South Korea’s rapid shift to online banking is accelerating a structural downsizing across the country’s financial sector, as lenders move to cut jobs and shrink their physical footprint in response to declining branch usage. Mobile and digital platforms have become the dominant channel for everyday banking in one of the world’s most connected consumer markets. As customers increasingly bypass physical

(Photo=Pixabay) South Korea’s era of ultra-low interest rates is reverberating through its housing market, as mortgage costs climb toward 7% and borrowers who entered during the boom years face a sharp increase in repayment burdens. For much of the past decade, cheap credit fueled a surge in home buying, particularly in major cities where property prices rose steadily. Many households

Hyundai’s Jang Jae-hoon Deepens Hydrogen Push in China With Guangzhou Partnership Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating its hydrogen strategy in China, with Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon spearheading a partnership with Guangzhou aimed at building a broader ecosystem beyond vehicles. Jang, who oversees the group’s hydrogen business, met with Guangzhou Mayor Sun Zhiyang to discuss cooperation on sustainable hydrogen models, aligning

Photo=Motionelements South Korea raised its government-imposed caps on wholesale fuel prices, underscoring mounting pressure on energy costs even as authorities try to shield consumers. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy set a second round of maximum wholesale prices, effective at 12:00 a.m. for two weeks, at $5.53 per gallon for gasoline, $5.50 per gallon for diesel used in vehicles

(Photo=NITORI) Japanese home-furnishing retailers are stepping up their push into South Korea, betting that the country’s rapidly growing number of single-person households is reshaping demand for furniture and home goods. The shift reflects a broader demographic trend. Single-person households now account for a significant and rising share of South Korea’s population, particularly in urban centers such as Seoul, where smaller