Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • Hyundai Motor and Chung family diplomacy under focus ahead of Lees Shanghai visit
    Hyundai Motor and Chung family diplomacy under focus ahead of Lee's Shanghai visit SEOUL, January 04 (AJP) -As Lee Jae Myung embarked on the first state visit by a South Korean president to China in nine years, attention is turning to a little-known episode of corporate diplomacy that helped preserve one of Korea’s most important overseas historical sites — the former headquarters of the Republic of Korea Provisional Government in Shanghai. At the center of that effort was the late Hyundai Motor Group chair Chung Mong-koo, whose direct engagement with Shanghai leaders two decades ago proved decisive in safeguarding the building amid a sweeping urban redevelopment drive. In 2004, Shanghai was pressing ahead with a major redevelopment of the Luwan district ahead of the 2010 World Expo, planning to transform more than 46,000 square meters of aging neighborhoods into a commercial and entertainment hub. The provisional government building — a cornerstone of Korea’s modern statehood narrative — stood within the redevelopment zone. Concerns mounted in South Korea that if the project were led by foreign developers, the historic site might not be fully protected. While Seoul requested preservation of the specific addresses housing the building, Shanghai officials maintained that excluding a small section from a large-scale redevelopment was impractical. According to Hyundai Motor Group materials and government accounts, Chung met senior Shanghai officials at City Hall in May 2004, urging the city to allow South Korean companies to participate in the redevelopment so the site’s preservation could be guaranteed. Chung described Shanghai as “an international city where a cutting-edge future and China’s former golden age coexist,” while stressing that the provisional government building was “a symbol of Korea’s spirit of independence and legitimacy,” carrying profound historical significance for South Koreans. His outreach extended beyond a single meeting. Follow-up discussions with Shanghai’s urban development leadership linked economic cooperation with historical preservation, elevating the issue to intergovernmental consultations between Seoul and Shanghai. The result was highly unusual. Despite an international open bid already having taken place, Shanghai put the redevelopment plan on hold, allowing the provisional government building to be preserved intact. Seoul officials at the time described the decision as a rare case of effective public–private coordination that conveyed the importance of the site to Chinese authorities. The episode has since been cited as an early example of how South Korean companies, operating beyond formal diplomacy, helped protect national heritage abroad through long-term trust and engagement.President Lee Jae Myung’s China itinerary spans Beijing and Shanghai, combining political diplomacy with economic and innovation-focused engagements. In Shanghai, the president is scheduled to meet city leaders, attend a Korea–China venture and startup summit, and visit the former provisional government building — a symbolic stop that links contemporary diplomacy with shared historical memory. The timing has drawn renewed attention to Chung’s role, particularly as Lee is accompanied by a 200-strong business delegation, the largest to travel with the president. Among the delegates is Chung Euisun, the son of the late Chung Mong-koo and now chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. His participation underscores the continuity of Hyundai’s engagement with China across generations — from his father’s quiet intervention to preserve a historic site to the group’s current focus on electric vehicles, hydrogen and next-generation mobility cooperation. Hyundai plans to uphold the legacy of the late Chung by stepping up preservation of overseas independence movement sites by assessing conditions and, when repairs are needed, pursuing preservation work in consultation with the veterans ministry and other agencies. A Hyundai Motor Group official said remembering the sacrifice and dedication of independence patriots and passing those values to the next generation is meaningful, adding the group will continue to work closely with the veterans ministry using its people, resources and technology. The company’s social contribution work in China has also drawn attention, including the “Hyundai Green Zone” project to combat desertification in Inner Mongolia, the “Dream Classroom” program supporting elementary schools in underserved areas, and hydrogen education through HTWO Guangzhou. Hyundai said the Inner Mongolia project has run for 17 years in line with China’s 2060 carbon neutrality policy and local anti-desertification efforts. Launched in 2008 under Chung and continued under Chairman Chung Euisun, it is one of the group’s flagship initiatives in China. Across three phases in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, Hyundai said it built an eco-friendly guesthouse village, created about 31,000 square meters of forest (including reed beds and waterside flower gardens), and carried out a 300-square-meter grassland restoration project. In August 2019, Chung visited Zhenglan Banner in Inner Mongolia, where the project was underway. Since 2011, Hyundai said it has supported education at 96 elementary schools across 30 provinces in China through Dream Classroom, providing a cumulative 10.5 million yuan in equipment and scholarships. Since 2023, it has offered hydrogen-related education and science museum experience programs through HTWO Guangzhou, its local hydrogen fuel cell system production unit. Hyundai said these efforts helped it rank No. 1 for 10 consecutive years among automakers in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ corporate social responsibility development index. As of 2025, it ranked third among all companies in China for the fifth straight year and second among foreign companies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-04 13:17:22
  • Hanwha Systems wins $30 mln deal to supply combat systems to Philippine Navy
    Hanwha Systems wins $30 mln deal to supply combat systems to Philippine Navy SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems said on Wednesday it has signed a contract worth about 40 billion won ($30 million) to supply additional combat management systems (CMS) and tactical data links (TDL) for two next-generation frigates of the Philippine Navy. The deal covers CMS and TDL equipment for two 3,200-ton-class frigates, the company said. A CMS, often described as a warship’s “brain,” integrates data from onboard sensors to detect and assess threats in real time and to command weapons systems during combat operations. A TDL enables naval units to share tactical information in real time, enhancing interoperability and operational effectiveness. A Hanwha Systems official said interoperability with existing naval platforms is critical in modern naval warfare, expressing confidence in continued exports of the company’s combat systems to the Philippines. The company is seeking to expand exports to regions including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the United States and South America, with the goal of becoming a leading “K-defense” provider of maritime solutions. Hanwha Systems has previously exported its CMS to the Philippine Navy in several phases: for two 2,600-ton frigates in 2017; a performance upgrade for three 3,000-ton frigates in 2019; two 3,100-ton patrol vessels in 2022; and six 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessels in 2023. The CMS and TDL systems will be customized to the Philippines’ complex maritime operating environment, which spans more than 7,600 islands, the company said. 2025-12-31 14:38:19
  • Korean Inc. business sentiment for Jan deteriorates
    Korean Inc. business sentiment for Jan deteriorates SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) -South Korean companies expect business conditions to remain weak in January, with sentiment slipping across both manufacturing and services amid prolonged weakness in construction and steel and early signs of softer demand in semiconductors, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) said Monday. The group said its Business Survey Index (BSI) for January is projected at 95.4, down from 98.7 in December. A reading below 100 means more firms expect conditions to worsen than improve. The sentiment for December business conditions was lower at 93.7. FKI noted that the outlook index has now remained below the 100 threshold since February 2022, underscoring the prolonged downturn in domestic demand and volatile external front. By sector, the manufacturing outlook came in at 91.8, while nonmanufacturing was higher at 98.9. Within manufacturing, pharmaceuticals (125.0) and textiles, apparel, leather and footwear (107.7) were among the few industries expected to improve. General and precision machinery, wood furniture and paper, and food, beverages and tobacco were clustered at the neutral 100 level. Most major industries, however, remained below the baseline. Automobiles and other transport equipment stood at 94.1, electronics and communications equipment at 88.9, metals and metal processing at 85.2, petroleum refining and chemicals at 86.2, and nonmetal mineral products at 64.3. FKI said weakness in construction and steel has persisted, while a temporary slowdown in demand for electronics and communications equipment due to spike in chip prices, has weighed on overall manufacturing activites. In nonmanufacturing, electricity, gas and water scored 115.8, information and communications 113.3, leisure, lodging and dining 107.1, and wholesale and retail trade 103.6, indicating improving conditions. By contrast, transportation and warehousing (95.7), construction (85.7), and professional, scientific and business support services (78.6) were expected to weaken. For January, domestic demand was forecast at 95.4, exports at 96.7 and investment at 92.6. Employment (92.6), financing conditions (94.5) and profitability (94.5) were also expected to remain in contractionary territory.Lee Sang-ho, head of FKI’s economic and industrial policy division, said that although economic growth is expected to improve compared with the previous year, corporate sentiment has yet to recover. “Structural weaknesses in sectors such as construction and steel persist, while rising costs and uncertainty continue to weigh on companies,” Lee said, calling for measures to support industrial restructuring, ease energy and cost burdens, and avoid uniform regulations that increase management uncertainty. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-29 07:26:07
  • Hyundai Motor Group to expand plug-and-charge EV network in South Korea
    Hyundai Motor Group to expand plug-and-charge EV network in South Korea SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it will begin a large-scale expansion of its plug-and-charge (PnC) electric vehicle charging network next year, aiming to make EV charging more convenient and secure for drivers. Plug-and-charge is an international standard that automatically manages user authentication, charging and payment when a vehicle is connected to a charger, the automaker said. Unlike conventional EV charging systems that require drivers to use membership cards or credit cards, PnC relies on encrypted communication between the vehicle and the charging station, enabling a simpler and more secure user experience, Hyundai Motor Group said. The group said it is working with 12 major charging operators in South Korea to extend PnC services beyond the 64 E-pit fast-charging stations. Hyundai Motor Group plans to apply PnC technology to charging stations operated by Chaevi and Hyundai Engineering, expanding the number of PnC-enabled charging sites to more than 1,500. The company said it will then accelerate the rollout with the remaining 10 charging partners. The group intends to align the expansion with the South Korean government’s policy to increase the number of smart, controlled chargers, validating communication standards and payment systems so PnC can also be used at slower charging stations. “Expanding plug-and-charge services is a first step toward providing a more convenient charging experience in a wider range of locations,” Hyundai Motor Group said in a press release. 2025-12-18 10:31:21
  • Tesla tops BMW as No. 1 imported car brand in South Korea
    Tesla tops BMW as No. 1 imported car brand in South Korea SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Tesla has overtaken BMW to become the best-selling imported car brand in South Korea, industry data showed on Wednesday. The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said new registrations of imported passenger vehicles rose 23.4 percent in November from a year earlier to 29,357 units. Cumulative registrations from January to November climbed 16.3 percent to 278,769 units. Tesla led the monthly tally with 7,632 units, outpacing BMW with 6,526 units and Mercedes-Benz with 6,139. Volvo followed with 1,459 units, China’s BYD with 1,164, and Lexus with 1,039. European marques continued to dominate the market with 17,996 units, equivalent to 61.3 percent, while American brands accounted for 8,139 units (27.7 percent). Hybrid models remained the most popular fuel type with 15,064 units, or 51.3 percent, followed by electric vehicles. Tesla’s Model Y was the top-selling imported vehicle in November with 4,604 units, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz E 200 and the Tesla Model Y Long Range. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 15:06:17
  • Korean auto parts firms follow global automakers to pull back from China
    Korean auto parts firms follow global automakers to pull back from China SEOUL, December 02 (AJP) - South Korean auto parts suppliers are taking steps to restructure their supply chains as global automakers scale back operations in China. The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) in the Chinese market and rising export costs triggered by tariffs are pushing companies to seek new manufacturing bases. According to industry officials, wheel-bearing producer A Corp. earlier this year relocated part of its Jiangsu, China, plant to Gyeongju in southeastern South Korea. Wheel bearings — critical components for EVs and increasingly for humanoid robots — are viewed as essential to next-generation mobility technologies. A Corp., which entered China in 2003, has supplied major global brands including Hyundai, Kia, GM, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and BYD. But orders plunged after the 2017 THAAD dispute and the rapid electrification of China’s auto market, prompting the company to sell half of its factories. “Orders from Hyundai, Kia and other global automakers have dropped sharply, and we’re now operating only two production lines,” an A Corp. official said. “Local Chinese suppliers have also become far more competitive.” Facing similar pressures, Korean components makers weighing downsizing or exiting China are increasingly targeting emerging markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Mexico. Key Hyundai suppliers — including Seoyon E-Hwa, Sungwoo Hitech and Daewon Industrial — are already shifting operations abroad. “As Hyundai struggles to keep pace with China’s electrification, its suppliers have lost competitiveness,” a parts industry insider said. “The move toward EVs, autonomous driving and smart vehicles is eroding the advantage Korean firms built around internal combustion engine technologies.” The withdrawal of global automakers from China is adding to the urgency. General Motors has instructed suppliers to reduce dependence on Chinese parts and materials, with some told to eliminate them entirely by 2027. Tesla is also aiming to remove Chinese components from U.S. production by the same year, urging suppliers to relocate to Vietnam or Mexico. Lim Yoon-ho, a researcher at the Korea International Trade Association, said the transition may open opportunities for Korean firms. “Despite China’s booming EV market, Korean suppliers have had limited participation,” he said. “Relocating production bases amid intensifying trade disputes could create new openings. Suppliers should explore new supply chains, move into future vehicle components and consider joint ventures or contract manufacturing.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 14:14:46
  • Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA
    Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a 705.4 billion won ($480 million) contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to mass-produce long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM) by 2030. The agreement covers the supply of anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) and launchers for the country’s upper-tier missile defense network. The L-SAM system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 kilometers and will operate alongside South Korea’s existing Cheongung II and Patriot batteries. The ABM interceptor is equipped with a domestically developed dual-pulse propulsion motor and a divert attitude control system (DACS), technologies possessed by only a handful of countries. In November, Hanwha Systems won a separate 357.3 billion won contract from DAPA to produce the L-SAM multifunction radar (MFR), which detects and tracks incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft. The radar is capable of identifying multiple targets simultaneously. Following the completion of the initial L-SAM development program last year, the Agency for Defense Development is working with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems on L-SAM II, a next-generation system expected to expand air defense coverage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:27:48
  • Hyundai Motor Group to set up battery research center in Anseong
    Hyundai Motor Group to set up battery research center in Anseong SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled plans to build a major battery research and development hub in Anseong, south of Seoul. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for the “Future Mobility Battery Anseong Campus,” located in the city’s fifth industrial complex. Construction began in January, with Hyundai investing 1.2 trillion won in a facility spanning 197,000 square meters. Completion is targeted for late 2026. The Anseong campus will be Hyundai’s first large-scale R&D center dedicated entirely to battery technologies. The facility will house advanced testing equipment to evaluate battery performance, durability and safety under real-world operating conditions, reflecting the industry’s intensifying focus on battery innovation as competition in electric mobility deepens. Hyundai said the center will spearhead development of high-performance lithium-ion cells for next-generation electric vehicles, while expanding research into future mobility fields including robotics and advanced air mobility. The company expects the project to reinforce South Korea’s battery ecosystem and bolster national competitiveness in the global EV race. The initiative follows Hyundai’s August agreement with the country’s major battery makers — LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On — to collaborate on technologies aimed at improving EV battery safety. The partnership is part of the broader “K-battery” alliance designed to enhance domestic cooperation in key mobility technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 13:38:35
  • Kia successfully tests remote driving on public roads
    Kia successfully tests remote driving on public roads SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Kia has become the first South Korean automaker to successfully demonstrate remote driving on public roads. Remote driving allows a vehicle without a driver to be operated from a control center via 4G and 5G mobile networks. Considered a near-term solution compared with fully autonomous systems, the technology can intervene when self-driving functions fail and is drawing growing interest for applications in car-sharing, logistics and mobility support in underserved areas. Kia received a regulatory sandbox exemption from the transport ministry in April, clearing the way for pilot operations. It then formed a team with Socar, SUM and KT to conduct demonstrations in Jeju and Hwaseong. Under the partnership, Kia led the overall project; Socar provided its car-sharing platform; SUM developed remote driving solutions and operated test vehicles; and KT supplied network infrastructure. The consortium built a remote-operation system for Kia’s PV5 purpose-built vehicle, with reinforced communications and safety controls. Following initial internal testing, the group conducted a one-month road trial in Jeju. The PV5 vehicles logged roughly 70 hours of remote operation and about 1,000 kilometers on routes including Jeju Airport–Socar Terminal and Jeju Airport–Yongduam. Data gathered from the Jeju trial will be used to further refine the technology, with additional tests planned in collaboration with local governments. “Remote driving technology can improve convenience for citizens in areas with limited public infrastructure and can be expanded to various industries such as car-sharing and logistics,” a Kia official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 15:55:39
  • Korean Air to phase out plastic meal trays for eco-friendly alternatives
    Korean Air to phase out plastic meal trays for eco-friendly alternatives SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Korean Air has decided to gradually replace its in-flight meal containers with ones with eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives as early as next month, the flagship carrier said on Tuesday. The airline will begin using containers made from plant-based, non-wood pulp materials on select routes in early December, with plans to expand their use across its entire fleet by the end of next year. The move is intended to reduce plastic use and carbon emissions as part of its commitment to corporate environmental responsibility. The new containers will replace those used for main dishes in economy class over the past 20 years. Made from materials such as wheat straw, sugarcane, and bamboo, they are considered eco-friendly because they do not require tree lumbering. The containers are also durable, maintaining their shape under high temperatures. Korean Air expects the switch to reduce carbon emissions by about 60 percent. "This is a long-term investment in environmental sustainability," said a Korean Air spokesperson. "As the global aviation industry moves toward decarbonization, we are committed to fulfilling our social responsibilities while continuing to provide quality service to our customers." Korean Air has been actively implementing environmental initiatives. In 2023, the airline replaced plastic cutlery with bamboo utensils. It also runs upcycling programs that transform old uniforms into medicine pouches and worn in-flight blankets into bags for hot water bottles. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 17:26:10