Articles by Hwang Joo-young
Hwang Joo-young
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com-
Yoon's signature industrial policies at risk
South Korea’s political crisis, triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration, is casting doubt on several of his administration's cornerstone industrial projects and the country’s ability to navigate trade challenges. The initiatives facing increased uncertainty include a multibillion-dollar nuclear power deal in the Czech Republic and the Donghae deepwater gas field development. The instability comes at a critical moment for South Korea, as sh
Industry Dec. 8, 2024
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Affinity Equity to acquire rental car business from Lotte in W1.6tr deal
South Korean retail giant Lotte Group said Friday that it has picked Affinity Equity Partners, the Hong Kong-based private equity firm, as the preferred bidder to acquire its rental car business, Lotte Rental, in a 1.6 trillion won ($1.12 billion) deal. The deal involves a combined 56.2 percent stake in Lotte Rental owned by its hotel subsidiaries, Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel. The latest deal comes amid growing concerns over a potential liquidity crisis at the nation’s sixth-larges
Companies Dec. 6, 2024
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HDC Group appoints financial experts as new leaders
South Korean construction giant HDC Group on Friday named Jung Kyung-koo, CEO of HDC, the group’s holding unit, as the new CEO of its flagship construction unit HDC Hyundai Development Company in its year-end leadership reshuffle. Jung, 59, is a financial specialist who majored in law at Seoul National University and started his career at Shinhan Investment Securities. At HDC, he has served in diverse leadership positions, including head of management planning and chief finance officer at
Companies Dec. 6, 2024
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Samsung C&T, Sweden’s Karnefull Next join hands to develop SMRs for data centers
Samsung C&T said Friday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Swedish small modular reactor developer Karnfull Next as part of efforts to advance its SMR business in Europe. A signing ceremony was held in Seoul on Thursday, attended by Karnfull Next CEO Christian Sjolander, South Korea's Trade Minister Jeong In-kyo and Samsung C&T CEO Oh Se-chul. Karnfull Next, a subsidiary of the private nuclear power company Karnfull Energi, specializes in SMR development. The agre
Companies Dec. 6, 2024
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Railway workers launch strike to call for wage hikes
The 20,000-member Korean Railway Workers' Union launched an indefinite strike Thursday, calling for wage and bonus hikes. This marks the first railway strike in 15 months, following one in September last year. The strike impacts Subway Line Nos. 1, 3 and 4, express KTX trains, and regular Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains, all operated by Korea Railroad Corp. It is reported that negotiations between the union and the railway operator on Wednesday ended without agreement. However, the union stat
Industry Dec. 5, 2024
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CJ CheilJedang ups nutrition ingredients business
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang said Thursday that it plans to boost its global nutritional ingredients business with enhanced product lineups. Under its “Three B” strategy, the company will outsource quality ingredients from partners (Borrow), invest in the firms and secure sales rights (Buy), and develop new materials on its own (Build). CJ recently launched BiomeNrich, a biotics brand with seven probiotics and postbiotics developed in collaboration with a domestic research
Companies Dec. 5, 2024
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Celltrion starts production at new Songdo plant
South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion announced Thursday that its third plant in Songdo, Incheon, has officially commenced commercial production, following the completion of a performance qualification test. The five-story facility, spanning 22,300 square meters, was built between 2021 and 2023 with an investment of 270 billion won ($190 million). With a production capacity of 60,000 liters, the new plant boosts Celltrion’s total biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to 250,000
Companies Dec. 5, 2024
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Martial law crisis stokes fears among food, beauty exporters
The unexpected martial law declaration late Tuesday by President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was lifted just two and a half hours later, left South Korean export-driven businesses fearing its impact on their global expansion. In particular, food and beauty companies, which have found renewed growth in overseas markets amid a stagnating domestic economy, voiced concerns about whether the incident might tarnish Korea’s reputation abroad and harm export performance. "We received multiple calls
Industry Dec. 4, 2024
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How much will you spend on Christmas cakes?
Luxury cakes have emerged as seasonal highlights in South Korea's hotel industry, appealing to consumers seeking something special for Christmas, but they have drawn criticism as well as praise, thanks to their high prices. On Nov. 25, Hotel Shilla showcased "The Taste of Luxury," a Christmas cake priced at 400,000 won ($285), up 30 percent from the hotel's most expensive Christmas cake last year. According to the hotel, this year’s version has 25 percent more premium w
Industry Dec. 3, 2024
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Lotte Biologics hires pharma veteran as new CEO
Lotte Biologics said Monday that it has hired James Park, former sales chief at Samsung Biologics and CEO of GC Cell, as its new CEO. Park, a 58-year-old industry veteran, holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Columbia University. He has held various leadership roles at global pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb, where he oversaw drug development a
Companies Dec. 2, 2024
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Celltrion files for phase 3 trial of new cancer biosimilar in US
South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion said Monday it has submitted an investigational new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration for a Phase 3 clinical trial of CT-P44, its new biosimilar candidate referencing Darzalex. Darzalex, a targeted cancer therapy, inhibits the growth of myeloma cells by binding to specific surface proteins. The Phase 3 trial will evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of CT-P44 compared to Darzalex in 486 patients with relapsed or re
Companies Dec. 2, 2024
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Samsung Biologics promotes global sales chief after record orders
Samsung Biologics has promoted Kevin Sharp, head of its New Jersey office leading global sales, to executive vice president, largely buoyed by the company's record contract manufacturing orders secured this year. In a management reshuffle Friday, the company promoted Sharp and five other executives to recognize their contribution to Samsung Biologics' larger global market presence. Sharp joined the company in 2017 after 10 years at GlaxoSmithKline in the US, where he served as a pro
Companies Dec. 2, 2024
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Samsung Biologics launches charity program to support children
Samsung Biologics has introduced a new charity program designed to assist children in need, in cooperation with neighboring restaurants and retail stores, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance corporate social responsibility. According to the company, the launch ceremony took place Monday at the company’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon. The event was attended by Rep. Jung Il-young of the Democratic Party of Korea, John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, Park Jae-sung, head of the company&
Companies Dec. 2, 2024
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Morocco promises robust incentives for Korean businesses
Over 100 business leaders and government officials from Morocco and South Korea gathered to explore new business opportunities and enhance bilateral relations between the two nations in Seoul on Thursday evening. The Moroccan Embassy in South Korea hosted an investment forum under the theme “Morocco -- Sustainable Hub for Investment and Trade." Chafik Rachadi, ambassador of Morocco to Korea, emphasized the historical ties and growing partnership between the two nations in his welcomin
Industry Nov. 29, 2024
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Posco Group builds 2nd lithium hydroxide plant in Korea
South Korean steel giant Posco Group said Friday it has completed the construction of the second lithium hydroxide plant in Korea, which will drive up domestic production of this key material used in secondary batteries. The new facility, operated by Posco Pilbara Lithium Solutions, a joint venture, is located at the Yulchon Industrial Complex in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province. It is the second of its kind after the first plant was constructed in November 2023. Each plant can produce 21,500 to
Companies Nov. 29, 2024