Journalist

Han Ji-yeon
  • Hansung Motor Launches Mercedes-Benz Last Golden Bell March Promotion
    Hansung Motor Launches Mercedes-Benz 'Last Golden Bell' March Promotion Hansung Motor, an official Mercedes-Benz dealer, said Tuesday it will run its March “Last Golden Bell” promotion marking the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz’s 1886 invention and patent application for the first automobile. For the first 140 buyers this month of key models including the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, E 450 and A 220, the company will extend the standard three-year warranty by one year, for a total of four years. The offer is aimed at reducing maintenance and ownership costs and will end once the allotment is filled. Hansung Motor is also offering a weekend-only benefit for customers who sign contracts at showrooms on March 7-8 and March 14-15. Those buyers will receive a Mercedes-Benz mini travel bag. Customers who take delivery within March will be entered into a lucky-draw event, with 140 winners to receive prizes including Rimowa luggage, an LG air purifier and items from the official Mercedes-Benz collection. In addition, existing Hansung Motor customers who repurchase a vehicle will receive an extra 1% discount on all models during March, capped at 1 million won. “We prepared this promotion to provide customers with practical benefits and satisfaction in celebration of the 140th anniversary,” CEO Kim Marco said. “Since it is limited to March, we hope it will be a special opportunity.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 10:12:16
  • Lotus Korea Offers Low-Rate Financing Deals on Emira and Eletre
    Lotus Korea Offers Low-Rate Financing Deals on Emira and Eletre Lotus Cars Korea said Tuesday it is launching a special low-interest financing promotion for its flagship models, the Eletre and Emira. The offer is built around 60-month terms, the company said, and is designed to either eliminate upfront costs or cut interest rates to the 0% range, depending on customer needs. Customers who choose a 60-month operating lease with a deposit equal to 30% of the vehicle price and no prepayment will receive an ultra-low rate in the 0% range. For buyers who want no money down, the company said a 60-month operating lease can be set with both prepayment and deposit at 0 won; that option still carries a low rate in the early 2% range. Lotus Cars Korea said its 60-month financial lease and installment plans, aimed at customers seeking eventual ownership, also apply the same 0% range ultra-low rate with a 0 won down payment. The benefits apply to both the mid-engine Emira sports car and the Eletre, the brand’s first all-electric hyper SUV. A Lotus Cars Korea official said Lotus’ “pure driving” feel is realized only when drivers take the wheel on the road, adding that now is a good time to buy as the Emira nears discontinuation and the Eletre represents the brand’s new future. More details are available through Lotus Cars Korea’s flagship showroom. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 10:00:19
  • T’way Air, Sono Hotels & Resorts Launch Partner Discounts of Up to 30%
    T’way Air, Sono Hotels & Resorts Launch Partner Discounts of Up to 30% T’way Air said Tuesday it will run a joint promotion with Sono Hotels & Resorts through March 31, offering reciprocal discounts to customers who book flights or rooms through the companies’ official websites and mobile apps (web). Customers who book airfare on T’way Air’s website will receive coupons for discounts on weekday and weekend stays at Sono Hotels & Resorts’ domestic properties — 30% off weekdays and 20% off weekends. Eligible properties are Sono Calm Jeju, Sono Moon Haeundae, Sono Calm Yeosu, Sono Belle·Sono Calm·Sono Pet Vivaldi Park, and Sono Belle Danyang. The coupons can be used for suite and family room types. Stays booked with the coupons are valid through May 30, excluding certain dates. T’way Air said it will also provide a 30% breakfast discount coupon for Sono Calm Jeju, usable by two people per coupon. Customers who book rooms through Sono Hotels & Resorts’ website or mobile app (web) will receive a 12,000-won discount coupon for T’way Air domestic flights and an international flight coupon worth up to 60,000 won. The travel period is valid through May 31 for domestic routes and through Oct. 24 for international routes, with some blackout dates. Detailed terms and conditions are available on the official websites of T’way Air and Sono Hotels & Resorts. “We structured the promotion around mutual coupon offerings so customers of both companies can access benefits more conveniently through each channel,” a T’way Air official said. “We will continue to put safe operations first while rolling out benefit-focused promotions customers can feel.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 09:55:04
  • Kia’s February Global Sales Fall 2.8% to 247,401 Vehicles
    Kia’s February Global Sales Fall 2.8% to 247,401 Vehicles Kia said Tuesday it sold 247,401 vehicles worldwide in February, down 2.8% from a year earlier. Domestic sales fell 8.7% to 42,002 units, while overseas sales slipped 1.5% to 205,005. Special-purpose vehicle sales totaled 394 units. The Sportage was Kia’s best-selling model globally, with 47,081 units sold. It was followed by the Seltos with 24,305 and the K4 with 18,434. In South Korea, the Sorento led sales with 7,693 units. In the domestic passenger-car segment, Kia sold 9,896 units, led by the Ray (3,241), K5 (2,175) and K8 (1,384). Domestic RV sales totaled 25,447 units, including the Sorento, Sportage (3,800), Carnival (3,712) and EV3 (3,469). In commercial vehicles, Kia sold 6,659 units, including the PV5 (3,967) and Bongo III (2,607). Electric vehicle sales reached 14,488 units, topping 10,000 in a month for the first time and marking a record monthly total. The PV5 led with 3,967 units, followed by the EV3 with 3,469 and the EV5 with 2,524. Overseas, the Sportage was the top seller with 43,281 units, followed by the Seltos with 22,875 and the K4 with 18,434. Special-purpose vehicles totaled 394 units, including 64 sold domestically and 330 overseas. A Kia official said domestic sales temporarily declined because the Lunar New Year holiday reduced the number of business days from a year earlier. The official said the company will work to improve sales with new models and eco-friendly vehicles, including the Seltos hybrid, PV5 and EV5.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 16:57:30
  • Hyundai Motor February Global Sales Fall 5.1% to 306,528 Vehicles
    Hyundai Motor February Global Sales Fall 5.1% to 306,528 Vehicles Hyundai Motor Co. said Tuesday its global sales in February totaled 306,528 vehicles, down 5.1% from a year earlier. Domestic sales fell 17.8% to 47,008 units, while overseas sales slipped 2.3% to 259,520, the company said. In South Korea, Hyundai sold 13,568 sedans. The Sonata led the segment with 4,436 units, followed by the Grandeur with 3,933 and the Avante with 3,628. Sales of recreational vehicles totaled 18,756, led by the Palisade (3,081), Tucson (2,972), Kona (2,876), Santa Fe (2,679) and Casper (1,171). The Porter posted sales of 4,634 units and the Staria 1,781. Medium and large buses and trucks totaled 1,122 units. Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, sold 6,942 vehicles, including the G80 (2,247), GV70 (2,206) and GV80 (1,689). A Hyundai official said sales fell because there were fewer selling days due to the Lunar New Year holiday. The company will pursue “optimal sales strategies,” including raising the share of eco-friendly vehicles and strengthening its hybrid lineup, the official said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 16:01:11
  • K Car Names aespa’s Karina as New Brand Ambassador for 2026 Campaign
    K Car Names aespa’s Karina as New Brand Ambassador for 2026 Campaign Used-car platform company K Car said Tuesday it has launched its new 2026 brand campaign, “People Who Put Cars First,” and selected Karina of the K-pop group aespa as its brand model. Through the campaign, K Car said it aims to highlight its expertise as the No. 1 used-car company, emphasizing a message of “professional staff who do not compromise when it comes to cars” and a platform for people who value and care for their vehicles. The company said the campaign reflects its direct-operation model, in which it buys vehicles itself and takes responsibility from inspection and sales through post-sale support, portraying employees as “people who put cars first.” K Car said the campaign uses a simple, witty setup to draw attention. In the video, even as the popular, trend-setting Karina walks by, K Car employees keep their eyes on a car, humorously underscoring an attitude of putting cars ahead of Karina. The campaign will run across TV, YouTube and other digital platforms, as well as K Car’s app and website. To mark the launch, K Car said it will run a promotion through March 31 called “Super Week” with total benefits of 5 billion won, offering discounts, free delivery and free quality-warranty coverage to reduce customers’ purchase burden. The promotion includes: a “Weekly Special Price” discount of up to 5 million won; a nationwide free-delivery “Home Service Time Deal”; a “KW6 Free Special” offering warranty repair benefits of up to 10 million won; and a “KW3 Free Special” offering warranty repair benefits of up to 5 million won. K Car CEO Jeong In-guk said the campaign was designed to help consumers easily relate to the idea that K Car is a company where people who value and love cars come together. “Based on uncompromising expertise, we will work to repay customer trust,” he said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 15:42:17
  • LIG Nex1 Opens Large-Scale Hiring for First Half of 2026
    LIG Nex1 Opens Large-Scale Hiring for First Half of 2026 LIG Nex1 said Tuesday it will conduct a large-scale open recruitment drive for the first half of 2026. Applications opened Tuesday and will be accepted through March 18 via the company’s recruitment website. Openings include missile systems, electronic warfare, radar, maritime, unmanned and robotics, electro-optical and information convergence, satellites and AI, the company said. The hiring will cover a range of roles, including R&D positions in hardware, software and mechanical engineering, as well as domestic and overseas business management, quality management and corporate support. The company expects to hire at least a three-digit number of employees. Detailed job descriptions by field are available in the “Recruiting Book” on the recruitment website. Candidates who pass an online AI competency assessment and document screening will move to a software coding test (for software roles), followed by job-specific interviews and then a leadership interview before final selection. With public interest rising in South Korea’s defense industry, LIG Nex1 said it will also hold campus recruiting at 31 universities nationwide. The company said about 60% of its workforce is engaged in R&D. As of February, it had 5,748 employees, up 1,204 over two years, a 26% increase, and was named a “Top Job-Creating Company” by the Labor Ministry for a third consecutive year. A company official said the large-scale hiring is aimed at strengthening competitiveness across the rapidly advancing defense industry and encouraged interest from talent expected to lead future growth businesses. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 13:27:16
  • Audi Korea Names Lee Gyu-hee as Head of Marketing Communications
    Audi Korea Names Lee Gyu-hee as Head of Marketing Communications Audi Korea said Tuesday it has appointed Lee Gyu-hee, an executive director, as its new head of marketing communications. Starting Tuesday, Lee will oversee the company’s overall marketing, including brand strategy, marketing communications, digital and content strategy, and customer experience, Audi Korea said. Audi Korea described Lee as a brand strategy specialist with broad experience across global automotive and performance brands. At Volkswagen Group China, he held key leadership roles including brand management director, marketing director and head of the Brand Innovation Project House, leading initiatives such as brand innovation, market repositioning and building a data-driven marketing system. He also served as marketing and communications director for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at French high-performance sports car brand Alpine, overseeing marketing strategy in key markets. Lee has also worked in global creative agencies and strategic consulting, and is credited with leading large-scale innovation projects across sectors including automotive, luxury goods and electronics, the company said. Audi Korea is seeking to strengthen its position in the domestic market this year by expanding new model launches and refreshing the brand. The appointment reflects its push to reinforce its premium positioning, upgrade digital marketing capabilities and deliver more customer-centered brand experiences, it said. Audi Korea President Steve Clotty said Lee’s global perspective and strategic expertise will play an important role in taking the Audi brand “to the next level.” He said the company will strengthen touchpoints with customers in South Korea and further solidify Audi’s premium value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 09:18:19
  • Six Korean Business Groups Urge Parliament to Pass U.S. Investment Special Act
    Six Korean Business Groups Urge Parliament to Pass U.S. Investment Special Act Six major South Korean business groups on Tuesday urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass a special law aimed at supporting investment in the United States. In an emergency appeal issued Tuesday, the Korea Enterprises Federation, the Korea Employers Federation, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of SMEs and the Korea Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises said uncertainty in the trade environment has intensified after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, unlawful. They said the ruling could prompt the United States to rely on alternative laws to keep its current tariff policy direction while imposing additional, selective tariffs on specific countries or products, making passage of the bill urgent. The groups said exports to the United States in key South Korean industries — including semiconductors, automobiles and pharmaceuticals — are being directly affected, raising concerns about weakening industrial competitiveness. They warned that delays in handling the bill would weaken South Korea’s negotiating leverage with the United States and make it harder to realize tangible benefits from bilateral economic cooperation. They again called on lawmakers to pass the bill within the special committee’s mandate so companies can reduce trade risks and pursue exports to the United States more actively. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 06:03:24
  • Korean Industry, Banks Brace for Prolonged Middle East Turmoil After Strait of Hormuz Closure
    Korean Industry, Banks Brace for Prolonged Middle East Turmoil After Strait of Hormuz Closure The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran are raising the risk of prolonged turmoil in the Middle East, putting South Korean industry on alert. With the Strait of Hormuz now blocked, disruptions to supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, as well as air and sea logistics, have become more likely. A prolonged conflict could also weigh on exporters that have been posting a string of trade surpluses. Major companies including Samsung, LG and Hanwha have activated emergency response systems and are tightening safety management for employees in the region. According to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations and foreign media reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global seaborne oil shipments. Near the strait, at least four vessels, including the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight, were attacked, and one crew member was killed. The government said it has not identified any damage so far to South Korean oil tankers or LNG carriers. South Korea imports 70.7% of its crude oil and 20.4% of its LNG from the Middle East, and more than 95% of those shipments pass through the strait. The Korea International Trade Association estimates that using alternative routes could raise ocean freight rates by as much as 50% to 80% and extend transit times by three to five days. It also said insurance premiums for exporters could rise by up to sevenfold, adding to inflationary pressure. If instability persists, exports of defense products, automobiles and semiconductors could weaken, and multiple Middle East projects pursued by Samsung, Hyundai Motor and Hanwha could be suspended. Hanwha’s construction unit said it is closely monitoring the situation, along with the South Korean Embassy in Iraq and Iraqi military and police, in connection with its Bismayah new city project in Iraq. A surge in global oil prices could also raise costs for petrochemicals, airlines and shipping, potentially hurting first-quarter results. An industry official said the Middle East is a key market for defense and construction orders, and warned that if the region becomes a powder keg, ongoing production and consumption, investment and research and development could face setbacks. The official said companies are watching closely for an export slowdown and the possibility of weaker global consumption if the war drags on. The financial sector, which supports companies, has also moved into emergency mode. All seven branches operated by the four major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — in the Middle East are within the impact zone of the Israel-Iran war. Financial holding groups said there has been no direct damage so far, but warned that additional losses could be unavoidable if the conflict becomes prolonged, as in the Russia-Ukraine war. KB Financial Group, led by Chairman Yang Jong-hee, is checking exchange rates, interest rates and oil prices in real time. Shinhan Financial Group convened its group crisis management council to review its response system amid rising volatility in financial indicators. Hana Bank set up a rapid response team for the Iran situation. Woori Financial Group ordered an urgent review across affiliates, including stronger monitoring of financial markets and steps to ensure the safety of employees working overseas. If a prolonged war weakens the broader Middle East economy, cash flow at South Korean companies operating there could also deteriorate. Banks are also concerned that if exporters face disruptions, delinquency rates could rise. The average delinquency rate on small and midsize business loans at the four major banks in the fourth quarter of last year was 0.45%, already the highest level in nine years. The four banks said they will provide 42 trillion won in management-stabilization funding, interest-rate reductions and deferred installment repayments for companies struggling due to Middle East risks. 2026-03-02 16:21:22