South Korean banks saw their loan default rates fall to the lowest level in 12 months in December following their enhanced efforts to clear soured loans ahead of year-end book closings, the financial regulator said Monday.   Loans overdue by one day or more reached 0.91 percent, or 9 trillion won ($8 billion), of the total lending held by 18 local banks as of the end of December, sharply down from

Samsung Heavy Industries announced Sunday that it has developed a high-tech anti-pirate system providing enhanced security for ships sailing through danger zones.The system includes remotely controlled water cannons, night vision and an advanced radar system.The shipbuilder said the system will be fitted as standard equipment in all ships built at its yard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.The n

Kia Motors Corp. saw its global market share come to 2.9 percent, the highest ever for the company, in 2010, industry data showed Sunday.According to the carmaker, it sold about 2.09 million units ― about 485,000 units domestically and 1.605 million units overseas ― in 2010. Comparing the figure to the world market volume of 71.35 million units calculated by J.D. Power and Associates, Kia’s global

The Bank of Korea is focusing on the coming revised outlook of the International Monetary Fund for the 2011 global economy as the U.S. economy is showing positive signs of recovery.An issue is whether the IMF will revise its forecast on Korea’s GDP growth upward for this year, from its projection of 4.5 percent in October. The figure was identical to the outlook issued by the BOK.While BOK Governo

TOKYO (DPA) ― Mitsubishi Motors Corp. plans to launch eight models of electric cars and plug-in hybrids by the financial year that ends in March 2016, the Japanese carmaker said Thursday.The strategy includes the introduction of hybrid vehicles in the 2013-14 financial year, said Mitsubishi, which produces an electric hatchback but has yet to introduce hybrid models.It plans to also expand its lin

Chunwoo Motors, Toyota Korea’s Lexus dealer for the Yongsan area of Seoul, opened a Lexus showroom in Ilsan-gu, Goyang in Gyeonggi Province on Thursday.The company said that the new showroom will strengthen its sales network in northern Gyeonggi Province including Ilsan and Paju. The showroom is located on the ground floor of a three-story building that includes office space, and a service stall t

Hyundai Motors Co. will shuffle production of two models between its Czech factory and a plant operated in neighboring Slovakia by the carmaker’s affiliate, Kia Motors Corp.The factory near Zilina, Northern Slovakia, will take over production of Kia Venga compact cars, which are currently assembled in the Czech Republic, according to Dusan Dvorak, spokesman for the unit. Similarly, production of H

Renault Samsung Motors Co. will be operating vehicle checkup points at 14 rest stops on expressways from Feb. 1 to 6 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for those traveling during the Seolnal, Lunar New Year, holiday.The checkup points offer general checkups free of charge, and replacements for various parts and components. Mechanics stationed at the checkup points will also provide tips on vehicle maintena

South Korea is expected to become the world's seventh-largest economy in 2032 if it continues to propel its growth engines, the country's top financial regulator has said.   "In 2020, South Korea is likely to become the world's 10th-largest economy. In 2032, it is projected to surpass Germany to join the ranks of the world's seven largest economies," Kim Seok-dong, the head of the Financial Servic