Sometimes, when you go along to an evening talk, you are looking forward to the networking rather than the substance of what the speakers will be saying. Perhaps you think you won’t learn much, and you’re going along out of a vague sense of duty, because other people will expect you to be there. Well, … [Read More]
Category: Business & economy (page 3)
South Korea: An Economic Powerhouse in Transition, at Asia House
News of an upcoming talk at Asia House: South Korea: An Economic Powerhouse in Transition 21 October 2014, 18:00 – 20:30 Asia House is delighted to invite you to join us for a stimulating discussion on the economic and foreign relations between the EU/UK and South Korea. The format will be a seated conference followed … [Read More]
Burberry – the favoured brand of Korean flashers
In the last decade, British fashion brand Burberry manage to rescue itself from the chav associations caused by too liberal licensing of its check design to companies it couldn’t control. But you can’t control the use to which a raincoat is put. And according to the Hankyoreh: Burberry coats have long been sought after in … [Read More]
Tesco in Korea: high returns despite opening restrictions
Tesco has just reported a 4.3% like for like sales decline in Korea for the 52 weeks to 22 February 2014. This follows a 5.3% decline last year. But nevertheless: Our business in Korea continues to generate high returns despite the impact on sales from the regulatory restrictions on opening hours. Whilst we annualised the … [Read More]
Looking back at 2013: Domestic news
Our final look back at 2013, including a random collection of news stories, mainly domestic, that caught our attention. In the news Asiana Airlines flight 214 from Incheon crashed on landing at San Francisco airport on 6 July. The Boeing 777 had approached the runway too low and too slow. An American local TV station … [Read More]
A reason to go to Gangnam?
LKL has never been a particular fan of South of the Han. Most things we want to do and see tend to be North of the river. But like it or not, it’s where the money is. Reflecting the opulent demographic, in September this year Diageo opened Johnnie Walker House Seoul in Cheongdam-dong, its third … [Read More]
Korea Startup Showcase at the Bakery
An investment event in the City coming up this week: Korean Startup Showcase The Bakery | 25 City Rd | London EC1Y 1AA [Map] Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (BST) 3beards bring you the Korean Startup Showcase! Come along to The Bakery on the 11th July, grab a drink and … [Read More]
Korea regulatory challenges cost Tesco 175 billion Won
Tesco has just published its 2012/13 results covering the 52 weeks to 23 February 2013 (pdf download). In the UK, the mainstream media focused on a tiny drop in like-for-like sales in the UK and the threat from low-cost competitors. Naturally, at LKL we were also interested in results in Korea, which is Tesco’s biggest … [Read More]
John Lewis in successful partnership with Shinsegae
John Lewis Partnership announced its 2012/13 results yesterday – a much more successful year than many UK retailers. The partnership with Shinsegae Department Stores it announced last spring, in which it sells premium homewares in its own store-within-a-store, merited special mention in the results announcement. According to the FT: Andy Street, managing director of John … [Read More]
Samsung hires judge who accused Apple of “lack of integrity”
Last November, judge Sir Robin Jacob forced Apple to redraft an apology it had been ordered to make on its website after losing its claim against Samsung for copying its designs. Samsung has hired the now-retired judge as an adviser in its patent fight against Ericsson in the US. Sources: Private Eye | Independent [Read More]
A victory for common sense? Asiana air hostesses can now wear red nail varnish
Before a recent ruling by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the Asiana dress code detailed, among other things, “the size and substance of earrings, length of skirts, color of hair and type of eye makeup the female [cabin crew] can wear. Their dress code is more than 10 pages long, while their male … [Read More]
South Korea “Second most innovative country” – Bloomberg
Does it surprise you that South Korea ranks 2nd only to the USA in Bloomberg’s Global Innovation Index? Here is how the country ranked in the determining factors: R&D intensity: 5th | Productivity: 32nd | High-tech density: 3rd | Researcher concentration: 8th | Manufacturing capability: 3rd | Tertiary efficiency: 4th | Patent activity: 1st Definitions … [Read More]
SOAS Seminar: Neo-Liberalism and the Strengthening of the Korean State
Notice of the SOAS seminar on 8 February 2013. Neo-Liberalism and the Strengthening of the Korean State David Hundt (Deakin) Date: 8 February 2013, 5:15pm Venue: Russell Square Room G50 Abstract This article tests the assumption that neo-liberalism inevitably detracts from state strength by analysing the power of the Korean state since the Asian economic … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Domestic news
In our final round-up of Korea-related stories which caught our eye in 2012, we look at domestic and business news. Modern Life and how to escape it. Korea came 24th out of 34 leading countries in an OECD quality of life index, coming bottom of the class in job security and gender income inequality and … [Read More]
Korean navy buys British helicopters
The Korean navy is to buy KRW 589 billion worth of anti-submarine helicopters from AugustaWestland of the UK in preference to a US machine. The contract size is about the same as the Royal Navy’s order of Korean fuel tankers from Daewoo, announced last year. Links: Press release from AugustaWestland [Read More]
Ramyun and the Dons: AFC Wimbledon announces Nongshim Noodle deal
Noodle soup while watching the footie? Sounds great: AFC Wimbledon are pleased to announce the launch of a new commercial partnership with Nongshim, South Korea’s number one noodle manufacturer. The deal, which will run until the end of the season, will see the chance for Nongshim products to be sampled at the Cherry Red Records … [Read More]