South Korea's stock market cap jumps 76 percent in 2025 SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s stock market capitalization surged nearly 80 percent over the past year, propelled by sharp gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Total market capitalization rose by 1,718 trillion won ($1.3 trillion) to 3,972 trillion won at the start of this year, from 2,254 trillion won a year earlier, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the Korea CXO Institute. The rally also broadened the ranks of large-cap stocks. The number of listed companies with market capitalizations exceeding 1 trillion won climbed by 88 over the year to 318, up from 236 in the first quarter of last year. Samsung Electronics recorded the largest increase in market value, adding more than 440 trillion won to reach about 760 trillion won at the start of this year, compared with 318 trillion won a year earlier. SK hynix followed closely, with its market capitalization rising by more than 360 trillion won to 492 trillion won from 124 trillion won. Together, the two semiconductor giants accounted for a substantial share of the broader market’s gains. Several other companies also posted sizable increases. SK Square added about 41 trillion won in market value, while Doosan Enerbility rose by roughly 37 trillion won. Hanwha Aerospace, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean each recorded gains exceeding 20 trillion won over the period. Oh Il-seon, head of the Korea CXO Institute, said the market’s resilience in the face of lingering global uncertainties reflected investors’ early pricing of expectations for artificial intelligence-driven growth and a cyclical rebound in semiconductors. 2026-01-14 08:43:46

[[CES 2026]] LG Innotek showcases autonomous driving, EV solutions LAS VEGAS, January 06 (AJP) - South Korea's LG Innotek unveiled future mobility solutions combining autonomous-driving and electric-vehicle technologies at CES 2026, the world’s largest technology trade show, on Tuesday. Exhibiting at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the components maker gave a preview to South Korean reporters one day before the show opened. The company set up a roughly 330 square-meter booth near the entrance of the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center. LG Innotek centered its exhibition on mobility, highlighting next-generation convergence solutions for the “AI-defined vehicle” era. The company displayed a concept mock-up for autonomous driving, moving beyond a parts-only showcase to present integrated solutions combining hardware and software. The mock-up features 16 advanced driver-assistance system components, including cameras, LiDAR and radar. A key highlight was a fusion sensing solution that integrates multiple sensing functions into a single camera module. LG Innotek demonstrated a camera combining heating and active-cleaning functions, with a cleaning module capable of removing moisture or dust from the lens in about one second. The company said the system, combined with its in-house software, improves sensing performance for autonomous driving. The company also showcased an ultra-compact LiDAR developed in collaboration with U.S. sensor firm Aeva. The LiDAR can detect objects at distances of up to 200 meters, addressing limitations of camera-based sensing. Visitors were able to experience the sensing performance from a test seat designed to simulate a vehicle ride. In-cabin technologies were also on display, including a next-generation under-display camera module, which LG Innotek said was shown for the first time at CES. Installed behind an instrument panel, the module uses AI-based image restoration to enable facial recognition without obstructing the display, while also supporting dual cabin recording during driving. The company also presented a separate electric-vehicle-focused mock-up, displaying 15 electronic components including an 800-volt wireless battery management system and its “B-Link” solution, which integrates a battery and junction box to improve weight reduction and system integration. “This CES is a place to seek new business opportunities in autonomous driving and EVs,” Chief Executive Officer Moon Hyuk-soo said. 2026-01-06 08:55:55

Samsung unveils Exynos 2600 chip, expected to power Galaxy S26 series SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics on Friday unveiled its Exynos 2600 mobile application processor, a chip widely expected to power the company’s next flagship Galaxy smartphone lineup, set for release early next year. According to Samsung Electronics’ website, the Exynos 2600 was designed by Samsung’s System LSI Business and manufactured by Samsung Foundry, both part of the company’s Device Solutions (DS) division. The chip is produced using a 2-nanometer process incorporating gate-all-around (GAA) transistor technology. An application processor serves as the primary computing chip in smartphones, handling tasks ranging from system operations to artificial intelligence workloads. Industry watchers view the Exynos 2600 as a likely candidate for the Galaxy S26 series, although Samsung has not formally confirmed this. Samsung lists the Exynos 2600’s status as “mass production” on its website, a designation generally interpreted as indicating that manufacturing yields have reached a level suitable for large-scale output. The company said the Exynos 2600 is the first mobile system-on-a-chip in the industry to incorporate a heat pass block, a technology designed to reduce thermal resistance by up to 16 percent and maintain stable internal temperatures under heavy workloads. Built on the latest Arm architecture, the deca-core central processing unit delivers up to 39 percent higher computing performance compared with its predecessor, the Exynos 2500, Samsung officials said. The chip also features a more powerful neural processing unit, boosting generative artificial intelligence performance by 113 percent. 2025-12-19 13:53:06

Samsung Tri-Fold sells out in Korea despite hefty price SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The priciest handset-to-date Galaxy Z Tri-Fold landed across South Korea on Friday with much fanfare, selling out on the day one as consumers lined up to try the new concept phone whose dual display wings unfold into a 10-inch tablet-like screen. The device debuted through Samsung.com and 20 stores nationwide, including Samsung Gangnam, where initial online inventory sold out almost immediately, leaving only restock notifications available. The Galaxy Z Tri-Fold adopts an “in-folding” structure that allows both sides of the screen to fold inward, converting between a compact 6.5-inch bar-type display and a 10-inch tablet-like screen. When fully opened, the device measures just 3.9 millimeters thick — the slimmest profile in the Galaxy Z lineup — and houses a 5,600mAh battery distributed across three cells to balance weight and maintain durability. It supports up to 45W fast charging. Samsung equipped the device with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same chipset used in the Galaxy Z Fold7, along with a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera to enhance shooting, editing, and multitasking performance. The model comes with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage in a single “Crafted Black” configuration. Priced at 3.59 million won ($2,500), the Tri-Fold is Samsung’s most expensive foldable to date — even higher than Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB, which sells for 3.19 million won. Samsung executives argue the new device reflects a leap in foldable engineering since the company introduced its first model in 2019. After its domestic rollout, the Tri-Fold will expand to China, Taiwan, Singapore, the UAE, and the United States as Samsung seeks to widen its global footprint in an increasingly competitive category. Samsung foldable fleet led by Galaxy Z7 series has made remarkable strides this year, expanding the market share to 64 percent. 2025-12-12 14:32:08

INTERVIEW: China's Roborock challenges Samsung, LG with high-end robot vacuums SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - Roborock is upending South Korea’s home appliance market — long dominated by Samsung and LG — by rapidly expanding its foothold with high-end robot vacuums. Priced at around 2 million won ($1,370), the company’s premium models have won over consumers and helped propel the robot vacuum segment to a 1 trillion won market. Roborock’s strategy of moving beyond cleaning into full home automation is setting a new benchmark for the industry. Since entering South Korea in 2020, Roborock has held the No. 1 market share for three straight years beginning in 2022. The company plans to release new technology-driven products next year as it seeks to widen its lead. “Our mission is to lead the industry through annual technological innovations amid accelerating global competition,” Dan Cham, Roborock’s Asia-Pacific Marketing Head, told Aju Business Daily on Dec. 3. “We aim to drive continuous growth under our motto, ‘A brand that surpasses itself through innovation.’” Cham described Roborock as a technology-centered company founded in 2014 by engineers from Microsoft, Intel and Baidu. “Over 50 percent of our staff are engineers, and we invest more than 7 percent of annual revenue into R&D,” he said. The company develops smart robot vacuums, wet-dry vacuums and other home devices. Roborock entered South Korea in November 2020, and by 2022 captured more than half of the local market share. Cham said the company intends to further strengthen its brand presence through continuous innovation. On competition with domestic manufacturers, Cham said market expansion is a positive sign. “Competition accelerates technological advancement,” he said. Roborock tailors its products to local needs and has maintained global leadership for 10 consecutive quarters. The company is also expanding consumer touchpoints through pop-up stores and promotional events that allow customers to test its technologies firsthand. With more brands entering the sector — many offering low-cost devices under 600,000 won — Roborock is doubling down on premium offerings such as its “S Series.” The flagship Saros Z70 features high-end performance and an “Omnigrip” robotic arm capable of lifting objects weighing up to 300 grams, enabling basic tidying functions beyond vacuuming. “This extends beyond cleaning to organizing, opening new possibilities for home automation,” Cham said. “We will continue introducing premium innovations across a range of price points.” Cham expects competition to sharpen around automation capabilities. Roborock last year launched its “AdaptLift Chassis,” enabling robot vacuums to climb thresholds up to 4 centimeters. Its devices can also perform self-cleaning and self-maintenance functions. “We will continue investing in technology to provide advanced smart home products,” he said. Cham highlighted a continued focus on robotic arm features, adaptive height adjustment and software reliability. “We have industry-leading algorithms,” he said, adding that the company will enhance compatibility with major platforms such as Apple Home and Google Home. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 09:08:02

India's Mukesh Ambani to visit Korea for meeting with Lee Jae-yong SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Mukesh Ambani, chairman of India’s Reliance Group known as Asia’s wealthiest individual, is scheduled to visit South Korea next week for discussions on artificial intelligence and next-generation communications technology with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Industry sources said Ambani will arrive on Nov. 25 for a two-day visit accompanied by his son, Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm. The trip will include a tour of Samsung’s Suwon complex and a dinner meeting with Lee. The two sides are expected to explore deeper cooperation in AI data centers and the development of 6G technologies, areas where both companies have been accelerating investment. Reliance Group has diversified businesses spanning telecommunications, petrochemicals, steel, finance and retail. Ambani’s personal wealth is estimated at about $80 billion, securing his position as Asia’s richest individual. Reliance Jio, India’s largest mobile operator, is rolling out a nationwide 5G network while advancing early 6G research and expanding its AI infrastructure — moves that have fueled expectations of closer collaboration with Samsung. Lee, who has stepped up engagement with global tech leaders including Nvidia, Tesla and Meta, is seen as eager to strengthen Samsung’s AI and telecom footprint in India through its ties with Reliance. The Samsung chief has maintained close personal relations with the Ambani family and was the only South Korean business leader invited to the weddings of Ambani’s children, including the youngest son’s ceremony last year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 14:39:09

Mercedes-Benz chief visits Seoul to discuss deepening ties with LG, Samsung SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, is set to meet with top South Korean corporate leaders in Seoul this week as the German automaker looks to expand partnerships in next-generation automotive technologies. Källenius’s visit highlights Mercedes-Benz’s strategic push to strengthen its supply chain and technology partnerships in Asia — particularly in South Korea, home to some of the world’s leading suppliers of batteries, displays, and high-performance chips essential to the future of mobility. Källenius will hold talks with senior executives from LG Group on Thursday at the company’s headquarters in Seoul, according to the group. The discussions are expected to center on collaboration in automotive electronics and software-defined vehicles, or SDVs — the emerging class of cars whose functions are increasingly controlled by software. Attending from LG will be Chief Executive Cho Joo-wan of LG Electronics, Kim Dong-myung of LG Energy Solution, Jeong Cheol-dong of LG Display, and Moon Hyuk-soo of LG Innotek. The companies are likely to discuss the supply of batteries, displays, sensors, and other key components that could underpin Mercedes-Benz’s future electric and digital vehicle platforms. Källenius last met with LG leaders about 18 months ago at a private “Tech Day” in Germany, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation. Following that meeting, he wrote on social media that Mercedes-Benz aimed “to deliver exceptional digital product experiences” and was “confident in setting new standards with LG as a strong partner.” The Mercedes-Benz chairman’s visit underscores the growing importance of South Korean technology companies in the global auto industry’s transition to electric and software-driven vehicles. In addition to his meetings with LG, Källenius is scheduled to meet Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong to explore opportunities in automotive semiconductors, batteries, and display technologies. Samsung SDI President Choi Joo-sun and Samsung Display President Lee Cheong are also expected to attend. He is also expected to meet Cho Hyun-sang, vice chairman of HS Hyosung, which operates HS Hyosung The Class, an official Mercedes-Benz dealer in South Korea. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 15:44:17

OPINION: Debates over raising retirement age emerge as South Korea becomes super-aged society SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - With South Korea now officially a "super-aged society," concerns are mounting over how to secure stable income for its rapidly growing elderly population. This has reignited discussions about further raising the retirement age, a decade after it was last set at 60 in 2013. Proposals to raise the retirement age to 65 have sparked mixed reactions, exposing generational and social divides over how and when such changes should take effect. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) aims to pass a bill this year to gradually raise the retirement age from 60 to 65, sparking heated debate as labor unions call for a unified implementation while employers voice concerns over rising labor costs. Major labor unions want the extension without wage cuts, as it is intended to help secure stable income for skilled senior workers. Employers, on the other hand, fear that raising the retirement age could increase labor costs and reduce employment opportunities for younger workers. With more older employees remaining in the workforce, companies may cut back on new hires to manage costs, which could disadvantage young job seekers. Statistical data reflect these concerns. The proportion of workers in their 20s among new hires has declined from 51.4 percent in the first quarter of 2022 to 46.9 percent during the same period this year, remaining below 50 percent for eight straight quarters. Employment for those aged 15 to 29, which peaked with an increase of 119,000 in 2022, fell by 144,000 last year. Small businesses, whose labor costs account for 18.1 percent of total sales, compared with 9.4 percent for large companies, face a heavier financial burden. Extending the retirement age without adequate preparation could generate friction among generations, labor unions, and employers. Such a change is more than a numerical adjustment, requiring careful consideration of multiple factors including business conditions, hiring capacity, wage structures, and opportunities for younger workers. Amid the country's ultra-low birthrates and aging population, delaying retirement is becoming increasingly inevitable. However, policies implemented hastily could lead to unintended consequences. It is crucial to reconcile the differing views of labor and management and build broad social consensus. With the labor market rapidly evolving in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), various forms of employment including remote work, part-time or reduced-hour work, and other flexible arrangements should be considered. Rather than fixating on setting the retirement age at 65, what matters is providing work opportunities for those who wish to continue working to maintain a steady income after retirement. The government, labor, and management should work together to ensure that extending the retirement age neither curtails opportunities for young workers nor burdens small businesses. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 10:20:10

After APEC glow, Korean businesses confront hard reality of 'regulatory bomb' SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Just days after South Korea wrapped up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and concluded tariff negotiations with the United States, the nation’s business community is facing a surge of new domestic regulations — a shift that many executives describe as abrupt and burdensome. The government and the ruling party are moving quickly to advance legislation that would raise the retirement age to 65, accelerate national greenhouse gas reduction targets, and curb industrial energy consumption. Business groups say the measures could stifle competitiveness and investment. “It’s like a regulatory bomb has been dropped right after the APEC summit,” said one executive at a major conglomerate on condition of anonymity. “The mood changed overnight.” During the APEC summit, some of South Korea’s largest corporations — including Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and LG — played visible roles in supporting President Lee Jae Myung’s diplomatic agenda. Executives joined U.S. investment discussions and shipbuilding cooperation talks, aligning their business strategies with the government’s foreign policy push. But less than a week after the summit, many are now grappling with proposals that they say could weigh heavily on growth. The ruling Democratic Party’s plan to finalize the legislation for the retirement age extension by the end of the year has drawn particular criticism. Companies warn that such a move could further strain hiring for younger workers and deepen labor market polarization. The government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60 percent by 2035 has also raised alarm among manufacturers, who argue that the target overlooks worsening economic conditions, including oversupply from China and sluggish domestic demand. Adding to the unease is a proposal to cut industrial energy consumption by 0.1 percent over the next five years — a goal businesses say clashes with the surging electricity needs of data centers, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor plants. “Rather than simply extending the retirement age, it would be more effective to strengthen reemployment systems tied to wage and productivity adjustments,” said Kim Sang-bong, an economics professor at Hansung University. “The government should listen to industry concerns and refine these policies through cooperation, not confrontation.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-07 14:09:04

Samsung Electronics acquires German heating, air conditioning firm SEOUL, November 06 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that it had completed its acquisition of FlaktGroup, a German heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company, in a move to strengthen its presence in industrial solutions. FlaktGroup, founded more than a century ago, is one of Europe’s largest HVAC companies, supplying central air-conditioning and precision cooling systems for data centers, hospitals and large commercial buildings across more than 65 countries. The company operates over 10 manufacturing sites and manages subsidiaries such as Woods, SEMCO and SE-Elektronic, which specialize in ventilation, air-conditioning and building control technologies. Samsung did not disclose the financial terms of the deal but said it plans to keep the Flakt brand intact, allowing the German company’s management and workforce to continue operating independently. The acquisition signals Samsung’s intent to make HVAC systems a key driver of growth in its business-to-business portfolio. By integrating Flakt’s engineering expertise and global network with Samsung’s AI-powered SmartThings Pro building management platform, the company said it aims to offer more energy-efficient and intelligent solutions for industrial and commercial clients. “The acquisition of Flakt is a strategic decision for Samsung to lead the global HVAC market and provide innovative solutions to customers,” said Noh Tae-moon, acting head of Samsung’s DX division, in a statement. “By combining Flakt’s technology with Samsung’s AI platform, we aim to become an industry leader in the global HVAC market.” The move also positions Samsung to tap into the surging demand for precision cooling systems in hyperscale data centers — a sector growing rapidly as advances in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and telecommunications drive the need for more energy-efficient thermal management. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-06 10:13:11