Upbit operator probed over unlisted share trading practices SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - Dunamu, operator of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, is under investigation by the country’s antitrust regulator over suspected unfair practices in the unlisted-share trading market. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Tuesday it recently conducted an on-site inspection at Dunamu’s headquarters in Seoul to examine allegations that the company restricted trading of its own shares to a single platform while denying similar access to a rival operator, potentially limiting competition. Regulators are reviewing whether Dunamu unfairly refused cooperation requested by a competing platform, for trading support involving Dunamu shares. Dunamu operates an unlisted-share platform, where its own shares are actively traded. Dunamu is regarded as one of the most valuable companies in South Korea’s over-the-counter (OTC) market, with a valuation estimated in the trillions of won. Industry sources said the rival trading platform sought cooperation and information sharing to enable trading of Dunamu shares but filed a complaint with the FTC after its request was rejected. Market observers say Dunamu’s own shares are among the most sought-after assets in Korea’s OTC market. The FTC plans to review internal documents and transaction data secured during the inspection to determine whether Dunamu’s refusal materially harmed market competition. If regulators conclude the refusal constituted an unfair trade practice, Dunamu could face corrective orders or financial penalties. The company has not provided detailed public comment but said it would cooperate with the investigation. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-03 13:56:27

Samsung SDI signs major battery deal in US, possibly with Tesla SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Samsung SDI has signed a large battery supply contract in the United States for energy storage systems, the company said on Friday. Samsung SDI said details of the contract, including its value and duration, will remain confidential until Jan. 1, 2030. The counterparty was not also disclosed, but industry officials widely view Tesla as the leading candidate. Tesla has been actively securing battery supplies for ESS, including a 6 trillion won contract signed in July with LG Energy Solution for lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries. The sources said the size and confidentiality period suggest the deal could be worth trillions of won. Samsung SDI said its U.S. unit, Samsung SDI America, signed the agreement with a U.S. customer. The company is increasingly focusing on ESS sales to help offset a temporary slowdown in electric-vehicle demand. Market attention has centered on Tesla, which has been diversifying its battery supply chain as demand grows for its large-scale ESS product, the Megapack. In November, speculation emerged that Samsung SDI would supply Tesla with about 10 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually for three years. At the time, Samsung SDI said it was in talks but had not finalized a deal. Roughly two months later, the company confirmed it had signed a supply contract, without naming the customer. The agreement comes as the industry prepares for what some analysts have described as an “AI power shock.” Data centers running generative AI services such as ChatGPT require stable, round-the-clock electricity, increasing reliance on ESS to store power from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. Samsung SDI has traditionally focused on high-output, high-energy-density nickel-cobalt-aluminum batteries, but has been expanding into lower-cost LFP batteries as part of its technology strategy. The company has begun operating an ESS production line at StarPlus Energy, its joint venture plant with Stellantis, and plans to expand U.S. ESS battery production capacity to about 30 gigawatt-hours a year by the end of this year. It is also moving to convert a production line to manufacture LFP batteries for ESS, with operations targeted by year’s end. Analysts said the new order could help support Samsung SDI’s profitability as electric-vehicle demand growth slows, with the rapidly expanding North American ESS market emerging as a new source of cash flow. Research firm SNE Research forecasts the region’s ESS market will grow from 55 gigawatt-hours in 2023 to 181 gigawatt-hours in 2035. A Samsung SDI official declined to confirm the customer’s identity but said demand for grid-scale ESS is rising sharply. “With the arrival of the AI era, we will strengthen order-winning efforts centered on North America and diversify our lineup, including LFP, to secure market leadership,” the official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-30 15:45:28

HBM4 production nears as Samsung, SK hynix vie for AI chip dominance SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are set to begin mass production of sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) as early as next month, intensifying competition in the fast-growing market for artificial intelligence semiconductors. According to industry sources on Wednesday, the two South Korean companies plan to start HBM4 mass production in February, with Samsung operating lines at its Pyeongtaek campus and SK hynix at its Icheon facility. The move signals that quality validation by key customers, including Nvidia, is nearing completion and that large-volume supply orders are imminent. Analysts say the company that ramps up production first could secure an early advantage in the next phase of the AI chip race. Samsung is seeking to regain technological leadership by moving early with HBM4. The company has recently passed final HBM4 quality tests conducted by Nvidia and AMD and is preparing to begin formal deliveries next month. Samsung lost ground to SK hynix in earlier generations such as HBM3 and HBM3E but has expressed confidence in its technological edge for HBM4. Samsung’s HBM4 uses a 4-nanometer foundry process for the logic die and sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class DRAM, a combination designed to maximize processing speed and power efficiency. SK hynix, meanwhile, is aiming to defend its market lead by deepening ties with major technology firms beyond Nvidia. The company has been confirmed as the sole supplier of HBM3E for Microsoft’s in-house AI accelerator, the Maia 200, unveiled on Jan. 26. The chip uses six stacks of SK hynix’s 12-layer HBM3E products. The development underscores SK hynix’s expanding role not only in Nvidia’s supply chain but also among large technology companies such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft. SK hynix has said it expects to maintain more than a 50 percent share of the HBM4 market, citing cooperation with Nvidia from the development stage of its next-generation Rubin graphics processing unit. HBM4 is widely seen as a potential game-changer for AI accelerators from 2026, as it offers roughly double the bandwidth of current-generation products, significantly boosting AI computing performance. Bank of America forecasts the global HBM market will reach $54.6 billion this year, up 58 percent from a year earlier. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-28 09:03:29

SK hynix is sole HBM supplier for Microsoft's Maia AI chip SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - SK hynix is reportedly the sole supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for Microsoft’s in-house artificial intelligence accelerator, the Maia 200. Industry sources said on Tuesday the South Korean chipmaker will exclusively supply its fifth-generation HBM, known as HBM3E, for the Maia 200 chip that Microsoft unveiled in the U.S. on Jan. 26 local time. The move adds Microsoft to SK hynix’s roster of key customers alongside Nvidia, reinforcing its lead in AI memory used for advanced computing. Maia 200 is an application-specific integrated circuit manufactured on TSMC’s 3-nanometer process. The chip integrates six 12-layer stacks of HBM3E, providing a total of 216 gigabytes of memory. Microsoft plans to deploy the chips in data centers in Iowa and Arizona as it seeks to reduce reliance on Nvidia’s graphics processing units. Major technology companies are accelerating efforts to design their own AI chips to lower costs and optimize performance, challenging Nvidia’s dominance. Google has introduced its seventh-generation tensor processing unit, Ironwood, while Amazon Web Services has rolled out its third-generation Trainium chip, broadening the AI accelerator market. That shift is creating new opportunities for HBM suppliers, as demand spreads from Nvidia’s GPUs to custom chips developed by large cloud providers, according to industry sources. High-performance HBM is essential for such chips, which are typically designed to be more power-efficient than general-purpose GPUs. "SK hynix’s exclusive supply agreement with Microsoft, following its strong foothold in Nvidia’s supply chain, reflects advantages in advanced memory manufacturing processes and yield management," a source said. Samsung Electronics is seeking to narrow the gap by strengthening cooperation with other big technology companies, particularly Google. Industry sources said Samsung supplies a significant portion of the HBM used in Google’s tensor processing units and Broadcom-designed chips, positioning itself within the Google-Broadcom ecosystem. The next competitive battleground is HBM4, the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory, which is expected to add computing functions to memory chips and significantly raise technical complexity. Samsung has recently passed HBM4 qualification tests by Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices and is expected to begin official deliveries as early as next month. SK hynix is also preparing for the transition, having begun building a mass-production system for HBM4 in September and working with Nvidia on performance optimization. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-27 15:55:09

Regulator blocks merger plan for Korea's leading car rental firms, citing monopoly risks SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has blocked a proposed merger between Lotte Rental and SK Rent-a-Car, the country’s largest and second-largest rental-car operators, citing concerns that the deal would weaken competition and lead to higher prices. The commission said on Monday it had issued such an order on a filing by private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners to acquire a 63.5 percent stake in Lotte Rental. Affinity acquired SK Rent-a-Car in August 2024 and in March last year agreed to buy Lotte Rental shares held by Hotel Lotte and other shareholders for 1.8 trillion won, subsequently submitting a merger notification to regulators. “The transaction would place the two leading competitors in the rental-car market under the control of a single private equity firm,” the FTC said in a press release. It added concerns were “very large” that competition would be restricted, including through price increases. The FTC said the combined entity would command a 38.3 percent share of the long-term rental-car market and would also become the dominant player in short-term rentals. By contrast, the third-largest short-term rental operator holds just over a 3 percent share, raising the risk of a market structure characterized by “one giant firm versus many small operators,” it said. The commission also said its decision was based strictly on concerns that a private equity firm could dominate the top two operators, expand market power and later seek a high-priced resale, potentially distorting the market. The FTC decision is expected to complicate Lotte Group’s efforts to raise cash. The conglomerate has been seeking to sell the noncore Lotte Rental unit amid weak performance and liquidity strains at key affiliates, including Lotte Chemical and Lotte Engineering & Construction. With the 1.8 trillion won inflow no longer expected, the group will need to revise its broader financial restructuring plans. The decision also undermines Affinity’s exit strategy. The firm had planned to merge SK Rent-a-Car and Lotte Rental to strengthen market dominance, boost corporate value and eventually sell the combined business. It must now pursue a standalone strategy to enhance SK Rent-a-Car’s competitiveness or explore alternative structures to acquire Lotte Rental. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-26 17:34:23

Samsung Electro-Mechanics posts record revenue on AI, auto electronics demand SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics said Friday growth in artificial intelligence and automotive electronics helped it post the highest annual revenue in its history last year. In a regulatory filing, the company reported consolidated revenue of 11.3 trillion won ($7.7 billion) and operating profit of 913.3 billion won. Revenue rose 10 percent from a year earlier to a record high, while operating profit climbed 24 percent. Fourth-quarter revenue increased 16 percent from a year earlier to 2.9 trillion won, while operating profit more than doubled, rising 108 percent to 239.5 billion won, the company said. Samsung Electro-Mechanics expects continued expansion in AI infrastructure investment and the autonomous driving market this year. A company official said the firm plans to strengthen competitiveness in high-value products, including AI and automotive electronics, while building a mid- to long-term growth base through new businesses such as glass substrates and components for humanoid robots. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-23 15:48:59

CJ vice chair among Forbes list of world's influential women over 50 SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Miky Lee, vice chair of South Korea’s CJ Group, has been named to Forbes’ “50 Over 50 Global 2026” list, becoming the only South Korean included this year. Forbes cited Lee’s role in helping propel Korean films and content onto the global stage, highlighting her long-standing influence on the international expansion of K-content. In its profile of Lee, Forbes described her as a central figure behind South Korea’s rise as a global content powerhouse. It noted her early investment in DreamWorks and her role as an executive producer of “Parasite,” the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for best picture. Launched in 2021, the “50 Over 50” list recognizes women aged 50 and older whose achievements have broken barriers across industries. This year’s honorees come from 36 countries and fields ranging from aviation and architecture to finance and entertainment. Other figures named on the list include Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Oscar-winning actor Penelope Cruz, and Rei Kawakubo, founder of fashion label Comme des Garçons. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-22 16:28:23

AI that can shop and pay on its own successfully tested in South Korea SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korean IT services firm LG CNS has completed what it says is the country’s first demonstration of an automatic payment system in which artificial intelligence not only chooses what to buy but also pays for it, using a blockchain-based digital currency platform overseen by the central bank. The test, conducted with the Bank of Korea, linked so-called “agentic AI” — software designed to act autonomously once given a goal — with digital deposit tokens as part of Project Hangang, the central bank’s pilot program for a potential BOK digital currency. The goal, according to LG CNS on Thursday, was to explore whether autonomous AI agents could safely and efficiently handle real-world payments, a step toward a future in which machines increasingly transact with one another with little or no human involvement. To illustrate the concept, the company used a scenario familiar to many freelancers: a digital content creator searching for images or audio clips for a project. Typically, that process involves navigating multiple platforms, comparing prices and quality, and repeatedly logging in to complete payments. In the demonstration, those tasks were handled by two AI programs — a “buyer agent” and a “seller agent.” After a user delegated authority, the buyer agent searched for suitable content, compared options, selected a product and completed payment by transferring digital deposit tokens to the seller’s electronic wallet on the blockchain platform, LG CNS said. Industry officials are watching such experiments closely as interest grows in “agentic commerce,” a model in which AI agents act on behalf of users or companies and increasingly transact directly with each other. Proponents argue that as AI-driven transactions multiply, demand will rise for small-value, high-frequency payments that are inefficient for humans to manage manually. LG CNS said blockchain-based digital currencies could provide an alternative to traditional card payments or bank transfers in such settings, offering lower fees and near-instant settlement. The company serves as the Bank of Korea’s main contractor for Project Hangang, leading blockchain technology development and platform construction. As part of the initiative, LG CNS previously conducted a real-transaction test of deposit tokens from April to June last year involving about 80,000 customers at seven commercial banks. The company said it is preparing a follow-up pilot to distribute government subsidies through a digital-currency platform and is expanding into other blockchain-based finance businesses, including tokenized securities. “We have confirmed the technical feasibility of an automatic payment structure using agentic AI,” said Kim Hong-geun, vice president and head of LG CNS’s digital business division. “We will continue to support the Bank of Korea as a technology partner as it prepares future payment infrastructure.” 2026-01-22 10:40:27

Samsung, LG set for showdown in booming data center cooling market SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are set to compete head-to-head in North America as they seek a larger share of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market, which is gaining momentum amid rapid growth in artificial intelligence infrastructure. With demand for home appliances slowing and competition from low-priced Chinese products intensifying, both South Korean companies are increasingly targeting data center heat-management solutions as a key business-to-business growth engine. Samsung and LG will take part in AHR Expo 2026, North America’s largest HVAC trade show, which runs for three days starting Feb. 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s exhibition is expected to focus on power efficiency and advanced cooling technologies as AI-driven data centers proliferate. The push reflects what industry executives describe as an “AI supercycle.” High-performance graphics processing units used for generative AI consume vast amounts of electricity and generate intense heat. Cooling accounts for roughly 40 percent of data center operating costs, making thermal management a critical issue for major technology companies. As a result, the HVAC market is expanding beyond residential air conditioners to include systems designed for large buildings and data centers. Market researchers estimate the North American HVAC market will grow from $51.61 billion last year to $75.75 billion by 2032. Samsung and LG are competing with established global players such as Trane and Carrier. Samsung has pursued rapid expansion through mergers, acquisitions and partnerships. It formed a joint venture with U.S.-based HVAC company Lennox to secure a North American distribution network, and late last year completed the acquisition of Flakt, described as Europe’s largest HVAC company, to strengthen its global presence. At AHR Expo, Samsung is expected to highlight high-efficiency hybrid products and energy-saving solutions linked to its SmartThings AI platform. LG, by contrast, is emphasizing what it calls its technological edge in core components such as motors and compressors. The company has established heat-pump research centers in Alaska and Norway to develop high-efficiency systems capable of operating in extreme climates. LG is also regarded as particularly competitive in chillers, a key technology for data center thermal management. LG has recently held talks with major technology companies, including Microsoft, on supplying cooling solutions for data centers, while expanding its reach beyond North America into markets such as the Middle East and the Global South, industry sources said. Analysts said 2026 could mark a turning point as Samsung and LG accelerate their shift from being primarily consumer appliance makers to positioning themselves as broader energy-solution providers. 2026-01-19 16:13:16

South Korea's 'sovereign AI' push stumbles as Naver, Kakao step aside SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Naver Cloud and Kakao, South Korea’s two largest internet platform operators, have decided not to take part in an additional round of bidding for the government’s flagship artificial intelligence project, dealing an early setback to Seoul’s push to build a “sovereign AI” foundation model. The withdrawal by the two companies — long seen as natural contenders given their vast user data, cloud infrastructure and AI research capabilities — comes after the first-round evaluation of the Ministry of Science and ICT’s state-led project. Their absence has raised concerns that the so-called “K-AI” initiative could lose momentum at an early stage. Naver Cloud, after being eliminated in the first evaluation round on Thursday, said it “respects the government’s decision,” but added it is “not considering” participating in the additional call. Kakao, which failed to advance in an earlier selection stage, also confirmed it has “no plan to try again,” according to a senior company official. The decisions reflect doubts about the benefits of the program and disagreements over the government’s evaluation standards, industry officials said. The ministry has emphasized building an AI model “from scratch,” limiting reliance on external open-source code and retaining full control over data and the model itself. Naver Cloud was cut after falling short of those criteria, officials said. An industry source said major platform companies, which have actively adopted open-source technologies in line with global AI development trends, likely concluded their chances were slim unless the government’s strict interpretation of “independence” changes. Companies may also have weighed the reputational risks of failing again after an initial loss, the source added. Other eliminated bidders, including NC AI and KT, have said they are still considering whether to apply for the additional round. The government plans to add one more participant to form a four-way competition, but the process already faces uncertainty. If major players stay out and the field narrows to smaller firms, the symbolic value of naming a “national representative” AI model could be diluted, industry watchers said. The three teams that advanced from the first round struck a confident tone. LG AI Research, which posted the highest overall score, said its efforts reflect Chairman Koo Kwang-mo’s AI-focused strategy and pledged to pursue global leadership through its “K-EXAONE” model. SK Telecom said it will work with partners, including game developer Krafton, to scale its model to trillions of parameters. Upstage, the only startup to advance, said it plans to collaborate with Stanford University and other institutions to build a model competitive with global big-tech offerings. Experts said the controversy highlights a widening gap between the government and the private sector over the definition of “sovereign AI.” Kim Yoo-seok, head of the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, wrote in a recent report that South Korea needs a balance between technological self-reliance and global linkage, rather than unconditional localization. The ministry said it plans to proceed with the additional call for bids in the first half of the year. But with Naver Cloud and Kakao opting out, attention is now focused on whether the government can adjust incentives or criteria to lure them back — or whether the project will effectively consolidate around LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage. 2026-01-16 13:45:34