Journalist

Han Ji-yeon
  • 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
  • Hyundai Motor Group’s Boston Dynamics IPO Seen as Catalyst for Governance Overhaul
    Hyundai Motor Group’s Boston Dynamics IPO Seen as Catalyst for Governance Overhaul Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. robotics unit, Boston Dynamics (BD), is moving closer to an initial public offering, drawing attention to whether the listing could help the conglomerate tackle a long-discussed governance overhaul. With Boston Dynamics’ value estimated at about 120 trillion to 150 trillion won, Chairman Euisun Chung could secure up to 30 trillion won if the IPO succeeds, market watchers said. That could help unwind circular shareholding links cited as a key obstacle, potentially improving management stability and boosting corporate value. Industry sources said Monday that Hyundai Motor Group has begun work to commercialize robotics and artificial intelligence and to prepare Boston Dynamics for an IPO. The group recently formed a business-planning task force dedicated to robotics and AI under Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon, and placed strategy investment and mergers-and-acquisitions specialists on the team, the sources said. The move is seen as an effort to consolidate robotics and AI capabilities across the group and shift them toward revenue-generating models. Boston Dynamics is also undergoing a transition toward an operating-company structure. After Chief Technology Officer Aaron Saunders stepped down last year, Chief Executive Officer Robert Playter, who led technology development for seven years, resigned last month. Industry observers expect the company to move from a research-and-development focus toward a profitability-driven system capable of mass production, accelerating IPO preparations. Hyundai Motor Group, led by Jang, has begun preparations for a Nasdaq listing in the United States in early 2027, according to industry views. The company is expected to complete a preliminary review filing and select underwriters in the first half of this year, proceed with the offering process in the second half, and seek a listing early next year. A global market research firm projects the global humanoid robot market will reach 9.6 million units a year by 2035. Considering the technology and mass-production timeline of Boston Dynamics’ flagship humanoid robot, Atlas, the firm estimates a roughly 16% share, or about 1.5 million units. Reflecting such projections, KB Securities estimates Boston Dynamics’ value at 128 trillion won, while Hanwha Investment & Securities puts it at 145.77 trillion won. With the financial industry estimating that an IPO could raise 120 trillion to 150 trillion won, Chung is expected to secure up to 30 trillion won. When Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, Chung invested about 240 billion won of personal funds to obtain a 20% stake. Hyundai Motor Group currently has three circular shareholding structures: “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Kia → Hyundai Mobis,” “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Hyundai Steel → Hyundai Mobis,” and “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Hyundai Glovis → Hyundai Mobis.” To resolve the circular structure, Chung would need to increase his stake in Hyundai Mobis, which sits at the top of the governance structure. Chung currently holds just 0.3% of Hyundai Mobis. The group also needs additional cash to cover taxes required when Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s stakes in affiliates are inherited or gifted. If Boston Dynamics lists successfully, industry observers said it could provide sufficient funds to unwind circular shareholding and finance inheritance and gift taxes, potentially speeding up succession-related work. “Boston Dynamics’ listing is central to Hyundai Motor Group’s long-standing task of governance restructuring,” an industry official said. “The more funding it secures through an IPO, the more options it will have.” 2026-03-02 11:51:08
  • Hyundai Motor Group, Veterans Ministry to Renovate Korean War Memorial Sites in the Philippines
    Hyundai Motor Group, Veterans Ministry to Renovate Korean War Memorial Sites in the Philippines Hyundai Motor Group said it will work with South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to repair and improve two Korean War remembrance sites in Manila: the Korean War memorial monument at the Philippines’ National Shrine of Heroes and the Philippine Korean War Memorial Hall. The Philippines was the first Asian country and the third in the world to send troops to the Korean War, and it marks the 77th anniversary this year of establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea, the company said. The two sites were built to honor the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea, or PEFTOK — five combat battalions totaling 7,420 troops — and their families, it said. The monument at the National Shrine of Heroes was built in 1967 to express gratitude for veterans’ sacrifice and service. It was renovated in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of Korea-Philippines diplomatic ties under the ministry, then known as the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Hyundai Motor Group said it will now refurbish the site in cooperation with the ministry. The monument is a triangular pillar about 7 meters (23 feet) tall. At the top are the United Nations emblem and the national flags of South Korea and the Philippines. Below are the names of all 112 PEFTOK members who were killed in action, the company said. Hyundai Motor Group said it will begin work this month, repairing cracks and discoloration, replacing marble on nearby steps and flooring, and installing an information sign and a symbolic sculpture to make the site easier for veterans’ families and visitors to find. The group also plans repairs at the Philippine Korean War Memorial Hall, about 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) from the monument. Built in 2012, it includes a museum and library that display and store records and historical materials from the war. The company said it will replace furnishings and carry out a full building repair, and will also review whether additional remodeling is needed to increase use of the facility. Hyundai Motor Group said it will use the Philippines project as a starting point to work with the ministry on broader reviews of environmental improvements at Korean War memorial sites in other countries that sent troops. It also said it plans to cooperate on preserving and managing overseas sites tied to Korea’s independence movement, checking conditions at both types of locations and considering ways to build content and revitalize spaces using the group’s capabilities. “Preserving Korean War memorial sites and independence movement historic sites is a way to pass historical value to future generations,” a Hyundai Motor Group official said. “We will work with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to honor the noble spirit of overseas veterans and independence activists.” Separately, the group said it is running a range of community-focused programs in the Philippines. They include “Hyundai Wheels on the Go!” to support disaster victims by providing vehicles and supplies to help civil society respond directly to emergencies. It also cited the “Hope in a Bag Project,” which provides daily necessities to youths in vulnerable groups and to students in disaster-affected areas, and the “Hyundai Accelerate Program,” which offers technical training to youths seeking jobs in the auto industry. The group said it also supports vulnerable youths through the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation. Philippine daily Philstar was quoted as saying Hyundai Motor Group’s community programs in the country provide practical and effective help in disaster-hit areas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-02 09:51:19