Journalist

Han Ji-yeon
  • Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz: 20 New Models in China, Full Electrified Lineup in Europe by 2027
    Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz: 20 New Models in China, Full Electrified Lineup in Europe by 2027 Hyundai Motor said it will step up its push in global markets this year with an aggressive rollout of new vehicles, while strengthening so-called “physical AI” capabilities in areas such as autonomous driving and robotics to compete in future mobility. Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor’s CEO, said in a CEO shareholder letter released on the 20th that the company will “aggressively launch global new models tailored to customer expectations.” For China, Munoz said Hyundai will follow a “in China, for China, and for the world” strategy, launching 20 new models over the next five years and targeting annual sales of 500,000 vehicles. In South Korea, he said Hyundai plans to release new versions of the Tucson and Avante this year. In North America, Munoz said Hyundai will introduce extended-range electric vehicles starting in 2027 with a driving range of more than 600 miles (about 965 kilometers) per charge. He also said the company plans to launch its first body-on-frame midsize pickup truck before 2030. In Europe, Munoz said Hyundai will unveil five new models over the next 18 months, including the Ioniq 3, which he said will be shown to the world for the first time at Milan Design Week in April. He added that by 2027 Hyundai will have an electrified model lineup for every vehicle it sells in Europe. For India, Munoz said Hyundai will invest $5 billion through 2030 and launch a total of 26 new models. He said the company will introduce its first locally strategic electric SUV in India by 2027, planned, designed and produced locally. Hyundai also said it will accelerate its physical AI strategy, including autonomous driving and robotics. Munoz said the group’s technology platform, Pleos, will be a key element in speeding up autonomous driving development. He said Hyundai plans to equip Ioniq 5 vehicles produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America with specifications optimized for autonomous driving and supply them to Google’s Waymo. He also called Boston Dynamics’ Atlas “one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots,” and said Hyundai aims to develop intelligence that goes beyond building cars to changing how vehicles are made and operated. On the fast-changing international environment, Munoz said the global trade landscape remains uncertain due to tariff pressure, currency swings and geopolitical tensions. He said Hyundai will carry forward the spirit of founder Chung Ju-yung, who expanded the business by turning uncertainty into opportunity. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 11:21:56
  • Jeju Air tops 60 million passengers as it marks 17 years of international flights
    Jeju Air tops 60 million passengers as it marks 17 years of international flights SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Short-haul carrier Jeju Air said Friday it has carried over 60 million passengers as it marks the 17th anniversary of launching international routes. Jeju Air became the first South Korean budget carrier to launch international services, with flights between Incheon and Osaka in March 2009. Starting with about 159,000 passengers in its first year, Jeju Air continued to expand, reaching a milestone of serving over 1 million passengers in 2012. By offering more diverse routes to neighboring Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries in later years, the airline’s cumulative international passengers surpassed 10 million in 2016 and topped 50 million in 2024. As of the end of February this year, its cumulative international passengers stood at about 62.86 million, showing an average annual growth of 27.5 percent. Jeju Air currently operates some 58 international routes, with destinations in China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Notably, what started as one daily flight between Incheon and Osaka now operates seven times a day, making Jeju Air the most frequent carrier on the route. The number of passengers has grown nearly eightfold, from 73,000 in 2009 to 574,000 in 2025. "We have helped make air travel more accessible and affordable for passengers over the past 17 years," a Jeju Air staffer said, adding that the airline will continue to promote “healthy competition” in South Korea's aviation industry. 2026-03-20 11:19:31
  • Hanwha Aerospace Hosts IISS Global Security Strategy Roundtable in Seoul
    Hanwha Aerospace Hosts IISS Global Security Strategy Roundtable in Seoul Hanwha Aerospace said Thursday it held a “Global Security Strategy Roundtable” with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a global think tank, to discuss key international issues. The event was held Wednesday at Hanwha Building in Janggyo-dong, Seoul. Attendees included Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il and senior executives from Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, the group’s three defense companies. The IISS delegation included Director-General Bastian Giegerich; Senior Adviser Lee Jung-min; Rami Kim, the institute’s Korea Chair; and Rosamund de Sibel, head of advisory services, Hanwha Aerospace said. It was the first visit by IISS leadership to Hanwha headquarters since the Korea Chair was established at IISS last year, the company said. The two sides exchanged views on the rapidly changing security environment and global defense industry trends. Hanwha executives outlined their global business vision, while IISS shared its research and advisory work and plans for the Korea Chair, the company said. Discussions also covered major security issues including rising defense demand in Europe and the need to strengthen air defense capabilities in the Gulf region, it said. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1958, IISS is a leading defense and security think tank. It hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest security forum, and publishes The Military Balance, a widely used annual assessment of global military capabilities. The Korea Chair is a permanent research post jointly sponsored by Hanwha and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KF). Hanwha said it is the first Korea-focused position established at a major European security think tank. The inaugural chair, Dr. Rami Kim, is based at IISS headquarters in London and leads research on advanced technology and defense and security issues, the company said. “Hanwha aims to be a ‘trusted industrial partner’ that grows with partner countries through technology transfer, joint investment and local production, not simply a defense exporter,” Son said. “Strategic cooperation with IISS will be an important foundation for realizing that vision.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 10:27:24
  • Jeju Air Marks 17 Years of International Flights, Averaging 27.5% Annual Growth
    Jeju Air Marks 17 Years of International Flights, Averaging 27.5% Annual Growth Jeju Air said Thursday it has marked the 17th anniversary of its international service, reporting 62.85 million cumulative international passengers and average annual growth of 27.5%. The airline began scheduled international flights on March 20, 2009, launching the Incheon-Osaka route as South Korea’s first low-cost carrier to operate a regular international service. After about 159,000 passengers in its first year, Jeju Air expanded steadily. In 2012, it carried about 1.19 million international passengers, ushering in what it called the “1 million annual international passengers” era. As it added routes to Japan, Southeast Asia and greater China, the airline’s cumulative international passenger total surpassed 10 million in 2016 and topped 50 million in 2024. As of the end of February this year, cumulative international passengers stood at about 62.858 million, maintaining average annual growth of 27.5% since 2009, the company said. Jeju Air also increased its network from seven weekly flights on the Incheon-Osaka route in 2009 to 58 international routes now, serving destinations including Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia and greater China. Japan routes carried more than 4 million passengers last year, the company said, its best result on record. Southeast Asia routes also posted their strongest performance since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 360,000 foreign tourists using the services. The Incheon-Osaka route, Jeju Air’s first international service, has grown from one daily flight at launch to seven a day. The company said that is the highest frequency among airlines operating Korea-Japan routes. Passenger traffic on the route rose from about 73,000 in 2009 to about 574,000 in 2025. A Jeju Air official said the carrier has helped shift the market toward consumers and broaden access to air travel over the past 17 years, adding that it aims to strengthen South Korea’s aviation competitiveness through “healthy competition.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 10:12:09
  • Mercedes-Benz Korea Expands Airport Vehicle Care Service to Gimpo International Airport
    Mercedes-Benz Korea Expands Airport Vehicle Care Service to Gimpo International Airport Mercedes-Benz Korea said on the 20th it is expanding its premium vehicle storage and care program, “Mercedes-Benz Airport Service,” from Incheon International Airport to Gimpo International Airport for customers traveling by air. Under the program, customers drop off their vehicles at a designated location before departure. The company stores the vehicles in an indoor parking facility and, if requested, provides inspection and care services. Vehicles are returned to customers according to their arrival schedule. The expansion to Gimpo is aimed at easing inconvenience from parking congestion and wait times as airport traffic increases, the company said. The service is offered up to three times during the free service period to customers who bought a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Customers who bought a fully electric vehicle during the same period can use it without a limit on the number of times. Customers must book in advance through the customer contact center and hand over the vehicle at the designated location. Vehicles are stored indoors to avoid exposure to fine dust and heavy rain. By request, customers can also receive maintenance services such as regular inspections and replacement of consumable parts. “Airport Service is a premium vehicle care program that goes beyond simple storage, keeping customers’ vehicles in top condition while they travel,” said Tolsten Schtrein, executive vice president and head of customer service. “We will continue to expand differentiated premium service experiences tailored to customers’ lifestyles.” The service operates year-round from 4 a.m. to midnight. Vehicle cleaning and EV charging are available only at Incheon International Airport. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 09:54:16
  • Geely Auto Group Tops 206,000 Global Sales in February as Zeekr Surges
    Geely Auto Group Tops 206,000 Global Sales in February as Zeekr Surges Geely Auto Group, the parent of Zeekr, said Thursday its global sales totaled 206,160 vehicles in February. That brought worldwide sales for January and February to 476,327 vehicles. Exports in February alone reached 60,879 vehicles, up 138% from a year earlier. New energy vehicles (NEVs) — including Zeekr, Geely and Lynk & Co. — accounted for 117,488 units in February, up 19% from the same month last year. NEV sales for the year to date totaled 241,740 units, a 10% increase from a year earlier. By brand, Zeekr posted the strongest growth. Despite fewer production days due to China’s Lunar New Year holiday, which lasted up to nine days, Zeekr sold 23,867 vehicles worldwide in February, a 70% jump from a year earlier. While many NEV makers reported month-to-month declines, Zeekr’s January-February sales rose 84% from a year earlier to about 47,700 vehicles, the company said. The company attributed the performance to strong sales of Zeekr’s flagship 9X SUV. In China’s domestic market in February, the Zeekr 9X was named the top-selling model in the large SUV segment priced above 100 million won (500,000 yuan). It also marked a fourth straight month as the best-selling vehicle across all models in that price range. A Geely Auto Group official said February is typically a difficult month for Chinese automakers to deliver results, but the group still posted sharp year-on-year growth. The official added that if Zeekr makes an official entry into the South Korean market this year, its growth could accelerate further. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 09:24:06
  • T’way Air Says Incheon-Saga Route Hit 95% Load Factor in Jan.-Feb., Up 12 Points
    T’way Air Says Incheon-Saga Route Hit 95% Load Factor in Jan.-Feb., Up 12 Points T’way Air said Friday that its Incheon-to-Saga route in Japan, which it operates exclusively, posted a 95% load factor in January and February. That was up 12 percentage points from 83% a year earlier. The airline said bookings for March and April were running at about 87%. The Incheon-Saga service operates four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), departing Incheon International Airport at about 8:10 a.m. and arriving at Saga Airport on Japan’s Kyushu island at about 9:40 a.m. local time. The return flight leaves at about 10:40 a.m. local time and arrives at Incheon at about 12:15 p.m. Flight time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Saga, in Japan’s Kyushu region, is known for hot springs, natural scenery, and historical and cultural sites. Local specialties include eel, tofu, seafood and sake. Major attractions include Arita’s pottery village, Takeo Onsen, Ureshino Onsen and Keishuen Garden. Saga Prefecture can also be paired with nearby Fukuoka and Kumamoto, allowing travelers to build broader Kyushu itineraries. T’way said interest in the route has risen as more travelers seek quieter, more distinctive destinations. Separately, the airline said it is running a discount event for Saga sightseeing tour buses for T’way passengers through March 31, with details available on its website. “Demand for the Saga route continues to grow as interest in travel to smaller Japanese cities increases,” a T’way official said. “We will continue to provide convenient travel options by diversifying our routes, based on safe operations.” 2026-03-20 09:09:20
  • Hyundai Xcient Hydrogen Trucks to Join Uruguay Green Logistics Project
    Hyundai Xcient Hydrogen Trucks to Join Uruguay Green Logistics Project Hyundai Motor Co.’s Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck will be used in a green logistics project in Uruguay. Hyundai said it recently supplied eight Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Uruguay for the “Kairos Project.” Set to begin full operations in the second half of 2026, the private-sector partnership aims to cut carbon emissions from timber logistics. The project is being carried out in Uruguay by the Kairos consortium. The plan centers on introducing hydrogen trucks into transport and producing green hydrogen directly using solar power to reduce long-term emissions from timber hauling. Hyundai Motor Group said it has completed construction of a 4.8-megawatt solar power plant. It added that electrolysis equipment and a hydrogen refueling station, capable of producing 77 tons of hydrogen a year, are under construction. The project is valued at $40 million (about 60 billion won). Three Uruguayan companies formed a consortium for the effort, and Spain’s largest bank, Santander, is participating as a key investor with support from the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corp. and the U.N. Renewable Energy Innovation Fund, Hyundai said. Under the arrangement, renewable energy company Ventus will handle hydrogen production and operate the refueling station. Timber logistics company Fraylog will oversee overall logistics operations. Fidocar, Hyundai’s sales agent in Uruguay, will manage imports, permits and maintenance for the trucks. The Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck is a 37.2-ton gross vehicle weight tractor model. It is equipped with a 180-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell system and a drive motor with a maximum output of 350 kW. With 10 hydrogen tanks, it can store a total of 68 kilograms of hydrogen and travel up to 720 kilometers on a single fill, Hyundai said. Once operations begin, six of the eight trucks will be deployed first for timber transport, with total annual mileage expected to reach about 1 million kilometers. The remaining two trucks will be added later as transport services expand, the company said. Hyundai said the project is significant because it will be the first case of hydrogen fuel cell trucks being operated for commercial purposes in Latin America. A Hyundai official said the company was “very pleased” that the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck is expanding its presence in the hydrogen ecosystem to Latin America, following Europe and North America. The official said Hyundai will continue efforts to decarbonize key parts of the transport value chain and pursue a clean, sustainable future. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 08:57:20
  • Geely’s Zeekr Targets South Korea Launch in Q3 With 7X Premium Electric SUV
    Geely’s Zeekr Targets South Korea Launch in Q3 With 7X Premium Electric SUV Geely Automobile’s premium electric-vehicle brand Zeekr is preparing to enter South Korea in the third quarter, led by the midsize electric SUV 7X. The model has already drawn attention among Korean consumers, who have dubbed it the “Porsche of the continent.” Zeekr is betting on a “premium masstige” approach — offering high-end specifications at roughly half the price of comparable vehicles — to shake up Korea’s upscale EV market. Industry officials said on the 19th that Zeekr Korea is preparing to launch the 7X with customer deliveries targeted for the third quarter. The company had initially planned a May-to-June launch, but said the schedule slipped due to government certification, building a dealer network suitable for a premium brand, strengthening after-sales service and tightening marketing policies. A Zeekr official said the goal is to minimize gaps between the launch, deliveries and the start of services, adding, “We will be that much more fully prepared.” Zeekr says the 7X will arrive as a 2026 facelifted model, a point that has boosted expectations compared with some import brands criticized for selling older models in Korea. The 7X is similar in size to Kia’s Sorento, with a length of 4,825 millimeters and a wheelbase of 2,925 millimeters, but Zeekr says second-row space is significantly larger, allowing an adult man 180 centimeters tall to stretch out his legs. The company highlights a long list of features typically found in luxury vehicles, including a large display, surround-view camera, automated parking, power reclining seats, a power sunshade, a second-row power table and a refrigerator. With a 75 kWh battery, maximum output is about 370 kW and 0-100 kph acceleration is 5.4 seconds; with a 103 kWh battery, output is 585 kW and 0-100 kph is 2.9 seconds. Zeekr says its 900-volt high-voltage architecture can charge from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes, and it expects a certified driving range of 550 to 600 kilometers per charge. Zeekr believes it can compete in Korea by building a stronger service network than Tesla while pursuing a more premium strategy than BYD. While BYD has lowered the entry barrier with EVs priced in the 20 million won range, Zeekr aims to sell a fully optioned premium EV that would typically cost about 100 million won at roughly half that price, using the “Porsche of the continent” concept. Aggressive pricing is also expected. The domestic launch price for the facelifted 7X is projected to be in the 60 million won range. In Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, it has been priced at 53,000 euros (90.63 million won), while in China it sells for 229,800 yuan (about 49.5 million won). Zeekr plans to align Korea pricing as closely as possible with China because it views Korea as a strategic market. Zeekr’s Korea strategy is being led by CEO Lim Hyun-gi, who previously served as head of Audi Korea. The company expects him to leverage his experience in building dealer networks to strengthen Zeekr Korea’s retail and after-sales operations. Zeekr Korea plans to target consumers in their 30s to 50s with a “3E” strategy centered on premium positioning, eco-friendliness and family appeal. The push is also being closely watched by Hyundai Motor Group and Tesla, the two leading players in Korea’s EV market. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, Tesla sold 7,868 vehicles last month, including 7,015 Model Y units, making it the top-selling single EV model in the country. Over the same period, Kia sold 14,488 EVs and Hyundai sold 9,956. Chinese EV brands including Xiaomi, Xpeng and Nio are also watching Zeekr’s performance. An industry official said that if more than 150 Chinese EV brands continue to seek entry into Korea, consumers will have more choices, and competition will accelerate not only in low-priced models but also in the premium segment, reshaping the market around quality. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 05:03:29
  • Mercedes-Benz Korea Names Shirin Emeera as New CEO
    Mercedes-Benz Korea Names Shirin Emeera as New CEO Mercedes-Benz Korea said March 19 it has appointed Shirin Emeera, head of Mercedes-Benz in Sweden and Denmark, as its new CEO. She will officially begin her term July 1. The company described Emeera as a global leader with more than 20 years of experience at Mercedes-Benz. It said she led the Sweden and Denmark businesses to No. 1 in the premium segment in both markets. She currently oversees dealer model market management and global network development at Mercedes-Benz AG. A Mercedes-Benz official said Emeera is a leader with an entrepreneurial mindset who can drive strategic growth in challenging conditions, adding that the appointment was made to further strengthen the company’s position in South Korea. Emeera said it is meaningful to lead Mercedes-Benz Korea in South Korea, which she called one of the most influential and trend-leading markets in the global auto industry. She said she will work closely with the Korea team and dealer partners to deliver a differentiated customer experience, building on the company’s solid foundation in the market. Meanwhile, current CEO Matthias Geisen was appointed to a promotion effective July 1 as head of marketing and sales for the vans division at Mercedes-Benz AG in Stuttgart, Germany. Since taking the top job at Mercedes-Benz Korea in September 2023, Geisen has been credited with opening the world’s first Seoul Maybach Brand Center and an SUV Experience Center, and with successfully introducing a new sales approach called “Retail of the Future.” Geisen thanked South Korean customers and business partners for their continued trust and support. He said he will support growth in the South Korean market from headquarters, drawing on his experience leading what he called a dynamic and high-standard market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-19 14:00:21