[[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

[[K-Tech]] Samsung's Galaxy S25 hits 3 million sales in Korea — fastest pace yet for 5G Galaxy phone SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its Galaxy S25 smartphone series has surpassed 3 million domestic sales, achieving the milestone faster than any previous 5G Galaxy S device. Launched in February 2025, the Galaxy S25 lineup reached the 3 million mark two months earlier than its predecessor, while maintaining steady momentum throughout the first half of the year. Pre-launch anticipation was particularly high, with Samsung recording 1.3 million pre-orders — the highest in the Galaxy S series’ history. Much of the enthusiasm was driven by upgrades in performance and the debut of Galaxy AI features, including the personalized “Now Brief” function. Samsung cited widespread use of new on-device AI tools such as generative photo editing, automatic slow-motion rendering, and audio eraser features as key factors in sustaining sales after the launch period. The company’s Galaxy AI subscription club, which offers a 50 percent residual value guarantee after one year, also proved popular — accounting for 30 percent of purchases made through Samsung’s direct sales channels. The company’s success extended into the second half of the year with the recent launch of its foldable flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, on July 25. The duo generated a record 1.04 million pre-orders — surpassing all previous foldable Galaxy models — fueled by a slimmer design and the foldable-optimized ONE UI 8 interface. Samsung credited the strong showing to its continued integration of advanced AI and hardware innovation across its product lineup. 2025-08-05 16:29:33

[[K-Tech]] Korean biotech firms target Middle East's healthcare markets SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - South Korean pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are ramping up expansion into the Middle East, seizing new opportunities in healthcare as Gulf nations shift their economic focus away from oil and toward medical innovation and services. Botulinum toxin manufacturers and medical artificial intelligence firms are at the forefront of this push, aiming to tap into rising healthcare investments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, industry officials said Tuesday. Hugel, a leading South Korean aesthetic medicine firm, is awaiting regulatory approval to launch its botulinum toxin product, Botulax, in Saudi Arabia. Mirae Asset Securities expects the company’s botulinum exports to surge by 53 percent in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half. The move follows Hugel’s market entries into Kuwait in 2023 via Medica Group and the United Arab Emirates this past May, positioning Saudi Arabia as its next major target. Medytox, which also entered the Saudi market last year, is moving to establish the first Korean botulinum toxin manufacturing plant in the region. The firm signed an agreement in May with Dubai’s Tecom Group to construct the facility within Dubai Science Park, a strategic step toward localizing production. Daewoong Pharmaceutical, another major player, has expanded its botulinum toxin product, Nabota, to five Middle Eastern markets since 2022. Export sales for Nabota reached 156 billion won ($120 million) in 2024, up from 108.2 billion won two years earlier. The biotech push extends beyond aesthetics. South Korea’s medical AI companies are also accelerating efforts to enter the region. Last month, Vuno signed a partnership with an Egyptian healthcare provider to distribute its AI-powered cardiac arrest prediction tool, DeepCAS, across Egypt, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The firm is currently navigating local regulatory approval processes. Lunit, a Seoul-based medical AI startup, played a prominent role during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in June, providing AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis to detect infectious respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Since entering the region in 2023, Lunit has secured supply contracts with UAE’s SEHA health authority and Saudi Arabia’s Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group. Analysts say the momentum is driven by the region’s push for economic diversification and aspirations to become global medical hubs. According to market research firm Research and Markets, the pharmaceutical market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow to $42.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. 2025-08-05 14:05:14

Korea's beauty exports hit record $5.5 billion in first half SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s cosmetics exports surged to a record $5.5 billion in the first half of 2025, a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year. The latest data, released Monday by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, marks the highest first-half export total in the country’s history and reinforces South Korea’s position as the world’s third-largest cosmetics exporter, behind only France and the United States. If current trends hold, South Korea could overtake the United States for second place by year’s end, industry experts say. K-beauty’s rising profile reflects more than just trend-driven appeal. Once heavily reliant on the Chinese market, the industry has strategically diversified, gaining traction across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Exports to China accounted for just 19.6 percent of the total in the first half of this year — down sharply from 34.7 percent in 2023 — as shipments to other regions surged. Sales to the United States jumped 17.7 percent year over year, while Japan saw a 15.7 percent increase. Korean cosmetics now rank as the top import brand in both countries. European markets also posted robust gains: exports to Poland soared 133.8 percent to $150 million, and shipments to the United Kingdom climbed 46.2 percent to $100 million. The Middle East and Latin America contributed to the broader momentum. Exports to the United Arab Emirates rose 69.4 percent, and shipments to Mexico leapt 138.3 percent — an indication, analysts say, of Korea’s growing ability to cater to varied consumer needs across cultural and climatic boundaries. “South Korea is no longer exporting just a beauty trend,” said Kim Ji-eun, an analyst at Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. “It’s exporting a manufacturing ecosystem — and a very sophisticated one at that.” That ecosystem includes major original design and equipment manufacturers such as Korea Kolmar and Cosmax, which have enabled smaller brands to develop and scale custom products without sacrificing quality or speed. Combined with distribution platforms like CJ Olive Young — which handles more than 2,400 brands monthly — these players have reshaped how beauty products move from lab to shelf worldwide. Behind the numbers lies a deeper shift in strategy. Rather than relying solely on sleek packaging or celebrity endorsements, Korean firms are investing in functionality, affordability, and rapid product cycles. Customized formulations for diverse skin types, climate conditions, and cultural preferences are now standard. Cosmetics exports have steadily risen from $9.2 billion in 2021 to $10.2 billion in 2024, with a brief dip in 2022 tied to Chinese economic softness. But the rebound has been swift and sustained — and, increasingly, independent of any single market. “The global beauty industry is no longer dominated by Western giants alone,” said Park So-young, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “K-beauty isn’t just a wave. It’s an infrastructure — and it’s built to last.” 2025-08-04 13:54:14

[[K-Beauty]] Foreign patients flock to Korea, fueling hospital-based skincare industry Editor's Note: This is the seventh article in our series exploring the evolving landscape of the Korean beauty industry and the products that captivate international visitors. SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented wave of medical tourism, driven not by emergency surgeries or rare procedures, but by dermatology clinics and skincare treatments that are drawing patients from around the world — and transforming clinics into international beauty brands. In 2024, nearly one million foreign patients visited South Korea for medical treatments, nearly double the figure from the previous year and the highest since the government began tracking medical tourism in 2009, according to official data. The influx generated a record 1.4 trillion won (about $1 billion) in revenue and pushed the total number of foreign patients treated over the past 16 years to more than five million. Much of the growth is fueled by cosmetic dermatology. Skin clinics alone accounted for more than 585.5 billion won in revenue this year, surpassing services like general surgery or internal medicine. And while visitors came from over 60 countries, Japanese patients made up the largest group — with women comprising 94 percent of that segment — followed by patients from China, the United States, Taiwan and Thailand. Mongolian patients were the highest spenders, averaging nearly 12 million won ($8,600) per visit. At the center of this phenomenon is Banobagi Medical Group, a Seoul-based clinic that has grown into a global skincare hub. The group said foreign patients made up 63 percent of consultations at the peak in February 2024, up from 40 percent at the end of last year. That share averaged 50 percent over the first half of 2025 — a 31 percent increase in total patients compared to the same period a year earlier. While the clinic draws patients from across Asia and North America, Thailand now represents its largest international source at 27 percent, followed by Vietnam, China, the United States and Indonesia. But as the number of foreign patients rose, something unexpected happened: they wanted to take the treatments home with them. “Patients kept asking for products they could use after procedures,” Dr. Ban Jae-yong, founder of Banobagi, told AJP. “We realized there was demand for scientifically-backed skincare that connected to clinical treatments.” That demand gave birth to Banobagi Cosmetic, a brand that now generates over 90 percent of its sales overseas. Thailand and Vietnam each account for 40 percent of sales, with the remainder coming from Japan, domestic channels, and other markets like the United States. The brand’s “BANO” line has become a regional best-seller, ranking first in the face mask category at Thailand’s Watsons Awards for six consecutive years and topping the charts on Vietnam’s Shopee platform. "Unlike typical skincare brands that consult dermatologists for credibility, these hospital-based cosmetics are born in the clinic — developed in direct response to patient needs and grounded in clinical practice," Ban said. The success of Banobagi and similar clinics underscores a shifting paradigm in South Korea’s medical tourism sector. What began as a niche for high-end surgeries has evolved into a broader offering of skin health, anti-aging, and aesthetic maintenance — often integrated with cosmetic products designed for long-term use. The Korean government projects that up to 1.4 million foreign patients will visit the country by the end of 2025. And with many clinics now operating dual models — offering both treatment and take-home skincare — the line between medicine and consumer beauty is increasingly blurred. Industry experts say the model could reshape how medical tourism is understood globally as these hospital-based brands are forging lasting relationships with international patients. “A hospital visit becomes a starting point, not an endpoint — introducing patients to products and practices they’ll continue using long after they return home," said Ban. 2025-08-04 10:24:38