Journalist

Shin Ji-a
  • South Korea Routed 10-0 by Dominican Republic in WBC Quarterfinal, Cold-Rule Loss Ends Semifinal Bid
    South Korea Routed 10-0 by Dominican Republic in WBC Quarterfinal, Cold-Rule Loss Ends Semifinal Bid South Korea’s run on the World Baseball Classic’s knockout stage ended in the quarterfinals, dashing its hopes of reaching the semifinals for the first time in 17 years. South Korea, managed by Ryu Ji-hyun, lost 10-0 to the Dominican Republic by the mercy rule in seven innings on Saturday (Korea time) at loanDepot park in Miami in the 2026 WBC quarterfinals. Starter Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles gave up three runs in the second inning. In the third, four South Korean pitchers combined to allow four hits and three walks, leading to four more runs. Trailing 7-0, South Korea surrendered a three-run homer to Austin Wells of the New York Yankees with two outs in the seventh, putting the game out of reach. The tournament uses a mercy-rule format through the quarterfinals: a 15-run lead after five innings or a 10-run lead after seven. At the plate, South Korea was held scoreless on two hits and struck out eight times through five innings against left-hander Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished second in last year’s National League Cy Young voting. ▲ World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinal result (14th · loanDepot park, Miami) Korea 000 000 0XX - 0 Dominican Republic 034 000 3XX - 10 <7-inning mercy rule> △ Winning pitcher = Cristopher Sanchez (1-0) △ Losing pitcher = Ryu Hyun-jin (0-1) △ Home runs = Austin Wells, 2 (three-run, 7th · Dominican Republic) 2026-03-14 10:15:00
  • HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Moves to Sell Gunsan Shipyard to Ecoprime Marine Pacific
    HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Moves to Sell Gunsan Shipyard to Ecoprime Marine Pacific Ecoprime Marine Pacific, which has HJ Shipbuilding & Construction as a subsidiary, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of agreement for the transfer of assets at the Gunsan shipyard. Industry officials said on the 13th that the two companies signed the agreement at Ecoprime Marine Pacific’s headquarters in Yongsan. The assets to be transferred include all tangible assets related to the Gunsan shipyard, including real estate and movable property. The contract amount will be finalized after due diligence, based on a basic asset value set through an appraisal and then confirmed through negotiations between the parties. A final contract is expected to be signed after the due diligence process. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built the Gunsan shipyard in 2010 on a 1.8 million-square-meter site in the Gunsan National Industrial Complex in North Jeolla Province. Operations were suspended in 2017 as orders fell amid a downturn in the shipbuilding industry. Since 2022, the yard has been partially restarted and has produced ship blocks. The shipyard spans 1.8 million square meters and is equipped with a 1.3 million-metric-ton dock, a 1,650-metric-ton Goliath crane and other facilities. With an annual assembly capacity of 250,000 metric tons, it can build 12 bulk carriers of 180,000 tons each, the company said. Ecoprime Marine Pacific said HD Hyundai Heavy Industries agreed to place orders for its block production at the Gunsan shipyard (tentative name) for the next three years to help revitalize the facility. It also said HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will provide design services, handle raw-material purchasing on its behalf, and support automation and smart-shipyard technologies. An HD Hyundai Heavy Industries official said the asset transfer is expected to make new shipbuilding possible at the Gunsan shipyard. The official added that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will continue to receive ship blocks at the same level as it does now even after the transfer, calling it a win-win for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ecoprime Marine Pacific and the city of Gunsan.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-13 15:19:10
  • South Korea Fuel Prices Fall After Government Caps Refiners’ Supply Prices
    South Korea Fuel Prices Fall After Government Caps Refiners’ Supply Prices South Korea’s average gasoline and diesel prices fell for a third straight day after the government began enforcing a cap on refiners’ supply prices, according to industry data. Domestic pump prices have been easing since peaking on the 10th following the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel and Iran. As of 9 a.m. on the 13th, the nationwide average gasoline price was 1,883.79 won per liter, down about 15 won from the previous day, the Korea National Oil Corp.’s Opinet price information system said. Diesel averaged 1,911.1 won per liter, down about 21 won. Diesel remained more expensive than gasoline. Prices in Seoul also declined. Average gasoline in the capital fell about 21 won to 1,906.40 won per liter, while diesel dropped about 30 won to 1,905.53 won. The government began the oil price cap system at midnight on the 13th, setting maximum supply prices from refiners at 1,724 won per liter for regular gasoline, 1,713 won for automotive diesel and 1,320 won for kerosene. Premium gasoline, which has a limited consumer base, was excluded. The government said it will reset the caps every two weeks after reviewing the Middle East war and oil price trends. To guard against possible supply shortages after the cap, the government said it will also issue a notice banning hoarding. It plans to step up nationwide monitoring of gas station prices and intensively inspect suspected market-disrupting practices. To compensate refiners for losses caused by the cap, the government said it has prepared a post-settlement system. If refiners incur losses under the cap, it plans to reimburse them quarterly through a “maximum price settlement committee” made up of oil experts, including accounting, legal and academic specialists. Loss estimates calculated by each refiner would be verified by an accounting firm and finalized by the committee. The government noted that when oil prices are falling, refiners could also see periods of profit because of the cap, and said it will conduct detailed post-settlement calculations of profits and losses. The government again stressed the cap is aimed at stabilizing the market rather than imposing artificial price controls. However, controversy has grown after one refiner announced it would apply a post-settlement method for gas stations by splitting calculations into periods before and after the 13th, instead of using a monthly average price. The gas station industry says stations that bought inventory at higher prices before the cap cannot sell it above the now-public supply prices, forcing them to absorb losses. International oil prices, meanwhile, climbed back above $100 a barrel after Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei declared a hard-line response toward the United States and Israel, including a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. On March 12 local time, ICE Futures Europe settled May Brent crude at $100.46 a barrel, up 9.2% from the previous session. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, April WTI settled at $95.73 a barrel, up 9.7%. Analysts have warned that if the Middle East war drags on and high oil prices persist, the impact of the price cap could be reduced. 2026-03-13 10:12:22
  • InterBattery 2026 Showcases Solid-State Batteries for Humanoid Robots
    InterBattery 2026 Showcases Solid-State Batteries for Humanoid Robots “I came to see the solid-state battery that’s supposed to go into a humanoid robot, but there are so many people the line is long.” South Korea’s largest battery exhibition, InterBattery 2026, opened on March 11 with companies competing to showcase solid-state battery technology. With expectations rising for next-generation demand such as humanoid robots, crowds gathered around the displays. South Korea’s three major battery makers are seeking a rebound from a temporary demand slowdown by highlighting next-generation technology, aiming to secure future customers and regain initiative in a global market led by China. Samsung SDI unveiled a pouch-type solid-state battery sample for “physical AI,” drawing reactions from visitors surprised to see a sample already on display. The company said it aims to mass-produce the battery in the second half of next year for use in applications including robots and aviation systems. Choi Go-ul, a Samsung SDI group leader, told reporters that the pouch-type solid-state battery unveiled that day is scheduled to be mass-produced in 2027 and used in humanoid robots. LG Energy Solution also displayed a solid-state battery cell intended for humanoid robots, citing advantages such as higher energy density and faster charging beyond the limits of lithium-ion batteries. In robotics, an autonomous driving robot called Carti100 drew attention. The exhibit highlighted that cylindrical batteries can deliver output and durability suited to harsh industrial sites. At SK On’s booth, visitors clustered around a display of its sulfide-based solid-state battery. The company also exhibited a Hyundai Wia logistics robot AMR equipped with a high-nickel ternary battery. The robot is used for logistics automation at industrial sites including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, known as HMGMA. Nam Sang-cheol, head of the cathode materials research center at battery materials maker Posco Future M, said at the event that the company is working with U.S. battery startup Factorial to develop batteries for drones and humanoid robots. He said the commercialization target is 2028 and that Posco Future M’s cathode materials are expected to be adopted by multiple customers. Nam said the company is also developing solid-state batteries and is supplying materials at the pilot stage in quantities ranging from tens to hundreds of kilograms. He added that it has completed development of a technology applying a nano-scale thin coating to cathode surfaces and has secured related patents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 18:05:46
  • POSCO Future M CEO says LFP cathode mass production to start this year, targeting EV slowdown
    POSCO Future M CEO says LFP cathode mass production to start this year, targeting EV slowdown Eom Gi-cheon, CEO of POSCO Future M, outlined the company’s LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cathode material plans on March 11, speaking with reporters ahead of the opening of InterBattery 2026. “Major domestic battery materials companies plan to roll out mass-produced LFP cathode products within this year,” Eom said. He said POSCO Future M will complete its production line by July or August, go through certification in the third quarter, and supply mass-produced products to domestic customers by year’s end. Eom said battery makers’ utilization rates have fallen as growth in the electric vehicle market has slowed. But he said demand is shifting as markets such as energy storage systems and AI data centers “are opening up on a larger scale than EVs.” Eom also voiced confidence that solid-state battery technology could help South Korea’s battery industry overtake China. “Solid-state batteries are a next-generation technology that can allow Korea’s battery industry to surpass China in the future,” he said. He added that the company has made an equity investment in solid-state battery startup Factorial, and said POSCO Future M’s cathode materials could potentially be used in solid-state batteries for supercars. As chairman of the Korea Battery Industry Association, Eom stressed the need to strengthen competitiveness across the sector. “K-battery is facing a crisis due to global supply chain restructuring and the spread of protectionism,” he said. He said materials, parts and equipment companies will work as “one team” on technology development and process innovation, while coordinating closely with the government to boost competitiveness. Eom said Europe’s recently announced industrial acceleration policy and North American automakers’ strategies to build supply chains less dependent on China could create opportunities for South Korea’s battery industry. He said the industry will strengthen its global competitiveness based on technology, quality and reliability. The Korea Battery Association is holding InterBattery2026 from March 11 to 13 at COEX in Seoul. The exhibition theme is “Original Innovator, Creating the Future of Energy.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 09:37:36
  • SK Nexilis to Showcase Next-Generation Copper Foil Solutions at InterBattery 2026
    SK Nexilis to Showcase Next-Generation Copper Foil Solutions at InterBattery 2026 SK Nexilis, SKC’s investment vehicle for battery copper foil, said March 10 it will take part in InterBattery 2026, running for three days starting March 11 at COEX in Seoul, to showcase its copper foil technology and product lineup. Under the theme “SK Nexilis bridges the future,” the company said it designed its exhibit to show, at a glance, how copper foil has evolved alongside changes in downstream industries. In the first “Highlight Zone,” SK Nexilis will display a roll of wide copper foil measuring 4 micrometers thick — about one-thirtieth the thickness of a human hair — with a width of 1,400 mm and a length of 5 km. In the “Tech Zone,” it will present key products including standard copper foil for rechargeable batteries, high-strength products and high-elongation foil described as essential for next-generation cylindrical batteries. The company said the manufacturing process will also be shown in video for visitors. The exhibit will also feature products tied to emerging technologies, including “high-adhesion copper foil” for next-generation battery manufacturing such as dry processes, a corrosion-resistant current collector for all-solid-state batteries cited for strong fire safety, and current collectors for lithium metal batteries. SK Nexilis said it plans to highlight expansion beyond electric-vehicle battery materials into applications such as energy storage systems, drones, defense, robotics and aerospace. “Through this exhibition, we will strengthen our image as a leading future infrastructure materials company that goes beyond simple battery materials and leads mobility innovation,” a SK Nexilis official said. The official said the company will actively promote its lineup and technology to global customers and partners and expand opportunities for technical cooperation through tailored solution proposals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 11:13:13
  • Korea Battery Industry Association to Host First U.S.-Korea Defense Battery Cooperation Seminar
    Korea Battery Industry Association to Host First U.S.-Korea Defense Battery Cooperation Seminar The Korea Battery Industry Association said Tuesday it will hold a “U.S.-Korea Defense Battery Cooperation Seminar” with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul at 10 a.m. March 13 at COEX Conference Room 402 in Seoul. The association said the event was organized to strengthen bilateral cooperation on policy, technology and industry in defense batteries as the United States tightens its supply chain security posture and South Korea emerges as a key partner in the sector. Participants will include officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, the BEACONS Center at the University of Texas at Dallas, and RIB Manufacturing, along with specialized defense-battery companies from both countries. The association described it as the first seminar focused on U.S.-Korea cooperation in defense batteries. Eric Shields, a senior adviser at the Pentagon’s Office of Industrial Base Policy, is set to present U.S. defense-battery supply chain policy and industrial strategy based on the “U.S. Department of Defense Lithium Battery Strategy 2023–2030.” The presentation will cover the Pentagon’s military supply chain decoupling strategy, the growing importance of military batteries as future weapons systems proliferate, and policies to foster the battery industry through defense procurement. Cho Kyung-jae, a professor who leads the BEACONS Center at UT Dallas, will introduce the center, which was established with Pentagon support, and outline directions for cooperation with South Korean defense companies. RIB Manufacturing co-founder John Stivale and Lisa King, director for advanced battery strategy, will present on research and development cooperation based on the Dallas industrial cluster and on battery technology and standardization trends for Pentagon unmanned systems (UAV·UAS·UUV). On the South Korean side, defense-battery companies Vitzrocell, JR Energy Solution, U-BAT, LiBEST and BEI will introduce their businesses and brief current U.S.-Korea cooperation and areas where they hope to expand ties, the association said. “Batteries are growing into a core strategic asset for economic security,” Park Tae-sung, the association’s executive vice chairman, said. “Korean battery companies, with world-class manufacturing capabilities, will be the United States’ most reliable partner for supply chain security,” he said, adding that he hopes the seminar will expand battery technology and security cooperation within the U.S.-Korea alliance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 11:12:09
  • Diesel Prices Top Gasoline in South Korea, Raising Fears of Freight Disruptions
    Diesel Prices Top Gasoline in South Korea, Raising Fears of Freight Disruptions "I use as much as 5,000 liters of diesel a month. If the price rises by just 500 won, my fuel bill goes up 2.5 million won," a cargo truck driver said. "Then my take-home pay drops below what you can make at a part-time job. I’m hanging on, but if things get as bad as the urea-solution crisis, I may have to stop driving." With global oil prices topping $100 a barrel and diesel now costing more than gasoline, South Korea’s freight industry is warning of mounting strain. Since March 6, diesel has been priced above gasoline, raising concerns that many truckers could be forced to stop operating. Any widespread halt would likely disrupt logistics and push up distribution costs, adding to pressure on households. According to the Korea National Oil Corp.’s Opinet price system, as of 10 a.m. March 9 the nationwide average diesel price was 1,920 won per liter, 22 won higher than gasoline at 1,898 won. In Seoul, diesel averaged 1,970 won per liter, nearing 2,000 won, and some stations have already posted prices in the 2,000-won range. Industry officials say the situation risks echoing the urea-solution shortages of 2021 and 2023, when trucks were sidelined in large numbers. At the time, the government even used military transport aircraft to rush in emergency supplies to keep freight moving. The Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division said the current spike in fuel prices directly cuts into drivers’ income. Park Jae-ha, the group’s policy director, said freight rates are typically split roughly into thirds: fuel, vehicle maintenance and driver income. "When oil prices surge, freight rates stay the same but fuel costs rise, so income drops sharply," he said. Park added that members have recently reported monthly fuel bills rising by 1.3 million to 1.4 million won, calling it "a situation where the more you work, the more you lose." Park said a safety freight-rate system that links fuel prices and rates applies only in part and covers about 6% of all cargo trucks. That leaves 94% of freight workers fully exposed to fuel-price spikes, he said. Gas stations are also under pressure. Many receive fuel from refiners in advance and settle payments later, a structure that can deepen losses when prices rise. While the government has signaled a willingness to intervene, including by mentioning a review of setting a maximum price, diesel wholesale costs are still climbing, according to industry officials. Some in the industry say diesel supply prices could rise to about 2,300 won per liter. A gas station official said fuel brought in during February was settled on March 9 at 1,520 won per liter, but the refiner notified the station that the next settlement could be set around 2,300 won. For now, stations are selling stockpiled inventory and keeping prices below 2,000 won per liter, but once reserves run out, they expect to have no choice but to post prices in the 2,000-won range. Most stations have already used up the volumes they secured in February. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 18:14:30
  • HD Hyundai, ABS to Develop Nuclear-Linked Electric Propulsion for Zero-Carbon Ships
    HD Hyundai, ABS to Develop Nuclear-Linked Electric Propulsion for Zero-Carbon Ships HD Hyundai said Monday it has signed a joint development agreement with the American Bureau of Shipping, or ABS, to begin concept design of a nuclear-linked electric propulsion system, as it moves to secure next-generation zero-carbon ship technology. The signing ceremony was held at HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, with Kwon Byeong-hun, head of the Electrification Center at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; Sim Hak-mu, head of the design division at HD Hyundai Samho; and ABS Far East Asia sales representative Matthew Muller in attendance. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly work on a 16,000-TEU container ship, cooperating on basic design of the nuclear-linked electric propulsion system, selection of electrical equipment specifications, and layout design for power equipment. They plan to apply the characteristics of a small modular reactor, or SMR, capable of stably supplying up to 100 megawatts, and to assess the feasibility of using an SMR as a new ship power source. HD Hyundai said it will build a power management system tailored to large container ships that require long voyages and high-speed operation. It also plans to apply a twin-screw propeller system to improve propulsion and maneuverability. The company said it will adopt a direct-drive propulsion method that connects the motor directly to the propeller to minimize energy losses in power transmission and improve operating efficiency. It also said it will step up efforts to ensure safety related to nuclear power generation. Muller said the collaboration is “a very important project” to verify whether nuclear-based electric propulsion can be applied to large container ships, adding that the partners will combine HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding capabilities with ABS engineering expertise in maritime safety to comprehensively validate the safety, efficiency and environmental performance of next-generation propulsion solutions. Sim said nuclear-linked electric propulsion ships are “a groundbreaking and advanced technology” for achieving net zero, and could become a strong tool for HD Hyundai amid intense competition to lead the eco-friendly ship market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 14:33:16
  • Samsung SDI to Debut All-Solid-State Battery Sample for Physical AI at InterBattery 2026
    Samsung SDI to Debut All-Solid-State Battery Sample for Physical AI at InterBattery 2026 Samsung SDI will unveil, for the first time in South Korea, an all-solid-state battery technology it is developing for the era of physical artificial intelligence, including humanoid robots. According to industry sources on the 9th, Samsung SDI will publicly display a sample of a pouch-type all-solid-state battery under development for physical AI applications at InterBattery 2026, which opens March 11 at COEX in Seoul for a three-day run. The company also plans to highlight its competitiveness in core AI infrastructure by showcasing battery solutions for energy storage systems, along with ultra-high-output batteries used in uninterruptible power supplies and battery backup units that are essential for AI data centers. At the exhibition, Samsung SDI will use the slogan, “AI’s imagination, made real by batteries,” and plans to present a wide range of technologies and products in what it said will be the largest exhibition space among participating companies. Samsung SDI said it is expanding its form factors from prismatic all-solid-state batteries developed for electric vehicles to pouch-type designs, aiming to broaden applications to humanoid robots, aviation systems and next-generation wearables. The company noted that robots, with limited space for onboard components, require compact batteries that deliver both high energy density and strong output. Samsung SDI will also introduce battery solutions for AI data centers, including its UPS battery “U8A1” and a high-output battery for BBUs installed inside servers. The BBU battery is designed to quickly supply power to servers during outages to prevent data loss and to support stable power delivery even when demand surges. In addition, Samsung SDI will debut its integrated ESS solution, Samsung Battery Box (SBB), and its AI-based battery health diagnostic software, Samsung Battery Intelligence (SBI). The company said SBI analyzes battery condition, lifespan and abnormal signs to predict risks such as fires in advance. It will also display differentiated battery technologies, including a next-generation prismatic battery with an energy density of 700Wh/L. A Samsung SDI official said the company aims to show how its battery technology can “complete all possibilities in the AI era,” adding that it will present high-quality battery solutions suited to the AI era based on capabilities built up over many years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:51:19