Journalist

Lee Seong-jin
  • Air Busan Delivers Lunar New Year Care Kits to Residents Near Gimhae Airport
    Air Busan Delivers Lunar New Year Care Kits to Residents Near Gimhae Airport Air Busan said Wednesday it held a Lunar New Year sharing event Tuesday for residents living in noise-mitigation areas near Gimhae Airport. Air Busan employees visited senior centers and homes in the area, delivering essential-goods kits to about 100 older residents and spending time talking with them. The kits included daily necessities such as shampoo, detergent, toothpaste and toothbrushes. The airline said the effort focused on neighborhoods near Gimhae Airport designated for noise countermeasures, giving employees a better understanding of residents’ inconvenience and living conditions. Air Busan has carried out other community programs centered on areas near the airport, including providing a food truck on Jan. 30 for older adults at a welfare center in Gangseo District, Busan. “As an airline operating with Gimhae Airport as our hub, we will continue efforts to coexist with the local community and fulfill our social responsibility, based on deep understanding and empathy for residents affected by airport noise,” an Air Busan official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 08:27:00
  • Renault Korea’s Busan Plant Tops 4 Million Vehicles, Expands Role as Global Hub
    Renault Korea’s Busan Plant Tops 4 Million Vehicles, Expands Role as Global Hub 르노코리아는 지난 2000년 국내 시장 출범 이래 26년 만에 부산공장에서 누적 생산 400만대를 돌파했다고 12일 밝혔다. 르노코리아는 부산공장이 르노그룹 내 D·E 세그먼트 생산을 맡는 글로벌 허브로, 품질 경쟁력을 인정받고 있다고 밝혔다. 부산공장은 국내 약 220만대, 해외 약 180만대 등 총 400만대 이상을 출고했다. 부산공장에서 가장 많이 생산된 차량은 중형 세단 SM5로, 총 95만4000대가 생산됐다. SM3는 80만5000대, 닛산 로그는 58만5000대가 생산됐다. 니콜라 파리 르노코리아 사장은 기념 행사에서 "부산공장에서 400만대 이상을 생산할 수 있었던 가장 큰 원동력은 최고 수준의 품질 경쟁력과 임직원들의 뛰어난 역량"이라며 "이번 400만대 누적 생산을 새로운 도약의 출발점으로 삼아 500만대 생산을 향해 더욱 힘차게 나아가겠다"고 말했다. 르노코리아는 부산공장이 르노그룹의 '인터내셔널 게임 플랜 2027'에서 핵심 생산 거점 역할을 하고 있으며, 그룹의 주요 품질 관리 지표에서도 최상위권을 기록하고 있다고 밝혔다. 또 부산공장은 하나의 생산 라인에서 최대 4개 플랫폼, 8개 차종을 생산할 수 있는 혼류 생산 체계를 구축했다고 밝혔다. 지난해 1월에는 설비 업데이트를 통해 국내 자동차 기업 최초로 내연기관 생산 라인을 전기차 조립까지 가능한 라인으로 전환했다고 덧붙였다. 이를 기반으로 중형 SUV '그랑 콜레오스', 글로벌 플래그십 크로스오버 '필랑트', '폴스타 4' 등 내연기관과 하이브리드, 순수 전기차를 동시에 생산하는 체계를 갖췄다고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 08:18:00
  • Chinese-Made EVs Expand in South Korea as Polestar Targets Luxury Segment
    Chinese-Made EVs Expand in South Korea as Polestar Targets Luxury Segment South Korea’s shift to electric vehicles is accelerating, and imported brands are stepping up their push. After gains by value-focused EVs led by Tesla and BYD, premium brands are also expanding lineups to lock in market share. Ham Jong Seong, CEO of Polestar Korea, unveiled the Polestar 3 and Polestar 5 on Tuesday at the “2026 Polestar Media Day” at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, saying, “This year, we will make it the first year of a leap from premium to a luxury brand.” The Polestar 3 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter and the Polestar 5 in the third quarter. On pricing, Ham said the vehicles will be introduced “at the most attractive prices among all global markets where Polestar operates.” In Europe, the Polestar 3 and Polestar 5 sell for about 120 million won and 200 million won, respectively. Polestar Korea also said it has no plans to resume sales of the Polestar 2 until a next-generation model is released. Polestar entered South Korea with the Polestar 2, then shifted its main model to the Polestar 4 in 2024 as it moved upmarket. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, the Polestar 4 recorded the highest sales last year among premium imported EVs priced at 60 million won or more, with 2,611 units. With Polestar Korea signaling new premium EV launches every year, the influence of Chinese-made EVs in South Korea is expected to keep growing. Tesla has driven the market since 2023 by importing China-built versions of the Model Y and Model 3 and sharply lowering prices, posting sales of about 60,000 vehicles last year. BYD also sold more than 6,000 units in its first year in South Korea. BYD aims to top 10,000 this year by expanding its lineup, including the compact hatchback Dolphin. Polestar was founded in Sweden, but it has been viewed as a Chinese brand since it was absorbed in 2017 by Geely Holding Group along with Volvo. Polestar vehicles sold in South Korea are also produced in China. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association classifies Polestar as a “Chinese-made EV,” along with Tesla and BYD. Zeekr, another premium EV brand under Geely, has also signaled plans to enter South Korea. Zeekr said it formalized its entry late last year by holding a dealer contract signing ceremony with four partners: H Mobility ZK, IronEV, KCC Mobility and ZK Mobility. As imported EVs gain ground, the market share of domestic brands such as Hyundai Motor and Kia is shrinking. According to KAMA, domestic EV share fell to 57.2% last year from 75% in 2022. KAMA said the spread of Chinese-made EVs can broaden consumer choice and push prices down, but it also poses a threat by increasing competitive pressure on South Korea’s manufacturing base and supply chains, requiring a mid- to long-term response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 18:03:31
  • Volkswagen Group says it has built 5 million electric drive systems
    Volkswagen Group says it has built 5 million electric drive systems Volkswagen Group said Tuesday it has produced a total of 5 million electric drive systems. The milestone was achieved across plants in Gyor, Hungary; Kassel and Zuffenhausen, Germany; and Tianjin, China. The company said the result reflects its engineering capabilities and production network, as well as an electrification strategy being expanded systematically across brands and regions. Volkswagen Group Components’ capability network played a central role, the company said. At the Kassel plant in Germany, output of electric drive systems rose about 24% from a year earlier to more than 850,000 units this year. Thomas Schmall, a member of Volkswagen Group’s board of management for the technical division, called the 5 million mark “a milestone” that shows the group’s leadership in both internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicle segments. He said the group, through its global development and production network, has “full control” of all elements of electric drive systems, helping speed innovation and ensure quality. Schmall added that the group has gained additional expertise by developing its first pulse inverter in-house and is directly handling the control unit that serves as the “brain” of the electric drive system. He said that will help ensure top performance for customers and further strengthen the group’s technological independence. The most widely used electric drive system within the group is the APP550, which is installed in Volkswagen’s ID family as well as the Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Tavascan. To date, a total of 1 million APP550 units have been produced at the group’s components plant in Kassel alone.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 13:51:00
  • Polestar to Launch Two New EV Models in South Korea, Targets 4,000 Sales in 2026
    Polestar to Launch Two New EV Models in South Korea, Targets 4,000 Sales in 2026 Swedish premium electric-vehicle brand Polestar is expanding its lineup in South Korea this year with two additional models as it seeks to grow its presence. Polestar Korea on Tuesday held its “2026 Polestar Media Day” at the Grand Hyatt in Seoul’s Yongsan district, outlining launch plans and its broader strategy. The two models are the performance SUV Polestar 3 and the flagship SUV Polestar 5. Polestar 3 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter, and Polestar 5 in the third quarter. The company said it is positioning 2026 as the first year of a “premium to luxury” push, focusing on expanding its product lineup, boosting brand value and awareness, and upgrading the ownership experience. It set a sales target of 4,000 vehicles, up more than 30% from last year, and expects Polestar 3 and Polestar 5 to account for about 15% to 20% of that total. “If 2025 was the year we built a foundation for growth through Polestar 4, 2026 will be the year we make a full leap as a luxury EV brand centered on Polestar 3 and Polestar 5,” CEO Ham Jong Seong said. “We will make the experience of owning a Polestar a premium one that goes beyond transportation and extends across a customer’s lifestyle.” Polestar Korea said it plans to introduce a new premium EV every year going forward. To raise awareness and reinforce an upscale image, the company named actor Kim Woo Bin as its brand ambassador. It said it will expand customer engagement through TV commercials and other content and interactive programs. The company also plans to expand its retail footprint. It will relocate and expand its Hannam showroom to Dosan-daero in Seoul’s Gangnam district within the first quarter and open a new showroom in Daegu. It plans additional openings in Ilsan and Incheon by year’s end, increasing showrooms to 10 from seven. It also said it will strengthen partnerships with Shinsegae and Samsung Card to broaden access to VIP customers. To improve the ownership experience, Polestar Korea said it will invest in charging infrastructure, aiming to add more than 400 chargers at 40 locations nationwide by 2030. It also plans to launch a Polestar owner app in February to provide an integrated system for service reservations and maintenance-history checks. The company said its recently introduced Polestar Care program offers benefits ranging from new-vehicle exchanges to tire replacements and support for the deductible on a customer’s own auto insurance in the event of an accident. It said it will gradually expand the scope and eligible models and plans to introduce an extended-warranty product within the year. Polestar Korea also said it will offer customer-only membership services, including premium home delivery, airport pickup and charging, and hotel valet service, as well as a Polestar Stay program for customers visiting Jeju. Ham said South Korea ranks within Polestar’s top six markets globally and is its best-selling market in Asia. He said the company is also interested in South Korea for its advanced “K-battery” sector and ongoing partnerships with parts and equipment suppliers. The Polestar 5 unveiled by Polestar Korea uses an SK On battery. He also highlighted the importance of South Korea to the parent company, citing the ramp-up of Polestar 4 production at Renault Korea’s Busan plant to accelerate entry into North America.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 13:39:00
  • Boston Dynamics Spot robot dog assists UK nuclear decommissioning work
    Boston Dynamics' Spot robot dog assists UK nuclear decommissioning work SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Four-legged robot Spot, developed by the Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Boston Dynamics, is being deployed in the United Kingdom to assist with nuclear facility decommissioning. Sellafield Ltd., a state-owned company operating under the U.K.’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, recently disclosed that it is using Spot at nuclear cleanup sites. Sellafield oversees the dismantling of nuclear facilities and the management of radioactive waste across the country. Many of its worksites restrict human access due to radiation hazards and complex internal layouts. To address these risks, the company introduced a robot-based inspection system, deploying Spot to conduct remote surveys and gather data in areas that are difficult or unsafe for workers to enter. According to Sellafield, the robot has been equipped with sensors tailored to nuclear environments and can navigate rough terrain and complex structures, including staircases. Spot captures 360-degree video and performs 3D scans to map site conditions, while operators monitor operations remotely through live video feeds. The robot is also used for radiation characterization, measuring gamma and alpha radiation to determine contamination levels. It has recently completed trial operations involving swab sampling inside facilities — tasks previously carried out directly by workers — significantly reducing personnel exposure to hazards, Sellafield said. The company added that Spot can operate on site for longer periods than human teams, helping accelerate overall decommissioning work. Reduced reliance on protective equipment has also cut waste volumes, while access to real-time data has improved decision-making and inspection consistency. Sellafield said deployment of the robot resulted from collaboration between Boston Dynamics and the U.K.’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration, enabling operations to expand from initial trials to routine use. Trial operations began in 2021, with successful testing in complex environments completed in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, Spot was deployed in high-radiation zones to collect inspection imagery and radiation data. In 2025, Sellafield conducted what it described as the U.K. nuclear sector’s first remote robot demonstration outside a licensed plant boundary, confirming the potential for fully remote operations that separate workers from hazardous sites. Sellafield said it plans to continue working with partners to expand Spot’s capabilities through additional sensor packages and deploy the robot more widely for radiation mapping and environmental surveys. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-11 10:12:04
  • Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter to Step Down at End of Month
    Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter to Step Down at End of Month Hyundai Motor Group robotics unit Boston Dynamics said CEO Robert Playter will step down at the end of this month after leading the company for seven years. According to the auto industry and foreign media reports on Tuesday, Playter told employees in an email sent the previous day that he will leave the CEO post on Feb. 27. Until the board appoints a successor, CFO Amanda McMaster will serve as interim CEO. Playter, an MIT graduate, joined Boston Dynamics in 1994 — the company’s third year — as vice president of engineering and helped lay the groundwork for its robotics business through 2012. He later served as Google’s director of robotics from 2013 to 2018, then returned to Boston Dynamics as CEO in 2019. Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2020, a year after he took the top job. Playter is widely credited with shifting Boston Dynamics from a small research-focused organization into a commercial robotics company best known for Spot, its four-legged robot. The company also unveiled a model of its humanoid robot Atlas at CES 2026 last month as it prepares for commercialization, and said field training is underway. In his email to employees, Playter said he was proud of the company’s “remarkable achievements” over the past year, adding that it had re-established Atlas’ leadership in a fast-growing sector and strengthened strategic partnerships with Hyundai and Google DeepMind. He said the company has built a strong position and is ready for its next phase of growth, adding that a new CEO will bring the experience and energy needed for that next step.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 10:06:00
  • Korea Automobile Testing and Research Institute, Bumhan Fuel Cell to cooperate on liquid hydrogen mobility
    Korea Automobile Testing and Research Institute, Bumhan Fuel Cell to cooperate on liquid hydrogen mobility Korea Automobile Testing and Research Institute is partnering with Bumhan Fuel Cell to strengthen global competitiveness in liquid hydrogen-based hydrogen mobility technology. KATRI said Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Bumhan Fuel Cell on Feb. 10 at its headquarters in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, to cooperate on developing and demonstrating end-to-end technologies for using liquid hydrogen. The agreement aims to secure liquid hydrogen mobility technologies that enable large-scale storage and transport of hydrogen, which the organizations described as a key energy source for achieving carbon neutrality. Under the MOU, the two sides plan to advance technologies for storing, refueling and using liquid hydrogen, and to help expand the liquid hydrogen mobility market in both defense and civilian sectors. Their cooperation will include joint technology development and demonstration to support commercialization; expanding applications across the hydrogen industry, including military and civilian uses; building related infrastructure and providing testing, evaluation and demonstration support; and developing domestic and overseas networks and identifying joint research projects. KATRI said continued cooperation with Bumhan Fuel Cell is expected to accelerate efforts to strengthen global competitiveness across the broader hydrogen mobility industry and open new markets. "Hydrogen is a leading eco-friendly energy source, and liquid hydrogen technology is an innovative technology that can contribute to improving energy self-sufficiency and diversifying supply chains through large-scale storage and transport," KATRI President Jin said. "Based on the hydrogen mobility capabilities held by both organizations, we will work actively to secure a clear technological edge across the liquid hydrogen value chain and to create, expand and grow the market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 09:54:00
  • Asiana Airlines to boost China flights 20 percent amid growing two-way tourism
    Asiana Airlines to boost China flights 20 percent amid growing two-way tourism SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Asiana Airlines will increase capacity on its China routes by about 20 percent from late March as travel demand between South Korea and China continues to recover. The carrier said Tuesday it will add 28 weekly flights from the winter schedule starting March 29, bringing total operations to 161 flights a week across 18 China routes. Asiana will resume daily services on the Incheon–Chengdu and Incheon–Chongqing routes, both suspended during the winter season, beginning March 29. The airline will also expand frequencies on several major routes. Flights between Incheon and Beijing will increase to 20 per week from 17, while Incheon–Dalian services will operate daily morning flights and add three afternoon services, bringing the total to 10 per week. Incheon–Tianjin flights will rise to seven weekly from three, and Incheon–Nanjing will increase to seven from six. Further increases are scheduled for May, with Incheon–Changchun services rising to nine weekly flights from seven starting May 6, and Incheon–Yanji increasing to eight weekly from seven from May 8. Asiana said the expansion reflects China’s decision to extend visa-free entry for South Korean travelers through the end of this year and continued growth in travel demand. Following the introduction of mutual visa-free policies, about 3.16 million South Koreans visited China in 2025, up roughly 37 percent from a year earlier, while 5.79 million Chinese travelers visited South Korea, an 18.5 percent increase, according to the airline. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-11 09:30:35
  • KAI signs deals with Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1 to develop and integrate aircraft weapons
    KAI signs deals with Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1 to develop and integrate aircraft weapons 한국항공우주산업(KAI)은 LIG넥스원, 한화에어로스페이스와 함께 K-방산의 기술 경쟁력을 높이고 수출시장 확대를 위한 전략적 협력을 강화한다. Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, said Tuesday it signed separate memorandums of understanding with LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace to develop and integrate domestically made aircraft weapons and to jointly market exports aimed at boosting the export competitiveness of the KF-21 and FA-50. The agreements were signed at the third World Defense Show underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, KAI said. Under the MOUs, the companies will expand cooperation on joint technical reviews and systems integration for air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons for the KF-21 and FA-50, diversify their weapons portfolios and strengthen joint marketing. KAI said the cooperation is expected to help ensure stable execution of systems development projects led by the Agency for Defense Development, including long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles, and to build a weapons data link between the KF-21’s AESA radar and guided missiles to secure technology at a global top-tier level. KAI said close coordination between the country’s only aircraft systems integrator and leading domestic equipment and weapons makers will support package exports that combine South Korean aircraft platforms such as the KF-21 and FA-50 with South Korean-made weapons, while joint marketing is intended to further strengthen competitiveness and expand export markets. KAI noted that Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries prefer package proposals that integrate aircraft platforms with equipment and weapons, calling the partnership a step toward entering the regional market. “KF-21 and FA-50 are symbols of ‘Team Korea’ in K-defense, built through the efforts of many domestic partners in their respective specialties,” KAI CEO Cha Jae Byung said. “As trust in K-defense technology rises, overseas customers have recently been asking for Korean packages covering not only aircraft platforms but overall operating systems, so joint marketing with domestic defense companies will be effective in expanding K-defense exports.” Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae Il said he is confident the companies will meet their goals for aircraft weapons development through “synergy” between Hanwha’s experience in missile development tasks and KAI’s fighter systems integration capabilities. He said the effort will help win global customers’ trust and contribute to sustainable growth for K-defense exports. LIG Nex1 CEO Shin Ik Hyun said the company will work with KAI so the partnership leads to discovering new export projects and developing next-generation solutions, benefiting both companies and the broader South Korean defense industry.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 09:30:16