Korean game makers target Southeast Asia, India as next growth engines SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea's major game publishers are expanding their focus on Southeast Asia and India, betting on the regions’ rapidly growing mobile-first user base and rising spending power. Companies are not only exporting games but also investing, forming joint ventures, and reorganizing operations to secure long-term positions in the markets. Industry officials say Southeast Asia has emerged as the world’s second-largest market for mobile game downloads, driven by a young demographic and widespread smartphone adoption. While current revenue remains modest, the expansion of e-wallets and mobile payment services is seen as a catalyst for sharp medium-term growth. India, meanwhile, has evolved into one of the world’s largest gaming consumer markets, with 400–500 million users, roughly one-third of whom are paying customers. The market generates an estimated $3 billion in annual revenue, and falling data costs combined with fintech expansion are lifting average revenue per user. Krafton has taken the most aggressive approach in India. Its localized version of PUBG Mobile, BGMI, has surpassed 240 million downloads, helping push Krafton’s mobile-game revenue up more than 30 percent year-on-year, with India now accounting for around 10 percent of the total. The company has invested over $200 million in Indian gaming, digital content and fintech firms since 2021, and plans to deploy at least $50 million annually going forward. Krafton aims to build an independent local ecosystem by backing startups, esports leagues and collaborations with streamers and domestic brands. NCSoft is positioning Southeast Asia as a key distribution and service hub. Last year, it set up NCV Games, its first regional joint venture, in Singapore with Vietnamese tech firm VNG, which dominates Vietnam’s messaging, payments and gaming platforms. The partnership provides NCSoft with an almost fully independent distribution network in Southeast Asia, adding a third operational pillar alongside its Korean and Western businesses. Netmarble is also strengthening its Southeast Asian presence through local subsidiaries and targeted marketing. Its Thai subsidiary has served as a strategic base for early market expansion, and the company has intensified outreach during major game launches. For the global release of its RPG remake Seven Knights Rebirth in September, Netmarble held offline showcases in Thailand and Taiwan. The game went on to record top sales rankings in more than 20 countries, including Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia. Netmarble has maintained an 8–9 percent revenue share from Southeast Asia in recent years. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 14:34:59

Remains of 25 Korean War soldiers recovered in DMZ SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - Some 25 remains and 1,962 belongings from the Korean War (1950-193) were recovered in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Ministry of Defense said on Monday. According to the ministry, the monthlong excavation, conducted by over 100 South Korean and UN troops from mid-October to late November, recovered the remains, many of which are believed to be South Korean soldiers, with precise identification pending further analysis and DNA testing. The project was resumed in October as part of efforts to ease military tensions between the two Koreas under the 2018 inter-Korean military pact, but North Korea has not participated, leaving South Korea to carry out the work alone. Previously, South Korea recovered 424 remains between April 2019 and June 2021, and an additional 67 remains between September 2021 and November 2022. The ministry said, "This effort aims to return the fallen heroes of the war to their families and fulfill the government's commitment to peace in the DMZ." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 14:05:45

Hanwha Aerospace showcases K9, Chunmoo systems at Egypt's defense expo SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Monday it is participating in the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) 2025, which runs from Dec. 1–4 in Cairo, showcasing a range of artillery and air-defense systems. The South Korean defense manufacturer is highlighting its K9 self-propelled howitzer, set to enter service with Egypt from 2026 under a major contract. More than 450 companies are taking part in the exhibition, which is expected to draw around 40,000 visitors. At the center of Hanwha’s display is the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, capable of firing munitions with ranges between 80 km and 290 km. The company is also presenting the Chunmoo 2.0 anti-ship ballistic missile, designed to engage moving naval targets. Hanwha is exhibiting a model of the K9 package included in its 2 trillion won deal with Egypt signed in 2022. The package covers K9 howitzers for coastal defense, precision-guided munitions, and the K11 fire control vehicle, equipped with electro-optical tracking and radar. Deliveries of the K9 systems to the Egyptian Armed Forces will begin in the first quarter of 2026. The platforms will feature a domestically developed 1,000-horsepower engine and will be assembled locally in Egypt with components supplied by South Korean partners. The company is also proposing a suite of integrated air-defense assets for the Egyptian military, including the L-SAM long-range interceptor, a 40mm unmanned air-defense system, short-range drone launchers, and the Cheongeom surface-to-surface guided missile. “Through strengthened defense cooperation with Egypt, we aim to advance the defense ecosystems of both countries,” said Sung Il, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s Middle East and Africa division. “We are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA market with proven solutions like the K9 and Chunmoo.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 13:56:51

South Korea's HD Hyundai consolidates shipbuilding units SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo Shipbuilding completed their merger on Monday, forming an integrated entity under the name HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the group seeks to reinforce its position as the world’s largest shipbuilder. The merger, first announced in August, follows a broader consolidation trend in the global shipbuilding sector, with major players in China and Japan also unifying their leading yards. HD Hyundai Heavy said the newly combined company will be better positioned to respond to shifting market conditions and strengthen its order pipeline. The shipbuilder aims to reach 37 trillion won in revenue by 2035 and significantly increase its role in the Korea–U.S. defense shipbuilding partnership known as MASGA. By integrating HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ advanced shipbuilding technology with HD Hyundai Mipo’s production capacity and expertise, the company expects to expand defense-related sales 10-fold to 10 trillion won by 2035. The unified yard will also prioritize next-generation green technologies, consolidating R&D efforts to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly solutions across both mid-sized and large vessels. HD Hyundai plans to pursue new demand for specialized ships, including icebreakers, as interest rises in Arctic development. In a video message marking the launch, HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun said the merger opens “a new chapter for our country’s shipbuilding industry,” adding that the combined workforce’s expertise would help propel future innovation. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 13:47:20

Samsung Biologics to invest 7 trln won in third bio-campus SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics plans to invest about 7 trillion won ($4.76 billion) to build a third campus in Songdo, diversifying its contract manufacturing business beyond antibody drugs into emerging therapeutic modalities. The South Korean biopharmaceutical manufacturer said Monday it signed a land purchase agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone authority for about 187,427 square meters of industrial site in Songdo International City. The company will pay 248.7 billion won for the plot, located in the advanced industrial cluster of the city's 11th district. Samsung Biologics plans to build its third campus on the newly acquired land, housing research and production facilities for cell and gene therapies, antibody vaccines, and peptides alongside existing antibody drug capabilities. The expansion aims to diversify beyond the company's current antibody-focused CDMO business while building foundational capabilities in next-generation modalities including mRNA, antibody-drug conjugates, and organoids. The third campus will be designed to integrate with existing operations at the company's first and second campuses through linked process, quality, and technical functions. Samsung Biologics expects the integrated approach to enhance production efficiency, reduce customer project lead times, and strengthen global regulatory compliance. "We have completed our transformation into a pure CDMO company through the spin-off, and now secured next-generation growth engines through entry into new modalities, allowing us to accelerate toward our goal of becoming a global top bio company," said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics. 2025-12-01 11:52:58

Asian markets mixed as China rallies; Korea, Japan slip on policy concerns SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Asian equities were mixed on Monday morning, with declines in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan contrasting with broad gains in China. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.35 percent to 3,911 as of 10 a.m., pressured by institutional selling. Institutions offloaded 132.1 billion won ($90 million), while foreign investors sold a modest 4 billion won as they monitored market direction. Retail investors bought 162.1 billion won, seeking to take advantage of the dip. Shares of heavyweight chipmakers were steady. Samsung Electronics rose 0.1 percent to 100,600 won, while SK hynix edged up 0.28 percent to 531,500 won. Power equipment makers slumped sharply on concerns that North American shipments have peaked and margins are topping out. HD Hyundai Electric fell 4.65 percent to 739,000 won, while Hyosung Heavy Industries tumbled 5.94 percent to 1,789,000 won. Auto stocks also weakened, with Hyundai Motor sliding 2.49 percent to 255,000 won amid continued foreign selling as investors reassess risks tied to potential U.S. tariffs of up to 15%. Shipping names advanced after November export data showed an 8.4 percent year-on-year rise to a record high. HMM gained 4.5 percent to 20,000 won, and Pan Ocean climbed 4 percent to 3,920 won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ reversed course on expectations of fresh government support, rising 1.6 percent to 930. Cybersecurity stocks rallied across the board after a series of high-profile breaches, including the exposure of 30 million customer records at e-commerce giant Coupang. Softcamp surged by the daily limit, jumping 30 percent to 1,682 won. AhnLab rose 2.3 percent to 61,600 won, while ESTsoft added 3.9 percent to 19,140 won. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 1.6 percent to 49,450 as traders weighed the possibility that the Bank of Japan could freeze or raise rates at its upcoming policy meeting — moves that could delay fiscal stimulus proposed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet. Banking stocks firmed on expectations of higher interest rates. Chiba Bank climbed 1.92 percent to 1,676 yen ($10.8), while Shizuoka Financial Group advanced 1.6 percent to 2,300 yen. Major exporters weakened, with Toyota down 1.1 percent to 3,099 yen and Sony sliding 2.7 percent to 4,452 yen. Chip and technology suppliers continued to face pressure. Testing equipment maker Advantest plunged 4.6 percent to 19,620 yen, while Ibiden dropped 2 percent to 11,640 yen. Taiwan’s TAIEX traded 0.3 percent lower at 27,550. TSMC slipped 0.7 percent to 1,430 Taiwan dollars ($45.5), and Hon Hai Precision fell 1.1 percent to 223 Taiwan dollars. MediaTek bucked the trend, rising 3.6 percent to 1,445 Taiwan dollars on optimism over its expanded AI partnership with Alphabet and stronger-than-expected demand for its Dimensity 9500 smartphone chips. Mainland Chinese markets advanced across the board. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.41 percent to 3,904, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.85 percent to 13,085. Investor expectations for additional stimulus grew amid signs of prolonged economic weakness, including the decision by major developer Vanke Group to seek extensions on maturing bonds and the yield on Chinese Treasury bonds falling below that of Japan for the first time. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 1.13 percent to 26,150, rebounding from sentiment pressure following last week’s deadly incident in Tai Po and supported by optimism over China’s expected economic measures. 2025-12-01 11:13:27

Labor Ministry to inspect Coupang's warehouses after recent massive data breach SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - E-commerce giant Coupang's logistics centers and delivery warehouses will be inspected next week, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Monday. The move follows a surprise inspection by Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon at a logistics center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last week, shortly after a major data breach was detected. The inspection, set to begin next Wednesday, will cover Coupang's four logistics centers and three warehouses affected by the recent breach, as well as five delivery agencies contracted with the company. The ministry will assess night shifts including work hours, health checkups, and rest areas. If any risks or deficiencies are found, relevant measures will be imposed for improvement. Depending on the findings, the ministry may extend inspections to other logistics centers and delivery hubs. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 10:58:45

South Korean hotels ride wave of Chinese Gen Z travelers SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s hotel scene is in the midst of a renaissance, energized by a surge of overseas travelers who are filling rooms, lifting revenues, and reshaping the country’s hospitality landscape. At the center of this revival is the return of Chinese tourists — once South Korea’s largest visitor group — whose comeback is accelerating faster than many in the industry anticipated. More than 14 million foreign tourists arrived in the first nine months of the year, a 16 percent jump, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. Nearly four in ten were from China, where renewed visa-free group travel and a wave of Korean pop-culture enthusiasm, particularly among Gen Z, are fueling demand. Officials expect Chinese arrivals to climb to 6.6 million next year, inching closer to pre-THAAD levels. Inside South Korea’s hotels, the effects are unmistakable. Luxury properties have nearly regained their pre-pandemic occupancy rates, and average daily room prices have climbed to an all-time high of 306,000 won. Investors are also taking notice: hotel transaction volumes jumped 20 percent last year to 2.16 trillion won, signaling renewed confidence in the sector. Glad Hotels, a brand under DL Group, has emerged as one of the clearest winners. By tailoring its marketing to young Chinese and female travelers in their 20s and 30s, the chain posted record quarterly results — 27.5 billion won in sales and 9.4 billion won in operating profit. Its Mapo location, set amid bustling cafés and cultural spots, has become a favorite backdrop for visiting Gen Z tourists documenting their trips on social media. Industry executives say prime locations such as Yeouido, Gangnam Coex Center, and Mapo have become “strategic assets,” attracting international tourists and younger guests who are willing to pay premium rates. Analysts believe the tailwinds will last for years. “South Korea is benefiting from a structural rise in travel demand,” said Hana Securities researcher Lee Ki-hoon. “A limited hotel supply pipeline, combined with the global spread of K-content, will support record earnings at least through 2027.” He added that any further relaxation of visa rules would provide another lift, particularly from China. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 10:17:15

South Korean asset management firms' Q3 profit surges 128 percent year-on-year SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s asset management industry expanded in the third quarter, with total assets under management (AUM) rising 3.9 percent from the previous quarter to 1,868.8 trillion won (about $1.27 trillion). Fund deposits grew 5 percent to 1,226.8 trillion won ($835 billion), while investment advisory contracts increased 1.8 percent to 642 trillion won. Funds recorded gains across major categories: equity funds reached 149.5 trillion won, bond funds 105.8 trillion won, and derivative funds 70 trillion won. Industry profitability strengthened sharply. Net profit jumped 128.5 percent year-on-year to 944.7 billion won, while operating profit climbed 154.9 percent to 996.3 billion won. Return on equity improved 1.3 percentage points to 21.9 percent. An official from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said that improved government policies and stronger market performance helped lift stock indices and support profitability. However, the regulator noted the continued dominance of ETF-related public funds and widening performance gaps among firms. Nearly 80 percent of industry-wide net profit in the third quarter was concentrated among the top 30 companies. The number of asset management firms increased by five to 505, with total employment reaching 13,626, up 119 from the previous quarter. Among 501 firms assessed, 299, or 59.7 percent, were profitable. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 10:08:15

Chip boom lifts South Korea's November exports 8.4 percent SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports rose more than 8 percent in November from a year earlier, extending their growth streak to six consecutive months and putting the country on course to reach an annual export of $700 billion for the first time. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Monday that outbound shipments reached $61.04 billion in November, up 8.4 percent on-year. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, climbed 13.3 percent to $2.71 billion, the highest level ever recorded for the month. Cumulative exports from January to November totaled $640.2 billion, an increase of $17.9 billion from a year earlier and surpassing the previous January–November record set in 2022. Semiconductors once again led the expansion. Chip exports surged 38.6 percent to $17.26 billion, buoyed by strong demand for high-value memory products used in data centers. The sector’s cumulative shipments reached $152.6 billion, already exceeding last year’s full-year total of $141.9 billion. Automobiles also performed strongly, with exports up 13.7 percent to $6.41 billion, bringing year-to-date shipments to a record $66.04 billion. Wireless communication devices rose 1.6 percent to $1.73 billion, while secondary battery exports edged up 2.2 percent to $670 million. Imports increased 1.2 percent to $51.3 billion in November. Energy imports dropped 18.4 percent to $8.72 billion, but non-energy imports rose 6.4 percent to $47 billion. As a result, South Korea posted a $9.73 billion trade surplus, widening by $4.17 billion from the previous year. The cumulative surplus for the first 11 months reached $66.07 billion, up $14.23 billion on-year. “November exports continued their upward trend for six months, demonstrating the resilience of Korean companies amid rising global protectionism,” Trade Minister Kim Jeong-gwan said in a press release. He added that the tariff deal with the U.S. could help ease uncertainties surrounding exports to the U.S. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 09:49:34