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AIA rolls out dollar pension as demand for foreign currency insurance grows

AIA Korea introduced a new U.S. dollar-denominated pension insurance product tailored to a rapidly aging society and earlier retirement, the company said Monday. The launch comes as demand for dollar-denominated insurance has surged amid a sharp weakening of the won against the dollar. In such products, both premiums and payouts are made in U.S. dollars. They typically offer higher interest rates than dollar savings accounts while allowing policyholders to benefit from exchange rate movements. AIA’s monthly interest-linked plan offers multiple incentives, including a pension enhancement bonus after a certain period, a bonus linked to U.S. interest rates and, for long-term policyholders, a high-value contract bonus of up to 15 percent of the basic premium at the start of pension payments. “Because pension assets are intended to support an extended retirement, leveraging the U.S. dollar as a global safe asset helps maximize value and enables stable pension income over the mid- to long term,” an AIA Korea official said. The product also provides a range of retirement planning and post

Jan 5, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
AIA rolls out dollar pension as demand for foreign currency insurance grows
Others

Korea Green Foundation appoints new head to bolster environmental campaigns

Environmental activist group Korea Green Foundation has appointed a new chief to bolster its Vision 2030 campaign to empower the country's eco-friendly activists and grow its influence over the government and companies. The non-profit organization said on Monday Jung Tae-yong became its new secretary general starting this year. The appointment came after Vision 2030 set goals to nurture 10 million “green leaders” in Korea, promote digitization across all fields and strengthen professional partnerships based on environmental benefits. The objective was announced during an event last November to celebrate the organization’s 23rd anniversary of foundation. Becoming part of the organization in 2003, Jung has been very active, fulfilling duties as external relations director, head of the planning office, green social contribution bureau chief and head of the corporate social responsibility center. He has been a key force behind the annual Seoul International Eco Film Festival and directed the organization’s partnerships with companies in Korea and Asia, proving his leadership capabil

Jan 5, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Korea Green Foundation appoints new head to bolster environmental campaigns
Companies

JobKorea closes Jobplanet acquisition, accelerates AI-driven shift

JobKorea has completed the acquisition process for the job search platform Jobplanet. The company announced on Monday that the acquisition process was closed as of Dec. 31, making Jobplanet officially a subsidiary of JobKorea starting the next day. With the acquisition, the company is set to move beyond a model centered on job posting and accelerate its transformation into an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform that integrates corporate insights and career data. “This acquisition is a strategic decision to become an AI-driven career partner that supports job seekers not only after hiring but also with making decisions to apply,” JobKorea CEO Yoon Hyun-jun said. “Building on the data and technological capabilities we have accumulated as Korea’s leading recruitment platform, JobKorea will further solidify its leadership in the human resources-tech market.” By combining JobKorea’s extensive recruitment database with Jobplanet’s company reviews and work environment insights, the company said, it will deliver AI-based support that not only recommends suitable job opport

Jan 5, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
JobKorea closes Jobplanet acquisition, accelerates AI-driven shift
Business

KRX to introduce new IPO review criteria for strategic tech companies

Korea's main bourse operator on Monday introduced a series of new review criteria for initial public offerings (IPOs) specifically targeting companies in core technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). The Korea Exchange (KRX) said it has completed amending rules on listing regulation enforcement as part of efforts to improve the credibility of the KOSDAQ market. Under the revision, the KRX plans to introduce customized and industry-specific technology review criteria to support the swift public listing of companies in strategic tech industries. In particular, the bourse operator plans to introduce different review standards for each segment in the AI value chain, from semiconductors to AI-related software and power supplies. The KRX also plans to strengthen the listing maintenance rule for KOSDAQ-listed companies starting this month. Under the new rule, the minimum market capitalization threshold for delisting will be raised to 15 billion won ($10.4 million) from the current 4 billion won, the bourse operator said.

Jan 5, 2026By Yonhap
KRX to introduce new IPO review criteria for strategic tech companies
Companies

CES 2026 Samsung, LG showcase next-gen premium TVs

LAS VEGAS — Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics unveiled their latest flagship TVs at CES 2026 on Sunday (local time), showcasing bold designs, advanced AI features and cutting-edge display technologies as the two Korean tech giants compete to lead the global premium TV market. Samsung unveiled the world’s first 130-inch Micro RGB TV, the R95H model, marking its largest Micro RGB display to date and a major step forward in ultra-premium TV design. Micro RGB TVs use tiny red, green and blue LEDs to backlight conventional LCD panels, replacing standard white or blue backlights to improve color accuracy and brightness. “Micro RGB represents the peak of our picture quality innovation, and the new 130-inch model takes that vision even further,” said Lee Hun, executive vice president of Samsung’s Visual Display Business. “We’re reviving the spirit of our original design philosophy introduced more than a decade ago to deliver an unmistakably premium display, engineered with technology for a new generation.” The Micro RGB TV combines monumental scale, advanced color technolog

Jan 5, 2026By Kang Seung-woo
[CES 2026] Samsung, LG showcase next-gen premium TVs
Companies

HD Hyundai kicks off new year with employees at chairman’s meeting

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun broke tradition Monday by inviting rank-and-file employees to the company's New Year's meeting, in an effort to encourage communication across the group. The shipbuilding group said it hosted the Opening 2026 event at its headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, reflecting the chairman’s intent to simplify the celebration and communicate more directly with employees. Around 300 workers, including those born in the year of the horse, attended the event after expressing interest in meeting with the chairman. "Your honest feedback will help make the company’s direction clearer and stronger," Chung told employees. "I will continue to hold similar gatherings to openly exchange ideas and opinions with everyone." HD Hyundai said Chung took notes during the session and personally responded to employee questions. When asked about the company’s greatest achievement in 2025, he cited the proactive restructuring of its shipbuilding, construction equipment and energy businesses, alongside continued investments in next-generation technologies. Since being appoi

Jan 5, 2026By Park Jae-hyuk
HD Hyundai kicks off new year with employees at chairman’s meeting
Companies

CES 2026 Samsung reveals AI-driven lifestyle vision at CES

LAS VEGAS — Samsung Electronics on Sunday (local time) unveiled its vision for an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven lifestyle, introducing a new lineup of AI-powered devices and services at its The First Look event ahead of the CES 2026 technology fair. At the event, the Korean tech giant introduced its new theme, “Your Companion to AI Living,” positioning AI not as a standalone feature but as a core philosophy linking product development, operations and user experience across its ecosystem. Roh Tae-moon, CEO and head of Samsung’s Device Experience Division, said the company’s extensive lineup of connected, AI-enabled devices gives it a competitive edge in delivering what he described as a “true companion experience.” "Our mission is clear: to be Your Companion to AI Living," Roh said. "We will embed AI across every category, product, and service to deliver a seamless, unified AI experience and be at the forefront to deliver the power of innovation to more people — everywhere." Samsung placed strong emphasis on AI-driven entertainment, led by its display business. Yong Se

Jan 5, 2026By Kang Seung-woo
[CES 2026] Samsung reveals AI-driven lifestyle vision at CES
Companies

CES 2026 Hyundai Motor’s autonomous mobility robot wins innovation award at CES

LAS VEGAS — Hyundai Motor’s first autonomous mobility robot platform has won a top innovation award from the CES 2026 for its versatile commercial use and safe yet precise driving performance in most terrains, the carmaker said Sunday (local time). A concept model of the Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) was first unveiled at CES 2022, and it took three years for the carmaker to reveal the end product. The self-driving robot will be mass-produced and available for sale in the first quarter of this year. The robot — developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB — received the Best of Innovation Award in Robotics from the show’s organizer, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). This is the first time the carmaker has won the award, considered the highest-ranking recognition for innovation. The robot is 115 centimeters long with a width of 74 centimeters. It is capable of driving at a speed of up to 10 kilometers per hour. On a single charge, the MobED can operate for more than four hours. The carmaker touted the robot’s technological excellence, in particular its advanced

Jan 5, 2026By Lee Min-hyung
[CES 2026] Hyundai Motor’s autonomous mobility robot wins innovation award at CES
Companies

Samsung chief's stock value more than doubles amid chip boom in 2025

Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong saw the value of his stock holdings more than double in 2025 on the back of strong gains in the South Korean tech giant's share price amid the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, data showed Monday. The combined value of Lee's stock assets came to 25.8 trillion won ($17.8 billion) as of Friday, up 13.9 trillion won from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea CXO Institute. The increase came as the value of Lee's stake in Samsung Electronics jumped 7.3 trillion won over the period to 12.5 trillion won amid the company's robust performance in the semiconductor sector. Shares of Samsung Electronics closed at 128,500 won per share Friday, compared with 53,400 won a year earlier. Celltrion Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Seo Jung-jin followed, with the value of his shares reaching 13.6 trillion won as of Friday, up 3.2 trillion won over the one-year period. Kim Beom-su, founder of Kakao Corp. and Chung Mong-joon, the largest shareholder of HD Hyundai, each saw the value of their stock assets rise by more than 2 trillion won

Jan 5, 2026By Yonhap
Samsung chief's stock value more than doubles amid chip boom in 2025
Business

Jeju farmers protest tariff-free US mandarins, Coupang's sale of imported fruits

Citrus growers and politicians on Jeju Island are expressing concerns over the elimination of tariffs on mandarin oranges imported from the United States, which took effect this year under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). They have urged the central and municipal governments to take steps to protect the island’s citrus industry while condemning Coupang for promoting imported agricultural products. “We urge the government to act immediately to compensate for the damage and stabilize supply and demand,” local farmers’ groups said during a joint press conference on Tuesday. The Jeju branch of the Korean Successor Advanced Farmers Federation also called for a “special emergency tariff,” as permitted under the Customs Act. The president can impose such a tariff when the volume of agricultural imports rises rapidly. When the KORUS FTA was signed in 2012, Korea agreed to gradually cut its 144 percent tariff on U.S. mandarins by 9.6 percentage points each year, phasing it out completely by 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs noted that this tarif

Jan 5, 2026By Park Jae-hyuk
Jeju farmers protest tariff-free US mandarins, Coupang's sale of imported fruits
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