Korean Businesses Set for China Thaw, Though Wounds Remain

  • Korean Air Lines to restore capacity; Lotte stores remain shut
  • Hyundai Research had seen Thaad costing companies $7.6 billion

Robots weld frames of vehicle on the production line at the Hyundai Motor Co. factory in Asan, South Korea, on Monday, Jan. 21, 2014.

Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg
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For many companies caught in the middle of a year-long political dispute between China and South Korea, the detente announced Tuesday formalizes a thawing that’s been in the making for months.

From airlines to retailers, industries have been moving toward a reconciliation as tensions eased. While Hyundai Motor Co. and Lotte Group are among companies that are still working through the damages from Seoul’s decision to deploy a U.S. missile shield, some have seen business return to former levels.