Journalist

Oh Joo-Seok
  • Hyundai Wia Debuts at Saudi Arabia’s WDS 2026 With Vehicle-Mounted Firepower Systems
    Hyundai Wia Debuts at Saudi Arabia’s WDS 2026 With Vehicle-Mounted Firepower Systems Hyundai Wia is showcasing vehicle-mounted firepower systems at one of the Middle East’s largest defense exhibitions. The company said Sunday it is taking part in the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Feb. 8-12 local time. WDS is one of the region’s biggest defense industry exhibitions. This year’s event drew about 750 companies from 45 countries. Hyundai Wia is operating a standalone booth at the show for the first time. Hyundai Wia displayed full-scale vehicle-based firepower systems, led by a “lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer” that mounts an existing 105mm howitzer on a small tactical vehicle. The company said it is more than half the weight of a wheeled self-propelled howitzer currently deployed by South Korea’s military, improving mobility, and has a maximum range of 18 kilometers. For faster fire control and ammunition transport in the field, the system is designed to operate with a fire-control vehicle and an ammunition carrier. It can also be airlifted by helicopter to an operational area, the company said. Hyundai Wia also exhibited a mock-up of a vehicle-mounted 81mm mortar. Using an automatic emplacement method, it cuts setup time from five minutes to 10 seconds and reduces the crew from five to three, the company said. It is designed to be operated like a conventional 81mm mortar when vehicle use is restricted. The company also introduced a remote-controlled weapon station, or RCWS. It displayed a full-scale small RCWS fitted with a widely used 7.62mm machine gun, and a mock-up of a medium RCWS that can mount a 12.7mm machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Hyundai Wia said it has added an AI-based auto-tracking algorithm across its RCWS lineup to detect and identify targets more precisely and quickly. Also on display was a tactical-vehicle-based anti-drone integrated defense system, or ADS, combining “soft-kill” electronic jamming to disable drones and “hard-kill” engagement using an RCWS, the company said. Hyundai Wia said it plans to use the exhibition to expand exports of artillery systems to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern markets. “It is meaningful to open a standalone booth for the first time at WDS, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East,” a company official said. “We will showcase Hyundai Wia’s defense technology across various regions, including the Middle East, and continue full-scale order-winning efforts in overseas markets.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 09:09:00
  • Hyundai Glovis Expands Into K-Beauty Logistics With New Fulfillment Service
    Hyundai Glovis Expands Into K-Beauty Logistics With New Fulfillment Service Hyundai Glovis is moving to capture the fast-growing K-beauty logistics market.  The company said Sunday it has signed a third-party logistics, or 3PL, contract with The Skin Factory, which operates the hair and body care brand KUNDAL, and has begun full-scale operations. Under the deal, Hyundai Glovis will handle the entire logistics process for The Skin Factory’s products, from receiving and storage to packing and shipping. The company said it is launching a fulfillment service that provides a one-stop, integrated solution covering storage, packaging and delivery.  Hyundai Glovis will provide fulfillment for domestic customers through an advanced automated logistics center in the Seoul metropolitan area. The center is equipped with the latest automation, including automated guided vehicles, enabling fast and accurate processing for e-commerce orders. It also supports safe storage and efficient shipping tailored to beauty products. Hyundai Glovis said it also plans to support The Skin Factory’s overseas expansion by providing end-to-end export logistics, including cross-border direct-to-consumer shipping, overseas customs clearance, and air and sea export services. The company is betting on growth in K-beauty logistics. U.S. market research firm Allied Market Research forecasts the global K-beauty market will reach $13.9 billion (about 20 trillion won) in 2027.   A Hyundai Glovis official said the company can provide flexible and stable logistics services even when volumes fluctuate, backed by advanced automation. The official said Hyundai Glovis aims to boost clients’ productivity and help cut logistics costs, while serving as a partner responsible for both domestic distribution and export logistics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:51:00
  • Hyundai Mobis Pledges One Team Partnership With Suppliers at 2026 Partners Day
    Hyundai Mobis Pledges 'One Team' Partnership With Suppliers at 2026 Partners Day Hyundai Mobis said it held its “2026 Partners Day” event on Feb. 6 at the Haevichi Hotel in Jeju, inviting about 230 executives from major partner companies. The company said the event was designed to strengthen communication and cooperation with key suppliers as it seeks to expand globally in the future mobility market. “Whether we have independent innovative technologies is the key standard that will determine the survival of all of us,” Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu Seok said. He added that suppliers, as well as Hyundai Mobis, need bold investment and early technology proposals. Lee said the company would provide broad support and would practice horizontal communication and relationship-building as a “one team” working to open new markets. Hyundai Mobis said it presented awards to 17 suppliers across 10 categories, including a grand prize, for areas such as quality, safety, new-vehicle development, purchasing and shared growth. The company said the event also focused on sharing strategy and vision and reviewing priorities such as quality management and industrial safety. Hyundai Mobis said it has worked to build a cooperative system with suppliers since announcing its “seven beautiful promises” alongside a shared-growth master plan in 2010. The company said it runs financial support programs, including a shared-growth fund and co-prosperity loans, and supports the full process from parts development to completion to help suppliers build technology capabilities. Over the past three years, Hyundai Mobis said it provided a total of 180 billion won to support new products and new technology development by domestic suppliers, and the number of patents jointly filed with suppliers has surpassed 850. Last year, the company launched the “Mobius Bootcamp” to train software talent and connect participants to hiring by partner companies. Hyundai Mobis said the first cohort selected 300 people — 200 job seekers and 100 employees at partner companies — who are receiving specialized training in mobility software. Hyundai Mobis said it paid about 150 trillion won in purchase payments to suppliers over the past three years through 2024. Based on those results, it was named a “top” company for seven consecutive years in the shared-growth index evaluation announced last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 08:42:00
  • Seoul Metro Railcar Bid for Lines 6 and 7 Renews Debate Over Lowest-Price Contracting
    Seoul Metro Railcar Bid for Lines 6 and 7 Renews Debate Over Lowest-Price Contracting Dawonsys’ delivery delays are fueling renewed debate over how Seoul subway railcars are procured. With Seoul Metro expected to keep a lowest-price structure for its Lines 6 and 7 railcar purchase, critics are calling for a broader review of the bidding system. According to the rail industry on Saturday, Seoul Metro will hold a project briefing on Feb. 11 in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, for a plan to buy 376 railcars for Lines 6 and 7. The project would replace some aging trains, with an order value of about 950 billion won. Seoul Metro is expected to disclose details such as the bidding method and evaluation criteria at the briefing. The leading option under review is the existing lowest-price bidding approach. Seoul Metro is reported to have posted a notice last month indicating it would pursue the project through lowest-price bidding. Under the system, bidders are screened in a first stage based on factors such as quality, capacity and delivery track record, then the contract is awarded in a second stage to the company offering the lowest price. Buyers favor the method because it can reduce upfront costs. But the lowest-price focus has long been blamed for delivery delays. Industry officials say aggressive price competition can lead to the use of low-cost Chinese parts, more breakdowns and service disruptions. The Public Procurement Service is reported to have sent an official letter to the Seoul city government asking it to consider switching to a “contract by negotiation” model. Dawonsys delivered Line 4 railcars 597 days late, completing delivery last year after originally agreeing to deliver by May 2024. A separate order for 298 railcars for Lines 5 and 8 is past its deadline and has not yet been delivered. Industry officials warn similar problems could recur if the lowest-price structure remains, arguing it does not adequately reflect long-term maintenance costs even if it lowers the initial purchase price. “Railcars are long-term equipment with a service life of up to 30 years,” a rail industry official said. “Maintenance costs are far larger than the initial purchase cost, but lowest-price bidding is structured to judge only the vehicle price.” Competition is expected between Woojin Industrial Systems, which has recently won a series of urban railcar projects, and Hyundai Rotem, which is seeking to expand its domestic railcar business. Some in the industry say a lowest-price format could disadvantage Hyundai Rotem because it has a higher share of domestic production. In the National Assembly, discussions on reforming the procurement market are continuing, including the introduction of a set of bills aimed at preventing repeat delivery delays, dubbed the “Dawonsys ban law.” The proposed revisions would generally cap advance payments for construction, manufacturing and service contracts above a certain amount at 20%, allowing up to 50% only when unavoidable. They would also designate companies with habitual delivery delays or misuse of advance payments as “unfair contractors,” restricting them from public bids. 2026-02-08 18:03:00
  • KAI Signs 101.4 Billion Won FA-50PH Performance-Based Logistics Deal With Philippines
    KAI Signs 101.4 Billion Won FA-50PH Performance-Based Logistics Deal With Philippines 한국항공우주산업(KAI)는 6일 필리핀 국방부와 전투기 FA-50PH에 대한 성과기반군수지원(PBL) 계약을 체결했다고 밝혔다. 계약 규모는 약 1,014억원이며 계약 기간은 2028년까지다. KAI는 이번 PBL이 항공기 가동률과 정비 신뢰도 등 운용 성과를 기준으로 군수 지원을 제공하는 방식이라고 설명했다. KAI는 이를 항공기 수명주기인 30~40년 동안 안정적인 지원 체계를 구축하는 선진 군수지원 방식으로 소개했다. KAI는 2024년 12월 필리핀과 약 270억원 규모의 1년 단기 PBL 시범 계약을 체결한 바 있다. KAI는 이후 기술력을 인정받아 이번 3년 장기 계약으로 이어졌다고 밝혔다. KAI는 항공기 후속지원이 항공기 획득비의 2~5배에 달하는 핵심 사업이라고 덧붙였다. 필리핀은 KAI의 대표적인 FA-50 운용국으로 분류된다. 필리핀은 2014년 FA-50PH 12대를 처음 도입한 이후 약 10년간 후속지원과 군수지원을 받아 왔다고 KAI는 밝혔다. KAI는 이러한 신뢰를 바탕으로 필리핀이 지난해 FA-50PH 12대를 추가 도입했고, 2014년에 수출된 기존 FA-50PH에 대한 성능 개량 사업도 연이어 계약했다고 전했다. 박경은 KAI CS본부장(전무)은 "국산 항공기를 운용 중이거나 운용을 예정하고 있는 모든 국가들 대상으로 국가별 운용 환경과 요구에 최적화된 맞춤형 후속지원 체계를 구축해 나갈 것"이라고 말했다. 2026-02-06 17:18:00
  • South Korean GM Supplier Workers to Return After Employment-Succession Deal
    South Korean GM Supplier Workers to Return After Employment-Succession Deal Korea GM subcontracted workers at the Sejong logistics center are set to return to work after the automaker agreed to take over their employment, ending a dispute over mass layoffs after about two months. The Korea GM Parts Logistics Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union said on Thursday that Korea GM acknowledged its responsibility as the primary employer and reached a tentative agreement to succeed the employment of all subcontracted workers at the Sejong facility. Under the deal, employment succession and existing working conditions would be maintained even if the subcontractor changes. Wages for the roughly two-month layoff period will be paid as compensation. Gyeongryun Logics will take over operations from Woojin Logistics, which shut down. The union branch approved the tentative agreement at a members’ meeting. Of 96 eligible voters, 95 cast ballots, with 74 in favor and 21 against, for a 77.89% approval rate. A joint committee formed to support the union said it plans to hold a victory report event on Sunday at the domestic shipping area inside the Korea GM Sejong logistics center. A union official said, “We hope Korea GM, recognizing its responsibility as the primary employer, ensures mass layoffs are not repeated,” and added that the union also hopes restructuring at the company’s directly operated service centers will be halted.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 16:36:00
  • LIG Nex1, L3Harris Begin Developing Weather Payload for Cheollian Satellite 5
    LIG Nex1, L3Harris Begin Developing Weather Payload for Cheollian Satellite 5 LIG Nex1 said it has begun developing a weather payload for the geostationary meteorological and space-weather satellite Cheollian Satellite 5 with L3Harris, a global space and defense company. The company said Friday that it held a project kickoff meeting on Feb. 4 (local time) at L3Harris’ site in Fort Wayne, Indiana, formalizing a cooperation framework between the two companies. The Cheollian Satellite 5 program is designed for a private company, rather than the government, to serve as the lead R&D organization and carry out the full process from satellite design to manufacturing, testing and integration. Under the agreement, L3Harris will handle the payload’s core design and development, while LIG Nex1 will oversee domestic quality control, performance testing and system integration with the satellite bus, the company said. The new payload is expected to significantly improve forecast accuracy and timeliness compared with the currently operating Cheollian Satellite 2A. It will be optimized for observing East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, and will include hazardous weather tracking and monitoring functions. LIG Nex1 previously signed a 274.5 billion won agreement with the Korea Meteorological Industry Technology Institute to develop the Cheollian Satellite 5 weather payload. A LIG Nex1 official said the partnership is “a strategic cooperation model” that goes beyond a simple technology transfer by integrating advanced space technology into South Korea’s development system and building expertise. The official said it will serve as a key foundation for expanding localization and strengthening technological self-reliance in next-generation satellite programs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 12:57:00
  • Inside the Final Road Tests for South Korea’s 2026 Car of the Year
    Inside the Final Road Tests for South Korea’s 2026 Car of the Year Engines were already roaring early in the morning at the final on-road evaluation for the 2026 Korea Car of the Year. At the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI) proving ground in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the finalist vehicles lined up in the parking area at regular intervals. In the first round, 18 vehicles from 10 domestic and overseas brands advanced to the final list. After holding a regular general meeting that morning, members of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association moved straight to the track for the road tests. The evaluation ran across four courses: a high-speed circuit, a steering-handling course, an automatic emergency braking test and a special durability road. About 40 reporters split into two groups and rotated through the vehicles for side-by-side comparisons. The first vehicle tested by a reporter on site was Kia’s PV5. On the special durability road, which features rough pavement, the focus was on suspension performance and body response. Though it is a relatively compact boxy vehicle, it absorbed bumps steadily, and cabin noise was not pronounced. Next was Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 9. Its stable driving, supported by the low center of gravity typical of electric vehicles, stood out. One reporter riding along said, “An expensive car delivers what you pay for.” At K-CITY, a test facility at KATRI designed to replicate South Korean road conditions, reporters conducted automatic emergency braking tests. They drove at 30 kph without touching the brake to see whether the vehicles would stop in front of a dummy. Most vehicles stopped normally, though drivers occasionally hit the brake out of tension. Steering performance tests followed, with vehicles pushed through sharp turns to check handling. Despite a short course with consecutive curves, the finalists showed stable performance. High-performance models such as the Mercedes-AMG GT, Audi RS e-tron GT and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N were especially notable. The highlight for many was the high-speed course. On a banked track, drivers increased speed to as much as 200 kph to assess high-speed capability. The BMW Touring M5, with its distinctive green exterior, showed quick responses backed by a powerful engine. The Land Rover All New Defender Octa maintained a heavy, planted feel at speed. Because the final round compressed high-speed driving, steering, automatic emergency braking and durability into a single day, the atmosphere remained tense throughout. The final results will be announced at the “2026 Korea Car of the Year” awards ceremony on Feb. 26 at the Sebitseom Convention Hall in Banpo, Seoul. 2026-02-06 11:54:00
  • Hanwha Aerospace, KAI sign pact to develop aircraft engines, drones
    Hanwha Aerospace, KAI sign pact to develop aircraft engines, drones SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have agreed to cooperate on key future defense and aerospace projects, including development of aircraft engines and unmanned aircraft systems, the companies said on Friday. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 5 at Hanwha Building in central Seoul aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of South Korea’s defense industry. The signing ceremony was attended by Hanwha Aerospace Chief Executive Son Jae-il and KAI Chief Executive Cha Jae-byung. Under the agreement, the companies will pursue joint development and export opportunities in unmanned aircraft, collaborate on development and marketing of aircraft equipped with homegrown engines, and work together to expand into the global commercial space market. Hanwha Aerospace and KAI, both long-time participants in South Korea’s state-led aerospace programs, said their combined experience in airframe and engine development is expected to generate synergies, particularly in next-generation defense platforms. The companies plan to conduct joint research and development and technical cooperation, including work toward an advanced engine for a future aircraft expected to succeed South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 fighter jet. They will also establish a regular “Future Aerospace Strategy Committee” involving senior executives to coordinate mid- to long-term cooperation plans. Cha said the partnership would help expand exports of Korean defense products while supporting government efforts to promote balanced regional development. Son said the agreement aims to create “a new model for exports and shared growth” across the defense and aerospace ecosystem, adding that Hanwha Aerospace plans to gradually expand cooperation with KAI in future projects. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-06 10:26:28
  • Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Renault Korea Filante February Car of the Month
    Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Renault Korea Filante February Car of the Month The Korea Automobile Journalists Association said Thursday it has selected Renault Korea’s Filante as its car of the month for February 2026. The association’s Car of the Year selection committee reviews newly launched and facelifted models each month and announces a car of the month. Finalists included Kia’s The All-New Seltos, Renault Korea’s Filante, Genesis’ GV60 Magma, GMC’s Acadia, KG Mobility’s Musso and Peugeot’s All-New 5008 Smart Hybrid. The Filante won with 36 points out of a possible 50. The Filante scored 7.7 out of 10 for interior and exterior design, perceived quality, safety and convenience features. It received 7.3 points for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, and 6.7 for power performance, overall product competitiveness and purchase intent. Jung Chi Yeon, chair of the committee, said the Filante offers “a new interpretation that goes beyond existing vehicle-class boundaries,” citing an exterior developed through collaboration between Renault design centers in South Korea and France and an interior based on a “premium tech lounge” concept.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 10:00:00