Journalist

Oh Joo-seok
  • Hanwha Aerospace, KAI to jointly develop weapons for South Korean aircraft
    Hanwha Aerospace, KAI to jointly develop weapons for South Korean aircraft Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries, known as KAI, said they will work together to develop a domestically produced long-range air-to-air missile for installation on South Korean aircraft. The companies also plan joint marketing to expand exports of South Korean aircraft and air-launched weapons. Hanwha Aerospace said Tuesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with KAI on Monday (local time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the third World Defense Show. The agreement covers cooperation on aircraft-weapons business projects. Under the MOU, the companies will cooperate on systems integration of air-launched weapons for the KF-21 and FA-50 fighter platforms and pursue joint marketing aimed at exporting aircraft and aircraft weapons. They said they plan to carry out aircraft-weapons development projects led by the Agency for Defense Development to secure technology at a global top-tier level. Hanwha Aerospace said it is conducting preliminary research, overseen by the Agency for Defense Development, on advanced weapons including long-range air-to-air missiles and supersonic air-to-ground and air-to-ship missiles based on ducted solid-ramjet engines. KAI CEO Cha Jae Byung said that as confidence in South Korea’s defense technology has grown, overseas customers have recently been asking for Korean-made packages covering not only aircraft platforms but also broader operating systems. He said domestic defense companies will join forces through joint marketing to expand exports. Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae Il said he is confident the company can meet its goals for developing domestically produced aircraft weapons by combining Hanwha’s experience in missile development — including air-to-air, air-to-ground and surface-to-air programs — with KAI’s capabilities in fighter integration.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 09:45:00
  • KGM to Offer Lunar New Year Vehicle Inspection Service at 321 Centers
    KGM to Offer Lunar New Year Vehicle Inspection Service at 321 Centers KG Mobility, or KGM, said Monday it will offer a Lunar New Year vehicle inspection service ahead of the holiday. The service will run for three days, from Feb. 11-13, at 321 service centers nationwide, including the Gunpo Regional Service Center. It applies to all KGM models except large commercial vehicles. Checks will cover batteries, various oils, antifreeze, lights, air-conditioning, brakes and pads, tires, coolant, and heater and filters. The company said it will focus on services needed for safe long-distance driving and will also top off windshield washer fluid. For electric vehicles, KGM will add a special safety inspection, including checks of the battery, heater-cabin coolant and drive-motor coolant, to support proper maintenance and safe driving. KGM said it will also operate emergency roadside assistance throughout the holiday period and plans to ensure drivers can get quick support at nearby service centers if an emergency occurs. A KGM official said drivers should have their vehicles checked at a service center before heading out, including for issues that can arise from temperature swings or icy roads, and review safe-driving tips before traveling. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 09:00:19
  • Korean Air, Asiana Hang Lucky Brooms for Lunar New Year at Major Sites
    Korean Air, Asiana Hang Lucky Brooms for Lunar New Year at Major Sites Korean Air and Asiana Airlines hung traditional “lucky brooms” at major sites in South Korea ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, wishing health and happiness for passengers. The airlines said Monday they placed the decorations at eight locations, including each carrier’s check-in counters at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2, Korean Air’s headquarters in Seoul’s Gangseo District and Asiana’s headquarters. The brooms will remain on display through Feb. 23. Hanging a new broom on the first day of the lunar year is a traditional custom meant to gather good fortune, like collecting rice in a sieve. Korean Air has held the annual event since 2008 to mark the holiday and help preserve traditional customs. This year, Asiana employees joined the event, adding significance as the companies prepare for full integration. “Ahead of the integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, we hope our customers enjoy health and happiness and that this year will be one of powerful leaps, like a red horse,” a Korean Air official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 08:48:00
  • Chevrolet Opens New Haeundae Showroom in Busan
    Chevrolet Opens New Haeundae Showroom in Busan Chevrolet said Tuesday it has opened a new showroom in Haeundae-gu, Busan. The Chevrolet Haeundae showroom covers 334.8 square meters and can display up to seven vehicles at once. Featured models include the Trax Crossover and Trailblazer. At an opening ceremony on Monday, Hector Villarreal, president of GM Korea, attended with employees, local Chevrolet dealership representatives and partner companies. About 25 people took part, the company said. Chevrolet said it provides service through a network of more than 380 partner service centers nationwide, using GM headquarters-certified technology and standardized procedures. The company said it is running a special promotion this month with enhanced financing and discount benefits across its lineup. It is also offering various prizes to mark the launch of the Trailblazer Midnight Black Edition. "The opening of the Haeundae-gu showroom is a meaningful step to strengthen customer touchpoints at a key hub in the Busan and South Gyeongsang region and to boost brand competitiveness in a strategic area with a high-income and global customer base," Villarreal said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 08:39:00
  • Hyundai Motor Group Expands U.S. Presence as Rivals Cut EV Spending
    Hyundai Motor Group Expands U.S. Presence as Rivals Cut EV Spending Global automakers are slowing electric vehicle investment and trimming production in North America, but Hyundai Motor Group is moving in the opposite direction, expanding investment and leaning more heavily on hybrids. Industry watchers say the strategy is helping Hyundai and Kia stay competitive as the pace of the EV transition cools. According to the auto industry on Monday, Stellantis, which has operations in Europe and the United States, has entered a restructuring phase as it revises its EV strategy. It has begun running restructuring programs, including large-scale voluntary retirement, in major markets such as South Korea. The shift follows losses of 22.2 billion euros (about 38.4 trillion won) tied to its EV business reset. In October, the U.S. government tightened requirements for EV tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, prompting automakers to slow EV rollouts and focus more on profitability. General Motors last month reduced a Canadian plant from three shifts to two and cut about 500 jobs. Ford is estimated to have absorbed losses of US$19.5 billion while adjusting its EV investment plans. Hyundai Motor Group, meanwhile, has continued to expand in North America, boosting sales and investment as rivals pull back. The group has been increasing hybrid output to raise market share. At its 2025 CEO Investor Day, Hyundai said it would expand its hybrid lineup from 14 models to at least 18. Kia lowered its 2030 target for EVs as a share of sales to 30% from 38% and said it would raise hybrids to 26% from 20%. The approach has supported results. Last year, Hyundai Motor Group sold a record 1,836,172 vehicles in the United States, up 7.5% from a year earlier. Its U.S. market share rose to 11.3% from 10.8%. In January, combined sales by Hyundai (including Genesis) and Kia rose 7.7% from the same month a year earlier to 125,296 vehicles, helped by strong demand for hybrid models such as the Palisade. Hyundai plans to keep increasing investment to match sales growth. By 2028, it plans to invest US$26 billion in the United States and expand capacity at its Georgia Metaplant (HMGMA) to 500,000 vehicles a year from 300,000. A Hyundai-LG Energy Solution joint venture battery cell plant is also targeting completion and start of operations in the first half of this year. As Hyundai Motor Group increases local production, the industry expects South Korean parts suppliers to step up expansion of their North American manufacturing bases as well. A Hyundai official said expanding hybrids and local production in line with U.S. sales trends has strengthened the group’s competitiveness in North America.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 18:03:26
  • Jeju Air Returns to Profit After Five Quarters, Citing More Next-Gen Jets
    Jeju Air Returns to Profit After Five Quarters, Citing More Next-Gen Jets Jeju Air returned to an operating profit for the first time in five quarters. The airline said Monday it posted fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of 474.6 billion won and operating profit of 18.6 billion won. Revenue rose 5.4% from a year earlier, and operating results swung to a profit. For all of 2025, revenue fell 18.4% from the previous year to 1.5799 trillion won. The company reported an operating loss of 110.9 billion won. Jeju Air attributed the fourth-quarter improvement to a larger share of next-generation aircraft. In the fourth quarter, it added two purchased Boeing 737-8 jets and returned one older aircraft, lowering the fleet’s average age. The shift helped cut fuel costs. Cumulative fuel expenses for the first through third quarters of 2025 were about 19% lower than in the same period of 2024, the company said. Jeju Air said it will focus this year on strengthening fundamentals. It plans to introduce seven next-generation aircraft, continue reducing older planes, and sell assets to manage liquidity and financial ratios. The airline expects solid results to continue in the first quarter. According to the Transport Ministry’s aviation information portal, Jeju Air carried about 1.176 million passengers in January, up 33.5% from about 881,000 a year earlier and 2.6% higher than January 2024’s roughly 1.146 million. A Jeju Air official said the company is centering its strategy on disciplined management to respond to growing uncertainty, including wider swings in oil prices and exchange rates, a reshaping aviation market and intensifying competition. The official said Jeju Air will work to improve operational stability and efficiency to build a sustainable profit structure and boost performance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 17:51:33
  • Stellantis Korea to Offer Voluntary Buyouts for First Time in Three Years
    Stellantis Korea to Offer Voluntary Buyouts for First Time in Three Years Stellantis Korea will offer voluntary buyouts for the first time in three years as weak domestic demand persists and its parent company’s performance worsens. According to the auto industry on Monday, Stellantis Korea has recently begun accepting applications from employees. The program covers about 70 workers in the national sales division, which handles sales and marketing for brands including Peugeot and Jeep. There are no age or tenure limits. The company said the process is based entirely on voluntary departures and will follow relevant laws and procedures. Stellantis last carried out restructuring in South Korea in 2023, about three years ago. The latest restructuring is being implemented across all global regions where Stellantis operates, including South Korea. Stellantis has said it would absorb losses of 22.2 billion euros (about 38.4 trillion won) incurred while reshaping its business amid slowing demand for electric vehicles. The move follows prolonged weakness in the EV market, including after the U.S. government tightened requirements for Inflation Reduction Act EV tax credits in October last year. Stellantis is a global automaker formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and PSA Group. It has 14 brands, including Jeep and Peugeot. Its South Korean results have also remained weak. Jeep sales in South Korea totaled 2,072 units last year, down 21% from 2,628 a year earlier. Peugeot sold 979 units, up 3% from 947. A Stellantis Korea official said the step is part of a global efficiency strategy and a restructuring program being pursued simultaneously in key regions, including South Korea. The official said the company’s domestic business operations will not be affected.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 17:03:00
  • Hanwha Aerospace posts record 3 trillion won operating profit in 2025
    Hanwha Aerospace posts record 3 trillion won operating profit in 2025 Hanwha Aerospace said in a regulatory filing on Monday that it posted 26.6078 trillion won ($26,607.8 billion) in revenue last year and 3.0345 trillion won ($3,034.5 billion) in operating profit. The figures were up 137% and 75%, respectively, from a year earlier, marking a third straight year of record results. The company attributed the gains to steady growth in its ground defense and aerospace businesses, as well as the full-year consolidation of Hanwha Ocean into its financial statements. In ground defense, Hanwha Aerospace reported 8.1331 trillion won ($8,133.1 billion) in revenue last year, about double the level of two years earlier. Operating profit rose to 2.0129 trillion won ($2,012.9 billion), topping 2 trillion won for the first time. Overseas, it secured exports including K9 self-propelled howitzers to Norway and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers with advanced guided missiles to Estonia. In South Korea, it won a 705.4 billion won ($705.4 million) mass-production contract for the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile, or L-SAM, and a 225.4 billion won ($225.4 million) mass-production contract for the Cheongeom air-to-ground guided missile for light armed helicopters. As of the end of last year, its ground defense order backlog stood at about 37.2 trillion won ($37,200 billion). The aerospace unit posted 2.5131 trillion won ($2,513.1 billion) in revenue last year, extending its growth streak to three years, helped by a sharp rise in defense orders. Operating profit came to 2.3 billion won ($2.3 million), returning to the black. Subsidiary Hanwha Ocean was included in consolidated results for a full 12 months for the first time last year. Hanwha Ocean reported annual revenue of 12.6884 trillion won ($12,688.4 billion) and operating profit of 1.1091 trillion won ($1,109.1 billion). A Hanwha Aerospace official said last year marked the first year the company fully incorporated Hanwha Ocean’s performance, calling it a starting point for its push to become an integrated defense and shipbuilding group. The official said the company will seek sustainable growth this year through a diversified product portfolio, while working to expand in global markets and contribute to South Korea’s security.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 15:45:18
  • Boston Dynamics Releases New Video of Atlas Doing Cartwheel and Back Tumbles
    Boston Dynamics Releases New Video of Atlas Doing Cartwheel and Back Tumbles Hyundai Motor Group robotics unit Boston Dynamics said Monday that it posted a new video to its YouTube channel on Feb. 7 (local time) showing its humanoid robot Atlas performing a cartwheel followed by back tumbles. In the video, Atlas links the two moves smoothly, like a gymnast, and lands the final flip without wobbling. Boston Dynamics said the footage shows Atlas has reached a more stable stage of continuous full-body control, covering takeoff, midair posture control, impact absorption on landing and recovery. The company has also drawn attention for video of Atlas walking on icy ground without falling. YouTube users reacted with comments such as, “It’s the most humanlike walking motion I’ve seen,” and, “It’s really cool that they also show the failures.” A comment calling the video “amazingly impressive” received more than 2,000 likes. Boston Dynamics said the video includes parts of its research process, including failed tumbling attempts. It said Atlas is building full-body mobility through repeated learning that allows continuous performance and repeated verification, and that it plans to systematically train Atlas in Hyundai Motor Group manufacturing environments. A Boston Dynamics official said, “Now that Atlas’ enterprise platform is up and running, performance testing of the research version is coming to an end,” adding, “With help from the RAI (Robotics and AI) Institute, our researchers conducted final tests to push the limits of full-body control and mobility.” Hyundai Motor Group previously said at CES that it plans to deploy a next-generation electric Atlas development model at production sites including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and to expand adoption step by step after process-level verification. Starting in 2028, the group plans to introduce Atlas at HMGMA first in processes with clearly verified safety and quality benefits, such as sequencing work for parts classification. From 2030, it plans to expand the scope to parts assembly. Atlas won CNET’s Best of CES 2026 award for best robot at CES 2026.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 13:24:40
  • Audi Korea Opens New Audi Namcheon Showroom in Busan
    Audi Korea Opens New Audi Namcheon Showroom in Busan Audi Korea said Sunday that its official dealer, Iron Auto, has opened a new Audi Namcheon showroom in Namcheon-dong, Busan. The showroom has a total floor area of 498.6 square meters and can display up to seven vehicles. It includes customer consultation areas and a layout designed to let visitors experience the brand identity in a more comfortable, immersive setting. The Audi Namcheon showroom is located at 449 Suyeong-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, and operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. To mark the opening, it will hold various events for one month. "It is meaningful to newly introduce the Namcheon showroom, which will further expand our touchpoints with customers in Busan’s southeastern region," said Steve Clotty, president of Audi Korea. Kim Min Gyu, CEO of Iron Auto, said the showroom will serve as "an important hub" for closer communication with customers in Busan. He said the dealer will deliver Audi’s premium value through tailored services that reflect local customers’ lifestyles and needs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 10:09:00