Journalist

Oh Joo-Seok
  • Hyundai Mobis Spots Endangered Yellow-Throated Marten in Mir Forest in South Korea
    Hyundai Mobis Spots Endangered Yellow-Throated Marten in Mir Forest in South Korea Hyundai Mobis said endangered wildlife has been repeatedly recorded near the Miho River inside Mir Forest in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, where the company is running biodiversity conservation programs. The company said Feb. 25 that a research team led by Prof. Park Byeong-gwon of the Korea Institute of Urban Ecology recently confirmed the presence of a marten, a Class II endangered wild species in South Korea, in Mir Forest. The animal captured was a yellow-throated marten, a carnivorous mammal regarded as a top predator. Its presence indicates the lower food chain is also being maintained in a stable way, the company said. Hyundai Mobis said the finding also reflects progress in its biodiversity work around the Miho River in Jincheon, suggesting the local ecosystem is recovering. Last year, the company said it confirmed habitats for an otter, a natural monument and endangered species, and a leopard cat, a legally protected species. Mir Forest is a 108-hectare (about 267-acre) woodland created near Hyundai Mobis’ Jincheon plant, a production base dedicated to automotive electronic components. The company said it invested about 10 billion won over 10 years starting in 2012 to build the forest. After donating the forest to Jincheon County, Hyundai Mobis said it has been running a social contribution project since 2023 with the local government and the social cooperative Hangang to help create a biodiversity ecosystem in and around the forest and the Miho River. The company said it is also encouraging participation by employees and local residents, beyond providing funding for restoration efforts. Han Seong-hui, executive director and head of Hyundai Mobis’ sustainability management office, said the company will work to create social value by not only cutting carbon emissions across its production process and making eco-friendly products, but also by considering the environmental characteristics of communities where its major sites are located.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 08:27:20
  • USMCA Review Puts Tighter Auto Rules of Origin Back in Focus
    USMCA Review Puts Tighter Auto Rules of Origin Back in Focus The United States, Mexico and Canada are set to hold a joint review on July 1 to decide whether to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, with the possibility of tighter rules of origin for autos and parts emerging as a key issue. An industry analysis report published Tuesday by the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, known as KATECH, said the review could raise the prospect of strengthening or revising rules of origin in ways that reflect the U.S. position. USMCA is a trade pact among the United States, Canada and Mexico that took effect in July 2020. It has a 16-year term and includes a sunset clause requiring a joint review every six years to determine whether to extend it. If the three countries submit recommendations to the Free Trade Commission by one month before the review, the meeting proceeds based on those proposals. The report said the talks are expected to focus on the 75% regional value-content requirement, labor value-content rules, and possible new requirements for the share of steel and aluminum sourced within the region. The report identified the main auto-sector issue as “strengthening or revising rules of origin reflecting the U.S. position,” warning that additional tightening would likely force significant changes in regional production and parts-sourcing structures. While the finished-vehicle and auto-parts industries support extending USMCA, they are calling for transition periods if standards are tightened and for improved consistency in documentation and requirements. The report stressed the need to assess scenarios tied to possible rule changes and to build and manage a supply-chain database. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 06:03:36
  • KAI Board to Review Kim Jong-chul as New CEO After 8-Month Vacancy
    KAI Board to Review Kim Jong-chul as New CEO After 8-Month Vacancy Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will hold a board meeting on Feb. 25 to select a new CEO, a post that has been vacant for eight months. Kim Jong-chul, who previously led the Drone Program Division at South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, is considered the leading candidate. Industry officials said Feb. 24 that KAI’s board will review an agenda item at its Feb. 25 morning meeting to appoint Kim as CEO. If approved, the company would fill the vacancy about eight months after former CEO Kang Goo-young resigned on July 1 last year. Kim could begin carrying out CEO duties as early as March. Kim is a graduate of the 31st class of the Korea Air Force Academy and joined the acquisition agency in 2006 through a special recruitment program at the Grade 4 level. This year, KAI has identified the rollout of its Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) and deliveries of the Korean supersonic fighter KF-21 to the Air Force as top priorities. 2026-02-24 18:13:30
  • 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