Regulatory approval for Hana Financial Group Inc.’s acquisition of Korea Exchange Bank may come later than expected, which could push up the group’s cost for the takeover deal, sources said Thursday.Hana Financial expected to receive regulatory approval around February for its Nov. 25 contract with U.S. buyout firm Lone Star Funds to take over a 51.02 percent stake in KEB for 4.69 trillion won ($4

LG Electronics Inc. said Wednesday it aims to post $10 billion in global air conditioner sales in 2013, a goal that is forecast to propel the consumer electronics giant’s growth in the international market.“LG Electronics hopes to post $10 billion in global air conditioner sales in 2013,” said Nho Hwan-yong, head of the air conditioner business, in a press conference.The company also aims to sell

HONG KONG (Yonhap News) ― Korea has come up against a dilemma as its export-led economy grows more dependent on China, which poses both opportunities and risks at the same time, experts say.China’s influence on the Korean economy is ever more visible as the world’s second-largest economy has become the largest destination of its products. For China, Korea is its third-largest trading partner after

The cost of issuing Korea’s sovereign debt declined in December as market jitters eased over geopolitical tensions prompted by North Korea’s latest provocations, data showed Wednesday.The spread on dollar-denominated currency stabilization bonds dropped to 90 basis points last month, down from 114 basis points reported in November, according to the data provided by the Finance Ministry.The decreas

NEW YORK (AP) -- When the personal computer revolution began decades ago, Latinos and blacks were much less likely to use one of the marvelous new machines. Then, when the Internet began to change life as we know it, these groups had less access to the Web and slower online connections placing them on the wrong side of the ``digital divide.‘’Today, as mobile technology puts computers in our pocket

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) – Apple snubbed the big Consumer Electronics Show but vendors of accessories for its hot devices turned out in force.Dozens of manufacturers of covers, stands, headsets, speakers and other items for the iPad, iPod and iPhone crammed an “iLounge” on the Las Vegas Conventer Center floor dedicated solely to Apple accessories.Scott Sternick, owner of a sports bars in New York‘s

The government plans to step up its price monitoring of 22 food items and public services as part of its ongoing efforts to keep inflation under control ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, the finance ministry said Tuesday.The government will also provide around 21 trillion won ($18.65 billion) worth of loans and guarantees for small and medium-sized companies in a bid to help support fi

Korea has ordered the culling of 1.34 million livestock since late November to stem its severest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in history, the government said Monday.The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said quarantine officials ordered the culling of 107,500 heads of cattle, just under 1.23 million pigs and over 3,700 goats and deer on 3,300 farms in the past 40 days.The e

Korean stocks finished 0.26 percent lower on Monday as investors stepped to the sidelines amid jitters over fourth-quarter corporate earnings and the expiry of options later this week, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 5.39 points to 2,080.81, after setting a fresh record close of 2,086.2 on Friday. Trading volume wa