AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Oh Joo-Seok
  • Korean Air Chosen to Lead SkyTeam Safety, Security and Quality Advisory Group
    Korean Air Chosen to Lead SkyTeam Safety, Security and Quality Advisory Group Korean Air will help steer safety policy for SkyTeam, the global airline alliance. Korean Air said Tuesday it was elected chair airline of SkyTeam’s Safety, Security and Quality advisory group, known as SSQ. Bennett Allen Walsh, head of Korean Air’s Aviation Safety and Security Office, will serve a two-year term as an SSQ committee chair. The SSQ chair airline advises SkyTeam member carriers on safety, security and quality policies, as members work to raise industry standards worldwide. Korean Air said it will work with the SkyTeam board to advance key safety agenda items and share best practices among member airlines to strengthen cooperation. It plans to focus on reinforcing international standards for the in-flight use of portable battery packs, an issue that has drawn global attention, and on standardizing the SkyTeam emergency response plan, which defines airlines’ procedures, organization and roles during emergencies. A Korean Air official said the role will help solidify the carrier’s standing within SkyTeam and broaden cooperation among member airlines, strengthening its global competitiveness.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 08:49:57
  • Chaebi, Hyundai Motor launch EV charging subscription with 299 won-per-kWh discount
    Chaebi, Hyundai Motor launch EV charging subscription with 299 won-per-kWh discount Chaebi, a South Korean operator of fast EV charging infrastructure, said April 29 it has partnered with Hyundai Motor to roll out a Hyundai-only EV charging subscription plan. The plan, aimed at buyers of new Hyundai vehicles, offers a discounted rate of 299 won per kWh at Chaebi chargers and partner roaming stations. It also includes a 10% discount on Chaebi credit purchases of 10,000 won or more and discount coupons for “Chaebi Wash,” a premium hand car-wash service at Chaebi Stay. Customers can sign up through the subscription menu in the My Page section of the Chaebi app. The company said the benefits are designed to apply to all new-car buyers this year, regardless of delivery timing. With monthly fees of 19,900 won or 9,900 won, subscribers can use Chaebi’s ultra-fast and fast charging network nationwide at reduced rates for the remainder of 26. At Chaebi Stay, charging discounts, credit discounts and premium hand-wash benefits are offered as a package. “This cooperation is a starting point for Hyundai Motor and Chaebi to write a new standard for the EV charging experience together,” Chaebi CEO Choi Young-hoon said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 08:39:59
  • Kumho Tire Q1 Operating Profit Rises 0.3% to 147 Billion Won
    Kumho Tire Q1 Operating Profit Rises 0.3% to 147 Billion Won Kumho Tire said Monday its first-quarter operating profit rose 0.3% from a year earlier to 147 billion won on a consolidated basis. Revenue fell 3.2% to 1.1678 trillion won, while net profit increased 0.4% to 103.4 billion won. The company said quarterly revenue topped 1.1 trillion won, supported by strong supplies of original equipment tires for new vehicles in North America and Europe and solid sales of higher-margin replacement tires. It has kept quarterly revenue above 1 trillion won for 10 straight quarters since the fourth quarter of 2023. In the first quarter, tires 18 inches and larger accounted for 45.1% of sales. EV tires made up 20.6% of global original equipment revenue, the company said. Kumho Tire has set targets for this year of 5.1 trillion won in revenue, a 47% share for 18-inch-and-larger tires, and a 30% share for EV tire supplies. The company said it plans to build a global production network linking Korea, Europe and North America by expanding plants in Hampyeong and constructing a factory in Europe, aiming to grow its market presence and improve profitability.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:33:16
  • Kia Modernizes South Korea’s Military Trucks, Expands Exports
    Kia Modernizes South Korea’s Military Trucks, Expands Exports Military trucks remain the South Korean military’s workhorse for moving troops and supplies. Many reservists remember riding in the troop carriers commonly known as “Yukgong” or “Dudonban.” As battlefield systems modernize, so do the trucks — now designed for combat use and equipped with features once unthinkable in the field, including navigation. Kia says the vehicles are also finding buyers abroad, including in Europe and the Middle East. ◆Military trucks as infantry transport During battalion-level and larger exercises, 2.5-ton K511 trucks — widely called Yukgong trucks — are a familiar sight filling parade grounds. Troops typically board assigned vehicles after orders are issued. About 10 to 20 soldiers ride in the back, holding their rifles close between their legs. Depending on the mission, they may ride in a “four-direction security” posture, aiming outward. Military trucks are central to infantry movement and logistics, carrying both personnel and the supplies needed for operations. K511 trucks assigned to rapid-response units carry platoon-level troops along with equipment such as ammunition. The trucks long used by troops carry little visible branding, but most are produced by Kia, which also supplies the military with vehicles including the Retona command vehicle, ambulances for medical evacuation and armored reconnaissance vehicles. Kia has produced standard vehicles for the South Korean military since being designated a defense contractor in 1973. After establishing a special-vehicle research center in 1985, it built a standard platform by producing models including the 2.5-ton Yukgong truck and 5-ton trucks. Kia’s special business division said deliveries of military special-purpose vehicles totaled 6,122 units in 2024 and 5,789 in 2025. In the first quarter of this year, deliveries rose to 1,129 units, up 36% from 830 a year earlier. Based on performance proven at home, the vehicles are exported to about 30 countries, including Poland. ◆From familiar trucks to next-generation vehicles Older military trucks were difficult to operate, with no power steering and drivers forced to muscle the wheel. Newer models have changed sharply, adding power steering, navigation and driver-assistance systems to improve operating conditions. The K511 Yukgong truck and the Retona are also being replaced over time. The shift began with the light tactical vehicle, the KLTV (K151). Mass-produced in 2017, the K151 was newly developed on Kia’s Mohave platform and is intended to replace command vehicles such as the Retona and reconnaissance vehicles over the long term. The K151 uses a 3-liter diesel engine rated at 225 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing speeds up to 130 kph. In 2023, it secured a 400 billion won export contract with Poland, a deal cited as evidence of South Korea’s competitiveness in military vehicles. A next-generation medium standard vehicle, the KMTV, intended to replace the Yukgong truck over the long term, began deliveries to the South Korean military in the second half of last year. Developed on Hyundai Motor Co.’s Pavise truck, it includes navigation, front and rear cameras and an around-view monitor — features comparable to commercial trucks. With a 280-horsepower diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it can operate on 60% grades and in water up to 1 meter deep. Kia is also pointing to electrification and unmanned systems as the next step. The company has recently showcased a hydrogen ATV concept vehicle, “Black Veil,” at defense exhibitions in South Korea and overseas. Using a hydrogen fuel cell, it produces less noise and heat and can travel farther than internal-combustion vehicles, Kia says. It has been assessed as suitable for situations requiring rapid movement in high-risk areas. A Kia official said the company is presenting a range of special-purpose vehicles applying its technology, “from medium trucks to pickups,” and added, “We will build customized special-mission vehicles the military needs and present a future vision for military mobility.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 16:45:45
  • JLR Korea Wraps Up 2026 Destination Defender Off-Road Event in Jincheon
    JLR Korea Wraps Up '2026 Destination Defender' Off-Road Event in Jincheon JLR Korea is seeking to strengthen its brand competitiveness by emphasizing the off-road capability of its flagship Defender model. The company said April 28 that it successfully concluded the '2026 Destination Defender' event, held for three days starting April 17 in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province. Now in its fourth year, Destination Defender is a customer event built around the Defender philosophy of "going beyond the impossible," bringing together owners and fans who share the brand’s outdoor lifestyle and spirit of adventure. During the event, JLR Korea unveiled the Defender Octa Black for the first time and offered hands-on driving experiences. The Defender Octa Black uses Narvik Black — described as the purest black in the palette — as its exclusive exterior color, finished in gloss for a deeper tone. Equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine, it produces 635PS and 76.5 kg·m of torque, delivering strong performance on and off road. Visitors drove on off-road courses and a circuit set up at the Belleforet Moto Arena motorsports venue, experiencing the Defender’s limits across mixed conditions. The off-road program expanded to 15 courses from nine last year, adding sand and mogul-style terrain to hills, water crossings and mud in what the company called its largest and toughest setup yet. On the circuit, participants ran straightaways and winding sections to gauge on-road performance. JLR Korea said the Defender Octa Black reaches 100 kph from a standstill in 4.0 seconds. The model is fitted with 6D Dynamics suspension, designed to provide stable, precise handling across varied surfaces. The event also included a special program marking the launch of the global adventure event 'Defender Trophy,' which the company said symbolizes the Defender spirit of adventure. "As Destination Defender reaches its fourth edition, it is meaningful to share the Defender spirit of adventure with more customers," said Robin Colgan, head of JLR Korea. "By giving people a chance to experience the Defender’s performance firsthand in diverse driving environments, we will continue to spread the brand’s value in everyday life."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 16:21:19
  • Hyundai, Kia and Tesla Battle for South Korea EV Market as Subsidy Rules Shift
    Hyundai, Kia and Tesla Battle for South Korea EV Market as Subsidy Rules Shift South Korea’s electric vehicle market is seeing intensifying competition between domestic automakers and imported brands, with policy changes poised to reshape the landscape. The government has revised EV subsidies to award extra points based on contributions to domestic industry, raising the prospect of a shift in market dynamics. The local auto industry is also urging the government to include EVs in a planned “domestic production promotion” tax credit — often described as a Korean version of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act — adding to uncertainty over how incentives will be set. As of Monday, the market has settled into a two-sided contest between Korean and imported brands, according to the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association and other groups. A total of 220,177 EVs were newly registered in South Korea last year. Kia led with 60,609, followed by Tesla with 59,893 and Hyundai with 55,461. Imported EV brands have closed in on domestic makers. Imported EVs accounted for 42.8% of the market last year, compared with 57.2% for Korean brands. The gap narrowed further this year. Tesla, after cutting prices, sold 20,964 vehicles in the first quarter — roughly half its total for all of last year. Over the same period, Hyundai sold 19,040 and Kia sold 34,303. Industry officials say the chase could be disrupted in the second half of this year, after the government said it will shift subsidy criteria from a focus on vehicle and battery performance to an emphasis on contributions to domestic industry and research-and-development results. Another potential turning point is a tax-credit plan scheduled to be announced in July. The domestic production promotion tax credit would allow corporate tax deductions tied to domestic production and sales of strategic-industry products, a structure that favors companies with larger investments in local manufacturing facilities. Hyundai Motor Group has said it will invest 125 trillion won in South Korea by 2030. Tesla, by contrast, has made little domestic production investment, according to the article. Regulatory filings cited by the report show Tesla Korea posted 3.3066 trillion won in revenue last year and recorded 0 won in donations. Most of its vehicles are produced in China and sold in South Korea. A key question is whether EVs will be included in the tax-credit program, which is currently limited to some advanced industries such as semiconductors and secondary batteries. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association and others have formally asked the government to add EVs, arguing that subsidies alone have limits in encouraging domestic production. The association said the share of EVs produced in China in the South Korean market rose to 33.9% last year, and warned that the presence of China-made EVs is increasing. The report also noted that major countries including Japan provide tax credits for EVs through domestic production promotion policies. Still, some concerns have been raised that including EVs in the tax-credit program could shift imported-car prices and reduce consumer choice. Kim Ju-hong, executive director of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, said wider EV adoption is needed to energize the domestic EV industry and meet greenhouse-gas reduction targets in the transport sector. “We need to grow the ecosystem for both finished vehicles and parts through not only subsidies but also the introduction of a domestic production promotion tax credit,” Kim said. 2026-04-27 18:14:36
  • South Korea to Hold Largest-Ever Youth Jobs Fair With About 700 Companies
    South Korea to Hold Largest-Ever Youth Jobs Fair With About 700 Companies The government and business groups will hold the largest job fair on record to address youth employment difficulties, offering a one-stop program from hiring consultations to on-site interviews and job training. About 700 companies will participate online and offline. The Korea Enterprises Federation said Sunday it will host the "2026 Korea Shared Growth Job Fair" on April 28-29 at the aT Center in Seoul’s Yangjae area with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and 15 major conglomerate groups, including Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG. Organizers said the event is the biggest of its kind, with about 700 participating companies across online and in-person programs. It was designed as an integrated hiring event that combines counseling, interviews, training and hands-on activities, rather than simply posting job openings. Companies taking part on site include LS Electric, Oracle Korea, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Kolmar Korea, HDC Labs, SK Shieldus and Starbucks, among others. The lineup spans partners of large companies, mid-sized and small firms, startups and foreign companies, with a focus on reducing job mismatches. The venue will run themed zones tailored to job seekers. About 170 companies will join a hiring consultation zone to provide job-specific information. A K-Digital Training zone will offer guidance on government-backed programs to develop digital talent. A K-Digital Training zone featuring participants such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Engineering & Construction will operate alongside a promotion zone for shared-growth programs involving large and smaller companies, with participants including Samsung C&T, POSCO and Hanssem. Organizers said job seekers can connect hiring opportunities with better understanding of roles and skills development. In an intensive interview zone, 10 mid-sized and small companies — including three based outside the Seoul area — will conduct first-round interviews. Support services such as suit rentals and hair and makeup assistance will also be provided. In one-on-one coffee chats with working professionals, employees from companies including Kakao, Toss and SK will share job-search strategies by role. Organizers will also run experience-based events aimed at encouraging young job seekers to participate. An LED photo zone will allow visitors to take commemorative photos against backdrops of well-known sites that have drawn attention among younger people, including Yeonjudae on Gwanaksan Mountain. A program to create self-promotion business cards will let participants present their strengths and job skills. A stamp-tour event will award prizes to those who complete all stamps by visiting company booths, with giveaways planned including iPads and gift certificates for Starbucks and Olive Young. The federation said it will continue an online job fair through July 31 on Saramin, an online recruitment platform, after the in-person event ends.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 12:10:19
  • BMW Korea Says BMW M FEST 2026 Draws About 10,000 Visitors in Incheon
    BMW Korea Says BMW M FEST 2026 Draws About 10,000 Visitors in Incheon BMW Korea said April 27 that BMW M FEST 2026, its high-performance car festival that opened April 23, ended with about 10,000 visitors.  The four-day event on Yeongjong Island in Incheon was open to BMW M owners and anyone interested in the BMW M brand. Attendance was about double last year’s level, the company said. Interest was strong even before the festival began. All time slots for the driving programs sold out within 30 minutes of online reservations opening, BMW Korea said. A total of 35 BMW M models were displayed, including vehicles currently sold in South Korea. The festival also featured a 40th anniversary exhibit for the BMW M3 and showcased the BMW XM Label KITH Edition, produced in collaboration with luxury lifestyle brand Kith, the company said. Dedicated areas were set up for BMW Motorrad M motorcycles, M Performance parts and lifestyle products, highlighting the M brand’s design and identity. The festival ran ride-along driving experiences in BMW M models driven by professional drivers, allowing visitors to feel the vehicles’ performance and handling.  Programs included the M Taxi, Convertible Taxi, Exclusive Taxi, Gymkhana Taxi, Drift Taxi and Off-Road Taxi, giving attendees a chance to experience BMW M driving capabilities firsthand. Evening concerts closed out the festival. On April 25, BIBI, No Brain and Crying Nut performed. On April 26, Jaurim and Dynamic Duo took the stage, BMW Korea said. BMW Korea said it also offers M-focused services beyond the festival, including the GEN M Privilege membership program and the M Performance Garage service network.  2026-04-27 09:41:34
  • Fine Digital Launches FineVu LX9 Power Rearview Mirror Dash Cam With QHD Video
    Fine Digital Launches FineVu LX9 Power Rearview Mirror Dash Cam With QHD Video Fine Digital said Sunday it has launched the FineVu LX9 Power, a rearview mirror-integrated dash cam. The company said the model is designed to provide an unobstructed, wide field of view from front to rear. When a rear camera is installed inside or outside the vehicle, the E-mirror view displays the rear scene on the mirror screen. With an exterior rear camera connected, parking guide lines appear to help drivers judge direction and distance. The device uses a 26-centimeter IPS panel for a clear image with minimal color distortion from different angles. Its 2-in-1 integrated design clips onto an existing rearview mirror to reduce visual obstruction. Fine Digital said its “Smart Wide View” offers a wider rear angle than a standard mirror. Video quality is upgraded with QHD (2560×1440) recording for both front and rear. Front-and-rear HDR is intended to keep footage clear in backlighting, at night, and during sudden lighting changes such as entering or exiting tunnels and parking garages. With an optional FineVu Wi-Fi dongle, the dash cam can link to the company’s FineVu Wi-Fi app. It also supports ADAS PLUS features, including alerts when the vehicle ahead starts moving and warning sounds for lane departure linked to drowsiness or inattention. Fine Digital said the unit includes heat-dissipation design that automatically cuts power above a set temperature, along with a low-voltage protection mode for use in summer heat and in winter conditions that can lead to battery drain.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:13:07
  • Audi Korea Reopens Renovated Gangbuk Showroom in Seoul
    Audi Korea Reopens Renovated Gangbuk Showroom in Seoul Audi Korea said Sunday that its official dealer, Gojin Motors, has reopened the Audi Gangbuk showroom after renovations. The showroom in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, is a revamped version of the former Mia showroom. It offers 1,472 square meters (15,844 square feet) of display and consultation space, with customer flow designed to make it easier for visitors to experience Audi vehicles. The site is about a three-minute walk from Exit 1 of Mia Sageori Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. It sits along Dobong-ro, a major arterial road in northern Seoul, providing access from areas including Uijeongbu and Jongno. The Gangbuk showroom also includes a dedicated area for the recently launched The New Audi A6, the company’s flagship premium sedan. Through May 31, visitors who register via QR code after visiting the showroom will receive Audi lifestyle goods, and those who request a price quote will be offered additional benefits on a first-come, first-served basis.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 08:57:14