Hanwha Aerospace wins $480 million contract for missile interceptors from DAPA SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a 705.4 billion won ($480 million) contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to mass-produce long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM) by 2030. The agreement covers the supply of anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) and launchers for the country’s upper-tier missile defense network. The L-SAM system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 kilometers and will operate alongside South Korea’s existing Cheongung II and Patriot batteries. The ABM interceptor is equipped with a domestically developed dual-pulse propulsion motor and a divert attitude control system (DACS), technologies possessed by only a handful of countries. In November, Hanwha Systems won a separate 357.3 billion won contract from DAPA to produce the L-SAM multifunction radar (MFR), which detects and tracks incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft. The radar is capable of identifying multiple targets simultaneously. Following the completion of the initial L-SAM development program last year, the Agency for Defense Development is working with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems on L-SAM II, a next-generation system expected to expand air defense coverage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:27:48

Hyundai Motor Group to set up battery research center in Anseong SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled plans to build a major battery research and development hub in Anseong, south of Seoul. The company held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for the “Future Mobility Battery Anseong Campus,” located in the city’s fifth industrial complex. Construction began in January, with Hyundai investing 1.2 trillion won in a facility spanning 197,000 square meters. Completion is targeted for late 2026. The Anseong campus will be Hyundai’s first large-scale R&D center dedicated entirely to battery technologies. The facility will house advanced testing equipment to evaluate battery performance, durability and safety under real-world operating conditions, reflecting the industry’s intensifying focus on battery innovation as competition in electric mobility deepens. Hyundai said the center will spearhead development of high-performance lithium-ion cells for next-generation electric vehicles, while expanding research into future mobility fields including robotics and advanced air mobility. The company expects the project to reinforce South Korea’s battery ecosystem and bolster national competitiveness in the global EV race. The initiative follows Hyundai’s August agreement with the country’s major battery makers — LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On — to collaborate on technologies aimed at improving EV battery safety. The partnership is part of the broader “K-battery” alliance designed to enhance domestic cooperation in key mobility technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 13:38:35

Kia successfully tests remote driving on public roads SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Kia has become the first South Korean automaker to successfully demonstrate remote driving on public roads. Remote driving allows a vehicle without a driver to be operated from a control center via 4G and 5G mobile networks. Considered a near-term solution compared with fully autonomous systems, the technology can intervene when self-driving functions fail and is drawing growing interest for applications in car-sharing, logistics and mobility support in underserved areas. Kia received a regulatory sandbox exemption from the transport ministry in April, clearing the way for pilot operations. It then formed a team with Socar, SUM and KT to conduct demonstrations in Jeju and Hwaseong. Under the partnership, Kia led the overall project; Socar provided its car-sharing platform; SUM developed remote driving solutions and operated test vehicles; and KT supplied network infrastructure. The consortium built a remote-operation system for Kia’s PV5 purpose-built vehicle, with reinforced communications and safety controls. Following initial internal testing, the group conducted a one-month road trial in Jeju. The PV5 vehicles logged roughly 70 hours of remote operation and about 1,000 kilometers on routes including Jeju Airport–Socar Terminal and Jeju Airport–Yongduam. Data gathered from the Jeju trial will be used to further refine the technology, with additional tests planned in collaboration with local governments. “Remote driving technology can improve convenience for citizens in areas with limited public infrastructure and can be expanded to various industries such as car-sharing and logistics,” a Kia official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 15:55:39

Korean Air to phase out plastic meal trays for eco-friendly alternatives SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Korean Air has decided to gradually replace its in-flight meal containers with ones with eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives as early as next month, the flagship carrier said on Tuesday. The airline will begin using containers made from plant-based, non-wood pulp materials on select routes in early December, with plans to expand their use across its entire fleet by the end of next year. The move is intended to reduce plastic use and carbon emissions as part of its commitment to corporate environmental responsibility. The new containers will replace those used for main dishes in economy class over the past 20 years. Made from materials such as wheat straw, sugarcane, and bamboo, they are considered eco-friendly because they do not require tree lumbering. The containers are also durable, maintaining their shape under high temperatures. Korean Air expects the switch to reduce carbon emissions by about 60 percent. "This is a long-term investment in environmental sustainability," said a Korean Air spokesperson. "As the global aviation industry moves toward decarbonization, we are committed to fulfilling our social responsibilities while continuing to provide quality service to our customers." Korean Air has been actively implementing environmental initiatives. In 2023, the airline replaced plastic cutlery with bamboo utensils. It also runs upcycling programs that transform old uniforms into medicine pouches and worn in-flight blankets into bags for hot water bottles. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 17:26:10

Hyundai, Kia October sales fall in Europe despite market growth SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor and Kia reported lower vehicle sales in Europe in October even as the regional market expanded, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The two automakers sold a combined 81,540 vehicles last month, down 1.4 percent from a year earlier. Hyundai’s sales slipped 1.4 percent to 41,137 units, while Kia posted a 2 percent decline to 40,403 units. Their combined market share fell to 7.5 percent, a drop of 0.5 percentage points from a year ago. Hyundai’s share eased to 3.8 percent, down 0.2 points, and Kia’s declined 0.3 points to 3.7 percent. The overall European market, however, grew 4.9 percent to 1,091,904 units. Hyundai’s top performers included the Tucson (9,959 units), Kona (6,717), and i10 (3,877). Kia’s bestsellers were the Sportage (11,960), Ceed (6,271), and EV3 (5,463). In the eco-friendly segment, Hyundai sold 6,536 units of the Tucson, 5,275 of the Kona, and 2,704 of the Casper Electric. Kia’s EV3 led its green lineup with 5,463 units, followed by the Niro at 3,635 and the EV4 at 1,410. From January to October, Hyundai and Kia’s cumulative European sales fell 2.8 percent to 879,479 units. Hyundai sold 443,364 vehicles during the period, down 1.5 percent, while Kia’s total dropped 4.1 percent to 436,115. Their combined market share for the first 10 months stood at 8 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from a year earlier. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 15:09:36

Kia's EV6 GT outperforms Model Y, Polestar 4 in German magazine's comparison test SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Kia’s high-performance EV6 GT has topped a comparative test by German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport, outperforming Tesla’s Model Y and the Polestar 4, the company said Tuesday. The publication, one of Germany’s most influential auto outlets, assessed the three models across seven categories: body, safety, comfort, powertrain, driving performance, environmental performance, and cost. The EV6 GT scored 597 points overall, ahead of the Model Y’s 574 points and the Polestar 4’s 550. Kia’s flagship EV delivered particularly strong results in the powertrain and driving performance categories, which examine output, acceleration, dynamics and handling. The EV6 GT delivers up to 448 kW — rising to 478 kW with launch control — outpacing the Model Y’s 378 kW and the Polestar 4’s 400 kW. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, beating the Model Y’s 5 seconds and the Polestar 4’s 3.8 seconds. Mid-range acceleration was also a standout: the EV6 GT reached 62 mph from 37 mph in 1.5 seconds, faster than both rivals. The model also led the safety category, posting the shortest braking distance from 62 mph at 33.6 meters. The Model Y recorded 36.1 meters and the Polestar 4 stopped at 37.1 meters. “We are pleased that the EV6 GT performed so strongly against established competitors in a respected German publication,” a Kia spokesperson said. “We will continue expanding our EV lineup to deliver new electrification experiences to our customers.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 10:13:20

South Korea's Hanjin expands support for US veterans SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanjin Group marked Veterans Day this year by reaffirming its support for Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a nonprofit that assists wounded and ill service members and their families. The company said Wednesday it hosted a ceremony on Nov. 12 to pledge continued backing for the organization. The event drew Hanjin President Cho Hyun-min, Chief Executive Noh Sam-seok, senior leaders from the fund and a group of Vietnam War veterans. The company said the gathering is an effort to honor its decades-long connection with the U.S. military, dating to the 1960s when Hanjin’s predecessor handled logistics operations for American forces during the Vietnam War. This year’s donation will go toward foldable electric tricycles intended to improve mobility for elderly veterans. Hanjin and the fund plan to work together to identify recipients for future aid programs. This follows a similar outreach effort in September, when Hanjin donated computers, books and scholarships to a school in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, to support students from low-income families. “As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we are reflecting on our origins and trying to build bridges between the past, present and future,” the company said in a press release. “As a global logistics provider, we remain committed to supporting communities and advancing human welfare wherever we operate.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 10:18:20

Hyundai Motor Group bets big on driverless cars, humanoid robots SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group is making one of the most aggressive wagers yet on artificial intelligence in the global auto industry, unveiling plans to spend roughly 51 trillion won — about $38 billion — in the coming years to build an AI-driven manufacturing ecosystem centered on autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. The investment, stretching from 2026 to 2030, signals the company’s belief that the automobile is rapidly evolving from a machine designed for transport into a mobile platform that reshapes how people use their time. At the same time, Hyundai is betting that factories — long optimized for speed and cost — will soon need to operate with a level of autonomy that mirrors the vehicles they produce. “Our mid- to long-term goal is to establish AI infrastructure and an advanced AI robotics value chain to transform the automotive industry,” a Hyundai official said. A cornerstone of Hyundai’s plan is a high-power AI data center capable of processing the staggering volumes of information produced by autonomous vehicles and physical robots. This facility will store petabyte-scale datasets and train models that must continuously interpret a shifting world: road conditions, human behavior, mechanical wear, and countless other variables. The company is also building what it calls a “Physical AI Application Center,” designed as a proving ground where robots can be tested for safety and reliability before being deployed to industrial settings. Hyundai says this will support a new business in customized robots and AI-based manufacturing services — including foundry operations and tailored machine designs. The move comes as South Korea — despite its strengths in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing — lacks dedicated research hubs in physical AI. That gap has left Hyundai trailing competitors in the United States and China, where companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai but still U.S.-based in origin, and several Chinese EV makers are racing ahead on autonomous driving and humanoid robotics. Hyundai argues that building out AI infrastructure is no longer optional. Autonomous vehicles rely on dense networks of cameras, sensors, and high-precision maps to make rapid decisions in unpredictable environments. In factories, humanoid robots must identify hazards in real time and adapt to complex work routines once reserved only for humans. The company says the long-term goal is to collapse the boundaries between Hyundai’s products and the factories that build them. In this vision, autonomous cars and factory robots feed data into shared AI systems that optimize not only manufacturing but the vehicles’ own performance on the road. It is a sweeping reimagination of the auto business — one in which software and physical intelligence drive value, and where the factory floor becomes as important as the showroom. “Integrating vehicles and factories into a single intelligent ecosystem is essential for the future of mobility,” a company representative said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 09:23:33

Hanwha Aerospace takes command of Korea's first privately led rocket launch SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for the launch of its fourth Nuri rocket on Nov. 27, a milestone that marks the country’s transition from government-led space projects to a growing private-sector ecosystem. Officials say the shift is expected to open new export opportunities for domestic defense and aerospace companies as global demand for launch services accelerates. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the rocket is scheduled to lift off between 00:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. For the first time, the mission will be led not by the government but by Hanwha Aerospace, underscoring the private sector’s expanding role in South Korea’s space ambitions. The upcoming mission features major upgrades from the third launch, including a payload increase to 960 kilograms. Nuri will carry the next-generation satellite along with 12 CubeSats from universities, research institutions and private firms. Engineers have also modified the rocket to carry more satellites, reduce vibration and broaden camera coverage. Hanwha Aerospace — working with more than 300 companies, including Korea Aerospace Industries and Hancom InSpace — is at the center of efforts to build a domestic launch-vehicle supply chain. “We aim to lead the private space economy by securing core technologies and operational know-how through the fourth to sixth launches,” a company official said. The commercial potential is substantial. McKinsey & Company forecasts the global space industry will surge from $600 billion in 2023 to $2 trillion by 2035, driven by satellite services, launch demand and new applications in communications and defense. Industry analysts say South Korea must establish a competitive value chain to capture a share of that growth, citing the cost-cutting achievements of SpaceX and Blue Origin as models. Defense officials view Nuri’s fourth flight as a critical test of South Korea’s ability to secure a foothold in the commercial launch market. “This year marks the beginning of the private space economy,” one industry insider said. “Hanwha Aerospace and domestic defense companies are positioning themselves to push Korea into the next space age.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-17 09:59:35

BMW overtakes Tesla as top-selling imported car brand in South Korea SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - BMW has overtaken Tesla to become South Korea’s best-selling imported car brand, as demand for foreign-made vehicles continued to rise this year despite a slowdown in October sales. According to data released Wednesday by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), registrations of new imported passenger cars totaled 24,064 in October, up 13.2 percent from a year earlier. The figure, however, marked a 26.7 percent decline from September’s 32,834 units, a drop attributed largely to fewer business days due to the long Chuseok holiday period. Cumulative sales from January through October reached 249,412 vehicles, a 15.5 percent increase from the same period last year. BMW led the pack with 6,177 units sold in October, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 5,838 and Tesla with 4,350. The top 10 brands also included Volvo, Lexus, BYD, Toyota, Audi, Mini, and Porsche — underscoring the continued dominance of European automakers in the market. The Tesla Model Y Long Range was October’s best-selling individual model, with 2,424 units sold, trailed by the Mercedes-Benz E 200 and the BMW 520. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-05 11:10:55