Industry

  • How Seongsu turned industrial grit into Seouls coolest address
    How Seongsu turned industrial grit into Seoul's coolest address Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in AJP’s Seongsu series, which examines how Seoul’s former factory district transformed into a global hub for pop-ups, brand experiences and new forms of urban consumption. SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - On a Saturday in Seongsu-dong, a former factory district in eastern Seoul, the first thing you notice is not the clothes. It is the choreography. Pedestrians move in coordinated waves down Yeonmujang-gil, inching past ca January 23, 2026
  • Korean Air, Asiana Airlines ban use of power banks on board
    Korean Air, Asiana Airlines ban use of power banks on board SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Korean Air and four other airlines affiliated with Hanjin Group will ban the use of portable power banks on board their aircraft from Jan. 26, the group said on Friday, citing safety concerns. Under the revised policy, passengers on domestic and international flights operated by Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul will be prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and January 23, 2026
  • Roaring stock market lifts Korean consumer confidence despite weak real economy
    Roaring stock market lifts Korean consumer confidence despite weak real economy SEOUL, January 23 (AJP)-South Koreans grew more optimistic about the economy and their spending plans in January, buoyed by a surging stock market despite continued weakness in real economic conditions from a weak won and strong prices. According to the Bank of Korea on Friday, the Consumer Sentiment Index rose 1.0 point from the previous month to 110.8 in January, supported by the strongest spending bias in five months. A reading above 100 indicates sentiment more opt January 23, 2026
  • U.S. investors asks Washington to probe Seouls treatment of Coupang
    U.S. investors asks Washington to probe Seoul's treatment of Coupang SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) -Two major U.S. investors in Coupang Inc. have asked the U.S. government to investigate its Korean counterpart over what they describe as discriminatory treatment of the U.S.-based e-commerce platform commanding dominant market in Korea, raising the prospect that a corporate dispute could spill into a bilateral trade issue. Technology investment firms Greenoaks and Altimeter said Thursday that they have petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to e January 22, 2026
  • CJ vice chair among Forbes list of worlds influential women over 50
    CJ vice chair among Forbes list of world's influential women over 50 SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Miky Lee, vice chair of South Korea’s CJ Group, has been named to Forbes’ “50 Over 50 Global 2026” list, becoming the only South Korean included this year. Forbes cited Lee’s role in helping propel Korean films and content onto the global stage, highlighting her long-standing influence on the international expansion of K-content. In its profile of Lee, Forbes described her as a central figure behind South Korea’s ris January 22, 2026
  • Coupang union warns of job risks amid sweeping data breach probes
    Coupang union warns of job risks amid sweeping data breach probes SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - A labor union representing delivery drivers at South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang on Thursday urged the government to conduct what it called a reasonable and fair investigation into the company’s recent personal data breach, warning that an excessive probe could harm workers and small merchants. In a statement, the union said data breaches have affected many companies, including large corporations, but that it was difficult to find compa January 22, 2026
  • Rice consumption falls further in South Korea as dietary shift continues
    Rice consumption falls further in South Korea as dietary shift continues SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s per-capita rice consumption declined again last year, extending a decades-long slide as household eating habits continue to shift, government data showed on Thursday. According to the National Data Center’s survey results, annual per-capita grain consumption in the household sector fell 3 percent from a year earlier to 62.5 kilograms. Rice consumption accounted for 53.9 kilograms, down 3.4 percent, or 1.9 kilograms, from the pr January 22, 2026
  • Samsung SDS earnings lifted by AI, cloud demand
    Samsung SDS earnings lifted by AI, cloud demand SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Samsung SDS said on Thursday it posted annual revenue of 13.93 trillion won ($10.4 billion) last year, up 0.7 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit rose 5 percent to 957.1 billion won, as growth in cloud and artificial intelligence services offset weakness in logistics. Fourth-quarter revenue fell 2.9 percent from a year earlier to 3.54 trillion won, the company said, while operating profit rose 6.9 percent to 226.1 billion won. By se January 22, 2026
  • Walmart sends senior delegation to Seoul to expand shelf presence of K-beauty as U.S. demand rises
    Walmart sends senior delegation to Seoul to expand shelf presence of K-beauty as U.S. demand rises SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - As Korean beauty products climb U.S. sales rankings, retail giant Walmart is moving to expand their shelf presence, dispatching senior buying executives to Seoul to scout new K-beauty brands. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on Thursday, a twelve-member Walmart buying delegation — including six vice presidents and senior purchasing executives — visited Seoul this week to hold one-on-one business consultations wi January 22, 2026
  • Record number of South Koreans reaped handsome profits from overseas stocks
    Record number of South Koreans reaped handsome profits from overseas stocks SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Koreans who reported taxes on profits from overseas stock investments topped 500,000 for the first time, tax data reveals. According to data submitted by the National Tax Service to Park Sung-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and released on Thursday, some 523,709 people filed tax returns on profits earned in 2024, up from 207,231 a year earlier. Those who invest in overseas stock markets and sell them for profits are required January 22, 2026