Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • From aisle to android: robots go on sale at E-mart in Korea
    From aisle to android: robots go on sale at E-mart in Korea SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -Shopping carts aren’t the only things rolling through E-mart anymore. South Korea’s largest retailer has become the first in the country to sell humanoid robots as off-the-shelf products, signaling a moment when robots move from showroom curiosities to items consumers can actually take home. At Electromart Yeongdeungpo in western Seoul, E-mart has opened a robot demonstration zone showcasing 14 different robot models, all available for purchase. The star attraction is a humanoid robot priced at 31 million won(about 21,300 dollars), designed to mimic human movement with striking precision. It can walk, sit, stand, turn from side to side, and move its arms and legs independently — less science fiction prop than early-stage household companion. Nearby, a smaller but livelier quadruped robot, priced at 4.76 million won(about 3,280 dollars), draws crowds with its repertoire of tricks. The robot can jump, stretch, sit, and even offer a mechanical handshake. Equipped with environmental sensors, it recognizes obstacles, navigates its surroundings and responds to voice commands, blurring the line between gadget and pet. By placing robots on the retail floor — complete with price tags — E-mart is testing how ready Korean consumers are to accept machines not just as tools or toys, but as everyday products. What was once confined to labs and tech expos has arrived under fluorescent lights, waiting quietly for its first owner to swipe a card. In Yeongdeungpo, the future isn’t behind glass. It’s on sale. 2026-02-02 17:18:29
  • Trumps Warsh pick triggers panic in Korean markets for strong USD bias
    Trump's Warsh pick triggers panic in Korean markets for strong USD bias SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Korean markets saw panicky selling on Monday following Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, with equities and the won sliding sharply on concerns that his policy framework could reinforce dollar strength and drain global liquidity. Whether Warsh would ultimately comply with Trump’s long-standing calls for lower borrowing costs remains uncertain. Investors, however, moved quickly to price in a scenario in which rate cuts coexist with tighter underlying liquidity — a mix widely viewed as unfavorable for emerging-market currencies such as the Korean won. Trump announced Warsh’s nomination last Friday. He is set to succeed Jerome Powell, whose term expires on May 15 after a tenure frequently marked by public friction with the White House. The selloff was broad-based. The KOSPI closed down 5.26 percent at 4,949.67, falling below the psychologically important 5,000 level. Intraday volatility triggered a sell-side “sidecar” trading halt, underscoring the disorderly nature of the move. The won weakened to 1,464.3 per dollar, down 24.8 won by late afternoon. Commodity markets echoed the risk-off mood. Gold futures fell 11.4 percent to $4,745.10 per troy ounce, while silver futures plunged 31.4 percent to $78.531, marking their steepest single-day declines since January 1980, when former Fed chair Paul Volcker unleashed aggressive rate hikes to rein in inflation. Hawkish by structure, not by label Warsh is not generally regarded as a traditional monetary hawk. Paradoxically, that nuance has unsettled markets. Investors point to his record as a Fed governor, particularly his clashes with Ben Bernanke over the second round of quantitative easing (QE2). At the time, Warsh openly opposed large-scale asset purchases, warning Bernanke, “If I were in your chair, I would not be leading the Fed in this direction.” That history has reinforced expectations that Warsh, even if willing to lower policy rates, would prioritize balance-sheet discipline — keeping the dollar scarce and underpinning its value. Warsh’s more recent thinking suggests a hybrid approach: cutting rates to support investment while continuing quantitative tightening (QT) through Treasury sales. The goal is to stimulate corporate activity without undermining the dollar. Under such a framework, rate cuts would not necessarily weaken the greenback. Instead, reduced global dollar liquidity could persist, weighing on currencies like the won and making Korean assets less attractive on a currency-adjusted basis. Warsh has defended the apparent contradiction by arguing that productivity gains from artificial intelligence can offset inflationary pressures. In a July interview, he said the AI revolution would be a “significant disinflationary force,” allowing looser policy without destabilizing prices. He has also cited Alan Greenspan as a reference point, praising Greenspan’s decision to refrain from preemptive rate hikes during the 1990s technology boom as productivity gains kept inflation in check. For South Korea, that historical parallel is unsettling. Greenspan’s accommodative stance ultimately preceded the 2000 dot-com collapse, when the Nasdaq plunged 78 percent and the U.S. dollar index weakened sharply. Korea was hit harder still: the KOSDAQ fell nearly 80 percent, while the won depreciated from the 1,100 range to around 1,360 per dollar. Analysts warn that a similar combination of equity volatility and currency weakness could re-emerge if global liquidity tightens more aggressively than markets expect under a Warsh-led Fed. Liquidity stress back on the radar Concerns are also resurfacing over potential liquidity stress as QT drains bank reserves. In September 2019, heavy Treasury issuance combined with corporate tax payments pushed the U.S. repo rate from 2 percent to 10 percent, forcing emergency Fed intervention. Some market participants fear that under Warsh, such stress might be tolerated — or allowed to run longer — as part of balance-sheet normalization. “Unlike in 2019, there is now a broader consensus that normalizing the balance sheet itself is a core policy objective,” a KB Securities official said on condition of anonymity. NH Investment & Securities similarly cautioned that a rapid policy pivot should not be assumed. A tougher outlook for the won Optimism earlier this year that the won could stabilize near 1,400 per dollar, as suggested by Lee Jae Myung, is now being reassessed. For Korean markets, the concern is less about Warsh’s personal ideology than about whether the next Fed chair institutionalizes a framework that favors a strong dollar by design. If that proves to be the case, Monday’s panicky selling may mark the start of a longer adjustment rather than a one-off reaction. 2026-02-02 17:15:04
  • Asian equities tumble as Fed leadership shift triggers selloff
    Asian equities tumble as Fed leadership shift triggers selloff SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Asian equities tumbled on Monday, with South Korean markets suffering steep losses as global risk appetite deteriorated amid renewed uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy, prompting investors to dump risk assets across the region. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI fell 5.26 percent to close at 4,949.67, the index’s sharpest single-day decline since April 7, 2025. The index opened sharply lower and extended losses through the session as foreign and institutional investors accelerated selling. The KOSPI 200 index, which tracks large-cap stocks, slid 5.6 percent to 725.5. Trading data highlighted the scale of the selloff. Foreign investors sold a net 2.59 trillion won worth of shares on the main board, while institutional investors offloaded 1.99 trillion won. Retail investors moved in the opposite direction, buying a net 4.45 trillion won in an attempt to absorb the market’s decline. Market heavyweights led losses. Samsung Electronics fell 6.3 percent, while SK hynix dropped 8.7 percent, erasing much of their recent gains. Automakers and battery makers also retreated sharply, with Hyundai Motor down 4.4 percent and Samsung SDI losing 8.7 percent, while Hanmi Semiconductor plunged 11.3 percent. The Korea Exchange triggered a program trading sidecar at 12:31 p.m., temporarily halting sell orders linked to index futures after sharp declines. The measure slowed selling momentum but failed to reverse negative sentiment. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ index mirrored the decline, falling 4.44 percent to 1,098.36, its first drop exceeding 4 percent since Aug. 1, 2025. The index briefly slid more than 5 percent during intraday trading as investors reduced exposure to high-growth and high-volatility shares. The downturn followed renewed uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy after former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh was nominated as the next Fed chair, reviving concerns that policy could turn more hawkish. The development triggered repricing across global markets, lifting the dollar and pushing investors away from risk assets. Currency and commodity markets also saw sharp moves. The won weakened by 11 won to 1,463 per dollar. Precious metals also fell sharply, with gold sliding 9.9 percent and silver plunging more than 31 percent as investors liquidated positions across asset classes. The simultaneous selloff in equities, commodities and cryptocurrencies resembled past episodes of risk-off shocks, prompting market participants to label the session a “Black Monday” rout. Elsewhere in Asia, losses were also widespread. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 2.5 percent, adding to regional market unease. 2026-02-02 16:58:46
  • Authorities warn of spread of livestock disease as Lunar New Year migration looms
    Authorities warn of spread of livestock disease as Lunar New Year migration looms SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - South Korea is on alert for the potential spread of livestock diseases ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, when many people travel nationwide to their ancestral hometowns. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong on Monday convened a meeting at the government complex in Sejong to discuss stricter quarantine measures aimed at preventing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease. Quarantine officials said that highly pathogenic avian influenza has been appearing sporadically this winter with the arrival of migratory birds, prompting authorities to implement preventive culling and impose movement restrictions around affected farms. African swine fever has also shown signs of spreading into some previously unaffected regions. Adding to concerns, foot-and-mouth disease has also returned after roughly nine months, with a case detected at a cattle farm in Ganghwa, Incheon, at the end of last month. Officials said that one to two weeks after the holiday, which begins late next week, will likely determine whether the diseases have spread, given their incubation periods. Government authorities are urging livestock farmers and related workers to step up surveillance and step up disinfection measures. 2026-02-02 16:53:56
  • Why Korean rockets are finding buyers on Russias European doorstep
    Why Korean rockets are finding buyers on Russia's European doorstep SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Norway’s decision to select South Korea’s Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) for its Long Range Precision Fire System (LRPFS) program reflects a broader recalibration under way among European and NATO militaries bordering Russia — one shaped less by brand loyalty than by timelines, industrial resilience and operational flexibility. The contract, signed by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency with Hanwha Aerospace, covers 16 Chunmoo launchers, precision-guided munitions, training and logistics support, and is valued at roughly 19 billion Norwegian kroner ($2 billion). Deliveries are set to begin in 2028. For Oslo, the decisive factor was speed. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, demand for the U.S.-made HIMARS has surged across NATO and allied states, stretching production capacity and pushing delivery schedules years into the future. By contrast, Chunmoo was offered with a clearer delivery timeline and a phased induction plan, allowing Norway to address what it sees as a growing vulnerability in long-range land fires along its northern flank. “Hanwha’s Chunmoo system was the only offer that met all of the requirements in the competition,” the Norwegian government said in its procurement statement. A Hanwha Aerospace official, speaking on background, was more direct. “There is a substantial backlog for HIMARS, with deliveries delayed even for priority customers such as Poland,” the official said. “Norway’s assessment came down to delivery certainty and overall affordability relative to capability.” That calculation extended beyond sticker price. While Norway evaluated proposals from HIMARS and the German-French EURO PULS, Chunmoo was pitched as a turnkey solution — combining multiple rocket types, training, sustainment and future industrial participation under a single framework. Norwegian planners are understood to have placed particular weight on system integration with national command-and-control networks and the possibility of European-based ammunition production. Chunmoo versus HIMARS: flexibility against standardisation The fundamental distinction between Chunmoo and HIMARS lies in design philosophy. HIMARS is optimised around the U.S.-standard 227mm MLRS rocket family, along with ATACMS and the newer PrSM-class tactical missiles. Chunmoo, by contrast, was conceived from the outset as a multi-calibre modular launcher. A single K239 platform can fire 239mm unguided rockets, 239mm precision-guided munitions, or 600mm-class tactical ballistic missiles. In performance terms, the systems are comparable at shorter ranges. HIMARS firing GMLRS munitions reaches about 80 kilometres with a circular error probability (CEP) of under 10 metres. Chunmoo’s CGR-080 guided rockets achieve a similar 80-kilometre reach with a CEP of roughly 15 metres. Where Chunmoo differentiates itself is payload versatility. The same launcher can be configured for area suppression, precision strikes, or deep fires out to nearly 290 kilometres using CTM-series missiles. In effect, it allows a user to consolidate what would otherwise require multiple weapons systems into a single platform — an approach that appeals to militaries facing both budget constraints and manpower limits. Relearning the value of long-range fires Norway’s choice must also be read against its post–Cold War force posture. For decades, Oslo prioritised expeditionary operations and allied airpower, scaling back heavy land forces and allowing medium- and long-range ground fires to atrophy. That strategy left a conspicuous gap once Russia’s war in Ukraine underscored the enduring value of land-based precision strike — particularly in contested environments where air superiority cannot be assumed. In the High North, geography compounds the problem. Vast distances, limited infrastructure and extreme weather complicate air operations, making organic long-range fires a central element of deterrence rather than a niche capability. The LRPFS program is designed to restore that capability as a standing feature of Norway’s Army and to reinforce NATO’s ability to secure sea lanes and reinforcement routes in the Arctic. From Poland to Norway: toward a European ‘K-rocket belt’ Norway’s decision follows a much larger breakthrough for Chunmoo in Poland, which has effectively served as the system’s European test case. In October 2022, Warsaw signed a contract for 288 Chunmoo launchers under its Homar-K program, with deployments beginning in 2023. In late 2025, Poland deepened the partnership with a $4 billion deal to locally produce CGR-080 guided rockets. Those production lines, Polish and Norwegian officials say, will supply not only Poland but other European users, including Norway. The arrangement links Korean system design with Polish manufacturing and Nordic end users — a supply chain that reduces dependence on U.S. production capacity while anchoring key components inside Europe. The trajectory recalls the earlier spread of South Korea’s K9 Thunder howitzer, now in service across Poland, Norway, Finland and the Baltic states. In much of Northern and Eastern Europe, K9 has become the backbone of tube artillery. Chunmoo is positioning itself as its long-range counterpart — extending that firepower deeper into an adversary’s rear. While HIMARS remains the benchmark for NATO-standard long-range fires, Chunmoo’s appeal lies in its pragmatism. It offers faster delivery, greater configurability and a clearer path to local industrial participation — attributes increasingly prized by European states confronting a long-term Russian threat, strained defence supply chains and tighter fiscal limits. The choice also speaks to a broader unease in the High North. Alongside Russia’s militarisation of the Arctic, renewed U.S. attention to Greenland — including Donald Trump’s past and revived suggestions that Washington should assert greater control over the island — has reminded Nordic governments that even allies can become strategic variables. 2026-02-02 16:52:12
  • Grammys 2026: tantalizingly within reach — and quietly setting the stage for BTS return
    Grammys 2026: tantalizingly within reach — and quietly setting the stage for BTS' return SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - The door finally opened wider for K-pop at the Grammy Awards, but not quite wide enough to let it walk through with a haul of trophies. At the 68th ceremony, K-pop-linked artists and works appeared across multiple nominations, signaling growing institutional comfort with the genre. Yet when the night ended, the Grammys remained — as they have long been — tantalizingly within reach. The most symbolic breakthrough came not from a performance category, but from behind the scenes. “Golden,” an original song from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first Grammy victory tied to a Korean-origin music production. Crucially, the award recognized songwriting and production, not chart power or stage presence — a rare acknowledgment of Korean creators’ craft rather than their commercial momentum. Major U.S. outlets took note. The New York Times framed the win as a corrective to K-pop’s long absence from Grammy history, while AP News underscored its status as the first Grammy win by a K-pop-linked project. If the trophies were scarce, the visibility was not. ROSÉ delivered a polished live debut with Bruno Mars, performing “APT.” — the first main-stage Grammy performance by a K-pop female soloist. Despite nominations across three major fields, the song ultimately went home without a win, a reminder of how unforgiving the top Grammy categories remain. Rookie girl group KATSEYE also made its Grammy stage debut as part of the Best New Artist showcase, performing “Gnarly.” Formed through a hybrid K-pop training system backed by HYBE and Geffen Records, the group was nominated for Best New Artist, an award that went to Olivia Dean. The media reaction reflected a shift in tone rather than triumphalism. Cosmopolitan highlighted ROSÉ’s appearance as a milestone for K-pop soloists, while Pitchfork pointed to the density of competition in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, where “APT.” and KATSEYE’s “Gabriela” faced off against mainstream heavyweights. The category ultimately went to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for “Defying Gravity” from Wicked — a result that underscored the category’s ceiling rather than K-pop’s shortcomings. Critics and fans largely agreed: the absence of trophies did little to dull the night’s significance. Two K-pop acts appearing in core Grammy contexts in the same year marked a clean break from the past. This was no longer about a singular breakthrough or novelty moment, but about sustained presence — a recalibration of how K-pop fits into the Grammy ecosystem. Much of that recalibration traces back to BTS. Through repeated nominations and high-profile standalone performances in the early 2020s, the group redefined how non-English-language artists could occupy the Grammy main stage. While a major Grammy win has so far eluded them, their groundwork made space for artists like ROSÉ, KATSEYE and Korean-produced content to be taken seriously within the institution. That context matters as BTS prepares a full-scale return in March. The group’s comeback tour — spanning 34 regions and more than 80 shows — has already sold out stadiums worldwide, with roughly 2.4 million tickets snapped up across 41 venues. Additional dates are being added amid explosive demand, drawing attention well beyond the music industry. Seen this way, the 2026 Grammys were less a verdict than a positioning exercise. The trophies remain just out of reach, but closer than ever. By the time BTS winds down its Arirang album tour and the next Grammy night arrives, the distance may no longer feel teasing — but measured in inches rather than miles. 2026-02-02 16:37:55
  • Krafton bridges PUBG universe with Korean traditional crafts
    Krafton bridges PUBG universe with Korean traditional crafts SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Krafton unveiled Monday a collection merging its flagship battle royale IP "PUBG: Battlegrounds" with traditional Korean craftsmanship through a state-led cultural initiative. The project, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and managed by the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, aims to reimagine traditional assets within modern industries. Design studio Superposition reinterpreted the game's iconic "Blue Zone" using "digital mother-of-pearl," transforming the strategic digital boundary into physical art pieces. Craft team Octique focused on lifestyle goods, blending the game's recognizable symbols with traditional artisan techniques. The lineup features chicken shaped amulets and mother-of-pearl frying pan designed hand mirrors, which marry the playful identity of PUBG with classical formative beauty. Regarding the project's goal, Krafton said the collaboration explores the practical utilization and industrial value of traditional culture through partnerships between creators and private enterprises. 2026-02-02 16:06:48
  • Hyundai Motor Group drops buyback option for Russian plant
    Hyundai Motor Group drops buyback option for Russian plant SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has decided not to exercise an option to repurchase its former manufacturing plant in Russia, effectively confirming its exit from the Russian market. It will only maintain support services for existing customers, according to industry sources on Monday. The group allowed the buyback option for the St. Petersburg facility to expire at the end of last month, choosing not to reacquire the plant. Hyundai Motor Group sold its entire Russian business, including the factory, to local firm Art-Finance in December 2023 for 10,000 rubles (about 140,000 won) after operations were disrupted by parts shortages and logistical challenges following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Given its strong market position in Russia at the time, Hyundai included a clause allowing it to repurchase the plant within two years. The expiration of that option now marks a formal decision not to return under current conditions. Instead of pursuing re-entry into a market still facing geopolitical uncertainty, the group plans to focus on after-sales service for vehicles already sold in Russia to protect brand reputation, the sources said. The company still could review a possible return if geopolitical risks, including the conflict in Ukraine, ease. Warranty repairs and customer service for existing Hyundai and Kia vehicles in Russia will continue. Hyundai Motor Group began expanding in Russia in 2007, completed its sixth overseas production base in St. Petersburg in 2010 and started local vehicle production in 2011. Operations were suspended in March 2022 following Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Roughly one year and nine months later, the group divested its Russian operations, including the plant, to Art-Finance. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-02 15:47:03
  • Actor Kim Seon-ho denies alleged tax evasion
    Actor Kim Seon-ho denies alleged tax evasion SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Actor Kim Seon-ho has denied allegations of tax evasion after claims that he set up a corporation with family members as executives, paid fabricated wages, and used a corporate credit card for personal expenses. In a press statement through his management agency Fantagio on Sunday, the actor said he is fully complying with all required legal and tax procedures. The allegations come amid his regaining popularity recently with his Netflix hit series "Can This Love Be Translated?" after a break he took several years ago due to a controversy involving his ex-girlfriend. But Kim explained that the family-run company was established for his theater-related activities with no intention of "tax reduction or tax evasion." Since the business has been inactive for about a year, he is now closing it in accordance with relevant regulations. He then vowed to continue complying with all relevant laws and procedures so he can continue his work without "unnecessary misunderstandings. Separately, it was previously revealed that singer-turned-actor Cha Eun-woo, who also belongs to the same agency, allegedly evaded taxes worth 20 billion won (US$13.6 million) by diverting taxable earnings through a company established by his mother, which reportedly had little to no actual business activity. Fantagio said it is cooperating with an investigation by tax authorities and will take necessary action. 2026-02-02 15:44:37
  • ASMLs ambitious revenue target raise capacity upgrade room for memory chipmakers in AI heyday
    ASML's ambitious revenue target raise capacity upgrade room for memory chipmakers in AI heyday SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - ASML’s ambitious revenue target signals greater room for scaling and production ramp-ups among chipmakers including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which together supply roughly 80 percent of the memory used in AI accelerators and hyperscale data centers. The outlook follows stronger-than-expected 2025 earnings from ASML, which reported total net sales of €32.7 billion ($38.8 billion), while fourth-quarter net bookings surged to €13.16 billion ($15.6 billion), more than double market expectations. The increase was driven largely by demand for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, which are essential for manufacturing advanced chips used in artificial intelligence workloads. EUV tools accounted for about 56 percent of new bookings in the fourth quarter. ASML holds a de facto monopoly on EUV lithography, making its production capacity a structural constraint for the global semiconductor industry. Unlike conventional chipmaking equipment, EUV systems remain a tightly rationed resource due to their complexity and precision requirements. Annual EUV shipments have risen only gradually, from 26 units in 2019 to 42 units in 2021, 53 units in 2023 and an estimated 60–62 units in 2025. For 2026, ASML is targeting output of 70–80 units, its highest level to date, according to industry estimates. Even at that level, supply remains well below demand. Global chipmakers — including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Micron Technology and Intel — are competing aggressively for limited allocations, as capacity upgrades and technology transitions increasingly hinge on securing additional EUV machines. “Lithography tools are the most critical equipment in semiconductor manufacturing, regardless of whether the chips are for memory or logic,” said Lee Jong-hwan, a professor of system semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University. “Because EUV systems are ultra-precision machines, only a limited number can be produced each year, which is why ASML’s annual output is measured in just several dozen units.” “In AI semiconductors, both memory and non-memory chips are essential,” he added. “The surge in EUV demand reflects how AI workloads are expanding across both segments. Given that advanced DRAM, including high-bandwidth memory, is now produced at around the 10-nanometer class in Korea, it is highly likely that Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have already secured reservations for sub-10nm EUV tools.” ASML’s decision to raise its 2026 revenue guidance to €34 billion–€39 billion is therefore widely interpreted as a sign that a substantial portion of next year’s EUV output has already been committed to leading customers, including Korean memory makers ramping up production of high-bandwidth memory and advanced DRAM for AI accelerators. The company has also doubled its long-term revenue target for 2030 to €60 billion ($71 billion), supported by the successful delivery of its first commercial-grade high–numerical aperture (High-NA) EUV system, the TWINSCAN EXE:5200B. Compared with standard EUV tools using a 0.33 numerical aperture, the High-NA system operates at 0.55NA, enabling nearly three times the transistor density — a critical advantage for next-generation AI processors. The first systems were delivered to SK hynix and Intel. With EUV tools costing well over $150 million each and available in limited numbers, competitiveness is increasingly determined not only by access, but by how efficiently chipmakers convert those investments into higher yields and faster production ramps. SK hynix, the world’s leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory for AI data centers, has already moved early. The company said it installed a production-ready High-NA EUV system at its M16 fab in Icheon in 2025. ASML also expects its exposure to China to decline as export controls tighten, with China’s revenue share projected to fall from about 33 percent in 2025 to around 20 percent in 2026. Rising demand from South Korea, Taiwan and the United States is expected to more than offset the decline. As global investment in AI infrastructure accelerates, ASML’s constrained EUV output is set to remain a key gatekeeper — turning access, execution and yield management into decisive variables for Korea’s memory chipmakers in the next phase of the semiconductor cycle. 2026-02-02 14:39:16