my timesThe Korea Times
Business

Companies

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Goongbe makes foray into Middle East beauty market

Rising Korean skin care brand Goongbe has debuted in the United Arab Emirates, expanding K-beauty's global consumer markets to broader regions of the Middle East. Zero to Seven, the Seoul-based company that owns Goongbe, said Tuesday that the brand was now being distributed offline through the Aster Pharmacy chain. Part of Aster DM Healthcare, based in Dubai, Aster operates 200 stores across the UAE. Goongbe has shelf space in 62 Aster Pharmacy stores, with plans to expand to more outlets. The Korean brand has also begun selling its products on MyAster UAE, Aster Pharmacy's online store. Aster DM Healthcare runs hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in the UAE, providing an extensive online-to-offline medical network for the local consumer market. Goongbe is exporting products across 14 categories, including sunscreens and product lines for babies and kids. Zero to Seven said it will first earn local consumer trust and then begin expanding to include more products and retailers. “The UAE is one of the most developed markets in the Middle East in terms of consumer purchasing power and distri

Feb 24, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Goongbe makes foray into Middle East beauty market

Daishin Securities raided over alleged stock price manipulation: sources

Prosecutors raided the Seoul office of local brokerage Daishin Securities on Tuesday over suspicions that a company executive may have been involved in a stock price manipulation case, sources said. The joint investigation team on financial and securities crimes at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office carried out a search-and-seizure operation at the headquarters of Daishin Securities in central Seoul, according to the sources. A high-ranking official from the brokerage is suspected of having colluded with a price-rigging ring to manipulate the stock price of a company listed on the smaller KOSDAQ early last year, they said. Daishin Securities said it reported the suspect to the police last year, following an internal audit conducted since June. The suspect received disciplinary measures from the firm and left the company late last year, the brokerage added. "We are responding with a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal activities and are fully cooperating with related authorities with regard to the investigation," an official from Daishin Securities said. President Lee Jae Myung

Feb 24, 2026By Yonhap
Daishin Securities raided over alleged stock price manipulation: sources

Listed firms' dividend payouts up over 15% in 2025: data

Dividend payouts by listed firms in South Korea rose more than 15 percent from a year earlier in 2025 amid an unprecedented rally in the local stock market, industry data showed Tuesday. According to the data compiled by corporate tracker Leaders Index, 694 firms that disclosed their dividend payouts in regulatory filings paid a combined 48 trillion won ($33.2 billion) in dividends last year, up 15.3 percent from 41.6 trillion won a year earlier. Of the surveyed companies, 371, or 53.5 percent, increased their dividend payouts from the previous year, while 152 firms, or 21.9 percent, reduced them, and 106, or 15.3 percent, kept them unchanged. Sixty-five companies, or 9.4 percent, did not pay dividends in 2024 but resumed payouts in 2025. By company, Samsung Electronics Co. topped the list, paying 11.1 trillion won in dividends last year, up 13.2 percent from a year earlier. Kia Corp. came in next with 2.64 trillion won, followed by Hyundai Motor Co. with 2.62 trillion won and SK hynix Inc. with 2.1 trillion won. Dividend payments at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. surged 205.6 percent on-

Feb 24, 2026By Yonhap
Listed firms' dividend payouts up over 15% in 2025: data

Coupang expresses regret over situation that led to CEO's US testimony

Coupang on Tuesday expressed regret over the situation involving multiple allegations surrounding the company after interim CEO Harold Rogers was deposed before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee as part of a congressional investigation into the firm’s treatment in Korea. "We regret the circumstances in Korea that led to today's Congressional deposition, and we remain committed to seeking a constructive resolution," Robert Porter, chief global affairs officer at Coupang, said in a statement. Following Coupang's massive data leak scandal last year, the Korean government has launched a series of intense investigation into the firm and the interim CEO, which the U.S. viewed as "unfair targeting" of the U.S. company. The company did not share any other details over the closed-door testimony by Rogers, only saying that it hopes to "serve as a bridge" between Korea and the U.S., so both countries can improve their bilateral economic relationship.

Feb 24, 2026By Lee Min-hyung
Coupang expresses regret over situation that led to CEO's US testimony

Korea, Brazil forge business ties in 3 strategic sectors

Korea and Brazil agreed on Monday to strengthen cooperation in three key strategic areas — culture, agriculture and advanced manufacturing — during a business forum on the occasion of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's state visit to Korea. The event was co-hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. Around 400 government officials and business leaders from both countries took part in the forum in Seoul, including Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan. Approximately 300 business delegates accompanied Lula on his state visit, nearly double the size of the delegation that joined his previous state visit here 21 years ago. In the session titled "Health, Lifestyle and Creative Industries," both sides explored ways to deepen collaboration in cultural content by riding the growing popularity of Korean content in South America. Participants also examined potential synergies between Brazil’s abundant ingredients for cosmetics and Korea’s beauty industry. Speakers at the agrifood industry session presented c

Feb 23, 2026By Lee Min-hyung
Korea, Brazil forge business ties in 3 strategic sectors

Starbucks launches Aerocano in Korea, 1st worldwide

Starbucks will launch a new type of americano drink for the first time in Korea, targeting the country's significant scale of iced coffee aficionados. Starbucks Korea said Monday it will introduce the Aerocano at Starbucks cafes here on Thursday. The Aerocano is an iced-only coffee that elevates the americano by applying a barista’s technique to create a creamy and velvety foam layer with a smooth mouthfeel. The Aerocano is made with aeration that creates an airy, creamy texture, softening the bold taste of espressos. "The Aerocano is our new alternative for customers who enjoy classic iced coffees such as Iced Americano and Cold Brew. Customers can enjoy a fuller coffee taste along with the visually appealing cascading pour as the beverage settles," a Starbucks Korea official said. The Aerocano's world premiere in Korea is backed by the country's unique coffee market, where more than 70 percent of the company's annual sales have been from Iced Americanos over past three years. The trend has given rise to the term “eol-juk-ah,” short for a Korean phrase meaning “Iced Americano ev

Feb 23, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Starbucks launches Aerocano in Korea, 1st worldwide

US investigation into 'unfair' trade practices looms with new tariff risks to Korea

Korea faces renewed trade tensions with the United States, as the world’s largest economy signals the possibility of investigating trading partners' "unfair" practices to justify its imposition of additional tariffs on Seoul’s key export items. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks alternatives to his "reciprocal tariff policy" following constraints imposed by the country’s Supreme Court. Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a new global tariff rate of 15 percent, which can remain in effect for up to 150 days but requires congressional authorization to extend past that point. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer said in an interview with ABC on Sunday (local time) that there are other methods of imposing tariffs after those declared under Section 122, including investigating trading partners for violations of trade rights or threats to national security under Section 301 of the Trade Act or Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. With Section 232 already providing grounds for Washington's item-specific tariffs on Korean automobile and steel

Feb 23, 2026By Lee Min-hyung
US investigation into 'unfair' trade practices looms with new tariff risks to Korea

PHOTO BBQ's 1st store in Honduras

BBQ opened its first Honduran outlet in San Pedro Sula, and is scheduled to open a total of four stores in the country by the first quarter of this year as part of its expansion strategy in Central America. Courtesy of Genesis BBQ

Feb 23, 2026By Lee Min-hyungphoto
[PHOTO] BBQ's 1st store in Honduras

POSCO Future M listed on S&P Sustainability Yearbook for 3 straight years

POSCO Future M said Monday it was listed for the third consecutive year in the S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2026, a list that recognizes global leaders in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices. Since 1999, S&P Global has published the Sustainability Yearbook based on its corporate assessment of ESG values. The list is widely regarded as a credible benchmark that measures companies’ global ESG leadership. Last year, the rating house assessed approximately 9,200 listed global companies in 59 industries and awarded 848 companies with ratings of “Top 1 percent,” “5 percent,” “10 percent” and “Member (15 percent).” Firms with scores that improved by more than 5 percent from a year earlier were granted the “Industry Mover” title. In the 2026 edition, POSCO Future M received Member ratings in the field of Electrical Components & Equipment. It was recognized as a Member and Industry Mover in 2024 and a Member in 2025. POSCO Future M received favorable assessments in carbon emission reductions, supply chain management and strengthened safet

Feb 23, 2026By Nam Hyun-woo
POSCO Future M listed on S&P Sustainability Yearbook for 3 straight years

HD Hyundai proves edge with quick delivery of Philippine warship

Shipbuilding giant HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered a newly constructed patrol vessel to the Philippine Navy five months ahead of schedule, demonstrating its competitiveness in timely warship construction for global customers. The company said Monday it delivered the Rajah Sulayman offshore patrol vessel (OPV) to the Philippine Navy earlier this month. It did not disclose the exact delivery date, but said the vessel was handed over five months ahead of the agreed schedule. The ship was delivered after being completed and launched in June, followed by sea trials. The Philippines has been investing about $35 billion in its multi-phased Horizon military modernization program, which in its third phase — slated for 2023 to 2028 — focuses on strengthening naval and air force capabilities. As part of the initiative, the country has agreed to acquire frigates and offshore patrol vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The 2,400-ton OPV delivered this time is the first of six vessels the company has agreed to build and supply to the Philippine Navy. According to industry officials

Feb 23, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
HD Hyundai proves edge with quick delivery of Philippine warship
previous page
9192939495
next page

Most Read in Business