Journalist

Kim Pil-soo
  • Kia opens assembly plant in Kazakhstan to boost Central Asia presence
    Kia opens assembly plant in Kazakhstan to boost Central Asia presence SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Kia said on Tuesday that it has opened a new automobile assembly plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan. Built with an investment of about $310 million, the facility spans 630,000 square meters and can produce up to 70,000 vehicles annually. The plant has begun assembling the Sorento SUV and plans to add production of the Sportage model in 2026. Kia said the new plant would serve as a hub for meeting rising regional demand and advancing localization efforts in the fast-growing Central Asian market. “The Kazakhstan plant is part of Kia’s global vision to create sustainable value through customer-centric innovation and electrification,” Kia President Song Ho-sung said in a statement. The company added that it plans to expand its model lineup based on local market trends and strengthen its supply chain in the region. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 15:25:30
  • South Koreas Hanwha Systems showcases high-resolution radar satellite
    South Korea's Hanwha Systems showcases high-resolution radar satellite SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Systems has revealed a new radar satellite that can capture extremely detailed images from space, marking a major step in South Korea’s space and defense ambitions. The company, along with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean, showcased the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Ultra High Resolution (UHR) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite for the first time at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 in Ilsan, Monday. Operating at altitudes below 400 kilometers, the VLEO UHR SAR satellite can detect objects as small as 15 centimeters — like a cell phone or a water bottle — surpassing the resolution of current top-tier radar satellites. The breakthrough could transform how South Korea observes and gathers data from space. Hanwha Systems said it plans to expand beyond building satellites to offer satellite imaging services and AI-based image analysis. The company also displayed a range of advanced radars, including systems for the KF-21 fighter jet, unmanned combat aircraft, and Gray Eagle-STOL drone. In a joint effort with Italy’s Leonardo, Hanwha unveiled the GRIFO-EK radar for light combat aircraft, attracting strong interest from the defense sector. Hanwha also presented an AI-powered integrated air defense system that can identify and respond to threats at various altitudes and distances. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 14:29:24
  • KAI teams up with US defense firm to develop manned-unmanned aircraft systems
    KAI teams up with US defense firm to develop manned-unmanned aircraft systems SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Monday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a U.S. defense company known for its unmanned aerial systems, to collaborate on manned-unmanned teaming technology. The agreement seeks to establish a partnership in developing systems that integrate piloted aircraft with drones — known as manned-unmanned teaming, or MUM-T — for the domestic market, with an eye toward future expansion overseas. KAI has identified MUM-T platforms as one of its six next-generation growth areas. Earlier this year, the company unveiled KAILOT, an artificial intelligence pilot brand, as part of a broader push to advance autonomous flight technology. Kratos, based in San Diego, has built a reputation as a key player in the U.S. defense sector, producing systems such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie and BQM-167 aerial target drones. Over the past decades, the company has supplied high-performance drones for the U.S. military and recently achieved milestones in collaborative combat aircraft and MUM-T operations. The partnership comes as South Korea seeks to merge artificial intelligence and autonomous flight into its next generation of combat systems. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 14:16:07
  • Hanwha to unveil next-generation AI weapons at ADEX 2025
    Hanwha to unveil next-generation AI weapons at ADEX 2025 SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Group plans to unveil a suite of AI-driven defense systems designed to address manpower shortages and enhance battlefield efficiency. The group said Thursday Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean will jointly participate in the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, to be held Oct. 20–24 at KINTEX in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul. The companies plan to showcase more than 10 thematic zones centered around a “space zone,” underscoring Hanwha’s commitment to AI integration across land, sea, air, and space technologies. Among the highlights will be the debut of the Loitering Precision Guided Weapon (L-PGW), a next-generation system that combines the capabilities of a missile and a drone. Designed as a future export model, the L-PGW can be launched from Hanwha’s Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher and uses AI to locate, track, and engage targets via satellite link before deploying a self-destructing drone on impact. The company will also introduce the Themis-K, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) tailored for the Korean military and built on a platform developed by Estonia’s Milrem Robotics. The vehicle, equipped with Hanwha Aerospace’s remote-controlled weapon system, will appear alongside smaller UGVs such as the Arion-SMET and Grunt models. Another exhibit will feature the evolution of Hanwha’s signature K9 self-propelled howitzer — from the semi-automated K9A2, which reduces crew needs from five to three, to the fully unmanned K9A3, capable of autonomous maneuvering in coordinated formations under a single command vehicle. At sea, Hanwha Ocean will showcase a next-generation “strategic surface ship” equipped with AI-based threat detection, while Hanwha Systems will present a “Smart Battleship” that integrates combat, engine control, and bridge operations through AI-assisted target recognition and engagement management. In the space zone, Hanwha Systems will display the Nuri rocket, slated for its fourth launch, alongside a 0.15-meter ultra-high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The company said that combining AI with satellite imaging will dramatically enhance surveillance and target identification capabilities. Hanwha will also outline its long-term vision for “Defense Sovereign AI” — a Korean-developed AI framework for secure defense applications. Working with domestic IT firms and small and midsize enterprises, Hanwha aims to build an integrated system linking detection, command, and strike capabilities based on Korean defense data and infrastructure. “In a rapidly changing security environment, we aim to contribute to self-reliant defense with cutting-edge AI technology,” Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, said in a press release. “Together with our partners, we hope to build a competitive domestic defense ecosystem that serves as a growth engine for the future.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-16 11:11:32
  • South Korean firm unveils first images from UAE-built radar satellite
    South Korean firm unveils first images from UAE-built radar satellite SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s Satrec Initiative on Tuesday released the first images captured by Etihad-SAT, a synthetic aperture radar satellite developed in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates. The satellite, which operates on X-band electromagnetic waves, is capable of producing high-resolution images of Earth regardless of weather or lighting conditions — a key advantage of radar-based observation systems. Etihad-SAT was launched on March 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Equipped with a slot array waveguide antenna, the satellite can control its radar beam with precision without relying on complex mechanical movements. The design enables stable imaging with a resolution of 25 centimeters and an observation swath exceeding 100 kilometers, according to the company. Kim I-eul, chief executive of Satrec Initiative, said the release of the images marks an important milestone in the company’s radar satellite development. “We have secured a foundation for independent technology in the high-resolution SAR satellite sector, building on our expertise in optical satellite development,” Kim said. “We aim to contribute to the growth of the global space industry with our unique technology and flexible business models.” The Etihad-SAT project reflects a growing collaboration between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in space technology, combining Seoul’s manufacturing and engineering expertise with the UAE’s expanding ambitions in Earth observation and national space capabilities. Synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, satellites can penetrate cloud cover and operate day and night, making them vital tools for defense, agriculture, disaster monitoring and urban planning. Satrec Initiative said combining radar and optical imaging technologies could further enhance global Earth observation systems and expand the commercial applications of satellite data. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-14 11:00:53
  • ASEAN students receive scholarships from Chung Mong-Koo Foundation
    ASEAN students receive scholarships from Chung Mong-Koo Foundation SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation of South Korea has awarded scholarships to 13 students from across Southeast Asia, the latest recipients in a program that has supported hundreds of young scholars since its creation in 2012. At a ceremony held Sept. 27 in central Seoul, the foundation announced that the new recipients — from Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines — will begin graduate and undergraduate studies in 2026 at some of South Korea’s most prestigious universities, including Seoul National University, Korea University and KAIST. The scholarships, covering full tuition and living expenses, reflect Hyundai Motor Group honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo’s philosophy of investing in talent. Each student receives not only tuition but also an annual study grant of 14.4 million won (about $10,500), along with settlement and graduation stipends. Additional funds are available for research and academic conferences. Since 2011, the foundation has provided financial support to more than 240 international students from eight ASEAN countries, in addition to Korean students, with total funding reaching 140 billion won. On average, each recipient receives about 57 million won over the course of their studies. Beyond financial aid, the program fosters networking and academic growth through summer camps, seminars and collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Social Development. Graduates become part of the Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship Fellows community, maintaining ties across borders. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 11:15:20
  • LIG Nex1 signs pact with Airbus to bolster air defense cooperation
    LIG Nex1 signs pact with Airbus to bolster air defense cooperation SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 said Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Airbus Defense and Space to expand collaboration on integrated air defense systems. The agreement, finalized on Sept. 22 at LIG Nex1’s headquarters in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, builds on an earlier pact signed during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in 2023. Company officials said the latest deal aims to strengthen research in integrated air defense at home while boosting export projects in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where demand for advanced missile defense systems has been rising. Airbus Defense and Space, based in France, is one of Europe’s leading defense contractors, with expertise in aerospace technologies and military equipment. LIG Nex1, meanwhile, has positioned itself as South Korea’s only defense manufacturer with a full spectrum of experience in air defense systems, from the medium-range Cheongung interceptor to the long-range L-SAM, a system often compared to the U.S.-made THAAD. “With the rise of complex threats such as drones, ballistic missiles and long-range rockets, the need for a multi-layered, network-based integrated air defense system is growing,” LIG Nex1 said in a press release. “We hope this partnership will advance Korea’s capabilities while opening new opportunities in overseas markets.” South Korea has recently struck multibillion-dollar arms agreements with Poland and other nations, positioning itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing defense suppliers amid heightened global demand. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-23 16:20:57
  • Hanwha honors US Korean War veterans with industrial tour, tribute
    Hanwha honors US Korean War veterans with industrial tour, tribute SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - Three major South Korean defense companies joined the government last week in honoring American veterans of the Korean War. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, hosted 85 veterans and family members from Sept. 18 to 20 as part of the ministry’s long-running “Revisit Korea Program.” Established in 1975, the initiative invites U.S. veterans back to the peninsula they once defended, offering a blend of remembrance and reflection on South Korea’s dramatic transformation. The visitors included Lois R. Guin, 98, a former Navy nurse who served aboard the hospital ship USS Haven, and Robert M. Martinez, 94, a former Army soldier. Their itinerary featured a tour of Hanwha’s sprawling defense facilities in South Gyeongsang Province, including live demonstrations of the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, as well as a stop at the group’s shipyard in Geoje, a hub of naval construction. The ministry also conferred the “Korea-U.S. Alliance Family Award” on five families with multi-generational ties to the alliance. Honorees included the late Raymond Virgil Daly, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, and his son James E. Daly, who served in South Korea in the 1980s. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-22 10:33:42
  • Hyundai Rotem opens first rail component plant in US
    Hyundai Rotem opens first rail component plant in US SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean rail manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has opened its first American production facility, a move aimed at aligning with Washington’s push to localize infrastructure supply chains. The 8,500-square-meter plant, called Hyundai Rotem Smart Electric America, officially opened on Wednesday (local time) in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, the company said Friday. Demand for rail infrastructure in Southern California is likely to surge ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics, presenting a window of opportunity for new entrants. Hyundai Rotem, which has supplied trains to projects from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, is seeking to position itself as a reliable partner to U.S. transit authorities. The plant will manufacture and test propulsion control systems, traction motors and auxiliary power units — core components that power trains and manage their braking and electrical systems. “This is a crucial starting point for realizing our commitment to quality in the U.S.,” Lee Yong-bae, Hyundai Rotem’s chief executive, said at the opening ceremony. He added that the plant was expected to support job creation and local economic growth. The investment is also a strategic bet on the Trump administration’s “Buy America” rules, which require federally funded infrastructure projects to source a significant share of their materials and components domestically. For foreign suppliers like Hyundai Rotem, a U.S. manufacturing base is no longer optional but a prerequisite to compete for contracts. The Riverside plant will not only handle production but also provide maintenance support and training for American operators, a move the company hopes will strengthen ties with local communities and rail firms. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-19 09:38:25
  • Hyundai Motor joins international hydrogen energy conference in Japan
    Hyundai Motor joins international hydrogen energy conference in Japan Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that it participated in the 7th Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Osaka, Japan, on Sept. 15. The Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting, initiated in 2018, gathers officials from major countries and international organizations to discuss hydrogen energy promotion and global cooperation. This year, it was held alongside the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted by Japan and Brazil, in connection with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Under the theme of "Creating Demand," the meetings included ministers and vice ministers from 25 member countries, including South Korea, Japan, the EU, the UK, and Brazil, as well as representatives from international organizations like the Asian Development Bank, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Energy Forum. Hyundai shared insights on raising awareness of global hydrogen initiatives, promoting low-carbon industry transitions through international cooperation, and building a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. Ken Ramirez, Hyundai's VP of Energy & Hydrogen, stated, "Hydrogen is at a pivotal point as a key pillar of global energy transition. Continuous policy support and effective implementation are essential to realize its potential." He added, "To make hydrogen a competitive solution, we must link financial support with industry development and build infrastructure, investment, and policy frameworks together." Ramirez also highlighted hydrogen cooperation between South Korea and Japan, noting, "The Korea-Japan Hydrogen Dialogue in March reaffirmed our commitment to hydrogen collaboration, promising joint efforts to standardize and institutionalize the hydrogen ecosystem, accelerating its development." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 09:57:28