Korea Employers Federation calls AI key to economic recovery SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A leading South Korean business group on Thursday called artificial intelligence a critical tool for reviving the economy and urged companies to accelerate innovation alongside labor-market reforms. The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) is hosting the two-day Korea CEO Forum in central Seoul from Feb. 5–6, bringing together executives from major companies to discuss how AI is reshaping industries and workplaces. In opening remarks, KEF Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik said South Korea must sharply improve productivity and competitiveness to overcome economic challenges, describing AI as “the most effective breakthrough.” “The gap in AI readiness is becoming a gap in corporate and national competitiveness,” Sohn said, adding that advances in AI are generating new industries and innovation while driving broad social and economic change. He warned that managing labor-market disruption will be a major task as AI adoption accelerates, calling for solutions that promote corporate innovation, nurture talent and improve workers’ quality of life at the same time. On labor relations, Sohn urged greater cooperation between management and labor based on legal principles and dialogue, saying stable industrial relations are essential for innovation and job security. He also called on the government and National Assembly to quickly clarify implementation measures related to a revised labor union law set to take effect in March, citing concerns among companies about potential confusion. Sohn urged caution over extending the statutory retirement age, saying it could discourage youth hiring and deepen labor-market disparities. Instead, he called for broader discussions on flexible options such as post-retirement reemployment and reform of seniority-based wage systems. He also argued that rigid working-hour rules should be made more flexible to reflect differences across industries and job types. The forum includes sessions on AI-driven industrial transformation. KAIST professor Kim Dae-sik is delivering a keynote on how generative AI and artificial general intelligence could reshape industrial structures and capital-labor relations. Hyun Dong-jin, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab, is presenting cases of AI and robotics-based business applications, while Kakao Pay CEO Shin Won-geun is discussing stablecoins and changes in digital finance. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-05 16:02:48

LG Energy Solution, Hanwha Qcells team up to target US energy storage boom SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Hanwha Qcells have joined hands to strengthen their position in the fast-growing U.S. market for large-scale energy storage systems. Industry sources said Wednesday that Hanwha Qcells plans to procure up to 5 gigawatt-hours of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from LGES’s plant in Holland, Michigan. The batteries will be deployed in U.S. ESS projects where Hanwha Qcells will oversee engineering, procurement and construction between 2028 and 2030. The arrangement also covers long-term operation and maintenance services, signaling a strategic partnership rather than a one-off supply agreement. The cooperation comes as structural shifts reshape the U.S. power market. Rapid growth in AI-driven data centers and broader electrification are boosting electricity demand, while permitting and transmission constraints slow the addition of new generation capacity. As a result, large-scale storage systems that can balance load fluctuations and support grid stability are emerging as critical infrastructure. Consultancy Wood Mackenzie forecasts nearly 318 GWh of new ESS installations in the United States over the next five years. Hanwha Qcells is emphasizing local sourcing to enhance eligibility for U.S. incentives such as advanced manufacturing and investment tax credits, while strengthening compliance with domestic content requirements. Once its solar manufacturing complex under construction in Georgia — dubbed the Solar Hub — is completed, the company expects to operate a localized production network covering both solar modules and storage solutions. Industry officials describe the partnership as a role-based strategy in which Hanwha Qcells focuses on project development, EPC services and solar supply, while LGES provides U.S.-based battery manufacturing and operational support. LFP batteries are widely viewed as suitable for large-scale ESS due to safety and longer cycle life, making them attractive for grid and data center applications. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-04 11:09:17

Korea's top battery firms post losses as EV demand slump drags earnings SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s three major battery makers reported losses in the fourth quarter of 2025 as a prolonged slowdown in global electric-vehicle demand weighed on shipments. SK On posted an operating loss of 441.4 billion won in the October–December period and a full-year operating loss of 931.9 billion won. LG Energy Solution also recorded an operating loss of 122 billion won in the fourth quarter, swinging to a loss from a year earlier. Samsung SDI, which is scheduled to report earnings on Feb. 2, is also expected to post weak results. A securities-firm consensus estimates Samsung SDI’s fourth-quarter operating loss at 358.5 billion won. The losses reflect an extended lull in EV demand, as global automakers scale back production plans or delay investments in new models. Reduced battery shipments have pushed down factory utilization rates, increasing the burden of fixed costs and squeezing margins. Changes to EV subsidy policies, particularly in the United States and Europe, have also weighed on demand. As a result, the battery makers are accelerating efforts to diversify beyond EVs into areas such as energy storage systems and robotics. LG Energy Solution began mass production of long-cell lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for ESS in May at its Holland, Michigan, plant. Samsung SDI continues ESS production in North America through its joint-venture facilities, while SK On plans to start ESS production in the second half of this year at its plant in Georgia. In South Korea, battery makers are also expanding production and investment to respond to government-led bidding for a centralized ESS contract market. In a recent earnings call, SK On said it aims to secure 20 gigawatt-hours of global ESS orders by 2026, primarily in North America, and plans to strengthen LFP battery production capacity to attract new customers. Robotics is also emerging as a medium- to long-term growth area. Industry officials say solid-state batteries, which could significantly improve safety and energy density, are being explored for use in next-generation devices such as humanoid robots. Samsung SDI has begun joint development of robot-specific batteries with Hyundai Motor and Kia, while LG Energy Solution is working with U.S.-based Bear Robotics to expand supplies of cylindrical batteries for robotic applications. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-28 14:46:10

Hanwha Ocean wins $550 million orders for 2 LNG carriers SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean has secured new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier orders, adding to a solid start to the year as the South Korean shipbuilder focuses on high-value vessels. In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the company said it signed shipbuilding contracts for two LNG carriers with a total value of 738.3 billion won ($550 million). The vessels will be delivered sequentially, though no timetable was disclosed. Including the latest contracts, Hanwha Ocean’s year-to-date order intake stands at five vessels — three very large crude carriers and two LNG carriers — worth about $890 million. That compares with a single VLCC order in January last year. The company said it expects replacement demand for aging vessels to continue over the medium to long term as environmental regulations tighten globally and fuel-efficiency requirements become more stringent. Hanwha Ocean also forecast sustained demand for LNG carriers as the development of LNG export terminals, led by the United States, enters a full-scale phase. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 13:45:30

South Korea's LIG Nex1 pitches air defense systems to Middle Eastern customers SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 is making its first appearance at the Middle East’s largest maritime defense exhibition, stepping up efforts to expand its presence in the region. The company said on Tuesday it is participating in the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX) 2026, which runs from Jan. 19 to 22 in Doha, Qatar, where it is showcasing integrated air-defense and precision-strike solutions tailored to Middle Eastern customers. Held every two years, DIMDEX is the region’s largest maritime defense exhibition and marks its 10th edition this year. At the event, LIG Nex1 is highlighting its “K-air defense network,” a layered air-defense system designed to counter threats across low- to high-altitude ranges. The system includes the Cheongung-II medium-range, medium-altitude interceptor; the L-SAM long-range, high-altitude interceptor; and the Shingung man-portable air-defense system. The company is also presenting precision-strike and surveillance assets for ground and maritime operations, including the Hyungung anti-tank guided weapon, the 2.75-inch guided rocket Bigung, which has passed U.S. fire control testing, and the Counter-Battery Radar-II for counter-artillery missions. LIG Nex1 said this marks its first participation at DIMDEX. The company has expanded its local presence in the Middle East since August and has intensified region-specific marketing and business development efforts. The company has previously secured export contracts for medium-range surface-to-air guided weapons with key Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. 2026-01-20 14:41:09

HD Korea Shipbuilding secures $350 million in new vessel orders SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore, the shipbuilding arm of HD Hyundai, said on Tuesday it has secured orders for crude oil tankers and petrochemical product carriers, extending a strong start to the year. The company said it signed contracts to build two crude oil tankers and two petrochemical product carriers, or PC carriers, with a combined value of 481.6 billion won ($350 million). The vessels will be constructed at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered in stages by the first half of 2029. With the latest contracts, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore’s year-to-date orders have risen to nine vessels. In value terms, the company has provisionally secured $1.49 billion, equivalent to 6.4 percent of its annual order target of $23.31 billion. The company has so far booked orders for four liquefied natural gas carriers, one liquefied petroleum gas and ammonia carrier, two crude oil tankers and two PC carriers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-20 14:25:08

Hyundai Glovis installs SpaceX's Starlink to enhance vessel safety, connectivity SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Hyundai Glovis said Monday it has begun installing low-Earth-orbit satellite communications service Starlink across its fleet, aiming to accelerate digital transformation in shipping while enhancing vessel safety management. The logistics and shipping arm of Hyundai Motor Group is rolling out Starlink on 45 company-owned vessels, including car carriers and bulk carriers. Installation will be carried out sequentially, starting with ships calling at local ports this year. Starlink is a low-Earth-orbit satellite communications service operated by U.S. space company SpaceX. By using small satellites orbiting about 550 kilometers above Earth, it can offer faster and more stable data connections than conventional geostationary satellites, which operate at roughly 36,000 kilometers, Hyundai Glovis said. Following the adoption of Starlink, the time required to download 1.4 gigabytes of video content during ocean crossings fell from about 15 minutes to around two minutes, the company said. Hyundai Glovis plans to build a high-capacity data environment at sea and improve communications quality to levels closer to those onshore. Improved connectivity is also expected to strengthen emergency response capabilities by enabling real-time communication with shore-based teams in situations such as equipment malfunctions, crew illness or injury, and deteriorating weather conditions during long-distance voyages. “Introducing low-Earth-orbit satellite communications is core infrastructure to improve both safety and efficiency in ship operations,” the company said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-19 10:18:31

Hyundai Rotem pivots toward robots, hydrogen in organizational overhaul SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean manufacturer with operations spanning defense, rail and plant engineering, has reorganized its business to position robots and hydrogen as its primary growth engines. The company said Wednesday that it has carried out a broad restructuring aimed at strengthening competitiveness in robot and hydrogen technologies. Central to the overhaul is the creation of a dedicated unit that consolidates both businesses into a single strategic pillar. Under the reorganization, Hyundai Rotem established a Robot & Hydrogen Business Office, bringing together a robot sales team and a robot research team. The company also created an AI Robot Team, signaling a broader push to elevate unmanned systems and AI as core, companywide capabilities. In addition, an Aerospace System Team was created under the Aerospace Development Center. Hyundai Rotem said the changes are intended to prepare the company for the “physical AI era,” with plans to apply unmanned technologies, artificial intelligence and hydrogen energy across its core businesses to upgrade its operating structure. A Hyundai Rotem official said the reorganization is aimed at strengthening technological competitiveness over the mid- to long term while building a faster and more flexible operating system. "We plan to pursue upgrades to our core businesses through execution-focused changes," the official said. 2026-01-14 14:04:40

POSCO raises $700 million in US dollar bond sale SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - POSCO, South Korea’s largest steelmaker, has completed its first U.S. dollar–denominated public bond sale of the year, becoming the first South Korean company to tap the global dollar bond market in 2026. The company said Tuesday that it raised $700 million through a two-part offering comprising $400 million of five-year notes and $300 million of 10-year notes. POSCO initially marketed the bonds at spreads of about 1.15 percentage points over U.S. Treasurys for the five-year tranche and 1.30 points for the 10-year notes. Strong demand during bookbuilding drew more than $6.6 billion in orders from over 180 institutional investors — more than nine times the deal size — allowing the company to tighten pricing. The final spreads narrowed by 0.4 percentage points to 0.75 points for the five-year notes and 0.90 points for the 10-year tranche. The offering came amid heightened geopolitical risks and volatility in global financial markets. POSCO conducted investor meetings in New York, Boston and London in November, followed by briefings for major investors in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore in January, as it sought to build demand ahead of the transaction. Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings rate POSCO at Baa1 and A-, respectively, reflecting the company’s solid market position, POSCO said. POSCO said it plans to use the proceeds primarily to refinance existing debt. “Based on a stable financial structure, we will continue to maintain trust in the global financial markets,” a company official said. 2026-01-13 17:06:40

Hyundai Steel Industry wins $450 million offshore wind contract in South Korea SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - Hyundai Steel Industry, a unit of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, said on Wednesday it has won a $450-million contract to manufacture and install substructures for an offshore wind farm in South Jeolla Province. The company signed a deal with Hanwha Ocean covering fabrication and installation of substructures for the project. The contract is valued at 611.5 billion won ($450 million), with work scheduled to run from this month through January 2029. Hyundai Steel Industry said it will apply the “pre-piling” method for the first time in South Korea, a technique that involves installing piles before placing the substructure. The approach is expected to shorten construction schedules and improve installation accuracy. The Shinan Ui offshore wind farm is a large-scale project that will build 390 megawatts of generating capacity in waters southeast of Uido in Shinan County, South Jeolla Province. Hyundai Steel Industry has accumulated offshore wind construction experience at home and abroad since taking part in the Tamra offshore wind project in 2012, South Korea’s first commercial offshore wind farm. Its portfolio includes projects in Taiwan, Hallim on Jeju Island and Jaeun in South Jeolla Province. “This Shinan Ui project will be an opportunity to elevate South Korea’s offshore wind construction technology to the next level,” Park Yong-seop, executive director and head of Hyundai Steel Industry’s offshore wind business division, said in a statement. 2026-01-07 13:39:04