Business - The Korea Times

Apple requests Korea to allow transfer of high-precision map data overseas

U.S. tech giant Apple has requested the Korean government to allow overseas transfer of the country's high-precision map data, following a similar move by Google earlier this year, government officials said Tuesday. According to the officials at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Apple filed its application with the state-run National Geographic Information Institute on Monday, seeking approval to export detailed 1:5,000-scale map data for use in its map services. It marked Apple's second attempt after an initial request denied in February 2023 due to national security concerns. Google filed a similar request in February. With both Apple and Google now pressing for data export rights, the Korean government faces a policy dilemma amid ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Unlike Google, which does not store its map servers in Korea, Apple maintains local server infrastructure, a key condition that the government weighs in reviewing such applications, as it enables immediate response in the event of security breaches involving sensitive sites. Apple is reported

Jun 17, 2025By Yonhap

Apple requests Korea to allow transfer of high-precision map data overseas

CJ OliveNetworks, Cisco join forces to expand AI infrastructure

CJ OliveNetworks has signed a business agreement with Cisco Korea to expand its graphics processing unit (GPU)-based artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure business, the former said Tuesday. Cisco, a global leader in network equipment and security solutions, has recently been accelerating AI-driven digital transformation for enterprise clients through machine learning-based network automation and advanced cloud management platforms. The signing ceremony, held Friday, was attended by Yoo In-sang, CEO of CJ OliveNetworks; Dave West, president of Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan and China; and Choi Ji-hee, president of Cisco Korea. Through this strategic collaboration, the two companies aim to enhance the competitiveness of their AI infrastructure and services by integrating new AI-related technologies in computing, networking and security. They also plan to jointly develop AI infrastructure architectures, explore shared service models and pursue cooperative projects to bring innovative solutions to the market. A key focus of the partnership will be the joint development of a cloud-based, end

Jun 17, 2025By Nam Hyun-woo

CJ OliveNetworks, Cisco join forces to expand AI infrastructure

Han Sung Motor to strengthen customer experience, marking 40th anniversary

Han Sung Motor, German auto brand Mercedes-Benz’s local dealership in Korea, is strengthening its customer experience to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its foundation, the company said Tuesday. The dealership will introduce the customer invitation program “Han Sung Motor Culture Voyage x Ambassadors” at its showrooms across the country next month. The dealership has nominated ambassadors from various sectors including sports, culture and art. They will visit the dealership’s showrooms to offer differentiated experiences for customers. It will also host various events, including a photo competition and interviews with the ambassadors, to mark the company’s 40th anniversary. Han Sung Motor is also expected to officially introduce a membership program under which the dealership provides not only a vehicle maintenance benefit but also vouchers for luxury hotels and golf clubs. “Han Sung Motor has grown together with customers over the past 40 years. The next 40 years will be a journey with them to build value,” Han Sung Motor CEO Marco Kim said. Established in 1985, Han Sung M

Jun 17, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Han Sung Motor to strengthen customer experience, marking 40th anniversary

President Lee introduced as 'visionary leader' to Trump gov't

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) said Tuesday that it successfully wrapped up its annual four-day Washington Doorknock visit from June 9 to 12, during which the organization introduced the new Korean president as a "visionary leader" to the U.S. administration. According to the business lobby group representing U.S. companies operating in Korea, its high-level delegation held nearly 40 meetings with senior U.S. government officials, members of Congress and leaders of prominent policy institutions in Washington to advance key economic priorities in the bilateral partnership. U.S. officials involved included representatives from the treasury, commerce, state, energy and defense departments, as well as the National Security Council and the offices of the U.S. Trade Representative and the vice president. Four U.S. senators, seven House representatives and professional staff from 10 senators' offices and one House representative's office also met with the AMCHAM delegation. "Here in Washington, D.C., very few people had an opinion on President Lee Jae-myung," AMCHAM Chairman

Jun 17, 2025By Park Jae-hyuk

President Lee introduced as 'visionary leader' to Trump gov't

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKNew FTC chief tasked with recovering tainted authority image

The next leader for the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with recovering the watchdog’s tainted image by slapping “more fair and trustworthy” sanctions on local companies. Under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the authority was disgraced for a series of its failed regulatory pushes on multiple big firms. In recent years, higher courts have overturned a number of such cases after regulation-hit firms made appeals for their innocence. In June 2023, the FTC ordered Kakao Mobility to pay fines of 27.1 billion won ($20 million) on suspicions that the company gave unfairly preferential treatment to its affiliated taxi partners while the company operated its Kakao Taxi ride-hailing service. Kakao Mobility filed an administrative suit, claiming its innocence against the sanction. Last month, the Seoul High Court sided with the company, ordering the FTC to cancel the fines imposed on the company. The court ruled that Kakao Mobility did not engage in any unfair transaction activities with its partners, and that the FTC’s sanction should be revoked. The case has now been broug

Jun 16, 2025By Lee Min-hyung

New FTC chief tasked with recovering tainted authority image

Cities divided over Lee's plan to move oceans ministry to Busan

Conflict is growing over President Lee Jae-myung’s efforts to fulfill his election campaign pledge to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan from Sejong, the de facto administrative capital of Korea. While the city government of Sejong fears a massive outflow of its population, major port cities such as Incheon and South Jeolla Province’s Gwangyang warn the relocation could weaken their roles as national logistics hubs. In contrast, Busan’s district offices are already locked in fierce competition to accommodate the ministry and its affiliated institutions, welcoming Lee’s order to begin preparations immediately. Earlier this month, the mayors of Incheon and Sejong — both members of the main opposition People Power Party — urged the president to reconsider the plan, citing concerns about a lack of coordination among ministries. "The government’s reasoning can be seen as justifying the neglect of Incheon Port in the capital area and Gwangyang Port in the southern region," Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok wrote on social media June 8. Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho echoed

Jun 16, 2025By Park Jae-hyuk

Cities divided over Lee's plan to move oceans ministry to Busan

LG Display files patent suit in US against China's Tianma Microelectronics

LG Display, a global leader in display panel manufacturing, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States against Chinese firm Tianma Microelectronics to protect its intellectual property, according to industry sources Monday. According to the sources, the Korean company filed the suit Friday (U.S. time) with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, accusing the Chinese company of infringing on seven of its patents. The alleged infringements include those involving touch integration for mobile panels. The lawsuit claims that several of Tianma's products, including mobile liquid-crystal display (LCD) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels, violate multiple LG Display patents. It marked the first time LG Display has taken legal action against a Chinese company over alleged patent infringement. "Patent infringement is the unauthorized use of the time, capital and talent invested in developing proprietary technologies," an LG Display official said. "We intend to respond decisively through legal action."

Jun 16, 2025By Yonhap

LG Display files patent suit in US against China's Tianma Microelectronics

KITA trade fair in Paris draws 168 global buyers to Korean goods

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said Monday its recent trade fair in Paris was a success, generating export inquires worth $22.76 million from 168 buyers across the world. According to the trade organization, it hosted Korea EXPO in Paris 2025 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from Friday to Sunday. The event was designed to showcase Korea’s increasingly popular consumer goods directly to local buyers and consumers, with the goal of facilitating export contracts. KITA has held this event in Paris, Osaka, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities across the world every year to support exports of Korean small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This year’s Paris event marked its third edition. During the event, 144 Korean SMEs showcased cosmetics, foods, daily necessities, education content and other consumer goods, drawing more than 20,000 audiences during its three-day run. A total of 168 buyers from 29 countries also attended the event to engage in 540 export inquires worth $22.76 million, and 15 deals were signed during the event. To reflect the growing interests i

Jun 16, 2025By Nam Hyun-woo

KITA trade fair in Paris draws 168 global buyers to Korean goods

AliExpress bets on K-fashion, influencers to woo global shoppers

Chinese e-commerce giant AliExpress is targeting Korean fashion enthusiasts as it begins recruiting social media influencers to serve as fitting models and promoters for its fashion items, the company said Monday. According to the company, Celeb Shop is a new type of commerce project in which influencers curate and promote their favorite fashion items selected from the AliExpress wardrobe. All products are sourced directly from vendors in Seoul’s Dongdaemun area, a major hub for business-to-business trade in clothing and production materials. AliExpress said Celeb Shop influencers will orchestrate sales on the platform by planning their own styling and modeling their selected pieces. The company, in collaboration with its Korean vendor partners, will handle fulfillment and delivery of all items ordered through Celeb Shop. The company said Celeb Shop targets consumers from teenagers to those in their 30s, believing their frequent exposure to YouTube, Instagram and other social network platforms has familiarized them with online influencers. The company said it has begun searching for Ko

Jun 16, 2025By Ko Dong-hwan

AliExpress bets on K-fashion, influencers to woo global shoppers

Hyundai Motor Group faces inevitable US price hikes amid 25% auto tariffs

Hyundai Motor Group may be forced to raise vehicle prices in the United States to offset the impact of Washington’s 25 percent auto tariff, industry officials and analysts said Monday. Top management from Hyundai Motor and Kia — the two major auto brands under the group — have so far denied any imminent vehicle price increases due to tariff repercussions. However, experts and industry officials expect both automakers to gradually raise their auto prices in the world’s largest economy, as their tariff-free inventory is rapidly running out, forcing them to import more cars that are subject to the massive tariff introduced April 2. Hyundai Motor and Kia had three months and two months of inventory for U.S. sales, respectively. This limited stock has raised concerns that both carmakers may be compelled to raise prices after July, as their profitability would rapidly fall due to the tariff-hit auto imports to the country. "The carmakers will constantly review the range of the price rise, but the direction looks inevitable on the tariff burden," said Lee Ho-geun, an automotive engineer