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  Samsung Biologics to invest 7 trln won in third bio-campus SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics plans to invest about 7 trillion won ($4.76 billion) to build a third campus in Songdo, diversifying its contract manufacturing business beyond antibody drugs into emerging therapeutic modalities. The South Korean biopharmaceutical manufacturer said Monday it signed a land purchase agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone authority for about 187,427 square meters of industrial site in Songdo International City. The company will pay 2 December 1, 2025
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  Asian markets mixed as China rallies; Korea, Japan slip on policy concerns SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Asian equities were mixed on Monday morning, with declines in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan contrasting with broad gains in China. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.35 percent to 3,911 as of 10 a.m., pressured by institutional selling. Institutions offloaded 132.1 billion won ($90 million), while foreign investors sold a modest 4 billion won as they monitored market direction. Retail investors bought 162.1 billion won, seeking to take advanta December 1, 2025
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  Labor Ministry to inspect Coupang's warehouses after recent massive data breach SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - E-commerce giant Coupang's logistics centers and delivery warehouses will be inspected next week, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Monday. The move follows a surprise inspection by Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon at a logistics center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last week, shortly after a major data breach was detected. The inspection, set to begin next Wednesday, will cover Coupang's four logistics centers and three warehouses affected December 1, 2025
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  South Korean hotels ride wave of Chinese Gen Z travelers SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s hotel scene is in the midst of a renaissance, energized by a surge of overseas travelers who are filling rooms, lifting revenues, and reshaping the country’s hospitality landscape. At the center of this revival is the return of Chinese tourists — once South Korea’s largest visitor group — whose comeback is accelerating faster than many in the industry anticipated. More than 14 million foreign tourists arri December 1, 2025
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  South Korean asset management firms' Q3 profit surges 128 percent year-on-year SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s asset management industry expanded in the third quarter, with total assets under management (AUM) rising 3.9 percent from the previous quarter to 1,868.8 trillion won (about $1.27 trillion). Fund deposits grew 5 percent to 1,226.8 trillion won ($835 billion), while investment advisory contracts increased 1.8 percent to 642 trillion won. Funds recorded gains across major categories: equity funds reached 149.5 trillion won, bond December 1, 2025
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  Chip boom lifts South Korea's November exports 8.4 percent SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports rose more than 8 percent in November from a year earlier, extending their growth streak to six consecutive months and putting the country on course to reach an annual export of $700 billion for the first time. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Monday that outbound shipments reached $61.04 billion in November, up 8.4 percent on-year. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, climbed 13.3 percent to $2.71 December 1, 2025
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  Coming-of-age indie film becomes this year's biggest sleeper hit SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - Low-budget film "The World of Love" has attracted over 150,000 viewers since its release in late October, becoming this year's biggest sleeper hit. According to the Korean Film Council, the 119-minute film directed by Yoon Ga-eun, reached the impressive milestone as of the end of November, consistently attracting viewers. The film's success has been driven by strong word of mouth, with viewers and critics alike praising it, despite December 1, 2025
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  Subway workers in Seoul go on partial strike SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - Commuters may have to brace for some delays as unionized workers in Seoul launched a partial strike, Seoul Metro said on its website on Monday. Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, apologized for any inconvenience. It would involve operational slowdowns such as delayed door closures and reduced train speeds, likely causing disruptions for commuters during the morning and evening rush hours. The move came after Seoul Metro's labo December 1, 2025
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  SingCham Korea prepares Golden Ticket year-end event for 50th anniversary of ties SEOUL, November 30 (AJP) - The Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Korea is preparing to host its Golden Ticket year-end event next week as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The event will take place on December 5 at Floating Island’s Vista Hall in Seoul. It follows SingCham Korea’s year-end gala event held last year at Signiel Seoul, where more than 200 guests from the business, diplomatic and cultural sectors gathered for an evening th November 30, 2025
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  Retail investors not to blame as NPS drives bigger dollar demand SEOUL, November 30 (AJP) - Growing attention has been placed on Korean retail investors pouring money into U.S. stocks, with some blaming their buying streak for the recent jump in the exchange rate. New data, however, show that the National Pension Service has been buying far more overseas equities, reinforcing the view that individual investors are not the main driver of the won's weakness. According to Bank of Korea figures released on November 30, overseas equity purchases November 30, 2025