Samsung SDS, an information and communications technology solutions company under South Korea’s Samsung Group, on Thursday hosted an inaugural developer’s conference to share its know-how in next-generation technologies including artificial intelligence and blockchain.　In its first edition, “Techtonic 2018” brought together some 1,000 IT developers, college students and industry officials with master’s and doctorate degrees in IT development to discuss successful cases of business innovation usi

CJ Cheiljedang Corp., South Korea's leading food manufacturer, said Thursday it will sign a deal to buy a US frozen food company for 2.09 trillion won ($1.84 billion) in its latest move to expand its presence in overseas markets.Under the deal, CJ Cheiljedang will buy an 80 percent stake of Schwan's Co., according to the South Korean firm.  This file photo shows CJ Cheiljedang Corp.`s corporate logo atop its headquarters building in Seoul. (Yonhap)The deal, when completed early next year, will b

Hyundai Motor will invest in a US drone maker to conduct a joint study on future mobility in the use of high-functioning drones, the company said, without disclosing the size of the investment. The South Korean giant has agreed to partner with Top Flight Technologies, a startup that specializes in developing unmanned aerial vehicles. The US company established in 2014 is a leading manufacturer of hybrid propulsion engines that secure long flight time and a leader in autonomous flying technology.

Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday that sales of a new gradient color edition of its Galaxy S9 smartphone will start this week, marking the first time such patterns have been applied on a flagship device.The company said the Polaris-blue edition of the Galaxy S9 combines silver and blue, providing users with a unique design.  Samsung Galaxy S9 Polaris-blue edition (Samsung Electronics via Yonhap)The new Galaxy S9 adds to the existing portfolio of black, blue, purple, red, and gold colors.The

Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-biggest carmaker by sales, on Thursday unveiled the teaser image of its SOUL box car ahead of its domestic launch early next year. A teaser image of Kia Motors` SOUL box car (Yonhap)The third-generation SOUL will make a debut at the Los Angeles auto show later this month before it is launched in the domestic market early in 2019, Kia said in a statement. "With the launch of the new SOUL, we are targeting a gain in our share of the domestic entry car markets

SEOUL/BEIJING -- Ctrip, a leading travel agency in China, has deleted tour programs to South Korea, its website showed Thursday, in what could be a sign of a lingering row between the two neighbors over a US missile defense system.The deletion came just hours after the company restarted online marketing of related products on its website Wednesday. Chinese firms usually toe the government line on sensitive issues."Ctrip seems to have deleted the tours after it drew attention," an industry source

Hanwha Q Cells Co., the world's top solar cell maker, said Thursday it has signed a deal with a Chinese state firm to supply high-efficiency solar modules for its solar power project.The contract calls for Hanwha Q Cells to provide its Q.PEAK modules with a capacity of 100 megawatts for China General Nuclear Power Corp.'s solar power facility under construction in Tongshan in central-eastern China and slated for completion by year-end. (Yonhap)Hanwha Q Cells didn't disclose the financial terms o

The government on Thursday imposed a fine of 9 billion won ($7.9 million) on Jeju Air Co., South Korea's biggest budget carrier by sales, for carrying lithium ion battery-powered watches.  The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has finalized the penalty to be slapped on the low-cost carrier after it was discovered to have brought in wrist watches from countries like Hong Kong between April and May, a ministry spokesman said. (Yonhap)The final decision comes after Jeju Air asked the m

Samsung Electronics Co. aims to control 20 percent of the global market for fifth-generation network equipment in 2020, the head of the company's network business has said.During a session from The Wall Street Journal D.Live Conference held in California on Wednesday, Samsung Electronics President Kim Young-ky claimed that the company is not a newcomer to the network equipment industry as it has been supplying products in this field for the past 20 years.Samsung Electronics President Kim Young-k

Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. plan to offer major discounts for their high-end televisions in the United States to mark Black Friday, the companies said Thursday.Samsung Electronics said it will offer large-scale discounts for 14 different models of 4K QLED smart TVs in the US, with the price tag on the 75-inch QLED Q6FN TV standing at $2,000, down 43 percent from the original price of $3,500. The 82-inch model of the same product will boast a discount of 33 percent. (Yonhap)Th

Food and entertainment giant CJ Group has emerged as the largest employer among the top 30 business groups in South Korea over the past year, a corporate tracker said Thursday.CJ's workforce stood at 26,565 as of the end of September this year, up 28.2 percent, or 5,849 employees, from a year earlier, according to a report from CEO Score, which tracks corporate management. (Yonhap)SK Group came next by adding 5,239 workers to its payroll (up 9.4 percent) over the cited period, trailed by leading

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says three South Korean companies have agreed to pay $236 million to settle allegations they were part of a bid-rigging scheme that overcharged the US military for fuel at bases in South Korea.Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim announced the settlement of the criminal and civil charges on Wednesday.(AP)The three companies, SK Energy Co. Ltd., GS Caltex Corporation, and Hanjin Transportation Co. Ltd., will pay about $82 million in criminal fines. Th

FSC says 2015 accounting rule breach ‘intentional’; firm vows legal action

Representatives of South Korea's major automakers, parts makers and industry officials gathered in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss ways to breathe new life into the sluggish auto industry.The chief executives of the big five automakers -- Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., GM Korea Company Ltd., Renault Samsung Motors Co. and Ssangyong Motor Co. -- and their local parts makers and industry associations explored ways to tackle daunting challenges facing the industry. Sung Yun-mo, South Korea`s mi

Some say US hedge fund’s move intended to boost share prices, others call it ‘reasonable’ request