Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • T’way Air Offers 10% Off GetYourGuide Tours and Activities for Passengers
    T’way Air Offers 10% Off GetYourGuide Tours and Activities for Passengers T’way Air said Tuesday it is offering discounts to all passengers through Feb. 28 on GetYourGuide, a major platform for tours and activities in Europe. Passengers who book GetYourGuide products through a link on T’way Air’s event page will automatically receive a 10% discount on tours and activities. The page features winter experiences such as husky sledding across snowy mountain areas in Europe and snowmobile rides through snow-covered forests. The promotion also includes discounted admission tickets for attractions worldwide, including in major European cities served by T’way Air such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Frankfurt. A T’way Air official said the airline prepared “various benefits” for travelers planning trips with the carrier in the new year and pledged to continue promotions aimed at improving customer convenience while prioritizing safe operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-17 09:03:00
  • South Korean Defense Firms Build EU Production Bases to Meet SAFE Local-Content Rules
    South Korean Defense Firms Build EU Production Bases to Meet SAFE Local-Content Rules South Korean defense companies are accelerating efforts to build production systems in Europe as the region tightens procurement rules. To meet local-content requirements under the European Union’s SAFE defense loan program, companies are setting up factories and building supply chains with European parts makers. According to the defense industry on Wednesday, the European Commission recently approved eight countries — Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus — as eligible for SAFE, which offers low-interest loans to member states for joint weapons purchases. SAFE aims to invest 800 billion euros (about 1,370 trillion won) in defense through 2030 to strengthen European security, focusing on procurement of advanced equipment such as ammunition, missiles, artillery, drones and artificial intelligence. To use the fund, however, at least 65% of weapons production and parts sourcing must be European. Moves by South Korean defense firms to establish local bases are becoming more visible. Hanwha Aerospace said it broke ground Tuesday on a plant in Romania to produce K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition resupply armored vehicles. The site, called H-ACE Europe, will include advanced assembly lines, performance and verification test facilities, and a 1,751-meter driving test track. Hanwha Aerospace said the Romania facility will provide full life-cycle support, including assembly, integration, testing and maintenance, repair and overhaul. The company aims to raise localization to 80% by building partnerships with about 30 local parts suppliers. A company official said Hanwha plans to strengthen the cooperation network and develop the site into a European hub that could expand to production and support for advanced ground systems such as infantry fighting vehicles, long-range precision strike systems and unmanned ground vehicles. Hyundai Rotem is also strengthening cooperation with Polish defense company Bumar after signing a second implementation contract last year with Poland’s Armament Agency for K2 tanks. About 250 K2 tanks to be delivered to Poland will be produced at Bumar’s plant, and Hyundai Rotem said it plans to expand capacity depending on future orders. The company is also moving to secure overseas bases, including establishing an about 8,500-square-meter rail-vehicle electrical components plant in California called Hyundai Rotem Smart Electric America, or HRSEA. A defense industry official said building defense plants in Europe is highly challenging because it requires weighing many factors, including contract size, understanding of the local market, language, labor skills and the parts ecosystem. Still, the official said, companies are continuing to review potential sites as trade bloc trends are expected to persist.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 18:09:00
  • Canada Submarine Bid Raises Pressure for Private Investment Packages
    Canada Submarine Bid Raises Pressure for Private Investment Packages "If they ordered submarines, shouldn’t you just deliver submarines — why give more?" That has been a common reaction to reports that Canada is pressing South Korea and Germany, both competing for a 60 trillion won patrol submarine project known as CPSO, to present a “private investment package.” Public sentiment cooled further after reports said Canada is seeking an auto manufacturing plant — a project tied to advanced technology, large-scale investment and major job creation. Critics say it is hard to accept an arms tender in which submarine performance counts for 20% of the evaluation while expected economic spillover accounts for 80%. Many observers argue that a package deal that effectively hands over industrial infrastructure would become a burden future generations must repay. Much of the public support has instead gone to Hyundai Motor Group, which has been drawn into the submarine bid, with calls not to load excessive responsibility onto a private company. For Hyundai, Canada also revives the painful memory of the “Bromont nightmare” from 30 years ago. The company once built a plant in Bromont, Quebec, hoping to establish a North American foothold, but withdrew early in 1996, just four years after opening. The exit followed weak Sonata sales, parts procurement problems, productivity averaging 30% to 40%, and repeated labor disputes. Hyundai suffered a major loss, failing to recover an investment of 320 million Canadian dollars (3.5 billion won at the time). It was Hyundai’s first failed overseas investment. Hyundai Chairman Chung Euisun said last year at the completion of a plant in Ellabell, Georgia, that the company would “put down roots” there. Once a factory is built, it ties a company’s fate to that place. Closing a plant is more than dismantling equipment; it means unwinding jobs, supplier networks and brand trust — a long, costly process. That is why being asked to plant a flag again in a place associated with withdrawal can be a burden beyond the numbers. With electrification reshaping the industry, a misstep can affect decades of planning. Canada offers attractive cards in batteries and green policies, but it also sits on a complicated North American supply-chain chessboard where a single move can be decisive. The dilemma for an owner begins with the fact that governments and companies speak different languages. For a government, submarine exports can be leverage to strengthen alliances, and it cannot ignore what an auto plant might deliver in bargaining power. A company’s calculus is different. As the industry hits an inflection point in electrification, global automakers are locked in massive investment competition in batteries, software and autonomous driving. For Hyundai, which already has a dense North American production network centered on the U.S. South and Mexico, building a new plant in Canada would require weighing countless variables, including how to divide roles with existing sites, logistics costs, labor conditions and tax incentives. An auto plant is also a message from an owner: where to put down roots is a declaration of where to bet on the future. The key is the terms. If a government wants to talk about being “one team” with business, it must offer an industrial foundation that companies can accept, not appeals to patriotism. That means a comprehensive plan — tax support, power-price agreements, infrastructure, labor flexibility and management of diplomatic risk. A factory does not run on slogans. Companies move when “investment under pressure” becomes “expansion through a deal.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 18:03:24
  • T’way Air tops 11 million passengers in 2025
    T’way Air tops 11 million passengers in 2025 T’way Air said Wednesday that its total passenger count for 2025 topped 11 million. The figure was up about 10% from roughly 9.9 million passengers in 2023, when travel demand began recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, and up 5% from 10.5 million the year before. T’way Air operated 50 scheduled routes in 2023. It expanded service with new Europe routes such as Paris and Rome in 2024 and broadened international flights departing from regional airports via Cheongju and Jeju last year, bringing its total to 63 scheduled routes. In Japan, the carrier flies from Incheon to Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo’s Narita airport, and also operates routes including Daegu-Fukuoka, Daegu-Osaka and Daegu-Narita; Busan-Fukuoka, Busan-Sapporo and Busan-Osaka; and Cheongju- and Jeju-origin flights to Fukuoka and Osaka. New routes in Southeast and Northeast Asia also helped lift results, the airline said. After launching Cheongju-Bali (Denpasar), it expanded service including Incheon-Danang, Incheon-Bangkok and Incheon-Singapore; Daegu-Bangkok and Daegu-Danang; Busan-Nha Trang; and Jeju-Singapore, Jeju-Taipei (Taoyuan) and Jeju-Kaohsiung. In Europe, mid- and long-haul routes from Incheon to Paris, Rome, Frankfurt and Barcelona began full operations in 2024, driving a sharp rise in passengers, it said. Expansion was also supported by the Incheon-Vancouver route and additional service to Oceania (Sydney) and Central Asia, including Mongolia. A T’way Air official said surpassing 11 million passengers in 2025 reflected customers’ trust and support. The official said the airline will continue to prioritize safe operations while maintaining reasonable fares and strengthening its route competitiveness. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 15:06:00
  • BYD Signs Official Partnership With Manchester City FC
    BYD Signs Official Partnership With Manchester City FC BYD said Wednesday it has signed a deal to become Manchester City FC’s official automotive partner. Under the agreement, BYD Group will supply BYD and DENZA vehicles to the club. It will also provide vehicle-charging infrastructure and energy-storage battery solutions at the City Football Academy, the training complex used by the men’s and women’s first teams and academy sides. Starting Wednesday, the BYD logo will appear on the sleeve of the men’s first-team training kit. The women’s first team will add the logo starting next season. BYD branding will also be displayed throughout Etihad Stadium, including on headrests in the dugout seats. For Premier League and domestic cup home matches, BYD vehicles will be used as the official cars leading the men’s first-team bus to the stadium. BYD said the partnership is aimed at building its presence in international soccer to raise awareness of its brand, vehicles and other technology products. The company previously served as an official sponsor of UEFA EURO 2024 and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025. Stella Li, BYD vice chair, said Manchester City “represents excellence, innovation and the challenge of pushing beyond limits,” adding that the collaboration goes beyond soccer or mobility and is meant to inspire people worldwide through technology that supports a sustainable future. Ferran Soriano, CEO of City Football Group, called BYD a global leader in its field and said the company’s focus on technology and innovation aligns with Manchester City’s values. He said he is proud to work with BYD toward a sustainable future. Manchester City, founded in 1894, has won 10 English league titles, seven FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League title and the FIFA Club World Cup, among other trophies. The club has played at the 53,000-seat Etihad Stadium since 2003 and has millions of fans worldwide. BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, said it sold 4.6 million vehicles globally last year, including more than 1 million outside China. The company employs 120,000 research-and-development staff and files an average of 45 new patents per working day, it said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 14:33:58
  • Kolon Mobility Group outlines plan to reach 1 trillion won valuation by 2027
    Kolon Mobility Group outlines plan to reach 1 trillion won valuation by 2027 Kolon Mobility Group said Thursday it held its “2026 Town Hall Meeting” to share its mid- to long-term strategy and vision, including a goal of surpassing a corporate valuation of 1 trillion won in 2027. The meeting, held under the slogan “A leap toward a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027,” drew about 130 managers in person, while about 1,700 employees nationwide joined via a live YouTube broadcast. The event featured CEO keynote talks by co-CEOs Kang Lee Gu and Choi Hyun Seok, along with strategy presentations by major affiliates including Kolon Motors. Kang said the company will pursue three core strategies — “Profitability, Expansion and Evolution” — to achieve a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027. He said the company will push specific measures including expanding its 702 used-car business, innovating its business model through DX and AX, and strengthening its brand portfolio. Choi said the used-car business is a key growth engine for building KMG’s self-sustaining competitiveness. He said the company will strengthen brand awareness and its online platform so that “Imported cars mean 702” becomes a common market perception. In a Q&A session, executives answered questions collected in advance from employees, which the company described as a forum to build “One KMG” by strengthening ties beyond physical distance. A company official said the town hall helped employees align around a single goal and will be used to boost execution toward reaching a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:30:00
  • Hyundai Motor Names Kim Gi-yang Top Passenger-Car Seller for 2025 With 382 Vehicles
    Hyundai Motor Names Kim Gi-yang Top Passenger-Car Seller for 2025 With 382 Vehicles Hyundai Motor said Thursday it has released its list of top sales performers for last year, naming 10 passenger-vehicle and three commercial-vehicle winners. Kim Gi-yang, a 57-year-old sales director at the company’s Daejeon branch, was the top passenger-vehicle seller nationwide. Kim sold 382 vehicles last year, ranking No. 1 in Hyundai’s passenger-vehicle sales for the fifth straight year. He joined Hyundai in October 1991 and has sold a cumulative 6,948 vehicles through last year. “Today’s result was possible because of trust with customers and consistent communication,” Kim said. “This year, I will move with greater care, work with more depth and continue to do my best with sincerity.” The passenger-vehicle top 10 also included Lee Jeong Ho of the Seongdong branch (368 vehicles), Choi Jin Seong of the Seodaemun Jungang branch (328), Kwon Gil Ju of the Suwon branch (325), Kwon Yun Hyeong of the Seocho Nambu branch (247), Kim Yeong Hwan of the Banpo branch (230), Park Jong Cheol of the Jungnang branch (205), Choi U Hyeok of the Yeouido branch (202), Kwon Yeong Ho of the Daecheon branch (199) and Lee Seok I of the Cheonan City Hall branch (197). The top three commercial-vehicle sellers were Choi Geun Min of the Ulsan Truck branch (201), Song Jae Yeol of the Gyeonggi Truck branch (172) and Kim Yun Gu of the Daegu Truck branch (158). Hyundai said it runs multiple recognition programs to boost morale, including its nationwide top sales selection, the “The Class Awards” and an honorary sales awards system. The nationwide top sales selection and The Class Awards recognize annual top performers. The nationwide program honors top sellers across the country, while The Class Awards divide annual sales totals into ranges and reward winners in each range. Under the honorary sales awards system, employees earn titles and prizes based on cumulative sales in passenger and commercial vehicles: “Sales Master” at 2,000/1,000 vehicles, “Sales Grand Master” at 3,000/1,500, “Sales Expert” at 4,000/2,000 and “Sales Legend” at 5,000/2,500. A Hyundai official said the company will keep pursuing innovation this year to deliver “customer satisfaction” as industry paradigms continue to change. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:21:00
  • Hanwha Aerospace Breaks Ground on Romania Plant to Build K9 Howitzers
    Hanwha Aerospace Breaks Ground on Romania Plant to Build K9 Howitzers Hanwha Aerospace said Tuesday it has broken ground in Romania on a local plant, dubbed H-ACE Europe, to produce K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicles. The company said the new facility is intended to establish a European base for local production of its ground systems and strengthen Romania’s and Europe’s defense supply chains. A groundbreaking ceremony in Petresti, Dambovita County, was attended by Lee Yong-cheol, head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Marius Gabriel Lazurca, presidential adviser for national security and foreign policy; Deputy Prime Minister Barna Tanczos; Economy Minister Ambrozie-Irineu Darau; and Corneliu Stefan, chairman of the Dambovita County Council, the company said. Hanwha said H-ACE Europe will serve as a key hub for local production of the K9 and K10 and will support the full life cycle, including assembly, integration, testing and maintenance, repair and overhaul. It aims to raise localization to as much as 80% through Romanian industrial participation. The site in Petresti will be built on about 181,055 square meters and is planned to include advanced assembly lines, performance and verification test facilities, and a 1,751-meter driving test track, Hanwha said. The company said it plans to expand the facility’s capabilities in stages so it can develop into a regional hub that can also produce and support advanced ground systems such as infantry fighting vehicles, long-range precision strike systems and unmanned ground vehicles. Hanwha said it will strengthen cooperation with Romanian partners during operations, expanding collaboration to more than 30 local companies and supporting Romanian firms’ entry into global supply chains. In July 2024, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Romania to supply 54 K9 howitzers and 36 K10 vehicles. Romania became the 10th member of the K9 User Club and the sixth NATO member to operate the K9, the company said. “By building a local production base in Romania, we will respond steadily to Romania’s defense modernization needs and contribute to expanded industrial cooperation and the local economy,” a Hanwha Aerospace official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 20:54:00
  • Aekyung Group targets turnaround with financial overhaul at Jeju Air, AK Plaza and chemicals unit
    Aekyung Group targets turnaround with financial overhaul at Jeju Air, AK Plaza and chemicals unit Aekyung Group is pushing a high-intensity financial overhaul across its core airline, retail and chemical units as it seeks a new growth phase. Jeju Air returned to profit five quarters after the third quarter of 2024, and retailer AK Plaza also swung back to the black after aggressive efficiency measures. The group is also betting on new businesses, including sodium batteries, to drive future growth. Industry officials said Feb. 11 that Aekyung’s key affiliates have shown clearer signs of recovery since last year. Jeju Air reported fourth-quarter revenue of 474.6 billion won, up 5.4% from a year earlier, and operating profit of 18.6 billion won, returning to the black, according to filings with South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service. The carrier improved its cost structure despite a tough environment marked by a weak won and oversupply among low-cost carriers, aided by introducing more efficient next-generation aircraft and cutting fixed costs, officials said. Jeju Air added two new Boeing 737-8 aircraft in the fourth quarter, lowering the fleet’s average age and cutting fuel costs 19% from the same period a year earlier. It also improved efficiency by increasing short-haul flights, including routes to Japan and China. From the first quarter, the company expects profitability to gain momentum on the back of seven additional new aircraft, productivity gains from an AI transition and rising passenger demand. South Korea’s aviation information portal said Jeju Air carried 1.176 million passengers in January, up 33.5% from a year earlier. AK Plaza’s restructuring is also taking hold. The company strengthened competitiveness at key stores, including Bundang and Suwon, and improved profitability through merchandise revamps. As a result, AK Plaza posted operating profit of 14.8 billion won last year, returning to the black for the first time in two years. “We improved profitability by strengthening our core business and boosting operating efficiency across marketing and customer programs,” a company official said. The official added that the Bundang store expects demand to shift in its trade area this year as competition eases following the closure of a nearby department store’s operations. Aekyung Chemical is focusing on longer-term growth engines such as super fiber and secondary batteries. Starting in March, it will begin mass production of TPC, a raw material for aramid super fiber that had been fully imported, after completing a domestic production facility with annual capacity of 15,000 tons. The company plans to expand output in stages as the aramid market grows and demand for TPC increases. Progress is also emerging in its hard carbon business for anode materials used in secondary batteries. The company has developed biomass-based hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries and has continued to improve performance. It is expanding capacity at its Jeonju plant to 1,300 tons a year to support a customer’s large-scale pilot tests, and it plans to scale up in stages to 20,000 tons to match market demand. Aekyung Chemical also strengthened its global production network by acquiring a surfactant manufacturing plant in Indonesia. It is operating market-specific strategies based on a production system linking its Cheongyang plant in South Korea with facilities in Vietnam and Indonesia. The company expects higher utilization and improved profitability at its Vietnam plant this year as the Vietnamese government plans a large national project, the report said. An Aekyung Group official said Jeju Air and the retail business have entered a recovery phase through intensive restructuring and efficiency efforts, while Aekyung Chemical is building a technology base for future growth. The official said the group will accelerate growth by securing financial stability, selling noncore assets including ThermeDen, responding to changes in the aviation market and expanding new chemical businesses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 18:03:00
  • Renault Korea Joins Busan Local-Purchasing Event as City Pledges to Buy 10 Vehicles
    Renault Korea Joins Busan Local-Purchasing Event as City Pledges to Buy 10 Vehicles Renault Korea said it attended Busan’s “local products priority purchasing” event at BEXCO on Feb. 10 as a recognized outstanding company in the Busan region. The event was held as part of a business agreement in which Busan and about 140 organizations — including government and public agencies and economic groups — are working to expand purchases of locally made products. Busan said it aims to generate about 2 trillion won in added value through the effort. At the event, Busan formalized its intent to strengthen cooperation with local manufacturers by signing a letter of intent to purchase 10 Renault Korea vehicles. Renault Korea displayed the mid-size SUV Grand Koleos, produced at its Busan plant, highlighting its local production base and commitment to shared growth. Renault Korea has been regarded as a key manufacturer in Busan and has contributed to the local economy, the company said. In January last year, it updated production facilities at the Busan plant to build a future-vehicle production hub. At the “Global Corporate Investment Partnership” event during the APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025 in October, it pledged additional equipment investment to produce electric vehicles at the Busan plant. In December, it met with Busan officials and said it would strengthen cooperation with local parts suppliers. The company also said it is supporting training for future-vehicle talent in Busan by expanding industry-academia cooperation with major local universities, including Pusan National University and Dong-A University. It has also signed public-private-academic agreements with Busan, local universities and research institutes to help build a future-vehicle industry ecosystem and support regional cooperation and hiring, it said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 10:00:00