S.Korean firms hold off action after ICE detentions

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korean major companies with multibillion-dollar ventures in the United States are biding their time or adopting stopgap measures as they assess the fallout from the immigration raid at a Korean battery plant in Georgia. LG Energy Solution has suspended the final-stage construction of a $6 billion joint-venture battery plant with Hyundai Motor following the surprise raid by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and arrest of 475 workers. The b

September 17, 2025

School violence cases hit record high in South Korea

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Bullying and violence in South Korean schools have worsened despite tougher discipline and prevention efforts, with reported cases now affecting 5 percent of elementary school students, a government survey showed. Of the 3.26 million students from fourth grade through high school, 2.5 percent said they experienced school violence this year, up 0.4 percentage points from last year, according to the Education Ministry. The figure has steadily risen from 1

September 17, 2025

POSCO has eyes on HMM despite industry backlash and synergy doubts

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s POSCO Group remains committed to pursuing the country’s sea flag carrier HMM, despite fierce competition for the asset and vocal protests from the maritime industry. POSCO has been reviewing the option of going after state-owned stake in HMM in hopes to cut logistics costs and strengthen resilience against global supply chain disruptions. HMM, formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine, absorbed assets and the Asia–U.S. East Coast

September 17, 2025

Korea's Hanwha Ocean bags $1.4-bln order for LNG carriers from Taiwan

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s three largest shipyards, has bagged an order of 1.93 trillion won ($1.4 billion) from Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine Transport to deliver seven liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled container ships. The shipbuilder disclosed that the contract calls for construction of seven 15,880 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) LNG dual-fuel containers at Hanwha’s Okpo Shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, with deliv

September 17, 2025

KAI pins hopes on $7 bn U.S. jet trainer program

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is betting big on winning a $7 billion U.S. Navy contract to replace its aging T-45 trainer jets, leaning on its proven record with advanced trainers already in service worldwide. KAI has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to offer the TF-50N, a naval variant of the single-engine T-50 jet trainer that is in service or on order with seven countries. The U.S. Navy will receive proposals for its Undergraduate Jet Training Sy

September 17, 2025

South Korea's industry minister defends nuclear expansion amid policy rift

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The battle over South Korea’s nuclear future flared again Tuesday, as Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan insisted that two new reactors and one small modular reactor must be built, challenging President Lee Jae Myung’s push to emphasize renewable energy. Kim Jung-kwan, minister of trade, industry and energy, told reporters that two new reactors and one small modular reactor (SMR) must be built as planned, despite skepticism from President Lee a

September 17, 2025

SK On names European sales head

SK On, a major player in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market, has created a new European sales division and appointed Thomas Eller as its head. The appointment of Eller, who has nearly two decades of experience at Continental and a history of working with top-tier automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, signals SK On's intent to strengthen its presence in the critical European market. The company's strategy involves creating a "customized coopera

September 17, 2025

POSCO chairman leads South Korea-Australia economic cooperation

POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa, acting as the South Korean chair for the South Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Committee, is pushing for expanded cooperation beyond traditional economic ties. This push was the central theme of the 46th joint meeting of the committee, held at FKI Tower in Seoul. The gathering, attended by approximately 200 officials from both nations, including Australia-Korea Business Council chair Martin Ferguson, sought to strengthen ties in indust

September 17, 2025

South Korea prepares response to Mexico's tariff hike plan

The South Korean government is taking steps to address Mexico's planned tariff hikes, a move that threatens to disrupt supply chains and raise costs for major South Korean companies. The tariffs, which are part of Mexico's new legislative initiative, are expected to target 1,463 product classifications, a significant increase from previous measures. Affected items include auto parts, steel, home appliances, and textiles — all sectors where South Korean firms hav

September 17, 2025

Hyundai Motor joins international hydrogen energy conference in Japan

Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that it participated in the 7th Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Osaka, Japan, on Sept. 15. The Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting, initiated in 2018, gathers officials from major countries and international organizations to discuss hydrogen energy promotion and global cooperation. This year, it was held alongside the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted by Japan

September 17, 2025