HBM4 becomes the new battleground in Nvidia–Google chip war SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - The real battle between Nvidia’s GPU-led ecosystem and Google’s rapidly expanding tensor processing unit (TPU) platform and the outcome hinges on how quickly and at what scale the world's top memory makers based in South Korea can keep up in the rollout of next-gen high-bandwidth memory dubbed HBM4. Samsung Electronics that had been laggard in the early-stage HBM race is positioned for an unexpected leap as it accelerates the conversions to feed the surging demand for memory tied to next-generation AI accelerators. The rollout schedules for Nvidia’s Rubin GPU and Google’s Ironwood TPU signal a broader shift inside the AI hardware stack: memory—rather than compute silicon—is increasingly determining speed, scale and deployment timelines across the sector. Nvidia’s Rubin platform, slated for mass production in 2026, is built around HBM4 and aims for up to 288 gigabytes of memory per superchip, allowing larger models and faster training cycles. Google’s Ironwood TPU, still paired with HBM3E, is widely expected to migrate to HBM4 as inference workloads balloon and energy efficiency become a bigger priority. Other hyperscalers are moving the same direction. Amazon’s Trainium2 and Microsoft’s Maia accelerators are already standardized on HBM-based designs, reinforcing the industry consensus that memory bandwidth—not transistor counts or core architectures—is now the binding constraint. Most new accelerators integrate six to 12 HBM stacks each, meaning chip rollout is only as fast as memory suppliers can expand output. That has put Samsung and SK hynix in the middle of the AI arms race. Samsung recently completed internal production readiness approval for HBM4, signaling it has cleared key development milestones and is prepared to shift quickly into mass production once customer specifications lock in. SK hynix, the current leader in the HBM segment, finished its HBM4 development earlier this year and has already begun sample shipments to large hyperscaler customers, cementing its early advantage. But supply, not just technology, may determine the next phase of competition. By late 2025, Samsung’s monthly HBM wafer capacity is projected at roughly 170,000 wafers, slightly above SK hynix’s estimated 160,000 wafers, while Micron trails at less than one-third of Samsung’s expected level. Samsung is pushing that advantage by converting portions of its P3 and P4 facilities in Pyeongtaek into 1c-class DRAM lines geared for HBM production, while racing ahead with structural construction of the P5 plant. The strategy leans on Samsung’s vast legacy DRAM footprint, which it can retool faster than it can build new fabs. SK hynix is taking the opposite approach: speeding the ramp-up of new facilities, including boosting utilization at the M16 fab in Icheon and accelerating integration of the Cheongju-based M15X fab. Once M15X is fully operational, SK hynix is expected to narrow Samsung’s capacity edge. For hyperscalers, these diverging capacity paths are prompting a diversification of processor architectures and memory sourcing. Nvidia remains the largest consumer of HBM as GPUs dominate AI training workloads, but Google’s growing TPU deployments create a parallel demand stream that strengthens memory makers’ leverage without undermining Nvidia’s consumption. The result is a split but mutually reinforcing ecosystem: SK hynix remains deeply tied to Nvidia’s GPU roadmap, while Samsung is broadening across both GPU and TPU platforms, supplying memory for Nvidia, Google and Broadcom-linked TPU designs. Despite the differing strategies behind GPUs, TPUs and custom AI chips, all major platforms converge on the same bottleneck: memory bandwidth and availability. The industry’s push toward HBM4 underscores how high-performance memory has quietly become the defining resource of AI infrastructure. For all the attention paid to chip architectures, the Nvidia–Google rivalry may ultimately be determined by which ecosystem secures stable, scalable access to next-generation HBM—and which memory supplier can expand capacity fast enough to keep the AI boom fed. 2025-12-03 16:08:27

Former PPP leader apologizes for martial law debacle, calls for unity to move forward SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), apologized for failing to prevent martial law a year ago, urging South Korea to focus on the future. Speaking at a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Han said, "We cannot abandon hope for the future because of past mistakes." Recalling how he rushed to the National Assembly to lift martial law shortly after disgraced former President Yoon Seok Yeol declared it, "A year ago, South Korea faced martial law but overcame it within hours," he said, crediting it to the country's democratic citizens. Han emphasized that he opposed martial law, which was also the party's decisive action demonstrating its commitment to stand with the people. He then criticized the ruling Democratic Party (DP), saying it paralyzed the government through a series of attempts to impeach key officials, along with unilateral decisions using its parliamentary majority, which eventually led Yoon to resort to an "absurd" gambit. "A year later, democracy has not been fully restored," Han lamented, criticizing the current administration under President Lee Jae Myung for making things worse. "If Yoon ruined the country with martial law, Lee is doing so with everything except martial law." Han called for breaking the chains of past mistakes to move forward, urging unity among those with differing views to protect the country's remarkable achievements from decades of democratic struggles and economic development. When asked about criticism over the PPP's lack of apology, he said, "Apologies should continue until the public deems them sufficient." Meanwhile, about 25 PPP lawmakers including four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo also issued a public apology, vowing to sever their ties with Yoon. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 16:00:44

Korea must devise fundamental youth joblessness approach as AI worsens job market SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea must map out a comprehensive youth career program and introduce structural flexibility in working conditions to address the deepening mismatch in its labor market, with AI poised to further worsen job prospects for highly educated young adults – nearly half of whom already unemployed, scholars at home and abroad warn. The share of university graduates among the unemployed reached 49.6 percent in September, up from 47.8 percent in 2024 and 37.7 percent in 2010, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The jobless rate among college or higher-degree holders has continued to climb despite a shrinking youth population and stable headline employment. Last month, there were only 0.42 job openings per job seeker—the lowest October figure since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Registrations on the government’s Work24 platform fell 6.6 percent from a year earlier, while new job postings declined 19.2 percent. Total employment in October increased slightly to 29 million, but the number of employed 15- to 29-year-olds plunged by 163,000, marking the 36th consecutive monthly fall. It now takes an average of 11.5 months for a young Korean to secure a first job—the longest delay on record. AJP spoke with labor and welfare scholars in Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom to examine the causes behind the trend. Structural Mismatch in Economic Stagnation Professor Lee Byoung-hoon of Chung-Ang University points to a structural imbalance between educational attainment and labor demand, a pattern increasingly seen across advanced economies. “Most of today’s youth joblessness involves highly educated graduates,” he said. “Their numbers have surged, but labor market demand has not. Economic growth has become employment-poor; capital now flows into technology and automation rather than labor.” Lee recommends that Korea benchmark the European Union’s “Youth Guarantee,” which treats unemployment not as a simple shortage of vacancies but as a breakdown in the school-to-work transition—a passage now prolonged and painful for many young adults. “Policies that focus only on creating jobs, like temporary internships or short-term schemes, have limited impact,” he said. “The Youth Guarantee approach recognizes that this is a structural transition issue. Governments must support young people’s entire journey—housing, debt relief, mental health, and career counselling—so they can cross the bridge from education to work.” Labor Market Rigidity and Risk Aversion Kim Jin-young, economics professor at Korea University, blames Korea’s rigid, union-leaning labor laws for discouraging companies from hiring inexperienced workers. “Because dismissing staff is difficult, firms become extremely cautious when recruiting,” he said. “They prefer experienced employees because it’s hard to gauge the ability of newcomers,” making market entry especially harsh for young job seekers. Kim argues that greater flexibility—allowing easier movement for both employers and workers—would shorten the long and often hesitant job-matching process. “Workers should be able to move between roles until they find the right fit,” he said. “Right now, both sides feel locked in, leading to long, cautious job searches.” International Pressures and AI Disruption Nobel laureate David Card of UC Berkeley cited four global forces undermining Korea’s youth employment: “1) disruption caused by US tariffs and trade policy. 2) AI. AI is heavily disrupting some sectors that use a lot of entry level software development engineers. 3) Competition from China. 4) Supply imbalances… supply outpaced the growth in demand for these workers.” A recent Bank of Korea report found that nearly all 211,000 youth job losses over the past three years occurred in industries most exposed to AI. Graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees face the highest automation risk, while doctorate holders and vocational-track workers have been less affected. Beyond Welfare: Building “Good Jobs” For Yoon Hong-sik, professor of social welfare at Inha University, the crisis reveals a deeper flaw in Korea’s welfare and industrial model. “We once believed AI would only replace low- or mid-skill work, but it’s now hollowing out high-skilled roles too,” he said. “University education must shift from functional training to cultivating creativity and critical thinking—skills machines cannot replicate.” Yoon argues that welfare states should not only compensate the jobless but actively foster quality employment. “In Nordic countries, 25–30 percent of all workers are employed in the public sector, providing universal social services. Korea’s share is barely 8 percent,” he said. “We need two pillars: robust public-sector jobs that deliver care, housing, and education, and a vibrant private sector that builds on this human capital to create advanced service industries.” Rethinking What Education Means Marcus Alexander, professor at London Business School, says the takeaway for students is increasingly clear. “Learning ‘facts’ is irrelevant; learning how to think effectively is more important than ever,” he said. “The critical issue is not about getting a degree but about what graduates actually learn from very different courses and institutions.” 2025-12-03 15:49:35

Tesla tops BMW as No. 1 imported car brand in South Korea SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Tesla has overtaken BMW to become the best-selling imported car brand in South Korea, industry data showed on Wednesday. The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said new registrations of imported passenger vehicles rose 23.4 percent in November from a year earlier to 29,357 units. Cumulative registrations from January to November climbed 16.3 percent to 278,769 units. Tesla led the monthly tally with 7,632 units, outpacing BMW with 6,526 units and Mercedes-Benz with 6,139. Volvo followed with 1,459 units, China’s BYD with 1,164, and Lexus with 1,039. European marques continued to dominate the market with 17,996 units, equivalent to 61.3 percent, while American brands accounted for 8,139 units (27.7 percent). Hybrid models remained the most popular fuel type with 15,064 units, or 51.3 percent, followed by electric vehicles. Tesla’s Model Y was the top-selling imported vehicle in November with 4,604 units, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz E 200 and the Tesla Model Y Long Range. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 15:06:17

Man arrested for making hundreds of prank calls SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - A man in his 50s has been arrested for making more than hundreds of false reports with the police over several months. According to police authorities, the man allegedly made 750 false reports and prank calls to emergency hotlines from March until last month, claiming incidents such as finding a weapon linked to an unsolved case and a bus driver operating under the influence. He also reportedly committed theft at local businesses and threatened store owners who reported him. He is expected to face charges of obstructing official duties and committing theft. During questioning, he reportedly said he had no specific reason for his actions. A police officer said, "These habitual false reports have wasted administrative resources. We will continue to rigorously investigate false reports and prank calls." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 15:04:11

Heavy snow advisory issued for Jeju's mountainous areas SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - A heavy snow advisory was issued for the mountainous areas of the southern resort island of Jeju, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Wednesday. Such an advisory is issued when more than 5 centimeters of snowfall is expected within 24 hours, warning pedestrians and drivers to exercise extra caution. A strong wind advisory also remains in place for most parts of Jeju. Meanwhile, biting cold swept across the country, with morning lows at -9 degrees Celsius in Seoul, -1 degrees in Busan, and -12 degrees in Gwangju. In Seoul, a cold wave advisory was issued for all 21 districts and surrounding areas the previous day, as morning temperatures were expected to plunge by more than 10 degrees. According to KMA, Seoul is likely to see the season's first snowfall on Thursday. 2025-12-03 14:40:23

South Korea's KB Securities opens Mumbai office to tap India's financial markets SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s KB Securities has formally opened an office in Mumbai, marking its entry into India’s fast-growing financial market. The new office is located in Lower Parel, positioned between Mumbai’s traditional business center of Nariman Point and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the city’s financial hub. KB Securities said the branch will focus on exploring investment opportunities and strengthening its presence in India’s capital markets. The opening ceremony, held on Dec. 1, was attended by senior figures including Yoo Dong-wan, South Korea’s consul general in Mumbai, and Rohit Kumar, head of business development at the National Stock Exchange of India. The firm said in a press release that the Mumbai branch will serve as a base for securing M&A and equity investment opportunities, adding that the firm aims to link its global business expertise with India’s growth potential through close cooperation with local financial institutions and regulators. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 14:39:26

Hanwha Aerospace wins second contract for Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace said on Wednesday it has signed a second production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply additional Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles, in a deal valued at 225.4 billion won ($170 million). The new order follows an earlier 162.3 billion won contract, bringing total procurement for the program to 387.7 billion won. Deliveries of the missiles and launchers to the South Korean military are scheduled by 2028, the company said. The Cheongeom — the country’s first domestically developed air-to-ground missile — was completed in 2022, with Hanwha serving as the prototype manufacturer. The precision-guided weapon is equipped with a dual-mode seeker enabling day- and night-time targeting and a wired data link designed to enhance resistance to jamming. It also supports post-launch target updates to adapt to changing battlefield conditions. Hanwha is working to expand deployment options for the missile, including integration with manned and unmanned ground vehicles. A lighter variant, the Cheongeom-L, is under development for infantry units and for installation on armored vehicles and tanks. “We aim to support stable mass production and diversify operational platforms, contributing to South Korea’s defense capabilities while pursuing tailored export opportunities,” Hanwha Aerospace said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 13:55:39

Korea's life expectancy rises to 83.7, outliving OECD average SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Koreans born last year are expected to live up to 83.7 years on average, outpacing the OECD average, according to the 2024 Life Table released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday. Life expectancy for men reached 80.8 years and for women 86.6 years, each up 0.2 years from the previous year. The gender gap has continued to narrow since peaking in 1985, now standing at 5.8 years. For those already aged 60, men are expected to live another 23.7 years and women 28.4 years, marking increases of 0.3 years and 0.2 years, respectively. South Korean men now live 2.3 years longer than the OECD male average of 78.5 years, while Korean women exceed the OECD female average by 2.9 years. Cancer continues to be the leading cause of deaths in Korea, accounting for 19.5% of lifetime mortality risk, followed by pneumonia (10.2%), heart disease (10.0%), and cerebrovascular disease (6.9%). The likelihood of dying from cancer and pneumonia has increased, while COVID-19 mortality has declined sharply. Over the past decade, pneumonia has shown the steepest rise in death rates for both men and women. As people age, the risk of dying from pneumonia, heart disease, sepsis, and Alzheimer’s disease rises, whereas risks from suicide and accidents fall. Removing cancer from the mortality profile would extend life expectancy by 3.3 years; eliminating heart disease would add 1.2 years, and removing pneumonia would add 1.0 year. Healthy life expectancy — the number of years a newborn can expect to live without illness — stood at 65.5 years, while subjective healthy life expectancy was 73.8 years. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 13:20:02

Korea's GDP fared better than expected in Q3, nominal GNI falls on sharp won weakening SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea's economy grew faster than earlier estimated on the back of stronger capital investment, but its nominal income declined against a strong dollar, reflecting the Korean won’s status as one of the weakest performers among major traders. According to the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Wednesday, real gross domestic product increased 1.3 percent from the previous quarter — the strongest since the fourth quarter of 2021 — accelerating from the 0.7 percent gain in the second quarter and 1.2 percent in preliminary data. Against a year-ago period, real GDP expanded 1.8 percent, setting the economy on track to meet this year's revised annual growth target of 1.0 percent. The economy added 1.6 percent in the second quarter and zero growth in the first. The upward revision owed to increases in construction investment (0.6 percent), facilities investment (2.6 percent), and intellectual property investment (1.2 percent), the BOK said. Other data on the domestic front also showed improvements. Private consumption grew 1.3 percent, driven by gains in both goods, such as passenger cars, and services, such as dining out. Government expenditure increased by 1.3 percent, centered on the cost of goods and health insurance benefits. The external environment, however, turned dim. Exports expanded 2.1 percent, slowing from the 4.5 percent growth in the second quarter, while imports also slowed to 2.0 percent from 4.2 percent in the second quarter. In nominal terms, GDP added just 0.7 percent, compared to 2 percent in the second quarter, placing gross operating surplus growth at 0.8 percent versus 4 percent previously, due to the strength of the dollar against the Korean won, which fell around 6 percent in the third quarter. The GDP deflator, which reflects the level of prices, rose by 2.7 percent. The gross national income (GNI) in nominal terms decreased 0.3 percent from the previous quarter. The fall was significantly impacted by the shrinkage in net factor income from the rest of the world (NFIA) — the difference between the country’s earnings from foreign investments and payments made to foreign investors — which fell from 14.1 trillion won ($9.6 billion) to 8 trillion won. In real terms, GNI rose 0.8 percent from the previous quarter, marking a slight slowdown from the 1 percent increase recorded in the second quarter. The deterioration in the terms of trade also contributed to sluggish GNI, with the real loss on terms of trade widening from 8.6 trillion won ($5.86 billion) to 10.3 trillion won. Real net factor income from the rest of the world also added downward pressure, declining from 10.2 trillion won in the second quarter to 8.6 trillion won in the third quarter. Gross national income fell 0.1 percent. Both the savings rate and the investment rate declined, painting a darker picture for the economy moving forward. The gross saving ratio fell 1.2 percentage points to 34.4 percent, while the net household saving ratio inched up 0.1 percentage point to 8.9 percent. The gross national investment ratio also fell 0.2 percentage point sequentially to 28.6 percent. 2025-12-03 11:47:37