Journalist

Oh Joo-Seok
  • GM Korea February Sales Fall 7.6% to 36,630 Vehicles
    GM Korea February Sales Fall 7.6% to 36,630 Vehicles GM Korea said Tuesday it sold 36,630 vehicles in February, down 7.6% from a year earlier. Domestic sales stayed below 1,000 units for a second straight month, following January. Overseas sales totaled 35,703 vehicles, about 97.5% of the company’s February volume. Exports of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, including derivative models, rose 7.8% from a year earlier to 13,004 units. In South Korea, GM Korea sold 927 vehicles, a 37.4% drop from a year earlier. The Chevrolet Trax Crossover led domestic results with 771 units. Gustavo Colossi, vice president for sales, service and marketing at GM Korea, said the company has prepared special promotions for March as the spring season begins, aiming to expand opportunities for customers to experience the competitiveness of Chevrolet products.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 16:54:08
  • Renault Korea February Sales Fall 36.2% to 3,893 Vehicles
    Renault Korea February Sales Fall 36.2% to 3,893 Vehicles Renault Korea said its combined domestic and overseas sales in February fell 36.2% from a year earlier. The automaker said Tuesday it sold 3,893 vehicles last month, including 2,000 in South Korea and 1,893 for export. Domestic sales fell 59% from 4,881 a year earlier, while exports rose 55.4% from 1,218. Total sales were down from 6,099. In the domestic market, the midsize SUV Grand Koleos led sales with 1,474 units sold in February. Renault Korea’s new E-segment crossover, the Filante, had sold a cumulative roughly 7,000 units through the end of February, with deliveries to begin in phases starting in the second week of this month. The coupe-style SUV Arkana sold 336 units last month. The compact electric SUV Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric, built in France and sold domestically since August with a limited run of 999 units, posted 150 sales in February, exhausting all available inventory. Exports in February included 847 Grand Koleos units (export name: New Renault Koleos) and 546 Arkanas. The company also said it completed shipment of 500 units of Polestar’s electric performance SUV, the Polestar 4, bound for North America. 2026-03-03 16:30:18
  • Hyundai Mobis Showcases Braking, Steering Tech at Sweden Winter Test Site
    Hyundai Mobis Showcases Braking, Steering Tech at Sweden Winter Test Site Hyundai Mobis is using the deep winter conditions of northern Europe to strengthen its push into the global auto market. The company said Tuesday it is holding a technology demonstration for global customers at its winter test site in Arjeplog, Sweden. The event has been under way in stages since Feb. 27 local time. About 100 representatives from more than 10 customers in Europe and North America are expected to visit. European automakers on site are known to be showing interest in Hyundai Mobis’ next-generation braking system, which the company plans to mass-produce this year. Hyundai Mobis is demonstrating new products it is discussing for orders or plans to supply by installing them on demo vehicles, then showcasing performance through driving evaluations. The Sweden facility spans 1.7 million square meters and includes 14 tracks designed to simulate snow-covered and icy roads. It also has a workshop for specialized calibration and repairs, allowing real-time feedback to be reflected in adjustments. Arjeplog, a small city in northern Sweden about 7,000 kilometers from South Korea, is home to winter test operations run mainly by European automakers. Hyundai Mobis said it has dispatched large research and development teams there each year from January to March since 2006 to validate key components and advanced technologies. This year, it has transported more than 80 vehicles to the site and is carrying out more than 60 projects. The company said it uses the site to determine whether components under development meet evaluation standards in extreme cold, and to verify autonomous-driving sensors, controllers and algorithms. It also said joint early development of key components with customers ahead of new vehicle launches is increasing. “Customers visiting the winter test site are expressing satisfaction after riding in demo vehicles equipped with Hyundai Mobis solutions for key components such as braking and steering,” a Hyundai Mobis official said. The official said the company plans to underscore to global customers that its competitiveness in key components is backed by large-scale R&D investment and a rigorous quality verification system. Hyundai Mobis also operates a winter test site in the Heihe area of Heilongjiang province in northern China to validate key components for China-market models. In summer, it leases a test site in Wanaka in southern New Zealand to conduct year-round validation under assumed extreme cold conditions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 11:03:34
  • Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Ryu Jong-eun of SamproTV as New President
    Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Ryu Jong-eun of SamproTV as New President The Korea Auto Journalists Association said Tuesday that Ryu Jong-eun, a reporter at SamproTV elected as its 12th president, has begun his term this month. The association said Ryu was the sole candidate during its nomination period, held from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5. He was elected at the association’s annual general meeting on Feb. 5 at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automobile Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. His three-year term runs from March 1, 2026. Ryu began his journalism career in 2011 at News1 and later worked at ETNews and The Korea Herald, covering social affairs, business and industry. Since 2023, he has covered autos, mobility, batteries, robotics and AI at SamproTV. Within the association, he has served as chair of the ethics committee, chair of the Car of the Year selection committee and chair of the academic committee. “In a rapidly changing media and mobility environment, I will work to make the association a practical hub of knowledge that keeps pace with change,” Ryu said. He pledged to strengthen training for new and early-career reporters, expand cooperation with the National Assembly, government and academia, and increase opportunities for global field visits to deliver results members can feel. At the Feb. 5 general meeting, the association also appointed new officers. Kim Ki-beom, editor-in-chief of Roadtest, and Lee Seung-yong, editor-in-chief of Motor Magazine, were named directors. Bae Dong-jin, head of the Seoul bureau of the Busan Ilbo, and Choi Ki-sung, deputy editor at MaeKyung AX, were elected auditors. The executive team was also reshuffled: Lee Yong-sang of the Kukmin Ilbo was named senior vice president; Yang Seong-un of Metro Newspaper, vice president; Won Seon-woong, editor-in-chief of Global Auto News, chair of the Car of the Year committee; Kim Yeon-ji of MediaPen and Choi Jeong-pil, editor-in-chief of Car Magazine, vice chairs of that committee; Cho A-reum of The Korea Herald, ethics committee chair; Chu Dong-hoon of Maeil Business Newspaper, external cooperation committee chair; Park Ki-beom of News1, academic committee chair; Kim Jae-seong of ZDNet Korea and Pyeon Eun-ji of Dailian, vice chairs of the academic committee; and Choi Yu-bin of Donghaeng Media Sidae, secretary. Founded in 2010, the Korea Auto Journalists Association aims to promote responsible automotive journalism, encourage a sound car culture, improve reporters’ professional skills and expand exchanges among members. It has 60 member outlets, including major newspapers, broadcasters, wire services, online media and automotive publications, with about 200 reporters active.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 10:25:15
  • Hyundai Motor Group releases video showcasing unmanned firefighting robot
    Hyundai Motor Group releases video showcasing unmanned firefighting robot Hyundai Motor Group said it released a video on its YouTube channel on Tuesday introducing unmanned firefighting robot technology it developed with the National Fire Agency. Titled “A Safer Way Home,” the video presents the robot as a next-generation firefighting solution designed to be deployed first at high-risk disaster sites where people may struggle to enter because of collapse risks, extreme heat, explosions, smoke and toxic gases. Hyundai and Kia built the robot in collaboration with Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Mobis and the National Fire Agency. The video shows the robot responding to a large fire to help reduce casualties and protect firefighters. It features working firefighters from the National 119 Rescue Headquarters, including rescue team leader Lim Pal-sun, who also took part in the narration. In the video, the robot carries out missions using what the company described as physical AI technologies, including an advanced autonomous driving assist system, an AI vision-enhancement camera, a high-pressure photoluminescent reel hose and a 6x6 in-wheel motor system. It also includes footage of the robot’s first on-site deployment, at a factory fire in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Feb. 30. The autonomous driving assist system detects terrain and obstacles to reduce collision risks and help the robot move steadily in uneven or narrow, obstacle-dense areas, the company said. It has a top speed of 50 kph (31 mph), about twice a running person’s speed, and can climb slopes such as underground parking garage or logistics warehouse ramps. It can also clear vertical obstacles up to 300 millimeters. The AI vision-enhancement camera is intended to help operators identify hazards in advance through remote-control monitoring. Using cameras based on short- and long-wavelength thermal imaging sensors, the system sends detailed site information in real time, the company said, including in conditions where smoke and high heat limit visibility. The high-pressure photoluminescent reel hose is designed to glow in the dark. Firefighters typically follow a hose to find an entry direction and an exit route in low-visibility disaster scenes; the company said the hose can emit or reflect light to guide evacuation routes and support safer movement for entry teams. Hyundai Mobis’ 6x6 in-wheel motor-based electrified system powers the robot, the company said. With motors mounted on each wheel, it can rotate 360 degrees in place to maneuver in tight spaces and complex access routes. Hyundai said it plans to use machine learning to train on-site data such as smoke levels, fire scale and temperature. Hyundai Motor Group said it plans, together with the National Fire Agency and the National Fire Research Institute, to advance the system into a fully unmanned firefighting robot that can assess conditions on its own, analyze the fire’s origin point and suppression priorities, calculate the most efficient suppression method and extinguish the fire. “An unmanned firefighting robot is technology that enters dangerous scenes before people to protect firefighters’ lives and safety,” a Hyundai Motor Group official said. “We will continue technology development and support so it can be a reliable assistant for the uniformed heroes who protect members of our society and public safety.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 10:06:33
  • Hyundai Glovis to Showcase Physical AI Logistics Automation at AW 2026
    Hyundai Glovis to Showcase Physical AI Logistics Automation at AW 2026 Hyundai Glovis said Tuesday it will take part in the 2026 Smart Factory and Automation Industry Expo (AW 2026) to showcase its logistics automation capabilities based on physical artificial intelligence. AW 2026, which opens Wednesday at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district, is the country’s largest smart factory and automation industry exhibition. Hyundai Glovis will set up a booth in the event’s smart logistics pavilion and present an automated logistics environment that links the full process from inbound receiving and storage to sorting and picking, and outbound shipping. The company will also unveil a pallet shuttle system, equipment in which pallets fitted with transport robots move along fixed rails to manage inbound and outbound handling. The pallet shuttle is controlled through “Orca,” a warehouse control system (WCS) platform co-developed with its subsidiary Altiol. Hyundai Glovis will demonstrate item transfers using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and robot picking at the show. The booth will also display, for the first time to the general public in South Korea, a non-operational model of Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas. Atlas has been undergoing a proof-of-concept project for parts sequencing at a Hyundai Glovis site within Meta Plant America (HMGMA) since last year. Starting in 2028, Hyundai Glovis plans to deploy it first in processes at HMGMA where safety and quality benefits have been clearly verified, including sequencing work for parts classification. Hyundai Glovis said it plans to pursue business expansion by highlighting the physical AI-based logistics automation capabilities presented at the exhibition. A Hyundai Glovis official said the company will focus on early-stage research and strengthening its logistics automation competitiveness to respond quickly to rapid changes in the logistics environment driven by advanced technologies such as physical AI.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 09:25:44
  • Why Helicopters Still Matter in the Drone Age
    Why Helicopters Still Matter in the Drone Age Army forces cannot do without helicopters. They are a core means of moving airborne troops and are effective at suppressing armored threats that endanger infantry. Helicopters gained prominence after the Vietnam War, when armed UH-1s carrying machine guns and rockets helped make rotorcraft a main Army combat platform. U.S. attack helicopters such as the Apache later earned the nickname “tank killer.” Since the Russia-Ukraine war, helicopter units have faced a new challenge as low-cost drones have shown they can strike tanks and armored vehicles and reshape the battlefield. Some argue drones now offer better value than expensive attack helicopters. This article looks at South Korea’s helicopter fleet and where it may be headed. ◆South Korea’s main helicopters: Surion and Mireon The Army’s helicopter force centers on two domestically developed aircraft: the Surion (KUH-1) transport helicopter and the Mireon (LAH) light armed helicopter. The Mireon, which began entering Army service in 2024, carries a 20mm cannon, air-to-ground guided missiles and unguided rockets. The two-seat aircraft is designed for mobility and attack missions, including close air support and troop cover. It uses a modern fire-control system based on the Airbus Helicopters H155 platform. The Surion is built for transport. Developed to replace aging 500MD light attack helicopters and UH-1H utility helicopters, it is South Korea’s first indigenous medium utility helicopter. It can carry 13 troops and is fitted with a 7.62mm machine gun. Delivered to the Army since 2012, more than 200 are now in operation. Korea Aerospace Industries, the main producer of the Surion and Mireon, has focused on rotorcraft. According to filings with the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system, KAI’s rotorcraft revenue as of the third quarter of last year totaled 269.544 billion won, or 12.3% of total sales. In 2024, the Surion was exported to Iraq, and the company is seeking to expand overseas, including by joining a bid this year for an attack-helicopter program in Bangladesh. ◆Debate over helicopter relevance As drones have risen in the Russia-Ukraine war, the helicopter industry has entered a transition. Low-cost first-person-view, or FPV, drones with forward cameras can inflict significant damage on infantry and armored forces. They can be used in swarms and are seen as cost-effective, and the Army is putting more emphasis on training drone specialists. With drones emerging as a key capability, some in South Korea have questioned whether helicopters are still needed. Industry officials say drones may affect the market but cannot fully replace helicopter missions. “Drones are cost-effective, but because they rely on communications, they are vulnerable to electronic attacks such as electromagnetic pulses,” one official said. “Helicopters have the advantage in complex missions such as troop transport, air assault, and battlefield command and control.” The United States, a leading defense producer, has not stopped modernizing helicopters. It is upgrading the Apache and Black Hawk while testing cockpit automation and unmanned operations. The V-280 Valor, being developed by Lockheed Martin and Bell, is drawing attention as a next-generation U.S. Army aircraft. It uses a tiltrotor design, taking off like a helicopter and then tilting its rotors forward in cruise so fixed wings provide lift. Analysts also say South Korea should expand manned-unmanned teaming, or MUM-T, to strengthen its helicopter force. At a National Assembly seminar on Feb. 24 titled “The Future of Attack Helicopters and Drones,” participants cited results showing that operating attack helicopters (Apache) in a MUM-T concept produced 91% enemy lethality and 83% friendly survivability, compared with 56% and 54% when operated alone. Jang Won-jun, a professor in the Department of Advanced Defense Industry Studies at Jeonbuk National University, said the right direction is to move beyond operating manned helicopters alone and combine them with unmanned aircraft. Considering troop reductions and challenges in securing specialized personnel, he said, a phased shift toward unmanned operations is needed. 2026-02-27 16:42:25
  • Hyundai Ioniq 9 Named 2026 Korea Car of the Year by Auto Journalists Group
    Hyundai Ioniq 9 Named 2026 Korea Car of the Year by Auto Journalists Group The Korea Automobile Journalists Association said on the 26th that Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 has been selected as the 2026 Korea Car of the Year. The Ioniq 9 earned an overall satisfaction score of 82.30 out of 100 in the final judging for the 2026 Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY), held on the 5th at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automobile Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the association said. A total of 18 models from 10 brands competed in the final round: Kia, Land Rover, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Audi, KG Mobility, Peugeot and Hyundai Motor Co. (listed in Korean alphabetical order by brand). Judges evaluated vehicles across 10 criteria: exterior design; interior and perceived quality; ease of instrument operation; handling and driving feel; acceleration; noise and vibration; high-speed stability and braking; safety and convenience features; fuel economy and maintenance; and price and purchase intent. The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s flagship electric SUV built on the E-GMP dedicated EV platform. The association said it offers class-leading interior space and a 110.3 kWh battery, with a maximum range of 532 kilometers on a single charge. It was also named SUV of the Year and EV of the Year. Renault’s Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric was chosen as Import Car of the Year with an overall satisfaction score of 70.07 out of 100. The association described it as a model based on a dedicated EV platform and noted it won the 2024 European Car of the Year at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show. Kia’s PV5 won Utility of the Year and Innovation of the Year. The association said the PV5 offers multiple lineups, including passenger and cargo versions, aimed at tailored mobility for business and leisure needs. Peugeot’s All-New 3008 Smart Hybrid was selected as Design of the Year. The association said it is a full model change introduced to the domestic market for the first time in eight years and received high marks from the panel. Mercedes-AMG GT received the Performance of the Year award. The association said it uses an F1-inspired P3 hybrid system and can accelerate from a standstill to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds. Jeong Chi-yeon, chair of the selection committee, said winners were chosen after rigorous testing and verification using key tracks at the Automobile Safety Research Institute, including a high-speed circuit and steering performance course. “I offer my sincere congratulations to the brands that rose to the top in each category amid fierce competition,” Jeong said. The 2026 K-COTY awards ceremony was held that evening at the Sebitseom Convention Hall in Banpo, Seoul, with attendees including government officials, related agencies, auto industry representatives, and association executives and members.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 18:03:40
  • 42dot CEO Park Min-woo Vows to Help Hyundai Motor Group Lead Mobility Industry
    42dot CEO Park Min-woo Vows to Help Hyundai Motor Group Lead Mobility Industry Park Min-woo, the newly appointed head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) division and CEO of 42dot, moved to strengthen internal cohesion and communication with employees. At an all-hands meeting with 42dot staff on the morning of the 26th at the company’s Pangyo headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Park said he would help Hyundai Motor Group “establish itself as a leading company in the mobility industry” by building on 42dot’s potential. Park was also reported to have outlined the company’s direction, stressing technology development from the customer’s perspective and creating synergies through closer cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group’s AVP division. He also handed out rice cakes and “Dujjonku,” described as Dubai-style chewy cookies, as commemorative gifts to employees. Park, an autonomous driving technology specialist who previously worked at Nvidia and Tesla, is seen as a key figure to drive Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined vehicle (SDV) and physical AI strategies. While at Tesla, he took part in developing Autopilot, the company’s driver-assistance software. At Nvidia, he was considered one of a small number of executives who communicated directly with CEO Jensen Huang.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 16:34:58
  • Korean Air, UK’s Skyports to Co-Develop eVTOL Integrated Operations Platform
    Korean Air, UK’s Skyports to Co-Develop eVTOL Integrated Operations Platform Korean Air said on the 26th it has partnered with UK advanced air mobility infrastructure firm Skyports Infrastructure to jointly develop an integrated operations platform for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, for urban air mobility. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding that afternoon at the Drone Show Korea (DSK) 2026 event at BEXCO in Busan, the airline said. Attendees at the signing included Kim Gyeong-nam, head of Korean Air’s Aircraft Technology Research Institute, and Ankit Das, Skyports’ chief technology officer, among other officials. eVTOL aircraft use electric power to take off and land vertically without a runway. Korean Air said they are considered suitable for future air transport, including urban operations, because they are more than 100 times quieter than helicopters. Under the partnership, the companies plan to combine Korean Air’s integrated control system, ACROSS — specialized in flight and traffic management for advanced air mobility — with Skyports’ VAS, which focuses on vertiport operations. They aim to develop a platform that oversees the full process, from a passenger’s arrival at a vertiport through boarding, arrival at the destination and passing through security screening. A Korean Air official said smooth service delivery is becoming increasingly important for advanced air mobility and other low-altitude air traffic management, adding that cooperation with Skyports, described as a global leader in vertiport design and operations, is significant. 2026-02-26 15:27:17