Journalist
Oh Jooseok
farbrother@ajunews.com
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Kia releases video showcasing EV safety and convenience technologies Kia said March 10 it released a video titled “Symphony of EV Technology” on the Hyundai Motor Group YouTube channel and social media, highlighting advanced driver-assistance features for its electric vehicles. The video focuses on technology designed to respond to unusual acceleration situations as reports of pedal-misapplication crashes have become more frequent, aiming to create a safer driving environment for both drivers and pedestrians. It presents the advanced safety-assistance systems fitted to Kia’s dedicated EV models — the EV3, EV4 and EV5 — as a coordinated “symphony,” explaining how each feature works over a refined classical soundtrack. The video covers four safety and convenience technologies used on Kia’s dedicated EVs: Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist, Acceleration Limiting Assist, i-Pedal 3.0 and Smart Regenerative System 3.0. Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist is designed to help prevent crashes by recognizing excessive accelerator input as a misapplication when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speed. Kia said the latest specification applied to the EV5 strengthens safety by expanding obstacle-detection distance to up to 1.5 meters and by analyzing steering direction and collision risk for control. Acceleration Limiting Assist is intended to reduce risk by detecting excessive acceleration while driving. When it identifies a situation that differs from typical driving patterns, it warns the driver and limits acceleration. i-Pedal 3.0 enables one-pedal driving, allowing acceleration, deceleration and a complete stop using only the accelerator pedal. Smart Regenerative System 3.0 automatically adjusts regenerative braking based on traffic flow and road conditions analyzed using a front camera and navigation information. A Kia official said the video shows EV technology being implemented naturally in everyday driving and added that the company will continue advancing electrification technology that covers both safety and convenience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 09:33:16 -
Hyundai Rotem Wins Two 2026 iF Design Awards for Hydrogen Rail Vehicles Hyundai Rotem said Tuesday that its hydrogen electric locomotive and hydrogen electric multiple unit each won an iF Design Award 2026, giving the company two honors in the competition. The iF Design Award, considered one of the world’s three major design prizes, selected this year’s winners after expert judging of more than 10,000 projects submitted from 68 countries, the company said. The hydrogen electric locomotive and hydrogen electric multiple unit are hydrogen mobility models Hyundai Rotem is developing. The company said they are strategic products aimed at expanding hydrogen mobility in rail, following its hydrogen electric tram scheduled to begin operations in cities including Daejeon and Ulsan. Hyundai Rotem said the two award-winning models are the first to adopt an “H”-shaped side graphic that it expects to become a signature design element for its hydrogen mobility lineup. The company said the grid pattern spreading outward from the H motif, which it said represents both Hyundai Rotem and hydrogen, reflects its vision for broader adoption of hydrogen mobility. The company said the designs are based on three core principles: purity, simplicity and symbolism, and are intended to set a new benchmark for sustainable mobility in rail. It said the roofline and front-end form combine a soft curve flowing from the windshield with sharper, more dynamic lines lower down to express both the sustainability and strength of hydrogen energy. The linear headlight arrangement was inspired by light trails seen when moving at high speed through tunnels, it said. Hyundai Rotem said the hydrogen electric multiple unit uses a low-floor structure to improve accessibility for passengers with mobility challenges and features a smooth front-end shape meant to convey the sustainable value of hydrogen energy. In 2023, Hyundai Rotem’s hydrogen electric tram won an iF Design Award, which the company said made it the first in South Korea’s rail industry to receive a global design prize. The company said the latest awards further demonstrate the competitiveness of its hydrogen mobility products. “This award recognizes Hyundai Rotem’s efforts and design philosophy toward realizing hydrogen mobility in the rail sector,” a company official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 09:09:20 -
South Korea’s Cheongung-II Air Defense Missile Gains Combat Credibility in UAE Modern warfare is shifting toward unmanned systems such as drones and missiles, increasing the importance of missile-based air defenses. As conflicts increasingly begin with missile launches — a so-called “button war” — competition is intensifying to counter missiles with missiles. ◆Cheongung-II said to have intercepted Iranian missiles, proving capability in the Middle East Industry officials said Monday that South Korea’s Cheongung-II, a medium-range surface-to-air missile deployed in the United Arab Emirates, has demonstrated interception capability in combat following the outbreak of war in the region. Rep. Yoo Yong-won, a member of the National Assembly Defense Committee, and others said the Cheongung-II deployed in the UAE hit Iranian missiles earlier this month with a 96% success rate. A Cheongung battery is reported to have fired about 60 interceptors at incoming targets. The reported rate is comparable to the U.S. Patriot, widely regarded as among the world’s top air defense systems. The UAE has recently asked the South Korean government for early delivery of interceptors, according to reports. Often described as a Korean version of the Patriot, the Cheongung-II is produced by LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Aerospace. It uses a cold-launch method, ejecting the missile vertically before igniting its engine in the air. The system includes a multifunction radar for tracking targets, an operations control center, launchers and vehicles, and is designed to strike targets at speeds of Mach 4 to 5. The Cheongung-II has a maximum range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and is designed to destroy enemy missiles below 15 kilometers (9 miles) in altitude using a hit-to-kill direct-impact method. Mass production began in 2024, and two batteries are currently deployed in the UAE. LIG Nex1, the lead contractor, has secured about $9.5 billion (10.2 trillion won) in Middle East orders through contracts with the UAE (about $3.5 billion in January 2022), Saudi Arabia (about $3.5 billion in November 2023) and Iraq (about $2.5 billion in September 2024). Deliveries to Saudi Arabia and Iraq are expected soon. The system’s price — reported to be about half that of the Patriot — is also fueling expectations for additional orders. ◆Rising Middle East tensions expand the missile market As military tensions rise in the Middle East, demand for air defenses is growing quickly. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is confirmed to operate missiles including the Khorramshahr 4, with a range of more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles), as well as the Shahab-3B medium-range ballistic missile and short-range ballistic missiles such as the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar for precision strikes. The missiles can reach not only Iran’s territory but also Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and southeastern Europe, making stronger air defenses a priority for neighboring countries. Last month, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth warned that Iran continues to expand missile production and could possess at least 5,000 ballistic missiles by the end of 2027. With the Russia-Ukraine war followed by war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, missile demand is spreading beyond the Middle East and the Caucasus to parts of Europe. Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher has gained traction in those regions. The system can fire up to 12 rockets and can use guided munitions of varying ranges, offering precision-strike capability. It has signed contracts with Poland, Estonia and Norway, and is also reported to have been delivered to some Middle Eastern countries. The broader push for missile capabilities is also feeding competition to develop hypersonic missiles. The Agency for Defense Development recently said it is working with Hyundai Rotem to field a hypersonic missile by 2034 that can fly at six times the speed of sound. Hyundai Rotem began developing a hypersonic vehicle called “Hycore” in 2018 and said a 2024 test launch maintained stable propulsion at speeds above Mach 6. Russia’s Zircon is a hypersonic cruise missile with a top speed of Mach 9 and a range of about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The United States is developing the AGM-183 ARRW hypersonic missile, and China has entered the competition with the DF-17. Hypersonic missile development is limited to a small number of countries because it requires advanced technology. Choi Ki-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, said modern warfare is increasingly defined by precision strikes using unmanned systems such as missiles and drones rather than traditional wars involving large troop formations. He said the battlespace is expanding beyond land, sea and air to include digital and space domains, and demand for missile weapons is likely to keep rising.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 16:39:24 -
South Korea dispatches top trade envoys to U.S. to navigate tariff uncertainties SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - South Korea has dispatched its top trade officials to the United States to ease growing uncertainties over U.S. tariff policies following a recent court ruling against the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the industry ministry said Saturday. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held talks with key U.S. counterparts on Friday to address pending bilateral trade issues and the implementation of tariff agreements. Kim met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to share Seoul's progress in fulfilling previous tariff pacts, including discussions on enacting a special law to boost investments in the U.S. He emphasized that existing bilateral tariff agreements must be effectively guaranteed as Washington pushes forward with trade measures under Section 122 of the Trade Act and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act in the wake of the IEEPA ruling. Separately, Yeo met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to discuss implementation plans for non-tariff sectors. The two sides agreed to convene a U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) joint committee at an appropriate time to finalize these plans. Yeo also discussed developments regarding Sections 122 and 301 of the U.S. Trade Act. He reiterated Seoul's stance that a recent Section 301 probe petition filed by an investment firm involving e-commerce giant Coupang should not negatively impact broader bilateral trade relations. The ministry vowed to continue friendly consultations with Washington to maintain a stable trade environment and minimize uncertainties for South Korean businesses. 2026-03-07 17:43:45 -
Korea Oil Groups Pledge Cooperation to Stabilize Pump Prices After U.S. Strike on Iran The Korea Petroleum Association, the Korea Petroleum Distribution Association and the Korea Gas Station Association said March 7 they will actively cooperate to help stabilize domestic fuel prices, which have been surging since the United States attacked Iran. The three groups said they will work together so that spikes in international oil prices are not rapidly passed through to prices at South Korean gas stations. The Korea Petroleum Association said it will join the government’s preemptive response system for energy supply and demand after authorities issued a “attention” level resource security crisis alert for crude oil and gas. The association said it will cooperate to ensure stable domestic supply of petroleum products and to help keep prices steady. The association noted that Singapore gasoline prices, a key benchmark used to calculate domestic prices, have been rising sharply. It warned that if those factors are reflected all at once in domestic prices, the public could face heavier burdens, including higher inflation. It said it will do its best to spread any increases over time at the pump. Domestic refiners said they will continue efforts to stabilize prices, noting that since the Russia-Ukraine war they have absorbed losses when fuel taxes were cut and immediately reflected the reductions at company-run gas stations. They also said they plan to disclose supply prices transparently to help maintain order in the petroleum market. The Korea Petroleum Distribution Association and the Korea Gas Station Association, representing fuel distribution, said they will urge agencies and gas station operators to appropriately reflect price increases during periods of sharp rises while also cooperating to keep supplies stable.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 11:33:16 -
Test drive: Renault’s Filante hybrid aims to blend sedan comfort with SUV stability "On a straight road it feels like a sedan, and on rough pavement it feels like an SUV." That was the line that came to mind while driving Renault Korea’s next-generation hybrid model, the Filante. It is clearly an SUV, but it delivered sedan-like comfort and immediate acceleration, while adding upgraded artificial intelligence features aimed at convenience. At a test-drive event on March 4, the Filante was driven about 140 kilometers (87 miles) round trip, from an event site at Yellow Cafe in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, to Nine Hill Cafe in Ulju County, Ulsan, with a passenger. The drive highlighted the vehicle’s power and quietness. The Filante shown at the event was an E-segment flagship crossover featuring an illuminated signature lozenge logo. Renault said it is based on the SUV-platform Grand Koleos body but engineered for sedan-level quietness and ride comfort by technically lowering its center of gravity. At the turnaround point at Nine Hill Cafe, the driver took the wheel. In warm weather, a press of a button followed by the voice command, "Turn on the ventilated seat," prompted the car to respond immediately. The feature is enabled by SK Telecom’s A.Dot Auto voice service, which the company says can remember conversational context and continue answers based on follow-up questions. On the Ulsan expressway, the body felt stable and the accelerator response was quick. The electric motor stepped in rapidly, keeping initial acceleration brisk, with a sense of the chassis holding firm from below. The Filante uses Renault’s Hybrid E-TECH powertrain: a 100-kilowatt drive motor and a 60-kilowatt starter motor paired with a 1.5-liter turbo direct-injection gasoline engine for a maximum 250 horsepower. Renault said a large-capacity lithium-ion battery allows up to 75% of city driving in electric mode. On the winding Unmunsan section, the Filante showed SUV-like stability. It offers multiple drive modes, including Sport, Eco and AI. In Sport mode, responses felt more aggressive; in AI mode, it appeared to adapt to conditions and delivered a steadier feel. Even on rough surfaces, the body stayed composed through corners, maintaining balance. The driver’s seat, finished in Nappa synthetic leather, sits relatively high and provided firm lower-back support for long-distance comfort. Wind and road noise were noticeably reduced. With acoustic glass and an active noise-cancellation system, the cabin did not become uncomfortably loud even at speeds above 110 kph (68 mph), reinforcing the sedan-like quiet. In highway congestion, cruise control proved useful. The Filante includes 34 advanced driver-assistance systems, Renault said, including lane-departure prevention and an emergency steering assist designed to help the vehicle avoid sudden hazards. Returning to Gyeongju on national roads, the word that came to mind was "identity." On straight stretches, it tracked steadily like a sedan, while the cabin remained quiet. A front passenger panoramic screen provided access to the internet and other content, and the radio speaker sound quality was satisfactory. Renault said a karaoke function will be added later through an update.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 08:03:34 -
South Korea to Unveil First Mass-Production KF-21 Fighter This Month South Korea will unveil the first mass-production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet later this month, a milestone expected to start reshaping an Air Force fleet long centered on U.S.-made aircraft. Industry officials said Friday that a rollout ceremony for the first production aircraft will be held in the final week of this month at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang province. Government and other key officials are expected to attend. The aircraft to be unveiled will undergo ground and flight testing before being delivered to the Air Force in the second half of this year. The Air Force plans to introduce 40 domestically built KF-21s in stages by 2028. It aims to secure 80 more by 2032, for a total fleet of 120. Deliveries of the KF-21 are expected to affect the Air Force’s fighter mix, including replacing aging F-4 and F-5 jets and reducing reliance on U.S. technology. Most of the Air Force’s main fighters, including F-16s and stealth aircraft, are produced in the United States, making the development of the supersonic KF-21 a significant step, officials said. South Korea’s push to develop indigenous combat aircraft gained momentum in December 2005, when the first mass-produced T-50 supersonic advanced trainer was delivered. In December 2015, the country began development of the KF-21, moving toward an independent fighter production system. Expectations are also rising for export growth, with Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Middle Eastern nations, cited as potential customers. Supporters point to the T-50’s exports to those markets as evidence of performance, and say additional orders are possible. The article said President Lee Jae-myung has also engaged in direct defense sales efforts with those countries, adding to export optimism. KAI plans to secure 6.544 trillion won — 62.7% of its overall order target this year — through exports of complete aircraft such as the KF-21. “The KF-21 project began with a feasibility review during President Kim Dae-jung’s administration in 2001, and full-scale development started in December 2015,” a KAI official said. “We expect both domestic adoption of the KF-21 and expanded exports.” 2026-03-06 18:03:25 -
BYD Unveils Second-Generation Blade Battery, Targets Near-Full Charge in 10 Minutes BYD says it has developed an electric-vehicle battery that can charge to about 90% in 10 minutes. On the 6th, BYD unveiled its “second-generation Blade Battery” and “FLASH charging technology,” aiming to address two major EV challenges: limits on charging speed and weaker performance in cold weather. BYD said the second-generation Blade Battery can reach near full charge within 10 minutes. It can charge from 10% to 70% state of charge in five minutes, and reach 97% in nine minutes, the company said. In extreme cold of minus 30 degrees Celsius, BYD said charging from 20% to 97% takes only three minutes longer than at room temperature. Developed after six years of research and development, the company said the battery is designed to offer a charging experience comparable to refueling a gasoline vehicle. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said the industry “must” solve persistent problems of slow charging and cold-weather performance, underscoring the significance of the new technology. BYD also highlighted safety measures, saying it introduced a “lithium-ion high-speed channel” and an “all-around intelligent thermal management system” to reduce internal heat and improve heat dissipation. Energy density is up 5% from the first generation, it said. The Denza Z9GT, equipped with the second-generation Blade Battery, achieved a driving range of 1,036 kilometers when combined with BYD’s lightweight body technology, the company said. BYD said it is expanding FLASH charging stations with 1,500 kilowatts of output per single connector. It plans to build 20,000 FLASH charging stations across China and to roll them out in global markets in earnest by the end of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 11:45:15 -
Kia EV5 GT Named Korea Auto Journalists Association’s Car of the Month for March 2026 The Korea Automobile Journalists Association said Thursday it selected the Kia EV5 GT as its car of the month for March 2026. The association’s Car of the Year selection committee evaluated the EV5 GT and JLR Korea’s updated New Defender model last month, listed in Korean alphabetical order by brand. Judging covered five areas: interior and exterior design and perceived quality; safety and convenience features; power performance; energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions; and overall product value and purchase intent. The EV5 GT scored 35.3 out of 50 to take the top spot. It earned 8 out of 10 in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, 7.3 in safety and convenience features, and 7 in power performance. Jeong Chi-yeon, chair of the committee, said the EV5 GT “delivers a dynamic driving feel even in an electric SUV” through strong dual-motor performance and a range of driving-focused technologies. The association has named and announced a car of the month since 2019. Last month’s winner was the Renault Korea Filante. Monthly winners advance directly to the first round of final judging for the annual Car of the Year awards, without going through the first-half and second-half preliminary reviews.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 09:57:54 -
Parata Air’s Signature In-Flight Ramen and Chicken Rank Among Top Sellers Parata Air said its signature international in-flight menu items, ramen and chicken, have remained among its best-selling paid offerings. The airline said it analyzed international-route onboard sales from Nov. 17, 2025, to Feb. 25, 2026. Signature ramen accounted for 10.3% of total sales, ranking second, while chicken took fourth place with 7.4%. Beer led all items at 23%, and the top five products during the period included easy-to-eat options such as ramen and chicken, the airline said. Parata Air’s signature ramen has been a flagship onboard item since the airline began operations. On social media and online communities, it is often described as a must-try menu item for Parata Air passengers, the company said. Spicy chicken also ranked near the top, and the airline said Korean-style snack items such as ramen and chicken are drawing steady choices from passengers. A Parata Air official said customers showed a strong preference for menu items that are easy to enjoy onboard while adding to the travel experience. The official said the airline plans to expand differentiated services available only on Parata Air. 2026-03-06 09:49:52