KT&G takes home top honor for excellence in investor relations

The Korea Times - Sep 21, 2026

Korean tobacco and consumer goods company KT&G was named the grand prize winner at the 2026 Korea IR Awards, securing the top accolade presented by the Korea Exchange’s investor relations service, the company said Monday. The award, presented as the Korea Exchange chairman's prize, was handed out Friday at KRX Market Square in Seoul's Yeouido financial district. Yoon Young-chan, head of KT&G's strategic planning division, accepted the award from Korea Exchange Chairman Chung Eun-bo. The Korea IR Service has handed out the awards since 2001 to companies recognized for active, efficient investor relations work that supports capital-market development through shareholder-focused management. KT&G was cited for an "open IR culture" in which executives present strategy directly to investors — on global business expansion, shareholder returns and growth investment — and fold investor feedback into management decisions, along with regular investor conferences, non-deal road shows and meetings with major domestic and international institutional investors. The company raised its interim divi

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HiteJinro brings snack trucks to support firefighters

Sep 21, 2026

HiteJinro brings snack trucks to support firefighters

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KB Kookmin Bank, SAP Korea expand push for next-generation corporate finance

Sep 21, 2026

KB Kookmin Bank, SAP Korea expand push for next-generation corporate finance

KB Kookmin Bank and SAP Korea are joining forces to weave banking services directly into corporate software, betting that businesses will increasingly handle payments and cash management without leaving their enterprise systems. SAP Korea said Monday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with KB Kookmin Bank on Friday to develop software-as-a-service (SaaS) products and next-generation corporate banking services. The partnership will focus on three areas, including developing new SaaS products based on SAP Business Technology Platform by integrating third-party solutions and offering them under white-label arrangements. The companies also plan to connect enterprise resource planning systems with banking services so corporate customers can access financial services without separate procedures, an approach known as “invisible banking.” They will also pursue joint go-to-market strategies, using their infrastructure and sales networks to identify corporate customers and expand their services. SAP Korea and KB Kookmin Bank said they intend to build an embedded finance ecosystem that

Samsung, LG claim top spots in AI-generated appliance ratings

Sep 21, 2026

Samsung, LG claim top spots in AI-generated appliance ratings

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RLWRLD, CJ Logistics expand partnership to build smarter warehouse robots

Sep 21, 2026

RLWRLD, CJ Logistics expand partnership to build smarter warehouse robots

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Audi becomes 3rd foreign automaker to hit 300,000 sales mark in Korea

Sep 21, 2026

Audi becomes 3rd foreign automaker to hit 300,000 sales mark in Korea

Audi has officially crossed the 300,000-vehicle sales mark in Korea, cementing its position as one of the country's most popular foreign luxury automakers. The German brand said Monday that cumulative registrations reached the milestone, making Audi only the third imported carmaker to achieve the feat in the Korean market. To mark the achievement, Audi Korea is launching a customer-appreciation program, called thAnk Q, with its nationwide dealer network, offering benefits and brand experiences as a way to thank its customers, the company said. Audi Korea attributed the growth partly to customer-engagement programs it has run this year, including Audi Open House, where customers can test-drive various models and services; Audi Venture, an outdoor lifestyle program; and Audi Summer Tour, a driving and lifestyle experience event. "Reaching 300,000 cumulative registrations here is a meaningful achievement made possible by the trust and support of the customers who have chosen Audi," Audi Korea President Steve Cloete said. "We will continue to strengthen customer satisfaction and long-term tru

FTC unfazed by US pressure over Coupang: chairman

Sep 21, 2026

FTC unfazed by US pressure over Coupang: chairman

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Hyundai E&C races to build Korea's 1st AI-dedicated data center in record time

Sep 21, 2026

Hyundai E&C races to build Korea's 1st AI-dedicated data center in record time

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Chinese steel cuts raise hopes for Korean steelmakers

Sep 21, 2026

Chinese steel cuts raise hopes for Korean steelmakers

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Korea Zinc's US project clears environmental impact assessment

Sep 21, 2026

Korea Zinc's US project clears environmental impact assessment

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HanmiGlobal manages SK hynix HBM plant construction in Indiana

Sep 21, 2026

HanmiGlobal manages SK hynix HBM plant construction in Indiana

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Neither the US nor China can win the AI race alone, BofA analyst says

Sep 21, 2026

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Neither Beijing nor Washington can win the race for artificial intelligence dominance without relying on other countries, a Bank of America analyst said ahead of this week’s high-stakes bilateral summit, citing deeply entangled global tech supply chains. While China’s advantages had emerged in areas like power grids and manufacturing equipment, the country remained reliant on overseas suppliers for advanced chips, memory and some high-end materials, said Matty Zhao, co-head of China equity at...

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