Samsung Electronics on Thursday denied viral news reports that hacking attempts in March against LoopPay, the mobile payment solution provider for its Samsung Pay, led to a payment data leak in an attempt to ease consumers’ concerns over their privacy.　“The first thing to know is that Samsung Pay was not impacted by the LoopPay hack and at no point was any personal payment information at risk,” the tech giant said in a post on its official blog Thursday. 　 A mobile user makes tries to pay using

     KCCI chairman Park Yong-maan.The head of Korea’s largest business association called for calm and objectivity amid heavy criticism against the South Korean government for its lack of effort to participate in the recently-concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership.　“Many have been criticizing that Korea has missed out on a huge market that takes up 40 percent of the global economy by not partaking in the TPP. I ask everyone to calm down and take on a more objective viewpoint,” said Park Yong-maan,

Tous Les Jours, the bakery chain run by CJ Foodville, has launched a new line of breads made with butternut squash, known to be rich in nutrition and low in calories.　The breadmaker has launched five types of breads, and one cake made with butternut squash, which is harvested from a farm operated by five-star hotel chef Choi Jong-sup.　“The chain has been launching various seasonal products using only the highest-quality ingredients. Customers will also love our new butternut squash breads made w

　Netherlands-based Philips, a global leading company in health and well-being sectors, has introduced a new LED night light made in the shape of Disney’s flagship character Winnie the Pooh.　The Pooh SoftPal portable light friend is designed to help soothe children who are afraid of the dark. Made with soft silicon and rounded, the lamp is highly durable and safe to handle, according to the company.　The lamp is priced around 40,000 won ($35) and can be purchased through Korea’s major retailers.　P

Primera, a skin care cosmetics brand under South Korean beauty giant Amore Pacific, has launched a limited edition of its flagship Watery Cream Alpine Berry.　The cream’s case has been designed to feature an eco-friendly illustration as part of its efforts to support the protection of the earth’s wetlands. The company will donate part of the cream’s sales profits to The Biodiversity Foundation in Korea.　Primera’s Watery Cream Alpine Berry is a moisturizing cream made with alpine berry and papaya

　LG Household & Health Care, the cosmetics, drinks and consumer goods-maker under LG Group, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of Moomin by launching a special collaborative makeup collection featuring the Finnish character.　Cathy Cat Colorist, the company’s makeup brand, has designed its flagship makeup products, including its foundation, lip products, mascara and eye shadow, to showcase Moomin.　In celebration of the Cathy Cat Code x Moomin edition, the cosmetics company is giving out Moomin b

　Hanyul, a cosmetics brand owned by AmorePacific, has newly launched the Geuk Jin Eye Cream made with its flagship fermented ginseng extract technology. 　The new eye cream helps tighten the skin around the eyes to achieve a more youthful look. The cream is designed to go along well with other products from Hanyul’s Geuk Jin lineup.　“For those worried about eye wrinkles, the cream can help rejuvenate the skin around the eyes for thorough, concentrated treatment,” said Hanyul’s brand manager Yang

CJ O Shopping showcased some 100 new winter fashion items from 26 brands at the 2015 Fashion Real Way fashion show held in Seoul Tuesday. 　　All of the showcased clothes, designed to be worn in everyday life, are scheduled go on sale through the firm’s home shopping channel this winter season.　Among the participating brands were designers Yang Yun-ho and Park Mun-hee’s Yunho Munhee, Kye Han-hee’s KYE, Steve J and Yoni P’s Steve Yoni Studio. Lee Jung-sun’s Tiger in the Rain and New York-based Vera

　Suwon, the representative city of South Korea’s most populous province, has been making a name for itself on the global stage as the country’s most environmentally friendly city in light of escalating concerns over the world’s critical environment challenges.　Behind the drive is Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young, who is often dubbed the “green mayor” for his dedication to making it the greenest city and leading player in the global campaign against environment threats.  Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young (Ahn

　Korea’s main opposition party on Wednesday demanded the resignation of the chief of an organization that oversees broadcaster MBC amid controversy over his ideologically driven remarks against party leader Rep. Moon Jae-in, former President Roh Moo-hyun and the progressives.　Taking aim at the chairman of Foundation for Broadcast Culture Ko Young-joo’s repeated description of Moon as a “communist,” the New Politics Alliance for Democracy lawmakers urged him to step down as he had lost the politi

　ULSAN -- SK Global Chemical, the petrochemicals manufacturing unit of Korea’s SK Group, and the state-run Saudi Basic Industries, SABIC, celebrated Wednesday the completion of their new polyethylene plant in Ulsan.　The plant, which began operations in January 2014, is owned and run by SABIC SK Nexlene Co., a 50:50 joint venture established in July this year. Built exclusively with SK’s own technology, the plant produces around 230,000 tons of Nexlene -- high-performance polyethylene developed b

　Public outcry persists in Japan against Tokyo’s recent legislation that expands the role of its military, and among them is a civic group led by a mom-turned-activist pushing to get a Nobel Peace Prize for those attempting to uphold the Japanese pacifist Constitution.　Despite the latest setback, the campaign will remain undeterred in their promotion of peace as the single most important value of human kind, the 37-year-old activist said in an interview with The Korea Herald. Naomi Dakasu speaks

South Korea on Tuesday expressed a renewed interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the world’s single largest trading bloc which reached a landmark conclusion on Monday after more than seven years of negotiations.“Korea will strive to join the mega free trade agreement in any form,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan said Tuesday, adding that “the government will decide on the entry period after thoroughly analyzing the impacts of joining the TPP on the nationa

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SK DAEJEON INNOVATION CENTER -- Science, ICT and Future Planning Minister Choi Yang-hee (fourth from right, front row), Daejeon Mayor Kwon Seon-taek (fourth from left, front row), SK Telecom CEO Jang Dong-hyun (second from left, front row) and other officials celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Daejeon Creative Economy Innovation Center established by the government and SK Group at the center in Daejeon on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Sanofi-Aventis Korea, the local affiliate of France-based global health care company Sanofi, presented the benefits of its newly upgraded basal insulin Toujeo in an event in Seoul on Monday to celebrate the drug’s approval in South Korea.　Sanofi’s Toujeo SoloSTAR is a long-acting basal insulin which has upgraded the medical effects of Lantus, the world’s top-selling diabetes treatment insulin as well as one of the company’s flagship products. Sanofi-Aventis Korea general manager Bae Kyung-eun ex

　In South Korea, where a growing number of hospitals and emergency medical staff are recognizing the need to implement higher quality CPR, the defibrillation business is geared for new growth and development in the years to come.　ZOLL Medical Corporation, a health care company under Asahi Kasei Group which develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help emergency care, is eyeing Korea as a strategic market with great potential for business expansion, according to the firm’s

　The Chevrolet Impala — a large sedan launched by GM Korea in August — surpassed Hyundai Motor’s Aslan in sales volume last month, rising as a strong player in South Korea’s premium large sedan market. 　A total of 1,644 units of the Impala were sold in September, compared to just 821 units of the Hyundai Aslan, according to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.　 Moreover, the Impala’s total sales have reached 11,000 units as of September, according to KAIDA. 　GM Korea debu

　In line with the growing number of people who are heading outdoors to camp or partake in various recreational activities, sport utility vehicles have recently been enjoying heightened popularity in South Korea.　At the forefront of the continued SUV boom is Jeep, the world’s leading SUV brand under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.　Eyeing new SUV buyers, FCA Korea debuted the all-new Renegade here last month in Seoul. The Renegade, Jeep’s latest and first compact SUV, has been recognized for its high p

SPONSORSHIP FOR 2015 PRESIDENTS CUP -- Hyundai Motor’s director of domestic sales Chang Jae-hoon (right) delivers 67 Hyundai vehicles to Matt Kamienski, vice president at PGA Tour, in a ceremony held Friday in Incheon. Hyundai Motor is an official sponsor of the 2015 Presidents Cup, which will take place in Incheon from Oct. 6-11. (Hyundai Motor)

　Lee Soo-yeon, a 38-year-old mother of two children in South Korea, frequently shops on various online websites of U.S.-based brands like Gap and Carter’s as well as e-commerce platform Amazon, eyeing major sales events and special discounts.　Around once a month, Lee receives her purchases -- usually foreign-brand baby clothing which are more expensive to buy or entirely unavailable in Korea -- from across the world at her house in Seoul. 　Exactly what kind of a hassle does Lee have to endure to