Business

South Korea’s knowledge industry centers were meant to support startups and SMEs, but oversupply and speculative investment have left thousands of office spaces vacant, driving investors into financial distress.

Self-employment in South Korea has reached a historic low, with the number of small business owners falling below 5.5 million. As debt surges and revenue drops, the future of independent businesses looks uncertain.

The decline of Homeplus marks a turning point for South Korea’s retail industry. E-commerce, debt, and shifting consumer habits have reshaped the market—can Homeplus adapt?

South Korea’s new towns, once envisioned as thriving urban hubs, are now facing a crisis of rising commercial vacancies. Empty storefronts and struggling businesses reflect a deeper flaw in urban planning—overestimated commercial demand, rigid zoning laws, and shifting consumer habits.

South Korea’s restaurant industry faces an unprecedented crisis as closures hit record highs, outpacing new openings for the first time in 16 years.

On June 13, 2024, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) imposed a historic fine of 140 billion won on Coupang for its unfair business practices, including manipulating search algorithms to unfairly prioritize its private label (PB) products. This decision has significant implications for fair competition and local businesses. Coupang, one