Journalist

Oh Joo-Seok
  • Parata Air to Hire Experienced Cabin Crew in First Half of 2026
    Parata Air to Hire Experienced Cabin Crew in First Half of 2026 Parata Air said Monday it will hold an open recruitment drive in the first half of 2026 to hire experienced cabin crew. Applicants must have at least two years of cabin crew experience at a domestic or overseas airline. The process includes document screening and a competency test, followed by a first-round practical and English interview, a second-round executive interview and a medical checkup before final selection. Foreign-language skills are preferred, and applications are due by 5 p.m. March 1. Parata Air operates domestic routes and key international routes including Japan and Vietnam. The airline said it is also working to build a stable operational foundation through ongoing hiring and structured training. “Cabin crew are on the front line of aviation safety and a core role that delivers our brand value closest to customers,” a Parata Air official said. “We will strengthen Parata Air’s differentiated service competitiveness with experienced professionals.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 09:54:42
  • Volkswagen Group Names Andreas Mindt as Head of Group Design
    Volkswagen Group Names Andreas Mindt as Head of Group Design Andreas Mindt, head of design for the Volkswagen brand, will also take on the role of head of group design, succeeding Michael Mauer, who left the post as part of a generational change. Volkswagen Group said Monday that Mindt will oversee design across the group starting March 1. Mindt graduated from Pforzheim University of Design and began his career at Volkswagen Group in 1996. Through 2014, he worked at the Volkswagen brand, contributing to exterior design including the first-generation Tiguan and the Golf 7. Until 2021, he led a revamp of Audi exterior design, working on models ranging from the Audi A1 to the e-tron GT and from the Q3 to the Q8. Since February 2023, he has served as head of design for the Volkswagen passenger-car brand. Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said he looks forward to working even more closely with Mindt, adding that Mindt “made a significant impact in a short time” based on his achievements and expertise at the Volkswagen brand. Blume said Mindt played a key role in ensuring Volkswagen vehicles are once again clearly recognized as “true Volkswagens.” 2026-02-24 09:45:24
  • Cadillac Launches 2026 Escalade in South Korea With Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving
    Cadillac Launches 2026 Escalade in South Korea With Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving Cadillac said Monday it has launched its flagship SUV, the 2026 The New Escalade, and begun official sales in South Korea. The updated model keeps the Escalade’s performance while adding GM’s hands-free driver-assistance system Super Cruise, along with T Map connected services and a traffic sign recognition feature. Super Cruise, newly applied to the 2026 The New Escalade, supports hands-free driving and automatic lane changes on about 23,000 kilometers (about 14,300 miles) of highways in South Korea. Using high-precision road data and sensor fusion from cameras and radar, the system is designed to help control the vehicle safely even in complex conditions such as curves and construction zones. T Map connected services are also new. Drivers can check real-time traffic and suggested routes on the infotainment center screen and instrument cluster without connecting a smartphone. The newly added traffic sign recognition system, or TRS, is designed to help drivers identify the speed limit on the road they are traveling. It displays the limit on the cluster using camera and navigation data. The 2026 The New Escalade is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine producing 426 horsepower and 63.6 kg·m of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Cadillac said Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, which analyzes the road surface 1,000 times per second, works with an adaptive air-ride suspension to improve ride comfort. The vehicle is offered in two versions: a standard model and the extended-wheelbase ESV. Prices in South Korea, based on a 3.5% individual consumption tax rate, are 168.07 million won for the standard model and 190.07 million won for the ESV. “The 2026 The New Escalade is a model that takes the standard for a luxury flagship to a new level by adding cutting-edge intelligent technologies such as Super Cruise and T Map connected services,” said Yoon Myung-ok, GM Korea’s chief marketing officer and head of communications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 09:27:19
  • Korea Automotive Technology Institute Expands Training for Future Vehicle Talent
    Korea Automotive Technology Institute Expands Training for Future Vehicle Talent The Korea Automotive Technology Institute said Monday it will expand job-transition training and consulting support for auto parts companies as the industry shifts to future vehicles. KATECH said it will broaden its programs under the Korea Industrial Human Resources Corp.’s Industrial Transition Joint Training Center project, offering more training for incumbent workers and more company-support consulting. This year, it plans to upgrade courses to reflect demand in the field and expand consulting, with full-scale operations set to begin next month. KATECH said it will significantly expand hands-on courses including vehicle software development based on the future vehicle standard software platform AUTOSAR; battery management system software development using model-based design; and techniques for applying international certification rules for future vehicle cybersecurity. It also plans to set up an integrated “training-consulting performance management system” that links consulting support to companies with large numbers of employees participating in the training, aiming to improve the effectiveness of industrial transition. KATECH is carrying out the joint training center project for five years, from last year through 2029. In its first year, it signed agreements with 161 companies and ran courses focused on key future vehicle areas such as fuel cells, electrification and autonomous driving. It also provided tailored diagnostics and consulting to support technical capabilities for 15 companies, producing results including new business item development, commercialization strategy planning, process improvements and quality gains. “Transitioning to the future vehicle industry is a core task that determines parts companies’ competitiveness and survival, beyond simply learning new technologies,” KATECH President Jin Jong-wook said. He said the institute will actively support the domestic parts industry in securing new growth engines through a virtuous cycle of practical training that can be applied immediately in the field and customized consulting support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 08:24:30
  • Humanoid Robot Boom Lifts South Korea Auto Parts Makers, Boosting Sales and Jobs
    Humanoid Robot Boom Lifts South Korea Auto Parts Makers, Boosting Sales and Jobs As the humanoid robot market shows signs of taking off, South Korea’s auto parts industry is also seeing a lift. Expanding investment by major automakers, including Hyundai Motor, is creating spillover benefits for suppliers. The shift from internal-combustion vehicles to EVs had raised concerns about job losses, but the industry is now also looking at potential net hiring tied to new businesses. Industry officials said Monday that Hyundai Mobis surpassed 60 trillion won in annual revenue for the first time last year, helped by the start of operations at its North American electrification plant and rising output of higher value-added parts such as automotive electronics. Hyundai Motor’s push beyond electrification into new areas such as robotics is also expected to benefit Hyundai Mobis. Hyundai Motor Group said it will allocate 71.1% of its planned 125.2 trillion won in domestic investment from this year through 2030 to future businesses including robots and EVs. In the U.S., it plans to invest $26 billion (about 37.7 trillion won) through 2028. Boston Dynamics is set to begin mass production of the humanoid Atlas in 2028. Hyundai Mobis set up a robotics business unit last year and has begun hiring development and manufacturing-technology staff. A Hyundai Mobis official said the company is recruiting talent to develop actuators, a core component for robots, adding that large-scale investment across the industry could make robotics a key source of income. Other suppliers are also seeking entry into robotics and other new businesses by building on their existing strengths. SL, an auto parts company based in Daegu, is expected to see revenue growth as it takes charge of assembling Hyundai Motor’s mobile logistics robot, MobED. MobED is set to begin mass production and sales starting in the first quarter of this year, with a sales target of 10,000 to 15,000 units by 2029. Annual revenue is estimated at about 150 billion to 200 billion won, with part of that expected to be reflected in SL’s results as a contract manufacturer. An SL official said robot parts are not far removed from the company’s electrification-related auto parts technology, adding that SL plans to expand the business based on its long-standing relationship with Hyundai Motor. SL’s consensus operating profit estimate for this year is 418.5 billion won, up 2.8% from last year’s 407.1 billion won. The industry’s restructuring is also showing up in employment data. According to the Korea Employment Information Service report, “Industry and Job Transition Map for Auto Parts Manufacturing,” the number of workers in domestic auto parts manufacturing stood at 250,700 as of June last year, up 4,100 from a year earlier. The number of businesses was 8,668, an increase of 334 from 2020. Industry officials said automakers’ investment in future businesses is feeding through to job creation among suppliers. As demand for internal-combustion parts shrinks and the sector shifts toward electronics and software, hiring is also moving toward technology-focused roles. Moon Hak-hoon, a professor in the Department of Future Automobiles at Osan University, said employment gains may have been driven by new-business demand from global automakers, adding that hiring for research and development to expand into areas such as robotics is likely to continue for some time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:04:47
  • Jeju Air to Launch Incheon-Yichang and Daegu-Guilin Flights Twice Weekly
    Jeju Air to Launch Incheon-Yichang and Daegu-Guilin Flights Twice Weekly Jeju Air said Sunday it will begin twice-weekly service in April on the Incheon-Yichang route and the Daegu-Guilin route. The Incheon-Yichang route will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from April 4 to May 30. The Daegu-Guilin route will run as a twice-weekly charter service, on Thursdays and Sundays, from April 30 to May 28. Yichang, a city associated with the historical novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," is known for major temples and the Three Gorges Dam, and is a popular gateway for Yangtze River Three Gorges cruises. Guilin, a major tourist destination in southern China, is known for its scenery, including the Li River, as well as attractions such as Guanyan, where visitors explore caves by monorail, and the Longji rice terraces. Jeju Air also said it will resume service during the summer schedule period starting next month on the Incheon-Shijiazhuang route (twice weekly, Mondays and Fridays), the Busan-Shijiazhuang route (twice weekly, Tuesdays and Saturdays) and the Jeju-Beijing Capital route (three times weekly, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). It will double Incheon-Weihai service to 14 flights a week from seven. The airline plans to start Busan-Zhangjiajie flights twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from next month 3, and to resume Incheon-Guilin service four times weekly, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from March 11. Incheon-Yanji service was increased last month to six flights a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as the carrier continues to expand its China network. Jeju Air’s China-route passenger numbers have continued to rise, from about 305,000 in 2023 to about 493,000 in 2024 and about 573,000 last year. A Jeju Air official said travel demand is expected to keep growing as travel becomes more convenient, including through visa-waiver policies by the South Korean and Chinese governments. The official said the airline will work to expand China routes to improve travel options for passengers in both countries. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:46:10
  • Survey: New-Car Shoppers Rely on YouTube, Then Verify in Showrooms Before Buying
    Survey: New-Car Shoppers Rely on YouTube, Then Verify in Showrooms Before Buying New-car buying is increasingly following a “hybrid” path: shoppers research digitally, then confirm key details offline before deciding. Chabot Mobility said on the 23rd that it analyzed each stage of the car-buying journey for 450 people planning to purchase a new vehicle this year. More than half of respondents, 58.1%, said they got new-car information from YouTube auto reviews. Manufacturer websites followed at 42.2%, then automotive news outlets at 34.3% and online communities and cafes at 30.3%. Traditional channels lagged, with dealer consultations at 18.4% and visits to offline showrooms at 14%. The results suggest shoppers are narrowing candidates through digital channels first, then using consultations to make a final choice. By gender, men reported higher use of YouTube (59.9%) and online communities (32.6%). Women more often cited recommendations from acquaintances (30%), social media (22%) and dealer consultations (22%). By age, YouTube use was most active among people in their 30s to 50s, at about 57% to 62%. For comparing vehicles and checking quotes, the most common method was visiting manufacturer websites directly (48.7%). But asking dealers directly (40.1%) and using integrated comparison platforms (37.2%) were close behind. Next were online community information (35.0%), YouTube comparison videos (29.6%) and automotive media (23.1%). On the importance of seeing a vehicle in person, 61.4% said it is “absolutely necessary,” and 25.6% said they would “check if possible,” meaning 87% viewed an in-person look as a core step. Only 2.2% said online information is enough, and 0.4% said it is not important at all. The share calling it “absolutely necessary” rose with age: 68.6% among people in their 50s and 71.0% among those 60 and older. Offline channels dominated how shoppers check vehicles. Visits to traditional dealership showrooms ranked first at 79.4%, while visits to premium showrooms and brand experience centers were also high at 34.7%. On test drives, 41.2% said they are “absolutely necessary,” and 40.8% said they would “like to if possible,” for a combined 82% treating a test drive as essential or near-essential. Among respondents with monthly income of 10 million won or more, the “absolutely necessary” share was 48.7%, above the overall average. For final purchase decisions, 49.1% said they decide jointly with a spouse, the largest share. Another 35.7% said they decide alone, and 13.4% said they decide jointly with other family members. A Chabot Mobility official said the survey clearly shows a hybrid buying journey in which consumers gather information through digital channels and then make a final decision after offline verification such as test drives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:33:18
  • Innocean Tops South Korea in Campaign Brief Asia 2025 Creative Rankings, No. 6 in Asia
    Innocean Tops South Korea in Campaign Brief Asia 2025 Creative Rankings, No. 6 in Asia Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Innocean said it has again demonstrated top-tier advertising production capabilities on the global stage.   Innocean said Monday it was ranked No. 1 in South Korea and No. 6 in Asia in Campaign Brief Asia’s “2025 Creative Rankings.” The rankings compile major international advertising award results earned by agencies across Asia over the past two years, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025. Campaign Brief Asia weighted wins across 12 major global awards, including Cannes Lions, the New York Festivals and the Clio Awards, based on each competition’s standing. Innocean placed first among South Korean agencies and finished sixth overall in Asia. Campaign Brief Asia said Innocean posted the strongest award performance over the two-year period, citing a run of top prizes at leading global competitions. In individual rankings, Innocean CEO and chief creative officer Kim Jeong-a ranked first among South Korean creative directors based on award results. Copywriter Yang Do-yu, art director Oh Eun-ha and creative director Moon Na-ri tied for first in South Korea in the creative category for the most awards won. Kim also ranked sixth across Asia. The individual creative rankings covered 2,885 people, including copywriters, art directors and creative directors. The “Night Fishing” campaign with Hyundai Motor Co. was among works that received high marks, Innocean said.   Innocean previously ranked first in the “Indonesia Creative Rankings,” giving the company top spots in both its South Korean headquarters and an overseas unit. In Indonesia, it held the No. 1 position for a second straight year, it said. “From late last year to early this year, we were named ‘Agency of the Year’ three times in a row by leading overseas organizations, which is very meaningful and gratifying,” Kim said. “This achievement goes beyond awards, serving as an important opportunity to raise the standing of Korean creativity in the global market while also helping drive client growth,” she said.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:04:04
  • Hyundai Launches Pokemon Display Themes for In-Car Screens
    Hyundai Launches Pokemon Display Themes for In-Car Screens Hyundai Motor is bringing Pokemon characters to in-car displays, offering drivers a new way to personalize the cabin experience. The automaker said Sunday it is releasing two new display themes developed with Pokemon Korea: the “Pokemon Pikachu Thunderbolt Theme” and the “Pokemon Ditto World Theme.” Drivers can apply Pokemon-inspired colors and graphics to the infotainment and cluster displays, along with navigation driving information and startup and shutdown animations. Hyundai said the Pokemon-themed displays are expected to create an emotional connection and shared interest between parents and children. The themes can be purchased through Hyundai’s Bluelink Store after registering a primary vehicle in the MyHyundai app. Eligible models are the All-New Palisade, Ioniq 9, All-New Nexo, The New Ioniq 6, 2026 Sonata The Edge and The New Staria. Hyundai said it plans to expand compatibility through OTA (over-the-air) software updates. “This collaboration with Pokemon Korea reflects customer demand to decorate and express their own style through their vehicle,” a Hyundai official said. “In step with the connected-car era, we will continue to raise the value of the experience customers can have in their vehicles.” 2026-02-23 08:57:19
  • Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Close; South Korea Finishes 13th, Seoul Court Sets Up Insurrection Appeals Panels
    Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Close; South Korea Finishes 13th, Seoul Court Sets Up Insurrection Appeals Panels First Olympics with 'two flames' heads into history The 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, staged for the first time with “two flames,” will close with a ceremony starting at 4:30 a.m. Korean time on the 23rd at the Verona Arena in Italy. It was the first Olympics in 20 years to be held in Italy, and the first to include two place names in a single official Games title. The opening ceremony featured athlete entries and torch events in both Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with the cauldron lit simultaneously in two locations for the first time. With events spread out and some venues not completed until just before the opening, the Games began under concern. Once competition started, attention shifted to the athletes. Cross-country star Johannes Klaebo of Norway won six gold medals and collected his 11th career Winter Olympic gold, a record total, among other highlights. Verona, the site of the closing ceremony, is about 160 kilometers from Milan, which hosted the opening ceremony as well as skating and ice hockey events. The 80,000-seat Verona Arena is an amphitheater completed in A.D. 30 during the Roman Empire and once used for gladiator contests and hunts with wild animals. South Korea will have short track skaters Choi Min-jeong of Seongnam City Hall and Hwang Dae-heon of Gangwon Provincial Office serve as flag bearers. Choi won one gold and one silver at these Games, setting a South Korean Olympic record with seven career medals. Hwang won two silver medals, the best result among South Korea’s male athletes at the Games. South Korea ends 2026 Winter Olympics with 3 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze; 13th overall South Korea, which set a top-10 finish as its medal-table goal, ended the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics with what it called a partial success. As of the 22nd, South Korea had won three gold, four silver and three bronze medals to place 13th overall. Short track, expected to deliver at least two gold medals, met its target with two gold, three silver and two bronze. Snow events exceeded expectations with one gold, one silver and one bronze, after aiming for at least one medal. South Korea improved on its 2022 Beijing results of two gold, five silver and two bronze medals, when it finished 14th, but it did not reach the top 10. The team also earned its first Olympic medal in ski and snowboard events. Choi Ga-on of Sehwa Girls’ High School scored 90.25 points in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final, beating Chloe Kim of the United States, who scored 88.00 points while seeking a third straight title. Choi’s victory delivered South Korea’s first gold medal of the Games. In men’s snowboard alpine, Kim Sang-gyeom of High1 won silver, and Yoo Seung-eun of Seongbok High School took bronze in women’s snowboard big air, helping drive South Korea’s early medal push. The short track team outperformed a bleak outlook and piled up medals. Kim Gil-li, the youngest member of the women’s team and born in 2004, won two gold medals and one bronze, becoming South Korea’s only double gold medalist at these Games. South Korea gained momentum with a bronze by Lim Jong-eon of Goyang City Hall in the men’s 1,000 meters, a silver by Hwang in the men’s 1,500, and a bronze by Kim Gil-li in the women’s 1,000. The women’s 3,000 relay produced a dramatic comeback to win gold. On the final day of the sport, South Korea won silver in the men’s 5,000 relay, and Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong took gold and silver in the women’s 1,500. Speed skating, which had been South Korea’s next-most successful Winter Olympic sport after short track, ended these Games without a medal. Vice minister Kim Dae-hyun vows push for snow-sport training facilities, new military winter team Kim Dae-hyun, second vice minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics and pledged to work to improve conditions for South Korea’s athletes. Speaking on the 22nd at a South Korean team disbandment ceremony at Korea House set up at Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan, Kim said, “As the vice minister in charge of sports, I have two policy takeaways.” He said he was grateful to athletes for strong performances in events such as snowboard halfpipe and big air, where there had been doubts about South Korea’s medal chances. But he added that he felt sorry after hearing athletes had trained abroad because there were no domestic facilities. “Once we return, I will consult with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, including President Yoo Seung-min, and also coordinate within the government to do our utmost to ensure training venues can be 마련ed,” he said. Kim also said discussions are underway to expand opportunities for winter-sport athletes to join the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, known as Sangmu. “There are many summer sports in Sangmu, but for winter there is only biathlon. We are consulting with the Ministry of National Defense, and I am also requesting support from the minister and working hard,” he said. “I hope we can join forces so a winter team can be newly established in Sangmu.” Seoul High Court’s insurrection appeals panels to begin work on Yoon case Specialized panels at the Seoul High Court assigned to handle appeals for key figures involved in the Dec. 3 martial law incident will begin full operations, including the case of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of leading an insurrection, according to legal officials. According to the legal community on the 22nd, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Yoon Seong-sik, with Judges Min Seong-cheol and Lee Dong-hyeon) and Criminal Division 12 (Judges Lee Seung-cheol, Jo Jin-gu and Kim Min-a) were designated as the specialized insurrection panels and will start related work from the 23rd. The panels were established under the “Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Crimes Such as Insurrection, Foreign Aggression and Rebellion” (the law creating the specialized insurrection panels). They will handle Yoon’s case as well as appeals for major Cabinet members whose first-trial verdicts have been issued, including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, who face charges such as participating in important duties. On the same day, two new panels will also be created at the Seoul Central District Court to exclusively handle first trials in insurrection cases. One panel will be led by Presiding Judges Jang Seong-hoon (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 30), Oh Chang-seop (class 32) and Ryu Chang-seong (class 33). The other will be led by Presiding Judges Jang Seong-jin (class 31), Jung Su-young (class 32) and Choi Young-gak (class 34). * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 22:03:00