BRAND

• Top headlines in major S. Korean newspapers

  BRAND

  SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- The following are the top in major South Korean newspapers on Dec. 29.Korean-language dailies-- No progress on launching special probe into Daejang-dong scandal, parties using it for political interests (Kyunghyang Shinmun
• Manufacturers' biz sentiment improves for January amid robust exports

  BRAND

  SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean manufacturers' business sentiment improved for January on optimism that the country's exports remain strong despite the global pandemic, central bank data showed Wednesday.The business sentiment index (
• 

  BRAND

  Korea Shipbuilding wins 583 billion won frigate order from Philippines

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (KSOE) said Tuesday it has received a 583 billion won (US$490 million) order to build two patrol frigates for the Philippines. KSOE is the shipbuilding subholding company of Hyu
• 

  BRAND

  Moon says new southeastern railroads can play part in East Asia railway bloc

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday a set of new railroads, poised to open in the country's southeastern region, can play a key role in an East Asia railway bloc that extends to Europe. Moon made the remarks during a lau
• 

  BRAND

  Seoul court rules in favor of Kyobo Life in legal battle with Hong Kong-based PEF

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has rejected a Hong Kong-based private equity firm's request for Kyobo Life Insurance Co. to carry out its obligation with regard to a put option that it has been trying to exercise, the South Korean insur
• 

  BRAND

  Number of businesses gains 17.8 pct over 5 years

  SEJONG, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The number of businesses in South Korea rose nearly 18 percent over the past five years as almost all industrial sectors posted gains, data showed Tuesday.Asia's fourth-largest economy had a total of 6,013,000 business
• 

  BRAND

  Number of small firms rises 4.7 pct in 2020 despite pandemic

  SEJONG, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The number of small companies in South Korea expanded nearly 5 percent in 2020 from a year earlier despite the pandemic, but their profit fell sharply, government data showed Tuesday.The country had 2,902,000 companies wit
• 

  BRAND

  S. Korea's oldest coal-fired plant to shut down

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's oldest coal-powered plant will be shut down for good this week, the energy ministry said Tuesday, in line with the government's plan to shift toward renewable energy and to reduce fine dust.Honam Coal
• 

  BRAND

  Gov't to lift restrictions on urea solution sales as supply stabilizes

  SEJONG, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The government will lift restrictions on sales of urea solution as the supply of the essential fluid used in diesel vehicles to cut emissions has been stabilized, the finance ministry said Tuesday.South Korea had struggled
• S. Korea to cut tariff rates on 90 products in 2022

  BRAND

  SEJONG, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will lower tariff rates on a total of 90 products next year to strengthen competitiveness of small businesses and stabilize prices of key materials, the finance ministry said Tuesday.The number is higher than t
• 

  BRAND

  (LEAD) Gov't to buy 200,000 tons of rice to stabilize prices

  (ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 5-7; CHANGES photo)By Joo Kyung-donSEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The government will buy 200,000 tons of locally produced rice this year to help stabilize the market price of the staple grain, the ruling party said Tuesday
• 

  BRAND

  Gov't to buy 200,000 tons of rice to stabilize prices

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The government will buy 200,000 tons of locally produced rice this year to help stabilize the market price of the staple grain, the ruling party said Tuesday following a meeting with agriculture authorities. "Of the s
• Consumer sentiment worsens in December amid virus resurgence

  BRAND

  SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer sentiment index dropped for the first time in four months in December due to concerns over the resurgence of the coronavirus, central bank data showed Tuesday.The composite consumer sentiment inde
• 

  BRAND

  Electricity demand hits new wintertime high

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's electricity demand set a new wintertime high Monday as the country was gripped by the coldest weather so far this season, the energy ministry said. Peak power demand had reached 90,708 mega watts as of 5 p
• 

  BRAND

  (LEAD) Moon asks chiefs of conglomerates to keep hiring youth

  (ATTN: ADDS details in paras 7-8)SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in met with the chiefs of conglomerates on Monday and asked them to keep hiring youth amid the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.Moon made the remark during a luncheon
• 

  BRAND

  S. Korea to sell 13 tln won worth of state bonds in Jan.

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to sell 13 trillion won (US$11 billion) in government bonds in January, the finance ministry said Monday.The ministry will issue 900 billion won in Treasurys with a two-year maturity, 2.5 trillion won with
• S. Korea to invest 642.4 bln won on nuclear safety R&D by 2029

  BRAND

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Monday it will inject 642.4 billion won (US$541.1 million) on research and development (R&D) in strengthening safety of the country's nuclear reactors by 2029.The budget is part of a five-year plan for
• 

  BRAND

  Moon asks chiefs of conglomerates to keep hiring youth

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in met with the chiefs of conglomerates on Monday and asked them to keep hiring youth amid the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.Moon made the remark during a luncheon for the executives of companies
• 

  BRAND

  Exports to New Southern, Northern regions to hit new records in 2021

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports to the so-called New Southern and Northern regions are likely to touch all-time highs in 2021 on Seoul's efforts to deepen economic ties with those regions, the trade ministry said Monday.Seoul
• 

  BRAND

  Number of franchise outlets up 9.5 pct in 2020 despite pandemic

  SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- The number of franchise outlets in South Korea rose more than 9 percent in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic, but their sales dropped for the first time since 2013, data showed Monday.Franchise stores numbered 235,709 a