Journalist

Oh Jooseok
  • Chaebi’s ultrafast EV charger wins 2026 iF Design Award
    Chaebi’s ultrafast EV charger wins 2026 iF Design Award Chaebi, a South Korean operator of fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, said Tuesday that its ultrafast charging platform, Chaebi MCS, won a main prize in the product design category at Germany’s iF Design Award 2026. It marks the company’s second major global design award after its Chaebi Megastation won a main prize at the Red Dot Design Award in 2024. Chaebi MCS is an ultrafast charger offered in two models, 1 megawatt and 2 megawatts. It features a slim form factor up to 2,000 millimeters tall and a modular stack structure that allows the cabinet to be expanded as needed. The company said the design emphasizes simplicity while improving functional completeness. The exterior uses stainless steel to boost durability and a premium look. Chaebi said the platform was developed with the goal of enabling a full charge in under five minutes and is aimed at growing demand for electrification in large commercial vehicles and logistics. Chief Executive Choi Young-hoon said the award was meaningful recognition of Chaebi’s integrated approach to charging technology and design.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 09:33:16
  • Korean Air to Showcase AI-Powered Next-Generation Drones at DSK 2026
    Korean Air to Showcase AI-Powered Next-Generation Drones at DSK 2026 Korean Air said Tuesday it is taking part in Drone Show Korea (DSK) 2026, running through Feb. 27 at BEXCO in Busan, to present its vision for AI-based next-generation unmanned aircraft and its capabilities in advanced air mobility (AAM) technology. DSK is Asia’s largest drone-focused exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; the Ministry of National Defense; the Korea Aerospace Administration; and the city of Busan. This year’s event centers on unmanned aircraft technology and includes companies in aerospace, defense, carbon neutrality and geospatial information, as well as firms with AI-based convergence technologies. Participating countries increased to 23 from 15. Korean Air said it set up a large, two-story booth to improve visitor flow. The first floor includes an exhibition area and meeting rooms for viewing and discussions, while the second floor is a lounge intended to support networking. In the drone zone, the company will show for the first time in South Korea a physical-AI subsonic unmanned aircraft it is developing with U.S. AI defense company Anduril Industries. Also on display are an AI small multipurpose unmanned aircraft, a small strike unmanned aircraft, a communications relay drone, swarm-flight drone technology, and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) based on swarm-flight drone technology. In the AAM zone, Korean Air will present its in-house AAM traffic management and operations control system, ACROSS, along with a mock-up aircraft from Archer Aviation, a U.S. urban air mobility company that signed an AAM development cooperation memorandum of understanding with Korean Air last year. Korean Air said it will also hold cooperation events alongside the exhibition, starting with an unmanned aircraft technology seminar Tuesday to introduce its capabilities and business roadmap. It plans an AAM technology seminar co-hosted with Archer on Wednesday and is planning MOUs with global AAM companies. “This DSK participation is a good opportunity to inform the broader industry about Korean Air’s AI software-based unmanned aircraft capabilities, which are currently a key production focus, and the latest technologies related to next-generation air mobility,” a company official said. “Korean Air will continue taking on challenges across various fields to grow into a world-class integrated aerospace company.” 2026-02-25 09:15:45
  • Kia Georgia Plant Tops 5 Million Vehicles, Starts Production of 2027 Telluride Hybrid
    Kia Georgia Plant Tops 5 Million Vehicles, Starts Production of 2027 Telluride Hybrid Kia’s Georgia manufacturing unit has surpassed 5 million vehicles in cumulative production 17 years after it was established, the company said. It is also ramping up production of a hybrid version of the all-new Telluride, a key model in North America. Kia said the Georgia plant reached the 5 million mark as of Feb. 24 local time. The milestone vehicle was the 2027 model-year all-new Telluride hybrid, Kia’s first hybrid vehicle produced in Georgia. A ceremony was held with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, local government officials, community leaders and employees attending. The Georgia operation began production in 2009 and has grown into a major local employer and a core manufacturing base for the auto industry in the U.S. Southeast. The Telluride built at the West Point plant is a strategic model developed around North American consumer demand and U.S. driving conditions, Kia said, calling it a symbol of the brand’s growth in the U.S. market. The first-generation Telluride won major awards in 2020, including North American Car of the Year, World Car of the Year and MotorTrend SUV of the Year, helping raise the brand’s profile in North America. “Kia Georgia is the only plant in the world that produces the Telluride, and this production start carries meaning beyond the rollout of a new vehicle,” said Yoon Seung-kyu, head of Kia’s North America regional headquarters and CEO of its U.S. sales unit. Kemp said the Telluride has been produced only in Georgia since its 2019 launch and has become one of Kia’s most successful models. “This achievement is the result of a close partnership with the community and the state government,” he said. Stuart Countess, head of Kia’s Georgia manufacturing unit, said the 5 million milestone reflects employees’ dedication and teamwork. He said the plant’s flexibility and technical capabilities were proven again as it adds hybrid production alongside internal combustion and electric vehicles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 08:54:20
  • 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