South Korea

Professor Lee Shin-wha speaks with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo. (Photo by Jun Takai)
Interview

Middle powers can sway great powers if united: South Korean scholar

Lee Shin-wha says U.S. and China both promote 'distorted' models of multilateralism

23 December 2022
From China to Singapore, banks in Asia have had a tumultuous year, with some soaring and others under pressure. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images) 
Business Spotlight

Asia's rising interest rates boost banks -- but risks grow for 2023

Lenders in Japan and China lag peers enjoying fatter borrowing margins

23 December 2022
Foreign tourists arrive at Haneda international airport in Tokyo: Japan's two biggest airlines have made more than four times the amount of bookings for this year's upcoming holiday season than they did 12 months ago. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Travel & Leisure

Japan visitors nearly doubled in November but hotels lack staff

South Koreans and Taiwanese help push monthly foreign arrivals to 0.9m

21 December 2022
The acquisition of Asiana Airlines by Korean Air Lines was announced in November 2020, after COVID-19 had robbed carriers of passengers around the world. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Business deals

Korean Air takeover of Asiana in limbo as global trustbusters balk

South Korean airlines will likely have to amend their plan to gain European OK

21 December 2022
The U.S. deployed a B-52H bomber for a joint military drill with South Korea. (Photo courtesy of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense) 
International relations

U.S. deploys B-52 bomber and F-22s in drill with South Korea

North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo Jong hints at new ICBM tests

21 December 2022
LG Energy Solution hones its smart factory technologies at its Ochang plant in South Korea. (Photo courtesy of LG Energy Solution)
Automobiles

EV battery maker LG Energy allots $3bn to boost South Korea plant

Tesla supplier refocuses on home market amid high costs in U.S.

20 December 2022
A ship carrying liquefied hydrogen docks at an experimental terminal in Kobe, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka)
Environment

Green hydrogen booms in Asia as companies rush into projects

Denmark's Orsted in talks with POSCO, BP invests in Australian project

18 December 2022
South Korea's Son Heung-min, left, and Japan's Ritsu Doan in action during the World Cup. (Source photos by Reuters and Tomoki Mera)
Sports

World Cup leaves Asia with pride, regret ahead of old-power final

Japan rues just missing quarters, South Korea aims to rev up development

18 December 2022
A Daewoo shipyard in southeastern South Korea. (Photo courtesy of Daewoo Shipbuilding)
Business deals

South Korea's Hanwha inks $1.5bn deal to buy Daewoo Shipbuilding

Defense contractor looks to bolster naval and submarine businesses

17 December 2022
Soft drinks in a Bangkok supermarket. Pepsi has a famous rivalry with Coca-Cola, as well as competing with a host of other beverage makers.
Interview

PepsiCo may lift Southeast Asian prices as supply chains fail to fizz

Company increasingly turning to drinks with less sugar, sees Asian sales growing

16 December 2022
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin shake hands in Seoul on Dec. 15.
N Korea at crossroads

South Korea's Yoon urges IAEA to keep closer eye on nuclear North

U.N. watchdog's chief pledges to safeguard international nonproliferation regime

16 December 2022
Stream article image
#techAsia

Inside Samsung's Fold 4 and Japan's hopes for IBM

The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times

15 December 2022
Tighter financial conditions are raising borrowing costs, which is starting to depress housing demand in Asia, according to a recent study by the International Monetary Fund.
Property

From Hong Kong to Malaysia, property markets set to decline: IMF

Shift in interest rate cycle creates 'downside risks', organization says

15 December 2022
Minju Kim is the winner of the 2022 Columbia-Nikkei Scholarship, an annual award of $100,000 given to outstanding journalism students in Asia with an interest in data journalism or business.
Announcements

Columbia-Nikkei journalism scholarship awarded to Minju Kim

Data-driven climate reporter from South Korea receives $100,000 academic prize

15 December 2022
Taiwan's per capita gross domestic product is projected to grow 6.2% a year on average this decade.
Economy

Taiwan to surpass Japan in GDP per capita this year: JCER

South Korea to pull ahead in 2023 as weak yen compounds low productivity

15 December 2022
Jin is the first member of the supergroup to report for his mandatory military service.
Media & Entertainment

No BTS? K-Pop goes back to basics to find new stars

Talent agencies rely on pipelines that tap into online communities

14 December 2022
South Korean environmental activists like Kim Hoon (pictured) worry about the environmental impact of South Korea's chipmaking boom. In Pyeongtaek, hot wastewater from a nearby plant could alter ecosystems in local rivers. (Photo by Jean Chung)
The Big Story

South Korea's chip ambitions threaten big environmental toll

As chip giants like Samsung and SK Hynix expand production, locals fear water contamination

14 December 2022
One award-winning article highlighted the disruption Russia's invasion of Ukraine would cause to supplies of industrial gases used in chipmaking. (Source photos by Reuters and TSMC)
Announcements

Nikkei Asia captures international business reporting prize

Cheng Ting-Fang, Lauly Li and Kim Jaewon honored by U.S. National Press Foundation

14 December 2022
K-pop band member Jin sports a military-style buzz cut in a photo posted in an online fan community.
Media & Entertainment

BTS member Jin reports for military duty in South Korea

K-pop group's activities on hold as global superstars fulfill compulsory service

13 December 2022
Singapore Airlines and India's Tata Sons announced the merger of Air India and Vistara, with the city-state's flagship carrier investing $250 million in Air India.
Transportation

From Singapore to Japan, Asian airlines rush to ramp up routes

SIA inks deals as rivals like JAL and AirAsia expand flights despite risks

13 December 2022
Do Kwon, co-founder and chief executive officer of Terraform Labs, is seen in the company's office in Seoul, South Korea, on April 14. South Korean prosecutors are seeking Kwon's arrest over the collapse of cryptocurrencies Luna and TerraUSD.
Cryptocurrencies

South Korean prosecutors say crypto fugitive Do Kwon is in Serbia

Terraform Labs co-founder sought over alleged fraud, market manipulation

12 December 2022
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida might have to pay a heavy political price to mend their countries' relationship.
Comment

South Korea, Japan leaders lack political capital to fix wartime row

Former Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan lifts hopes of settling labor issue

12 December 2022
The estimated cost of components for Samsung's latest model, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, is about $670, or less than 40% of its sales price. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Electronics

Samsung foldable smartphone teardown reveals 50% local parts

Lower component costs bring higher profit margin than newest iPhone

11 December 2022
Global semiconductor industry group SEMI will hold its annual Japan trade show in Tokyo from Dec. 14 to 16.
Your Week in Asia

ASEAN-EU summit, Semicon Japan, Fiji election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

11 December 2022
The 35 Chinese companies in the Hurun Research Institute's ranking lost 52% of their value, their steepest fall since the annual list's inaugural edition in 2020. (Source photos by Reuters)
Companies

Top Chinese company valuations tumble amid crackdown: Hurun report

Drops led by tech and property sectors; Tencent, Alibaba out of global top 10

9 December 2022