South Korea is deepening ties with Southeast Asia in hopes of creating new growth engines in the region’s young, fast-growing economies and seeking a breakthrough amid growing uncertainties in global trade. In 2017, the Moon Jae-in administration launched the New Southern Policy as its key foreign economic policy, reflecting its strong commitment to prosper with ASEAN countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As a f

SEJONG -- An election campaign pledge of President Moon Jae-in early 2017 was to create 1.31 million jobs -- 500,000 in the private sector and 810,000 in the public sector.At that time, he criticized the theory that employment should follow market principles, saying that “the (next) government (unlike past administrations) will be able to create up to 1.31 million jobs by taking the initiative (not by handing it over to the market).”In addition, he suggested that parents with prescho

Entertainment shares and others related to “Descendants of the Sun” power couple, Song Joong-ki and Song hye-kyo, displayed a weak performance Thursday following the surprise announcement of their divorce filing. Studio Dragon, the main production studio behind “Arthdal Chronicles,” closed 1.29 percent lower from the previous day’s trading at 68,800 won ($59.40).  “Arthdal Chronicles” is a blockbuster historical-fantasy series starring Song Joong-ki

The Minimum Wage Council decided on Wednesday not to consider employers' ability to pay salaries in setting the minimum wage for next year.Business groups, mainly small firms and mom-and-pop stores, have been demanding that they be allowed to establish different minimum wages depending on industry and business sizes.The wage council -- a trilateral panel of business and labor representatives and outside experts -- closed its deliberations earlier in the day and deci

Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Park Chan-ho is hoping to have a good influence on the South Korean startup ecosystem and give back to society as a venture partner of Seoul-based global accelerator SparkLabs.“I’m glad I was given a chance to have a virtuous influence on startups,” Park said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Young entrepreneurs are brimming with passion and dreams. I think I can share with them my experience and know-how (as a former professional

Fiscal chief vows to raise tax refund ceiling, speed up theme park project for tourism, logistics

The government’s latest decision to dispose of its remaining stakes in Woori Financial Holdings is seen as a turning point for South Korea’s financial sector, indicating the withdrawal of decadeslong public interference triggered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.While the financial holding company will henceforth gain further momentum in the market as a fully privatized player, state coffers will at last be able to recoup taxpayers’ money.According to the Financial Services C

Shinhan Card/ Credit card Shinhan Card has maintained its position as the nation’s leading credit card issuer for years, but it now aims to go a step further by integrating its services with customers’ lifestyles. The firm has the largest number of customers among credit card issuers -- around 22 million -- which it hopes to expand to 30 million by 2023. It has been offering a slew of services, such as sign-up bonuses, rewards, and original services, to evolve into a lifestyle platfo

Monetary policymaker remains defensive against ‘July easing’ scenario amid lingering uncertainties

SEJONG -- South Korea is sparing no efforts to promote its agricultural products globally, including Korean traditional dishes, beverages and alcoholic drinks.According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, “K-food Fair” held in Paris earlier this month drew wide attention from European consumers and retailers.“Twenty-one Korean producers participated in the fair in France and signed export contracts worth $17 million (19.6 billion won),” said a ministry

The nation’s sole bourse operator has been running an accounting program that helps firms listed on the secondary bourse Kosdaq deal with the reinforced external audit act.According to the Korea Exchange, the number of Kosdaq firms that faced the risk of delisting due to disclaimer of opinion this year increased 66 percent on-year to 30 firms. A disclaimer of opinion is issued when an auditor is unable to complete the audit report due to insufficient information provided by the company.&nb

South Korea's finance minister on Monday asked heads of major banks to increase lending to small and medium-sized firms as part of efforts to boost the economy.    Hong Nam-ki, the minister of economy and finance, said it would be good if banks extend loans to smaller firms by taking into account their technology and growth potential, even if their collateral is not enough for borrowing.     He made the comments to reporters after a meeting with the heads of 18

Koreans purchase first home at average age of 43.3

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi ended higher on Monday, with cautious optimism that the US-China trade talks slated for later this week may help the index recover previously lost ground. It closed 0.03 percent or 0.71 points higher from the previous trading at 2,126.33, despite having jumped back and forth between positive and negative terrains throughout the day.　 The local stock market in recent months has been heavily weighed down by the US-China trade war, which has escalated a

Woori Financial Group has decided to acquire controlling stake of 65.7 percent in Kukje Asset Trust from its largest shareholder with approval from its board members, the company said Monday. The group’s latest move to acquire the privately held real estate management company comes as it aims to accelerate integration of its affiliate firms and expand its business.  It plans to acquire the majority stake from the real estate management firm’s Chairman Yoo Jae-eun and associates