Journalist

Lee Hyo jung
  • INTERVIEW: Chinas Roborock challenges Samsung, LG with high-end robot vacuums
    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
  • Indias Mukesh Ambani to visit Korea for meeting with Lee Jae-yong
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
  • Korea showcases its chipmaking future at SEDEX 2025
    Korea showcases its chipmaking future at SEDEX 2025 SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korea opened its largest semiconductor exhibition on Wednesday, bringing together industry leaders, engineers, and policymakers. The Semiconductor Expo, or SEDEX 2025, runs through Friday at COEX in Seoul and features more than 280 companies — including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Jusung Engineering, Dongjin Semichem, PSK, and Wonik — across more than 700 booths. Organizers expect roughly 60,000 visitors over the three-day event. This year’s exhibition focuses on how the industry can push technological boundaries and strengthen collaboration across the semiconductor ecosystem in the age of artificial intelligence. Samsung Electronics is highlighting its newest high-bandwidth memory, the HBM4, along with the Exynos 2600 mobile application processor built with cutting-edge 2-nanometer technology. SK hynix is presenting its own lineup of AI memory solutions, including HBM4, high-capacity DDR5, Compute Express Link (CXL) modules, and high-performance enterprise solid-state drives. Keynote speakers include Song Jae-hyuk, Samsung’s chief technology officer and head of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, and Sung Yun-mo, a former industry and energy minister and now a professor at Chung-Ang University. “SEDEX 2025 showcases the relentless innovation of Korea’s semiconductor companies,” said Kim Jeong-hoi, vice chairman of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association. “The collaboration and creativity on display here reflect the future direction of our industry.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 14:18:38
  • Epson unveils new Lifestudio projectors to tap booming home entertainment market
    Epson unveils new 'Lifestudio' projectors to tap booming home entertainment market SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Epson introduced a new line of home projectors on Tuesday, betting that South Korea’s growing appetite for streaming and large-screen entertainment will help sustain demand for high-end home viewing devices. At a press event in Seoul, Jun Morohoshi, head of Epson Korea, announced the launch of the Lifestudio Series, which features nine new projector models designed to blend functionality with lifestyle appeal. “South Korea is a key market with growing demand for OTT services and home entertainment,” Morohoshi said. “We aim to usher in a new era of home projectors with our latest products.” The Lifestudio brand, Epson’s latest push in the home entertainment sector, seeks to position projectors not merely as display tools but as central lifestyle devices. The domestic projector market — which surged during the pandemic as consumers spent more time at home — is regaining momentum with the expansion of streaming services and a renewed preference for cinematic viewing experiences. Epson currently holds a 51.7 percent share of the global projector market, maintaining the top spot for 24 consecutive years, and leads in South Korea with a 42 percent share, according to company data. The new Lifestudio Series includes both compact mini projectors and ultra-short-throw models, available in five colors with adjustable stands. A key feature of the lineup is Epson’s new Triple Core Engine technology, which provides enhanced brightness and color accuracy. The system broadens the visible color spectrum while minimizing brightness loss, producing vivid and realistic images even in well-lit environments. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 14:04:33
  • Posco International opens EV material plant in Poland
    Posco International opens EV material plant in Poland SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Posco International has opened a new factory in Poland to produce drive motor cores, a critical component for electric vehicles. The plant, located on a 100,000-square-meter site, will begin trial production this month, with full-scale operations scheduled for December. Drive motor cores, often described as the “heart” of an electric vehicle, form the core of the motor that powers the car. Posco International’s version incorporates non-oriented electrical steel made by its parent, Posco Group, and the company’s own Emfree technology, designed to boost energy efficiency while reducing noise and vibration. The Polish plant will have capacity to produce 1.2 million drive motor cores annually, enabling the company to supply parts for Hyundai and Kia vehicles built in Europe, with plans to expand to automakers including Volkswagen. By 2030, Posco International expects its facilities in South Korea, Mexico, Poland and India to collectively supply cores for 7.5 million vehicles a year. The company has already secured contracts to provide drive motor cores for 35 million vehicles through 2033. It is targeting a 10 percent share of the global market for the component by the end of the decade. Revenue from the business is forecast to rise from 450 billion won this year to 1.5 trillion won by 2030. “The Polish plant is a key base for capturing the European EV market,” Lee Gye-in, president of Posco International, said in a statement. “Posco Group will lead the future mobility market with its integrated capabilities in EV steel, battery materials and components.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-02 10:13:41
  • Chipmaking Team Korea joins OpenAIs $500 Billion AI initiative
    Chipmaking Team Korea joins OpenAI's $500 Billion AI initiative SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s chipmaking giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have signed a preliminary agreement with OpenAI to join the $500 billion “Stargate” initiative aimed at proliferating next-generation AI data centers worldwide. Under the letter of intent, Samsung and SK hynix are prepared to commit as much as 8 trillion won ($6 billion) a month to the project, which is co-led by SoftBank and Oracle. The partnership extends beyond memory supply to include affiliates Samsung SDS, Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, and SK Telecom. The Korean suppliers will provide high-performance, low-power semiconductors such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Samsung Electronics, the world’s top memory maker, has the capacity to produce up to 650,000 wafers monthly, while SK hynix dominates the HBM market as the chief supplier to Nvidia. OpenAI has requested a monthly supply of up to 900,000 DRAM wafers—more than double the world’s current HBM output capacity. If finalized, the deal would mark the largest semiconductor contract in South Korean history. The agreement was signed by Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at SK’s Seorin headquarters in central Seoul. Altman is expected to return later this month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, joining Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook. President Lee Jae-myung also met with Altman on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation in AI transformation and ecosystem development. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-01 21:38:58