Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • Hyundai Motor Group Donates Unmanned Firefighting Robots to Help Protect Firefighters
    Hyundai Motor Group Donates Unmanned Firefighting Robots to Help Protect Firefighters Hyundai Motor Group said it is continuing efforts to improve safety for the public and firefighters by donating unmanned firefighting robots. The group said Wednesday that it held a donation ceremony Tuesday at the Capital 119 Special Rescue Unit in Namyangju, south of Seoul. Attendees included Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun; President Sung Kim; Hyundai Rotem President Lee Yong-bae; National Fire Agency acting chief Kim Seung-ryong; and planning and coordination director Lee Jin-ho, the company said. Hyundai Motor Group officially donated four remote firefighting units, known as unmanned firefighting robots, that it jointly developed with the National Fire Agency. The robots were built by mounting firefighting equipment on Hyundai Rotem’s electrified multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle, the HR-Sherpa, which can be driven remotely. According to the National Fire Agency’s statistical yearbook, 1,802 firefighters were injured or killed in fires over the past 10 years. Hyundai Motor Group said the robots are designed to reduce injuries in disaster environments by equipping the HR-Sherpa with a water cannon, an onboard spray system, a camera to improve visibility and a remote controller. The company said the system can lower equipment temperatures to 50 to 60 degrees Celsius even in environments approaching 500 to 800 degrees Celsius, allowing operations closer to the fire scene. “Firefighters who rush without hesitation into life-and-death scenes to save lives remind us what values our society must protect,” Chung said. He said the group developed the robots with the National Fire Agency to help realize the safety firefighters work to uphold. Chung called the donated robots “new mobility” that brings together the group’s core technologies to pursue the shared goal of “technology that saves lives.” He said he hopes the robots will be “a reliable team member” deployed first into dangerous sites to help protect firefighters. Chung also said the group will support firefighters’ recovery by providing vehicles and rehabilitation equipment to the National Fire Hospital, which is scheduled to open in June. “Hyundai Motor Group will continue to provide the technology and support needed so firefighters can carry out their duties in a safer environment,” he said. Kim, the National Fire Agency’s acting chief, called the event “the first step” in a major shift in disaster response. He said the agency will continue to introduce advanced science and technology to the field through innovative partnerships with the private sector. Of the four robots, two have already been deployed at the request of the National Fire Agency, with one each assigned to the Capital and Yeongnam 119 special rescue units and put into field operations. The remaining two are to be placed in early next month, with one each going to the Gyeonggi South and South Chungcheong fire headquarters. Hyundai Motor Group said it supports firefighters in multiple ways. It said it will donate vehicles and rehabilitation equipment for treatment and recovery at the National Fire Hospital in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, which it described as the country’s first medical institution specializing in firefighters. 2026-02-25 09:39:23
  • Hyundai Motor executive urges fast passage of Korea bill backing $350B U.S. investment plan
    Hyundai Motor executive urges fast passage of Korea bill backing $350B U.S. investment plan Sung Kim, president of Hyundai Motor Group, urged swift passage of legislation needed to carry out a $350 billion (about 506 trillion won) U.S. investment package. According to Reuters on Monday, Kim made the remarks at a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on a proposed ruling People Power Party bill related to U.S. investment. He said that even if reciprocal tariffs are nullified, pressure could intensify to raise tariffs on automobiles. “As reciprocal tariffs are rendered invalid, pressure could instead grow to raise sector-specific tariffs on certain industries such as autos,” Kim said. “If a 25% tariff becomes reality at a time of sweeping change across the industry — with the shift to electric vehicles and accelerating competition in autonomous driving — the competitiveness of Korean companies will be weakened.” He added that “the auto industry is already facing a serious crisis due to U.S. tariff measures that began last year,” and said sector-specific tariffs on steel and automobiles are likely to remain in place for a considerable period. Kim said Hyundai Motor and Kia suffered about 7.2 trillion won ($4.98 billion) in financial damage last year due to U.S. tariffs. For South Korea, reciprocal tariffs initially set at 25% under an agreement with the United States were lowered to 15% starting in November last year. However, President Donald Trump on Jan. 26 threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs back to 25% — along with item-specific tariffs on products such as automobiles — citing delays in the National Assembly’s handling of the special U.S. investment bill. If auto tariffs are raised again to 25% as Trump has threatened, the damage to Hyundai and Kia could grow further. Policy uncertainty over tariffs has also increased again after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled reciprocal tariffs illegal and Trump, in response, raised the possibility of additional tariffs on major industries such as automobiles and semiconductors. South Korea’s auto industry has repeatedly asked the government and the National Assembly to resolve the tariff issue to secure equal conditions in the U.S. market with Japanese and European competitors. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 17:51:17
  • Hanwha Aerospace Launches Consortium to Localize Aircraft Engine Materials and Parts
    Hanwha Aerospace Launches Consortium to Localize Aircraft Engine Materials and Parts Hanwha Aerospace said it is moving to build a cooperative ecosystem to localize key aircraft engine materials and components. The company said it held an “Aircraft Engine Materials and Parts Localization and Shared-Growth Cooperation Agreement Ceremony” on the 24th at its Changwon Plant 1 in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. A total of 39 partner companies, including Korea Carbon, KPCM, Korea Lost Wax (KLW) and Tesco, jointly signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Testing Laboratory, the Korea Testing & Research Institute and Korea University of Technology and Education. Officials from the Korea Institute of Materials Science, the Air Force Aircraft Resource Management Group, the Agency for Defense Development and Gyeongsang National University also attended. Hanwha Aerospace said the signatories will form a consortium to pursue localization in a more systematic way and conduct joint R&D for development, testing, evaluation and certification. The company said it also plans to establish and carry out a global supply-chain strategy to help partners enter overseas markets, and later expand cooperation to other areas of aircraft engine development, including design and machining. Hanwha Aerospace said it has worked with partners to develop core technologies in aircraft engines. Working with domestic precision casting firms including Korea Lost Wax, Seongil Turbine and Cheonji Industry, it said it has developed and mass-produced turbine blades and high-temperature parts using second- and third-generation single-crystal materials over the past 20 years and obtained international certifications including NADCAP and KOLAS. It said it supplies coating materials to original equipment manufacturers with its joint venture, ThermTech Korea. It also said SeAH Changwon Special Steel, a specialty steel maker, has worked with Hanwha Aerospace to develop Waspaloy material for Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine, meeting quality requirements and nearing entry into the global supply chain. In October last year, Hanwha Aerospace said it established and is operating the Hanwha Materials Joint Research Center at the Korea Institute of Materials Science to develop key aircraft engine materials. Cho Moon-soo, chairman of Korea Carbon, said, “At a time when securing export competitiveness is more important than ever, I expect this newly launched consortium will lead to tangible growth in partners’ capabilities and export results.” Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said, “Without shared growth with our partners, we cannot achieve localization of aircraft engines,” adding, “We will secure technological sovereignty through mutual growth.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 15:30:19
  • EFK Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik Wins Unanimous Fifth Term, Pledges Stronger Business Unity
    EFK Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik Wins Unanimous Fifth Term, Pledges Stronger Business Unity Sohn Kyung-shik has won a fifth term as chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, known as EFK. EFK said it held its 57th annual general meeting on Monday at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul and unanimously reappointed Sohn with the backing of its leadership and member companies. Sohn first took the helm in March 2018. With Monday’s vote, he will lead the group for two more years through 2028. EFK has no term-limit rule. EFK’s leadership said Sohn has played a central role over the past eight years on major labor and economic issues, contributing to improvements in the business environment and raising the group’s policy standing. EFK said policy uncertainty around labor issues has grown, including debate over the so-called Yellow Envelope Act — amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act — making Sohn’s experience and leadership more necessary. In his opening remarks, Sohn said the government’s push on key policy tasks is expected to accelerate and that discussions of policies that could burden companies may also expand. “I will further strengthen cooperation across the broader business community,” he said. He said EFK would fulfill its responsibility as a representative business group so that corporate views are reflected in policy in a balanced way. He added that, regarding the revised union law set to take effect March 10, EFK will focus on conveying business concerns to the government and National Assembly and on supporting member companies in reasonable collective bargaining. On debate over extending the retirement age, a major labor issue this year, Sohn said he would seek a “win-win” approach that aligns with youth employment through flexible options such as rehiring after retirement. He also pledged continued efforts to push deregulation and tax improvements, expand flexible working hours, spread job- and performance-based pay systems, and establish a prevention-focused industrial safety environment. At the meeting, EFK also reappointed Executive Vice Chairman Lee Dong-geun, 22 non-executive vice chairmen and two auditors, following the chairman’s recommendations. Keum Seok-ho, president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, was named a new non-executive vice chairman, and Jin Yong-min, CEO of Seoul City Gas, was appointed a new auditor.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 13:28:13
  • Jin Air launches Incheon-Takamatsu promotion with round trips from 163,000 won
    Jin Air launches Incheon-Takamatsu promotion with round trips from 163,000 won Jin Air said Tuesday it is running an online promotion for its Incheon-to-Takamatsu route, a destination known for architecture by Tadao Ando. The promotion runs through March 16 and applies to travel departing between March 1 and May 31. Customers can receive up to 7% off airfare by entering the promo code HELLO2026TAK. Round-trip total fares start at about 163,000 won. Jin Air is also offering an app-only benefit: the first 100 customers will receive a 2,000-won coupon for advance seat selection. Takamatsu is a port city in Japan’s Shikoku region, known for local udon dishes such as shippo-ku udon and kama-tama udon, which is mixed with a raw egg and served without broth. Visitors can also see the Shikokumura Gallery designed by Ando and view works by Yayoi Kusama on the art island of Naoshima. At Shodoshima Olive Park, a film location, travelers can rent a broom for photos. The Incheon-Takamatsu route departs Incheon at 2:10 p.m. and departs locally at 4:50 p.m. Passengers can check up to 15 kilograms of baggage for free.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 10:24:16
  • Mercedes-Benz Korea Launches EQE 350+ SUV, Priced at 106 Million Won
    Mercedes-Benz Korea Launches EQE 350+ SUV, Priced at 106 Million Won Mercedes-Benz Korea said Tuesday it has officially launched a new trim, the EQE 350+ SUV, for its electric SUV model, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, in the South Korean market. The EQE SUV is built on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated EV architecture, EVA2. The company said the model offers long driving range, a practical interior, stable and comfortable driving performance, and a range of convenience features. The EQE 350+ SUV is a rear-wheel-drive model that replaces the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, which had been an all-wheel-drive option in the lineup. With the trim change, the 26-year-model EQE SUV lineup will be offered in two versions: the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ SUV and the higher-performance, all-wheel-drive EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. Under South Korea’s certification standards, the EQE 350+ SUV has a single-charge driving range of 467 kilometers, the longest in the EQE SUV lineup. Standard features include AIRMATIC suspension, which automatically adjusts based on driving conditions, speed and load; the Driving Assistance Package Plus, which uses sensors including cameras, radar and ultrasonic systems to analyze the surroundings; Digital Light, which adjusts headlamp brightness and beam pattern based on conditions such as road lighting, traffic, route and weather; and a parking package with a 360-degree camera. The exterior applies the Electric Art line, including a black-panel radiator grille with a star-logo pattern. Mercedes-Benz said dynamic proportions and 20-inch five-spoke lightweight alloy wheels add a sportier SUV look. Inside, the Electric Art line continues with a modern design. The vehicle includes a 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit and a 12.8-inch OLED central display. Active ambient lighting, linked to driver-assistance systems to provide visual feedback during operation, offers 64 color options. The trunk has a base capacity of 520 liters, expanding to up to 1,675 liters with the second row folded. The price is 106 million won. More information is available at Mercedes-Benz Korea’s 65 official showrooms nationwide and on its official website. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 10:06:15
  • Toyota Korea to Sponsor O-NE Superrace Championship for 2026 Season
    Toyota Korea to Sponsor O-NE Superrace Championship for 2026 Season Toyota Korea said Monday it has signed an official sponsorship agreement for the 2026 season of the O-NE Superrace Championship, the country’s largest motorsports series. The company has served as an official Superrace sponsor for seven straight years since 2020, it said, as part of efforts to expand motorsports culture in South Korea. Manabu Koyama, CEO of Toyota Korea, and Seokho Ma, the newly appointed CEO of Superrace, attended the signing ceremony along with officials from both sides. Superrace renamed its top-tier category in the 2025 season, changing the official title from the “Super 6000 Class” to the “TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 6000 Class.” Toyota Korea has participated since 2020 as a “cowl sponsor,” applying the exterior design of the GR Supra to Super 6000 race cars. Beginning in the 2025 season, it expanded its role to become the category’s naming sponsor, the company said. Toyota Korea said it is pursuing a range of motorsports initiatives based on its global philosophy of building better cars through racing. Along with backing the top professional series, it said it created the “Prius PHEV Class,” described as South Korea’s only plug-in hybrid one-make race, to broaden participation across professional and amateur racing. The company also sponsors the Boryeong-AMC International Motor Festival run by Ajou Motor College, and operates programs including the “GR Racing Class” and the “GR Kids Superrace School.” Starting in the 2026 season, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 6000 Class will shorten its final-race distance from 170 kilometers to about 100 kilometers, Superrace said, aiming for its fastest races yet. The series will also abolish the “success weight” handicap system to emphasize head-to-head competition. The rule had added up to 50 kilograms based on results; its removal is expected to allow drivers to draw out maximum vehicle performance. “As a brand with genuine commitment to motorsports, we are pleased to participate as a sponsor of the O-NE Superrace Championship for the seventh consecutive year,” Koyama said. He added that he hopes this season will vividly convey Toyota Gazoo Racing’s pursuit of “extreme challenge” and “driving fun” to customers in South Korea. The 2026 Superrace Championship season is set to open April 18-19 with a double round at Yongin Everland Speedway. Organizers said they will try new combinations of culture and events to broaden motorsports’ appeal. The third round will be held alongside the “Asia Motorsports Carnival” and the Park Music Festival, a major domestic music event. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 09:04:11
  • Hyundai Motor Extends LACMA Partnership Through 2037
    Hyundai Motor Extends LACMA Partnership Through 2037 Hyundai Motor said on Feb. 24 it has extended its partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA, through 2037. Through the partnership, Hyundai has sponsored eight exhibitions since 2015, starting with “Rain Room” and continuing through “Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began,” which opened in October. The company said the support has included shows exploring the intersection of art and technology, as well as exhibitions rooted in research on Korean art history, including Korean calligraphy and modern art. Hyundai has also supported one of LACMA’s flagship initiatives, the Art + Technology Lab, backing a wide range of efforts over the past decade, including 45 artist projects, the company said. Along with the extension, Hyundai and LACMA unveiled a new exhibition series, the “Hyundai Project.” The revamped Hyundai Project will be an exhibition program that takes an in-depth look at the work of internationally recognized artists with ties to Los Angeles and the Pacific Rim region, while presenting new works at LACMA. It is scheduled to run every other year starting in 2028. Ahead of each opening, the partners plan to install a large banner work by the featured artist on the exterior of LACMA’s BCAM building, aiming to extend the experience beyond the galleries. LACMA’s Art + Technology Lab will begin selecting and supporting artist projects through a biennial open call starting this spring. The museum also plans to make public programs such as symposiums and demo days a regular feature, offering audiences a look at artists’ research and experimentation. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung said, “Through our long-standing collaboration with LACMA, Hyundai has supported the convergence of art and technology and broadened the horizons of Korean art.” He added, “We will continue diverse collaborations that inspire the present era, including supporting artists’ creative experiments and expanding opportunities for audiences to engage with art.” LACMA CEO Michael Govan said, “Through our partnership with Hyundai, we have added depth to exhibitions and the collection, and provided emerging creators with new opportunities through research and experimentation.” He added, “Through our partnership with Hyundai, which aims for artistic innovation and the expansion of global discourse, we will strengthen support for future generations of creators.” Hyundai said it also works with art institutions worldwide, including Tate in the U.K., the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, presenting a range of art projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 08:48:24
  • Automakers’ Humanoid Robot Strategies Diverge: Mass Market vs. Lights-Out Factories
    Automakers’ Humanoid Robot Strategies Diverge: Mass Market vs. Lights-Out Factories The world’s five biggest automakers competing in humanoid robots are pursuing sharply different strategies, drawing attention to which approach will win out. Hyundai Motor Group and Tesla are preparing for mass production based on the idea that humanoids can be used broadly, though they are targeting different areas. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, meanwhile, are focusing on maximizing productivity and moving toward fully unmanned factories using humanoids. According to the auto industry on Feb. 23, Hyundai is upgrading functions centered on manufacturing processes, aiming to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Atlas in industrial sites in 2028. Atlas is built on an adult male scale — 190 centimeters tall and 90 kilograms — with 56 joints, hands equipped with tactile sensors and 360-degree sensing. It can carry up to 50 kilograms and has cognitive capabilities such as charging itself or swapping batteries when power runs low. It can also work in extreme conditions from minus 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. Hyundai is conducting advanced verification tests with Atlas at its Global Innovation Center in Singapore. Tesla’s strategy is to mass-produce Optimus by the end of 2027 and enter the general-purpose AI robotics market faster than the other big five automakers. Optimus is 173 centimeters tall and weighs 57 kilograms, and can walk at 8 to 10 kilometers per hour. It has 40 joints and eight sensors and can carry up to 20 kilograms. Tesla plans to validate tasks such as moving battery cells and sorting parts at its Gigafactory by the end of this year, then begin outside sales next year. To support that plan, it has built a production system at its Fremont, California, plant capable of making more than 1 million Optimus units a year. BMW, Mercedes and Toyota have each chosen alliances with startups, focusing less on retail sales of humanoids and more on boosting vehicle production efficiency. BMW partnered with U.S. startup Figure AI and deployed Figure 02 at its Spartanburg plant, conducting about a year of testing. Figure 02 is 160 centimeters tall and can carry parts weighing up to 25 kilograms. With AI reasoning capabilities, it can perform tasks autonomously and hold conversations with people. It has reportedly assembled chassis components, handled storage of more than 90,000 parts and worked on production of BMW’s key SUV model, the X3. BMW plans to deploy its next model, Figure 03, this year. Mercedes is testing Apollo, developed by U.S. humanoid company Apptronik, at plants in Berlin and Hungary. Apollo is 177 centimeters tall, can lift up to 25 kilograms and operate for 22 consecutive hours. Its detachable lower body can be configured with wheels or for bipedal walking, allowing use not only in manufacturing but also in logistics, construction, retail and delivery. For cognition and decision-making, it uses Gemini Robotics. Toyota placed Digit, a humanoid from U.S. startup Agility Robotics, at its Woodstock plant in Ontario, Canada. When an autonomous vehicle carrying Digit arrives at a destination inside the plant, the robot jumps out of the trunk and moves parts boxes. After about a year of testing, Toyota plans to expand Digit’s duties this year to more difficult assembly processes. Automakers are moving quickly in humanoids in part because of the industry’s existing strengths. Control, driving and perception technologies already used in vehicles can shorten the development process for AI robotics. Another advantage is the ability to deploy robots in large factories and directly measure productivity gains. Humanoids can be up to three times more productive than humans and can operate around the clock. AI robotics with action, cognition and language capabilities can also be used for ultra-precise parts assembly, painting and quality inspection — areas traditionally handled by skilled workers — making fully unmanned “dream factories” possible. Hyundai estimates it could save 1.7 trillion won a year by replacing just 10% of its existing production workforce with AI robotics. Still, companies must keep improving the technology while also cutting costs. Atlas is currently expected to cost about $130,000 per unit (187 million won). The industry estimates an acceptable price point for mass adoption at around 50 million won. Tesla plans to lower Optimus’ average price by 2027 to 27 million to 40 million won, roughly the level of a compact sedan. Hwang Gwang-taek, a senior researcher at the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Overseas Economic Research Institute, said humanoids still have limited ability to respond outside specific scenarios and that high upfront investment costs weigh on companies’ short-term profitability. He said longer-term challenges include rebuilding systems to deploy humanoids and rising operating, maintenance and repair costs for robotics. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:07:21
  • Global Auto Giants Race to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Factories
    Global Auto Giants Race to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Factories Global automakers are beginning to put humanoid robots on factory floors, accelerating a shift toward production sites where people and robots work side by side. With forecasts that the humanoid market could eventually surpass the size of the auto industry, competition to secure an early lead is expected to intensify. According to industry officials on Feb. 23, Hyundai Motor, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plan to deploy humanoids they developed on their own or with partners starting this year to boost productivity. Hyundai Motor Group has completed performance tests of a research version of its humanoid robot Atlas and says it is readying it for real-world use. After a one- to two-year validation period, the group plans to complete a factory around 2028 capable of producing more than 30,000 Atlas units a year. Mass-produced Atlas robots are to be rolled out first at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, then to overseas production hubs in Singapore, India and the Middle East, where they would handle parts sorting and assembly tasks. Tesla’s humanoid Optimus is also being deployed this month at its Austin, Texas, plant to learn vehicle assembly work. Tesla hired Optimus trainers for about a year to teach the robot factory workers’ movement patterns, concluding the technology is advanced enough for on-site use this year. Tesla is also preparing for retail sales. Beginning in the second quarter, it plans to convert its Fremont, California, EV line that produced the Model S and Model X into an Optimus mass-production base, with sales to the public starting around next year. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have also begun factory deployments. BMW said it put Figure 02, a humanoid developed by U.S. startup Figure AI, into its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant and produced 30,000 units of the midsize SUV X3. Mercedes-Benz is testing Apollo, a humanoid co-developed with U.S. robotics startup Apptronik, at its plants in Berlin and Hungary. Toyota said it will more than double this year’s deployment volume of Digit from a year earlier. Digit, co-developed with a U.S. startup, is supporting production of the compact SUV RAV4 at a plant in Woodstock, Canada. A report by the Export-Import Bank of Korea projects the global AI robotics market will grow 46% annually through 2034 to $375.9 billion (about 545 trillion won). Morgan Stanley has forecast the humanoid robot market could reach $5 trillion by 2050, exceeding the global auto industry’s $4 trillion size.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:03:26