Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • Global EV Deliveries Excluding China Rise 21.2% in January; Hyundai Motor Group Ranks No. 4
    Global EV Deliveries Excluding China Rise 21.2% in January; Hyundai Motor Group Ranks No. 4 Global electric-vehicle deliveries excluding China rose in January despite weakness in North America, according to SNE Research. The firm attributed the increase to stronger demand in Europe and other Asian markets as electrification gains momentum. SNE Research said Tuesday that 572,000 EVs were newly delivered worldwide outside China in January, up 21.2% from a year earlier. The tally includes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as battery-electric models. Europe posted 19.5% growth, maintaining a steady trend. SNE Research cited the broader rollout of new EV models and continued carbon-emissions regulations, even as some governments discuss scaling back subsidies or adjusting policies. Asia outside China roughly doubled from the same month last year. North America, however, fell 30.2%. SNE Research said consumer preferences have shifted toward internal-combustion and hybrid vehicles, while demand has cooled quickly after EV tax credits ended. By group, Volkswagen remained No. 1, delivering 88,000 vehicles, up 8.1%. China’s BYD ranked second after deliveries surged 118.6% to 67,000. Tesla was third, up 8.4% to 53,000. Hyundai Motor Group delivered 38,000 vehicles, up 4.9%, but slipped to fourth from third a year earlier as BYD climbed the rankings. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:27:18
  • Jeju Air Opens 2026 Hiring for Entry-Level Office Jobs
    Jeju Air Opens 2026 Hiring for Entry-Level Office Jobs Jeju Air said Wednesday it is accepting applications for entry-level office positions for the first half of 2026. The airline plans to hire in six areas: information security, branch transportation, ramp operations, crew scheduling, flight crew administration and flight training administration. Applicants must apply through Jeju Air’s recruitment website and complete an online competency test. Candidates who advance will go through two rounds of interviews and a pre-employment medical exam before final selections are made. Applications are open to four-year college graduates and those expected to graduate in August, with submissions due by 5 p.m. March 19. Jobs will be based in Seoul or Incheon. Applicants must meet minimum scores on recognized English tests such as TOEIC or OPIc and must be eligible for overseas travel. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 11:40:14
  • Hyundai Rotem Earns Top CDP Water Security Rating
    Hyundai Rotem Earns Top CDP Water Security Rating Hyundai Rotem said it has received top marks from CDP, a global sustainability assessment organization, for its environmental management performance. The company said Wednesday it earned the highest “Leadership A” rating and received an Excellence Award for water security at the 2025 CDP Korea Awards, held Tuesday at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman in Seoul. CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, evaluates major companies’ responses to climate change and water management by requesting and assessing management information on behalf of financial institutions worldwide. It is widely used by global investors and companies as an environmental disclosure platform. CDP grades companies each year across eight levels, including Leadership A, Leadership A- and Management B. It gives a grand prize to the top-scoring company and top excellence awards to the second- and third-ranked firms. Companies that earn Leadership A- or higher receive an excellence award. Hyundai Rotem said it moved up two grades from the previous year to reach Leadership A, its first time receiving the top rating since it was included in CDP’s environmental management assessment in 2022. The company said it operates internal standards stricter than legal requirements to minimize water pollutants at its worksites. It said it continuously monitors discharged water quality and tracks water use and reuse. Hyundai Rotem said it plans to set a mid- to long-term plan to cut water pollutants and strengthen its water-risk management system. Over the longer term, it said it will introduce advanced wastewater treatment and build a process to reuse low-concentration wastewater. To support carbon-neutral management, the company said it installed solar power facilities last year at its Changwon plant, a key domestic production base. The plant produces 929 MWh of renewable energy annually, enough to fully charge a small electric vehicle with a 42 kWh battery about 22,000 times. Hyundai Rotem said it aims to convert all worksites to 100% renewable energy by 2040. “We earned the highest rating in the CDP assessment as a result of companywide efforts to manage water resources to protect ecosystems,” a Hyundai Rotem official said. “We will continue to advance water management and expand renewable energy use to contribute to a sustainable society.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 11:03:19
  • Alaska Airlines Names Korea Country Manager Yoo Su-jin to Lead Asia Regional Headquarters
    Alaska Airlines Names Korea Country Manager Yoo Su-jin to Lead Asia Regional Headquarters Alaska Airlines said March 11 that it has appointed Yoo Su-jin, its Korea country manager, to lead its Asia regional headquarters. The company said the move is part of efforts to expand international routes, strengthen premium services and improve global operating capabilities. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have stepped up cooperation as a single group since their merger, expanding their network to 29 international routes and more than 140 destinations across North America, Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific. The group will add new routes to Europe starting this spring. Yoo graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in English literature. She began her career as a foreign-exchange dealer at Banque Indosuez in Seoul and later worked at Renault Samsung Motors and Air France-KLM, among others. She has worked in the airline industry for more than 10 years, including serving as Hawaiian Airlines' Korea country manager since 2016. Based in Seoul, she will oversee all Asia routes, including those serving South Korea and Japan. "It is very meaningful to take on the role of overseeing both South Korea and Japan, key markets in Asia," Yoo said. "This year marks an important momentum as Alaska Airlines officially enters the South Korean market, and I will further strengthen Alaska Airlines' presence in Asia based on my expertise." She said she will focus on maximizing synergies between the two airlines across Asia, drawing on more than a decade of experience with Hawaiian Airlines, and will work to expand customer touchpoints and advance as a premium global airline. Alaska Airlines also appointed Kees Berkelk, a Dutch national, to lead its U.K. and Europe regional headquarters, and Andrew Stanbury, from Sydney, Australia, to lead its South Pacific regional headquarters. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 10:33:18
  • Hyundai Glovis wins CDP Korea Award for carbon management in industrials sector
    Hyundai Glovis wins CDP Korea Award for carbon management in industrials sector Hyundai Glovis said March 11 it won the industrials-sector “Carbon Management Sector Honors” at the 2025 CDP Korea Awards, held March 10 at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel by the Korea committee of the Carbon Disclosure Project. CDP is a U.K.-based nonprofit that evaluates environmental, social and governance performance. Each year it assesses about 20,000 companies in roughly 90 countries on carbon emissions, climate risks and response strategies, selectively disclosing results. The information is published in annual reports and used by financial institutions in investment decisions. CDP grades companies’ climate-change response across eight levels, including Leadership A, Leadership A- and Management B, and recognizes top performers. Hyundai Glovis received the top “Leadership A” grade in the 2025 CDP climate-change assessment released late last year. The company has maintained a high grade for nearly 10 years after earning Leadership A- in its first assessment in 2016. With that result, Hyundai Glovis won the Carbon Management Sector Honors for the eighth time, the most among South Korean logistics companies, it said. The company said it was recognized for carbon-management efforts including its 2045 carbon-neutral strategy, adoption of low-carbon transport, expansion of renewable energy and building a system to calculate supply-chain emissions. Hyundai Glovis has declared a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045, five years earlier than the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 target, and said it is carrying out a roadmap to meet that goal. In land transport, it is preparing to shift its fleet through pilot operations of low-carbon vehicles such as hydrogen trucks. In maritime transport, it began introducing five LNG dual-fuel car carriers in 2024 and plans to expand to more than 30 ships by 2028. On renewable energy, the company said it signed a virtual power purchase agreement totaling 127 GWh with a power brokerage firm, and is gradually switching electricity use at sites nationwide to renewable energy based on the renewable energy certificates it has secured. It has also set a mid- to long-term reduction roadmap to convert electricity used at overseas sites in the Americas and Asia to 100% renewable energy by 2030, and at sites in Europe and at its headquarters in South Korea by 2040. “Based on global top-level leadership in responding to climate change, we will continue to actively pursue environmental management,” a Hyundai Glovis official said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 10:09:21
  • Geely Auto Group Becomes First Chinese Automaker Named to S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook
    Geely Auto Group Becomes First Chinese Automaker Named to S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Geely Auto Group, the parent company of Zeekr, said Tuesday that S&P Global has recognized the company’s sustainability performance in environmental, social and governance, or ESG, areas. The company said Geely Auto Group was included in S&P Global’s “2026 Sustainability Yearbook,” announced Feb. 28, becoming the first Chinese automaker to be listed. The yearbook is based on S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment, or CSA, and is widely used as a benchmark for corporate sustainability performance. This year, more than 9,200 companies took part, including 78 automakers worldwide. Only eight automakers, including Geely Auto Group, were selected for inclusion. Geely said it ranked fifth among the eight automakers, which it described as evidence of long-term commitment and systematic investment in ESG. It also received the “Industry Mover” designation, awarded to the company showing the most notable year-over-year improvement within its sector in the CSA. Geely said the results reflect the “One Geely” five-year strategy set by its holding company, Geely Holding Group. The plan aims to strengthen groupwide coordination and global cooperation through 2030 and build strategic capabilities to become a leader in the global auto industry. The strategy includes strengthening sustainable governance; advancing eco-friendly and energy-saving technologies and product innovation; improving sustainability across products’ full life cycle over the next five years; expanding the use of environmentally friendly materials; reducing the carbon footprint of finished vehicles; and achieving carbon neutrality at key plants. Geely also said it plans to support hundreds of partner companies in developing carbon-reduction road maps through green procurement and technology sharing. “Today, ESG has become a standard for evaluating the global competitiveness of automakers, so it is meaningful that Geely Auto Group has been certified for sustainability by S&P Global,” a company official said. “We will continue ESG management across various areas through eco-friendly electrified brands such as Zeekr.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 09:54:07
  • LIG Nex1 Gives Elementary School Entry Gifts to Employees’ Children
    LIG Nex1 Gives Elementary School Entry Gifts to Employees’ Children LIG Nex1 said Wednesday it delivered congratulatory gifts to employees’ children who are entering elementary school this year. The program, launched in 2010 as part of the company’s family-friendly management efforts, has provided entry gifts to a total of about 2,000 children through this year. The company said it is meant to mark the milestone and show support for children’s growth. For about 150 children starting elementary school in early March, the company delivered a set of 27 school supplies focused on items schools typically ask students to bring, along with a congratulatory message from the CEO. In the message, CEO Shin Ik-hyun said, “Congratulations on entering elementary school, filled with excitement and anticipation,” adding that he hopes the children “can freely pursue your bright dreams, like your parents who keep our country safe.” One employee who received the gift said the set was made up of supplies the child needed for school and made the employee feel the company was paying close attention to its workers. LIG Nex1 said it also runs other programs to strengthen a family-friendly workplace culture, including a flexible start-time system, the L-Fresh leave program and Family Day. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 09:33:31
  • Hyundai Motor Group Tops Volkswagen in Operating Profit, Ranks No. 2 Globally
    Hyundai Motor Group Tops Volkswagen in Operating Profit, Ranks No. 2 Globally Hyundai Motor Group posted last year’s operating profit high enough to overtake Germany’s Volkswagen Group, marking its first entry into the global top two automakers by profitability, industry data showed. Despite the impact of U.S. auto tariffs, the group was seen as protecting margins through steps such as adjusting local production volumes, diversifying markets and moving quickly to reduce inventories. According to the industry on Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group — Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis — sold 7.27 million vehicles worldwide last year, ranking third in global sales behind Toyota Group (11.32 million) and Volkswagen Group (8.98 million). General Motors ranked fourth with 6.18 million vehicles, followed by Stellantis with 5.48 million. While Hyundai ranked third by volume, it moved up one place to No. 2 in profitability, surpassing Volkswagen. Toyota, the global sales leader, also ranked first in key financial indicators, reporting revenue of 50.4508 trillion yen (471.2 trillion won) and operating profit of 4.3128 trillion yen (40.2 trillion won). Because Toyota uses a different accounting basis, the figures combine the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and the first through third quarters of fiscal 2025. Hyundai Motor Group reported last year’s revenue at 300.3954 trillion won and operating profit at 20.5460 trillion won. That operating profit exceeded Volkswagen Group’s 8.9 billion euros (15.3 trillion won), the first time Hyundai’s annual operating profit has topped Volkswagen’s. Volkswagen reported revenue of 321.9 billion euros (551.9 trillion won) over the same period. GM reported revenue of $185.0 billion (272.2 trillion won) and adjusted operating profit of $12.7 billion (18.7 trillion won). Stellantis posted a loss of 840 million euros (1.4 trillion won). Hyundai’s operating margin, another profitability measure, was about 6.8%, ranking second globally behind Toyota’s 8.6%. Hyundai’s margin was more than double that of Volkswagen, at 2.8%. The data also showed Hyundai bore lower tariff costs than Toyota, even though Toyota’s U.S. auto tariff rate was reduced to 15% earlier than South Korea’s. Based on tariff-cost tallies released by the companies, Hyundai Motor Group paid a total of 7.2 trillion won in tariffs — 4.1 trillion won for Hyundai Motor and 3.1 trillion won for Kia. Toyota reported total tariff costs of 1.2 trillion yen (11.2 trillion won) last year. An industry official said most automakers were hit hard by U.S. auto tariffs, but Hyundai “sold less than Volkswagen while achieving a higher operating margin,” adding that the results showed Hyundai is no longer competing only on value for money.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 09:09:17
  • BYD Korea Unveils City Pop-Inspired Digital Film Campaign for Dolphin EV
    BYD Korea Unveils City Pop-Inspired Digital Film Campaign for Dolphin EV BYD Korea said Tuesday it is releasing a digital film campaign with a City Pop feel to mark the launch of its compact electric hatchback, the BYD Dolphin. The campaign departs from conventional car ads, presenting a content-driven digital film series that blends animation and music. BYD Korea plans three videos themed around driving range, a surround-view system and interior space, aiming to convey the Dolphin’s mood and lifestyle appeal and make the brand and model feel more approachable. The series uses City Pop music and an animation style associated with 1980s and 1990s urban sensibilities, designed to resonate with people in their 20s and 30s. Rather than emphasizing performance directly, it focuses on storytelling centered on everyday city life, music and emotion. The Dolphin is the first model in BYD’s “Ocean Series,” inspired by marine life, and is positioned as a small hatchback aimed at broadening EV adoption. It starts at 24.5 million won, and with subsidies the purchase price can fall to the 21 million won range. Built on the dedicated EV e-Platform 3.0, the Dolphin has a 2,700mm wheelbase to secure roomy interior space. Standard features include a panoramic glass roof and a 360-degree surround-view system, among other convenience and safety specifications. It also earned five-star top ratings in Euro NCAP and Green NCAP assessments, BYD Korea said. “This digital film was produced so it can be enjoyed as content rather than as a car advertisement,” a BYD Korea official said. “We wanted to expand touchpoints with younger generations by expressing the Dolphin’s light and free image through City Pop sensibilities and animation.” The videos are available on BYD Korea’s official YouTube and Instagram channels and will be released sequentially across other media platforms, including Megabox theater advertising, the company said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 14:57:18
  • Kencoa Aerospace Signs Deal to Supply Embraer C-390 Sheet-Metal Parts to European Defense Firm
    Kencoa Aerospace Signs Deal to Supply Embraer C-390 Sheet-Metal Parts to European Defense Firm Kencoa Aerospace said Tuesday it has signed a large contract with a European aerospace defense manufacturer to supply major sheet-metal parts for Embraer’s C-390 program. The company said it secured the order after completing capital spending last year to expand its sheet-metal production facilities. Under the agreement, Kencoa will supply key sheet-metal components for the C-390. It did not disclose the customer, contract value or other terms, citing a confidentiality clause. Kencoa said it aims to complete development and deliver initial parts for the project this year. It said technical talks are underway under a detailed schedule and preparations are being made to build prototypes, while a mass-production system is being put in place. The company said additional requests for quotes from global firms have followed the contract, raising expectations for more orders. Kencoa said it has made major equipment investments to strengthen high-precision, high-quality aircraft sheet-metal production, including automated equipment and quality-control systems to meet stringent international certification requirements in aerospace and defense. It called the Czech order its first visible result. The C-390 is a next-generation tactical transport aircraft seeing rising demand globally, including in Europe. The aircraft has also been selected as a model for the South Korean Air Force’s second large transport aircraft program, the company said. Chief Executive Officer Lee Min-gyu said the deal goes beyond parts supply and reflects renewed recognition of Kencoa’s process technology and quality competitiveness in the international defense market. He said the company will strengthen cooperation with overseas partners through continued investment in technology and quality innovation. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 14:51:16