AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

Journalist

Kim Dong-young and Han Jun-gu davekim0807@ajupress.com

[[K-Tech]] From creepy-crawly to culinary contender: Companies bet big on edible insects SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - The first bite delivered a crispy snap, followed by an unexpectedly savory burst — something between charred prawns and stir-fried anchovies. There was no musty aftertaste, no trace of the gamy aroma one might expect. “These are mealworms,” said Celina Lee, founder and chief executive of Grub Lab, a South Korean food-tech startup focused on edible insects. She watched her guest's reaction with a practiced calm, then offered a second helping — this time, a generous scoop of golden-brown slivers still bearing traces of their original form. “They taste better than they look, don’t they?” Grub Lab is one of South Korean firms betting that insects — once a novelty street snack — could become a cornerstone of future global diets. As the world grapples with the looming threat of food insecurity, the race to develop sustainable protein alternatives has accelerated, and insects are emerging as an unlikely frontrunner. With the global population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, protein demand is projected to nearly double, putting unprecedented strain on agriculture and livestock production. In response, the food industry is advancing three main alternatives: plant-based meat for vegetarians, lab-grown meat for traditionalists, and edible insects for scalable, low-cost protein. South Korea, which has a long if sporadic tradition of insect consumption — including fried grasshoppers during harvest and silkworm pupae skewered on street corners — is positioning itself as a leader in the insect protein sector. A surge in patents, ranging from insect-based noodles to cheese, illustrates the scope of innovation. “Insects are remarkably efficient,” Lee told AJP. “They consume one-fifth the water and one-fifteenth the feed of traditional livestock, while emitting just a fraction of the carbon dioxide.” Referred to by industry insiders as “little cattle,” insects also require far less land, needing just one-fourteenth the space per gram of protein compared to cows. With breeding cycles as short as two months, they allow for multiple harvests per year — making them both cost-effective and climate-resilient. Market projections back the optimism. Precedence Research estimates that the global edible insect market, currently valued at $1.77 billion, will grow nearly sixfold to $9.14 billion by 2034. In terms of nutrition, insects outperform many conventional meats. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, mealworms contain 53 grams of protein per 100 grams — about 1.5 times more than pork. Rice grasshoppers contain even more: 64.2 grams of protein per 100 grams and nearly 40 times the iron. Their fat content is significantly lower, and what fat remains consists mostly of healthy unsaturated fatty acids. “Insects are the protein of the future,” said Kim Jae-keun, a professor of smart food resources at Donga University of Health. “They’re a viable alternative, particularly as extreme weather events — like the unusually intense monsoon season we saw this July — drive up feed prices and threaten traditional livestock.” Kim sees smart insect farms as the next frontier: vertically integrated, climate-controlled facilities that can produce reliable yields regardless of external weather conditions. South Korea’s government is beginning to act on that vision. On July 16, officials in Gangwon Province broke ground on a 20 billion won ($14.5 million) industrial complex dedicated to insect smart farming. The 2.8-hectare facility will focus on mass-producing mealworms, grubworms, crickets, and silkworms. “We want zero waste,” said Seok Young-seek, the center’s director. “Insects aren’t just food. Their chitin shells can be used in bioplastics and sensors. Their waste becomes fertilizer. There’s enormous potential.” The first batch — an estimated 200 tons of mealworms — is expected by mid-2026. The complex has already drawn attention from major firms: LG CNS is participating in automation design, while food giants Pulmuone and Hanmi Nutrition have expressed interest in integrating insect protein into their offerings. Despite the momentum, government data shows the number of edible insect businesses in South Korea grew only modestly in recent years — from 2,535 in 2019 to 3,031 in 2023, an 18 percent increase. That growth pales in comparison to the 180 percent surge in the four years leading up to 2015. Total sales in 2023 reached just 47.3 billion won, marking a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year — a sign that consumer acceptance is still lagging. “It’s really the visual aspect that turns people off,” said Lee Joon-ha, an expert in industrial insects at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. “People associate bugs with filth or household pests. It’s a deeply ingrained aversion that’s hard to change.” To combat the stigma, officials have organized edible insect festivals and launched public campaigns, including naming contests for farmed bugs. But Lee says a more lasting shift will come only when insects are reimagined in the culinary space. “Right now, we mostly see insects powdered, juiced, or dried. That’s not enough,” he said. “We need genuinely appetizing, original food products — things people want to eat, not just tolerate.” Until then, startups like Grub Lab are pushing forward, hoping that taste, not appearance, will eventually win over the masses. “Once people try it,” Celina Lee said, offering another sample, “they usually come back for more.” 2025-07-24 14:14:35
[[K-Tech]] Hanwha Aerospace nears Nuri rocket technology transfer deal SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace is poised to finalize a long-delayed agreement with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to assume key responsibilities for South Korea’s homegrown space launch vehicle, the Nuri rocket, officials said Wednesday. The two sides are in the final stages of negotiations and are expected to sign the technology transfer agreement on Friday at KARI’s headquarters in Daejeon. The deal would mark a critical milestone in the country’s effort to commercialize its space program and hand over leadership from state to private hands. The agreement comes nearly three years after Hanwha was selected as the preferred negotiation partner in October 2022. While KARI has already shared some technical data ahead of Nuri’s upcoming fourth launch, core components and designs remained restricted pending the completion of the contract. Nuri is South Korea’s first fully domestically developed space launch vehicle. Developed over a decade with a government investment of about 2 trillion won, or roughly $1.45 billion, the three-stage rocket has flown three times since its debut in 2021. A fourth flight is scheduled for November. Officials hope the agreement will usher in a new phase of the country’s space program, often referred to as “New Space,” in which private firms take a leading role in satellite launches and space transportation. The government selected Hanwha Aerospace as the program’s system integrator in 2022, mirroring the United States’ transition of space launch responsibilities to companies like SpaceX. Negotiations had been stalled for years due to disputes over technology transfer fees and the extent of proprietary knowledge to be disclosed. But officials say the deal now appears to be imminent, setting the stage for broader private-sector participation. Under the Nuri advancement program, the government plans to conduct three additional launches annually from this year through 2027, aiming to strengthen South Korea’s commercial space capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign launch providers. 2025-07-23 16:10:02
Korea's lending clampdown leaves door wide open for foreign buyers SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Foreign property acquisitions in Seoul have surged in the wake of South Korea’s tightened mortgage lending rules for domestic buyers, according to newly released court registry data. The new regulations, which took effect on June 27, cap mortgage loans at 600 million won (about $435,000) for most buyers. In the weeks that followed, domestic transactions plummeted. Between July 1 and July 18, purchases of apartments and officetels — mixed-use buildings that serve both residential and commercial purposes — fell by 27.2 percent compared to the same period in June. In contrast, foreign acquisitions rose 14.3 percent over the same span, totaling 120 transactions. Chinese nationals accounted for nearly half, with 57 purchases, followed by Americans with 35 and Canadians with eight. The increase highlights a regulatory gap that exempts overseas buyers using foreign financing from the lending restrictions imposed on domestic borrowers. While South Korean residents are subject to strict lending requirements, foreigners using external capital sources face few such constraints. The disparity has prompted a wave of high-end listings targeting Chinese investors. On Juwai.com, China’s largest international property platform, dozens of Seoul luxury apartments are featured, with some priced as high as 25.8 billion won (approximately $18.7 million). Foreign ownership of South Korean residential properties exceeded 100,000 units for the first time last year, an increase of 9.6 percent from the year prior. Nearly three-quarters of those properties are located in the greater Seoul area, and more than 9,000 units are held through fractional ownership by multiple foreign buyers. Critics have pointed to the uneven enforcement of lending rules. Domestic buyers face immediate loan recalls and penalties for violations, while foreign buyers using offshore funding mechanisms are largely unaffected — exposing what lawmakers and housing advocates describe as a structural enforcement gap. In response, lawmakers have proposed legislation to rein in foreign purchases. The measures include shifting from a notification-based system to a permit-based process and requiring a minimum three-year residency commitment for foreign buyers seeking to acquire residential property. 2025-07-23 14:01:19
Hanwoo beef gets legislative backing as Korea aims to modernize cattle farming SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - South Korea has enacted a new law aimed at strengthening the nation's hanwoo beef industry. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced Tuesday that the so-called “Hanwoo Act” has been officially promulgated and will go into effect on July 23 next year. The legislation mandates that the government devise rolling five-year development plans for the premium Korean beef industry and provide direct financial support to cattle farmers. The move revives a version of the law that was previously scrapped and reflects growing recognition of hanwoo beef’s central role in the rural economy. “Hanwoo production ranks third in agricultural output after pork and rice,” said Ahn Yong-deok, director general of the ministry’s livestock policy division. “The number of cattle farms is the largest in the livestock sector, making it a key sector for the rural economy. This law will serve as a catalyst to upgrade our support system and strengthen competitiveness while discovering new measures for farm management stability.” The new law requires the agriculture ministry to conduct research to improve breeding techniques and meat quality, while also offering slaughter and shipment incentives to farmers to help stabilize supply and demand. As of last month, South Korea was home to approximately 3.29 million hanwoo cattle. North Gyeongsang Province accounted for the largest share, with more than 716,000 cows, followed by South Jeolla Province with roughly 604,000. In the months ahead, the ministry will work to finalize detailed subordinate regulations before the law’s implementation. Hanwoo beef, known for its marbling and high-quality flavor, commands premium prices domestically. 2025-07-22 16:08:11
Hyundai's electric vehicle exports plunge 88 percent amid US setbacks SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle exports plunged nearly 90 percent in the first five months of 2025, as softening demand and looming policy shifts in the United States threaten the automaker’s global electrification strategy. Data released Tuesday by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association showed that Hyundai and its affiliate Kia shipped just 7,156 EVs between January and May, an 88 percent decline from 59,705 units during the same period last year. The slump marks the group’s lowest EV export volume since 2021, when it first rolled out its dedicated electrification push. Hyundai Motor, which includes its upscale Genesis brand, recorded an 87 percent drop in exports, down to 3,906 units. Kia’s EV shipments fell even more steeply, tumbling 89.1 percent to 3,250 vehicles. The downturn comes despite expanded local production in the U.S., where Hyundai began operating its first dedicated EV facility — the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America — in Georgia earlier this year. The plant produced nearly 29,000 Ioniq 5 models and more than 4,000 units of the new Ioniq 9 in the first half. Kia, for its part, assembled over 14,800 EV6 and EV9 vehicles for the American market. Still, the production ramp-up has yet to yield gains in U.S. sales. Combined Hyundai and Kia EV deliveries in the United States declined 28 percent year-over-year to 44,555 units in the first half, according to data from Wards Intelligence, part of the research firm Omdia. Over the same period, the broader U.S. EV market grew 5.2 percent. Analysts warn that the second half of the year may prove even more challenging. Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s recently enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," federal tax credits for EV purchases are set to expire on October 1. The Korea Economic Research Institute projects the change could cost Hyundai up to 45,828 units in lost annual sales in the United States. In response to faltering global demand, Hyundai has begun scaling back domestic production. The company temporarily halted operations at its Ulsan Plant 1 — which manufactures the Ioniq 5 and Kona EV — from July 16 to 21, marking its fifth partial shutdown this year. The U.S. accounted for roughly 36 percent of Hyundai Motor Group’s total EV exports last year, making the American market a cornerstone of its international strategy. The recent slowdown threatens not only the company’s sales targets but also its broader vision of competing globally. 2025-07-22 14:23:22
South Korean retail investors dump gold as stocks rally SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - South Korean retail investors have turned net sellers of gold for the first time in over a year, pivoting toward equities as the country’s main stock index soared to its highest level in nearly four years. Between July 1 and July 21, individual investors unloaded a net 15.9 billion won, or approximately $11.4 million, worth of gold on the Korea Exchange, with a sharp 11.1 billion won sold in a single day on July 21, according to exchange data. Proprietary trading firms also joined the sell-off, shedding nearly 11.4 billion won worth of gold over the same period. The shift ends a 15-month streak of net gold purchases that began in March 2023 and saw retail investors accumulate nearly 1.5 trillion won in the precious metal through June. Analysts say the reversal reflects growing confidence in the domestic equity market, where the benchmark KOSPI index crossed the 3,200 mark in mid-July — a level last seen in late 2021. The rally, driven in large part by surging semiconductor stocks and optimism surrounding the new government’s economic agenda, has lured capital away from traditional safe-haven assets. International gold prices, meanwhile, have remained rangebound around $3,370 per troy ounce after peaking at $3,487.94 in April. The recent plateau follows a months-long rally fueled by investor anxiety over U.S. trade policy and global economic uncertainty, as well as a weakening dollar that had amplified demand for gold earlier in the year. While South Korean investors pulled back, their Chinese counterparts were heavy buyers of gold in the first half of 2025, purchasing about 63 tons through exchange-traded funds. However, that demand has since cooled after Beijing launched a crackdown on speculative trading in May. 2025-07-22 11:20:33
Korea's new finance minister pledges swift tariff talks with US SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Koo Yun-cheol, pledged on Monday to move swiftly in pursuing tariff negotiations with the United States, citing national interests and practical outcomes as top priorities. Speaking at his inaugural press briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong, Koo emphasized the urgency of the talks, which come amid a fast-approaching deadline for a proposed mutual tariff suspension by Washington. “We are coordinating with the United States,” Koo said in response to questions about a potential visit to Washington. “Once arrangements are finalized, I will meet with them as soon as possible to explain Korea's situation and seek understanding for successful tariff negotiations that serve our national interests.” South Korean officials are under mounting pressure to reach an agreement before the August 1 deadline floated by the U.S. According to government sources, Koo could travel to Washington as early as this week in a bid to meet the timeline. During his visit, Koo is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with discussions likely to center on trade policy, foreign exchange issues and broader economic cooperation between the two allies. At home, Koo named taming inflation as his most pressing domestic challenge, pointing in particular to rising consumer prices driven by recent flood damage across the country. Earlier in the day, in a meeting with ministry officials, Koo urged public officials to act as “core employees of Korea Inc.,” encouraging them to embrace a problem-solving ethos and to build trust with the public through responsive and efficient service. He also promised incentives for civil servants who put forward innovative ideas with measurable impact, and committed to cutting back on formalities such as face-to-face reporting. He also added that artificial intelligence would be increasingly integrated into ministry operations. “I want to create an environment where any staff member, regardless of rank, can contribute ideas directly to leadership,” Koo said. 2025-07-21 16:23:18
SK Ecoplant under scrutiny over alleged accounting irregularities linked to IPO SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - SK Ecoplant, the environmental services arm of South Korea’s SK Group, is under scrutiny by financial regulators over allegations it inflated revenues at its U.S. subsidiary to bolster its valuation ahead of a planned initial public offering. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is set to hold a key audit committee meeting on Thursday to review the results of a months-long investigation into the company’s accounting practices. A preliminary hearing held last week ended without a decision. Regulators have already recommended criminal prosecution, the dismissal of former executives, and fines amounting to billions of won after concluding that SK Ecoplant intentionally violated accounting standards. According to the FSS, SK Ecoplant overstated revenues at its U.S.-based fuel cell subsidiary in 2022 and 2023, thereby generating misleading consolidated financial statements that were presented to both investors and oversight authorities. Investigators believe the alleged misconduct was driven by the company’s effort to inflate its corporate value ahead of a promised IPO. In 2022, SK Ecoplant secured roughly 1 trillion won, or $720 million, in pre-IPO funding on the condition that it would go public by 2026. The case comes amid a broader regulatory crackdown on financial misconduct. Recently, authorities have referred several high-profile corporate figures — including HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk and former executives of Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance — to prosecutors. The Securities and Futures Commission has warned of “devastating” penalties for executives found guilty of intentional accounting fraud. If the committee endorses the FSS’s recommendations, the SK Ecoplant case could be referred for criminal prosecution, potentially derailing SK Group’s IPO timeline for SK Ecoplant and delivering a setback to the conglomerate’s expansion in the energy sector. 2025-07-21 14:46:35
[[K-Tech]] LG CNS partners with Honeywell to jointly develop AI-powered automation systems SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korean IT solutions provider LG CNS said Monday it has entered into a partnership with Honeywell of the United States to develop artificial intelligence-based automation technologies tailored for American manufacturing. The collaboration was finalized during a July 8 meeting in Houston between Hyun Shin-gyoon, chief executive of LG CNS, and Pramesh Maheshwari, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. The two companies will jointly develop automation platforms that harness AI to improve production efficiency across a range of industries, including semiconductors, batteries and petrochemicals. The initiative aims to integrate LG CNS’s expertise in automation consulting and service delivery with Honeywell’s global footprint in sensor and control systems. Honeywell’s Process Solutions unit specializes in providing automation tools and software for complex manufacturing environments, particularly in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Under the partnership, LG CNS will deploy its AI agents to analyze data captured by Honeywell’s distributed control systems. The real-time data analysis is intended to detect anomalies and trigger immediate corrective actions, helping manufacturers minimize downtime and optimize operations. "This cooperation is the first step for both companies to jointly address business innovation needs of U.S. manufacturing customers and seek technological solutions," Hyun said in a statement. The two companies also plan to develop advanced manufacturing execution systems — platforms that oversee equipment, processes and personnel in real time — to support digital transformation across industrial supply chains. LG CNS and Honeywell said they intend to extend their jointly developed technologies beyond the United States to global markets, including Europe, leveraging Honeywell’s network of more than 100 corporate clients. 2025-07-21 14:07:03
[[K-Tech]] South Korea nears decision on landmark energy storage tender SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea is poised to award its first large-scale energy storage system (ESS) tender this week, a 1 trillion won (approximately $720 million) project that has drawn fierce competition among the country’s top battery makers. The outcome could reshape the strategic priorities of an industry grappling with faltering global demand for electric vehicles. The Korea Power Exchange, under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is expected to announce the winning bidder for the 540-megawatt ESS development project within days. The initiative forms a central pillar of the government’s plan to modernize the national power grid and bolster capacity for renewable energy integration. Consortiums led by LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are expected to submit proposals featuring similar technical specifications but differentiated by cost structures, supply chain localization, and safety features. The tender arrives at a critical moment for South Korea’s battery manufacturers, many of which are contending with slowing EV sales globally. With growth plateauing as the sector moves from early adopters to more cost-sensitive mainstream buyers — a phenomenon some analysts call the “EV market chasm” — companies are increasingly eyeing ESS as a vital alternative growth engine. In response, the government has adopted a weighted evaluation framework that assigns 60 percent of scoring to pricing and 40 percent to non-price criteria. The latter includes domestic industrial contribution, fire and facility safety, and community acceptance, reflecting policymakers’ emphasis on supply chain security and public trust in grid infrastructure. LG Energy Solution and SK On are seen as competitive on both pricing and safety, thanks in part to their adoption of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology, known for its affordability and thermal stability. SK On, a relative newcomer to the ESS space, faces skepticism over its limited market experience and lack of a track record in high-volume grid deployments. Nevertheless, its LFP-based technology could offer advantages in safety and cost. Samsung SDI, in contrast, uses nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) battery chemistry, which provides higher energy density but carries higher material costs and fire risk. Yet the company has emphasized its domestic manufacturing footprint — most ESS cells are produced at its Ulsan facility — and proprietary safety enhancements, potentially gaining ground in non-price categories, including community acceptance and domestic contribution. The project is the first of many under South Korea’s 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, which calls for adding 23 gigawatts of ESS capacity by 2038. The stakes are high: the inaugural tender is expected to set benchmarks for future procurements, intensifying long-term competition among domestic battery firms. 2025-07-21 10:55:55