Online “dark nudge” services -- free trial subscriptions -- are rattling South Koreans who end up paying fees they do not anticipate, according to the consumer agency Monday.A number of online services, such as music and media streaming sites lure consumers by offering trial subscription and automatically charge the users for the service after the period is over. This small “nudge” of free trial periods are used by businesses targeting consumers who are not very careful a

Industry Jan. 20, 2020

South Korea’s business figures and political leaders joined relatives on Monday to mourn the death of Lotte Group founder and Honorary Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho, a first-generation founder of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates.Shin passed away at around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, at the age of 97.At the funeral altar at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, influential figures from various circles came to pay their respects. On Monday, Shin’s second son, Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of Lo

Industry Jan. 20, 2020

Korean Air, the country’s biggest and national flag carrier, is trying to assuage customers ill at ease about a revised plan for the airline’s loyalty program, saying the latest changes reflect global standards, including reasonable benefits for customers in comparison to foreign carriers, according to the company on Friday. The airliner recently uploaded a notice to its homepage to clarify facts about the revision plan for the loyalty program amid strong backlash from customers, inc

Mobility Jan. 17, 2020

McDonald’s Korea said Friday that it will raise prices of eight items on its menu from Monday, including the brand’s signature Big Mac, by 1.36 percent overall. The items are four burgers, one side and one drink. The prices for the Cheese Burger and Big Mac will increase by 200 won (18 cents). Other items will see 100 won to 300 won increases.  The burger chain said it will also cut the prices of three burgers: the Hamburger by 200 won, and Double Bulgogi Burger and Double Chees

Consumer Jan. 17, 2020

Starbucks Korea will start a new campaign with K-pop boy band BTS and roll out new menu items and products, as part of a project supporting youth, the company said Thursday. According to the coffee chain, it will start a new campaign, dubbed “Be the Brightest Stars” from Jan. 21 to Feb. 6, to present limited edition menu items and goods themed around the color purple in collaboration with BTS. The campaign is designed to deliver to young people the message, “You shine like a st

Consumer Jan. 17, 2020

SK Engineering & Construction said Thursday that it had formed a joint venture with Bloom Energy, a US-based energy firm, to produce solid oxide fuel cells from this year, a first in South Korea. According to SK E&C, it inked a joint venture agreement with Bloom Energy in September last year, cementing their plans to distribute the fuel cells and build factories in Korea.  A manufacturing facility is under construction in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, and the companies will start

Industry Jan. 16, 2020

Woowa Youngmen, the operator of Baemin Riders -- a platform connecting restaurants and delivery drivers -- is facing opposition against its announcement to limit the weekly working hours of its delivery workers.Woowa Youngmens is a subsidiary of Woowa Brothers, the operator of Korea’s No. 1 food delivery application by market share. On Friday, it released a new work guideline, “2060 policy to prevent overworking,” to limit the workhours of drivers for Baemin Riders to 60 hours

Industry Jan. 15, 2020

Yuhan-Kimberly, a Korean manufacturer of hygiene products, donated more than 5 million sanitary pads over the past four years, the company said Wednesday.The company’s donation is part of its “Cheer Up, Daughters” campaign to promote the rights of teens and the importance of hygiene for health, started in 2016 in partnership with the Korea Foundation for Women, a civic women’s group. According to the company, it donated 1.53 million pads in the first year, followed by 1 m

Consumer Jan. 15, 2020

Following rising demand for air purifiers, household appliance company Woongjin Coway is seeking to continue its lead in the market with its special filters, the company said Tuesday.According to research institute Growth From Knowledge, annual sales of air purifiers in South Korea have more than doubled recently, from about 700,000 in 2016 to 1.8 million in 2018, amid the rising threat of worsening fine and ultrafine dust levels. Korea’s No. 1 rental company of air purifiers by sales, Cow

Consumer Jan. 14, 2020

Kia’s Telluride has been named the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, the carmaker said Tuesday, marking the first time it has been chosen as a finalist. According to Kia Motors, the Telluride beat out prominent rivals, the Hyundai Palisades and Lincoln Aviator, in the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards. “The Telluride’s interior layout and design would meet luxury SUV standards, while its refined drivetrain, confident driving dynami

Mobility Jan. 14, 2020

McDonald’s said Monday it will hire a total of 600 permanent employees this year, the biggest number since it entered the Korean market in 1988. According to the burger chain, the figure comprises about 200 restaurant managers for duties such as customer management, quality checks and human resources management.  The remaining 400 permanent employees will be hired for McDonald’s new position of restaurant shift manager. Only temporary staff working at the company can apply for t

Consumer Jan. 13, 2020

Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea’s leading shipbuilder, said Monday that it had developed an optimal vessel operation system by equipping its generator-engine model with advanced information and communication technologies. According to HHI, it utilized artificial intelligence and its own Hyundai Intelligent Equipment Management Solution to enhance its independent Hi-Touch Marine and Stationery Engine and cut fuel expenses by over 10 percent.  HiEMS and AI collect and analyze the

Industry Jan. 13, 2020

Starbucks Korea said Monday that it had begun its recruitment process for baristas with disabilities for the first quarter of this year.According to the coffee chain, it will accept applications starting from Monday until 5 p.m. on Jan. 23. The process includes document screening, interviews and field tests in the form of five weeks of training, before the final results are announced. Starbucks first began its hiring program for baristas with disabilities in 2007, and began running the program o

Consumer Jan. 13, 2020

Sephora opened its third shop Friday in Sinchon, a trendy university district, in collaboration with Hyundai Department Store. The 232-square-meter store is located on the first floor of Hyundai Department Store’s U-Plex. Last year, French luxury conglomerate LVMH’s Sephora launched its first store in Parnas Mall in the posh district of Gangnam in October and its second shop in Lotte Young Plaza in the Myeong-dong shopping district in December.The multibrand cosmetics store in Sincho

Consumer Jan. 12, 2020

Lotte Mart said Sunday it will open two Honey Butter Almonds stores, following the snack’s popularity among foreign customers. According to the company, Honey Butter Almonds was recorded as the most popular snack product by foreign customers, posting the highest sales in the previous two years, with sales rising by 18.2 percent in 2018 and 7.9 percent in 2019 at Lotte Mart outlets. To meet the trend, Lotte Mart said it will open two Honey Butter Almonds stores in Seoul Station and Gim

Consumer Jan. 12, 2020