Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • Hyundai unveils two Ioniq concepts in Beijing
    Hyundai unveils two Ioniq concepts in Beijing SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor's two concept cars for electric vehicles have been unveiled at a three-day event in Beijing, the automaker said on Friday. The event, which kicked off last Tuesday, was held to mark the launch of its flagship Ioniq brand in the world's most populous country. Stressing that it has "invested years in preparing" the brand to meet the demand and tastes of Chinese customers, it explained that Ioniq "evolves beyond a traditional product lineup into a broader mobility ecosystem" by integrating technologies based on its "globally validated expertise." Hyundai said the concepts, called "Venus" and "Earth," reflect its goals for a renewed presence in the Chinese market. "Inspired by the planetary system revolving around the sun, the Ioniq lineup takes its names from the planets, symbolizing a universe centered on the customer. Through this distinct approach, Hyundai aims to complete a fully customized EV experience," it explained. With the world premiere of the two concepts, the automaker also outlined its roadmap for the Chinese market, which includes the development of locally optimized self-driving technology in collaboration with Chinese autonomous-driving firm Momenta. Aiming to reach annual sales of 500,000 vehicles in China, it also plans to release its first extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which are electrified vehicles powered exclusively by electric motors, in China, in consideration of the country's charging infrastructure and long-distance driving conditions. "Built on Ioniq's uncompromising principles of world-class safety and quality, we will soon introduce production models that seamlessly combine the smart driving and smart cabin experiences demanded by Chinese consumers," said Li Fenggang, president of the automaker's Beijing office. Hyundai will rev up its promotional activities with Chinese customers by showcasing a full lineup of electric vehicles at this year's Auto China, the biennial auto show in Beijing, which will run from April 24 to May 3. 2026-04-10 16:30:09
  • Low-cost carrier Air Premia tops 3 million intl passengers
    Low-cost carrier Air Premia tops 3 million int'l passengers SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Air Premia has surpassed 3 million in the cumulative number of international passengers, the low-cost carrier said on Friday. The milestone comes about three years and nine months after launching its first international routes in July 2022. Of its total of 11,458 international flights, which flew about 62.74 million kilometers, about 45.40 million kilometers or 72.3 percent of the accumulated flight distance, came from routes to North America. The average flight distance per trip was about 5,475 kilometers, which reflects the carrier's strategy of focusing on long-haul routes as it has pursued qualitative growth rather than simply increasing passenger volumes. Air Premia currently operates eight international routes, with four in the U.S., including Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, and four in Asia including Bangkok, Da Nang, Hong Kong and Narita. It plans to add a route to Washington, D.C. on April 24. Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner, a long-range jet, is deployed across all routes due to its high fuel efficiency, according to an Air Premia spokesperson. "If current demand continues, we expect to surpass 4 million passengers this year," he said. 2026-04-10 11:28:38
  • Kia launches massive recruitment drive
    Kia launches massive recruitment drive SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - Kia will hire a large number of new employees in the first half of this year, a rare move at a time when many companies are tightening their belts amid a prolonged economic slowdown, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The automaker said on Wednesday that the recruitment drive, which will hire both entry-level and experienced workers as well as interns across some 34 fields within the company, aims to expand opportunities for young talent amid a tough job market, while also strengthening its competitiveness in new business areas. It will accept applications by mid-April for entry-level positions, while experienced workers will have a few more weeks to apply until late April. To encourage more job seekers to apply, Kia is also holding an on-campus recruitment campaign at roughly a dozen universities through next week, highlighting its 80-year history and future vision and providing career mentoring from alumni employees. "We hope all talented individuals who will lead Kia's next 80 years will apply," a Kia spokesman said. 2026-04-01 14:20:31
  • Asiana Airlines to cut intl flights amid soaring oil prices
    Asiana Airlines to cut int'l flights amid soaring oil prices SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Asiana Airlines will cut about a dozen flights on four international routes this spring amid rising oil prices caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The flagship carrier said on Tuesday it canceled seven flights from Incheon to Changchun, China; three flights to Harbin; and two flights each to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Yanji, China for the months of April and May, as jet fuel prices surged sharply. "We will minimize inconvenience for affected customers by offering alternative flights and waiving fees for changes to their trip schedules," Asiana Airlines said. Amid soaring oil prices, domestic airlines are trimming flights to reduce costs, with Asiana becoming the first full-service carrier to follow suit after low-cost carriers made similar cuts. Asiana became the first full-service carrier to follow suit after low-cost airlines made similar cuts, as soaring oil prices push domestic carriers to trim flights to reduce costs. Korean Air, the country's largest flagship carrier, which completed its acquisition of Asiana Airlines in December last year, will also enter emergency mode starting next month. 2026-03-31 15:58:00
  • Korean manufacturers turn sharply pessimistic in steepest BSI drop since Covid
    Korean manufacturers turn sharply pessimistic in steepest BSI drop since Covid SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) -South Korean manufacturers turned abruptly pessimistic, with sentiment posting its sharpest drop since the Covid-19 shock in early 2020 as the Middle East crisis spilled into the real economy a month after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The country's largest business association, Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), said Thursday its Business Survey Index (BSI) outlook for April stood at 85.1, based on a survey of the country’s 600 largest companies by sales. The index dropped 17.6 points from March’s 102.7 — which had marked the first positive reading in 48 months — falling back below the baseline of 100 in just one month. The March actual BSI came in at 92.6. By sector, both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing were in negative territory, at 85.6 and 84.6, respectively, marking the first time in 15 months that both sectors recorded readings in the 80s. Manufacturing sentiment deteriorated sharply, plunging 20.3 points from March’s 105.9 — the steepest drop since April 2020 during the COVID-19 shock. Nonmanufacturing also fell 14.8 points from 99.4. Within manufacturing, eight of 10 subindustries were below the 100 threshold, with only pharmaceuticals and electronic and communications equipment posting positive outlooks. All nonmanufacturing subsectors remained negative. Weakness was most evident in sectors directly exposed to crude supply disruptions. Petroleum refining and chemicals posted a BSI of 80.0, while electricity, gas and water fell to 63.2. Transportation and warehousing stood at 82.6, and nonmetal materials and products — including plastic manufacturing reliant on crude-based inputs — lagged at 69.2. FKI attributed the broad-based decline to heightened uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict, including surging global oil prices and rising ocean freight rates. Oil prices have Dubai grade has risen over 150 percent so far this year owing to the conflicts in the Middle East and crippling of the core waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, off the Iranian coastline. All seven major categories in the BSI remained below the 100 mark, including domestic demand (90.8), exports (94.3) and investment (95.4). The funding conditions index, which reflects corporate liquidity, fell to 89.7 — the lowest since June 2023. The profitability index dropped 7.1 points from the previous month to 90.8, signaling mounting cost pressures. FKI said companies are facing growing pressure on financial health, citing concerns over inflation from global supply chain disruptions and a slowdown in the real economy. Lee Sang Ho, head of FKI’s economic division, said rising tensions in the Middle East have heightened concerns over crude supply and dampened business sentiment, calling for swift policy support, including proactive fiscal measures, to prevent external uncertainty from spilling over into the real economy and disrupting corporate activity. 2026-03-26 07:48:02
  • Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz: 20 New Models in China, Full Electrified Lineup in Europe by 2027
    Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz: 20 New Models in China, Full Electrified Lineup in Europe by 2027 Hyundai Motor said it will step up its push in global markets this year with an aggressive rollout of new vehicles, while strengthening so-called “physical AI” capabilities in areas such as autonomous driving and robotics to compete in future mobility. Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor’s CEO, said in a CEO shareholder letter released on the 20th that the company will “aggressively launch global new models tailored to customer expectations.” For China, Munoz said Hyundai will follow a “in China, for China, and for the world” strategy, launching 20 new models over the next five years and targeting annual sales of 500,000 vehicles. In South Korea, he said Hyundai plans to release new versions of the Tucson and Avante this year. In North America, Munoz said Hyundai will introduce extended-range electric vehicles starting in 2027 with a driving range of more than 600 miles (about 965 kilometers) per charge. He also said the company plans to launch its first body-on-frame midsize pickup truck before 2030. In Europe, Munoz said Hyundai will unveil five new models over the next 18 months, including the Ioniq 3, which he said will be shown to the world for the first time at Milan Design Week in April. He added that by 2027 Hyundai will have an electrified model lineup for every vehicle it sells in Europe. For India, Munoz said Hyundai will invest $5 billion through 2030 and launch a total of 26 new models. He said the company will introduce its first locally strategic electric SUV in India by 2027, planned, designed and produced locally. Hyundai also said it will accelerate its physical AI strategy, including autonomous driving and robotics. Munoz said the group’s technology platform, Pleos, will be a key element in speeding up autonomous driving development. He said Hyundai plans to equip Ioniq 5 vehicles produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America with specifications optimized for autonomous driving and supply them to Google’s Waymo. He also called Boston Dynamics’ Atlas “one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots,” and said Hyundai aims to develop intelligence that goes beyond building cars to changing how vehicles are made and operated. On the fast-changing international environment, Munoz said the global trade landscape remains uncertain due to tariff pressure, currency swings and geopolitical tensions. He said Hyundai will carry forward the spirit of founder Chung Ju-yung, who expanded the business by turning uncertainty into opportunity. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 11:21:56
  • Jeju Air tops 60 million passengers as it marks 17 years of international flights
    Jeju Air tops 60 million passengers as it marks 17 years of international flights SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Short-haul carrier Jeju Air said Friday it has carried over 60 million passengers as it marks the 17th anniversary of launching international routes. Jeju Air became the first South Korean budget carrier to launch international services, with flights between Incheon and Osaka in March 2009. Starting with about 159,000 passengers in its first year, Jeju Air continued to expand, reaching a milestone of serving over 1 million passengers in 2012. By offering more diverse routes to neighboring Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries in later years, the airline's cumulative international passengers surpassed 10 million in 2016 and topped 50 million in 2024. As of the end of February this year, its cumulative international passengers stood at about 62.86 million, showing an average annual growth of 27.5 percent. Jeju Air currently operates some 58 international routes, with destinations in China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Notably, what started as one daily flight between Incheon and Osaka now operates seven times a day, making Jeju Air the most frequent carrier on the route. The number of passengers has grown nearly eightfold, from 73,000 in 2009 to 574,000 in 2025. "We have helped make air travel more accessible and affordable for passengers over the past 17 years," a Jeju Air staffer said, adding that the airline will continue to promote "healthy competition" in South Korea's aviation industry. 2026-03-20 11:19:31
  • Hanwha Aerospace Hosts IISS Global Security Strategy Roundtable in Seoul
    Hanwha Aerospace Hosts IISS Global Security Strategy Roundtable in Seoul Hanwha Aerospace said Thursday it held a “Global Security Strategy Roundtable” with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a global think tank, to discuss key international issues. The event was held Wednesday at Hanwha Building in Janggyo-dong, Seoul. Attendees included Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il and senior executives from Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, the group’s three defense companies. The IISS delegation included Director-General Bastian Giegerich; Senior Adviser Lee Jung-min; Rami Kim, the institute’s Korea Chair; and Rosamund de Sibel, head of advisory services, Hanwha Aerospace said. It was the first visit by IISS leadership to Hanwha headquarters since the Korea Chair was established at IISS last year, the company said. The two sides exchanged views on the rapidly changing security environment and global defense industry trends. Hanwha executives outlined their global business vision, while IISS shared its research and advisory work and plans for the Korea Chair, the company said. Discussions also covered major security issues including rising defense demand in Europe and the need to strengthen air defense capabilities in the Gulf region, it said. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1958, IISS is a leading defense and security think tank. It hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest security forum, and publishes The Military Balance, a widely used annual assessment of global military capabilities. The Korea Chair is a permanent research post jointly sponsored by Hanwha and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KF). Hanwha said it is the first Korea-focused position established at a major European security think tank. The inaugural chair, Dr. Rami Kim, is based at IISS headquarters in London and leads research on advanced technology and defense and security issues, the company said. “Hanwha aims to be a ‘trusted industrial partner’ that grows with partner countries through technology transfer, joint investment and local production, not simply a defense exporter,” Son said. “Strategic cooperation with IISS will be an important foundation for realizing that vision.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 10:27:24
  • Jeju Air Marks 17 Years of International Flights, Averaging 27.5% Annual Growth
    Jeju Air Marks 17 Years of International Flights, Averaging 27.5% Annual Growth Jeju Air said Thursday it has marked the 17th anniversary of its international service, reporting 62.85 million cumulative international passengers and average annual growth of 27.5%. The airline began scheduled international flights on March 20, 2009, launching the Incheon-Osaka route as South Korea’s first low-cost carrier to operate a regular international service. After about 159,000 passengers in its first year, Jeju Air expanded steadily. In 2012, it carried about 1.19 million international passengers, ushering in what it called the “1 million annual international passengers” era. As it added routes to Japan, Southeast Asia and greater China, the airline’s cumulative international passenger total surpassed 10 million in 2016 and topped 50 million in 2024. As of the end of February this year, cumulative international passengers stood at about 62.858 million, maintaining average annual growth of 27.5% since 2009, the company said. Jeju Air also increased its network from seven weekly flights on the Incheon-Osaka route in 2009 to 58 international routes now, serving destinations including Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia and greater China. Japan routes carried more than 4 million passengers last year, the company said, its best result on record. Southeast Asia routes also posted their strongest performance since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 360,000 foreign tourists using the services. The Incheon-Osaka route, Jeju Air’s first international service, has grown from one daily flight at launch to seven a day. The company said that is the highest frequency among airlines operating Korea-Japan routes. Passenger traffic on the route rose from about 73,000 in 2009 to about 574,000 in 2025. A Jeju Air official said the carrier has helped shift the market toward consumers and broaden access to air travel over the past 17 years, adding that it aims to strengthen South Korea’s aviation competitiveness through “healthy competition.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 10:12:09
  • Mercedes-Benz Korea Expands Airport Vehicle Care Service to Gimpo International Airport
    Mercedes-Benz Korea Expands Airport Vehicle Care Service to Gimpo International Airport Mercedes-Benz Korea said on the 20th it is expanding its premium vehicle storage and care program, “Mercedes-Benz Airport Service,” from Incheon International Airport to Gimpo International Airport for customers traveling by air. Under the program, customers drop off their vehicles at a designated location before departure. The company stores the vehicles in an indoor parking facility and, if requested, provides inspection and care services. Vehicles are returned to customers according to their arrival schedule. The expansion to Gimpo is aimed at easing inconvenience from parking congestion and wait times as airport traffic increases, the company said. The service is offered up to three times during the free service period to customers who bought a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Customers who bought a fully electric vehicle during the same period can use it without a limit on the number of times. Customers must book in advance through the customer contact center and hand over the vehicle at the designated location. Vehicles are stored indoors to avoid exposure to fine dust and heavy rain. By request, customers can also receive maintenance services such as regular inspections and replacement of consumable parts. “Airport Service is a premium vehicle care program that goes beyond simple storage, keeping customers’ vehicles in top condition while they travel,” said Tolsten Schtrein, executive vice president and head of customer service. “We will continue to expand differentiated premium service experiences tailored to customers’ lifestyles.” The service operates year-round from 4 a.m. to midnight. Vehicle cleaning and EV charging are available only at Incheon International Airport. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 09:54:16