The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) announced on February 9 that it has signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Association of the Visually Impaired (SAVI) and Korea-based OAO, a wellness and fitness service provider, to collaborate on social contribution initiatives that combine sports and technology. The MOU also calls for jointly organizing the next “Harmony Marathon with the Visually Impaired." The signing ceremony was held on February 3 at KGCCI’s office in central Seoul. Key stakeholders in attendance included KGCCI CEO Marie Antonia vo
Samsung Electronics will distribute 1.3 trillion won in special dividends based on its fourth-quarter 2025 results. The move further strengthens the company's shareholder return policy in conjunction with the implementation of the separate taxation system for dividend income, and satisfies the government's requirements for listed companies that are designated "high-dividend" providers. Samsung Electronics announced through a disclosure on January 29 that "in accordance with our 2024–2026 shareholder return policy, we have decided on a Q4 special dividend in addition to our regular quarterly di
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee | The Korean-Vietnamese Business Association (BAVIK) held its New Year event on January 25, bringing together major business leaders from both Korea and Vietnam. The event was organized by Jeon Yong-heon, Chairman of the Korea-Vietnam Forum, and was particularly notable for the large attendance of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Vietnamese attendees included Vietnam’s Ambassador to Korea Vu Ho, BAVIK Chairman Dao Tuan Hong, Vice Chairman Nguyen Viet Phong, and Vice President Won Jeong-min. Tran Khanh Van, Vietnam News Agen
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | On the morning of January 19, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy Ali Andika Wardhana gave opening remarks for the “2026 Indonesian Day Business Forum.” The event was held in the Conrad Seoul Hotel in the Yeouido financial district and was sponsored by Korea’s KB Bank; PT Suryacipta Swadaya, a major Indonesian development company; PT Bank KB Indonesia Tbk; and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. The forum brought together Indonesian government representatives, businesses, and investors to explore trade, investment opportunities, and cross-b
Diplomacy Journal shJung | The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will begin recruiting companies for the K-Export Star 500 project on the 16th of this month, aiming to foster 500 star companies with exports exceeding $10 million, the backbone of Korea's exports. Recently, South Korea's exports have surpassed $700 billion for the first time, demonstrating quantitative growth. However, 84% of exports are concentrated in the top 1% of companies, highlighting the urgent need to improve the export structure through systematic fostering of small and medium-sized enterprises (S
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon Young | Hanwha Corporation is implementing a spin-off into two entities: one corporation comprising the existing defense, shipbuilding, energy, and finance operations and a new entity encompassing Hanwha’s tech and lifestyle businesses. The strategy aims to simultaneously enhance corporate value and shareholder value by establishing strategic planning tailored to each business group's characteristics and building a rapid decision-making system. Hanwha Corporation announced on January 14 that its board of directors has approved the spin-off. The process is scheduled
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Gil-ju Lured investors with false advertising of a NASDAQ listing... Withdrawals currently suspended - Damages estimated at hundreds of billions of won, with serious impact on ordinary citizens, including the elderly and housewives. Recently, Aifeex LTD, which lured investors with promises of high returns under the guise of an "AI-based automated fund system," has been revealed to be facing a massive redemption suspension, marking the end of a typical Ponzi scam. Aifeex operates in Korea, the United States, China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia, raising concer
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo KB Bank Indonesia ("KBI"), a subsidiary of KB Kookmin Bank, held "KB Bank Economic Outlook 2026," a forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 27 to forecast Indonesia's economic and political landscape ahead of 2026. The forum was held under the theme "Navigating Indonesia's Next Growth Wave: Economic Outlook and Political Landscape 2026." Key speakers included Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC/DEN) and Special Advisor to the President; Pandu Patria Sjahrir, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) with the Korea Venture Business Association hosted the 2025 Venture Billion Ceremony on 27 November, at EL Tower in Seoul. ”Venture Billion” refers to Korean venture companies that record annual revenues of at least KRW 100 billion (approximately USD 70 million). The ceremony served as a signature event on the second day of Korea’s inaugural Venture Week (November 26 – December 2), bringing national recognition to companies that achieved and maintained annual revenues of KRW 100 billion as of the end of 2024. Since the ve
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Hanwha Aerospace, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, has signed a 705 billion won contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the mass production of the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, a central component of South Korea’s layered air and missile defense architecture. Under the pact, Hanwha Aerospace will manufacture and deliver L-SAM launchers and anti-ballistic missiles to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces through 2030. By adding a higher-altitude interception layer, the system enables earlier engagement of incoming ball
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Electronics signed a strategic partnership with Expo City Dubai – a city borne out of the Dubai government-backed 2020 World Expo – to collaborate on the development of a next-generation smart city on Nov. 19. The agreement was signed by William Cho, CEO of LG Electronics and Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer, Expo City Dubai. The partnership builds on discussions at the Korea–UAE Business Roundtable, where both governments agreed to deepen cooperation in AI-powered service development and AI infrastructure. It also further deepens LG’s
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the 29th Korea–Latin America Business Forum on November 28, at COEX in Seoul, together with the Korean Council on Latin America and the Caribbean and other private sector organizations. The forum brought together diplomatic representatives from 18 Latin American countries in Korea, Korean companies operating in the region, and officials from trade and investment support institutions. Established in 1997, the forum is held annually. This year’s session examined the Latin American business environment in
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group held a topping-out ceremony for its Future Mobility Battery Campus in Anseong, Korea on Nov. 28, marking a major milestone in the Group’s commitment to advancing battery technology and enhancing global electric vehicle (EV) competitiveness. The event, held at Anseong’s Fifth General Industrial Complex, celebrated steady construction progress since breaking ground in January 2025 and reaffirmed the Group’s vision to lead future mobility through next-generation battery research and development infrastructure. Representing a KRW 1.2 trillion in
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), led by Chairman and CEO James Kim, hosted National Tax Service Commissioner Lim Kwang-hyun at a roundtable at the IFC Forum in Yeouido on Nov. 28 for a wide-ranging discussion on how to further enhance Korea’s attractiveness as a global investment destination. The AMCHAM delegation shared insights on the tax and regulatory challenges foreign companies encounter in Korea and emphasized the need for greater predictability and clarity in the business environment. Commissioner Lim outlined the administration’s tax
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), led by President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg, held a meeting on November 26 with Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, together with the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). The meeting focused on the business environment for foreign-invested companies, key regulatory issues, and ways to deepen bilateral economic cooperation. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the recently passed “Yellow Envelope Act,” Korea’s energy transition policy, and measures