South Korean memory chip manufacturer SK hynix on Wednesday pledged to achieve a 100 percent procurement of domestically produced neon gas, a critical material for chip production, by 2024. SK hynix added that 40 percent of neon gas used for chip production is already locally produced in Korean chipmakers' bid to stabilize chip supply chain and reduce their reliance on imports of the specialty gas. Neon gas makes up about 95 percent of excimer laser, a ultraviolet light source for photolith

South Korea's state power utility said Wednesday it plans to increase coal-fired electricity generation temporarily this year in an effort to cut costs and boost financial health. Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) said it will produce 12.8 terawatt hours (TWh) with coal this year instead of using liquefied natural gas (LNG). The amount accounts for nearly 8 percent of the country's LNG-fired electricity generation at about 160 TWh. The state electricity firm estimated the move would h

South Korean builder Daewoo E&C and its parent company Jungheung Group participated in a campaign to improve the living environment of a descendant of an independence patriot as part of its corporate social responsibility project on Friday, the companies said Tuesday. The campaign hosted by Habitat Korea involves renovating old houses in which descendants of independence patriots experiencing economic difficulties live. Employees of Daewoo E&C and Jungheung Group traveled to the residenc

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. said Wednesday their combined sales in the United States rose 8.5 percent last month from a year earlier despite the extended chip shortage. Hyundai and Kia sold 115,735 vehicles in the world's most important automobile market in September, up from 106,706 units a year ago, according to the companies' sales data. Hyundai's sales climbed 11 percent to 59,465 units last month from 53,800 a year ago, while Kia's were up 6.4 percent t

Hyundai Engineering said Tuesday that it is planning on expanding its corporate social responsibility projects to support the disabled and low-income households. Under the plan, the firm, which has been conducting charity drives with the Goodwill Store since 2017, a rehabilitation facility for the disabled, will provide educational services, repair low-income residents’ houses and establish a community center for Koryoin, or ethnic Koreans living in Central Asia. "Hyundai Engineering

SPC Group has opened three more Paris Baguette stores in Paris this year to expand its business in the European market, the South Korean food and beverage giant said Tuesday. The latest Paris Baguette store is set to open in Montparnasse, a major commercial district in the southern part of Paris on Tuesday, local time. The opening of Paris Baguette Montparnasse branch follows two branch openings in February in other parts of the French capital -- in Boieldieu and Corolles. With a floor area of 1

South Korea’s second-largest steelmaker Hyundai Steel said Thursday it would expand the product lineup of its earthquake-resistant structural steel, branded as H Core. H Core was launched in 2017 to include materials used for earthquake-proof designs such as rebar and section steel. Through the recent expansion, the steelmaker will incorporate other materials that can be used throughout the construction process such as cold and hot rolled steel, steel plates, and steel pipes. The steelmake

S. Korean IT giant aims to secure foothold to target younger customers in North America

Overnight basic taxi fee in Seoul likely to surpass 10,000 won next year

  As Korea transitions to the endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the online-focused retail industry is shifting toward offline stores to enhance customer experience, a report showed Tuesday. Although the vacancy rate rose in commercial districts during the pandemic, retail brands are eyeing prime spaces to open pop-up or flagship stores, according to a report from commercial real estate platform Cushman & Wakefield Korea. For instance, Apple opened its second store in a new buildin

Tech giant all-out to narrow gap with foundry leader TSMC

Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle sales in the United States dropped significantly last month after a new US act that excludes tax benefits on vehicles produced outside of the US took effect, data showed on Tuesday. Hyundai Motor America sold a total of 1,306 Ioniq 5 units in September, far less than the 2,853 units of the EV model sold in June, 1,978 in July and 1,517 in August. Its sister company Kia’s sales of its flagship model EV6 also dropped to 1,440 units last month fr

SK Biotek Sejong plant increases capacity by over 50% with 3rd facility

La Boutique Bleue, a premium home spa care brand that launched in South Korea in 2021, introduced a non-fungible token certification service, the company said Friday. According to LBB, it has offered VIP membership cards in the form of NFTs to participants that took part in the launch event of the Italian luxury golf wear brand Filippo Piana in Seoul. LBB had collaborated with Filippo Piana in hosting the launch event by showcasing its newest product, Golden Camellia All Day Care Lotion, and off

X-widget aims to globalize S-Members, use revenue to reduce plastic waste