Journalist

Lee Seongjin
  • 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