South Korea's National Pension Service will pour a record 1.5 trillion won ($1.1 billion) in alternative assets managed by external managers this year, the largest such allocation in the fund's history. The majority of the sum, 1 trillion won, will go to private equity funds, according to a recent announcement by the NPS, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year. In 2023, the NPS allocated 800 billion won to private equity, with Macquarie Asset Management, IMM Private Equit

Mirae Asset Global Investments, a leading asset manager based in Korea, has introduced a high dividend yield exchange-traded fund to the mainland Chinese market through cross-border trading with Hong Kong, the firm announced Tuesday. The Global X Hang Seng High Dividend Yield ETF, operated by the asset manager’s ETF arm in Hong Kong, was set up for trading on China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Monday. The ETF tracks shares with high dividend yields on the

Korean energy firm begins operation at production site in Cartersville, Georgia

It's 'now or never' if Korean firms are to secure leadership in AI chip industry, experts warn

LG CNS said Tuesday it will host a contest that targets talented individuals in the field of mathematical optimization for bundle deliveries. Co-organized with the Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers, Optimization Grand Challenge 2024 aims to nurture exceptional talents in mathematical optimization and foster broader social interest in the field. Mathematical optimization involves finding the most efficient solution by considering all possible scenarios under current resources and condition

To address increasing global concerns regarding ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility, domestic battery material manufacturer Posco Future M released its third Responsible Minerals Activity Report on Tuesday. The publication is a part of the company’s efforts to establish a sustainable supply chain for materials used in battery production, specifically the cathode and anode segments. It marks the continuation of a commitment initiated in 2021 when Posco Future M first outlined

The wholesale price of gim, or dried seaweed, in South Korea in April nearly doubled from last year, rising to its highest-ever level. A 100-sheet package of gim was traded at an average of 10,089 won ($7.4) in April, soaring by 80.1 percent compared to the same month in 2023, according to the state-run Korea Maritime Institute. It was the first time that the wholesale price of gim surpassed the 10,000-won mark, and the institute projects that the price will keep climbing to 10,875 won by Octobe

Korean Air hosted a Family Day event at its headquarters in Seoul over the weekend, welcoming employees and their families from Saturday to Monday. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the firm's annual tradition resumed last year. This year's gathering saw some 13,000 attendees, including Delta Air Lines employees stationed at Korean Air's headquarters as part of their joint venture partnership. The hangar was transformed into a theme park to offer a variety of activities, compa

Kia on Tuesday released teaser images of the Kia EV3, the automaker's upcoming all-electric sports utility vehicle slated to hit the global market in the second half of this year. Kia expects the EV3, which will mark the Korean brand's third EV following the EV6 and EV9, to spearhead the mass adoption of EVs as it will be its most affordable model so far. The automaker will unveil the specifications of the EV3 through a global premiere on May 23. (Hyundai Motor Group)

South Korea has raised its automotive industry's concerns with the United States over Washington's inquiry and envisioned rules to address potential security risks from "connected vehicles" that use technology from China and other countries of concern. On April 30, the South Korean government submitted its comments to the US Department of Commerce as the department has requested public feedback on its rule-making process designed to tackle those risks stemming from supply cha

In the first quarter of this year, the proportion of domestically registered diesel cars fell below 10 percent for the first time. As more consumers in South Korea avoid diesel cars due to decarbonization regulations and the need to import urea for them mainly from China, the decline in sales is expected to accelerate this year. According to data from the Carisyou data research institute, a total of 39,939 diesel vehicles were registered in the domestic market during the first quarter of this

Hanwha Life, a major insurer under the Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, is set to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, having secured a stake in Indonesia's Nobu Bank, according to the insurer on Monday. Hanwha Life acquired a 40 percent stake in Nobu Bank through a deal signed with Indonesia’s Lippo Group, a major conglomerate with businesses spanning Southeast Asia. The deal signing event was held in Jakarta on Friday, with Hanwha Life Vice Chair and CEO Yeo Seung-joo, its Presid

Samsung SDI said Monday that it is showcasing its latest battery products, including cylindrical batteries, at this week’s China Cycle 2024, one of the largest bicycle and motorcycle exhibitions that is marking its 32nd year. The four-day event kicked off Sunday in Shanghai, with some 1,700 businesses joining, up 40 percent from a year ago. Under the slogan “Already, All Ready,” Samsung SDI introduces a diverse lineup of cylindrical batteries specifically designed for micro-mob

Chey Tae-won says backpedaling on green initiatives will carry costly consequences

After years of pandemic disruptions, Korea’s No. 1 travel agency posts threefold surge in sales in 2023, betting big on Chinese recovery in H2