Korea's unique dawn delivery stokes debate between consumer and labor rights SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Koreans expect grocery orders to arrive at their doorstep by morning — a standard that may astonish outsiders but has become routine thanks to Coupang's ultra-fast e-commerce strategy. Competitors large and small, including Kurly, SSG.com under Shinsegae, CJ Logistics, and others, now compete primarily on delivery speed. But overnight and dawn deliveries come with a human cost. The delivery workers' union und November 28, 2025

Wemix will be listed on Thailand's largest crypto exchange Bitkub SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - The Wemix Foundation said Friday that its Wemix cryptocurrency will be listed on Bitkub, Thailand’s largest digital asset exchange, with deposits and withdrawals opening on Dec. 1. Bitkub controls about 70 percent of Thailand’s cryptocurrency market and operates under authorization from the Ministry of Finance. The platform lists more than 100 digital assets. The listing marks Wemix’s first official entry into the Thai market and November 28, 2025

Sydney roundtable highlights new opportunities for Australia–Korea clean energy ties SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A roundtable focused on strengthening clean energy partnerships between Australia and Korea was hosted in Sydney last Thursday. Hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) with support from HWLE Lawyers and Elecseed, the event brought together 25 C-suite executives and senior government officials to explore collaboration opportunities across the clean energy sector. Representatives from major organizations including POSCO November 28, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a 705.4 billion won ($480 million) contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to mass-produce long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM) by 2030. The agreement covers the supply of anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) and launchers for the country’s upper-tier missile defense network. The L-SAM system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 November 28, 2025

Samsung scion's naval commissioning reunites Lee family, including ex-wife SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Naval Academy commissioning ceremony for 24-year-old Lee Ji-ho, son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, brought together members of the Samsung family — including the chairman’s former wife Im Se-ryung — in a rare public appearance since their 2009 divorce. Lee Ji-ho, commissioned as part of the 139th class of naval officers, was joined by his grandmother Hong Ra-hee, widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, and his aun November 28, 2025

South Korea to delay tax audits for foreign firms increasing investment SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) will postpone regular tax audits for up to two years for foreign companies that substantially increase their investments in the country. NTS Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyun announced the measure on Friday during a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham) in Seoul. Companies that raise their domestic investment by a defined percentage compared with the previous year will be eligible to November 28, 2025

Korean lawmakers advance bill to close loopholes on synthetic nicotine SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea is moving closer to regulating synthetic nicotine as tobacco after a key parliamentary committee approved an amendment to the related act, paving the way for a full legislative vote on Dec. 12. The amendment would broaden the legal definition of tobacco to include products containing nicotine derived from non-tobacco sources. Synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes are currently treated as industrial products, allowing them to bypass tobacco-r November 28, 2025

UPDATE: Korea's factory output and investment slump Oct on stalled chip activity SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s factory output in October shrank at the steepest rate in five years, while facility investment tumbled by double digits — all tied to stalled chip activity — further underscoring the country’s heavy reliance on the semiconductor sector for economic performance, data showed Friday. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, mining and manufacturing output fell 4 percent on month, the steepest drop since the November 28, 2025

AI now essential in Korea's job market for both recruiters and applicants SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming indispensable in South Korea’s job market, with four out of five companies now using AI tools in their hiring processes and a growing majority of job seekers relying on AI to boost their recruitment chances. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Employment Information Service on Tuesday released the second part of their 2025 Corporate Hiring Trends Survey, conducted from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. T November 28, 2025

Hyundai Motor Group to set up battery research center in Anseong SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled plans to build a major battery research and development hub in Anseong, south of Seoul. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for the “Future Mobility Battery Anseong Campus,” located in the city’s fifth industrial complex. Construction began in January, with Hyundai investing 1.2 trillion won in a facility spanning 197,000 square meters. Completion is targeted for late 2026. The Anse November 28, 2025