LG Chem to share water purification technology with Saudi Arabia

SEOUL, May 01 (AJU PRESS) - Korean chemical company LG Chem will transfer its water purification technology, known as reverse osmosis, to Saudi Arabian conglomerate Alkhorayef Group, LG Chem said Wednesday. Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a semi-permeable membrane to extract salt and other impurities from water. Unlike traditional methods reliant on heat-induced evaporation, RO membranes filter water molecules without heat. LG Chem's RO membrane boasts a 99.89 percent salt removal rat

May 1, 2024

Korea's Ramyeon exports hit record high in first quarter

SEOUL, April 30 (AJU PRESS) - Korea experienced a remarkable 30 percent increase in Ramyeon exports during the first quarter of 2024, reaching a record high for the period, according to data released on Tuesday. Demand for Korean noodle products was especially strong in the United States, followed by China, the Netherlands and Japan. This surge in popularity has been fueled over the past decade by Ramyeon's frequent exposure through K-pop songs, K-dramas, and K-films. This has

April 30, 2024

Price of Korean seaweed skyrockets amid growing demand overseas

SEOUL, April 29 (AJU PRESS) – The wholesale price of processed laver sheets jumped nearly 60 percent on year this month, as demand has grown overseas driven by the popularity of gimbap, or seaweed-wrapped rice, and other Korean foods. According to the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., the wholesale price of 100 sheets of dried laver was 10,440 won ($7.5) on Friday, up 58 percent from 6,628 won a year ago. The average retail price for a sheet of seaweed a

April 29, 2024

Dongwon F&B, Konkuk University join hands to develop safe pet food

SEOUL, April 29 (AJU PRESS) - Dongwon F&B has signed an agreement with the veterinary medicine department of Konkuk University for the development of safe and reliable pet food, the Korean food company said Monday. Under the deal, the two sides will jointly research and develop food for dogs and cats and work together to ensure safety. "Amid growing consumer concerns about some pet foods, establishing this strategic partnership with Konkuk University's veterinary med

April 29, 2024

Korea Western Power secures electricity supply deal in UAE

SEOUL, April 29 (AJU PRESS) - Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) has signed a power sales agreement with the United Arab Emirates' state-run water and electricity supplier, KOWEPO said on Sunday. KOWEPO is involved in constructing the Al Ajban Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Park, a solar power facility slated to break ground in the second half of 2024. Upon its launch in 2026, the Korean company will supply the electricity generated at the Al Ajban Solar PV Park to Emirates Water and Electr

April 29, 2024

Korean e-commerce firms vying to lure customers quitting Coupang over fee hike

SEOUL, April 26 (AJU PRESS) - Following Coupang's recent announcement of a 58 percent increase in its monthly premium membership fee, Korean e-commerce firms are in a race to attract former Coupang customers. On April 12, Coupang disclosed a plan to raise its monthly premium subscription fee from 4,990 won ($3.6) to 7,890 won. The premium membership offers benefits like free delivery, unlimited video streaming, and complimentary food delivery. The price hike has already been a

April 26, 2024

HD Hyundai establishes new headquarters for marine energy businesses

SEOUL, April 24 (AJU PRESS) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, plans to launch a new headquarters specializing in marine energy harvesting businesses next month, industry sources said. The company notified staff on Wednesday that the current shipbuilding and marine business division will be split into two segments and the new headquarters for the fast-growing marine energy industry will be established on May 1. The new entity will focus on the c

April 24, 2024

Video streaming services in Korea sharply raise subscription fees

Netflix, TVING and other popular over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services in Korea have increased subscription fees by an average of about 40 percent over the past six months, as the companies are striving to improve the bottom line despite consumer complaints of financial burdens. According to the state-run Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), 55.2 percent of the country’s 52 million population subscribed to paid video streaming services as of December 2023. With the m

April 24, 2024

Pinkfong creates Baby Shark-themed musicals to captivate global fans

SEOUL, April 24 (AJU PRESS) - Pinkfong, the creator of a catchy cartoon song "Baby Shark," will go on a world tour with its musicals, the Korean educational entertainment company said Wednesday. The musical titled "Baby Shark's Big Broadwave Tour" will be showcased in 34 regions in the United States including Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, and Louisiana. The show is an extension of the animated children's television series "Baby Shark's Big Show!"

April 24, 2024

Analysts predict poor earnings for major Korean game publishers in first quarter

SEOUL, April 23 (AJU PRESS) – Analysts predict lackluster earnings for Korea’s major game publishers in the first quarter of the year amid an economic slowdown and a dearth of hit games, according to data released on Tuesday. According to FnGuide, a securities information service, securities firms predicted that KRAFTON, the publisher of the popular online and mobile game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (PUBG), is likely to report an operating profit of 2

April 23, 2024