AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

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Candice Kim, Lim Jaeho candicekim1121@ajupress.com, ajupresswogh@ajupress.com

KT posts record quarterly operating profit driven by robust AI-related business SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - Telecom giant KT Corp posted 1.01 trillion won of operating profit in the second quarter, it said on Monday. The highest quarterly profit in its history was driven by its artificial intelligence (AI)-related business that grew 13.8 percent on-year. Its consolidated revenue also stood at 7.43 trillion won (or US$5.4 billion) during the period between April and June, a 13.5 percent increase from the same quarter last year. Even excluding approximately 390 billion won earned from one-off asset sales, its sales performance still exceeded market expectations. Revenues from wireless communications grew by a modest 1.6 percent compared to a year ago, while the AI business division achieved double-digit growth, emerging as the company's key growth engine. Its CEO, Kim Young-shub already declared AI as one of the company's main sources of revenue for the future at the annual Mobile World Congress which was held in Barcelona in February this tear and vowed to integrate it with information and communications technology. As part of such efforts, KT plans to unveil a language-related model in collaboration with Microsoft and also launch a cloud service featuring "confidential computing" technology with enhanced security in the second half of this year, which is expected to improve its sales in the second half of this year. It also hopes to benefit from its deal with American data analytics firm Palantir in March, making it the only South Korean company with strategic partnerships with both Microsoft and Palantir. But challenges remain in the public-sector business after failing to qualify for the government's massive consortium program supporting AI projects. Industry analysts expect that KT could overcome this setback by leveraging private-sector demand through partnerships with the two U.S. tech companies. 2025-08-12 16:04:01
Samsung seeks to capitalize on US push for domestic chip production SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics aims to capitalize on rising U.S. demand for domestically produced advanced semiconductors, with plans to begin cutting-edge 2-nanometer production at its facility in Taylor, Texas starting next year while rival TSMC maintains a Taiwan-first strategy. The South Korean chipmaker is installing 2-nm production equipment at the plant with aims to start operations by 2026, according to industry sources on Sunday. Samsung and TSMC are the two global giants capable of mass-producing 2-nm chips, the latest foundry process technology set for commercialization in the second half of this year. Samsung will begin mass production using the 2-nm process for Tesla's next-generation AI chip dubbed "AI6" at the plant as early as next year. The facility will become Samsung's advanced foundry hub with over $37 billion in planned investment through 2030, focusing on cutting-edge processes unlike its traditional process-oriented Austin facility. Samsung's such approach appears to be a strategy to benefit from American tech giants' need to source semiconductors domestically amid President Donald Trump's threats of semiconductor tariffs. But unlike Samsung, TSMC plans to produce 2-nm technology chips at its Arizona facilities around 2028, more than two years after starting 2-nm production in Taiwan this year. It has allocated only 30 percent of its 2-nm capacity to its U.S. facilities, maintaining its "homeland-first strategy" linked to Taiwan's security considerations as a deterrent against potential Chinese invasion. Industry analysts expect companies like Qualcomm may shift some chip orders from TSMC to Samsung due to limited domestic production options, following Apple's recent decision to use Samsung-produced chips from its Austin plant. 2025-08-11 18:14:41
South Korea seeks tariff exemption for polysilicon exports to US SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korea is seeking an exemption from possible restrictions on polysilicon exports to the U.S. According to a document submitted to the U.S. Commerce Department early last week and disclosed in the Federal Register on Sunday, Seoul requested "special consideration" to exempt South Korean companies from potential import restrictions on polysilicon, a key material for solar panels and semiconductors. The request was made amid U.S. President Donald Trump's Section 232 trade investigation, which examines whether imports of polysilicon should face tariffs or other restrictions to protect what his administration considers a strategically important material for national security. The document explained that broad tariffs on this essential material could disrupt supply chains critical to both countries, emphasizing that South Korean companies are actively investing in the American solar and semiconductor industries, and highlighting that access to polysilicon is crucial for their operations and aligns with America's supply chain diversification goals. It also cited South Korean companies' massive investment in the U.S. including Hanwha Q Cells' solar panel manufacturing facility in Georgia and OCI's solar cell production facility in Texas. Government officials here also expressed concerns that polysilicon tariffs could increase semiconductor manufacturing costs in the U.S. and reduce the profitability of companies operating there, potentially undermining American reshoring goals. In a separate request, Hanwha Q Cells proposed that the U.S. impose a US$10 per kilogram on polysilicon imports while establishing tariff-rate quotas allowing 20,000 tons of duty-free imports annually from Germany and Malaysia. The company also suggested a tariff of 20 cents per watt on solar modules regardless of country of origin, while recommending TRQ allocations for solar ingots, wafers, and cells made from U.S., German, and Malaysian polysilicon. Hanwha sources all polysilicon for its U.S. operations from Malaysia and imports solar cells made from Malaysian polysilicon, both from South Korea and Malaysia, to manufacture modules in the U.S. Semiconductor polysilicon producer OCI similarly requested an exemption for semiconductor-grade polysilicon. The document also called for enhanced cooperation among U.S. allies to strengthen global supply chains, urging that the trade investigation be conducted in a "reasonable and predictable manner consistent with U.S. national security objectives." 2025-08-11 17:07:11
From optics to AI: Canon's bold bet on future of imaging Editor's Note: This article is the 30th installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - Once a small precision optics workshop in Tokyo, Canon Inc. has evolved into one of Asia’s most prominent technology conglomerates. In 2025, the Japanese company is sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence and sustainable manufacturing, signaling a broader transformation of a firm long known for its cameras and copiers. Founded in 1933 as the Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, Canon made history with Japan’s first 35mm focal-plane shutter camera, the Kwanon. The company would go on to introduce the Hansa Canon in 1936 and expand globally by the mid-1950s with overseas offices in New York and Geneva. Nearly a century later, Canon’s portfolio stretches far beyond photography, encompassing industrial printers, medical diagnostics, surveillance technology, and smart city solutions. In the first half of this year, Canon launched a wave of new products, including the EOS R50 V and PowerShot V1 cameras aimed at content creators, and two flagship mirrorless models — the EOS R5 Mark II and R1 — both equipped with AI-powered autofocus. It also unveiled a 410-megapixel CMOS sensor for use in medical, security and industrial settings. These developments helped drive a strong first quarter. The company reported a 20.8 percent year-over-year increase in imaging division sales, buoyed by demand for the R5 Mark II and a 30 percent jump in network camera revenue. Canon now holds between 35 and 50 percent of the global digital camera market across various categories. Canon’s embrace of artificial intelligence extends beyond its product line. Through partnerships with companies such as IBM, the firm is integrating AI and cloud technologies into its operations. Its imageFORCE series includes predictive maintenance systems, and its subsidiaries are developing video analytics for urban infrastructure. In 2024, Canon established a sustainability committee and pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its entire product lifecycle by 2050. By 2030, it aims to cut direct greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent and supply chain emissions by 25 percent, targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company has introduced more energy-efficient manufacturing processes, developed products with recycled materials, and expanded its European recycling programs. Canon Canada was recently named one of the country’s most environmentally friendly employers. Canon’s long-standing “Kyosei” philosophy — emphasizing harmony and coexistence — continues to shape corporate strategy under Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai. The firm reported global revenues of $29.4 billion in 2024, and its management has prioritized sustainable growth, digital transformation, and research-intensive development. Yet Canon faces mounting challenges. Semiconductor shortages and geopolitical tensions have disrupted supply chains, prompting the company to raise prices on some imaging products due to U.S. tariffs. With the imaging division accounting for roughly a quarter of U.S. sales, Canon is responding by shifting toward high-margin offerings and increasing automation at its domestic production sites. Competition is also intensifying. Sony continues to dominate the high-end mirrorless market, while Nikon and Fujifilm have made aggressive pushes with their own product lines. In response, Canon is expanding its RF lens ecosystem, investing in cost efficiency, and embracing third-party collaborations. The company now sees growth in several key areas: mirrorless cameras, drones, medical imaging, and industrial automation. Canon is also strengthening its presence in emerging Asian markets and pushing further into sectors such as life sciences and smart cities. Canon’s long-term vision seeks to marry environmental stewardship with technological innovation — an ambition rooted in its history and now redefined for the digital age. 2025-08-08 09:16:15
[[K-Beauty]] South Korea's SME minister pledges export support amid US tariff concerns SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - South Korean Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook said Wednesday the government will help maintain global competitiveness in key export sectors, including K-beauty and used cars, amid rising trade tensions with the United States. Han made the remarks during a meeting with export-focused small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at a logistics center, owned by a beauty product retailer Silicon2, located in Gwangju, south of Seoul. The session focused on tariffs and exports, addressing challenges faced by SMEs due to US tariff measures. "The government will support sectors where private companies have pioneered export leadership, helping them maintain their global number one competitiveness," Han said. She pledged assistance through funding, overseas market expansion, and global platform cooperation. According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korean small businesses recorded 56.7 billion dollars in exports during the first half of 2025, a 3 percent increase from the same period last year. However, seven of the top 10 export categories, excluding cosmetics, used cars, and semiconductor equipment, showed year-on-year declines, indicating significant industry variations. Han acknowledged concerns over the 15 percent mutual tariff implementation and promised additional support measures beyond existing export vouchers and emergency management stabilization funds. She emphasized plans to provide timely information on tariff criteria and develop online export activation measures as lower-risk alternatives for small exporters. 2025-08-07 16:30:59
[[K-Tech]] Samsung to produce Apple's next-generation chips at US foundry facility SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will manufacture next-generation chips for its competitor Apple's products, including iPhones, at its foundry facility in the United States, the South Korean chipmaker said Thursday. This marks Samsung's first return to chip production partnership with Apple after the American tech giant shifted most of its processor manufacturing to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) in 2013. Apple also released a press release on August 7 and announced that it is collaborating with its South Korean counterpart to develop innovative new chip manufacturing technology at Samsung's semiconductor facility in Austin, Texas. The technology represents the first of its kind to be used globally, according to Apple. "By introducing this technology to the United States first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power efficiency and performance for Apple products, including iPhones shipped worldwide," Apple said. Industry analysts believe the chips are likely image sensors for next-generation iPhones and other Apple devices. Park Yu-ak, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, wrote in a report last month that Samsung's semiconductor division is expected to reduce operating losses through mass production of iPhone 18 image sensors next year and by securing new clients, including Tesla. Samsung's ISOCELL image sensor brand is designed by its System LSI division and will be manufactured by the foundry at the Austin facility, which began operations in 1998. The ISOCELL sensors are constructed by bonding two wafers together, with the new technology-enabled chips to be produced at the Austin plant. Samsung currently supplies ISOCELL sensors to its own Galaxy smartphone models and Chinese manufacturers including Xiaomi, Vivo and Motorola. Apple has traditionally sourced iPhone image sensors exclusively from Japan's Sony, which holds more than half the global image sensor market share, while Samsung ranks second with 15.4 percent as of last year. 2025-08-07 14:59:15
[[K-Tech]] Samsung unveils Galaxy Watch8 with advanced health sensors for preventive care SEOUL, August 07 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Thursday it has upgraded the Galaxy Watch8 series with advanced sensor technologies that enable preventive health monitoring and lifestyle habit formation through new features including bedtime guidance and antioxidant index measurement. The South Korean tech giant announced during a press briefing held in central Seoul that the latest smartwatch series is the brainchild of Samsung's smartwatch sensor development project that began in 2013 with the Galaxy Gear. Galaxy Watch8 houses a 3-in-1 BioActive sensor that combines optical heart rate, electrocardiogram, and bioelectrical impedance analysis capabilities. Samsung Health app for smartphones currently has over 70 million monthly active users globally. Key new features include a bedtime guidance function that uses the scientifically-recognized "Two-Process" sleep model to analyze circadian rhythms and sleep drive over three days for the calculation of optimal bedtime recommendations. The watch also introduces the world's first smartwatch antioxidant index measurement, using upgraded sensors to measure carotenoid levels in the skin within five seconds as an indicator of vegetable and fruit intake. The Galaxy Watch8 series adds vascular stress monitoring that automatically measures blood vessel stiffness during sleep using photoplethysmogram signals, providing baseline comparisons to detect cardiovascular health changes. Enhanced electrocardiogram monitoring can now detect ectopic beats, irregular heartbeats that may indicate early signs of atrial fibrillation and stroke risk. Samsung MX Division Health Hardware Development Group Executive Vice President Choi Jong-min said the company aims to help users form healthy habits and detect abnormal signs early through advanced sensor technology. The Galaxy Watch8's sensor improvements include design and comfort enhancements to improve measurement accuracy during active movement and exercise. Choi mentioned that Samsung's regulatory achievements as the company's competitive edge against rivals. "We received the world's first FDA approval for sleep apnea early screening functionality last year, and competitors have followed our lead since then," he said during the Jung-gu media briefing. Choi emphasized Samsung's focus on innovation, saying: "We are continuing development with pride in Galaxy Watch's new features and how much benefit we can provide to users." 2025-08-07 13:52:25
Three former Sapeon employees indicted for stealing AI core technology SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - South Korean prosecutors have indicted three former employees of the artificial intelligence chip company Sapeon, accusing them of leaking core technologies ahead of the company's planned merger with a domestic rival. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office said Wednesday it charged two of the former employees with theft of industrial technology, unfair competition, and breach of trust. A third former executive was indicted without detention on the same charges. According to prosecutors, the stolen materials, which include source codes and technical documents for AI semiconductor architecture, are valued at approximately 28 billion won, or about $20.2 million. The prosecutors allege that the former Sapeon employees leaked the source codes to external hard drives and personal cloud storage between January and June of 2024. The former executive is accused of leaking separate architectural materials to an external hard drive in March 2023. The indictment states that the former executive left Sapeon before its merger with Rebellions, another domestic AI chip firm, and founded a new AI semiconductor startup. The two employees later joined his new company as engineers. 2025-08-06 16:22:15
[[K-Tech]] Korean scientists develop AI chip that mimics human brain SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - A research team at Dankook University in Seoul has developed a next-generation artificial intelligence semiconductor that mimics the human brain by learning through light, the university announced Wednesday — a potential breakthrough in the emerging field of neuromorphic computing. Led by Professor Choi Jun-hwan of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the team engineered a neuromorphic chip that replicates the structure and function of biological neural networks. Unlike traditional semiconductors, which separate memory and processing units, the new device integrates both into a single chip, drastically reducing power consumption and enabling the simultaneous processing of massive data flows. “This device integrates both memory and synaptic functionalities using optoelectronic mechanisms,” said Professor Choi in a statement. “What’s more, it can be implemented on paper substrates, opening new doors for applications in wearable electronics, AI-based sensors, and security systems.” The chip operates on the principles of synaptic learning, with photonic signals triggering charge storage and processing — a method that mirrors how synapses in the human brain transmit and retain information. Its dual-mode memory transistor is capable of both data retention and adaptive learning in response to external stimuli. The study was conducted in collaboration with Professors Yoo Ho-cheon and Oh Se-yong of Hanyang University. The announcement comes at a time when neuromorphic computing — which aims to replicate the cognitive processes of the brain — is attracting increasing interest from both academia and industry. Analysts project the global market for such technologies could grow from $28.5 million this year to $1.3 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 90 percent. Key drivers include the rise of edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and autonomous systems, all of which require efficient, real-time data processing at low energy costs — areas where neuromorphic devices excel. 2025-08-06 14:30:59
[[K-Beauty]] CJ Olive Young courts American consumers at K-pop festival in LA SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - CJ Olive Young, South Korea’s leading beauty retailer, drew a crowd of 36,000 visitors over three days at KCON LA 2025 with its largest K-beauty booth to date, the company said Tuesday. The immersive 430-square-meter installation spotlighted 164 products from 66 Korean brands, aiming to deepen engagement with U.S. consumers at the annual K-pop and culture festival held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. At the center of the experience was a skincare zone, where attendees sampled over 40 products ranging from essences and serums to suncare, sheet masks, and moisturizing creams — all curated to reflect Korean skincare rituals. A UV protection testing device allowed visitors to measure sunscreen efficacy on the spot, while a newly introduced skin scanning service provided personalized skincare recommendations based on facial analysis. To further entice attendees, Olive Young offered complimentary skincare starter kits featuring products from six popular brands. Long lines formed throughout the event as visitors waited to participate in the interactive skincare sessions, the company said. The booth also served as a platform for promoting smaller Korean beauty labels. A dedicated section highlighted 34 products from 30 small and mid-sized enterprises chosen through government-backed programs supporting global market entry. Meanwhile, Olive Young’s own private-label brands — Bio Heal BOH, Bring Green, and COLORGRAM — were prominently featured in stand-alone installations. 2025-08-05 17:29:31