Samsung Biologics to lure global clients at CPHI 2024

South Korea's leading contract development and manufacturing organization Samsung Biologics said Monday it will participate in Europe’s largest bio conference, the Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients Worldwide 2024. The CPHI, one of the biggest bio conferences, is held annually in major European markets. This year, it takes place in Milan from Tuesday to Thursday, with over 2,400 companies from 166 countries and 62,000 attendees expected to join. Samsung has been setting up its e

Oct. 7, 2024

[Herald Interview] Toonsquare aims to open new era for webtoon creation with AI

Fueled by the surge in digital content consumption during the pandemic, the global webcomic market has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, with South Korea, home to a $1.1 billion webtoon market, cementing its position as a leader in this burgeoning industry. Leveraging Korea's unmatched market data and intellectual property, Seoul-based artificial intelligence startup Toonsquare, which provides creative tools for webcomic creators, is now aiming to expand its global presence, with g

Oct. 6, 2024

Fight over Korea Zinc becomes game of chicken

The fight for management control of Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelter, has escalated into a game of chicken worth over 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion). As the bidding war heats up, its would-be controllers are at risk of falling prey to a “winner’s curse.” On Friday, the last day of the initial tender offer period launched by private equity fund MBK Partners and Young Poong, the biggest shareholder of Korea Zinc, the coalition raised its offer to 830,000 won per

Oct. 6, 2024

McDonald’s Korea recognized for enhancing job security for seniors

McDonald's Korea said Sunday that it has received a commendation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for its ongoing efforts to improve job security for senior citizens. The award ceremony was held Wednesday in Seoul to mark the 28th National Day of Older Persons here. The hamburger chain has established “inclusivity” as one of its core corporate values, aiming to promote diversity and equal opportunities. Since 2011, in particular, the company has developed jobs specificall

Oct. 6, 2024

LG Energy Solution aims high in North America’s ESS market

LG Energy Solution has reaffirmed its commitment to growing its presence in the rapidly expanding North American energy storage system market, aiming to capitalize on the region’s increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. In a recent interview with UK-based industry publication Energy Storage News, Kim Hyung-sik, vice president and head of the ESS battery division at LG Energy Solution, outlined the company’s strategy for targeting North America. He emphasized the crucial r

Oct. 6, 2024

[KH Explains] Can G-Star level up?

G-Star, Korea’s top annual gaming convention, is getting ready for its 20th edition set to open at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center, or Bexco, on November 14. The G-Star organizing committee said this year’s event will feature 3,281 booths, slightly more than the previous year, which was the largest event in G-Star's 20-year history and drew nearly 200,000 visitors. “This year’s G-Star marks a very important moment as we welcome the convention's 20th

Oct. 6, 2024

Samsung unveils 'personalized AI' for all devices

Samsung Electronics announced it would be introducing artificial intelligence in all of its major home appliances and mobile devices to offer a more personalized and secure user experience, at this year's Samsung Developer Conference on Thursday. Celebrating the 10th year of the annual event, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-hee revealed the company's "AI for All" vision, renewing the company's commitment to using AI technology to enhance security and p

Oct. 4, 2024

Samsung starts mass production of industry's top-level SSD for on-device AI PCs

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of memory chips, announced Friday it started mass producing the industry’s highest-performing solid-state drive with the largest capacity, making it optimal for on-device artificial intelligence applications for personal computers. The new PM9E1, which is a PCIe 5.0 SSD, provides a powerful performance and enhanced power efficiency built on its in-house 5-nanometer-based controller and eighth-generation V-NAND technology, the chipmaker s

Oct. 4, 2024

LG Display to swing back to profit next year: Analysts

South Korean display maker LG Display is expected to emerge from the red next year as the company speeds up efforts to reorganize its business structure to focus on high-value-added organic light-emitting diode panels, market analysts said Thursday. LG Display has been experiencing consecutive yearly deficits, logging operating losses of 2.5 trillion won ($1.9 billion) and 2.08 trillion won in 2023 and 2022, respectively. This year, the losses will continue, but the company should be able to red

Oct. 3, 2024

YouthMeta seeks to leverage Japan's crypto enthusiasm

South Korea-based crypto data aggregator YouthMeta is seeking a bigger footing in Japan, a country which has been showing a stronger interest in the investment tool recently, according to the company. YouthMeta provides a cryptocurrency price prediction service through its Goya Premium Chart, suggesting the best time to buy and sell more than 200 crypto assets listed on Binance. With the company having over 30,000 users across 27 countries, Japan stands out as a particularly vibrant market with

Oct. 3, 2024

[KH Explains] Is private equity giant MBK a risk-taker or renegade?

MBK Partners, the country’s leading private equity house with over $30 billion to its name, has once again found itself meddling in an ownership turmoil, as it moves beyond its typical buyout-and-exit strategy. Last month, MBK announced plans to acquire around 15 percent of the world’s biggest zinc smelter, Korea Zinc, through a tender offer, joining hands with friend-turned-foe Young Poong. With the bidding price raised once, the tender offer could go up to 2.3 trillion won ($1.75 b

Oct. 3, 2024

Korea, EU to hold joint study to combat climate-led food crisis

South Korea's forest agency said Thursday that a research project submitted by its affiliate, the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute, aimed at addressing the climate-driven food crisis through crop wild relatives, has been selected for a part of an R&D program promoting cooperation with the European Union. Crop wild relatives, also known as CWRs, are recognized for their ability to adapt to extreme environments and their high genetic diversity, making them crucial for improving future

Oct. 3, 2024

Korea Zinc's tender offer, Young Poong's second filing further bring feud to head

Korea Zinc, the world's largest zinc smelter, is launching a tender offer to repurchase shares valued at up to 3.1 trillion won ($2.25 billion) to defend its position in the ongoing management dispute with Young Poong, its largest shareholder, and private equity firm MBK Partners. Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom announced Wednesday during a press conference in Seoul that the company’s board has resolved to initiate this tender offer for treasury shares. Choi said the tender offer ai

Oct. 2, 2024

Zyx Technology eyes SE Asia expansion with cutting-edge design software

South Korean design software developer Zyx Technology unveiled its latest products at Automation World Vietnam 2024 held in Ho Chi Minh City, in an effort to expand its business in Southeast Asia, the company said Wednesday. At the event, Zyx Technology introduced its flagship products: its general-purpose design software ZyxCAD, the AI-powered Works and Zyx Designer, and its GIS based Smart Construction Platform. These advanced tools are designed to improve design efficiency and support smart

Oct. 2, 2024

Samsung tightens its belt amid crisis winds

Samsung Electronics, a leading tech giant in smartphones and semiconductors, is seen implementing austerity measures, reducing headcounts and downsizing celebratory events as it falls behind global peers in its core product markets. On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported Samsung Electronics is expected to lay off about 10 percent of its total overseas staff of 147,000, with the latest headcount cut being carried out in its headquarters in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The company already

Oct. 2, 2024

Egnis partners with Oklahoma for Xolution's resealable can business

Lifestyle brand developer Egnis announced Wednesday that it began partnership with the Oklahoma government in hopes to expand its German subsidiary Xolution's resealable can business in the US. The business agreement signing ceremony held Tuesday at The Shilla Seoul, was attended by Park Chan-ho, CEO of Egnis, Evan Brown, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Economic Development, Growth and Expansion division and Marc Von Rettberg, CEO and managing director at X

Oct. 2, 2024

Korean Air wins US awards for best first, business class cabins

Korean Air announced Tuesday that it has topped the 2024 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the business and first class category for the second year in a row. The airline also placed second for best in-flight food for the second consecutive year, while its cabin crew ranking improved from sixth to fourth place. The USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards honors top performers across a range of categories. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts, with the final winners

Oct. 2, 2024

KT chief vows to secure AI leadership

Telecom carriers can further expand their roles in the era of artificial intelligence as they hold the lead in offering diverse services, KT CEO Kim Young-shub said at a mobile conference in Seoul on Tuesday, saying collaboration with tech rivals is crucial to boost service quality. "AI-based services have already been realized across all areas, including telecommunications, health care, public transportation, manufacturing and logistics," Kim said in his keynote speech at this year�

Oct. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Sleep tech startup Munice seeks bigger footing in US

In a world where sleep disorders reportedly affect millions, South Korean startup Munice is offering a unique and science-based solution. Their app, Nightly, specializes in using a specific type of rhythmic sound frequency, called monaural beats, designed to promote relaxation and deep sleep. According to CEO Kwon Seo-hyun, 26, Nightly helps users fall asleep faster and experience deeper rest through brainwave entrainment. The app encourages electrical oscillations of the brain to synchronize wi

Oct. 1, 2024

Posco chief stresses innovation for survival at CEO forum

Posco Group Chairman Chang In-hwa underscored the urgent need for a "future-oriented strategy," during his address to executives at the 2024 Posco Forum, which took place at the Posco Global R&D Center in Songdo-dong, Incheon on Tuesday. Now in its sixth year, the theme of this year’s forum is "Navigating Crisis, Innovating for Future." Some 100 executives from the group's affiliated companies will convene for two days to gain insights from external experts and

Oct. 1, 2024