Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Korea Automotive Technology Institute, AP위성 sign MOU on space-mobility technology The Korea Automotive Technology Institute said it is moving to strengthen global competitiveness in the space-mobility industry. The institute said it signed a memorandum of understanding with AP위성 on Tuesday at AP위성’s headquarters in Seoul’s Geumcheon district to cooperate on securing technological competitiveness in space mobility and building an innovation-driven industrial ecosystem. The institute said the agreement comes as major countries, including the United States with its Artemis program and “Moon to Mars architecture,” as well as China, Europe and Japan, accelerate crewed lunar and Mars exploration. It said the partnership aims to secure core next-generation space-mobility technologies and respond to fast-changing global markets. Under the MOU, the two organizations plan to pursue joint research on space-mobility development projects, along with technology development, performance verification and the creation of evaluation systems, and to expand cooperation over time. Planned areas of cooperation include developing a prototype model for lunar exploration mobility and developing artificial intelligence-integrated avionics for space mobility. Jin Jong-wook, the institute’s president, said space mobility is a key industry that will shape future national competitiveness and requires advanced technology and cross-disciplinary capabilities. “Through this cooperation, we will secure homegrown core technologies and promote the creation of an innovative ecosystem, actively contributing to the development of South Korea’s space industry and strengthening its competitiveness,” Jin said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 14:45:00 -
Trade chief vows to find 'mutually beneficial' tariff solution with US SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the United States have been working closely to come up with a "reasonable solution" to tariff-related issues after U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt threat last week to raise tariffs, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Yeo Han-koo said on Wednesday. While wrapping up his weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., Yeo told reporters that he met with numerous U.S. government officials including representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, as well as members of Congress and business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to figure out what lies behind Trump's threat. Trump warned last week that he would raise reciprocal tariffs on Seoul from 15 percent back to 25 percent, citing delays in implementing a broader deal between the two allies reached in October last year, which includes Seoul's massive investment pledges to the U.S. Expressing concern over the potential impact of tariff increases on businesses and industries, the minister conveyed Seoul's commitment to implementing the agreement. Yeo further explained that he met with about 20 U.S. lawmakers to address their concerns and clarify any misunderstandings related to the deal, discussing necessary legislative or administrative procedures to facilitate the agreement. "We will continue discussions with the U.S. to find a mutually beneficial solution," he said. Yeo returns home on Thursday. 2026-02-04 14:43:19 -
South Korea’s MU:DS museum brand to debut in Europe at Milan Korea House South Korea’s national museum merchandise brand MU:DS is set to make its European debut. The National Museum Foundation of Korea said Tuesday it will present MU:DS at Korea House in Italy from Feb. 5 to 22 during the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Korea House, operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, will be set up at Villa Necchi Campiglio, a historic building in central Milan. The foundation said it plans to introduce visitors to K-culture through MU:DS, which reinterprets Korean cultural heritage with a modern sensibility. MU:DS will appear under the global slogan, “MU:DS, K-Culture Unboxed - Reimagining Tradition, Redefining K-Culture.” For the event, the foundation selected 96 products across five themes: pensive bodhisattva, celadon, white porcelain, mother-of-pearl lacquerware and K-pop Demon Hunters. It said items drawing on Korean motifs highlighted by the popularity of Netflix’s animated “K-pop Demon Hunters” — including a gat hat, magpie-and-tiger imagery and the Irwolobongdo screen — will be featured prominently. The foundation called the appearance MU:DS’ first official entry into the European market. To mark it, 19 popular items will be sold on-site, including a “Pensive Bodhisattva” miniature from the “Mind” series, a magpie-and-tiger badge and key rings. The foundation said it aims to use Korea House not only for sports diplomacy but also as a distribution platform showcasing Korean lifestyle products. It said museum merchandise sales totaled 41.3 billion won last year. MU:DS also sold out within a week when it was introduced alongside an overseas traveling exhibition of items donated by the late Lee Kun-hee at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington. Jeong Yong-seok, president of the National Museum Foundation of Korea, said, “It is meaningful to share the beauty of our cultural heritage at the Winter Olympics, a festival for people around the world.” He added, “This expansion into Europe will be an important turning point in confirming the global competitiveness of K-goods,” and said he hopes MU:DS becomes a national representative brand people worldwide want to own. Separately, the foundation said it will support Naver’s group cheering event for the Winter Olympics for two days starting Feb. 15 by providing items including a “Denny Taegeukgi” key ring and a miniature bag inspired by a zoomorphic earthenware vessel. Korea House will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can enter by reserving through the official website or applying on-site. 2026-02-04 14:39:00 -
Songs and poems told by hands SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Poetries were read and choir songs sung, but not aloud at Modu Art Theater in Seodaemun, western Seoul on Feb. 3. At 2 p.m., the 6th Korean Sign Language Day commemorative ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, began not with applause, but with raised hands, flowing gestures and attentive silence. Each movement carried rhythm. Each pause held meaning. Here, language was not spoken — it was performed. Korean Sign Language Day, observed annually on Feb. 3, is a statutory anniversary designated to promote Korean Sign Language as the unique language of the deaf, with equal status to spoken Korean. Beyond recognition, the day serves as a reminder that communication takes many forms — and that all deserve respect. This year’s ceremony, held at Modu Art Theater in Seoul, was themed: “Today connected by language, tomorrow continued by culture!” The message resonated through every performance. On stage, performers translated emotions into space. Love, longing, humor and hope traveled through fingertips and wrists. Poems were not read, but shaped in the air. Songs were not sung, but drawn with palms and arms. The audience followed each story with their eyes, learning to listen without sound. For many participants, Korean Sign Language is more than a tool — it is a mother tongue, a bridge to identity, and a living archive of shared memory. Organizers emphasized that it is also a cultural asset belonging to society as a whole, not only to the deaf community. Between performances, moments of stillness lingered. A raised hand. A gentle nod. A collective breath. In those pauses, the essence of the day became clear. Language does not always arrive through ears. Sometimes, it reaches the heart through hands. 2026-02-04 14:28:04 -
BTS Comeback D-45: Seoul scrutinizes crowd safety and price gouging SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - As visitor numbers are expected to rise ahead of BTS’s comeback in March, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun reviewing comprehensive measures, including crowd safety management and a crackdown on price gouging. On Wednesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon chaired a meeting at 10 a.m. to review key issues surrounding the BTS comeback event and discuss measures to ensure public safety and welcome global fans. During the meeting, officials reviewed event safety plans to ensure that both residents and international visitors can enjoy the city safely. Measures to minimize potential inconvenience for foreign tourists using accommodation facilities, curb price gouging at traditional markets, and expand entertainment offerings such as performances and exhibitions were also discussed. With large crowds expected at key locations such as Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Plaza, comprehensive safety management measures will be implemented. These include strengthening reviews of safety plans through expert consultations and dividing the main event areas into smaller zones to prevent crowd-related risks. Event organizers will deploy sufficient safety personnel in line with expected crowd sizes, positioning them at venues and other areas around event sites where large crowds are anticipated. The city will also step up monitoring crowd movements. Using real-time urban data and CCTV systems from the city’s disaster and safety control center, officials will closely track crowd density. On-site conditions will be shared with event organizers and relevant agencies, including police, fire authorities and district offices—to enable immediate responses based on risk levels. On the day of the concert, the city will implement safety measures tailored to each stage of the event. Before and after the performance, crowd flows will be guided to prevent congestion and ensure smooth entry and exit, while additional steps will be taken during the show to avoid overcrowding in specific areas. Firefighters, emergency personnel and vehicles will be deployed, and emergency routes will be secured in preparation for potential incidents. Transportation measures will also be introduced, including the possibility of subway trains passing through nearby stations without stopping and bus route diversions due to road controls. Additional on-site safety steps include securing sufficient restroom facilities, suspending rentals of the city’s bike-sharing service and shared personal mobility devices to ensure pedestrian safety, and cracking down on illegal street vendors and illegal parking. Multilingual safety messages will also be displayed on stage screens and electronic boards at Seoul Plaza. To prevent harm to both foreign visitors and residents, the city will step up efforts to curb unfair business practices. Joint inspections with district offices will focus on compliance with accommodation price display rules and on cracking down on practices such as pressuring guests to cancel reservations. To stabilize accommodation prices, the city plans to work with online travel agencies through industry meetings and cooperate with related organizations, including the Korea Hotel Association and the Seoul Tourism Association. To help disperse demand, accommodation-dense areas outside Jongno and Jung districts will be promoted through the Visit Seoul website. The city will also conduct on-site inspections using undercover inspectors posing as customers to crack down on price gouging and other unfair trade practices. The city officials will also create a festive atmosphere that both domestic and international visitors can enjoy. Streets and public spaces across Seoul will be decorated to welcome global fans, alongside a range of tourism and hands-on experience programs. Around the time of the BTS performance, street performances, random dance festivals and other programs will be held at major locations such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul Plaza and Han River parks. It also plans to offer special experiential events for global fans and residents, including unique programs using the Han River bus. Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that holding BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, in the heart of Seoul, presents a prime opportunity to showcase the city’s appeal as a global cultural capital to the world. He added that the city will take a comprehensive approach—covering crowd safety, price gouging and entertainment offerings—to make Seoul a truly global tourism destination that people from around the world can enjoy. 2026-02-04 14:17:54 -
Korea Zinc to develop next-generation battery material for drones, robots SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Korea Zinc said on Wednesday it has signed partnerships with two materials companies to develop composite copper foil, a next-generation battery component used for lightweight, high-performance batteries for drones and humanoid robots. The partnered firms are Taesung and Neo Battery Materials Korea. Korea Zinc said the three firms will jointly develop advanced battery technologies using composite copper foil for small mobility applications. Composite copper foil, used as an anode current collector in batteries, incorporates a polymer core and requires less copper than conventional copper foil. The structure reduces weight while maintaining performance and offers cost and safety advantages, according to the company. However, commercialization still requires improvements in production yield and the establishment of a stable mass-production system. Under the agreement, the companies will cooperate across the full development chain, from materials engineering and manufacturing processes to feasibility studies and product demonstrations. Planned work includes verification of composite copper foil, process development for battery cells using the material, production of small prototype batteries, and testing prototype small mobility devices such as drones and robots powered by the new batteries. Korea Zinc said the partnership is expected to strengthen the companies’ competitiveness in the emerging composite copper foil market. Market research firm Wise Guy Reports forecasts the global market will grow to $10.18 billion by 2032 from $6.88 billion in 2023. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-04 14:02:28 -
LG Electronics showcases B2B solutions at North American, European trade shows SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - LG Electronics is participating in major business-to-business trade shows in North America and Europe this week, presenting heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and commercial display solutions as it seeks to expand its B2B operations. The South Korean electronics maker exhibited HVAC solutions ranging from unitary systems to AI data center cooling technology at AHR EXPO 2026, North America's largest air conditioning trade show, which concludes on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida. LG Electronics displayed core HVAC components including compressors, motors, fan motors and drives at the event. The company also presented what it calls an "all-in-one component solution" that combines key air conditioning parts optimized for residential and commercial buildings. Separately, LG Electronics is presenting commercial display products and software solutions at ISE 2026, Europe's largest display trade show running through Friday in Barcelona, Spain. The exhibition includes the company's high-resolution "LG MAGNIT" signage, low-power "E-Paper" displays, and cloud-based software platforms such as LG ConnectedCare and LG SuperSign. LG Electronics' B2B revenue reached 24.1 trillion won ($18 billion) last year, accounting for more than 35 percent of total sales on a standalone basis. The company has set a target to increase the B2B share of revenue to 40 percent by 2030. The B2B business includes HVAC, automotive components and commercial displays. 2026-02-04 14:00:14 -
Hanwha Ocean posts 2025 operating profit of 1.1091 trillion won, up 366% Hanwha Ocean said its 2025 operating profit nearly quadrupled as revenue from commercial ships and naval vessels rose sharply. In an earnings filing on Tuesday, the company said 2025 revenue rose 18% from a year earlier to 12.6884 trillion won, while operating profit jumped 366% to 1.1091 trillion won. Hanwha Ocean cited higher sales of liquefied natural gas carriers and special-purpose vessels. It said a larger share of high-margin LNG carrier revenue, supported by more stable production, led growth in its commercial ship division. Revenue at its special ship division also edged up as production of the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarines Nos. 1, 2 and 3 stayed on schedule, contributing to overall sales growth. The company said operating profit improved sharply on a shift toward more profitable products, productivity gains from production stabilization and continued cost-cutting efforts. Hanwha Ocean said it has won orders totaling US$10.05 billion so far, including 13 LNG carriers, 20 very large crude carriers and 17 container ships. It said orders increased from US$8.98 billion a year earlier despite a drop to below 70% in global newbuild orders for its main ship types, measured by the number of vessels, citing aggressive sales efforts and technological competitiveness. The company also gave an upbeat outlook for this year. A company official said revenue is expected to grow as high ship prices for LNG carriers and other vessels strengthen, and profitability should remain solid as higher-margin projects make up a larger share of sales. The official added that profitability is expected to improve further as production ramps up on the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine No. 2 and the Ulsan-class Batch-III frigates Nos. 5 and 6, along with efforts to win major overseas projects. 2026-02-04 13:54:00 -
Hyundai Rotem to supply vehicles for light-rail lines in Edmonton, Canada SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Rotem has won a contract to supply light-rail vehicles for all light-rail transit (LRT) lines operating in Edmonton, Canada. The company said on Wednesday it signed a 320 billion won ($240 million) agreement on Monday local time with the City of Edmonton in Alberta to supply high-floor LRT vehicles. The order covers 32 trainsets, each consisting of three cars, with a maximum operating speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The trains will operate on the Capital and Metro lines, which run north–south through downtown Edmonton and connect surrounding communities. The new fleet will replace aging vehicles currently in service, with designs emphasizing safety, accessibility and operational reliability in harsh winter conditions. The trains are engineered to operate in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius and under heavy snowfall, while lightweight structures are intended to improve energy efficiency. A forward-collision warning system will also be installed to enhance safety for both passengers and pedestrians. Hyundai Rotem said the exterior design retains the visual identity of Edmonton’s existing fleet while introducing updated styling. Interior features include upgraded passenger information systems and wheelchair-accessible signage to improve convenience for riders with disabilities. With the latest contract, Hyundai Rotem will supply vehicles for all LRT lines in Edmonton. Separately, trams ordered from the company in 2021 are being deployed on the Valley West line, which connects downtown with western districts. Deliveries for that project began in August last year, the company said. Hyundai Rotem also highlighted its track record in Canada, including a 2005 contract to supply automated people-mover trains at Vancouver International Airport, where early delivery helped advance the project schedule by three months. Canadian authorities later recognized the company’s contribution to transportation readiness ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. In 2018, Hyundai Rotem secured an additional order to supply more trains for the same airport line. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-04 13:49:28 -
Hyundai Rotem Wins $320 Million Edmonton Light-Rail Contract Hyundai Rotem said it will supply rail cars for all light-rail transit lines operating in Edmonton, Canada. The company said it signed a 320 billion won contract on Monday (local time) with the city government of Edmonton, Alberta, to provide high-floor light-rail vehicles. Light rail generally refers to smaller rail vehicles used to ease urban congestion, and includes trams. The order covers 32 trainsets, each made up of three cars, with a top operating speed of 80 kph. They will be deployed on the Capital and Metro lines, which run north-south through the city center and connect to outlying areas. Because the vehicles will replace an aging fleet, Hyundai Rotem said the design focuses on improving passenger safety and convenience. The trains are tailored for local winters, including temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall, and include lightweight design features aimed at reducing energy use. A forward-collision warning system will be installed on the front of the vehicles to enhance safety for passengers and pedestrians. The company said the exterior uses strong color contrast and lighting to carry over the identity of existing vehicles while adding a more forward-looking design. Inside, it said, intuitive passenger information displays and wheelchair pictograms are intended to improve accessibility for riders with disabilities. Hyundai Rotem said the deal means it will supply vehicles for every LRT line in Edmonton. Trams the company won in 2021 are slated for the Valley West line, not the high-floor lines served by the new LRT vehicles, and are intended to improve travel between the city and surrounding western areas. Those trams have been delivered to the site in stages starting with the first trainset in early August last year. Hyundai Rotem also cited earlier work in Canada, including an automated people mover for Vancouver International Airport under a 2005 contract that it said was delivered early, helping move up the operating schedule by three months. The Canadian project agency later sent a letter of thanks and a plaque recognizing the company’s contribution to the successful hosting of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. In 2018, Hyundai Rotem signed an additional contract to supply automated trains for the same line. The company said it will continue expanding its lineup for future global markets, including hydrogen-powered rail vehicles such as hydrogen locomotives. A Hyundai Rotem official said the company will draw on its experience delivering light-rail projects in South Korea — including the Gimpo LRT, Incheon Line 2 and the Ui-Sinseol LRT — and its cooperation with local agencies to help Edmonton residents use public transit safely and comfortably.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 13:36:00