[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics has created a new division under its Home Entertainment department to specialize in producing medical image equipment.This is the first time the electronics maker has sought entry into the sector. For its first product, LG Electronics has decided on the digital X-ray detector. The company will also introduce high-precision monitors for professional use. An OLED panel is likely to be installed in these monitors, those close to LG said.The firm is now recruiting profe

[THE INVESTOR]KT has joined hands with US-based telecommunications firm Verizon Communications to establish global fifth-generation wireless network standards for the first time in the world, the local mobile carrier said on June 26. Under the partnership, both firms agreed to cooperate on faster commercialization of the 5G which is expected to come in 2020, including setting the global standards.“Global partnership for the 5G standardization is a critical factor for a smooth commercialization o

[THE INVESTOR] KOSPI kicks off more than 20 points lower, KOSDAQ down 17 points 

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho on June 26 pledged to implement “aggressive stabilization measures” to minimize the market fluctuations that may be caused by Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union.He also said the government will keep up steady communication with market participants, especially with those outside the country.“We have seen cases in the past where (overseas) investors became overly concerned, despite the strong fundamentals of the Korean econo

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean share prices are expected to face increased fluctuation next week as foreign investors are expected to pare down risky assets following Britain‘s decision to exit the European Union, analysts said on June 25. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed at 1,925.25 on June 24, down 3.09 percent, which was the biggest daily loss in more than four years. That was following the unexpected outcome of Britain’s vote to leave the world‘s single largest economic bl

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s largest steelmaker POSCO’s chairman Kwon Oh-joon called on employees to stay wary of trade protectionism trends that are being increasingly promoted by advanced nations amid deteriorating global economic conditions.POSCO chairman Kwon Oh-joon / The Investor“If trade protectionism is extended to countries in Southeast Asia, a key market for POSCO, it could have a major impact on our exports,” Kwon said in a recent email he sent to POSCO workers, industry watchers said

[THE INVESTOR] Like elsewhere in the world, Seoul’s financial markets took a heavy beating from Britain’s decision to leave the European Union on Friday, as panicky investors dumped emerging-market assets in a global flight to safety. KOSPI stocks fell 3 percent, while the local currency shed nearly 2.5 percent against the dollar. Government officials swiftly went into an emergency mode, saying they will use “all means possible” to help stabilize the markets. Despite the panic on the financial m

[THE INVESTOR] Gyeonggi Province has proposed a deregulation for companies seeking duty free licenses, according to the provincial government on June 23. On June 2, the Gyeonggi government submitted a proposal to the Korea Customs Service asking for changes to the current regulations concerning duty-free licenses in the area.　Under current KCS regulations, each provincial government is permitted to grant one new duty free license for every 300,000 on-year increases in foreign visitors. Under Gye

[THE INVESTOR] LG Innotek will be providing Apple with dual camera modules as early as this month, industry sources said on June 24.The reports come following Sony’s withdrawal from the camera module market in May. The Japanese electronics firm cited earthquakes and deteriorating profitability as the factors behind its decision. LG Innotek, however, said it could not confirm the deal.“We are not in a position to comment about our clients,” the firm said through its communications team. (theinves

[THE INVESTOR] The South Korean currency lost 28.4 won, or 2.47 percent against the greenback in mid-day to trade at 1178.6 won. At one point, the won fell to 1,180 won levels. Traders are selling the local currency on concerns about the impact of Britain‘s possible exit from the European Union. (theinvestor@heraldcorp.com) 　

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea‘s benchmark KOSPI index fell below the 1,900 level on June 24 for the first time since Feb.18.As of 12:51 p.m. it trade at 1896.89 points, down 4.53 percent from the previous day.Investors are selling shares, analysts said, as some of the poll results are indicating Britain may leave the European Union. Authorities implemented a circuit-breaker on the tech-heavy Kosdaq market.(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)

South Korea‘s bourse operator on Friday activated a circuit breaker on the country’s tech-heavy KOSDAQ market after share prices sharply declined on rising concerns over a possible exit of Britain from the European Union.(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electro Mechanics will be supplying dual camera modules to Chinese smartphone makers for the first time, industry sources said on June 24.“The South Korean firm will be begin supplying the modules to Xiaomi and LeECO beginning in July,” an industry source told the local media on the condition of anonymity. Samsung Electro Mechanics have been supplying single camera modules to Xiaomi. The dual camera modules are likely to be fitted in the phonemaker’s Mi 5S, which is schedu

[THE INVESTOR] The South Korean government said on June 24 it will jump in with market stabilizing measures, should the foreign exchange market becomes volatile due to the results of the British referendum. “If the foreign exchange market shows excessive volatility, the government will take swift measures to stabilize the market,” Vice Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok told an emergency meeting with officials of the financial authorities and the central bank. “The government will keep close tabs on

[THE INVESTOR] Mercedes-Benz Korea, the Korean unit of Germany’s Mercedes-Benz, is carrying out a recall on its SLK Class sedans, according to the South Korean government on June 24. Mercedes-Benz's SLK Class sedan.The automaker is recalling 25 of the vehicles manufactured between Jan.20 this year to March 18 for a part malfunction keeping the rear tires from maintaining alignment. Free repairs will become available as of July 1. (theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] Dollar opens at 1,150.0 won, down from 1,150.2 won 

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s largest food catering service Samsung Welstory is out to tap into China’s foodstuff market that is estimated to be worth around 300 trillion won (US$ 259.5 billion).Samsung Welstory said teamed up with Japan’s largest food distributor Gokubu Group and Yinlong Agriculture Development Corp., one of China’s top 10 state-run agricultural firms to form a joint venture specializing in distributing foodstuffs throughout China. With a capital of 28.5 million yuan (5 billion

[THE INVESTOR] The nation’s top telecom firms SK Telecom and KT are gearing up to compete in the field of next-generation network 5G.Korea’s leading mobile operator SK Telecom said on June 23 it has successfully developed 5G test equipment with Ericsson that will be applied to the world’s first 5G test network that is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. “The upcoming demonstration will be a chance to show stable and sufficient support for up-and-coming 5G services,” said Park Jin-

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea's Export-Import Bank unveiled a road map for overhaul on June 23, the same day Korea Development Bank released its own self-refom measures. Eximbank's plans include streamlining of the organization, cost cutting and asset sales to improve finances.The policy bank will pursue changes in its organization to be much more efficient yet competitive in the face of macroeconomic difficulties.  Export-Import Bank of Korea.This “innovation plan” comes as the country is facing s

[THE INVESTOR] Korea Development Bank, a state policy bank under fire for mismanagement of bailed-out companies, said on June 23 it would exit from its ownership of 46 companies this year, raising the count by 10 from its earlier plan. “From 2016 to 2018, we’ll be exiting from our investments in 132 nonfinancial companies,” the Seoul-based bank said in a statement. After the planned 46 sales this year, the auction process will begin for 44 companies in 2017 and for another 42 in 2018.  KDB chair