South Korean and Chinese SMEs discussed ways to expand bilateral green partnerships in a forum on Nov. 29 in Qingdao, Shandong province, China.

The release of the iPhone 5 as unlocked and contract-free is being eyed as to whether it will stir up competition in the market of mobile virtual network operators, which offer more affordable wireless payment plans.

South Korea's central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.75 percent Thursday for a second straight month as the economy shows signs of recovering from a yearlong slump.

Korea has attracted investment totaling about US$160 million (172 billion won) from an enterprise in the United States through the government-led investor relations session, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said Sunday.

Production growth in Korea's manufacturing sector slowed to near zero, its worst since more than three years ago when the nation was hit hardest by the global financial crisis.

South Korean's Fair Trade Commission has levied fines on enterprises totaling 913.8 billion won (US$846.1 million) so far this year, an all-time high on a yearly basis.

South Korea's economy grew 0.1 percent in the third quarter from the previous three months — the slowest pace in more than three years, on shrinking investment and manufacturing, data showed Thursday.

The South Korean government unveiled measures Monday allowing it access to more details on the activities of foreign investors in a bid to reduce volatility in financial markets.

South Korea's inflation rate slowed to a three-month low in November, government data showed Monday, allowing more room for the central bank to cut rates to bolster growth.

The economic outlook next year may be downbeat but firms should still expect moderate rises in travel spending, said a new report.