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Why cheaper flour, sugar may not mean cheaper ramyeon
South Korean makers of instant noodle are facing mounting pressure to cut retail prices, as government antitrust investigations into key ingredients such as sugar and flour trigger markdowns across the supply chain. Seven Korean flour millers — CJ CheilJedang, Daehan Flour Mills, Sajo Dongaone, Daesun Flour Mills, Samyang Corp., SamHwa Flour Mills and Hantop — face antitrust proceedings over allegations they colluded to fix flour prices between 2019 and 2025. Potential penalties could reach as h
March 9, 2026 -
Kospi plunges, won weakens as oil shock rattles markets
A surge in global oil prices triggered by the war in the Middle East rattled investors Monday, raising concerns about renewed global inflation pressures and weighing heavily on both South Korea’s stock market and the local currency. Higher oil prices are stoking inflation concerns for Korea, a country heavily dependent on energy imports. Rising import costs reduce production efficiency and could deal a major blow across the industrial supply chain, putting additional pressure on the bourse. Pric
March 9, 2026 -
SPC Samlip names safety, global strategy experts as co-CEOs
SPC Samlip said Monday it has appointed Sangmidang Holdings CEO Do Se-ho and Kellanova’s Korea chief Jeong In-ho as co-chief executive officers. The appointments were approved at a board meeting held earlier in the day and will be finalized at a shareholders’ meeting scheduled for March 26. The move is part of SPC Samlip’s broader effort to reform management, strengthen workplace safety and accelerate overseas expansion. Do is known for his experience in safety management and labor relations. Th
March 9, 2026 -
JungKwanJang showcases Korean red ginseng at Expo West
Korea Ginseng Corp. said Monday that its flagship brand JungKwanJang showcased the value of Korean red ginseng to global visitors at Natural Products Expo West, held March 4-6 in Anaheim, California. The event, one of the world’s largest natural food exhibitions, brought together about 3,000 food and beverage companies from 130 countries and more than 60,000 industry professionals. It serves as a key global platform for identifying emerging trends in the food and wellness industries. JungKwanJan
March 9, 2026 -
Lotte Biologics seeks global partnerships at DCAT Week
Lotte Biologics said Monday it will participate in DCAT Week 2026, a major pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry gathering to be held in New York from March 23 to 26, as it looks to expand partnerships and strengthen its global presence in the contract development and manufacturing organization market. During the event, the company will host meetings at the Lotte New York Palace, the main venue of DCAT Week, to engage with potential partners and explore new business opportunities, particular
March 9, 2026 -
Celltrion biosimilars gain strong market share across Asia
Celltrion said Monday it continues to see solid prescription growth across Asian markets, with several of its key biosimilar products capturing leading market shares. Its flagship autoimmune disease treatment Remsima has established a dominant presence in multiple markets. According to clinical research provider IQVIA, as of the third quarter of 2025 Remsima held market shares of 93 percent in Singapore, 77 percent in Hong Kong, 73 percent in Thailand and 65 percent in Malaysia. Another autoimmu
March 9, 2026 -
Samsung SDI to debut batteries for AI humanoid robots, data centers
Samsung SDI said Monday it will showcase next-generation batteries designed for humanoid robots and AI data centers at InterBattery 2026 this week in Seoul. Under the theme “AI Thinks, Battery Enables,” the company will debut a pouch-type all-solid-state battery sample developed for physical AI applications such as humanoid robots. The battery is designed to deliver high energy density, strong power output and enhanced safety in a compact form factor. It addresses the tight installation space ty
March 9, 2026 -
Kospi tumbles over 8%, triggers circuit breaker
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi tumbled over 8 percent in trading Monday, prompting the activation of a circuit breaker, a 20-minute suspension on trading to curb excessive volatility. The Korea Exchange activated a circuit breaker on the Kospi at around 10:31 a.m., after the index fell more than 8 percent in the course of just over a minute. It was the second activation of a circuit breaker on the main bourse this year. At the time of the activation, the Kospi stood at 5,132.07 points, shedding 8
March 9, 2026 -
Korean won sharply depreciates against greenback over Middle East crisis
The South Korean won depreciated sharply against the US dollar Monday, hitting its lowest point since the 2008 global financial crisis, as oil prices spiked amid the expanding conflict in the Middle East. The won traded at 1,494.55 won per dollar as of 9:45 a.m., down 19.05 won from the previous session. It marked the lowest intraday won-dollar rate since March 12, 2009, when the rate hit 1,500 won. Investor sentiment was dampened by instability in global energy prices. The US benchmark West Tex
March 9, 2026 -
Kospi sinks over 6% as oil surge triggers sell-side sidecar
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi plunged in early trading Monday as surging oil prices triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran rattled global markets, prompting the activation of a sell-side sidecar designed to curb excessive volatility. The Korean won also weakened sharply against the dollar. The Kospi opened at 5,265.37, down 5.72 percent from the previous session, and extended losses to as low as 5,171.53 in early trading. As of 9:35 a.m., the index was trading at 5,234.82, down 6.27 percent. A
March 9, 2026 -
Seoul shares plunge nearly 6 pct; KRX issues sidecar; won sharply down
South Korean stocks opened nearly 6 percent lower Monday over the escalating geopolitics in the Middle East and rising international oil prices, prompting the main bourse operator to issue a sell-side sidecar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 334.55 points, or 5.99 percent, to 5,250.32 as of 9:15 a.m. Program trading of the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index was suspended for five minutes at 9:06 a.m., according to the Korea Exchange. A sidecar is triggered when the
March 9, 2026 -
E-cigarette, dual users linked to higher metabolic, lung risks: KMI study
E-cigarette users and dual users — those who use both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes — are associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and declining lung function, according to a recent study by the Korea Medical Institute. The findings are part of KMI’s “Health Big Data Series,” based on medical check-up data from approximately 3.05 million individuals who underwent examinations at eight KMI health screening centers nationwide. The study compared the prevalence of metabo
March 9, 2026 -
US not likely to hike tariffs if special investment bill passed in parliament: industry minister
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Sunday he has been told the United States is not likely to hike tariffs on South Korea if the National Assembly passes a special bill on Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge to the US Kim made the remarks at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, after visiting the US to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others to discuss tariff issues and other bilateral trade matters between Seoul and Washington. "At a meeting with Lutnick, I explaine
March 8, 2026 -
Shin Yoo-yeol steps into spotlight as Lotte’s biotech bet tests heir
The message from Chairman Shin Dong-bin at the start of this year was blunt and poignant: Lotte Group cannot preserve its empire without shedding old habits. That mandate for renewed innovation and tighter capital discipline now seems to fall squarely on his eldest son, Shin Yoo-yeol, at the helm of the group’s future-growth agenda. Just three months after the 39-year-old took charge of Lotte Biologics, the conglomerate’s contract development and manufacturing arm, expectations are gathering aro
March 8, 2026 -
Pulmuone showcases K-food, plant-based products at US expo
Korean food company Pulmuone showcased traditional Korean cuisine alongside its latest plant-based innovations at Natural Products Expo West 2026, held March 4-6 in Anaheim, California. The leading tofu maker has participated in the exhibition since 2003, introducing plant-based convenience foods such as tofu, plant-based meat, dumplings and fried rice to local consumers. At this year’s booth, the company highlighted tofu and kimchi, underscoring both its leadership in the tofu market and its ro
March 8, 2026