Journalist

Han Ji-yeon
  • Mercedes-Benz Korea Launches EQE 350+ SUV, Priced at 106 Million Won
    Mercedes-Benz Korea Launches EQE 350+ SUV, Priced at 106 Million Won Mercedes-Benz Korea said Tuesday it has officially launched a new trim, the EQE 350+ SUV, for its electric SUV model, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, in the South Korean market. The EQE SUV is built on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated EV architecture, EVA2. The company said the model offers long driving range, a practical interior, stable and comfortable driving performance, and a range of convenience features. The EQE 350+ SUV is a rear-wheel-drive model that replaces the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, which had been an all-wheel-drive option in the lineup. With the trim change, the 26-year-model EQE SUV lineup will be offered in two versions: the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ SUV and the higher-performance, all-wheel-drive EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. Under South Korea’s certification standards, the EQE 350+ SUV has a single-charge driving range of 467 kilometers, the longest in the EQE SUV lineup. Standard features include AIRMATIC suspension, which automatically adjusts based on driving conditions, speed and load; the Driving Assistance Package Plus, which uses sensors including cameras, radar and ultrasonic systems to analyze the surroundings; Digital Light, which adjusts headlamp brightness and beam pattern based on conditions such as road lighting, traffic, route and weather; and a parking package with a 360-degree camera. The exterior applies the Electric Art line, including a black-panel radiator grille with a star-logo pattern. Mercedes-Benz said dynamic proportions and 20-inch five-spoke lightweight alloy wheels add a sportier SUV look. Inside, the Electric Art line continues with a modern design. The vehicle includes a 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit and a 12.8-inch OLED central display. Active ambient lighting, linked to driver-assistance systems to provide visual feedback during operation, offers 64 color options. The trunk has a base capacity of 520 liters, expanding to up to 1,675 liters with the second row folded. The price is 106 million won. More information is available at Mercedes-Benz Korea’s 65 official showrooms nationwide and on its official website. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 10:06:15
  • Toyota Korea to Sponsor O-NE Superrace Championship for 2026 Season
    Toyota Korea to Sponsor O-NE Superrace Championship for 2026 Season Toyota Korea said Monday it has signed an official sponsorship agreement for the 2026 season of the O-NE Superrace Championship, the country’s largest motorsports series. The company has served as an official Superrace sponsor for seven straight years since 2020, it said, as part of efforts to expand motorsports culture in South Korea. Manabu Koyama, CEO of Toyota Korea, and Seokho Ma, the newly appointed CEO of Superrace, attended the signing ceremony along with officials from both sides. Superrace renamed its top-tier category in the 2025 season, changing the official title from the “Super 6000 Class” to the “TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 6000 Class.” Toyota Korea has participated since 2020 as a “cowl sponsor,” applying the exterior design of the GR Supra to Super 6000 race cars. Beginning in the 2025 season, it expanded its role to become the category’s naming sponsor, the company said. Toyota Korea said it is pursuing a range of motorsports initiatives based on its global philosophy of building better cars through racing. Along with backing the top professional series, it said it created the “Prius PHEV Class,” described as South Korea’s only plug-in hybrid one-make race, to broaden participation across professional and amateur racing. The company also sponsors the Boryeong-AMC International Motor Festival run by Ajou Motor College, and operates programs including the “GR Racing Class” and the “GR Kids Superrace School.” Starting in the 2026 season, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 6000 Class will shorten its final-race distance from 170 kilometers to about 100 kilometers, Superrace said, aiming for its fastest races yet. The series will also abolish the “success weight” handicap system to emphasize head-to-head competition. The rule had added up to 50 kilograms based on results; its removal is expected to allow drivers to draw out maximum vehicle performance. “As a brand with genuine commitment to motorsports, we are pleased to participate as a sponsor of the O-NE Superrace Championship for the seventh consecutive year,” Koyama said. He added that he hopes this season will vividly convey Toyota Gazoo Racing’s pursuit of “extreme challenge” and “driving fun” to customers in South Korea. The 2026 Superrace Championship season is set to open April 18-19 with a double round at Yongin Everland Speedway. Organizers said they will try new combinations of culture and events to broaden motorsports’ appeal. The third round will be held alongside the “Asia Motorsports Carnival” and the Park Music Festival, a major domestic music event. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 09:04:11
  • Hyundai Motor Extends LACMA Partnership Through 2037
    Hyundai Motor Extends LACMA Partnership Through 2037 Hyundai Motor said on Feb. 24 it has extended its partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA, through 2037. Through the partnership, Hyundai has sponsored eight exhibitions since 2015, starting with “Rain Room” and continuing through “Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began,” which opened in October. The company said the support has included shows exploring the intersection of art and technology, as well as exhibitions rooted in research on Korean art history, including Korean calligraphy and modern art. Hyundai has also supported one of LACMA’s flagship initiatives, the Art + Technology Lab, backing a wide range of efforts over the past decade, including 45 artist projects, the company said. Along with the extension, Hyundai and LACMA unveiled a new exhibition series, the “Hyundai Project.” The revamped Hyundai Project will be an exhibition program that takes an in-depth look at the work of internationally recognized artists with ties to Los Angeles and the Pacific Rim region, while presenting new works at LACMA. It is scheduled to run every other year starting in 2028. Ahead of each opening, the partners plan to install a large banner work by the featured artist on the exterior of LACMA’s BCAM building, aiming to extend the experience beyond the galleries. LACMA’s Art + Technology Lab will begin selecting and supporting artist projects through a biennial open call starting this spring. The museum also plans to make public programs such as symposiums and demo days a regular feature, offering audiences a look at artists’ research and experimentation. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung said, “Through our long-standing collaboration with LACMA, Hyundai has supported the convergence of art and technology and broadened the horizons of Korean art.” He added, “We will continue diverse collaborations that inspire the present era, including supporting artists’ creative experiments and expanding opportunities for audiences to engage with art.” LACMA CEO Michael Govan said, “Through our partnership with Hyundai, we have added depth to exhibitions and the collection, and provided emerging creators with new opportunities through research and experimentation.” He added, “Through our partnership with Hyundai, which aims for artistic innovation and the expansion of global discourse, we will strengthen support for future generations of creators.” Hyundai said it also works with art institutions worldwide, including Tate in the U.K., the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, presenting a range of art projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 08:48:24
  • Automakers’ Humanoid Robot Strategies Diverge: Mass Market vs. Lights-Out Factories
    Automakers’ Humanoid Robot Strategies Diverge: Mass Market vs. Lights-Out Factories The world’s five biggest automakers competing in humanoid robots are pursuing sharply different strategies, drawing attention to which approach will win out. Hyundai Motor Group and Tesla are preparing for mass production based on the idea that humanoids can be used broadly, though they are targeting different areas. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, meanwhile, are focusing on maximizing productivity and moving toward fully unmanned factories using humanoids. According to the auto industry on Feb. 23, Hyundai is upgrading functions centered on manufacturing processes, aiming to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Atlas in industrial sites in 2028. Atlas is built on an adult male scale — 190 centimeters tall and 90 kilograms — with 56 joints, hands equipped with tactile sensors and 360-degree sensing. It can carry up to 50 kilograms and has cognitive capabilities such as charging itself or swapping batteries when power runs low. It can also work in extreme conditions from minus 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. Hyundai is conducting advanced verification tests with Atlas at its Global Innovation Center in Singapore. Tesla’s strategy is to mass-produce Optimus by the end of 2027 and enter the general-purpose AI robotics market faster than the other big five automakers. Optimus is 173 centimeters tall and weighs 57 kilograms, and can walk at 8 to 10 kilometers per hour. It has 40 joints and eight sensors and can carry up to 20 kilograms. Tesla plans to validate tasks such as moving battery cells and sorting parts at its Gigafactory by the end of this year, then begin outside sales next year. To support that plan, it has built a production system at its Fremont, California, plant capable of making more than 1 million Optimus units a year. BMW, Mercedes and Toyota have each chosen alliances with startups, focusing less on retail sales of humanoids and more on boosting vehicle production efficiency. BMW partnered with U.S. startup Figure AI and deployed Figure 02 at its Spartanburg plant, conducting about a year of testing. Figure 02 is 160 centimeters tall and can carry parts weighing up to 25 kilograms. With AI reasoning capabilities, it can perform tasks autonomously and hold conversations with people. It has reportedly assembled chassis components, handled storage of more than 90,000 parts and worked on production of BMW’s key SUV model, the X3. BMW plans to deploy its next model, Figure 03, this year. Mercedes is testing Apollo, developed by U.S. humanoid company Apptronik, at plants in Berlin and Hungary. Apollo is 177 centimeters tall, can lift up to 25 kilograms and operate for 22 consecutive hours. Its detachable lower body can be configured with wheels or for bipedal walking, allowing use not only in manufacturing but also in logistics, construction, retail and delivery. For cognition and decision-making, it uses Gemini Robotics. Toyota placed Digit, a humanoid from U.S. startup Agility Robotics, at its Woodstock plant in Ontario, Canada. When an autonomous vehicle carrying Digit arrives at a destination inside the plant, the robot jumps out of the trunk and moves parts boxes. After about a year of testing, Toyota plans to expand Digit’s duties this year to more difficult assembly processes. Automakers are moving quickly in humanoids in part because of the industry’s existing strengths. Control, driving and perception technologies already used in vehicles can shorten the development process for AI robotics. Another advantage is the ability to deploy robots in large factories and directly measure productivity gains. Humanoids can be up to three times more productive than humans and can operate around the clock. AI robotics with action, cognition and language capabilities can also be used for ultra-precise parts assembly, painting and quality inspection — areas traditionally handled by skilled workers — making fully unmanned “dream factories” possible. Hyundai estimates it could save 1.7 trillion won a year by replacing just 10% of its existing production workforce with AI robotics. Still, companies must keep improving the technology while also cutting costs. Atlas is currently expected to cost about $130,000 per unit (187 million won). The industry estimates an acceptable price point for mass adoption at around 50 million won. Tesla plans to lower Optimus’ average price by 2027 to 27 million to 40 million won, roughly the level of a compact sedan. Hwang Gwang-taek, a senior researcher at the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Overseas Economic Research Institute, said humanoids still have limited ability to respond outside specific scenarios and that high upfront investment costs weigh on companies’ short-term profitability. He said longer-term challenges include rebuilding systems to deploy humanoids and rising operating, maintenance and repair costs for robotics. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:07:21
  • Global Auto Giants Race to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Factories
    Global Auto Giants Race to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Factories Global automakers are beginning to put humanoid robots on factory floors, accelerating a shift toward production sites where people and robots work side by side. With forecasts that the humanoid market could eventually surpass the size of the auto industry, competition to secure an early lead is expected to intensify. According to industry officials on Feb. 23, Hyundai Motor, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plan to deploy humanoids they developed on their own or with partners starting this year to boost productivity. Hyundai Motor Group has completed performance tests of a research version of its humanoid robot Atlas and says it is readying it for real-world use. After a one- to two-year validation period, the group plans to complete a factory around 2028 capable of producing more than 30,000 Atlas units a year. Mass-produced Atlas robots are to be rolled out first at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, then to overseas production hubs in Singapore, India and the Middle East, where they would handle parts sorting and assembly tasks. Tesla’s humanoid Optimus is also being deployed this month at its Austin, Texas, plant to learn vehicle assembly work. Tesla hired Optimus trainers for about a year to teach the robot factory workers’ movement patterns, concluding the technology is advanced enough for on-site use this year. Tesla is also preparing for retail sales. Beginning in the second quarter, it plans to convert its Fremont, California, EV line that produced the Model S and Model X into an Optimus mass-production base, with sales to the public starting around next year. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have also begun factory deployments. BMW said it put Figure 02, a humanoid developed by U.S. startup Figure AI, into its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant and produced 30,000 units of the midsize SUV X3. Mercedes-Benz is testing Apollo, a humanoid co-developed with U.S. robotics startup Apptronik, at its plants in Berlin and Hungary. Toyota said it will more than double this year’s deployment volume of Digit from a year earlier. Digit, co-developed with a U.S. startup, is supporting production of the compact SUV RAV4 at a plant in Woodstock, Canada. A report by the Export-Import Bank of Korea projects the global AI robotics market will grow 46% annually through 2034 to $375.9 billion (about 545 trillion won). Morgan Stanley has forecast the humanoid robot market could reach $5 trillion by 2050, exceeding the global auto industry’s $4 trillion size.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 05:03:26
  • Korea, Brazil Business Leaders Discuss Cooperation in K-Content, Food and Advanced Manufacturing
    Korea, Brazil Business Leaders Discuss Cooperation in K-Content, Food and Advanced Manufacturing South Korean and Brazilian business leaders met to discuss expanding cooperation in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, strategic minerals and artificial intelligence, as well as agrifood and health and lifestyle industries, and delivered their proposals to Brazil’s president during his state visit to South Korea. The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) said it co-hosted the Korea-Brazil Business Forum with Brazil’s trade and investment promotion agency, ApexBrasil, on Feb. 23 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul’s Sogong-dong district. Attendees included Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan, along with about 400 government officials and businesspeople from both countries, FKI said. Lula’s delegation included about 300 executives from major Brazilian companies, including ApexBrasil Chairman Jorge Viana, Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto and Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard. The group was more than twice the size of the delegation that accompanied Lula during a 2021 state visit, according to the organizers. Discussions focused on three areas: K-content and related creative industries, food, and advanced manufacturing and strategic minerals. In the health, lifestyle and creative industries session, participants discussed cultural-content cooperation centered on K-content, which organizers said is spreading across South America, and explored potential links between Brazil’s cosmetics ingredients and South Korea’s K-beauty industry. In agrifood, the forum examined cooperation models pairing Brazil, described as a stable supplier of agricultural and livestock products, with South Korean companies that have processing, distribution and branding capabilities. In advanced manufacturing, strategic minerals and AI, participants discussed combining Brazil’s capabilities with South Korea’s manufacturing strength to expand cooperation from traditional manufacturing into advanced industries. FKI and ApexBrasil signed six memorandums of understanding to continue expanding industrial and investment cooperation, FKI said. In a keynote address, Lula urged closer cooperation between the two countries’ business communities and expressed expectations for broader economic ties. After the forum, Viana shared the results with Lula and said, “This forum will serve as a turning point that leads to tangible outcomes in economic cooperation between the two countries.” Kim, representing the South Korean government, said Brazil is South Korea’s largest economic cooperation partner in South America and that the two countries have significant potential in strategic industries including aviation, automobiles, shipbuilding, batteries and critical minerals. He added that, as uncertainty in the trade environment grows, resuming negotiations on a Korea-Mercosur trade agreement would help expand trade and investment and create a more stable trade environment. FKI Chairman Ryu Jin said Brazil is a resource-rich country with competitiveness in food, energy and aviation and holds strategic importance in global supply chains. He called for moving beyond trade-centered ties toward an era of shared prosperity driven by investment and industrial cooperation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 18:12:20
  • Genesis Wraps Up 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera
    Genesis Wraps Up 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Genesis said Sunday it successfully concluded the 2026 Genesis Invitational, held Feb. 19-22 local time at Riviera Country Club in California. Marking the tournament’s 100th anniversary, the event is one of the PGA Tour’s top “signature events,” drawing leading players including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Justin Rose to compete for prize money and FedExCup points. Jacob Bridgeman won at 18-under-par 266. McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama finished one stroke back in a tie for second. Genesis awarded Bridgeman $4 million and a GV80 Coupe Black. Max Greyserman made a hole-in-one on the 14th hole in the final round. During the tournament, Genesis displayed 18 vehicles, including the GV60 Magma model, the electrified GV70 and the GV80 Coupe, to spectators and to TV audiences across the United States. Genesis also set up a “Genesis 14th Hole Lounge,” featuring Genesis Golf Collection sales, a golf swing simulator experience and a display of Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, Spot. Genesis said it ran its “California Rises” campaign for a second straight year, launched last year with the PGA Tour and TGR Live to support recovery from California wildfires. As part of the campaign, Genesis held a “Birdies for Good” event, pledging $1,000 for each birdie or eagle on five holes — Nos. 10, 14, 16, 17 and 18 — and $25,000 for each hole-in-one. The effort raised about $320,000 in relief funds during the tournament. Genesis said it plans to donate a total of $1 million, including those funds, to local charities including the American Red Cross, the California Fire Foundation and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. Genesis, the title sponsor for the 10th year, previously extended its sponsorship agreement for the Genesis Invitational through 2030 with the PGA Tour and the Tiger Woods Foundation ahead of this year’s tournament. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:39:20
  • Hyundai Motor Group Weighs Multitrillion-Won Investment in Saemangeum for AI, Robotics and Hydrogen
    Hyundai Motor Group Weighs Multitrillion-Won Investment in Saemangeum for AI, Robotics and Hydrogen Hyundai Motor Group is pushing a multitrillion-won investment in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, to expand its artificial intelligence, hydrogen and robotics businesses. Government and business officials said Monday the group is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province and the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency on investing several trillion won in the area to foster future businesses. The likely focus is AI, hydrogen and robotics, which Hyundai Motor Group has identified as key growth areas. The exact amount has not been set, but officials expect it to reach several trillion won. The group has previously announced plans to invest a total of 125.2 trillion won in South Korea through 2030 over five years. Saemangeum is seen as a strong candidate for building hubs tied to the group’s priority growth engines, including AI, software-defined vehicles, electrification, robotics and hydrogen. Of the 125.2 trillion won plan, Hyundai Motor Group has pledged to spend 50.5 trillion won in those fields. When it announced the investment plan, the group said it would consult with the government and local authorities and consider investments to help create a “hydrogen AI new city” that applies its core technologies, including AI, hydrogen and V2X. The Saemangeum area is expected to attract facilities such as an AI data center, a physical AI application center, a robot factory and a water electrolysis plant. Saemangeum, with land about 140 times the size of Seoul’s Yeouido and ample sunlight, is considered favorable for building power-hungry AI data centers. Plans for robot manufacturing and foundry plants have also been discussed as part of a push to become a physical AI company. A Hyundai Motor Group official said the company is reviewing investment plans in various ways to help boost regional economies, adding that no specific plan related to Saemangeum has been confirmed. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 14:30:15
  • Air Premia Marks Washington, D.C., Launch With Up to 30% Fare Discounts
    Air Premia Marks Washington, D.C., Launch With Up to 30% Fare Discounts Air Premia said Sunday it will run a promotion offering up to 30% off to mark its planned launch of service to Washington, D.C., in April. From Sunday through Feb. 26, the airline will release a first-come, first-served discount code each day for 30% off fares on its Washington route. The 30% code will be posted daily at 10 a.m. and will end once the allotment is gone. Customers can find the code on the event page of the airline’s website and mobile app, and the code will change each day. Customers who miss the 30% offer can still get 20% off fares by entering the code “IADNEW20” from Feb. 27 through March 2. Air Premia will begin scheduled service between Incheon and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on April 24, operating four times a week. The airline said the launch is a strategic move to diversify its U.S. route portfolio and expand its demand base. Washington, D.C., is an administrative and diplomatic hub where demand for business travel remains steady, including visits to public agencies, defense-related organizations and research institutions. Northern Virginia nearby is home to clusters of defense and technology industries and research facilities, which the airline said supports stable corporate and institutional demand. The airline also cited Washington’s cultural and historical attractions — including the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial — as drivers of steady leisure travel demand, noting that free admission at major museums can help keep travel costs relatively low. Dulles is a key gateway for the Washington metropolitan area, with strong access to government agencies and a transfer network to major U.S. cities, the airline said, adding that it expects convenient connections within the Eastern U.S. “Washington is a market shaped by both demand for visits to public, diplomatic and research institutions and demand for cultural tourism,” an Air Premia official said. “As this launch is a strategic expansion to diversify our U.S. route portfolio and stabilize our revenue base, we will focus on securing early demand and establishing the route in the market.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:03:16
  • Nexen Tire Opens Winter Tire Test Center in Finland to Boost R&D
    Nexen Tire Opens Winter Tire Test Center in Finland to Boost R&D Nexen Tire said it has begun full operations of its new winter and all-weather tire test center in Ivalo, Finland, after holding an opening ceremony for the “Purple Snow Ivalo Center.” The event was attended by Kim Jong-myeong, head of Nexen Tire’s research institute, and representatives of European automotive media outlets. To strengthen winter performance development, the company built its own research facilities, including a lab focused on winter road-surface characteristics. It also secured a newly designed proving ground through a long-term lease, featuring a snow handling track with varied slopes and curves and a large snow flat track. The center was established within a UTAC (Union Technique de l'Automobile, du moto cycle et du Cycle) driving test site in Ivalo, near the Arctic Circle in northern Finland. UTAC is Europe’s largest automotive testing specialist and has indoor and outdoor infrastructure capable of reproducing extreme winter road conditions. Nexen Tire said the Finland center is expected to strengthen competitiveness in Europe, a key market that accounts for more than 40% of its revenue. The company cited requirements in major countries such as Germany that mandate the use of 3PMSF-certified products in winter, increasing the importance of technical readiness for winter tires. Nexen Tire also said it has secured a durability evaluation track for studded winter tires designed for icy roads in extremely cold regions such as Northern Europe, aiming to respond strategically to rising local demand for winter tires. The company said the center will also link virtual development with real-vehicle testing. It will allow immediate cross-checking of performance predicted by a high dynamic driving simulator introduced last year — the first in the domestic industry — through on-snow driving tests. Nexen Tire said it plans to use AI-linked virtual development to expand opportunities to participate in original equipment tire projects and strengthen its foundation for high-performance tire development. Alongside the new center, Nexen Tire said it is pursuing the winter tire market on multiple fronts. It launched the winter tire “WINGUARD Sport 3” in Europe last year and is continuing to expand available sizes for the all-weather “N'BLUE 4Season 2,” which meets winter tire standards while supporting year-round driving. The company said it is also strengthening its sales infrastructure by expanding shop-branded stores through local distributors in key markets including Germany, Italy, France and the U.K., and by establishing a new branch in Romania. It said it is also pursuing strategic expansion into major non-European markets such as Australia and Japan. A Nexen Tire official said the center will serve as a key base to elevate R&D for winter and all-weather tires by combining a far-northern location with Europe’s longest winter season and the operating know-how of a top specialist. The official said the company will continue to strengthen testing and research capabilities to meet demand in Europe and global markets and improve competitiveness. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 08:51:43