2009.03.31 – Renault Samsung Motors comes in at a record high in 2008 of 197,024 units, an increase of 14.4% and at operating profits of $96.7 billion.

2009.03.31 – Current balance of South Korea swung to a surplus in February at $3.68 billion, whereas it was in a deficit in January at -1.63 billion. A surplus over $5 billion is expected in March.

2009.03.31 – North Korea announced detaining a South Korea worker from joint Kaesong industrial complex because he criticized publicly DPRK politic system.

2009.03.31 – A scandal of sexual abuse on young stars has been bursting in South Korea doing the cover of daily newspapers since two weeks after a young girl acting in the actual most famous drama “Boys over Flower” committed suicide. Police force will start to question journalists, corporate executives and every suspects concerned by this affair.

2009.03.31 – Briefly: In part of the 10 most wonderful things about Korea, foreigners rank first the safety of the streets, followed by the sweetness and charitable disposition of Korean women over 60; 5,000 English teachers will be hired this year; Seoul is expected to have the world’s second highest skyscraper by 2015 in DMC district; Two help centers will be open for North Korea defectors; LG Electronics will demonstrate the world’s first transparent keypad mobile phone; Jin Air will operated flight to China and Thailand from October.

2009.03.30 – South Korea economy shrank 5.1% in the last quarter of 2008, a percentage review after the estimation of a contraction of -5.6%.

2009.03.30 – Growth National Product per capita (GNIncome) falls below $20,000 in 2008, plunging to $19,231 against $21,659 the last year, according to the Bank of Korea (BoK).

2009.03.30 – South Koreans spent in education more than the last year record of $28.8 billion to reach $29.7 billion, indicated the Bank of Korea (BoK).

2009.03.30 – South Korea became world champion in World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles as the young Kim Yu-Na (18), who is well covered by all media since few months, took the gold medal. With 207.71 points, she became the first to receive over 200 points in this kind of competition.

2009.03.30 – Briefly: Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone (BJFEZ) will focus on logistic and shipping; Korea Development Bank will have a new objective which is to help Korea to overcome crisis by securing new engines for future growth; South Korea plans to create two million green houses; a survey conducted by online portal CAREER and women’s magazine SURE indicated that married women are happier than single one; Samsung could be the new shirt sponsor of Manchester United, whereas the contract with Chelsea ($95 million) expire in June 2010…

2009.03.27 – Minsitry of Justice will submit a bill to the National Assembly to allow “talented foreigners” in Korea to obtain Korean citizenship without giving up their nationality. The expression “talented foreigners” has not been yet clearly explained but it will concern people who contribute to the nation’s development.

2009.03.27 – Ahn Sang-Soo, Incheon Mayor, wants to make his city one of the 10 world’s most visited city attracting in Songdo (IFEZ: Incheon Free Economic Zone) foreign companies, universities and hospitals by 2014. Objective is to make Incheon a Global Business City like Shanghai and Dubai.

2009.03.27 – Chief nuclear negotiators of South Korea, Japan and USA will discuss of the North Korea missile post-launch. The meeting will mainly concern the denuclearization of North Korea.

2009.03.27 – South Korea supports the automotive industry by announcing tax incentives of 70% discount from May to the end of the year to consumer who will change their old car (registered before 2000) by a new model. Automotive industry plunged by 15% in February, 9th consecutively month of decrease.

2009.03.27 – Briefly: President Lee Myung-Bak calls all leader of the world to fight protectionism during the G20; Korean financial market has been calming during the last weeks; KB Financial Group is seeking $734 million for recapitalization; EU-South Korea FTA will not concern South Korea agricultural products such as rice, peppers, garlic, onions, etc.;

2009.03.26 – Six state-run public companies will help the poorest unemployed people by creating 3,800 temporary jobs (between 2 and 12 months, for a wage between 600,000 and 1,200,000 won), announced the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

2009.03.26 – French group Heurtey Petrochem, fired heaters expert, announced the signature of two important contracts with South Korea for 56 million euro. One contract relates to the delivery turn-key of one hydrogen furnace for Hyundai Oil in Daesan (27 million), and the second relates to the delivery turn-key of five refining furnaces to S-Oil Corporation in Onsan via Samsung Engineering (29 million).

2009.03.26 – New KDI (Korea Development Insitute) President Hyun Oh-Seok indicated that South Korea economy will progressively recover after touching the bottom, comparing that to a “U” shape and not a “V” shape.

2009.03.26 – North Korea could have placed its missile on the launching pad, announcing a launch in the next days. As indicated in the satellite pictures, US Official indicated that the engine is a long-range missile Taepodong-2. North Korea government says since few weeks that it will launch its first telecommunication satellite beginning of April.

2009.03.26 – Briefly: marriages decreased by -4.6% in 2008 for the first time in 5 years; jobseekers run toward SMEs; patriotism and leadership of South Korea baseball team coach appreciated by the government; Lotte Group gets go-ahead for the construction of a 555-meter skyscraper called “Lotte World II”; Seoul Fashion Week begins this week; Japan said it will try to destroy the missile launched by North-Korea…

2009.03.25 – European Union and South Korea gave a strong message to the international community by signing a provisional Free Trade Agreement, showing their will of anti-protectionism in this time of global economic turmoil. This agreement, negotiated since May 2007, will be finalized during the G-20 in London, beginning of April.

2009.03.25 – LG Group opens its new Research and Development Center in Seocho, a building which cost $180 million, in construction since 2006. A 3,000 research staff will combine research, design and technology to improve products like mobile phone, digital TV and storage devices.

2009.03.25 – Government proposed an extra-budget of $20.8 billion to save Korean economy and help to avoid a deep recession. A large part of this budget will concern 5 main sectors: support low-income households’ living expenses (3 billion), retain jobs and expand job opportunities (2.5 billion), support SMEs, exporters and self-employed (3.2 billion), revitalize provincial economy (2.2 billion) and accelerate growth potential (1.8 billion).

2009.03.25 – Whereas Samsung has been running since 2004 a joint-venture with Sony, key facility to help Samsung maintain its global TV leadership, the Japanese Group approached LG Display, first Samsung’s rival, to test 32-, 37- and 42-inch panels, which will allow Sony to reduce its costs.

2009.03.24 – South Korea Baseball Team, which won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has been defeated 5-3 by Japan for the World Baseball Classic Final in USA. The teams played a 10th inning after Korea won a third point during the 9th inning (3-3).

2009.03.24 – South Korea and European Union begin today the 8th round of negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement to be finalized with the signature of a draft, which will be validated by Trade Ministers of each part.

2009.03.24 – Foreign Direct Investments plunged strongly 44% in first quarter 2009 to $1.5 billion compared year-on-year to $2.7 billion.

2009.03.24 – IP Phone users reached over 3 million subscribers in February, representing 12% of fixed line phone users. The leader of this market is LG Dacom with 1.32 million subscribers.

2009.03.24 – Net debt of the 10 biggest Korean chaebols reached a total of $26.3 billion end of 2008, up 104.5% (more than the double) compared to end of 2007. SK Group has the highest debt with $12.6 billion.

2009.03.23 – Exports fall 13% in March (in the first 20th day) to $18.2 billion and imports dropped 40% to $15.6 billion.

2009.03.23 – According to the SERI (Samsung Economic Research Institute), won will stabilize or get strengthen at the end of the year due to the financial market stabilization measures and government plans which will begin to show concrete results.

2009.03.23 – Sohn Kyung-Shik, KCCI Chairman (Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of CJ Group, will take a second term (for the second time) of three years at the Chamber.

2009.03.23 – Workers in their 30s lose their job faster than workers in other age groups, indicated government (5.81 million in February, a 10-year record). At the same time, government tries to share work by reducing wages to avoid too many job losses. The chaebol Hanwha, for example, reduces by 10% its leaders’ wages to finance 300 training courses dedicated to students.

2009.03.20 – South Korea economic data indicate that the country may be near to bottom and may restart getting better ; productivity of mining and manufacture industries, for example, have increased by 1.3% in January compared to the previous month. Government also forecast 18.3% of contraction for exports in February, better than the 33.8% decrease of January.

2009.03.20 – South Korea government will spend more the $3.5 billion this year to create and maintain jobs in the country. Three quarters of this plan will concern the creation of new temporary jobs.

2009.03.20 – Whereas the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement may be signed in the beginning of April and announced during the G20 in London, Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture, is worrying about consequences that a such agreement could have on the cultural exchanges between France and Korea, as in parallel to this FTA, a protocol cultural cooperation will be signed.

2009.03.20 – For the fourth consecutively year, the Incheon International Airport has been ranked first in the world’s best airport, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong.

2009.03.19 – Merger between KT and KTF has been approved by Korea Communications Commission, which will allow KT to become the ninth largest Korean conglomerate and give KT the opportunity to compete with its main rivals SK Telecom and three branches of LG (Telecom, Dacom et Powercomm).

2009.03.19 – French actress Juliette Binoche, visiting Seoul for the first time, presents a modern dance show named “in-i” that she created and performs with British choreographer Akram Khan

2009.03.19 – February data are beginning to be published and it already shows the worsening of job market with 142,000 more people who lost there job.

2009.03.19 – A second attack targeted South Korean convoy carrying families of the victims of the first kamikaze explosion last Sunday. There were no casualties.

2009.03.18 – An explosion planned by Islamist kamikaze (quoting Yemen authorities) in Yemen killed 4 Koreans tourists (in which 5 dead) while they were taking pictures of the sightseeing of Shibam historical town.

2009.03.18 – South Korea plans to develop its global image in the world through 10 elements: promote taekwondo, dispatch 3,000 volunteers abroad each year, adopt Korean Wave Program, introduce Global Korea Scholarship, adopt Campus Asia program, increase external aid, develop state-of-the-art technologies, nurture culture and tourism sectors, treat in a better way foreigners and multi-cultural families, and help Koreans become “global citizens”.

2009.03.18 – North Korea reopened the inter-Korean border allowing South to have an access to Kaesong Industrial site but also permitting Koreans citizens to travel to the Mount Geumgang.

2009.03.18 – After Park Chu-Young in AS Monaco (interview in Corée Affaires n.76), the international and forward player Lee Keun-Ho (24) is tested by Paris Saint-Germain, which could develop Korean sponsors in France and interest for French Football in Asia.

2009.03.17 – European Union and South Korea should plan the eighth round on March 23-24 in Seoul which seems to be the final meeting of Free Trade Agreement negotiation. Tariffs should be eliminating on 99% (Korean goods) and 96% (European goods) of the products within three years. The problematic question of cars will be regulated regarding engine of over or less 2.5 liters. Official announcement will be made during the G-20 in London, suggested Brussels.

2009.03.17 – The independent South-Korean film « Breathless” from Director and Main Actor Yang Ik-June won the Grand Prix and International Critic Awards at the 11th Asian Film Festival of Deauville (which is now twin festival with Busan International Film Festival), chosen by French actors and directors: Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (président), Véronique Cayla, Bruno Dumont, Vincent Elbaz, Marie Gillain, Didier Long et Ludivine Sagnier.

2009.03.17 – Strategy and Finance Ministry plans to spend $4 million in a job-generating program to create public infrastructure development projects and principally help private sector to hire more unemployed people.

2009.03.17 – The Korea Communications Commission announced an injection of $554.8 million by 2012 in “Green telecommunications and broadcasting industries”.

2009.03.16 – Border closure between North and South decided by Pyongyang is putting at risk nine of ten South-Korean firms established in Kaesong which will be forced to stop their production.

2009.03.16 – Yellow dusts coming from China and Mongolia, due to the increase of desertification, arrived in South Korea, as each spring. All real-time information about concentrations of dusts in the air is available on Korea Meteorological Association.

2009.03.16 – Busan declares its intent to host the 2020 Olympic Games, irritating Gangwon province governor who campaigns for the third time for hosting the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Korea is accumulating international events and is worrying about a kind of cannibalism between cities, as Pyeongchang failed for Winter Olympics 2014 while Incheon succeed for Asian games 2018.

2009.03.16 – Nam Yong, LG Electronics CEO, said that, in spite of the weak won which is good for Korean exporters, the Japanese electronic companies will jump ahead the Korean ones.

2009.03.13 – Renault Samsung Motors announced yesterday that the New SM3, which will be launch in the second semester, will be presented April 2 during the Seoul Motor Show. The concept car emX will be also unveiled.

2009.03.13 – Forbes World’s billionaires list includes four Korean: Lee Kun-Hee (205th), Chairman of Samsung Group, Chung Mong-Koo (468th), Chairman of Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Chung Mong-Joon (559th), Grand National Party Lawmaker, and Lee Myung-Hee (701st), Chairman of Shinsegae Group.

2009.03.13 – The BoK (Bank of Korea) froze its interest rate at 2% after six consecutively diminutions and a loss of 3.25 points between October 2008 and February 2009.

2009.03.13 – The Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization have been informed by North Korea officials that a Kwangmyongsong-2 (experimental telecommunication satellite) will be launch around April 4-8, representing a double launch in East Sea and Pacific, so that every plane and ship operating in this region at this period take all the measures of security.

2009.03.13 – South Korea government announced a plan of $4.05 billion to help the poor, focusing on low-income households and unemployed as more concerned by the crisis.

2009.03.12 – Gross Domestic Product per capita in South Korea is expected to shrink under $15,000 this year facing bad forecasts like economy decrease of 4% and the continuous devaluation of the won ($17,707 in 2008).

2009.03.12 – LG Group announced yesterday that 2009 investment will be the same as 2008, focusing on facilities and R&D, reaching $7.6 million and forecasting 1% up for its 2009 revenue.

2009.03.12 – Government plans to create 150,000 jobs through a budget of KRW250 billion to increase social services for underprivileged (unemployed, self-employed who closed down businesses).

2009.03.12 – North-Korea should have almost completed their preparation for the launch of a satellite announced one month ago. North-Korea officials said the communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 will be launch into orbit as of the “peaceful space development program”.

2009.03.11 – South Korea ranks 2nd (among 110 countries) in the Global Innovation Index (Boston Consulting Group) measuring business outcomes from innovation sectors and the ability of the South Korea government to support innovation through its policy.

2009.03.11 – Mrs. Jeon Jae-Hee, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, is seriously interested by the French family policy to find a solution to the falling birth rates (1.19 children per woman aged 15 to 49).

2009.03.11 – Kotra plans cost-cutting mesures and will ask for more cash from the government so that its 90 worldwide offices can face the devaluation of the won.

2009.03.11 – Government announced that the construction of new houses in Seoul will decrease this year, from 300,000 to 250,000, reflecting low demand and frozen investment due to the crisis.

2009.03.11 – Although the number of foreigners having a cell phone increased (681,000 end of 2008), they are complaining about services proposed by Korean operators (however still developing their offer for foreigners).

2009.03.10 – Ronald Kirk, US Trade representative, declared that current status quo in the case of US-Korea FTA is unacceptable, calling for renegotiation of this agreement (signed but not ratified).

2009.03.10 – Number of small and medium enterprises and small businesses is considerably declining, from 6.06 million in September 2008 to 5.59 million in January 2009.

2009.03.10 – South’s access to the industrial site of Gaesong has been reopened this morning, one day after North Korea closed the frontier. Regarding the election for the Supreme People’s Assembly, none of Kim Jong-Il’s sons appear in the 687 officials elected, contradicting forecasts of analysts and experts.

2009.03.10 – The Tour-operator Hyundai Asan announced that its loss reached $64.7 million as of February after North Korea forbidden the access to Geumgang mount and Gaesong.

2009.03.10 –Seoul City encourages expatriates to become volunteers and help foreign communities in Seoul (interpreting, operating websites, etc.)

2009.03.09 – French Chambers of Commerce and Industry in South Korea (FKCCI) and China (CCIFC) will organize March 20th a meeting on “Prospects and keys to success for French companies in Korea: how to approach Korean market from China?” and presented amongst other by Philippe Li, FKCCI President.

2009.03.09 – Chaebols, Korean conglomerates, announced big hiring plans: LG Electronics recruits 6,000 new workers, Samsung Electronics plans more than 7,500, Posco expects 2,000 new workers and Hanwha seeks 300 interns.

2009.03.09 – North-Korean voted on Sunday for the Supreme People’s Assembly, election which could provide a clue of the country’s next leader, probably Kim Jong-Il’s (67) son, Kim Jong-Un (26). At the same time, a spokesperson of the North-Korea Army declares that intercepting their “satellite” will mean the beginning of the war.

2009.03.09 – According to Kim Young-Jin (Party Democratic) who made public data from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, 18% of foreign school teachers are unlicensed (survey excluding French and German schools).

2009.03.06 – Four Korean movies have been selected to the Deauville Asian Film Festival which will make a special tribute to South Korea for this 11th edition: Breathless, Members of the Funeral, The Chaser and The Divine Weapon.

2009.03.06 – Over $432 billion, of which half will be used this year, will be devoted to green investments in the world. By country and value, South Korea is in first position ($26 billion) with 69% of green investments in its stimulus plan, followed by China with 34% ($200 billion, first rank in volume) and Germany with 19% ($12 billion).

2009.03.06 – The EU-South Korea FTA faces strong anger of European car manufacturers, including Carlos Ghosn, Renault Group CEO, who leads the EU automakers association (ACEA) and declares they were ready to give explanations, reasons and alternatives to the European Commission.

2009.03.05 – Corée Affaires, French-Korean news-magazine of the FKCCI, is now available (two articles) on the website aujourdhuilacorée.com, information in French on South Korea.

2009.03.05 – Hyundai Kia Automotive Group plans to invest $5.9 billion to expand its facility and increase research & development.

2009.03.05 – More and more economists are alarmist regarding South Korea economic situation, projecting that the recovery will take more time than estimated and speaking of GDP contraction by 5 to 8% for the first quarter (vs. 2008), projection pessimist as the one made during the 97’ Asian Crisis.

2009.03.05 – Vana World, Japanese private capital fund, is interesting by investing $3 billion in IFEZ (Incheon Free Economic Zone).

2009.03.05 – Crisis hits wine bars. Some wine bars’ owners have seen their sales dropping by 40% comparing to last year and plan to expand their offer with beers and local dishes.

2009.03.04 – To support the won which hits its 11-year low against dollar, South Korea authorities decided to sale dollars for the second day consecutively.

2009.03.04 – South Korea ranks 2nd (after Sweden) in the world ranking countries which are developing the most quickly through telecommunication and Internet services, indicated Telecommunication International Union. France ranks 23rd, winning two places compared to last year.

2009.03.04 – The newly elected US President Barack Obama wishes to accelerate the ratification process of the KORUS FTA, to finalize it by the end of this year (“President Obama's 2009 Trade Agenda « ).

2009.03.04 – South Korea plans to increase the security in its cities by installing 7.131 outdoor CCTV in 2009, representing $53.4 million, announced the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

2009.03.03 – The sales (including international one) of car manufacturer Renault Samsung increased by 11.7% in February 2009 (vs. February 2008) reaching 10,418 units, while the national leader Hyundai Motor (about 50% of the local market) announced a decrease of 3.2%.

2009.03.03 – Won hits 11-year low against dollar, with 1,570 won for 1 dollar. The symbolic mark of 2,000 won for 1 euro has been exceeded.

2009.03.03 – South Korea industrial production fells, for the fourth consecutive month, with -25.6% decrease in January 2009 (vs. 2008), according to the National Statistic Office.

2009.03.03 – The largest South Korea airlines Korean Air, which celebrated its 40th anniversary, aims to enter the world “top 10” air carriers by reaching $16 billion of sales by 2019.

2009.03.02 – Government announced to help Korea through an extra budget of $19.5 billion. Ministry of Strategy and Finance said they will help companies with up to $156 million to create new job and will support one million low-income households next month offering 150,000 to 200,000 won ($97-$130) to each.

2009.03.02 – The mayor’s new residence will be converted in an international business center for SMEs from October 2009. With services such as consultation, trade, attracting new investment, exchange, conference, and accommodations, this center will help Korean SMEs to work with foreign companies.

2009.03.02 – Economists and experts said March will be a pivotal month for Korea to fight against crisis and recession as they forecast economic conditions of the 2009 first quarter to be worthier than the last of 2008 (-5.6%).

2009.03.02 – Song Young-Il, three-term member of the National Assembly, who chaired the Korea-France Parliamentarian’s Friendship Association from 2004 to 2008, received the title of Knight of the French Legion of Honor by French Ambassador.