Journalist

Kim Pil-soo
  • Kias November sales drop 0.8 percent year-on-year to 262,065 units
    Kia's November sales drop 0.8 percent year-on-year to 262,065 units SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Kia said on Monday it sold 262,065 vehicles worldwide in November, down 0.8 percent from a year earlier, as both domestic and overseas sales edged lower. The Sportage remained the company’s best-selling model with 49,351 units, followed by the Sorento at 25,282 and the Seltos at 22,293. In South Korea, sales declined 1.6 percent to 47,256 units. The Sorento led the domestic market with 10,047 units. Overseas sales also dipped 0.8 percent to 213,889 units. The Sportage topped the list with 42,483 units, followed by the Sonet at 19,320 and the Seltos at 17,653. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 16:15:17
  • Hanwha Aerospace showcases K9, Chunmoo systems at Egypts defense expo
    Hanwha Aerospace showcases K9, Chunmoo systems at Egypt's defense expo SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Monday it is participating in the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) 2025, which runs from Dec. 1–4 in Cairo, showcasing a range of artillery and air-defense systems. The South Korean defense manufacturer is highlighting its K9 self-propelled howitzer, set to enter service with Egypt from 2026 under a major contract. More than 450 companies are taking part in the exhibition, which is expected to draw around 40,000 visitors. At the center of Hanwha’s display is the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, capable of firing munitions with ranges between 80 km and 290 km. The company is also presenting the Chunmoo 2.0 anti-ship ballistic missile, designed to engage moving naval targets. Hanwha is exhibiting a model of the K9 package included in its 2 trillion won deal with Egypt signed in 2022. The package covers K9 howitzers for coastal defense, precision-guided munitions, and the K11 fire control vehicle, equipped with electro-optical tracking and radar. Deliveries of the K9 systems to the Egyptian Armed Forces will begin in the first quarter of 2026. The platforms will feature a domestically developed 1,000-horsepower engine and will be assembled locally in Egypt with components supplied by South Korean partners. The company is also proposing a suite of integrated air-defense assets for the Egyptian military, including the L-SAM long-range interceptor, a 40mm unmanned air-defense system, short-range drone launchers, and the Cheongeom surface-to-surface guided missile. “Through strengthened defense cooperation with Egypt, we aim to advance the defense ecosystems of both countries,” said Sung Il, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s Middle East and Africa division. “We are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA market with proven solutions like the K9 and Chunmoo.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 13:56:51
  • Koreas Hanwha and Emirati defense group EDGE upgrade air defense partnership
    Korea's Hanwha and Emirati defense group EDGE upgrade air defense partnership Hanwha Aerospace signs MOU with UAE’s EDGE Group to expand defense AI cooperation SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korea's defense firm Hanwha Aerospace and Emirati state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE Group on Friday announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand joint develpment across advanced air and missile defense, long-range precision strike, unmanned systems, and defense AI. Under the agreement signed during the Dubai Airshow 2025 this week, the two defense majors will enter a range of cooperative programs such as advanced air-defense technologies that could enable integrated, multi-layered defense architectures tailored to the UAE’s future needs. The agreement follows recent high-level talks between South Korean and Emirati leaders during a state visit by President Lee Jae Myung and is intended to deepen bilateral cooperation in advanced defense and industrial technologies through public-private collaboration. Under the MOU, the companies will prioritize co-developing an AI platform for smart radar and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The program will integrate environmental data collected in the UAE’s desert terrain with Hanwha’s AI models to build a Middle East-optimized smart-radar AI solution. EDGE’s Milrem Robotics — the Estonian-founded firm acquired by EDGE and developer of the tracked UGV THeMIS — will work with Hanwha on an autonomous-driving AI platform for next-generation UGVs. The THeMIS platform has accumulated extensive operational data from deployments in Ukraine, which the companies expect will enhance autonomous-mobility capabilities in Middle Eastern environments. Hanwha will also assist in upgrading the UAE’s layered air-defense architecture and support the establishment of an integrated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center for air-defense systems. The initiative includes enhancing existing medium- and short-range systems to improve interoperability. Additionally, Hanwha plans to broaden cooperation with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a subsidiary of EDGE, across ship repair, unmanned-surface-vessel development, and large-vessel design and construction. Sung Il, president of Hanwha Aerospace Middle East & Africa, said the Korea–UAE partnership in AI defense technology “can propel South Korea into the ranks of the world’s top three defense-AI powers,” adding that a joint venture could be considered to accelerate cooperation if needed. Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE, said, "This understanding reflects a shared ambition to advance the next generation of defence capabilities. Hanwha’s strengths across key domains, combined with our growing industrial base, create momentum for systems that strengthen national resilience and expand the UAE’s role as a leader in advanced technology. We see real potential to shape programmes that deliver lasting value for both nations.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 13:26:19
  • Polestar CEO touts Busan plant as key export hub for North America
    Polestar CEO touts Busan plant as key export hub for North America SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Michael Loscheller, chief executive of Polestar, stressed the strategic value of the company’s new production base in Busan, describing it as a critical link between Asian manufacturing and North American demand. Speaking to reporters in Seoul on Nov. 20, Loscheller said the plant has begun trial production of the Polestar 4 destined for North American markets. The facility, operated by Renault Korea, underwent a major upgrade this year to prepare for electric-vehicle assembly. Production was halted for five weeks while workers installed 68 new pieces of equipment. Loscheller said he recently saw the first Busan-built Polestar 4 vehicles arrive in Canada, a milestone he said highlights the plant’s growing importance to the company’s global supply chain. Polestar has no immediate plans to sell Busan-produced Polestar 4s in South Korea, but Loscheller suggested that could change, calling North American shipments “just the beginning.” He said quality considerations and U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles played a key role in choosing Busan as a manufacturing base. The company is enjoying strong momentum in South Korea, where sales climbed to 2,513 vehicles between January and October, up 484 percent from a year earlier. The Polestar 4, launched in August 2024, accounted for 2,167 of those deliveries. Loscheller credited the model’s design, sustainability features and performance for driving the surge, adding that Polestar intends to build on those strengths. Looking ahead, Polestar plans to introduce two higher-end models—the Polestar 3, a large electric SUV, and the Polestar 5, a grand tourer — positioned above the Polestar 4. Loscheller said he expects the new vehicles to further accelerate the brand’s growth both globally and in South Korea. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 13:22:24
  • Hyundais Casper Electric wins Germanys Golden Steering Wheel Awards
    Hyundai's Casper Electric wins Germany's Golden Steering Wheel Awards SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s Casper Electric has been named the “Best Car Under 25,000 Euros” at the 2025 Golden Steering Wheel Awards, one of Europe’s most influential automotive honors, the company said Friday. The award underscores the model’s rising prominence in Germany’s fiercely competitive small electric vehicle segment. Hyundai has been steadily broadening its EV lineup, building on the success of the Ioniq 5, and the Casper Electric has emerged as a key pillar of that strategy. As of October 2025, Hyundai has sold more than 30,000 units of the Casper Electric in Europe, with Germany accounting for roughly 31 percent of total sales. The model now dominates Germany’s small EV market with a share exceeding 35 percent, outpacing rivals including the Fiat 500 and Dacia Spring. First established in 1976, the Golden Steering Wheel Awards are jointly organized by Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag and are widely regarded as among the most prestigious distinctions in the European auto industry. This year’s awards evaluated 72 vehicles across 13 categories, with assessments conducted by a panel of 17 expert judges. Judges praised the Casper Electric for its practicality, generous interior space relative to its size, fast-charging capability of up to 85 kW and competitive price point. “Casper Electric offers an accessible mobility solution for everyday life,” said Javier Martinet, Hyundai’s head of European operations. “Hyundai will continue expanding its electric lineup — from the Casper Electric to the Ioniq 9 — with a focus on advanced technology and design.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 10:20:51
  • AI becomes centerpiece of South Koreas military strategy
    AI becomes centerpiece of South Korea's military strategy SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s defense industry is increasingly positioning itself at the forefront of the global arms race, leaning heavily on artificial intelligence to offset shrinking troop numbers and to adapt to fast-changing warfare technologies. The shift has drawn in some of the country’s most powerful semiconductor companies, deepening ties between its tech and defense sectors. Industry officials say the military has begun widening its defense strategy by accelerating the adoption of advanced AI, with unmanned aerial vehicles accounting for nearly a third of all AI-related applications. Defense contractors are moving aggressively into next-generation unmanned combat systems. Those ambitions were on full display at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, known as ADEX 2025, where companies unveiled a slate of AI-driven systems. Kim Min-seok, vice president of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association, said the event marked a turning point, positioning South Korean AI technology as “a new trend in global defense.” Korea Aerospace Industries introduced its multipurpose unmanned aerial platform, known as the AAP, in its first public appearance. The aircraft demonstrated autonomous flight powered by “K-AILOT,” an AI pilot system that the company plans to integrate into major platforms, including the KF-21 fighter jet. KAI expects to conduct flight demonstrations with the AAP next year. The project is supported by Samsung Electronics, which is working on AI and radio-frequency semiconductors to advance so-called “K-on-device” AI chips. On the ground, militarized robotics are moving closer to operational use. LIG Nex1, which acquired the U.S.-based Ghost Robotics in 2023, has expanded into robotic “military dogs.” Hyundai Rotem, another major industrial player, delivered a quadruped robot to the Army last year and introduced the “Black Veil,” a hydrogen fuel cell-powered unmanned vehicle, at the exhibition. Hyundai Wia, meanwhile, showcased an AI-enabled remote weapons system designed to improve the efficiency of tactical vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group is also broadening its ambitions, aiming to assemble a defense portfolio that spans land, air and space. During the APEC summit in Gyeongju, the conglomerate secured 50,000 Nvidia GPUs to bolster its AI capabilities— resources that officials say could accelerate unmanned systems development across its defense subsidiaries. Hanwha Systems is working to strengthen synthetic aperture radar technology and is developing mobile ground-station shelters that can improve command resilience in the event of an attack. South Korean defense officials say these advances reflect a broader shift in military planning. Park Heung-soon, head of infrastructure operations at the Defense Computing Information Agency, warned that the future battlefield will be shaped by pandemics, geopolitical competition and rapid technological change. AI, he said, will play an essential role across software, data, drones and robotics. The global market appears to be moving in the same direction. According to Global Growth Insights, the military AI sector is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to more than $23 billion by 2034 — an annual increase of roughly 11 percent. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 09:37:17
  • KAI to deepen defense collaboration with UAEs Edge Group
    KAI to deepen defense collaboration with UAE's Edge Group SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries said on Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ Edge Group to explore joint marketing and development of weapons systems. The partnership will link KAI with Edge’s Platforms & Systems division, opening the door to cooperation across air, land and maritime platforms. Company officials said the arrangement is expected to strengthen KAI’s competitiveness in a region where demand for advanced defense technologies has grown sharply in recent years. Edge, a state-owned conglomerate created by the UAE government, has rapidly become one of the Middle East’s most formidable defense players. The group maintains more than 35 subsidiaries and focuses on technologies such as autonomous drones, precision munitions and cyberwarfare tools. It employs roughly 17,000 people and reports annual revenue of about $5 billion. KAI said the two sides will study potential projects involving drones, armored vehicles and maintenance operations, as well as fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and other unmanned systems. “This agreement brings together the aerospace capabilities of both companies to create new opportunities for growth,” Cha Jae-byeong, KAI’s chief executive, said in a statement. “We aim to strengthen our technological and industrial ecosystems and deliver concrete results in the global aerospace market.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 09:59:12
  • Hyundai Motor to provide Staria vehicles for G20 delegates in South Africa
    Hyundai Motor to provide Staria vehicles for G20 delegates in South Africa SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor said Monday it will supply 30 Staria multi-purpose vehicles for the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The vehicles will be used to transport delegates during the Nov. 22-23 summit, which is expected to draw leaders from the G20 member nations as well as representatives from the European Union, African Union, United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank. This year’s agenda centers on themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability. Hyundai Motor said it aims to use the event to highlight the Staria’s design, cabin space and safety technology. The company signed an agreement in early September with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation to provide the fleet. “We are honored to support the first G20 summit on African soil,” Kim Il-beom, Hyundai’s vice president for global public operations, said in a statement. “We look forward to contributing to a successful event.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-17 16:09:15
  • KAI, Samsung team up to develop AI chips for defense systems
    KAI, Samsung team up to develop AI chips for defense systems SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries has formed a strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics to develop next-generation semiconductors for defense applications. KAI said Friday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung at its headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, to cooperate on the research, design and production of artificial intelligence and radio-frequency chips for aerospace and defense systems. The companies plan to establish joint working groups and build a long-term technology roadmap that adapts advanced civilian semiconductor technology for use in military hardware. The initiative is part of a broader effort by KAI to localize critical components used in weapon systems, from communications to sensors, amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and global supply-chain disruptions. Defense semiconductors require exceptional reliability and security standards, and the companies said they would prioritize meeting those demands while developing a more resilient supply base. KAI said the partnership would expand over time to include a wider range of defense-focused chip technologies and broader ecosystem development. “This strategic partnership with Samsung, a global leader in semiconductors, will be crucial for developing on-device AI semiconductors in the defense sector,” Cha Jae-byeong, KAI’s chief executive, said in a statement. “We aim to enhance South Korea’s defense industry and sovereign AI competitiveness.” Han Jin-man, president of Samsung’s foundry division, said the agreement would help advance the localization of defense-grade AI chips while reinforcing the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-14 13:45:32
  • Budget carrier Jin Air reaches milestone of 100 million passengers
    Budget carrier Jin Air reaches milestone of 100 million passengers SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Jin Air has carried over 100 million passengers as of early November, the budget carrier said on Tuesday. The milestone comes roughly 17 years and four months after the airline launched its no-frills service with its first route between Gimpo and Jeju in July 2008. The accumulated number of passengers had reached approximately 99.94 million by the end of October, surpassing 100 million in early November, with 56.1 million traveling on domestic flights and 43.9 million on international routes. As travel demand began to recover after the coronavirus pandemic,, Jin Air has expanded its fleet and routes, now operating 15 domestic and 32 international routes, including exclusive flights from Incheon to smaller Japanese islands such as Miyakojima and Ishigaki, as well as flights from Busan to Clark in the Philippines." With the annual number of passengers surpassing 10 million for the first time last year, the airline posted a record operating profit of 182.2 billion Korean won and achieved its highest-ever revenue of 1.4613 trillion won. A Jin Air spokesman said, "We will do our best to provide enjoyable travel experiences for our passengers and become a leading airline by successfully completing mergers with Air Busan and Air Seoul." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 14:12:53