online challenges SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s retail giants, squeezed by the rapid proliferation of online shopping and a prolonged slump in domestic consumption, are betting on mega-sized mixed-use malls to regain foot traffic by drawing customers through leisure and tourism appeal. Gwangju has become the latest city to embrace the trend, breaking ground this week on a large-scale multi-complex mall that blends retail with entertainment. These mega malls combine shopping with dining, games and cultural activities, positioning themselves as weekend destinations for families. Unlike traditional department stores or hypermarkets, they devote a significant share of space to non-retail functions — from VR attractions to libraries — in a bid to differentiate themselves and extend visitor stay. "Malls are not only about purchasing items — they are spaces to eat, spend time and hang out," Lotte Department Store CEO Jeong Jun-ho said, noting that this approach aligns with the preferences of Korea’s MZ generation. At Lotte World Mall in Seoul, one of the capital’s most visited complexes, retail accounts for just 30 percent of the total area, while entertainment takes up 57 percent and food and beverage 13 percent. The mall drew more than 8 million visitors during July and August amid a severe heat wave, according to operator Lotte Property & Development. Purchasers made up 66 percent of visitors in July and 63 percent in August, meaning that more than a third came primarily for non-shopping activities. A survey by Embrain, a Korean market-research firm, found that 48.4 percent of respondents prefer multi-complex malls because they "can experience almost everything in one place." Other reasons included expanded entertainment and cultural facilities, convenient accessibility and the ability to escape heat waves or air pollution — key considerations that influence indoor activity choices in Korea’s extreme seasonal climate. Visitor numbers at major complexes have continued to rise. From January to April 2024, footfall at large malls such as The Hyundai Seoul, I’Park Mall and Starfield increased 28.8 percent compared with the same period in 2022. South Korea’s three major retail groups — Shinsegae, Lotte and Hyundai — are now racing to expand their mall portfolios. Of the 21 new department stores or malls planned by the groups, 19 are multi-complex malls. As consumer behavior shifts toward "experience-based consumption," with shoppers seeking leisure and culture alongside purchases, retailers are moving away from traditional department store-centered strategies. Lotte Group plans to convert nine large land parcels — originally secured for department stores and outlets — into malls, including sites in Songdo and Daegu. Seven existing outlets will also be renovated or expanded into mall formats. Lotte Department Store said it aims to reduce department stores’ share of total revenue from 75 percent today to 60 percent by 2030, while increasing mall revenue from 1 percent to 30 percent. Shinsegae Group plans to open 13 new locations within five years, 11 of them multi-complex malls. Its development arm, Shinsegae Property, will invest about 13 trillion won ($9.4 billion) by 2030. "Malls offer an offline experience that online shopping cannot provide," a Shinsegae official said. "This increases the time customers spend on-site and boosts non-retail revenue." Hyundai Department Store is also expanding the model pioneered by its flagship The Hyundai Seoul into regional markets. It will break ground next month on The Hyundai Busan, a 7.343-trillion-won project targeting a 2027 opening. A separate site in Gwangju, a metropolitan city of 1.4 million people, is slated to open in 2028 with an estimated project cost of 1.2 trillion won — the largest single retail development in Hyundai’s history. "We have focused on the Seoul metropolitan area for years, but expanding into major regional cities will create a new growth axis," a Hyundai official said. 2025-11-21 16:26:12

PHOTOS: Annual expo showcases thousands of coffee and beverage brands SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) -The Seoul International Café Show kicked off its four-day run at COEX in southern Seoul on Wednesday. Held every November, the annual event provides a key business platform for coffee and beverage makers, as well as related companies in the booming industry. The show features a wide range of products beyond coffee including tea, bakeries, desserts, alcoholic beverages, and café equipment. Some 631 companies from 35 countries participated in this year's event, showcasing nearly 4,000 brands. The first two days of the event are reserved for buyers, industry professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs, with the final two days open to the general public. Visitors can sample coffee, take part in aroma tests, and try a variety of baked goods and desserts at booths. The show also offers opportunities for business consultations and information exchange. 2025-11-21 16:15:10

PHOTOS: Tattoos step into the light with inaugural expo SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - An inaugural expo covering everything about tattoos kicked off its three-day run in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province earlier this week. Long gone are the days when tattoos were synonymous with heavyset gangsters, as relevant regulations legalizing the practice were passed at the National Assembly last September. Under the new regulations, tattoos and cosmetic procedures like ombré shading and microblading are now permitted, and not only tattooists but also non-medical practitioners are legally allowed to perform them. The expo, in particular, drew strong interest from overseas participants, who demonstrated scalp micropigmentation (SMP) pigments at their booths. The technique is widely used for hairline enhancement, scar camouflage and other cosmetic purposes. Many of them expressed high expectations for the industry's growth potential in South Korea, where tattoos had long been widely practiced even though they were technically illegal. "After more than three decades in the shadows, tattoos are finally stepping into the light," said Kim Jae-hyeong, head of the expo's organizing committee. "I hope this expo serves as a catalyst for the industry's growth and development." The expo wraps up on Saturday. 2025-11-21 15:41:42

Rising avian flu threat prompts expanded controls at Korean poultry farms SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korea is tightening biosecurity controls at poultry farms across the country as cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza continue to rise, fueled by a seasonal influx of migratory birds and the spread of multiple virus serotypes. The Central Accident Management Headquarters said Friday that six cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed at domestic poultry farms this year, along with 10 cases detected in wild birds. The first outbreak was reported in September at a native chicken farm in Paju, north of Seoul, with four additional farm cases and seven wild bird infections recorded in November alone. Authorities say the surge in migratory birds is amplifying the threat. The Ministry of Environment reported that roughly 1.33 million migratory birds were observed at 200 sites nationwide in November — a 111 percent increase from the previous month. Environmental samples collected near farms and major waterways in Gyeonggi and North Jeolla provinces tested positive for H5 antigens, pointing to significant contamination near poultry production zones. For the first time, South Korea has also detected H5N1, H5N6 and H5N9 strains in wild birds this year. In response, the government plans to expand the number of rented disinfection vehicles from 39 to 135, targeting areas with dense poultry populations and migratory bird habitats. Special inspections will be carried out in 27 cities and counties with a history of outbreaks, and tighter controls will be imposed on spent hen shipments and the movement of egg transport vehicles. Lee Dong-sik, director of the Agriculture Ministry’s Quarantine Policy Bureau, urged local governments to rigorously enforce on-farm biosecurity and to strengthen education efforts. He stressed that farmers must remain vigilant and adhere to self-disinfection protocols to reduce the risk of further spread. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 15:31:25

POSCO apologizes after toxic gas accident leaves workers critically ill SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korean steelmaker POSCO issued a formal apology on Friday after three workers were hospitalized for inhaling toxic gas during a sludge-cleaning operation at its steel mill in the southeastern city of Pohang. The company vowed to strengthen safety protocols to prevent similar incidents. In a statement, POSCO President Lee Hee-geun expressed “deep regret” over the accident, which occurred on Thursday and involved both POSCO employees and subcontracted workers. “On behalf of the company, I sincerely apologize to the victims and their families,” he said. Lee said an emergency response team was dispatched immediately to determine the cause of the gas leak and is working with authorities on the investigation. “We are prioritizing the recovery of the affected individuals and are providing all necessary support without delay,” he said. Acknowledging a string of safety lapses at the company this year, Lee pledged to implement comprehensive improvements. “We take full responsibility for recent safety incidents and will devote all available resources to ensuring they do not happen again,” he said. The accident involved two subcontractor workers in their 50s and a POSCO employee in his 40s, all of whom inhaled toxic gas at the STS 4 steelmaking facility. They were hospitalized in cardiac arrest; two have since stabilized but remain in critical condition, while the third suffers from severe impairment of consciousness. Three other people who responded to the scene were also exposed to the gas but sustained only minor injuries. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 15:20:39

Support bills for steel, petrochemical sectors set for parliamentary vote in South Korea SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Special legislation designed to bolster South Korea’s steel and petrochemical industries cleared a key parliamentary committee on Friday, paving the way for final approval next week. The National Assembly's Industry, Trade and Energy Committee passed the so-called K-Steel Act and the Petrochemical Support Act with bipartisan backing. The measures, which advanced through a subcommittee on Nov. 19, are expected to win passage in a full National Assembly vote on Nov. 27. The K-Steel Act aims to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness as it confronts steep U.S. tariffs, cheaper Chinese imports and mounting pressure to cut emissions. The bill, introduced in August by 106 lawmakers, also includes provisions supporting South Korea’s carbon-neutrality goals. The Petrochemical Support Act would provide financial assistance to domestic petrochemical companies struggling to maintain profitability amid intensifying global competition. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 14:34:03

Defense Ministry forms task force to investigate those involved in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A task force has been formed to investigate any illegal activities by military personnel and officials during disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. Minister Ahn Kyu-back will lead the task force consisting of some 50 members from various military branches and civilian advisers, in coordination with a separate task force headed by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to conduct relevant investigations. "The task force will review all internal and externally-obtained data including those currently under investigation by independent prosecutors, and also accept tipoffs," the ministry said. Since August, the ministry has been conducting an internal audit to identify those involved in the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 14:31:42

Trump Burger and Silla gold crown in Gyeongju APEC-themed travel package SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A “Trump” hamburger named after the U.S. president who enjoyed it during his visit to South Korea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event — along with a chance to view authentic Silla dynasty crowns instead of the replica that pleased the VIPs — are among the highlights of a new tourism package launched to capitalize on APEC summit week in late October. Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Corporation (GCTO) will be offering a two-day “Gyeongju APEC Trail” tour through domestic travel agencies. The program reproduces the key sites, meals, and cultural stops experienced by world leaders and their spouses during the APEC Summit held in Gyeongju. The tour begins at Gyeongju Expo Park inside the Bomun Tourist Complex, where travelers can enter a full-scale reproduction of the APEC summit venue — the same setting where leaders from 21 economies gathered to negotiate agendas ranging from supply-chain resilience to digital governance. Visitors then move to the Hilton Gyeongju, where the “Trump Cheeseburger Set,” specially ordered by the U.S. president during summit week, will be served. Inside the hotel’s Wooyang Museum of Art, travelers can explore the exact venue where the joint Foreign and Trade Ministers’ Meeting was held. In the afternoon, the group visits Bulguksa Temple, which hosted the program for leaders’ spouses and daughters during the summit, offering a hands-on encounter with Silla Buddhist heritage. After dinner, travelers enjoy night-time attractions newly installed at Bomun Lake Square, including the APEC symbolic sculpture, immersive media art at Yukbuchon, and a lakefront 3D light show. The itinerary also includes premium Korean dishes featured during summit week — including the seafood pancake from Kolon Hotel that appeared on Xi Jinping’s dinner table for two consecutive nights. On day two, breakfast is served at Gyeongju Jungang Market, where Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and his wife famously praised the local “sundae gomtang” and “somerigukbap.” Travelers then tour major heritage sites, including Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, and the National Museum of Gyeongju, where six Silla gold crowns — including one shown only as a replica during the APEC spouses’ program — are now on special display. The tour closes with a visit to Hwangnidan-gil that hosted K-Beauty Pavilion, to which U.S. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt visited immediately after the Korea–U.S. summit and posted the unpacking of her shopping of Korean beauty products. Souvenir recommendations include APEC’s official dinner liquor, Gyo-dong Beopju, and Hwangnam-ppang, to which Chinese President Xi showed liking. The package, priced in the 100,000-won (around $70) range per person, includes round-trip chartered bus service from the Seoul metropolitan area, one night of lodging, three meals, admission fees, a guide, and insurance. “By transforming APEC’s most memorable moments into a travel experience, we aim to elevate Gyeongju’s cultural brand value,” said Kim Nam-il, CEO of GCTO. The city has already seen a measurable boost. According to Hana Card data, foreign visitors spent 3.22 billion won in Gyeongju between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2 — more than triple last year’s level. Beauty-sector transactions surged more than fourfold, while hotel spending tripled. Even after the summit ended, foreign visitor spending remained nearly 50 percent higher than a year earlier, suggesting that the APEC spotlight is delivering a lasting tourism windfall. 2025-11-21 14:10:54

Man arrested after knife attack on woman in southern Seoul SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A man was arrested after attacking a woman in her 20s with a knife at a crammer in Seoul's affluent district of Gangnam on Friday. According to police, the man fled the scene shortly after the incident, which occurred around 11:50 a.m. in Sinsa-dong, but was later apprehended in Mapo, western Seoul, after authorities tracked him using CCTV footage. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, and police are investigating the details of the incident. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 14:06:43

National Museum of Korea set to open new gallery showcasing Islamic art SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea is set to open a new gallery featuring Islamic-themed art on its third floor starting Saturday. The exhibition is divided into three themes: religious art, cultural expansion, and court culture and manuscripts, covering Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century. The first section showcases the essence of Islamic calligraphy, from early Quran manuscripts on parchment to large manuscripts from the Timurid Empire. Architectural elements like mihrab panels, mosque lamps, and prayer carpets are adorned with arabesque and geometric patterns, creating a sacred atmosphere. The gallery's dome and octagonal design are expected to enhance the immersive experience. The second section features astrolabes and celestial globes, highlighting Islamic curiosity about new worlds. Glass, ceramics, and metalwork crafted by Islamic artisans demonstrate the fusion of diverse artistic traditions. The third section focuses on the artistic and scholarly achievements of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. Luxurious carpets, textiles, and jewelry reflect imperial authority and sophistication. Manuscripts, supported by royal patronage, are celebrated as comprehensive cultural heritage, blending religion, literature, history, and science. An online preview of the gallery, led by curator Kwon Hye-eun, is scheduled for streaming on the museum's YouTube channel Friday evening. On Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Dr. Munia Sheikhab Abudaya, assistant curator at the museum will give a lecture on Islamic art. Visitors can attend on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations are necessary. Yoo Hong-jun, director of the museum, expressed hope that visitors will gain a deeper understanding of Islamic culture and appreciate the diversity and coexistence of human cultures. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 13:55:08