news highlight

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  S. Korea approves merger of Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea has approved the merger of three low-cost carriers — Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul — clearing a major regulatory hurdle ahead of their planned integration in March 2027. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Thursday it had granted conditional approval for the merger, requiring the airlines to strengthen flight safety systems and implement consumer protection measures. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) also app November 12, 2026
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  Seoul downplays concerns over foreign command of Cheonghae unit SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's defense ministry said Thursday that any tactical control over its Cheonghae naval unit by multinational commanders would be strictly limited, amid concerns over its potential involvement near the Strait of Hormuz. Defense ministry spokesperson Jeong Bit-na told a regular press briefing that such authority could be exercised only "temporarily and within a specific area," emphasizing its limited scope. Her remarks came after th November 12, 2026
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  Pearl Abyss Q3 operating profit falls 9% on higher costs SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korean game developer Pearl Abyss said Thursday its third-quarter operating profit fell 9 percent from a year earlier as costs rose after the launch of its hit console title Crimson Desert. According to regulatory filings, operating profit for the July to September quarter came to 20.7 billion won ($15.5 million), down from 22.7 billion won a year earlier. Revenue rose 18.1 percent to 101.5 billion won. Net profit fell to 10.8 billion won from November 12, 2026
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  South Korean chip giants diverge amid Nvidia's deepening scandal SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - The prospect of Nvidia losing its founder split South Korea's two chip giants on Thursday, pulling down SK hynix, the memory maker seen as most exposed to Nvidia. SK hynix fell 1.8 percent to 1,254,000 won (US$942.1). Samsung Electronics instead held on to gains, rising 1.0 percent to 208,000 won ($156.3). The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gave back an early climb and finished 0.6 percent below the previous day's close, ending a two-d November 12, 2026
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  HK Express bets on Korea as airline margins tighten SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - HK Express is pushing deeper into South Korea’s crowded budget airline market, betting that more flight options and a stronger local presence can draw Korean travelers back to Hong Kong. The Cathay Pacific subsidiary is expanding its share of flights between the two markets even as overall Korean visitor arrivals in Hong Kong decline. Its challenge is to turn that growing passenger base into sustained profits while preparing for a larger Korean compe November 12, 2026
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  Samsung breaks ground on $34 billion HBM packaging hub in Asan SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics broke ground Thursday on an advanced chip packaging facility in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, as part of a 46 trillion won ($34 billion) investment plan aimed at expanding production capacity for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in artificial intelligence servers. President Lee Jae-myung and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the company's Onyang campus, marking the launch of the November 12, 2026
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  Seoul outlines first military energy plan to boost battlefield resilience SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's defense ministry unveiled its first military energy transition plan Thursday, aimed at securing reliable power supplies for military operations and meeting rising energy demands. The ministry held a final review meeting Thursday, chaired by Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee, with around 30 officials from the ministry, the armed services and related agencies in attendance. The plan outlines 12 initiatives across four areas aimed at impr November 12, 2026
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  Intel recites AI mantra in Seoul amid Nvidia turmoil SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Intel tried to keep the AI optimism alive in Seoul on Thursday as it followed Nvidia onto the conference stage while turmoil at its larger rival cast a gloom over the industry’s growth story. The Intel AI Summit came days after Nvidia’s event in the same city. The company that has drawn investment and attention away from Intel’s traditional processor business was facing a leadership crisis: Nvidia’s board was meeting to conside November 12, 2026
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  North Korea-linked hackers resume cyber operations to steal drone technology SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - A North Korea-linked hacking group has apparently resumed cyberespionage operations targeting Europe's drone industry, Voice of America reported on Thursday. Citing a report by Slovakia-based cybersecurity firm ESET, the U.S. state-funded broadcaster said the Lazarus Group resumed its hacking activities around June. The group used fake job offers to trick employees at defense companies into installing malicious software, in an attempt to obtain sensiti November 12, 2026