Author: Seoul Reporter

Citibank Korea CEO Yoo Myung-soon speaks throughout Citi AI Days 2026 on the financial institution’s headquaters, Thursday. Courtesy of Citibank KoreaCitibank Korea stated Friday that it has begun the complete deployment of Citi AI, Citi’s newly launched synthetic intelligence platform, throughout the group. As a part of this initiative, the financial institution hosted Citi AI Days on Wednesday and Thursday, as workers shared sensible examples of how Citi AI may be utilized of their day-to-day work.Citi AI is a purpose-built platform designed primarily based on a human-led AI method, which helps and enhances workers’ skilled experience and decision-making. With security…

Individuals stroll via bustling Myeong-dong buying avenue in Jung District, Seoul, Dec. 17, 2025. Yonhap The central financial institution stated Friday it should prolong a monetary help program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed staff amid a sluggish restoration in susceptible sectors of the economic system.The Financial institution of Korea’s (BOK) low-rate particular mortgage program value 14 trillion gained ($9.51 billion) was set to run out this month, however it will likely be prolonged by six months via the tip of July, in accordance with the financial institution officers.Underneath this system, the central financial institution allocates 75 p.c…

Woman group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG LeisureOkay-pop lady group BLACKPINK has earned a gold certification from the Recording Business Affiliation of America (RIAA) for its 2025 digital single “Soar.”The RIAA mentioned on its web site on Thursday (U.S. time) that “Soar” has surpassed 500,000 models, the edge required for gold certification, as of Dec. 11.The affiliation awards gold for 500,000 models, platinum for 1 million, multi-platinum for two million and diamond for 10 million models. Licensed models are counted primarily based on bodily and digital album gross sales, downloads, and audio and video streams.The monitor has additionally been licensed…

Hwacheon Mayor Choi Moon-soon, heart, poses with overseas envoys and household in the course of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Competition in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, Jan. 13. Courtesy of Hwacheon County Authorities International diplomats stationed in Korea visited the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Competition, experiencing one of many nation’s signature winter celebrations mixing collectively ice fishing, regional delicacies and cultural exchanges.In response to Hwacheon County, a 32-member diplomatic delegation from 11 international locations traveled from Seoul to the northeastern county on Jan. 13. The group included ambassadors from Malaysia, Tajikistan, Kenya and Iraq, in addition to diplomats representing america, Bangladesh, Laos, Honduras,…

The Volvo EX90 (Photograph courtesy of Volvo Vehicles Korea) Volvo Vehicles Korea introduced on Jan. 15 that it plans to launch its next-generation pure electrical flagship lineup, the EX90 and ES90, within the first half and second half of this yr, respectively. Volvo Vehicles Korea maintained its 4th place within the imported automotive market by promoting a complete of 14,903 items final yr. This yr, the corporate plans to proceed attaining steady efficiency by constantly innovating all through all the possession course of along with increasing its lineup. The EX90 and ES90 are…

English poster for Korean director Chung Ji-young’s “My Identify” / Courtesy of Let’s Movies and Aura Photos “My Identify,” the newest movie from director Chung Ji-young, has been invited to display on the Berlin Worldwide Movie Competition, the movie’s manufacturing studios stated Friday,Starring Yeom Hye-ran of the hit Netflix sequence “When Life Provides You Tangerines,” the thriller drama is about to obtain its world premiere within the Discussion board part, a strand specializing in socially engaged and adventurous cinema, Let’s Movies and Aura Photos stated. Jang Jae-hyun’s supernatural thriller “Exhuma” was additionally invited to the identical class in 2024.The pageant…

From second from left, Kang Jae-ho, Avikus CEO, Choi Gained-hyuk, HMM CEO, Kim Hyung-gwan, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering CEO, and Lim Do-hyung, Avikus CEO, pose for a commemorative photograph after signing a contract on AI-based autonomous navigation answer introduction at HD Hyundai’s Pangyo World R&D Heart on Jan. 15. (Photograph courtesy of HMM) HMM will set up HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation answer, “HiNAS Management,” on 40 ships in its fleet, the corporate introduced on Jan. 16. The 2 firms signed a contract on Jan. 15 at HD Hyundai’s World R&D Heart (GRC) in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province,…

Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. YonhapThe federal government will work to foster 500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an annual export capability of over $10 million by 2030 as a part of efforts to advertise exports of smaller corporations, the trade ministry mentioned Friday.Final 12 months, Korea’s exports exceeded $700 billion for the primary time, however the prime 1 % of export corporations, or these with over $50 million in annual export quantity, accounted for some 84 % of the nation’s complete exports.SMEs solely accounted for 8 % of the entire.By way of…

A buyer browses albums at a report store in Seoul, Dec. 19, 2023. YonhapKorea’s exports of Ok-pop albums exceeded $300 million for the primary time final yr, customs knowledge confirmed Friday, underscoring the style’s continued power abroad regardless of weakening home gross sales.Based on the Korea Customs Service, abroad shipments of Ok-pop albums reached a report excessive of $301.7 million in 2025, up 3.4 p.c from a yr earlier.Japan remained the largest market with $80.6 million, adopted by China with $69.7 million and the USA with $64 million.Whereas exports to Japan fell 10.2 p.c from the earlier yr, shipments to…

Hwacheon Mayor Choi Moon-soon, center, poses with foreign envoys and family during the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, Jan. 13. Courtesy of Hwacheon County Government Foreign diplomats stationed in Korea visited the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, experiencing one of the country’s signature winter celebrations blending together ice fishing, regional cuisine and cultural exchanges.According to Hwacheon County, a 32-member diplomatic delegation from 11 countries traveled from Seoul to the northeastern county on Jan. 13. The group included ambassadors from Malaysia, Tajikistan, Kenya and Iraq, as well as diplomats representing the United States, Bangladesh, Laos, Honduras, Argentina, Zambia and…