SK Group, the country's second-largest conglomerate, carried out a relatively modest year-end reshuffle Thursday, focusing largely on organizational restructuring to boost core competence under the three key themes, technology, field expertise and global presence. With the goal to enhance its US presence, the conglomerate appointed a former chief of the US Trade Representative to oversee government relations at SK Americas. The group also sought for restructuring of SK hynix, its lucrative

Nicola Weir is an environmental, social and governance, or ESG, expert whose career and adventurous spirit have taken her across the globe. Having lived in the UK, Indonesia, Singapore, Tanzania, Mozambique, Nepal and now in South Korea, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a partner at Deloitte Korea. A people person with a warm laugh and a big smile, Nicola is known for her vibrant personality, passion for her work, and a strong network of friends and connections. I first met her l

Seoul shares opened lower Thursday as investors remain worried over political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived attempt at martial law. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 10.64 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,453.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Late Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law, accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of being "anti-state forces" paralyzing the operation of the nation with impeachment motions and a downsized bud

Samsung Electronics carried out a year-end executive reshuffle and organizational restructuring on Wednesday, naming new leaders for key roles including chief financial officer. Samsung appointed Park Soon-cheol, executive vice president of the corporate management team at the tech giant, as its new CFO. The 58-year-old financial expert has extensive experience across various divisions at the tech giant, including Samsung’s now-disbanded control tower, the future strategy office, as well a

Seoul shares sank by almost 1.5 percent Wednesday amid political chaos as opposition parties moved to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over the declaration of martial law overnight before he reversed the decision hours later. The Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 36.1 points, or 1.44 percent, to close at 2,464.00. Trade volume was heavy at 661.09 million shares worth 13.07 trillion won ($9.26 billion), with losers outpacing winners

Although South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declaration of martial law did not make it even through the night, such political unrest in a country home to leading tech giants could result in long-term market fallout, potentially weakening Korea's role in the global supply chain of critical technologies such as chips, experts said Wednesday. In the hours after martial law was declared, the Korean won fell to its lowest level against the US dollar in three years, while Korea-

Korea’s leading conglomerates are keeping close tabs on the aftermath of the country’s first martial law declaration since 1979 as they look to minimize potential damage from the political rift. According to industry officials on Wednesday, executives at Samsung affiliates gathered throughout the night to determine a response after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday. Samsung officials held emergency meetings the following morning. SK has been cl

South Korea’s financial markets tumbled on Wednesday following a night of political chaos, as President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law only to withdraw the measure just hours later under pressure from lawmakers. The Kospi, South Korea’s main stock index, opened 1.8 percent lower at 2,454.68, a drop of 45.42 points. The tech-heavy Kosdaq also fell 1.8 percent, opening at 678.35. In currency trading, the South Korean won weakened significantly. The exchange rate surged to 1

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday as political uncertainties arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted a short-lived attempt at martial law. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) fell 25.95 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,474.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On late Tuesday, Yoon declared an "emergency martial law," accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. But Yoon l

The latest US export controls banning shipments of high-bandwidth memory chips to China are expected to have a limited impact on Korean chipmakers, mainly Samsung Electronics. But the restrictions could result in lost opportunities to acquire new customers, experts said Tuesday. The US Bureau of Industry and Security announced Monday a new set of measures banning the export of critical chips and chip equipment, including HBM, advanced chip packages of stacked DRAM chips. The cutting-edge chips a

South Korean stocks soared nearly 2 percent Tuesday on better-than-expected US industry data and Washington's export curbs targeting China having a limited impact on the market. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 45.62 points, or 1.86 percent, to close at 2,500.1. Trade volume was moderate at 314.4 million shares worth 8.87 trillion won ($6.32 billion), with winners outpacing losers 733 to 163. Foreigners bought a net 538.8 b

The United States on Monday announced a new semiconductor export control package against China, including curbs on high-end chips for artificial intelligence that are likely to affect the South Korean industry. The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security unveiled the package on the Federal Register, including restrictions on exports of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. Two South Korean firms -- Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix -- and Micron Technology lead the global HBM

Seoul shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking gains in US tech stocks after Washington announced a new semiconductor export control package targeting China. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shot up 29.74 points, or 1.21 percent, to 2,484.22 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.97 percent, and the S&P increased 0.24 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.29 percent. Seoul shares gained ground as the latest US exp

Seoul shares ended lower Monday, bucking gains on Wall Street on extended tech losses. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) fell 1.43 points, or 0.06 percent, to close at 2,454.48. The main index ended in the negative territory after opening sharply higher, jumping 23.63 points, or nearly 1 percent, in the first 15 minutes of trading on U.S. gains. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.42 percent to 44,910.65 points, an

Seoul shares opened higher Monday, tracking gains on Wall Street, with the local stock market also getting a boost from advances in auto and energy shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) rose 23.63 points, or 0.96 percent, to 2,479.54 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.42 percent to 44,910.65 points and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.83 percent to 19,218.17. In Seoul, top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.23 perc