Journalist

Kim Pil-soo
  • KAI signs $69 million deal to upgrade Philippines FA-50PH jets
    KAI signs $69 million deal to upgrade Philippines' FA-50PH jets SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Philippines on Friday to upgrade 11 FA-50PH fighter jets for about 93 billion won ($65 million). The deal includes aircraft performance upgrades and follow-on logistics support for jets delivered between 2015 and 2017, with work to be completed by 2029, the South Korean aircraft manufacturer said. The upgrade will strengthen the FA-50PH's ability to operate precision-guided weapons, extend its range and sustained-operations capability, and improve network-based joint-operations performance, according to KAI. A total of 23 FA-50PH aircraft, including additional jets contracted in June, are expected to contribute to the Philippine Air Force's airspace defense and modernization efforts. The upgrade reflects requirements drawn from the Philippine Air Force's operational experience and is aimed at improving aircraft performance and operational efficiency. The project reflects ongoing cooperation based on aircraft capability, stable follow-on support and long-term partnership, KAI said. The company said the program demonstrates its ability to serve as a "total solution provider," covering the full life cycle from development and production to follow-on support. Follow-on support and upgrade capabilities over an aircraft's 30- to 40-year service life are increasingly seen as key to export competitiveness, with such costs reaching two to five times the acquisition cost, KAI noted. The company has operated performance-based logistics programs for about 15 years, from the South Korean Air Force's KT/A-1 to the T-50 and Surion aircraft families, demonstrating improvements in availability and reductions in operating and maintenance costs. KAI has expanded its global support operations through Iraq's T-50IQ contractor logistics support program in 2022, a performance-based logistics contract for the Philippines' FA-50PH last year, and Indonesia's KT-1B service-life extension program this year. "This contract once again confirms the trust and cooperative relationship between the Philippine Air Force and KAI," CEO Cha Jae Byung said in a statement. "We will continue to expand our presence in the global defense market through tailored upgrades and systematic follow-on support." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-26 15:50:48
  • Korean automaker KGM partners with Samsung SDI on developing EV battery packs
    Korean automaker KGM partners with Samsung SDI on developing EV battery packs SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung SDI to form a strategic partnership aimed at developing and commercializing electric vehicle battery packs. Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop cylindrical nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) battery packs and cooperate closely on high-voltage battery pack development, testing and production. The project will use Samsung SDI’s cylindrical 46-series NCA cells, which have a diameter of 46 millimeters. Samsung SDI said the cells offer long driving range and fast charging through high energy density, while improving safety and durability under a wide range of driving conditions. KGM said the cells incorporate high-capacity, high-nickel NCA cathode materials along with Samsung SDI’s proprietary silicon carbon nanocomposite (SCN) anode material, which reduces swelling, increases energy density and extends battery life while maintaining safety. Beyond the battery pack development program, KGM and Samsung SDI said they plan to pursue a longer-term partnership. This includes joint product planning based on Samsung SDI battery cells, cooperation on vehicle lineups, a global branding strategy for overseas markets and a joint review system for emerging technologies. Kwak Jeong-hyeon, head of KG Mobility’s business strategy division, said in a press release that the partnership will help the automaker respond to rapid changes in industry conditions and government policies, including the diversification of battery materials. 2025-12-23 09:46:36
  • KAI-backed AI firm Meissa raises $7 million ahead of planned 2026 IPO
    KAI-backed AI firm Meissa raises $7 million ahead of planned 2026 IPO SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on Tuesday that Meissa, a drone- and satellite-based geospatial artificial intelligence company in which it is a strategic investor, has completed a 9.7 billion won ($7 million) pre-IPO equity financing round. The deal brings Meissa’s cumulative funding to 35 billion won, the company said, adding that the proceeds will be used to upgrade its business operations. Meissa is targeting an IPO in the second half of 2026. As Meissa’s second-largest shareholder, KAI has invested about 8 billion won to date, while gradually expanding technical cooperation with the company across defense software and space-related projects. The latest investment aligns with KAI’s mid- to long-term strategy to internalize core technologies by combining Meissa’s geospatial AI capabilities with KAI’s major aerospace and defense hardware platforms, the company said. Meissa is developing a satellite operations and preprocessing solution designed to collect and analyze large volumes of imagery generated by KAI’s next-generation mid-sized and small-satellite programs in real time, converting the data into immediately usable information. The company said it plans to build an end-to-end infrastructure covering satellite data processing, distribution and utilization, and to strengthen its competitiveness in the satellite imagery solutions market. KAI also plans to integrate Meissa’s automatic 3D map generation technology into its flight simulator hardware to create more realistic virtual training environments and internalize a digital twin solution for simulators. 2025-12-23 09:23:09
  • Hankook Tires Hungarian plant donates tires to local community
    Hankook Tire's Hungarian plant donates tires to local community SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Hankook Tire & Technology said on Monday that its Hungary plant has donated 28,000 tires to local government bodies as well as nonprofit and charitable organizations under a corporate social responsibility initiative launched in 2012. The tire firm said said the initiative reflects the environmental, social and governance (ESG) management philosophy of the company and supports sustainable development in the Hungarian community. This year, the plant provided tire donations to around 130 public agencies and organizations, including groups focused on public safety and social welfare, it said. Recipients included child health organizations such as the Peter Cerny Foundation, which specializes in the rescue and transport of premature infants, and the Saint Martin Children’s Ambulance Service, which provides emergency care for seriously ill children. The company said the donations help ensure the reliable operation of their vehicles. Hankook Tire said it also expanded support to disaster response and environmental protection groups, including the Hungarian Water Rescue Service, the Delta National Disaster Rescue Team and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Additional recipients included volunteer neighborhood watch groups and fire departments, a foundation supporting people with disabilities, and animal protection organizations. Since establishing its Hungary plant in 2008, Hankook Tire has carried out community-focused initiatives across the country each year, including tire donations, infrastructure improvement projects, support for vulnerable households and youth scholarship programs, the company said. 2025-12-22 16:01:35
  • Estonia taps Hanwha Aerospaces Chunmoo rocket system in $320 mil. arms deal
    Estonia taps Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmoo rocket system in $320 mil. arms deal SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace has signed a contract worth about 440 billion won ($320 million) to supply its Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system to Estonia, the company said on Monday. Under the agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will deliver six Chunmoo launcher systems along with three types of guided missiles with ranges of 80 kilometers, 160 kilometers and 290 kilometers. The company said it plans to pursue localization in Estonia, including partial local production and the provision of maintenance, repair and overhaul services, as European defense procurement becomes increasingly bloc-oriented. The deal was underpinned by technology validated through exports and operational deployment of its K9 self-propelled howitzer, as well as South Korea’s defense diplomacy. It cited a memorandum of understanding signed in October between the defense ministries of South Korea and Estonia on the acquisition of the Chunmoo system as a key step toward the contract. Katri Rausepp, a senior official at Estonia’s defense investment agency, said the agreement would help strengthen the country’s military capabilities amid heightened regional security concerns. “In a rapidly changing security environment, securing strong and rapid response capabilities is Estonia’s top security priority,” she said in a press release, adding that the introduction of the Chunmoo system would significantly enhance Estonia’s defense posture. Son Jae-il, chief executive officer of Hanwha Aerospace, said the contract followed the earlier export of the K9 howitzer and reflected continued trust from the Estonian government and military. “Working closely with the South Korean government, we will continue efforts to expand into new defense export markets,” Son said. Hanwha Aerospace said it aims to use the Estonia deal as a foothold to market the Chunmoo system across the Baltics and northern Europe, including Norway, Latvia and Lithuania. 2025-12-22 09:45:25
  • BYD makes fast inroads in Korea with sales nearing 5,000 EV cars
    BYD makes fast inroads in Korea with sales nearing 5,000 EV cars SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) -BYD, China’s largest electric-vehicle manufacturer, has rapidly established a foothold in South Korea’s imported-car market, breaking into the top 10 foreign brands within its first year of local operations. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association on Dec. 19, BYD sold 4,955 vehicles through November, accounting for 1.78 percent of the imported-car market. Based on recent sales momentum, full-year deliveries are expected to exceed 5,000 units. Only nine imported brands outsold BYD during the period: BMW (70,541 units), Mercedes-Benz (60,260), Tesla (55,594), Lexus (13,894), Volvo (13,388), Audi (10,252), Porsche (9,739), Toyota (8,751) and BMW MINI (7,180). In November alone, BYD ranked fifth among imported brands, trailing only Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo — a notable result for a newcomer. BYD entered the South Korean market in January and has expanded its footprint by emphasizing price competitiveness. The company now operates 28 showrooms and 16 service centers nationwide. Its local lineup debuted with the Atto 3 compact electric SUV, targeting value-oriented EV buyers, and has since expanded to include the Seal midsize electric sedan and the Sea Lion coupe-style midsize electric SUV. Industry analysts say BYD’s early gains have been supported by South Korea’s accelerating shift toward electrified vehicles, driven by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s electrification strategies as well as Tesla’s continued success. Through November, cumulative registrations of electrified vehicles — including battery EVs and hybrids — rose sharply from a year earlier, lifting their share to roughly one-third of new passenger-car sales. BYD’s momentum is also prompting other Chinese EV makers to formalize their Korea entry plans. Zeekr, the premium electric brand under Geely Holding Group, has recently signed dealer agreements with four local partners — H Mobility ZK, IronEV, KCC Mobility and ZK Mobility. Xpeng is also preparing to enter the market after establishing a South Korean unit in June. “BYD’s performance goes beyond a typical new-brand launch and signals a rapid shift in Korean consumers’ perceptions of Chinese EVs,” an industry official said. “The competitive landscape could look very different as early as next year.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-20 12:26:08
  • KAI secures Surion helicopter contracts worth 71 billion won
    KAI secures Surion helicopter contracts worth 71 billion won SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Friday it has signed separate contracts to supply one Surion multipurpose helicopter each to the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea National Park Service. The Coast Guard contract is valued at 38.5 billion won, while the National Park Service deal totals 32.8 billion won, KAI said. Each contract covers one helicopter along with spare parts, ground support equipment and training for pilots and maintenance personnel. The helicopter for the Coast Guard will be equipped with a search radar, a high-performance electro-optical and infrared system, and an automatic identification system for ships to support maritime security and safety missions, the company said. The National Park Service helicopter will be configured for disaster response and will feature a newly developed firefighting water tank that is currently under development. Including the two latest contracts, KAI said it has secured orders for seven Surion helicopters for government use in 2025. In total, the company has signed contracts for 42 helicopters for government agencies, including the police, Coast Guard, forestry and fire services, and national parks, and has delivered 28 of them. KAI also delivered two firefighting helicopters to Iraq’s Interior Ministry in October under a contract signed last year, and that the aircraft have completed initial flights in preparation for operational deployment. KAI Chief Executive Cha Jae-byung said in a press release that he is pursuing overseas marketing based on the aircraft’s performance and mission equipment. 2025-12-19 16:09:47
  • Hyundai Motor Group sees China sales rebound
    Hyundai Motor Group sees China sales rebound SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s operations in China are showing signs of recovery, supported by rebounding domestic sales and a strategy to turn its Chinese plants into export hubs. The pickup in vehicle production is also lifting parts maker Hyundai Mobis, which is on track to surpass 4 trillion won in China revenue for the first time in five years. Beijing Hyundai Motor, Hyundai’s China joint venture, sold 12,016 vehicles in November, up 71.7 percent from about 7,000 units a year earlier, according to industry officials, Friday. Monthly sales have increased steadily in the second half of the year, exceeding 10,000 units for four consecutive months since August. The Elantra, marketed in South Korea as the Avante, led sales with cumulative deliveries of 55,094 units through November. The Tucson sport utility vehicle also rebounded, recording monthly sales of more than 2,000 units since the start of the second half. A Hyundai Motor official said the company is focusing on models that can improve profitability, including a refreshed Tucson and an updated model-year Custo. Exports have emerged as another key growth driver. Cumulative exports through November totaled 60,573 units, up 55.4 percent from a year earlier, supporting higher plant utilization. Beijing Hyundai's total sales this year have climbed 13.8 percent to 176,130 units, already surpassing its full-year total for last year. Kia’s China operations have also improved. Cumulative sales through October rose 5.2 percent from a year earlier to 210,175 units, with the automaker posting steady growth since 2023. The recovery at Hyundai and Kia has translated into stronger results for Hyundai Mobis. The auto parts supplier posted cumulative China revenue of 2.8 trillion won through the third quarter, up 16.7 percent from a year earlier. That marked its highest third-quarter cumulative figure since 2020, when it reached 2.81 trillion won, putting an annual return to the 4 trillion won level within reach. In 2020, Hyundai Mobis recorded annual China revenue of 4.11 trillion won. Beyond affiliate-related demand, Hyundai Mobis is seeking to expand orders from Chinese automakers. To strengthen its China business, the company has selected eight strategic products for eight key customers and aims to quadruple local original equipment parts orders by 2028. Hyundai Mobis CEO Lee Gyu-seok said at the company’s CEO Investor Day in August that he would intensify efforts in emerging markets, including China and India, by developing locally tailored specifications and reinforcing its parts supply chain. 2025-12-19 08:33:10
  • Weapons testing deal to sharpen KF-21 fighter jets strike capability
    Weapons testing deal to sharpen KF-21 fighter jet's strike capability SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on Thursday it has signed a contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to conduct additional weapons testing for the KF-21 fighter jet. The contract is valued at 685.9 billion won ($500 million) and is intended to support continued development of the aircraft by enabling flight-test verification of air-to-ground capabilities, KAI said. The additional weapons testing program will run through December 2028. Under the plan, testing and performance verification will expand the KF-21’s operational envelope from its current focus on air-to-air weapons to include air-to-ground armaments. KAI said it will also conduct tests of air-to-ground functions for the aircraft’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and other core avionics, with the goal of securing broader combat capability by the end of the program. Based on the test results, KAI said it plans to begin sequentially fielding air-to-ground capabilities from the first half of 2027, earlier than the original target of the end of 2028. The expanded weapons capability is expected to enhance the KF-21’s competitiveness in the global fighter aircraft market and increase interest from overseas customers, the company said. KAI is currently producing the first mass-production batch of the KF-21, with deliveries to the South Korean Air Force scheduled to begin sequentially in the second half of 2026. The company said a number of countries, including those in the Middle East and Southeast Asia that already operate the FA-50 light attack aircraft, have expressed strong interest in the KF-21. “Successfully carrying out the phased test and evaluation of additional KF-21 armaments will provide an opportunity to demonstrate testing and verification capabilities tailored to future customer requirements,” KAI CEO Cha Jae-byung said. 2025-12-18 16:03:16
  • Hyundai Motor Group conducts executive reshuffle, naming 4 new presidents
    Hyundai Motor Group conducts executive reshuffle, naming 4 new presidents SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group on Thursday carried out its regular executive reshuffle, promoting four senior executives to the rank of president. Manfred Harrer was promoted to president and continues to serve as head of the research and development divisions at Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. Born in 1972, Harrer holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. Before joining Hyundai Motor Group last year, Harrer worked at Porsche AG, where he served as vice president overseeing chassis and advanced driver-assistance systems development. He later led vehicle integration for Apple Inc.’s electric vehicle development project. Since joining the group, Harrer has led efforts to strengthen core vehicle performance as vice president in charge of vehicle development within the R&D division. As R&D chief, Harrer is expected to work closely with software and related divisions to further enhance the group’s technological competitiveness, particularly in its push toward software-defined vehicles. Jung Jun-cheol was promoted to president and named head of the manufacturing division at Hyundai Motor and Kia. He oversees the Manufacturing Solution Division, which is responsible for production technology, as well as the Purchasing Division, a key function for profitability and supply-chain management. Hyundai Motor Group said Jung is expected to focus on building a software-centered production system and advancing next-generation manufacturing technologies, including robotics. Yoon Seung-kyu was promoted to president and will serve as head of Kia America. He previously led the automaker’s sales operations in the United States and Canada. The group credited Yoon with delivering more than 8 percent year-on-year growth in retail sales despite a challenging competitive environment, helping strengthen Kia’s position in the global market. Lee Bo-ryong was promoted to president and named chief executive officer-designate of Hyundai Steel. With more than three decades of experience in the steel industry, Lee has held senior roles across production, R&D and business operations. Lee’s engineering background and broad operational experience position him to enhance Hyundai Steel’s future competitiveness through the steady execution of large-scale strategic investments in facilities and technology, the company said. 2025-12-18 13:51:18