Journalist

Kim Na-yoon
  • E1 Chairman Koo Ja-yong Takes Office as Head of Korea Invention Promotion Association
    E1 Chairman Koo Ja-yong Takes Office as Head of Korea Invention Promotion Association Koo Ja-yong, chairman of E1, took office Thursday as the 21st chairman of the Korea Invention Promotion Association, an affiliate of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. At an inauguration ceremony at the Korea Intellectual Property Center in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Koo said he has “personally experienced how good ideas in the corporate field become new technologies and lead to national competitiveness.” He said he would “actively communicate with the field” based on 47 years of management experience and be “a reliable partner” so the association’s executives and staff can fully demonstrate their capabilities. The Korea Invention Promotion Association is a public institution specializing in intellectual property, established in 1973. It runs programs including invention education, strengthening companies’ intellectual property capabilities, startup support and intellectual property finance. Koo’s appointment also extends ties between the association and the LG and LS groups. Koo Ja-kyung, honorary chairman of LG Group, previously led the Korea Patent Association, the predecessor to the Korea Invention Promotion Association, and Koo Ja-yeol, chairman of LS Corp.’s board, has also served as chairman of the association.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-19 10:03:32
  • SK hynix eyes US ADR listing
    SK hynix eyes US ADR listing SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - SK hynix is considering a U.S. stock-market listing in a bid to woo global investors, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said on Monday. Choi, who is currently attending Nvidia's annual GTC conference in San Jose, told reporters, "We are reviewing a listing via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to expand the company's investor base." ADRs allow non-U.S. companies to trade their shares on U.S. stock exchanges through depositary banks rather than by listing shares directly, making it easier for investors to purchase foreign stocks. Global chipmakers such as Taiwan's TSMC, use ADRs to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and attract international investors. Chey's remarks appear to be part of efforts to raise SK hynix's profile among global investors, as the chipmaker's valuation remains relatively low despite its leading position in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, a key component used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, compared with global rivals such as Micron. It is nothing new, as SK Hynix has previously said on several occasions that it is exploring ways to enhance corporate value including a potential U.S. listing. Chey warned of sharp swings in DRAM prices due to surging AI demand and pledged that the company will soon come up with measures to stabilize them. At this year's GTC, which brings together industry leaders and developers to discuss the latest technological trends and runs until Thursday, SK hynix unveiled the world's first 16-layer stack of its sixth-generation HBM, known as HBM4, along with other next-generation memory solutions, showcasing its partnership with Nvidia. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited SK Hynix's booth while discussing cooperation with Chey, under their so-called "HBM alliance." 2026-03-17 16:08:55
  • SK chief to attend at Nvidias annual AI conference in San Jose
    SK chief to attend at Nvidia's annual AI conference in San Jose SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won will attend Nvidia's annual GTC conference for the first time slated to be held in the U.S. later this month, according to industry officials. Chey is expected to meet Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the conference to be held from March 16 to 19 in San Jose, where industry leaders, developers, and researchers convene to discuss the latest technological trends. Chey is likely to discuss broader cooperation on AI infrastructure and relevant issues with Huang, with their meeting coming about a month after their "chicken-and-beer" dinner in the U.S. GTC, held annually, focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and computing, while also covering innovations in robotics and autonomous driving. Industry attention is especially high for this year's gathering, with anticipation for Nvidia's unveiling of its next-generation AI accelerator platform, "Vera Rubin." The accelerator is expected to use sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4), which is expected to foster partnerships with memory-chip makers including SK hynix. Nvidia is reportedly to have allocated over 60 percent of its HBM4 production for Vera Rubin to SK hynix, with the South Korean memory giant slated to present AI memory technologies and solutions it is developing with Nvidia. 2026-03-05 10:05:27
  • South Koreas Lee orders emergency readiness during Singapore, Philippines trip
    South Korea's Lee orders emergency readiness during Singapore, Philippines trip SEOUL, March 01 (AJP)-South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Sunday for a four-day state visit to Singapore and the Philippines, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advanced industries and strategic sectors. Lee left Seoul Air Base following his attendance at the 107th Independence Movement Day ceremony earlier in the day. He was accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung aboard the presidential aircraft. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae, Floor Leader Han Byung-do, and Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung were among officials who saw the presidential couple off. In Singapore on Monday, Lee is scheduled to hold a summit and official luncheon with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Discussions are expected to center on expanding bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing and nuclear energy — sectors identified by both governments as key future growth engines. Lee will also meet Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attend a state banquet. As part of the visit, he is set to participate in the “AI Connect Summit,” a forum designed to promote exchanges between Korean and Singaporean AI industry leaders and researchers. On Tuesday, Lee will travel to Manila for talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., where discussions are expected to include economic cooperation, supply chain resilience and regional security. The Philippines and Singapore will serve as ASEAN chair this year and next, respectively, adding strategic weight to Lee’s first Southeast Asian trip of the year. Ahead of departure, Lee posted on X that “the Korean people hold special affection for ASEAN,” emphasizing that Korea and Southeast Asia “have grown together over many years based on deep trust and friendship.” He expressed hope to visit all ASEAN member states in the coming years and looked ahead to meeting regional leaders again at the 2029 Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. “Korea will always stand with ASEAN as a partner for growth and innovation, a supporter of dreams and aspirations, and a pillar of peace and stability,” Lee wrote. He also posted the message in English. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said the trip is expected to produce “tangible outcomes” in strategic cooperation areas and enhance coordination on the international stage. Aides said Lee will continue to receive real-time briefings during the trip on developments in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The escalating situation has raised concerns over potential energy and economic impacts on Korea, particularly given the country’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil imports and major shipping routes through the region. Lee is expected to remain closely engaged with security and economic officials while abroad, the presidential office said. 2026-03-01 14:08:08
  • Samsung to unveil Galaxy S26 at unpacked event in San Francisco on Feb. 25
    Samsung to unveil Galaxy S26 at unpacked event in San Francisco on Feb. 25 SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will unveil its flagship Galaxy S26 smartphone series later this month, with the launch event set to take place in San Francisco. The company will hold its “Galaxy Unpacked 2026” event at 10 a.m. local time on Feb. 25, corresponding to 3 a.m. on Feb. 26 in South Korea. Samsung is expected to highlight enhanced artificial intelligence features. A 17-second invitation video released by the company shows a Galaxy AI-themed icon emerging from a box, signaling a focus on AI-powered capabilities in the new devices. The event will be livestreamed through Samsung’s official website, its Newsroom platform and the company’s YouTube channel. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-11 13:52:02
  • Korean firms post strong sales growth in North America despite US tariffs
    Korean firms post strong sales growth in North America despite US tariffs SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Major South Korean companies recorded double-digit growth in North American sales last year despite higher U.S. tariffs, with technology and power equipment firms leading gains, according to corporate data released on Monday. North American revenue at 67 South Korean companies that separately disclose sales results in the region, along with 194 subsidiaries, reached 343.8 trillion won as of the third quarter of last year, up 14.1 percent from 301.2 trillion won a year earlier, according to corporate tracker Leaders Index. The increase outpaced overall revenue growth of 8 percent over the same period, with total sales rising to 1,110.5 trillion won. As a result, North America’s share of total revenue climbed to 31 percent from 29.3 percent a year earlier. Technology and electronics companies recorded the strongest expansion, with North American sales rising 20.7 percent to 157.9 trillion won. Memory chipmaker SK hynix posted a 65.5 percent jump in regional sales to 45.2 trillion won, lifting North America’s share of its total revenue to more than 70 percent. Samsung Electronics reported a 10.2 percent increase in North American sales to 93.3 trillion won, while LG Electronics recorded a slight 0.3 percent decline to 16.9 trillion won. Power equipment makers also benefited from rising electricity demand linked to artificial intelligence data centers and grid expansion. Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric posted North American sales growth of 52.9 percent and 84.8 percent, respectively. In contrast, growth was muted in the automotive sector, where tariffs have weighed on trade flows. Combined North American sales rose marginally to 126.6 trillion won from 126.3 trillion won, while the region’s share of total auto revenue fell to 39.3 percent from 43.6 percent. Hyundai Motor’s North American sales increased to 62.2 trillion won from 57.4 trillion won, while Kia’s rose to 38.2 trillion won from 35.6 trillion won. The battery sector saw declining sales in the region. Samsung SDI’s North American revenue dropped more than 40 percent to 2.46 trillion won, while POSCO Future M recorded a 27.6 percent decline to 782.3 billion won. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-10 10:01:56
  • Hundreds of fat cats at major businesses to face axe in 1st half
    Hundreds of fat cats at major businesses to face axe in 1st half SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - Nearly half of outside directors at major businesses in South Korea will see their terms expire in the first half of this year, a study shows. Corporate tracker Korea CXO Institute surveyed the country's 50 largest companies and found they had around 1,235 outside directors as of this month. Of them, 543 or 44 percent are scheduled to have their terms end in the first half of this year. Among conglomerates, SK Group had the most with 85, followed by Lotte with 75, NongHyup with 74, Samsung and Hyundai Motor with 72 each, and KT with 52. About 100 serve at more than one company. Under relevant regulations, companies with assets over 2 trillion won can retain outside directors for up to six years, meaning about half will have to step down around their shareholders' meetings in March. Of these directors, about 103 who began their terms before June 2020 will no longer be eligible to serve. Around 40 of these fat cats are affiliated with the country's top 10 companies such as Samsung and SK hynix. Most had academic backgrounds, with 30 serving as university presidents, professors or researchers, followed by 27 bureaucrats and 20 from legal and financial institutions. "With selection criteria for outside directors becoming stricter, companies are expected to face growing concerns," said Oh Il-seon, head of the institute. 2026-02-09 14:43:37
  • Samsung mandates English for documents between overseas and Korean units
    Samsung mandates English for documents between overseas and Korean units SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Samsung’s major overseas units will adopt English as the sole language for documents exchanged both internally and with South Korea-based operations, part of a push to reduce inefficiencies from using multiple languages, the group said on Monday. According to an internal notice, Samsung will require documents shared between domestic and overseas operations at three key affiliates — Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display and Samsung Biologics — to be written exclusively in English. The shift replaces the current practice of using both Korean and English. The policy will take effect next month and is expected to be gradually expanded to other affiliates. Samsung has already promoted English as the standard language for internal reports and meeting materials at overseas units since 2023. Some business divisions have moved ahead of the broader policy. Samsung Electronics’ Device Solutions division, including its foundry business, along with Samsung Biologics and Samsung Bioepis, have reportedly been conducting meetings and preparing documents in English since last year. The move reflects the growing weight of Samsung’s overseas operations. As of the end of 2024, Samsung Electronics employed 137,350 staff outside South Korea, exceeding the 125,297 employees based domestically. The policy aims to streamline communication across Samsung’s global network as its workforce and operations become increasingly international, Samsung officials said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-02 14:02:18
  • Samsung hosts gala in Washington amid tariff threat from Trump
    Samsung hosts gala in Washington amid tariff threat from Trump SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics Co. hosted a gala event on Jan. 28 at the Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, to mark the successful run of Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared, the first U.S. exhibition of masterpieces from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s art collection. Main hosts were the Lee founding family, including Hong Ra-hee, Director Emerita of the Leeum Museum of Art, Lee Boo-jin, President & CEO of Hotel Shilla, Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T, and Kim Jae Youl, President of Samsung Global Research. Among the 250 guests were Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Andy Kim, Governor Wes Moore and Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung also in Washington attended the gala. The event took place amid heightened trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of sweeping tariff hikes of up to 25 percent on South Korean exports, citing delays in Seoul’s legislative procedures supporting a bilateral trade agreement reached last year. The timing has drawn attention as Samsung Electronics' Lee was in Washington during the same week, raising questions over whether the tycoon could serve as an informal channel of communication at a sensitive moment in U.S.–Korea trade relations. The tariff issue was underscored Wednesday by remarks from South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who said he would meet Lutnick the following day for talks on Trump’s recent threat to raise so-called “reciprocal” tariffs and additional levies on Korean automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals to 25 percent from 15 percent. Speaking upon arrival near Washington, Kim said the Trump administration appeared dissatisfied with the pace of Korea’s domestic legislative process. “As far as I understand, (the Trump administration) appears to be dissatisfied with how the domestic legislative process has been progressing,” he said, adding that Lutnick shared that view. Kim said he planned to “provide sufficient explanation to ensure that there will be no misunderstandings” and to reaffirm Seoul’s commitment to cooperation and investment in the U.S. Under the bilateral agreement, Korea pledged to invest $350 billion in return for Washington lowering reciprocal tariffs to 15 percent. An investment-support bill submitted by the ruling Democratic Party in November has yet to pass the National Assembly, a delay Trump has publicly criticized. Meanwhile, the Washington exhibit featured more than 200 works selected from a personal collection of over 23,000 pieces amassed by the late chairman and was organized jointly by the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. At the gala, Lee thanked the organizing institutions and highlighted Washington as the first stop of the exhibition’s global tour. He also paid tribute to U.S. veterans of the Korean War, crediting their sacrifice with enabling South Korea’s postwar development and the preservation of its cultural heritage. “Memory and history are important to Koreans. That is part of why this exhibit means so much to me,” Lee said. “Despite the hardships of colonial rule and the Korean War, my father and grandfather believed it was their duty to safeguard the future of our culture. It was a tremendous honor to share this collection with you. I believe it’s our small contribution to bringing the American and Korean people closer together.” 2026-01-29 15:26:48
  • Samsung Electronics to Pay 1.3 Trillion Won Special Dividend for Q4 2025
    Samsung Electronics to Pay 1.3 Trillion Won Special Dividend for Q4 2025 Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it will pay a 1.3 trillion won special dividend tied to its 2025 fourth-quarter results. Under its 2024-2026 shareholder-return policy, Samsung Electronics has been paying about 2.45 trillion won in cash dividends each quarter, or 9.8 trillion won a year. Including the 1.3 trillion won special dividend for the fourth quarter, the quarterly payout will rise to about 3.75 trillion won, bringing total annual dividends to 11.1 trillion won. The dividend per share for the fourth quarter will increase to 566 won in 2025 from 363 won in 2024. The annual per-share total will rise to 1,668 won from 1,446 won over the same period. Samsung Electronics’ last special dividend was in the fourth quarter of 2020, when it paid 10.7 trillion won in addition to regular dividends. The company’s move is seen as expanding shareholder returns beyond its prior dividend commitment, as the government pushes measures to boost shareholder value, including a separate tax system for dividend income introduced this year after revisions to tax law. Under the separate dividend-income tax, shareholders of listed companies that meet the legal definition of “high-dividend listed firms” can be taxed at a lower top rate of 30%, instead of the regular comprehensive income tax’s top rate of 45%. The separate tax rates are 14% on dividend income up to 20 million won; 20% on 20 million won to 300 million won; 25% on 300 million won to 5 billion won; and 30% on amounts above 5 billion won. The fourth-quarter special dividend will also be joined by Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDS and Samsung E&A, the report said. Separately, Samsung Electronics has also sought to raise shareholder value through share buybacks and cancellations. From November 2024 to September 2025, it plans to buy back a total of 10 trillion won in its own shares and cancel 8.4 trillion won worth, with the remainder expected to be used for employee compensation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:15:26