AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Kim Hee-su
Kim Hee-su김희수
ReporterMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Seoul City Hall & Defense, Foreign Affairs
Kim Hee-su is a bilingual reporter at AJU Press, covering defense and foreign affairs. Before joining AJP in 2025, she worked at The Korea Times, where she wrote interview stories, including a profile of North Korean defector Kim Gum-hyok, and produced digital content. She also previously worked as a researcher for KBS News 9’s International News Department, supporting correspondents in 10 countries around the world. She graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada with a double major in Book and Media Studies and East Asian Studies. "I'm driven by storytelling."
Latest by Kim Hee-su
  • Seoul reviewing options for contribution to Hormuz security, top security adviser says
    Seoul reviewing options for contribution to Hormuz security, top security adviser says SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korea is reviewing various options for a possible contribution to international efforts to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, but no specific measure has been decided yet, Presidential National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday. “We are at the stage of reviewing various possibilities,” Wi told reporters when asked about Seoul’s possible practical contribution to ensuring stability in the key Middle East waterway. “We are responding to these consultations and internally reviewing several possibilities,” he said. “Depending on the issue, there are still matters on which we need to build consensus with the National Assembly or the public.” Wi said the government believes South Korea should actively participate in and contribute to efforts to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, given its importance to the country’s economy and security. “The freedom of navigation through Hormuz is an issue in which we also have important economic and security interests,” he said. “The government is reviewing options for what we can do under the judgment that we should actively participate and contribute.” His remarks suggest that while Washington has not made a specific request, Seoul is preparing for possible participation in international efforts should they be launched to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz. Wi also stressed that any decision cannot be made by the government alone. “Of course, this is not something the government can decide on its own,” he said. “There are still steps to build consensus with the National Assembly and the public under relevant legal procedures.” Under South Korea’s Constitution, the deployment of troops overseas requires approval from the National Assembly. Wi also addressed growing concerns over military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said Russia wants North Korea to send an additional 30,000 troops and that discussions are underway. “We are watching military cooperation between Russia and North Korea with great interest and concern,” Wi said. “We want to make efforts so that it does not move in a more aggravated direction, but rather decreases and eventually disappears.” Wi did not give a specific assessment when asked about the possibility of additional North Korean troop deployments. But he said such military cooperation violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. “Our position is that military cooperation that violates the U.N. Security Council resolutions should be stopped,” he said. On a separate incident in which South Korean forces reportedly mistook a U.S. reconnaissance drone flown during a combined exercise for an unidentified aircraft and prepared a shootdown response, Wi dismissed concerns that the case reflected lax military discipline or poor communication between the allies. “I understand that there was communication between South Korea and the United States and that our side was aware of such plans,” Wi said, referring to the operation of the drone. “I do not think there was any particular problem,” he said. “I do not see it as a matter of communication or discipline.” Asked whether there had been problems in reporting the matter within the South Korean military, Wi said reports that working-level officials failed to pass on the information did not appear to be true. “We need to look at how far up the chain of command such information should properly be reported,” he said. “I do not think this was a problem of communication or discipline. There does not appear to have been any particular problem.” 2026-08-01 09:46:01
  • Hanwha eyes third Poland K9 deal after $1 bn quarterly profit milestone
    Hanwha eyes third Poland K9 deal after $1 bn quarterly profit milestone SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace remained bullish on the second half after nearly reaching the $1 billion milestone in quarterly operating profit, supported by a record order backlog, mass production under Poland's second K9 execution contract, deliveries to Egypt and Australia, and negotiations for a third K9 deal with Warsaw. The company reported second-quarter operating profit of 1.37 trillion won ($951 million), up 59 percent from a year earlier, on consolidated sales of 9.29 trillion won, which rose 47 percent. The results were driven by steady deliveries from its land systems business in domestic and overseas markets, alongside strong contributions from affiliates Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems. Hanwha Aerospace's land systems division generated 2.11 trillion won in sales and 533 billion won in operating profit, up 19 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Domestic revenue benefited from increased production of key weapons systems including the Chunho wheeled anti-aircraft gun system and Chungum anti-tank guided missile, while exports to Poland, Egypt and the Middle East proceeded as scheduled. The division's order backlog expanded to 38.3 trillion won at the end of June after securing additional export contracts, including a 940 billion won K9 self-propelled howitzer deal with Finland in April and an additional Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher contract with Estonia in May. During a conference call, executives said negotiations over a third K9 execution contract with Poland are progressing, with localization forming the centerpiece of the proposed agreement. "The third K9 execution contract is based on localization, and we are currently in detailed discussions," a company official said. "We expect to reach a conclusion as early as this year." The company also said construction has begun on its Chunmoo missile joint venture in Poland, with the factory scheduled for completion in 2029 and production to begin in 2030. In the United States, Hanwha Aerospace said it is awaiting the selection of a preferred bidder for the U.S. Army's next-generation self-propelled howitzer program, which could be announced around August following delays. The company is also close to finalizing the location of a planned U.S. ammunition manufacturing facility as part of its localization strategy. "We are at the stage just before finalizing the site for localization investment," the official said. "We hope to reach a conclusion in the second half and lead it to a contract." Management said defense demand remains robust across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. Rather than weakening exports, the growing emphasis on local production is becoming part of the company's strategy to secure larger overseas contracts. Hanwha Aerospace pointed to its localization projects—including the Chunmoo missile venture in Poland, K9 and Redback production in Australia, and industrial cooperation in Egypt—as examples of adapting to customers' procurement requirements. In the Middle East, executives said heightened geopolitical tensions continue to support demand for air-defense systems, although contract procedures could take longer amid regional uncertainty. They added that stronger demand for air-defense systems is complementing rather than replacing demand for traditional land systems. The aerospace division posted 760 billion won in sales and 37 billion won in operating profit, with revenue rising 17 percent from a year earlier as increased military programs helped the business return to profitability. The company also highlighted aircraft engines as its next strategic growth area. Earlier this month, Hanwha Aerospace and the Agency for Defense Development unveiled two domestically developed unmanned-aircraft engine prototypes—a 5,500-pound-class turbofan for stealth UAVs and a 1,400-horsepower turboprop for medium-altitude reconnaissance drones—and began ground testing. The program marks a technological shift from missile propulsion systems, which operate for minutes, to aircraft engines designed to run reliably for thousands of hours. Hanwha Aerospace said it intends to leverage the project to participate in future government programs developing indigenous 10,000-pound-class turbofan engines and other advanced aircraft propulsion systems. Shares of Hanwha Aerospace closed 6.0 percent higher at 917,000 won on Friday. 2026-07-31 17:06:37
  • Hanwha Aerospace posts record Q2 operating profit near $1 billion
    Hanwha Aerospace posts record Q2 operating profit near $1 billion SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Friday its second-quarter operating profit reached a record 1.37 trillion won ($951 million), nearing the $1 billion mark, driven by steady defense deliveries at home and abroad and strong earnings from Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems. The company posted 9.29 trillion won ($6.5 billion) in consolidated sales for the April-June period, up 47 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit rose 59 percent on-year to 1.37 trillion won. By business, the land systems division reported 2.11 trillion won in sales and 533 billion won in operating profit, up 19 percent and 2 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. Domestic sales were supported by increased production of major programs, including the Chunho wheeled anti-aircraft gun system and the Chungum anti-tank guided missile. Overseas deliveries to Poland, Egypt and the Middle East also proceeded as scheduled and were reflected in earnings. The company’s order backlog stood at about 38.3 trillion won, supported by additional export orders including a K9 self-propelled howitzer deal with Finland worth about 940 billion won in April and an additional Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher supply contract with Estonia in May. The aerospace division posted 760 billion won in sales and 37 billion won in operating profit. Sales rose 17 percent from a year earlier on increased military volume, while the division swung to an operating profit. Hanwha Ocean reported 5.44 trillion won in sales and 736.1 billion won in operating profit, marking its strongest quarterly performance since being acquired by Hanwha Aerospace. Sales rose 65 percent on-year and operating profit increased 98 percent, helped by a higher share of revenue from profitable commercial ship projects, including liquefied natural gas carriers. Hanwha Systems posted 1.12 trillion won in sales and a record operating profit of 103.7 billion won, supported by increased exports of key products such as multifunction radar systems. “Hanwha Aerospace expects to maintain solid earnings in the second half, supported by mass production under Poland’s second K9 execution contract and deliveries of K9 howitzers to Egypt and Australia,” a company official said. “Based on the aircraft engine development capabilities demonstrated through our recently unveiled unmanned aerial vehicle engine prototype, we will also actively participate in the government’s advanced aircraft engine development program to strengthen Korea’s aviation industry self-reliance and export competitiveness,” the official added. 2026-07-31 14:11:56
  • Average South Korean conscript gains 4 kg in a decade
    Average South Korean conscript gains 4 kg in a decade SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - South Korea's average military conscript is now nearly 4 kilograms heavier than a decade ago, underscoring a decade-long expansion of the nation's waistline that has pushed obesity to nearly one in three 19-year-old men, government data showed Friday. The Military Manpower Administration said that the data is based on military service examinations conducted on Korean men at age 19. The indicators cover 24 categories, including body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, liver function, blood tests and mental health-related classifications. This year’s analysis covered 2.95 million records from 11 years of screening data for men born between 1996 and 2006. According to the agency, the average weight of 19-year-old men rose from 69.44 kilograms to 73.37 kilograms over the 10-year period, an increase of 3.93 kilograms. The rise was more pronounced among heavier young men. The average weight of those in the top 10 percent increased by 7.8 kilograms, while the figure for those in the bottom 10 percent rose by only 0.6 kilogram. This means the weight gain among the heaviest group was about 13 times larger than that of the lightest group. The share of men classified as obese, defined as having a BMI of 25 or higher, climbed from 23 percent to 31 percent, up 8 percentage points. Over the same period, the share of men with normal weight fell from 49 percent to 41 percent, also an 8 percentage-point drop. The data also showed that obese men had higher systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels than underweight men, suggesting that risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are increasing alongside weight gain. The agency said the statistics are significant because they are based on standardized medical exams conducted under established procedures for military service classification. It said the accumulated data can be used not only for determining fitness for military duty but also as basic material for national health policy targeting young adults. The statistics will be published annually through the Korean Statistical Information Service and the public data portal. Raw data may also be made available for research purposes after personal information is removed, the agency said. 2026-07-31 13:19:13
  • Delta to operate temporary Incheon-Las Vegas flights for CES 2027
    Delta to operate temporary Incheon-Las Vegas flights for CES 2027 SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - Delta Air Lines will operate temporary nonstop flights between Incheon and Las Vegas for Korean travelers attending CES 2027, the company said Friday. The special flights will depart from Incheon International Airport from Jan. 3 to 5 and arrive at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas ahead of CES 2027, which will be held from Jan. 6 to 9. Return flights from Las Vegas to Incheon will operate from Jan. 9 to 10. The Incheon-Las Vegas service will be operated with Delta’s A350-900 aircraft, featuring four cabin classes: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main. Passengers flying in Delta One Suites will have access to lie-flat seats with privacy doors, Missoni amenity kits and bedding, as well as premium dining and beverage services. Delta Premium Select offers wider seats, additional recline and upgraded in-flight service. “CES is one of the most iconic stages for global innovation,” said Athar Khan, Delta’s director of global sales for Asia Pacific. “Delta is uniquely positioned to connect customers to Las Vegas through its strong global network.” Khan added that Delta would offer more convenient and differentiated premium travel options through new services from Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as expanded operations in major U.S. markets including Austin. Delta said it plans to operate more than 120 peak-period flights during CES 2027 by launching new nonstop routes in Asia and increasing U.S. domestic services. The airline said new direct services from Hong Kong and Taipei to Las Vegas will strengthen its trans-Pacific network for the annual technology trade show, complementing existing routes from Seoul-Incheon and Shanghai Pudong. Korean Air, Delta’s joint venture partner, will also temporarily add flights to Las Vegas during the CES period in addition to its regular services. Delta’s Incheon-Las Vegas flights will include DL26, departing Incheon at 7:25 p.m. and arriving in Las Vegas at 1:35 p.m. on Jan. 3, 4 and 5; DL170, departing Incheon at 8:35 p.m. and arriving at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 4; and DL172, departing Incheon at 6:35 p.m. and arriving at 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 5. Return flights will include DL27, departing Las Vegas at 11:10 p.m. and arriving in Incheon at 5:45 a.m. the following day on Jan. 9 and 10, and DL171, departing Las Vegas at 9:15 a.m. and arriving in Incheon at 3:50 p.m. the following day on Jan. 10. Bookings for the CES 2027 special flights are available through Delta’s and Korean Air’s official websites. 2026-07-31 11:00:34
  • South Korean military nearly shot down U.S. drone near border
    South Korean military nearly shot down U.S. drone near border SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - South Korean forces nearly shot down a U.S. Marine Corps drone flying near the inter-Korean border after front-line units failed to identify it as part of an allied exercise, military sources said Friday. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon in the northern border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where U.S. Marines were conducting training as part of KMEP, a combined exercise between the South Korean and U.S. Marine Corps. As part of the drill, the U.S. Marines launched a fixed-wing reconnaissance drone over the area. But South Korean military authorities said the flight plan had not been properly relayed to relevant front-line units. The Army’s Ground Operations Command reportedly assessed the unidentified drone as a possible aerial threat and activated “Durumi,” an air defense response posture designed to counter North Korean drone infiltrations. The system can involve the deployment of air defense assets, including anti-aircraft guns. No live fire took place. The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday that the aircraft was a U.S. military drone, according to military officials. Under military procedures, drone flights near the Military Demarcation Line must be reported in advance to the Army’s Ground Operations Command and receive prior approval. South Korean military officials said the U.S. side had not completed the required procedure. U.S. Forces Korea, however, said the flight plan for the drone, which was participating in the combined exercise, had been shared with the South Korean military in advance. The incident has raised questions over the allies’ reporting and information-sharing systems, as a communication failure nearly led to a serious mishap involving the possible shootdown of an allied aircraft. USFK described the case as an “incident” and said it is assessing what happened while continuing to coordinate with the South Korean Marine Corps and local authorities. 2026-07-31 10:33:26
  • KAI signs MOU with Embraer on aircraft structures
    KAI signs MOU with Embraer on aircraft structures SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer to begin strategic cooperation in the field of aircraft structures, the company said Thursday. The agreement was signed on July 28 during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Brazil, laying the groundwork for broader cooperation between the two companies in future aerospace technologies. KAI said the MOU is aimed at exploring potential business opportunities and identifying future areas of cooperation based on the two companies’ technological capabilities and expertise. Under the agreement, KAI and Embraer will seek cooperation in various areas, including research and development of new technologies and opportunities in aircraft structures. The companies plan to combine KAI’s aerospace engineering capabilities with Embraer’s aircraft development and manufacturing expertise to strengthen technological competitiveness, improve manufacturing efficiency and support continued growth in the aerospace industry. The MOU also covers potential cooperation in design, engineering, manufacturing and quality control, with a focus on optimizing production processes and improving cost competitiveness. “The MOU with Embraer marks an important step in expanding KAI’s international partnerships with leading global aerospace companies,” KAI CEO Kim Jong-chul said. Embraer, founded in 1969, is a global aerospace company with a portfolio covering commercial aircraft with up to 150 seats, business jets, defense, security and agricultural aviation. The company has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft worldwide. 2026-07-30 17:57:07
  • Military to inspect guard operations across Army corps after ammunition controversy
    Military to inspect guard operations across Army corps after ammunition controversy SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s military will inspect guard operations across all Army corps after controversy emerged over a front-line unit’s decision not to keep live ammunition loaded in crew-served weapons during border guard operations. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday, the Army’s Ground Operations Command will begin the inspection with I Corps and expand it to all subordinate corps. The review will look into whether other corps have changed guard operation guidelines at the discretion of their commanders, as I Corps did. It will also examine the operation of crew-served weapons and troop deployment at front-line guard posts and general outposts. A military official said the inspection will not be limited to I Corps, which was at the center of the controversy, but will cover all corps-level units. “We plan to check whether guard units are properly carrying out their functions, including the operation of crew-served weapons, and take necessary measures if needed,” the official said. The Ground Operations Command oversees six corps: five regional corps, including the Capital Corps and I, II, III and V Corps, as well as the VII Maneuver Corps. The controversy began after it was revealed that I Corps, which oversees the western front, had changed its guard operation guidelines in the first half of this year so that live ammunition would not be loaded into crew-served weapons, including K6 heavy machine guns and K4 automatic grenade launchers, at front-line guard posts and general outposts. In front-line units, South Korean troops are generally required to keep such weapons loaded with live ammunition. But I Corps reportedly changed the guideline at the corps commander’s discretion, keeping ammunition in ammunition boxes rather than loaded into the weapons. The measure was reportedly intended to prevent accidental discharges. However, critics have raised concerns that the change could weaken the military’s readiness to respond to emergencies in front-line areas near the border. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, which oversees military operations, had not been briefed on the change in I Corps’ guard operation guidelines. 2026-07-30 17:32:40
  • South Koreas RIMPAC command marks a naval coming of age
    South Korea's RIMPAC command marks a naval coming of age SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea crossed a milestone in its decades-long naval evolution this week by commanding the maritime component of the world's largest multinational naval exercise for the first time, underscoring Seoul's growing ambition to become a blue-water navy capable of operating far beyond the Korean Peninsula. The Republic of Korea Navy served as commander of the Combined Forces Maritime Component during this year's Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), becoming the first Asian country and only the fourth non-U.S. navy to assume the role since the exercise began in 1971. While overall command remained with the U.S.-led Combined Task Force, the appointment placed a South Korean admiral in charge of planning and coordinating multinational maritime operations involving surface combatants, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft from participating navies. The distinction is more than ceremonial. Rather than simply contributing ships to a multinational drill, South Korea helped direct how allied and partner naval forces operated together at sea — a responsibility reflecting the growing confidence of both Seoul and Washington in the Korean Navy's operational capabilities. "This is a historic milestone in leadership," U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and commander of the RIMPAC Combined Task Force, said during a virtual press briefing marking the conclusion of the exercise. Jablon noted that South Korea, alongside Chile, Canada and Japan, held leadership positions across different components of the exercise. "These leadership roles are not simply symbolic. They are operational," he said, emphasizing that participating countries contributed real capabilities while exercising command responsibilities. Rear Adm. Kim In-ho, who led the Combined Forces Maritime Component, described the exercise as another step in expanding the Korean Navy's multinational operational experience. "This was a valuable opportunity to improve the capabilities of the Republic of Korea Navy," Kim said, adding that the Navy had fulfilled the responsibilities and expectations entrusted to it. The appointment capped more than three decades of steadily expanding responsibilities within RIMPAC. South Korea formally joined the exercise in 1990 as a participant. In 2022 it commanded an expeditionary strike group. Two years later it became deputy commander of the maritime component. This year it assumed the top maritime operational command beneath the overall U.S.-led task force. The progression mirrors the broader transformation of the Korean Navy. For decades, South Korea's naval strategy centered overwhelmingly on coastal defense and deterring North Korea around the peninsula. But as South Korea emerged as one of the world's leading trading nations—whose economy depends heavily on uninterrupted maritime commerce—the Navy increasingly shifted toward protecting sea lines of communication and participating in multinational maritime operations. That evolution has been accompanied by significant modernization. For this year's RIMPAC, South Korea deployed the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, the 3,000-ton submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, illustrating the expanding range and sophistication of its fleet. The exercise itself also reflected the widening geography of Indo-Pacific security cooperation. In addition to long-standing participants including the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea, this year's exercise included expanded participation from European and Pacific partners such as Poland, Spain, Greece, Guatemala and Fiji, underscoring the increasingly multinational character of regional maritime security. Defense analysts say South Korea's expanded role reflects more than institutional recognition within RIMPAC. It also comes as maritime security itself grows more complex. Ban Kil-joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said Seoul faces fundamentally different maritime challenges from North Korea and China. North Korea remains an immediate military threat centered on missiles, nuclear weapons and conventional provocations. China, by contrast, increasingly relies on so-called gray-zone activities that stop short of open conflict while gradually expanding its maritime presence. For South Korea, Ban said, those pressures are most evident in the Yellow Sea and around the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), where Chinese and Russian military aircraft have repeatedly approached or entered the zone, forcing South Korea to respond without allowing incidents to escalate. In the Yellow Sea, Beijing has likewise expanded its operational presence through structures and maritime activities in areas where the two countries' interests overlap. Although the Yellow Sea has not reached the level of militarization seen in the South China Sea, Ban said the pattern is familiar. "China first establishes a physical or operational presence and then gradually seeks to normalize that presence," he said. He argued that South Korea should study developments in the South China Sea as a cautionary example while strengthening maritime cooperation with Southeast Asian countries that have dealt with similar gray-zone tactics for years. Ban said Seoul should deepen maritime security cooperation on three fronts: leveraging U.S. operational experience through the alliance, expanding cooperation with ASEAN partners and participating more actively in international efforts to protect critical underwater infrastructure such as subsea communications cables. The exercise also highlighted the increasingly geopolitical nature of maritime operations. Asked whether RIMPAC was intended to prepare for a potential contingency involving Taiwan, Jablon rejected that interpretation. "RIMPAC is not about signaling to any one nation," he said, describing the exercise as a multinational effort to improve interoperability and readiness among participating navies. Washington has consistently maintained that the exercise is designed to strengthen collective maritime security rather than target any specific country. Beijing, however, has long portrayed RIMPAC as part of a broader U.S.-led containment strategy. Ahead of this year's exercise, China released footage of a DF-17 hypersonic missile launch for the first time, a move widely interpreted by regional analysts as a strategic show of force. The expanding strategic importance of maritime security extends well beyond traditional naval competition. Another maritime defense expert said recent tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated how disruptions at sea can quickly reverberate across the global economy, affecting energy supplies, trade routes, food security, digital connectivity and supply chains. The expert noted that maritime security today encompasses not only protecting commercial shipping but also safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining the rules-based international order that underpins global commerce. That broader definition is reshaping military strategy across the Indo-Pacific. The United States has increasingly focused on protecting strategic maritime chokepoints while expanding its attention to emerging theaters such as the Arctic. North Korea, meanwhile, is pursuing larger destroyers and strategic submarines in an apparent effort to develop limited blue-water capabilities of its own beyond the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's command role at RIMPAC therefore represents more than a milestone in a multinational exercise. For decades, the Korean Navy measured success largely by defending the peninsula. Commanding RIMPAC's maritime component suggests it is increasingly being judged by a different standard — whether it can help lead multinational naval operations across the wider Indo-Pacific. That shift marks not only the coming of age of South Korea's navy but also the country's steadily expanding role in shaping regional maritime security. 2026-07-30 17:04:25
  • Hanwha chairmans three sons promoted in major leadership reshuffle
    Hanwha chairman's three sons promoted in major leadership reshuffle SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - Hanwha Group said Thursday it will promote Chairman Kim Seung-youn’s three sons and replace the heads of five affiliates, in a major leadership reshuffle set to take effect on Aug. 1. Kim Dong-kwan, the chairman’s eldest son and vice chairman of Hanwha Group, will be promoted to senior vice chairman. Kim Dong-won, the second son and president of Hanwha Life, will become vice chairman, while Kim Dong-sun, the youngest son and vice president of Hanwha Vision, will be promoted to president. Hanwha said Kim Dong-kwan led the group’s defense, maritime, aerospace and energy businesses, driving rapid growth in global markets and successfully carrying out large-scale strategic projects. Kim Dong-won was credited with leading digital innovation and global expansion in the group’s financial business, while Kim Dong-sun was recognized for expanding Hanwha’s retail, leisure and food and beverage businesses, as well as producing results in advanced industries, including the semiconductor equipment market. The promotions come as Hanwha moves to expand business capabilities across key sectors. They also come after shareholders approved a plan to split Hanwha Corp. into a surviving company covering defense, shipbuilding, maritime, energy and financial businesses, and a newly created company covering tech and lifestyle businesses, a move seen as further clarifying the group’s third-generation succession structure. Hanwha also announced new CEO nominees for five affiliates. Lee Boo-hwan, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s guided weapons business, was named CEO nominee for Hanwha Aerospace’s business division. Hanwha said he will focus on expanding the company’s overseas defense business. The leadership change at Hanwha Aerospace comes after an explosion at the company’s Daejeon plant last month killed five people and injured two others. Yang Ki-won, CEO of Hanwha Impact, was named CEO nominee for Hanwha Systems. He is expected to lead the company’s global expansion in space and defense. Kang Jung-hoon, head of Hanwha TotalEnergies’ Daesan plant, was named CEO nominee for Hanwha Impact’s business division. Hanwha said he will focus on improving cost efficiency and profitability. Lim Dong-jun, head of Hanwha Asset Management’s strategic business unit, was named CEO nominee for Hanwha Asset Management. He will lead efforts to expand the company’s global and alternative investment businesses. Kim Ki-chul, CEO of Hanwha Vision, was named CEO nominee for Hanwha Semitech and will lead both companies. Hanwha said he will focus on expanding the semiconductor equipment business. The nominees will be formally appointed after approval at shareholders’ meetings and board meetings at each company. 2026-07-30 16:25:04