Journalist

Kim Pil-soo
  • South Korean Arms Makers Showcase Advanced Weapons at Saudi Defense Expo
    South Korean Arms Makers Showcase Advanced Weapons at Saudi Defense Expo South Korea’s defense industry, riding a boom, is taking its pitch to the Middle East’s biggest market as companies compete for Saudi Arabia’s oil-funded procurement. Major firms are showcasing advanced land, sea and air systems alongside global rivals.  Industry officials said Monday that leading South Korean defense companies joined the 2026 World Defense Show, which opened Sunday (local time) in Riyadh.  Hanwha’s three defense affiliates, Hyundai Rotem, LIG Nex1 and Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, set up near the entrance of the third exhibition hall, close to pavilions for host Saudi Arabia as well as China and Russia.  Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean built a combined 677-square-meter booth, their largest yet, to highlight future integrated weapons systems using artificial intelligence and network-centric battlefield solutions.  KAI said it will focus marketing on exporting the KF-21, which is scheduled to be fielded this year, while also displaying the FA-50, the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), a nano synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite and unmanned aircraft. The KF-21 area is being run as a joint exhibit with companies that took part in developing the aircraft under a “Team Korea” concept.  Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, commander of the Saudi air force, visited KAI’s Sacheon headquarters on Jan. 28, watched a KF-21 demonstration flight and toured mass-production facilities, the company said.  LIG Nex1, which entered the Middle East market with a 2024 export of the Cheongung-II to Saudi Arabia, is promoting a layered air-defense package. It includes Cheongung, the long-range surface-to-air guided weapon (L-SAM), the long-range artillery interception system (LAMD) and the Shingung (CHIRON), aimed at countering missile, drone and aircraft threats.  Hyundai Rotem said it will emphasize ground systems and future-warfare technologies, including maneuver weapons, manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and hydrogen mobility, as it seeks to expand in the Middle East.  The South Korean government is also backing the push. Defense Minister Ahn met in Riyadh with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, proposing forward-looking cooperation in defense and the defense industry and inviting Khalid to visit South Korea within the year.  Saudi Arabia allocated $78 billion for defense spending last year and is pursuing measures to promote its defense industry, including attracting domestic and foreign investment, according to the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). 2026-02-09 18:03:00
  • South Korea inks fighter jet maintenance deal with Philippines
    South Korea inks fighter jet maintenance deal with Philippines SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - South Korea has signed a deal with the Philippines to provide support and maintenance services for fighter jets, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on Monday. Under the performance-based logistics (PBL) deal, worth about 101.4 billion Korean won (about US$70 million), which runs through 2028, KAI will provide maintenance and logistics support for its FA-50 fighter jets supplied to the Philippines. The three-year deal comes as an initial one-year pilot contract worth 27 billion won in December 2024 delivered stable operating results. The latest deal also reflects long-term trust between the two countries after KAI's previous contracts in 2010 for the South Korean Air Force's T-50 trainer planes and Surion transport utility helicopters. The Philippines is a major client for the FA-50. The country first purchased a dozen FA-50PH aircraft in 2014 and acquired an additional 12 last year, building a close relationship with South Korea over about 10 years through follow-up services and logistics support. KAI said maintenance and support services are crucial because they can generate two to five times the revenue of initial aircraft sales, making them a key part of its growth strategy. Park Kyung-eun, a KAI executive, said, "We will work hard to provide optimized support and services tailored to each client and country to sustain exports of home-grown aircraft while expanding markets and maintaining competitiveness in the global aerospace and defense market." 2026-02-09 17:49:12
  • Hyundai Motor Group Falls to No. 4 Outside China as BYD Overtakes in EV Sales
    Hyundai Motor Group Falls to No. 4 Outside China as BYD Overtakes in EV Sales Hyundai Motor Group was overtaken by China’s BYD in electric vehicle sales last year in the global market excluding China. According to market research firm SNE Research on Sunday, BYD sold 627,000 EVs outside China last year, up 141.8% from a year earlier. That put BYD in third place by automaker, ahead of Hyundai Motor Group’s 609,000. Volkswagen ranked No. 1, delivering 1.266 million vehicles, up 60.0%. Tesla was No. 2 with 1.01 million, down 10.7%. It was the first time Hyundai Motor Group posted lower annual EV sales than BYD in the market excluding China. SNE Research said BYD’s push into overseas markets, backed by price competitiveness and in-house battery technology, became clear in last year’s rankings. BYD has expanded and built plants in Europe (Hungary and Turkey) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia). It also diversified its portfolio to match regional demand, focusing on commercial vehicles and small cars. Hyundai Motor Group, despite relatively steady growth, ceded third place as BYD’s sales surged. SNE Research said the Ioniq 5 and EV3 led results, but sales of key models such as Kia’s EV6 and EV9 and Hyundai’s Kona Electric slowed, limiting momentum. Hyundai Motor Group delivered about 166,000 vehicles in North America last year. SNE Research noted concerns that price competitiveness could be hurt if the United States raises tariffs on South Korean-made cars back to 25%. “Hyundai Motor Group has room to partially cushion tariff risk by expanding local production, including at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia,” SNE Research said. But it warned that if tariffs expand to parts, even U.S.-assembled vehicles could face cost pressure, making lineup mix, pricing strategy and the pace of supply-chain localization key variables. EV registrations outside China, including plug-in hybrids, totaled 7.662 million last year, up 26.6%. SNE Research said that compared with 2024, when growth slowed to 6.0% amid a temporary demand slump, the market appears to be entering a recovery phase. The compound annual growth rate from 2017 to 2025 was 37.7%. By region, Europe rose 34.9% to 4.257 million vehicles, accounting for 55.6% of the market excluding China. North America fell 5.0% to 1.736 million after clean-vehicle tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act ended in September last year. Asia excluding China totaled 1.233 million, up 58.5%. SNE Research said growth held in 2025, but the market’s focus shifted from policy-driven expansion to profitability, supply chains and price competitiveness. It said moderate growth is likely to continue in 2026, but regional volatility could increase as tariffs, regulations and incentives change.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 17:06:00
  • South Korea Auto Industry Urges Fast Passage of U.S. Investment Special Act Amid Export Uncertainty
    South Korea Auto Industry Urges Fast Passage of U.S. Investment Special Act Amid Export Uncertainty The South Korean auto industry urged lawmakers to quickly pass the proposed “Special Act on Strategic Investment Management Between South Korea and the United States.” The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAIA) said in a statement Monday that the industry is increasingly uneasy after reports that the U.S. government is considering raising tariffs on major items, including automobiles, from 15% back to 25%. KAIA said the move is being discussed because of delays in passing the special act and other factors, despite a bilateral agreement reached in November last year. KAIA said the possibility of higher tariffs is “amplifying uncertainty” across the auto industry’s investment and export environment, and it expressed “serious concern.” As the shift to future mobility accelerates, KAIA said, companies need a predictable and stable business environment to support large-scale investment aimed at securing global leadership. It warned that prolonged uncertainty over potential tariff hikes would weaken companies’ willingness to invest and could erode competitiveness across the broader industrial ecosystem. KAIA called for swift passage of the special act so companies can reduce external risks and continue investment and exports in a stable environment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 16:24:00
  • KAI Signs $101.4 Billion-Won FA-50PH Support Contract With Philippines
    KAI Signs $101.4 Billion-Won FA-50PH Support Contract With Philippines Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Monday it has signed a performance-based logistics (PBL) contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense for FA-50PH fighter jets. The contract is worth about 101.4 billion won and runs through 2028, the company said. KAI said it previously signed a one-year PBL pilot contract worth 27 billion won with the Philippines in December 2024, the first such deal with an export customer. It said the pilot delivered stable operations and high aircraft availability, leading to the three-year agreement. PBL provides logistics support based on operational performance such as aircraft availability and maintenance reliability. KAI described it as an advanced support model designed to ensure stable support over an aircraft life cycle of 30 to 40 years. KAI said it has run PBL programs for about 15 years, starting with the South Korean Air Force’s KT/A-1 in 2010 and expanding to the T-50 and Surion aircraft families. The Philippines is a key FA-50 operator for KAI. It first introduced 12 FA-50PH aircraft in 2014 and has built a close relationship with KAI through follow-on support and logistics assistance over about 10 years, the company said. Based on that relationship, the Philippines last year signed contracts to acquire an additional 12 FA-50PH aircraft and to upgrade the performance of the FA-50PHs exported in 2014, KAI said. KAI said the Philippines deal follows a PBL contract signed with Thailand in April last year and reflects a pattern in which aircraft exports are followed by sustained support, then expanded through additional purchases and upgrade projects. Park Kyung-eun, executive vice president and head of KAI’s CS division, said the company will build tailored follow-on support systems optimized for each country’s operating environment and needs. “Through this, we will secure sustainable export competitiveness and further expand our presence in the global aerospace and defense market,” Park said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 16:09:18
  • Low-Priced Tesla, BYD EVs Gain in South Korea, Pressuring Hyundai and Kia
    Low-Priced Tesla, BYD EVs Gain in South Korea, Pressuring Hyundai and Kia Imported electric vehicles are rapidly expanding in South Korea, increasing pressure on domestic brands such as Hyundai Motor and Kia. Tesla, which sold nearly 60,000 vehicles last year, has already overtaken Hyundai in sales, and value-focused Chinese brands led by BYD are also gaining ground, raising the stakes for Hyundai and Kia in their home market. According to Kaizu Data Research Institute data released on Feb. 8, South Korea registered 5,733 EVs in January, up 141.1% from 2,378 a year earlier. More than half were Tesla (1,968) and BYD (1,347). Tesla helped drive the domestic EV market last year with sales nearing 60,000. Since 2023, it has lowered prices by importing China-made versions of the Model Y and Model 3. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association said Tesla’s U.S.-made models cost 59 million won, compared with about 53 million won for China-made models. BYD also topped 6,000 sales in its first year in South Korea, signaling room to grow. With Tesla and BYD performing strongly, sales of China-made EVs totaled 74,728 last year, more than doubling from the previous year. In its second year in South Korea, BYD recently unveiled the compact hatchback Dolphin to sharpen its value pitch. Its price is 24.5 million won after tax benefits for eco-friendly vehicles, before subsidies are applied. Hyundai and Kia are responding by expanding incentives to defend their domestic market. Kia has cut prices this year for the EV5 long-range compact SUV by 2.8 million won and for the EV6 by 3 million won. For the EV5 standard model, the out-of-pocket price could fall to the 34 million won range after central and local government subsidies, the company said. Hyundai is also strengthening low-interest financing for EVs. Last month it lowered the installment-loan rate under its “Hyundai EV Burden Down Promotion” by 2.6 percentage points, from 5.4% to 2.8%. The discounted rate applies to the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kona Electric. Under the promotion, Hyundai said buyers could save about 2.5 million won in interest on the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, and about 2.1 million won on the Kona Electric. Jung Myung Hoon, a senior researcher at KAMA, said the EV market rebound in 2025 reflects a combination of demand concentrated in a few popular models, government support such as subsidies and manufacturers’ price competition, rather than broad-based mass adoption or a structural shift in demand. He warned that the rapid inflow of China-made EVs can help expand adoption by lowering prices and widening consumer choice, but it is also intensifying pressure on South Korea’s manufacturing base and supply-chain competitiveness. He added that because major competitors are already using strong policies to protect their industries, South Korea should discuss support measures such as a “domestic production promotion tax system” to bolster price competitiveness for locally made EVs and protect the manufacturing ecosystem.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 05:03:00
  • Renault Korea to Offer Free Vehicle Safety Checks Ahead of Lunar New Year Holiday
    Renault Korea to Offer Free Vehicle Safety Checks Ahead of Lunar New Year Holiday Renault Korea said Sunday it will offer free vehicle inspections nationwide to support safe driving during the Lunar New Year holiday, when many drivers travel long distances. The company will also run a giveaway for customers who pay for repairs during the period. The free-check program will run Feb. 9-13, longer than the joint schedule set by the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association. Customers can visit any of Renault Korea’s seven company-run service centers or 364 service-network locations for the inspection. Inspection items include lamps; key fluids such as power-steering oil, engine oil, brake oil, washer fluid, coolant and automatic transmission oil; wiper operation; front and rear brake pads; tire condition and wear; and winter-safety essentials including the battery and terminals and belt cracking. Renault Korea said it will also hold an event for customers who need repairs based on the inspection results. Among customers who receive at least 50,000 won in paid repairs at service-network locations during the free-check period, the company will draw 100 winners a day, for a total of 500, and provide each a mobile fuel voucher worth 20,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-08 16:36:00
  • Hybrids Top 30% of South Korea Auto Sales for First Time in 2024
    Hybrids Top 30% of South Korea Auto Sales for First Time in 2024 Hybrid vehicles accounted for more than 30% of South Korea’s domestic auto sales for the first time last year, government data showed. According to vehicle registration statistics released Sunday by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the five major automakers — Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility — sold a combined 1,373,221 vehicles in the domestic market last year. Of those, 415,921 were hybrids. Hybrids made up 30.3% of total sales, the highest share on record. The hybrid share has climbed steadily in recent years, rising from 10.4% in 2021 to 13.2% in 2022, 19.5% in 2023 and 26.5% in 2024. Hybrid sales volume also nearly tripled, from 149,489 vehicles in 2021 to 415,921 last year. With the shift to full electrification moving more slowly than expected, hybrids have emerged as a mainstream alternative that offers some benefits of electric vehicles without the burden of charging infrastructure, the report said. The report cited fuel efficiency, quiet operation, driving convenience and lower upkeep costs as strengths that help offset drawbacks such as higher prices and long wait times. By model, the Kia Sorento Hybrid led the market with 69,862 sold last year. It was followed by the Kia Carnival Hybrid with 46,458 and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid with 43,064. Renault Korea’s Grand Koleos Hybrid sold 35,352 units, ranking sixth and making it the only non-Hyundai-Kia brand to place in the top 10, the data showed. The auto industry expects the hybrid market to expand further this year. Genesis plans to introduce its first hybrid lineup, and Kia plans to launch a new Seltos Hybrid to strengthen its position in the small SUV segment. Interest in hybrid models is also growing in the imported-car market. Global brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as Chinese brands including BYD and Zeekr, are stepping up efforts to target South Korea by emphasizing efficiency and value, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-08 15:00:00
  • Hyundai to Add 10 More Dealerships in Brazil This Year to Boost Sales
    Hyundai to Add 10 More Dealerships in Brazil This Year to Boost Sales Hyundai Motor is accelerating an expansion of its sales network in Brazil, aiming to shore up results as its market position has weakened. Industry officials said Hyundai Motor Brazil (HMB) recently opened a new dealership in Campo Mourao, Parana state. The site covers 1,500 square meters, including a 250-square-meter showroom. Hyundai currently operates about 240 official dealerships across five regions in Brazil. It plans to expand to at least 250 by the end of the year, increasing customer touchpoints as it seeks a rebound in the market. Brazil is Hyundai Motor Group’s only production base in Central and South America and is home to Hyundai’s Brazil unit and its regional headquarters. Brazil’s passenger-car sales have risen each year since 2021, when 1,557,957 vehicles were sold, and totaled nearly 2 million last year. Hyundai’s influence, however, has been fading. Hyundai’s annual sales in Brazil have held around 200,000 vehicles, but its market share has declined each year since peaking at 11.87% in 2022. Last year, sales fell from a year earlier and its share slipped to 10.05%. The gap with rivals remains narrow. Hyundai has ranked fourth in Brazil’s passenger-car market for eight straight years, while the top three — Volkswagen (18.32%), Fiat (15.22%) and General Motors (11.18%) — are also competing in a tight race with shares in the teens. Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, met in 2024 with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and said the group wanted to “grow together with Brazil, not simply sell cars,” announcing plans to invest a total of US$1.1 billion (about 1.46 trillion won) through 2032. Hyundai is developing a dedicated powertrain for hybrid flex-fuel vehicles and plans to introduce electric models such as the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric in Brazil. The country is pursuing the Green Mobility Innovation (MOVER) program, which offers tax benefits to automakers investing in decarbonization, a move expected to favor Hyundai’s electrification push. Hyundai Motor Group also plans to pursue new business opportunities by extending its global hydrogen network into Central and South America, with Brazil as a hub. It set up a dedicated hydrogen business team for the region in Brazil in late 2023 and is working to develop the market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 18:03:00
  • Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab chief says people matter more than tech as robots advance
    Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab chief says people matter more than tech as robots advance Hyun Dong-jin, an executive director who leads Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab, said that as industry evolves, people matter more than the technology itself because they operate it, understand it and build the systems around it. Speaking Thursday at the fourth Korea Top CEO Forum at the Westin Josun Seoul, Hyun said, “Rather than imagining a dystopia, if we think about how technology can solve social problems, our society can become a warm, technology-based society.” His remarks come as Hyundai Motor Group’s plan to introduce the humanoid robot Atlas is seen as signaling structural changes in the labor market, underscoring the need for productive public discussion and consensus. “Engineers’ efforts and social consensus are needed for robots to fully replace people,” Hyun said. “I think we still have time.” After outlining the development path of artificial intelligence from large language models, or LLMs, to vision-language models, or VLMs, and then vision-language-action, or VLA, Hyun said automation of physical work will arrive last because VLA is the most technically behind. Introducing a dual-arm robot under research at the lab, Hyun said the goal is not to replace people but to take on tasks that could cause illness if done by humans. On Chinese robotics companies, Hyun said China benefits from government support and a large market that allows firms to optimize products through trial and error, adding that they are showing signs of being leaders in physical AI. “We must always stay alert that we could fall behind,” he said, adding, “I will fight fiercely like Adm. Yi Sun-sin, who fought with 12 ships.” Hyun cited functionality and price as key factors in whether robots succeed commercially. “From quality to maintenance and after-sales service, we must manage everything well and offer prices consumers are willing to pay,” he said, stressing the need for engineering efforts toward common use, standardization and modularization. Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab last year unveiled a mass-production model of its autonomous-driving mobility robot platform MobED, and in 2024 launched the industrial wearable robot X-ble Shoulder.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 17:30:00