Journalist

Kim Na-yoon
  • Earthquake in Taiwan, home to TSMC and Micron fabs, to add boon to Korean chipmakers
    Earthquake in Taiwan, home to TSMC and Micron fabs, to add boon to Korean chipmakers SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) -A powerful level-4 earthquake in Taiwan, home to a large share of the world’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity, has renewed concerns over supply-chain vulnerability and could ultimately strengthen the competitive position of South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, analysts said. Some semiconductor fabrication plants in Taiwan temporarily halted operations after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck the island on Saturday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) activated emergency protocols, evacuating workers at facilities in the Hsinchu Science Park and conducting inspections of equipment and clean rooms. Based on TSMC's statement to local media, no damage has been reported yet, with all plants operating at full capacity and the status of the affected facilities was restored within just ten hours after the earthquake. The quake was the latest in a series of strong earthquakes to hit parts of the Pacific Ring of Fire since October, including areas near Taiwan and Japan, underscoring the region’s seismic risk. Taiwan accounts for roughly 70 percent of global contract chip manufacturing, hosting major players such as TSMC, UMC and Powerchip. The island also houses Micron Technology’s DRAM production facilities. Micron produces about 16 percent of the world’s DRAM, according to industry estimates. While companies are still assessing the impact, analysts project prolonged disruptions could alter competitive dynamics with its closest rival, Samsung Electronics. Semiconductor manufacturing is highly sensitive to interruptions: even brief stoppages can force wafer scrapping and lead to significant financial losses, particularly at advanced nodes. The risk is most acute in leading-edge processes such as 3-nanometer chips, where TSMC and Samsung are among the few global producers and where supply disruptions can influence customer allocations and long-term contracts. TSMC has previously disclosed sizable losses linked to natural disasters. After a magnitude-7.2 earthquake in April last year, the company estimated losses of about $60 million, while earlier incidents — including a major power outage in 2021 and an earthquake in 2022 — also led to wafer losses and tens of billions of won in damages, according to company disclosures and industry reports. The latest quake could also strengthen the negotiating position of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in DRAM pricing talks. If Micron, which produces a large share of its memory chips in Taiwan, experiences output constraints, global memory supply could tighten, supporting higher prices. That would likely provide a tailwind for South Korean suppliers’ earnings next year, analysts said. Historical precedent supports that view. After Japan’s 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, prices of memory products such as DRAM and NAND flash rose more than 20 percent in the short term as markets priced in supply disruption risks. Over the longer term, repeated reminders of seismic and geopolitical risks are expected to reinforce efforts by global technology firms to diversify semiconductor supply chains away from excessive dependence on Taiwan. Online journal Foreign Policy recently noted that major earthquakes highlight how concentrated advanced chip manufacturing remains in a geographically vulnerable location, underscoring broader strategic risks. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are set to start mass production next year of sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) for Nvidia’s next-generation artificial intelligence accelerators. Japan’s Nomura Securities recently raised its forecast for Samsung Electronics’ operating profit next year to 133.4 trillion won, citing continued AI-related investment and expanding server demand, and noting that pricing power in the memory market is gradually shifting from buyers to suppliers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-29 05:55:03
  • Samsung Electronics maps 2026 strategy with focus on AI, China ties, foldables
    Samsung Electronics maps 2026 strategy with focus on AI, China ties, foldables SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is setting its business strategy for 2026 amid prolonged global economic uncertainty, with artificial intelligence, cooperation with Chinese partners and leadership in foldable smartphones emerging as key priorities. The company said on Wednesday it is holding global strategy meetings from Dec. 16 to 18. The Device eXperience (DX) division, which oversees smartphones, TVs and home appliances, is scheduled to meet on Dec. 16–17, followed by the Device Solutions (DS) division, which covers semiconductors, on Dec. 18. The meetings are led by Roh Tae-moon, head of the DX division, and Jeon Young-hyun, vice chairman and head of the DS division, with more than 300 executives taking part. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to receive a briefing on the discussions. Lee recently met Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su in the United States as part of efforts to strengthen partnerships with major global technology companies. In semiconductors, Samsung is seeking to regain momentum in AI-related chips by upgrading technology and boosting production capacity. The company is competing with domestic rival SK hynix in the supply of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in Nvidia’s AI processors, while also exploring the possibility of manufacturing AMD’s next-generation central processing units using its 2-nanometer process. Samsung is also pushing to expand AI-driven manufacturing at its semiconductor plants, including through its newly established Digital Twin Center, which is designed to improve efficiency by simulating production processes. Industry watchers said a recent U.S. decision to allow exports of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China could support Samsung’s AI memory sales in the Chinese market. In its display and components businesses, Samsung is looking to deepen cooperation with Chinese partners. Yong Seok-woo, president and head of Samsung’s Visual Display Business, recently met Chen Yanshun, chairman of Chinese display maker BOE Technology Group, to discuss expanding supplies of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, according to industry sources. In smartphones, Samsung is facing intensifying competition in the foldable segment from Chinese rival Huawei and from Apple, which is widely expected to enter the foldable market in the coming years. Samsung aims to lift sales of its next-generation Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip models by around 10 percent from their predecessors, the sources said. The company is also working to maintain its technological edge in foldables by refining form factors and reducing device thickness and weight, as competition accelerates across the premium smartphone market. 2025-12-17 14:37:17
  • Samsung unit enters humanoid robot market with investment in Norwegian robotics firm
    Samsung unit enters humanoid robot market with investment in Norwegian robotics firm SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Samsung Electro-Mechanics said Wednesday it has made a strategic investment in Norwegian electric motor company Alva Industries, marking its entry into the humanoid robot components market. Alva Industries said on its website on Dec. 9 that it will work with Samsung Electro-Mechanics on the development of advanced motor drive solutions for robots, following a multi-million euro investment. Founded in 2017, Alva is known for its proprietary fiber-printing technology, which enables the production of lighter motors while preserving high torque and precision control. The company describes the process as a next-generation approach to electric motor design. Samsung Electro-Mechanics said the deal is aimed at securing micro-motor capabilities required for finely controlled hand and joint movements in humanoid robots, in line with broader robotics development efforts at Samsung Electronics. The investment was made through a fund managed by Samsung Venture Investment Corporation. “Fiber-printing technology opens new possibilities for motor performance and design and is a key asset for next-generation robot actuators,” President Jang Deok-hyun said. “This investment lays an important technical foundation for our future humanoid robot business.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-10 10:28:43
  • SK hynix unveils major reorganization to bolster HBM, AI-era memory leadership
    SK hynix unveils major reorganization to bolster HBM, AI-era memory leadership SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - SK hynix said Thursday it has created a dedicated high-bandwidth memory (HBM) unit to provide faster technical support and bolster market responsiveness in North America. It also established a new team responsible for HBM packaging, quality and yield management across development and mass production. The move is aimed at reinforcing its position in the global AI era and ensure sustainable growth, the company said. The company also plans to establish “Global AI Research Centers” in the United States, China and Japan. The U.S. center will focus on recruiting top-tier talent and expanding collaboration with major global technology firms to advance next-generation computing system architectures. Construction of an advanced packaging fab in Indiana will proceed this year, while a new “Global Infra” team will work to strengthen production consistency across global sites. The chipmaker will also set up a “Macro Research Center” to analyze global economic and geopolitical developments shaping AI and semiconductor strategies, and operate an “Intelligence Hub” that integrates customer, technology and market data using AI tools to better anticipate client needs. “This restructuring is an essential step toward becoming a full-stack AI memory creator and strengthening our competitiveness as a leading global company,” CEO Kwark No-jung said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 16:29:32
  • Samsung teases new flagship chip for Galaxy S26 series
    Samsung teases new flagship chip for Galaxy S26 series SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled its upcoming mobile application processor, Exynos 2600, with a 30-second teaser video posted on its official YouTube channel. The Exynos 2600 is slated to power the next-generation Galaxy S26 series. The chip is reportedly the company’s first to be built with a cutting-edge 2-nanometer process. The teaser opens with the words, “In silence, we listened,” followed by promises that the new chip is “refined at the core” and “optimized at every level." While full technical specifications have not been revealed, early signals suggest the Exynos 2600’s neural-processing unit (NPU) and overall performance gains may position it as a serious competitor to other premium chips. The company said the Exynos 2600 will mark a significant milestone not only for Samsung’s smartphone line, but also for its semiconductor ambitions. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 13:48:45
  • Samsungs double-folding smartphone raises stakes in global foldable phone race
    Samsung's double-folding smartphone raises stakes in global foldable phone race SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold, the company’s first smartphone capable of folding twice, marking its most ambitious entry yet in the fast-evolving foldables segment. The device was officially launched at a media event in Seoul on Tuesday, after being previewed at the APEC CEO Summit in October. “The Galaxy Z TriFold represents the evolution of our smartphone design and engineering capabilities since our first foldable phone in 2019,” said Lim Sung-taek, vice president at Samsung Electronics. The handset adopts an “in-folding” mechanism that allows both sides of the display to fold inward. The screen measures 6.5 inches when closed and expands to 10 inches when fully unfolded, effectively functioning as a compact tablet. It is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera aimed at boosting productivity from shooting to editing. Samsung priced the 512GB model at 3.59 million won ($2,500), making it more expensive than Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB, which retails for 3.19 million won. The launch comes as Samsung looks to strengthen its position in the global foldable smartphone market. The company held a 9 percent share in the second quarter, ranking third behind Huawei’s 45 percent, according to Counterpoint Research. Analysts expect competition to intensify if Apple enters the segment. “The TriFold could trigger explosive growth in the foldable market, showcasing new possibilities for foldable phones,” Vice President Lim said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 09:48:34
  • Samsung scions naval commissioning reunites Lee family, including ex-wife
    Samsung scion's naval commissioning reunites Lee family, including ex-wife SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Naval Academy commissioning ceremony for 24-year-old Lee Ji-ho, son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, brought together members of the Samsung family — including the chairman’s former wife Im Se-ryung — in a rare public appearance since their 2009 divorce. Lee Ji-ho, commissioned as part of the 139th class of naval officers, was joined by his grandmother Hong Ra-hee, widow of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, and his aunt Lee Seo-hyun, head of the Samsung Welfare Foundation. The event marked one of the few occasions in which Lee and Im were seen together in public in more than a decade. Lee and Im, heiress to the Daesang Group, share two children — daughter Ji-soo and son Ji-ho. Im is currently in a public relationship with actor Lee Jung-jae. The junior Lee enlisted in September as an officer candidate and completed 11 weeks of basic training before receiving his commission. After a four-day leave, he will report to the Naval Education and Training Command in Changwon on Dec. 2 for three weeks of initial officer training, after which he is expected to serve as an interpreter officer at the Naval Operations Command in Busan. The commissioning comes five years after Chairman Lee pledged, at the height of legal proceedings related to his father’s succession, that he would not pass corporate management to his children — declaring an end to Samsung’s third-generation leadership tradition. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:23:13
  • South Korea to delay tax audits for foreign firms increasing investment
    South Korea to delay tax audits for foreign firms increasing investment SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) will postpone regular tax audits for up to two years for foreign companies that substantially increase their investments in the country. NTS Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyun announced the measure on Friday during a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AmCham) in Seoul. Companies that raise their domestic investment by a defined percentage compared with the previous year will be eligible to apply for the audit deferment. Under the revised criteria, small foreign businesses that increase investment by at least 10 percent and medium-sized firms that boost investment by 20 percent will qualify for the program. Previously, the audit delay was available only to small enterprises. The tax authority also said it plans to ease the burden of double taxation on foreign firms by accelerating the Advance Pricing Agreement process, which provides tax certainty for companies engaged in cross-border transactions. To improve accessibility for international taxpayers, the agency is expanding its AI-based foreign language consultation services launched in September. James Kim, chairman of AmCham Korea, welcomed the steps and stressed that fair and predictable treatment of foreign companies is essential for South Korea to compete with regional investment hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 15:14:41
  • LS Electric secures largest-ever power equipment deal in US
    LS Electric secures largest-ever power equipment deal in US SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s LS Electric said on Wednesday it has secured a $315 million contract to supply high-voltage transformers in North America, the largest deal in the company’s history. The agreement, signed with a major U.S. private utility, covers the delivery of 525-kilovolt transformers to renewable energy facilities across the southeastern U.S. through 2029. The equipment will serve as critical power sources for large data centers in the region, the company said. The contract marks a significant expansion of LS Electric’s product portfolio, extending its transformer offerings from 115kV and 354kV units to the 525kV segment. The company said the deal underscores international confidence in its transmission and distribution technology and is expected to strengthen its position in the fast-growing data center power infrastructure market. LS Electric reported an order backlog of 4.1 trillion won as of the third quarter, including more than 2 trillion won in high-voltage transformer orders. “This contract reaffirms global recognition of our technology and positions us as a long-term, sustainable partner,” LS Electric said in a press release. “We plan to expand our presence in North America’s hyperscale data center, renewable energy and utility sectors to secure leadership in the high-voltage market.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 13:43:15
  • KITA expands global network with new offices in Vietnam, Brazil
    KITA expands global network with new offices in Vietnam, Brazil SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) has opened new offices in Hanoi and São Paulo, advancing its strategy to deepen ties with emerging markets across the Global South. KITA held an opening ceremony for its Hanoi office on Nov. 20 at the Lotte Hotel Hanoi. The event drew some 90 officials, including KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik, Vu Ba Phu, director general of Vietnam’s Trade Promotion Agency, and Jang Ho-seung, South Korea’s consul general in Vietnam. “South Korea and Vietnam are among each other’s top three trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $86.8 billion annually,” Yoon said. “The Hanoi office will play a key role within the comprehensive industrial cooperation framework established by both governments.” The new facility is KITA’s second in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City. Situated in the capital, it will provide support for South Korean companies navigating regulatory and market-entry challenges in northern and central Vietnam, while strengthening KITA’s on-the-ground marketing and advisory services. Two days earlier, on Nov. 18, KITA marked the opening of its São Paulo office in Brazil. The ceremony was attended by KITA Executive Director Jang Seok-min and South Korea’s consul general in São Paulo, Chae Jin-won, alongside about 50 officials. The São Paulo office is expected to help Korean companies improve market access and identify new business opportunities across Latin America, with Brazil serving as the region’s anchor economy. The openings in Vietnam and Brazil follow the launch of a Johannesburg office last month, part of KITA’s plan to build a network of strategic bases across Africa, Latin America and ASEAN. The trade association says the expanded footprint will strengthen support for South Korean companies seeking to grow in emerging markets and broaden their global reach. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 09:54:52