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Ko Dong-hwan

Korea Times Business Reporter

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Companies

Baemin operator becomes latest victim of data misuse by partner firm

Woowa Brothers, operator of major online food ordering platform Baedal Minjok, has become the latest company to suffer a customer data leak carried out by a criminal ring. Woowa Brothers said it was informed by Seoul's Yangcheon Police Station on Friday that a partner firm managing its customer service center had been infiltrated by a member of a criminal group disguising as a new recruit. The perpetrator intended to steal the personal data of a Baedal Minjok customer, including the person’s contact number and address. Police said the criminal had been paid by an unidentified client seeking personal retaliation. After acquiring the necessary information to approach the target, the criminal left human excrement and scribbles on the entrance door of the victim’s home. “Yangcheon police first informed us about the crime last Friday, shortly after which they apprehended all the suspects. The police were heading to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office to determine whether arrest warrants would be required,” a Woowa Brothers official said. Police said the criminals acted li

Mar 31, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Baemin operator becomes latest victim of data misuse by partner firm
Companies

Chinese brands gain traction in Korean restaurant landscape

Chinese dine-in companies under major brands are expanding their presence in Korea by attracting customers in key tourism areas in Seoul with authentic Chinese flavors. Their inroads align with Chinese milk tea brands that are also expanding their following here, betting on the fame built up in their home country. These signs of an influx of Chinese food and beverage brands demonstrate that Korea is essential to their global market expansion. The most visible growth among Chinese restaurants in Korea is Tanghuo Kungfu Malatang. Following the opening of its first restaurant by a franchisee in Suwon in 2012, the number of its restaurants in Korea — either run by franchisees or directly managed by the company — has surpassed 560 as of the end of March. Tanghuo Kungfu Korea posted 18.3 billion won ($12.1 million) in sales in 2023, a 108 percent year-on-year increase, while operating profit reached 943 million won, up 95 percent. Sales in 2024 surged again to 22.2 billion won, with its operating profit also jumping to 10.5 billion won. The restaurants are now located across Seoul’s maj

Mar 31, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Chinese brands gain traction in Korean restaurant landscape
Companies

PHOTO New ambassador for Chapagetti

Chef Hou Deok-juk poses with Nongshim’s new Chapagetti product in this photo released Monday. Hou, who has 58 years of experience in Chinese cuisine, gained a strong following after appearing on Season 2 of the Netflix hit cooking competition show “Culinary Class Wars.” Nongshim and Hou jointly developed a new recipe for the instant noodle brand based on stir-frying to create a spicy flavor using a sauce made with hot pepper, garlic, vinegar and spicy bean paste. Courtesy of Nongshim

Mar 30, 2026By Ko Dong-hwanphoto
[PHOTO] New ambassador for Chapagetti
Companies

HiteJinro refines nonalcoholic lineup with Terra Zero

Major soju and beer company HiteJinro has strengthened its nonalcoholic lineup for growing “sober-curious” consumers by introducing a new version of its signature beer brand, Terra. According to the company on Monday, Terra Zero preserves the beer’s original malt flavor by using Australian malt extract while avoiding the fermentation process required to produce alcohol. The company described Terra Zero as “real zero” because it contains no alcohol, calories, sugar or additives. Terra Zero follows the launch of Hite Zero 0.00, which targets consumers interested in nonalcoholic beer. The company, however, distinguished the new label from its predecessor. “While Hite Zero 0.00 set a standard for nonalcoholic beers by emphasizing health and functionality, Terra Zero targets consumers looking to enjoy the authentic, distinct flavor of beer. Terra Zero ventures beyond being a beer substitute,” the company said. HiteJinro said it will bolster its leadership in the nonalcoholic beer market with Hite Zero 0.00 — the current market leader — and Terra Zero. “Terra Zero is a strate

Mar 30, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
HiteJinro refines nonalcoholic lineup with Terra Zero
Companies

Samsung’s Harman invests $151 mil. for self-driving tech in Hungary

Automobile electronics company Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, will invest 131 million euros ($151 million) in its research and manufacturing bases in Hungary for self-driving technology development. According to the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency on Friday, Harman’s investment will partly go to the development of software and hardware for autonomous driving functions at its main research and development center in Budapest. In Szekesfehervar, the company will conduct research and development on autonomous systems and information management solutions. The company will also increase productivity at its manufacturing bases in Szekesfehervar and Pecs by advancing manufacturing capabilities with automation and digitization. Harman’s investment comes as global automobile makers including Mercedes-Benz are increasingly gearing toward self-driving cars and software-defined cars. While doing so, automakers are expanding collaboration with electronics and electric system developers to introduce integrated systems for advanced vehicles. Industry officials say th

Mar 27, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Samsung’s Harman invests $151 mil. for self-driving tech in Hungary
Companies

HD Construction Equipment's Australia sales up 56% this year

HD Construction Equipment is enjoying solid sales in Australia. The construction equipment developer subsidiary of HD Hyundai Group said Friday its sales in Australia in January to February increased 56 percent from the previous year. Last year the company sold 439 construction equipment in the country. With rising demands and more invested marketing efforts by the firm, the figure is anticipated to reach 1,000 this year. The company’s main focus is small-size equipment. The products account for half of the company’s sales across its global markets. It said it will boost the product group for the Australian market by further diversifying mini excavator lineup and introducing a compact track loader and bulldozer. Australia is one of HD Construction Equipment’s key global markets, generating demands of approximately 25,000 construction equipment per year on average. State-run infrastructure construction projects involving roads, railways and energy development as well as earth mineral excavation for ironstone and lithium keep fueling demands for construction equipment. Citing market a

Mar 27, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
HD Construction Equipment's Australia sales up 56% this year
Companies

Landing International to deliver K-beauty to US forces worldwide

Korean cosmetic product distributor Landing International has landed a deal with a major retail distributor dedicated to the United States Armed Forces to offer K-beauty to military service members and their families worldwide. Landing International said Thursday it will exclusively distribute selected Korean cosmetic brands to Military Prestige Marketing, a New York-based reseller serving the U.S. military retail market with a focus on beauty, fragrance, haircare and fashion. Landing International said the global market for the U.S. forces has over 10 million consumers worldwide and sees overall sales of $15 billion per year on average. The consumers mostly have high loyalty for their favorite brands and show strong interests in beauty products, according to the firm. It added consumers across retail markets dedicated to the U.S. military service members shop more than four times a month on average. “The market has a strong potential across various beauty categories like skincare, haircare, fragrance and color makeup,” Landing International said in a press release. Landing Internatio

Mar 27, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Landing International to deliver K-beauty to US forces worldwide
Companies

Davich Optical CEO eyes health care as future driver

Davich Optical is bolstering its market position as optical health care provider, extending businesses from retail distribution of glasses and lens to tech-based health care services including smart glasses. CEO Jacob Kim has since last month broadened the company’s scope by signing two notable memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with specialist firms. One is a major Korean home electronic appliance developer focused on wellness lifestyle; the other is an Israeli smart glasses developer. The back-to-back deals, signed last month and this month, are still in their inception phases but point to the scope of the company’s ventures. On Feb. 9, Kim inked a deal with Ceragem, agreeing to jointly develop health care services in conjunction with Davich’s nationwide offline retailer network and Ceragem’s health care technologies. Their objectives include introducing offline customer spaces for wellness services, marketing cooperation, developing next-generation health care services and solutions, and developing new innovation and growth engines. Ceragem’s cafe franchise business, Well C

Mar 27, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Davich Optical CEO eyes health care as future driver
Companies

CJ CheilJedang rolls out fully automated gimbap production

Major food producer CJ CheilJedang has launched a fully automated production pipeline for frozen gimbap, marking what it described as an industry-first innovation in Korea, the company said Wednesday. The mass production of gimbap, or Korean rice roll, has traditionally relied at least partly on manual labor. The new system, now operating at the company’s CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, enables a fully automated process — from placing ingredients on a rice base layered with dried seaweed to rolling, cutting and packaging. Developed and tested for over one and a half years, the pipeline incorporates the company’s rice-cooking expertise tailored for frozen foods, along with differentiated temperature control for individual ingredients. A rapid freezing process is also applied to maintain product quality throughout distribution and storage. The automation is expected to significantly boost CJ CheilJedang’s production capacity to meet growing global demand, while ensuring consistent quality and food safety standards. The move comes amid strong sales growth

Mar 25, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
CJ CheilJedang rolls out fully automated gimbap production
Companies

Chaevi powers EV infrastructure in UAE with 1,000 rechargers

Korea’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charger developer Chaevi has sealed a new partnership with a major power infrastructure company in the United Arab Emirates to supply on-ground EV chargers, aiming to support the Middle Eastern nation’s EV infrastructure expansion. Chaevi said Wednesday it will supply 1,000 EV charging units worth $5.5 million to Emirates Electrical Engineering over the next two years. The Korean firm views the deal as a cornerstone for expanding its business into other major economies in the region. Dubai-based Emirates Electrical Engineering is an electrical infrastructure subsidiary of Al Rostamani Group, one of the largest private conglomerates in the UAE. According to Chaevi, the group has been frequently commissioned by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for national infrastructure development projects. Chaevi said Al Rostamani is the only private firm in the UAE with a charging point operator (CPO) business license. Alongside another subsidiary, United Diesel, Emirates Electrical Engineering is currently leading Al Rostamani’s EV infrastructure b

Mar 25, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Chaevi powers EV infrastructure in UAE with 1,000 rechargers
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