Journalist
Lee Hugh
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SK hynix rolls out new memory for Nvidia's Rubin SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) -South Korean chipmaker SK hynix announced Monday that it has begun mass production of its SOCAMM2 192GB memory module, a product specifically optimized for Nvidia's next-generation "Vera Rubin" AI platform. Based on 10-nanometer-class sixth-generation (1c) LPDDR5X DRAM, the new AI server module aims to resolve memory bottlenecks in massive AI models and maximize GPU processing speeds. The product reconfigures low-power mobile memory for server environments, offering a combination of high bandwidth, low power consumption, and easy module replacement. According to SK hynix, SOCAMM2 delivers more than twice the bandwidth and over a 75 percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to conventional server RDIMMs. The module acts as a "middle memory" layer between High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and DDR5 system memory. By adopting an LPDDR-based structure, the product significantly lowers power and cooling costs for data centers. "Through close cooperation with Nvidia, we will resolve bottlenecks in AI infrastructure and provide optimal performance," said Kim Ju-seon, President of AI Infra at SK hynix. "With the supply of SOCAMM2 192GB, we have set a new standard for AI memory performance." The module features a press-fit connector structure, ensuring high signal integrity and making replacement and expansion easier compared to traditional onboard LPDDR setups. The deepened partnership comes as the U.S. tech giant accounts for a significant portion of the chipmaker's business. According to its recent business report, sales to Nvidia reached 23.26 trillion won last year, making up 24 percent of SK hynix's total revenue. Reflecting strong investor sentiment toward its AI-driven momentum, shares of SK hynix were trading at 1,170,000 won as of 11:35 a.m. on Monday, up 3.72 percent from the previous session. 2026-04-20 11:55:16 -
BOK's Rhee swan song: central bank must act as think tank beyond rate tools SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) — Bank of Korea Governor (BOK) Rhee Chang-yong emphasized the central bank’s dual role as a think tank in his swan-song remarks before retiring Monday, even as critics argued the Bank of Korea strayed into non-monetary areas such as housing and education under his watch. In his final speech before stepping down, Rhee reflected on the limits of traditional policy tools after navigating multiple crises over the past four years. “Managing various crises over the past four years, I have realized once again that it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve stability and growth through monetary and fiscal policies alone,” he said, stressing that deeper socioeconomic reforms are essential for policy effectiveness. He pointed in particular to changes in the foreign exchange market, warning that its structure has shifted in ways that constrain conventional responses. Rhee said the market, once dominated by foreign capital flows, is now increasingly driven by domestic actors such as corporations, individuals and the National Pension Service. “We have entered an era where domestic overseas investment fluctuates based on various factors, including the labor market, tax policies, pension systems and geopolitical risks, rather than just interest rate differentials,” he said. Under such conditions, relying solely on market intervention or interest rate adjustments to manage exchange rates could produce unintended side effects, he warned. Rhee also addressed structural challenges including low birth rates and sluggish growth, making clear that short-term policy measures would be insufficient. Labor and education reforms, he said, remain the only viable medium- to long-term solutions. He reiterated his long-held view that the central bank should expand its role beyond traditional monetary policy. “My belief that we should look beyond the boundaries of monetary and financial policy to become the nation’s top think tank remains the same,” Rhee said, urging continued research into structural issues such as housing, youth employment and elderly poverty. Reflecting on his tenure, Rhee described it as a period of “constantly having to exceed expected boundaries,” shaped by successive global and domestic shocks. Following the inflation surge triggered by the Russia-Ukraine War shortly after he took office, the central bank raised its benchmark rate to 3.5 percent, including two “big step” hikes. Those tightening measures were followed by a series of disruptions, including instability in real estate finance, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, rising household debt, surging housing prices in the Seoul metropolitan area and exchange rate volatility driven by Middle East tensions. Rhee cited inflation control as a key achievement. Consumer prices, which peaked at 6.3 percent in July 2022, eased to the high-2 percent range in late 2023 and have remained in the low-to-mid 2 percent range since 2024. He also pointed to the first decline in the household debt-to-GDP ratio in two decades as a meaningful milestone. The ratio, which peaked at 99.2 percent in the third quarter of 2021, has since fallen to the high-80 percent range. Additional achievements included the introduction of Korean-style forward guidance and the publication of more than 20 structural reform reports aimed at improving policy communication. Since 2022, the central bank has regularly issued “BOK Issue Notes” addressing non-monetary topics such as demographic shifts and changes in the global trade order. Internationally, Rhee was appointed as the first head of a non-reserve currency central bank to chair the Committee on the Global Financial System at the Bank for International Settlements. Despite these gains, Rhee acknowledged that financial and foreign exchange markets remain unsettled. The Korean won weakened about 9 percent from 1,367 per dollar in June 2025 to around 1,490 in April 2026, a sharper decline than other major Asian currencies such as the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, which fell by only 1 to 2 percent over the same period. “It weighs heavily on my heart to leave while the foreign exchange and financial markets have not sufficiently stabilized due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Rhee said, expressing hope that stability would eventually return based on South Korea’s experience in managing past crises. Since taking office on April 21, 2022, Rhee has been credited with managing crises through timely interest rate adjustments in the early stage of his tenure, and expanding the central bank’s scope through the publication of issue notes. However, he also faces criticism for failing to take bolder monetary action against household debt, - holding benchmark rate still at 2.5 percent for 7 consecutive sessions - which surpassed 1,800 trillion won ($1.21 trillion), and the weakening won toward the end of his term. Shin Hyun-song, former head of the monetary and economic department at the BIS, is expected to succeed Rhee from Tuesday. Shin is clearly distinguished from Rhee by his track record of hawkish stances including preemptive interest rate hikes and balance sheet reductions during past crises such as the U.S. financial crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as his consistent emphasis on the intrinsic role of central banks. The National Assembly has yet to adopt a confirmation report due to ongoing controversies surrounding Shin’s foreign assets and alleged "paper residence." Whether President Lee Jae Myung will move forward with the appointment later today remains a key focus of attention. The won opened at 1,479.5 per dollar in the Seoul foreign exchange market, up 4 won from the previous session. 2026-04-20 11:53:31 -
Asian markets open the week on positive note despite Hormuz uncertainties SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Most Asian markets opened the week higher Monday despite conflicting developments in the Middle East ahead of the Tuesday expiration of the truce between the United States and Iran. Hopes had risen last week that the conflict might ease and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, but Iran said over the weekend that the strait remained closed. Reports that two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to turn back added to concerns over the security of shipping through the critical waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Iran’s actions in the strait amounted to a “total violation” of the ceasefire and warned that Washington could take further action if Tehran rejected what he described as a “fair and reasonable deal.” A new round of negotiations is expected this week in Pakistan, led by Vice President JD Vance, in a renewed push to end the conflict. However, significant gaps remain, and Iran has signaled it may not attend the talks, calling U.S. demands excessive. Pakistan previously brokered the two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire Tuesday. Despite the geopolitical overhang, regional equities advanced. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1 percent to 59,075.49, holding above the 59,000 level after reaching a record high last week. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.45 percent to 4,052.13, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.34 percent to 26,228.18. China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for an 11th straight month, as policymakers weighed the economic impact of the Middle East conflict against resilient domestic growth and easing deflationary pressures. The People’s Bank of China held the one-year loan prime rate at 3.0 percent and the five-year rate at 3.5 percent. South Korean equities also traded higher, with the KOSPI rising 1.21 percent to 6,266.65 and the KOSDAQ gaining 0.86 percent. Among gainers, Doosan Enerbility climbed more than 5 percent, supported by expectations that heightened geopolitical risks could accelerate nuclear energy projects, particularly in the United States. Chipmakers were also firm. Samsung Electronics reversed early losses to rise 0.69 percent, while SK hynix gained 3.06 percent. Battery stocks rallied, with LG Energy Solution advancing 3.95 percent, while SK Square climbed 3.96 percent to a record high, supported by improving earnings expectations for SK hynix. In contrast, automakers were under pressure, with Hyundai Motor falling 0.74 percent and Kia edging down 0.03 percent. Financial stocks were largely steady, with KB Financial Group rising slightly, while Samsung Life Insurance slipped marginally. On the secondary board, battery materials and biotech shares led gains. EcoPro and EcoPro BM moved higher, while Alteogen and HLB also advanced. In the currency market, the Korean won strengthened modestly, with the dollar trading at 1,474.30 won, compared with the previous close of 1,483.5 won. 2026-04-20 11:32:11 -
South Korean researchers develop wrinkle-free technology for foldable displays SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has developed a core technology that fundamentally eliminates the wrinkle problem in foldable smartphone displays by redesigning the adhesive areas between the screen and its support plate, the prominent science institute said Monday. According to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the new technique ensures that folding stress is distributed across the device rather than concentrating on a single point, allowing for a smooth surface even after tens of thousands of uses. This breakthrough is expected to serve as a turning point for the foldable market as the industry looks to expand the technology to tablets and laptops. The persistent crease on foldable screens has long been a major drawback, causing visual distortion and reduced durability. While global smartphone manufacturers have invested heavily in research and development to address this issue, they have yet to completely remove the visible line where the device folds. Industry experts have often identified this physical flaw as the primary barrier to the wider adoption of foldable devices. Professor Lee Phil-seung and his team at the KAIST Department of Mechanical Engineering began their research to address common frustrations experienced by mobile users. After disassembling dozens of used foldable phones and conducting numerous experiments, the team discovered that the key lay in how the display is bonded to the internal support structure. By redesigning the adhesive zones, the researchers ensured that the mechanical strain of folding is spread out rather than pinching the screen at a specific point. To verify the performance of the prototype, the researchers used straight LED lights to test for surface irregularities. Unlike commercial products, where the reflected light appears bent or distorted at the fold, the KAIST prototype maintained a perfectly straight reflection. The team confirmed that no visual distortion occurred even under testing conditions sensitive enough to detect surface curves smaller than 0.1mm. The technology is designed to be durable enough to withstand tens of thousands of folding cycles with minimal deformation. Because the structural changes are straightforward, the researchers believe the method can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes for various devices beyond smartphones, including tablets and notebooks. "We have solved a difficult challenge that global companies could not resolve using a relatively simple and clear method," Professor Lee said. "We expect this technology to spread across the next generation of displays, including laptops and tablets, further strengthening the technical competitiveness of South Korea." KAIST has registered a patent for the technology in South Korea and has filed additional patent applications in the United States, China, and the European Union. According to the university, the simplicity of the design makes it highly viable for mass production. 2026-04-20 11:18:32 -
Pump prices keep soaring as diesel approaches 2,000 won per liter SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Diesel prices are approaching 2,000 Korean won (about US$1.36) per liter after gasoline's already crossed that threshold amid surging fuel prices due to supply disruptions amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. If this trend continues, the average diesel price nationwide is likely to breach that level within days. As the prospect of talks between the U.S. and Iran looms, it remains uncertain when the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, will reopen, one of the key factors affecting domestic fuel prices. According to Opinet, a website providing information on oil prices operated by the Korea National Oil Corporation, the average diesel price stood at 1,995.65 won per liter on Sunday, up 0.38 won from the previous day. Diesel rose by about 1 won a day on average last week, suggesting it could break the 2,000-won threshold this week, which would mark the first time in about four years since 2022 when prices surged in the aftermath of Russia's war in Ukraine. In some parts of Seoul as well as the country's southern resort island of Jeju and North Chungcheong Province, diesel prices have already exceeded 2,000 won. Gasoline, which is typically more expensive than diesel, has been above 2,000 won per liter for days. Its average price stood at 2,002.02 won on Sunday, up 0.51 won from the previous day. The national average crossed 2,000 won last Thursday for the first time in four years, and has remained above that level since. Fuel prices are expected to rise further as uncertainty grows, with U.S.-Iran negotiations that had appeared to be progressing now back in doubt. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strait has been closed again since last Saturday, contradicting a statement by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said, "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire on the coordinated route." Tensions have further escalated as about 10 tankers that transited the strait when it briefly reopened are now reported to have come under attack following Iran's reclosure of the waterway. Amid mounting uncertainty over the Middle East conflict, the government is pursuing efforts to diversify its crude imports while closely monitoring developments in the strait, which accounts for 61 percent of South Korea's crude supply. Seven tankers belonging to South Korean refiners are reportedly stranded in the strait. 2026-04-20 11:15:45 -
S. Korea, U.S. finance chiefs share concerns over won volatility Seoul, April 19 (AJP) —South Korean and U.S. finance chiefs agreed a volatile exchange rate is undesirable for the interests of the two countries, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said in a statement Monday. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Washington, D.C., last Friday to discuss key bilateral issues including the action plan for Seoul's pledge of investments in the U.S., foreign exchange rate, and supply chain disruptions from the Gulf conflict. The primary agenda was the high volatility of the Korean won. "Both ministers agreed that excessive volatility in the Korean won is not desirable, and agreed to continue consultations on foreign exchange market developments," the statement said. Last month, the average daily gap between the appropriate non-deliverable forward (NDF) rate—based on the weekly closing price of the won at 3:30 p.m.—and the actual final quote for one-month NDFs in New York was tallied at 12.2 won. This marks the first time since 2020 that the gap between the appropriate quote and the actual exchange rate has exceeded 10 won. "We shared the view that the volatility of the Korean won has been particularly high and decided to maintain a cooperative relationship to stabilize foreign exchange market trends," Koo separately wrote on his X page, adding that the two leaders also discussed the impact of the U.S.-Israel and Iran conflict on the Korean economy. Another key issue was the ongoing discussion regarding investment in the U.S. following tariff negotiations. South Korea plans to invest a total of $350 billion in the U.S. market over the next 10 years, including a $150 billion investment in the shipbuilding industry. The U.S. had once rolled back tariffs on Korean automobiles from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing delays in legislation by the Korean National Assembly. In response, the National Assembly passed the Special Act on Investment in the U.S. on March 12. Koo explained the Korean government's efforts to implement memorandums of understanding regarding bilateral investments, including the Special Act, to which Bessent responded positively. In the Seoul foreign exchange market on Monday, the won opened at 1,479.5 per dollar. 2026-04-20 10:50:50 -
Korea's antitrust watchdog weighs naming Coupang's Kim as group head SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - South Korea's antitrust regulator is poised to decide as early as next week whether to name Coupang founder Bom Kim as the e-commerce group's controlling shareholder, a shift that would bring the U.S. citizen under the country's toughest corporate disclosure and anti-self-dealing rules for the first time. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is in the final stages of reviewing whether to replace the Coupang corporate entity with Kim, chairman of Nasdaq-listed parent Coupang, as the group's designated "same person," industry and regulatory sources said Sunday. A ruling must be issued by the May 1 statutory deadline. Investigators are zeroing in on whether Kim's younger brother, Vice President Yoo Kim, and other relatives hold stakes in or take part in the management of Coupang's Korean affiliates — one of the conditions that would disqualify the group from keeping a corporate designation. Coupang has pushed back, arguing that no grounds exist for a change. The company has reportedly told regulators that Yoo Kim is an unregistered executive at Coupang, not at any Korean affiliate, and therefore does not take part in local management. However, sources say the vice president received about 14 billion won ($9.48 million) in compensation and incentives from Coupang over the four years through 2025, including $430,000 in pay and 74,401 restricted stock units last year alone. Whether the KFTC accepts that argument again this year is far from certain. Tensions between the two sides have flared over document submissions, with the watchdog examining whether Coupang's partial refusal to hand over requested materials may constitute a violation of the Fair Trade Act, which carries penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of 150 million won. Chairman Kim was issued an official warning in 2021 after omitting 15 relatives from a disclosure filing, though regulators declined to refer the case for prosecution. Coupang's designation has long been an outlier. It is one of only eight of the 46 conglomerates subject to cross-shareholding restrictions last year whose designated head is not a natural person — a group that otherwise consists largely of state-linked or ownerless firms such as POSCO, KT and Nonghyup. The watchdog first designated Coupang as a large business group in 2021, citing enforcement difficulties in applying the rules to a foreign national, and has maintained the corporate designation ever since. A shift to an individual designation would subject Kim to disclosure obligations covering his personal dealings and expose any companies owned by him or his relatives to regulations barring preferential intra-group transactions — closing a loophole that critics argue lets the founder control the group without the accountability borne by Korean chaebol chiefs. 2026-04-20 09:51:21 -
North Korea test-fires tactical ballistic missiles with new warheads, state media says SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - North Korea has conducted a test of a "surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile," state media reported on Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the test was conducted the previous day to "evaluate the power of warhead of the improved surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11 Ra." "Five tactical ballistic missiles, launched towards the target area around an island about 136 km away, struck the area of 12.5~13 hectares with the very high density, fully displaying their combat might," KCNA said. The purpose of the test was to "verify the characteristics and power of cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead applied to the tactical ballistic missile," it added. The country's leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, expressed "great satisfaction" over the test, touting that the development of different cluster bomb warheads would "boost the high-density striking capability to quell a specific target area as well as the high-precision striking capability." He also encouraged defense and military officials to "continuously make successes in the important undertakings to acquire and update various ultra-modern technologies necessary for the combat preparedness of our army." Sunday's test comes just a few weeks after similar missile launches earlier this month, believed to have tested KN-23–series weapons, similar to Russia's Iskander-type missiles. But this time, they appeared to carry cluster-munition and fragmentation-mine warheads, both designed to maximize damage by dispersing submunitions or metal fragments across a large area. A day earlier, South Korea's military said it detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from Sinpo in South Hamgyong Province toward the East Sea at around 6:10 a.m. and they flew approximately 140 kilometers. "The simultaneous launch of five missiles striking 12.5 to 13 hectares demonstrated the ability to hit a wide area beyond simple precision strikes," said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. "It was also unusual to gather all key commanders responsible for border areas with South Korea in one place, suggesting the tested weapon will be deployed to frontline units." 2026-04-20 09:45:56 -
Toss Bank Launches E-Braille Service for Visually Impaired Customers Toss Bank said on the 20th it will introduce an e-braille service, the first by a South Korean internet-only bank, to improve access to financial information for customers who are visually impaired. The service will initially apply to frequently issued bankbook copies and will later expand to a broader range of financial and certification documents. The e-braille service automatically converts financial documents issued on mobile devices into braille files. Customers can review the contents on their own using assistive devices such as braille information terminals, without needing help from others. The bank said the feature is designed to make numbers, account details, tables and other information clearer than audio guidance alone. Toss Bank said it developed its own e-braille conversion logic and solution for the rollout, focusing on improving accessibility across the full process of using its services. It also improved the screen-reader user experience throughout the bankbook-copy issuance process to make the service easier to use for visually impaired customers. The service is available in the Toss Bank app through the menu for issuing a bankbook copy (account-opening confirmation). The bank said it will review real-world usability and reflect customer feedback as it works to strengthen accessibility for more financial and certification documents. A Toss Bank official said, "It is meaningful to be able to introduce a service that improves financial access for visually impaired customers to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities," adding, "We will continue to strengthen accessibility so that anyone can use financial services without discrimination, without missing even small customer feedback."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-20 09:21:00 -
Woori Bank, Kibo to Provide About $150 Million in Support for SMEs Hit by Mideast War Risks Woori Bank will work with the Korea Technology Finance Corp., known as Kibo, to support small and medium-sized companies affected by global instability, including the war in the Middle East. The bank said Sunday it signed a business agreement with Kibo on an “inclusive financial support” program to help SMEs overcome the crisis. Woori plans to make a special contribution of 4 billion won to Kibo and provide about 210 billion won in financial support. Eligible firms include direct exporters to the Middle East, companies hurt by disruptions in Middle East crude oil supply chains, businesses facing management difficulties, and companies affected by the Middle East war that are recommended by Woori Bank. Participating firms will be offered benefits including a higher guarantee coverage ratio to 100% from 85%, support for guarantee fees of 0.5 percentage points, special treatment in calculating guarantee limits, eased screening, and preferential guarantee limits. “This agreement was prepared to minimize the management shock to SMEs caused by the Middle East war,” said Park Hwa-geun, a deputy general manager in Woori Bank’s corporate sales strategy division. “We will continue to cooperate with related institutions to respond to external risks, while faithfully carrying out our push to shift toward productive finance and expand inclusive finance.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-20 09:09:00