Samsung Electronics steps up B2B push with HVAC, displays, AI solutions SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is ramping up its push into the business-to-business market, expanding its air conditioning portfolio into industrial applications and broadening its presence in corporate displays and connected building solutions for enterprise clients. According to industry sources, Samsung has reinforced its Air Solution team within the Digital Appliances division as it shifts focus from consumer-oriented air conditioners to industrial, infrastructure and large-scale commercial systems. The move comes as demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is expected to surge with the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers, which require advanced cooling technologies. Global Market Insights forecasts the global HVAC market will grow from $31.06 billion in 2024 to $54.54 billion by 2034. Last month, Samsung acquired FlaktGroup, Germany’s largest HVAC specialist, for 1.5 billion euros ($2.4 billion), securing advanced industrial cooling expertise. FlaktGroup supplies HVAC systems to data centres, hospitals and large commercial facilities across Europe and other regions. Samsung aims to use FlaktGroup’s technologies alongside its own AI-based building control platform to strengthen its offering of customized cooling solutions for data centers and other corporate clients, industry officials said. The company is also reviewing plans to integrate FlaktGroup’s technologies into its domestic manufacturing operations, potentially at its Gwangju plant, a major hub for Samsung’s home appliance production. Beyond HVAC, Samsung is expanding its footprint in the corporate display market, where it has gained traction in specialized segments requiring ultra-high-definition and large-format LED displays. Last month, Samsung supplied around 6,000 televisions and smart signage units to Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Star of the Seas, billed as the world’s largest cruise ship. In 2023, the company installed hotel televisions and its micro LED display product, The Wall, at the Hilton Waikiki in Hawaii, and delivered commercial displays to major hotels including Kempinski in Bali and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Industry analysts note that corporate displays typically command higher margins than consumer products, as they rely on advanced technologies and customised installations, helping offset the slowing growth of the mature consumer electronics market. Samsung’s broader B2B expansion is expected to accelerate as consumer demand stagnates and enterprises increasingly seek integrated solutions combining AI and internet-of-things technologies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 10:34:12

Celltrion launches Eylea biosimilar in Europe, secures UK healthcare tenders SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion said it launched Eydenzelt, its biosimilar version of blockbuster eye disease treatment Eylea, in major European markets including Germany and Britain earlier this month as it seeks to expand its foothold in the lucrative ophthalmology sector. The company's UK subsidiary secured National Health Service tenders in three administrative regions immediately upon launch, including northern England, the country's largest procurement zone, where Eydenzelt became the only officially listed biosimilar, Celltrion said Tuesday. Celltrion has also rolled out Eydenzelt in Portugal, where it plans to target government tenders that account for about 60 percent of the national market. The company aims to progressively expand its European sales footprint through next year to accelerate prescriptions. "Celltrion, recognized as a biosimilar powerhouse across Europe, plans to leverage its marketing prowess and brand credibility built through years of direct sales to ensure the successful market entry of Eydenzelt," a company official said. The company intends to tap into existing networks of healthcare professionals established through its portfolio of autoimmune and oncology biosimilars, expecting brand loyalty to carry over to the new ophthalmic product. Eydenzelt targets the same conditions as Eylea, a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye diseases that generated about $9.5 billion in global sales last year. Celltrion obtained European Commission approval for both vial and pre-filled syringe formulations of the biosimilar in February. The launch is expected to ease healthcare spending burdens across European nations while broadening treatment options for patients suffering from retinal disorders. 2025-12-16 10:01:08

Hyundai Motor extends World Archery sponsorship through 2028 SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor said on Tuesday it will extend its partnership with World Archery until 2028, maintaining its title sponsorship of the World Archery Championships and the Archery World Cup. The South Korean automaker first partnered with World Archery in 2016. Under the renewed agreement, Hyundai will also sponsor the Para Archery World Series and the Indoor Archery World Series. The Para Archery World Series, a development-focused program for athletes with disabilities, is set to launch in 2026 and will be held in six countries, including Thailand, Chile and the United States. The Indoor Archery World Series, which is open to participants of all levels, will run annually from October to March in seven countries, including France and the United States. Hyundai said it plans to further enhance its global brand positioning by incorporating robotics sponsorship into major archery events, integrating its technology and brand messaging on an international stage. “The partnership with Hyundai has been a driving force for the growth of archery worldwide since 2016,” Greg Easton, the newly appointed president of World Archery, said in a statement. He added that expanded support for para archery and public participation programs from 2026 would strengthen both inclusivity and elite competition. Hyundai Motor Chief Executive Jose Munoz said archery reflects the values of precision, focus and excellence that underpin the company’s brand. “This renewal, guided by the vision of Chairman Chung Eui-sun, will help enhance inclusivity and accessibility in sport through our support for para and indoor archery,” he said. Hyundai’s involvement in the sport dates back to 1985, when honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo led the Korea Archery Association. Since 2005, Chairman Chung Eui-sun has continued to support the development of Korean archery, with an emphasis on scientific training systems and athlete development — efforts widely credited with helping South Korea achieve sustained success on the global stage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 09:48:28

An Se-young named world's top badminton player for third straight year SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Badminton player An Se-young has been named this year's top player by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The world No. 1 in women's singles received the award at the BWF's annual gala dinner in Hangzhou, China on Monday, beating competitors such as Wang Zhiyi and Chen Yufei of China, and Japan's Akane Yamaguchi. With the award, An became the first female player to win it three years in a row, having first received the honor in 2023 following her triumph at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. An was also voted the best player by her fellow players for the second consecutive year, a recognition that was first created last year. She expressed her thanks, saying, "Receiving these awards is both an honor and an encouragement to work harder. Winning proves my efforts, but being recognized by fellow players makes it even more special." An competed in 14 international tournaments this year and secured 10 victories, breaking her own record of nine wins set in 2023. While in the Chinese city, An is set to play in the BWF World Tour Finals later this week. A victory would tie her with former Japanese player Kento Momota's 2019 record of 11 wins in a single season. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 09:31:05

Seoul and London upgrade FTA, lower tariff for Korean cars and consumer goods SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -South Korea and the United Kingdom have finalized an upgraded free trade agreement that locks in permanent tariff-free access across 98 percent of South Korean tariff lines, marking one of the most comprehensive post-Brexit trade resets between the two countries. The revised agreement, signed in London on Monday by South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant, concludes two years of negotiations aimed at modernizing the bilateral pact originally rolled over from the Korea-EU FTA after Brexit. With the temporary UK-Korea trade arrangement set to expire in January 2026, the new deal removes lingering uncertainty for exporters on both sides. According to the U.K. Department of Business Trade, Korea is the UK's 25th largest trading partner, accounting for 0.8 percent of the UK total trade in the 12 months to the end of June this year. At its core, the updated FTA significantly loosens rules of origin, most notably for automobiles, by lowering the domestic value-added threshold for tariff-free treatment from 55 percent to 25 percent. The change is expected to benefit Korean automakers and consumer-goods exporters while aligning UK practice more closely with EU standards. Car exports accounted for 36 percent of Korea's total exports to UK last year. The agreement also expands tariff exemptions to K-beauty and processed food products, allowing preferential access even when key ingredients are sourced from third countries, provided substantial processing takes place in Korea. For British exporters, the deal safeguards an estimated £2 billion worth of exports that would otherwise have faced higher duties once the temporary regime expired. The two governments will also streamline visa system under the upgraded FTA to facilitate the entry of Korean engineers and special workforces responsible for building manufacturing plants in Britain. Beyond goods trade, the revised FTA opens new ground in government procurement and services. The UK agreed to open its high-speed rail market — correcting what Seoul has long described as an imbalance — while expanding access for Korean firms in online gaming, advertising, translation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Visa procedures were also streamlined to reduce risks for engineers and skilled workers dispatched for large-scale industrial projects. A major pillar of the deal is the introduction of comprehensive digital trade norms, including freer cross-border data transfers, consumer protection standards and legal certainty for digital and audiovisual services — areas largely absent from earlier-generation FTAs. The agreement also establishes a supply-chain cooperation chapter covering joint research and development, material shortages and international standard-setting. “This agreement will help reinforce the free-market order at a time of growing protectionism and deepen economic cooperation with the UK, our key European partner,” Yeo said, adding that Seoul would move swiftly to complete legal reviews, impact assessments and parliamentary approval. Bryant said the deal provides “cast-iron protections” for British industries and supports growth in services, manufacturing and advanced technologies. British business groups welcomed the pact. Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the Confederation of British Industry, said the agreement would “power growth through collaboration in advanced manufacturing, digital, services, clean energy and creative industries,” adding that it turns ambition into “long-term, sustainable growth” for both economies. The pharmaceutical sector also highlighted gains, with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry noting expanded regulatory cooperation and new opportunities in South Korea’s fast-growing life-sciences market. 2025-12-16 09:24:31

Won–dollar exchange rate SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - A screen at Yonhap Infomax in Jongno District, Seoul, displays peak won–dollar exchange rates from 1997 to 2025 on December 16. The monthly average exchange rate this month has exceeded 1,470 won per dollar, marking the highest level on a monthly basis since the Asian financial crisis. The won opened at 1,476.0 per dollar on December 15, up 2.3 won from the previous session. As upward pressure on the currency continues, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol convened an emergency meeting of economic ministers on December 14 to review domestic and global financial and foreign exchange market conditions and discuss response measures. 2025-12-16 09:18:18

Samsung's Lee Jae-yong holds AI chip talks with Tesla, AMD in US SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong met Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and Advanced Micro Devices Chief Executive Lisa Su during a visit to the United States, as the company moves to strengthen partnerships in next-generation artificial intelligence semiconductors. Lee returned to South Korea on Sunday after the trip, which focused on expanding Samsung’s foundry and memory businesses with leading global technology firms. “I worked hard,” Lee told reporters upon his arrival in Seoul. According to industry sources, discussions with Musk covered cooperation on AI chip development, U.S.-based production infrastructure and long-term supply stability. Samsung and Tesla in July signed a 23 billion dollar foundry supply contract — the largest in Samsung’s history — under which Samsung will manufacture Tesla’s AI6 chips at its Texas plant. Samsung is already producing Tesla’s AI4 chips and has secured part of the production for AI5 chips, which had initially been expected to be awarded to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Musk recently said on social media that Samsung had agreed to help improve Tesla’s manufacturing efficiency, highlighting the deepening relationship between the two companies. Lee also met AMD Chief Executive Lisa Su to discuss expanding cooperation in advanced chips. Samsung currently supplies high-bandwidth memory HBM3E to AMD and is in talks to manufacture AMD’s next-generation central processing units using Samsung’s 2-nanometer process, industry officials said. Such cooperation would help Samsung diversify its foundry business beyond memory chips and strengthen its position in the market for high-performance system semiconductors. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 09:00:11

15-hour raid on Unification Church ends without finding key evidence SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Police on Tuesday failed to find key evidence after a 15-hour raid on about a dozen locations linked to the powerful Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, over allegations of bribery involving political figures. During the raid, which began at 9 a.m. the previous day and wrapped up after midnight, police searched about 10 locations including the sprawling residence of the church's leader Han Hak-ja in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province as well as other sites and the offices of those linked to the allegations including former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo. Chun is under investigation for allegedly receiving 20 million Korean won (about US $14,000) in cash and a luxury watch worth 10 million won in 2018. Police will analyze seized records, phones, and computers, with further questioning of those involved expected based on the findings. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 08:53:28

OPINION: A reckoning for church-state separation South Korea’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion while mandating the separation of church and state, a principle enshrined in 1948. For more than eight decades, this constitutional boundary has remained largely uncontested. Recently, however, calls have emerged to clarify the scope of this separation and strengthen penalties for violations, reflecting growing concern that the principle is being eroded. President Lee Jae Myung recently underscored the need for firm action against religious foundations that violate constitutional norms, warning that inaction could fuel social conflict reminiscent of religious strife. It is the first time a South Korean president has publicly raised the need for legal measures against unconstitutional religious activities. In principle, South Korea’s protection of religious freedom is broad, encompassing worship, education, and assembly. The establishment of religious corporations is relatively easy, a system that has inadvertently enabled the proliferation of questionable religious groups. Yet the legal framework offers no clear mechanism for dissolving such entities — a stark contrast to Japan, where a court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church following revelations over coercive fundraising practices. Religion has historically played a constructive role in Korea’s modernization and independence movements. Over time, however, some religious groups have expanded their influence through political alliances, often operating beyond effective oversight. Today, religious organizations openly engage in political activities, raising serious questions about their growing sway over public policy and governance. In a democratic republic, the separation of church and state is not merely symbolic; it is foundational. Allowing religious groups to exercise unchecked political power risks hollowing out this constitutional principle. Recent controversies surrounding the Unification Church underscore the urgency of legislative action to close existing legal gaps. President Lee’s remarks signal a renewed commitment to constitutional order. The challenge now is to translate that resolve into concrete legal and institutional safeguards — ensuring that freedom of religion is protected without allowing it to become a shield for political influence or legal immunity. Author's Background △ Current affairs commentator △ Ph.D. in Political Science, Inha University △ Former visiting professor, Inha University Graduate School of Policy △ Former member, Korea Communications Standards Commission Election Broadcast Deliberation Committee △ Former director, Institute for Innovation and Future * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 08:53:27

OPINION: In defense of Korean democracy in martial law aftermath On Dec. 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law sent shockwaves through South Korea, one of the world’s leading economies. The country was unprepared for such a drastic measure. Although rumors had circulated, few believed they would materialize. A nation built on the sacrifices of its people suddenly confronted a crisis evocative of its painful struggles for democracy. South Korea’s path to democracy has been anything but smooth. From 1948 to 1987, the country went through nine constitutions. The current constitutional order, established in 1987, has endured longer than any previous system. The public’s resolute response to the declaration of martial law demonstrated the resilience of Korea’s democratic institutions, ultimately leading to its repeal. What followed was the impeachment and removal of President Yoon—an extraordinary moment in the nation’s constitutional history. The swift action taken by the National Assembly, coupled with widespread public resistance, underscored the power of collective civic action in defending democratic norms. This episode stood in stark contrast to President Yoon’s repeated emphasis on “freedom,” a central theme of his inauguration speech in 2022. The declaration of martial law exposed a fundamental contradiction between rhetoric and action, raising serious questions about the failure of institutional checks on presidential power. In the aftermath, Lee Jae Myung was elected president on June 4, 2025, campaigning on the principle of “people’s sovereignty.” Legal accountability for those involved in the martial law episode is now being pursued through four separate special investigations. These probes have already resulted in the unprecedented arrest of a former president and a first lady. At the same time, the investigations themselves have drawn criticism, with concerns raised over possible bias and excessive prosecutorial reach. The controversy has reignited debate over the appropriate scope of special prosecutors and the delicate balance of power within the constitutional system. Further concerns have emerged over judicial independence, as proposals for new legislation risk undermining the separation of powers. The ongoing political turbulence serves as a reminder that democratic consolidation requires restraint as much as resolve. As South Korea moves forward, it must resist the temptation to remain trapped in cycles of retribution. The task ahead is to reconcile freedom with democratic accountability, and to channel the lessons of this crisis toward building a more united, stable and just republic. Author's Background ▷ Ph.D. in Law from Paris 2 University ▷ Former President of the Korean Public Law Association ▷ Former President of the Korean Association of Law Professors ▷ Former Chairman of the National Assembly Public Officials Ethics Committee ▷ Chairman of the East Asian Research Universities Association ▷ 26th President of Seoul National University ▷ Honorary Professor at Seoul National University * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 08:47:51