Journalist
Lee Seongjin
leesj@ajunews.com
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Autonomous A2Z Releases Free Brand Typeface ‘A2Z Font’ Autonomous A2Z said Tuesday it has developed a proprietary typeface, “A2Z Font,” reflecting its brand philosophy and will distribute it for free. The company said it created the font as part of a project under its slogan, “From start to finish, writing every moment,” aimed at extending its brand experience beyond technology into everyday life. Autonomous A2Z said it views the typeface not as a simple design element but as a “visual language spoken by the brand,” and refined it for natural use across different content environments. A2Z Font is a gothic-style typeface marked by an asymmetrical balance created by curves and diagonals. The soft curves are meant to convey the flexibility of an autonomous driving experience moving smoothly through city streets, while the restrained diagonals are intended to express the company’s pride in steadily advancing, precise technology and a clear direction toward the future. The company said it also treated letter spacing and margins as part of the design to improve readability. By avoiding excessive density and leaving space, it said, the structure reflects values of possibility that can accommodate change and expansion, while conveying visual stability and trust and a brand stance of technology blending naturally into daily life. A2Z Font was produced in nine weights for use in both headlines and body text: seven for body copy and two for titles. It supports 2,780 basic Korean characters and 94 English letters and numerals. The font is released under the Open Font License, allowing both individuals and companies to use it commercially. Autonomous A2Z said the approach aligns with its view that autonomous driving technology should be easy for more people to experience in everyday life. The font is available for download on the company’s website and the font platform Noonnu, and the company said it plans to expand distribution channels. CEO Han Ji Hyeong said, “A2Z Font refines into a visual language Autonomous A2Z’s thinking and attitude of seeking balance between people and the environment, rather than putting technology at the center.” He added, “We will continue to expand the brand experience in various ways.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 09:21:00 -
Asiana Airlines to Boost China Flights 20% as Travel Demand Rises Asiana Airlines will expand service on its China routes by 20% to match rising travel between South Korea and China. The carrier said Tuesday it will add 28 weekly flights from March 29 compared with the winter schedule, operating a total of 18 routes with 161 flights a week. Asiana will resume daily service on the Incheon-Chengdu and Incheon-Chongqing routes, which were suspended during the winter period, starting March 29. Chengdu and Chongqing are popular with South Korean travelers, including visits to a panda base and the birthplace of mala cuisine. The Incheon-Chengdu flight will depart Incheon International Airport at 8:00 p.m. and arrive at Chengdu Tianfu Airport at 11:00 p.m. local time. The return flight will leave Chengdu at 12:10 a.m. local time and arrive at Incheon at 5:10 a.m. The Incheon-Chongqing flight will depart Incheon at 9:55 p.m. and arrive in Chongqing at 1:00 a.m. local time the next day; the return will depart Chongqing at 2:00 a.m. local time and arrive at Incheon at 6:25 a.m. Both routes will use 188-seat A321neo aircraft. Asiana will also increase frequencies on major China routes: Incheon-Beijing will rise to 20 flights a week from 17. Incheon-Dalian will operate 10 flights a week by running the morning flight daily and adding three afternoon flights. Incheon-Tianjin will increase to seven flights a week from three, and Incheon-Nanjing will increase to seven from six. Further increases are planned in May: Incheon-Changchun will rise to nine flights a week from seven starting May 6, and Incheon-Yanji will increase to eight from seven starting May 8. Asiana said it decided on the expansion to respond to market changes, citing the extension of China’s visa-free policy for South Koreans through the end of this year and continued growth in South Korean demand to visit China. The airline said it has also expanded sales and marketing in China as demand has risen for trips to South Korea for K-culture experiences and shopping after South Korea introduced visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists. Asiana said it launched an official, dedicated direct-sales channel on Ctrip, China’s largest online travel agency, on Feb. 2. It also said that in November it ran a live-commerce event for Singles’ Day with Fliggy, Alibaba Group’s online travel platform, drawing 500,000 visitors that day. After the two governments introduced visa-free policies, 3.16 million South Korean travelers visited China in 2025, up about 37% from a year earlier, the airline said. The number of Chinese visitors to South Korea rose 18.5% to 5.79 million. An Asiana official said the airline expects broader demand, including for expanded economic and cultural cooperation, following the visa-free policies. The official said Asiana will continue increasing capacity to help strengthen ties between the two countries. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 09:09:00 -
Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot aids U.K. nuclear decommissioning Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot Spot is being used in the U.K. as a helper for nuclear facility decommissioning work. Industry officials said Sellafield, a state-owned company under the U.K. nuclear decommissioning authority, recently disclosed that it is using Spot at nuclear cleanup sites. Sellafield is responsible for decommissioning nuclear facilities in the U.K. and managing radioactive waste. Many of its worksites are high-risk areas where access is limited because of radiation and complex internal structures. Precise inspections require accurate data collection, but keeping workers safe has remained a challenge. Sellafield said it introduced a robot-based inspection system and is using Spot to collect data and conduct remote checks in areas that are difficult for people to enter. “Spot deployed on site is equipped with various sensing sensors and functions tailored to the nuclear facility environment, and its mobility allows it to move reliably even within complex structures, including rough terrain and stairs,” Sellafield said. It added that Spot captures 360-degree video and performs 3D LiDAR scanning to map site structures, while managers can monitor conditions remotely through real-time video streaming. Sellafield said Spot is carrying out “radiation characterization” by measuring gamma and alpha radiation to confirm the presence of radioactive material. It also recently completed a trial of sample collection, or swabbing, to check for radiation contamination inside facilities. Sellafield said these tasks previously required workers to enter the area, and using Spot has significantly reduced exposure to risk. The company said Spot can remain on site longer than people and that overall decommissioning work has accelerated since the robot was introduced. Sellafield also said reduced use of personal protective equipment has lowered waste, and that access to high-quality real-time data has improved decision-making speed. It added that consistent, repeatable inspections have boosted operational efficiency. Sellafield said the project was carried out through close cooperation among Boston Dynamics, companies developing site-specific robot solutions, systems integration specialists and the U.K. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration, known as RAICo. It said the partnership enabled stable operations from trials through phased expansion. Sellafield said it began trial operations with Spot in 2021 and verified its use in complex environments in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, it used Spot for inspections in high-risk radiation zones, collecting high-quality images and radiation data. In 2025, it said it successfully conducted a remote demonstration of Spot outside a power plant licensed area for the first time in the U.K. nuclear sector, confirming the potential for fully remote work that separates workers from the site. Sellafield said it plans to work with partners to add new sensor packs to Spot and deploy it for broader tasks, including radiation mapping and environmental characterization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 09:03:00 -
KAEMS Converts 19 Contract Workers to Full-Time Employees in Largest Move Yet KAEMS, a subsidiary of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said Monday it has converted 19 contract workers to full-time employees as of Feb. 1 after a comprehensive evaluation. The company said it is the largest such conversion since its founding. KAEMS said the decision was based not on length of service but on an objective review that considered work performance, job competency, contribution to the organization and growth potential. The company said the process will help it secure key personnel and strengthen a sustainable workforce model. Because KAEMS carries out projects on a project-by-project basis, it brings in specialized staff in stages. The company said it offers full-time opportunities to workers whose performance and capabilities have been proven, aiming to improve job stability, boost organizational commitment and build long-term technical competitiveness. Chief Executive Bae Gi Hong said, "Fair talent selection based on performance and capability is directly tied to the company’s sustainable growth." He added, "We will actively improve the dual structure in the interest of employment stability and expand these efforts to ensure sustainable management."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 17:33:00 -
T’way Air to Launch Incheon-Jakarta Route in April, First for South Korean LCCs T’way Air said Monday it has opened reservations for its upcoming Incheon-Jakarta service, becoming the first South Korean low-cost carrier to launch the route. The airline plans to begin flights on April 29, operating five times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will use an Airbus A330-300 with 347 seats, including 12 business-class and 335 economy seats. Flights will depart Incheon International Airport at 3:10 p.m. and arrive at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 8:10 p.m. local time. Return flights will leave Jakarta at 9:50 p.m. and arrive at Incheon at 7:05 a.m. the next day. Flight time is about 7 hours, 10 minutes. A T’way Air official said the schedule opening will improve access to major cities in Southeast Asia and added that the airline will continue to prioritize safe operations while working to improve customer convenience. T’way Air said it has been expanding its overseas network across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Japan, Central Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. The airline said it is strengthening competitiveness by adding more medium- and long-haul routes and plans to keep diversifying its network strategically.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 16:24:18 -
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 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 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 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 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