Korean Air advances space ambitions with successful satellite antenna test SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Korean Air has successfully completed a development test of a large deployable satellite antenna system in partnership with the Korea Institute for Defense Technology Promotion, marking a step forward in its efforts to expand into next-generation space technologies. The airline said Friday the test, conducted last month at the CAMTIC Institute of Technology in Jeonju, involved a 5-meter-class antenna deployment system developed under a defense core technology program led by the institute. The technology allows large satellite antennas to be folded compactly to fit inside launch vehicles and then deployed to full size once in orbit. Precise deployment in space is critical, as antenna performance directly affects satellite mission capability. Korean Air said the test confirmed the deployment device operated as designed, demonstrating stable unfolding while maintaining structural integrity under conditions simulating the space environment. The trial also resolved mechanical interference issues within the complex structure and showed high precision through repeated deployment cycles. The company added that the results validated the effectiveness of its independently designed antenna deployment mechanism and said it would use the data to accelerate development of a full-scale large antenna deployment system. Korean Air said it plans to continue strengthening capabilities in future space technologies, including ultra-high-resolution Earth observation satellites capable of distinguishing objects as small as 10 centimeters on the ground. It is also seeking to enhance capabilities in 6G satellite communications systems, aiming to play a key role in next-generation satellite programs tied to national security. “As a leading aerospace company in South Korea, we will continue to advance national space capabilities and contribute to the country’s emergence as a major space power based on our accumulated expertise,” the company said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-12 11:08:37

South Korea to participate in annual multinational military exercise in Thailand SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea will take part in a multinational combined exercise set to be held in Thailand next week, according to military authorities. About 390 South Korean Navy personnel and marines are set to depart the southern port city of Busan on Thursday to participate in "Cobra Gold," the largest multinational combined exercise held annually in Thailand since 1982 and hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Scheduled for Feb. 23 to March 6, this year's exercise is expected to be one of the largest, featuring amphibious landings and other drills with military personnel from about 10 countries including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. South Korea will showcase its defense capabilities with home-grown amphibious assault vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and other equipment. Among the highlights is Cheonho, a 30-mm wheeled anti-aircraft gun developed by Hanwha Aerospace, which will join live-fire training overseas for the first time. Col. Hwang Sang-geun, who leads the South Korean delegation, said, "Cobra Gold would provide an opportunity for the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps to strengthen combined military readiness and improve operational capabilities." 2026-02-12 11:04:10

Chip surge pushes KOSPI past 5,400 amid broader Asian gains SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) – Major Asian stock markets advanced on Thursday, led by semiconductor shares after strong gains in U.S. chipmakers boosted optimism about the sector, while Japanese equities extended their rally. Shares of U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology surged nearly 10 percent overnight after the company said it was supplying sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) chips to Nvidia without disruption, quelling speculation it had been excluded from the supply chain. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 2.3 percent. Although the three main U.S. indexes ended slightly lower, confirmation that HBM4 has entered mass production improved sentiment toward chip stocks globally and reinforced expectations of a semiconductor upcycle. The positive spillover lifted South Korea’s market, where heavyweight chip stocks drove the benchmark KOSPI above the 5,400 level for the first time. As of 10: 31 a.m., Samsung Electronics rose 3.64 percent to 173,900 won ($120), while SK hynix climbed 3.26 percent to 888,000 won, leading gains in Seoul. The KOSPI was up 2.11 percent at 5,468.56, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 0.31 percent to 1,118.19. The Korean won weakened slightly, with the dollar rising 0.80 won to 1,448.80 won. Investor flows were mixed, with retail investors selling a net 834.7 billion won worth of shares, while foreign and institutional investors purchased a net 487.2 billion won and 341.1 billion won, respectively. Battery maker LG Energy Solution gained 3.06 percent, while performance among other major stocks was mixed. Samsung Life Insurance rose 2.25 percent, but Samsung Biologics slipped 0.23 percent. Automakers traded unevenly, with Hyundai Motor down 0.98 percent while affiliate Kia rose 0.68 percent. Defense-related shares softened, as Hanwha Aerospace fell 0.53 percent. Shipbuilders advanced, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gaining 0.74 percent and Hanwha Ocean adding 0.77 percent. Financial shares also extended a strong rally this month, significantly outperforming the broader market. JB Financial Group rose 4.55 percent, iM Financial Group gained 3.89 percent and Hana Financial Group added 1.43 percent. The sector’s strength has been supported by solid earnings, expanded shareholder return policies and expectations of a valuation re-rating. Japanese equities continued to climb, helped by expectations of renewed momentum in the so-called “Takaichi trade,” reflecting hopes of a dovish monetary stance and fiscal expansion. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.48 percent to 57,926.61 in morning trading. Japan-focused exchange-traded funds listed in South Korea also rallied. TIGER Japan Nikkei 225 gained 8.59 percent over the past five sessions, while ACE Japan TOPIX Leverage (H) jumped 10.62 percent. Technology-focused funds also surged, with PLUS Japan Semiconductor Materials and Equipment and Midas Japan Tech Active rising 9.78 percent and 10.10 percent, respectively. Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.29 percent to 27,187.17, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.12 percent to 4,136.99 in morning trade. 2026-02-12 10:51:52

Kolon Mobility Group outlines plan to reach 1 trillion won valuation by 2027 Kolon Mobility Group said Thursday it held its “2026 Town Hall Meeting” to share its mid- to long-term strategy and vision, including a goal of surpassing a corporate valuation of 1 trillion won in 2027. The meeting, held under the slogan “A leap toward a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027,” drew about 130 managers in person, while about 1,700 employees nationwide joined via a live YouTube broadcast. The event featured CEO keynote talks by co-CEOs Kang Lee Gu and Choi Hyun Seok, along with strategy presentations by major affiliates including Kolon Motors. Kang said the company will pursue three core strategies — “Profitability, Expansion and Evolution” — to achieve a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027. He said the company will push specific measures including expanding its 702 used-car business, innovating its business model through DX and AX, and strengthening its brand portfolio. Choi said the used-car business is a key growth engine for building KMG’s self-sustaining competitiveness. He said the company will strengthen brand awareness and its online platform so that “Imported cars mean 702” becomes a common market perception. In a Q&A session, executives answered questions collected in advance from employees, which the company described as a forum to build “One KMG” by strengthening ties beyond physical distance. A company official said the town hall helped employees align around a single goal and will be used to boost execution toward reaching a 1 trillion won valuation in 2027. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:30:00

NHN returns to annual profit as Q4 earnings hit record high SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s NHN Corp. reported record quarterly revenue and operating profit in the fourth quarter, supported by broad-based growth across its core businesses and improved profitability. In a regulatory filing Thursday, NHN said consolidated revenue for the October–December period rose 6.5 percent from a year earlier to a record 685.7 billion won ($480 million), while operating profit surged 120.5 percent to 55.1 billion won, also the highest quarterly figure in the company’s history. For full-year 2025, revenue increased 2.5 percent to 2.52 trillion won, supported by steady growth in its games, payments and technology businesses. Operating profit reached 132.4 billion won, returning to profit after a loss a year earlier. The company attributed the turnaround to continued efforts to streamline its business portfolio and improve operational efficiency. By segment, fourth-quarter game revenue rose 6 percent from a year earlier and 6.7 percent from the previous quarter to 126.1 billion won, with mobile game revenue increasing 12.3 percent year-on-year. Payments revenue climbed 16.2 percent from a year earlier to 345.6 billion won, up 5.6 percent from the prior quarter. Revenue from the technology segment increased 17.4 percent year-on-year and 24.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to 139.1 billion won. NHN said growth was driven by demand for graphics processing unit services, public cloud migration projects and higher sales from its integrated messaging platform, Notification. The segment also posted its first quarterly operating profit. NHN said it plans to accelerate growth this year by strengthening competitiveness in its core businesses while continuing efforts to restore profitability. The company is preparing to launch new mobile games based on well-known intellectual property, including Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy and Oshi no Ko: Puzzle Star, which is scheduled for official release in Japan later this month. Another title, Abyssdia, is taking pre-registrations ahead of a planned global rollout, including South Korea, by the end of the month. In payments, NHN said it is advancing preparations for a stablecoin-related business as it seeks to secure an early position in next-generation payment infrastructure. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-12 10:27:23

Teen snowboarder reaches men's halfpipe final SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - With this year's Winter Olympics underway in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan, teen snowboarder Lee Chae-un finished ninth in the qualifying round of the men's halfpipe on Wednesday, becoming the first South Korean man to reach the final. He is now set to compete in the final round in the alpine town of Livigno in northern Italy on Thursday, where the top 12 snowboarders will vie for medals. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Lee competed as South Korea's youngest athlete but was eliminated in the qualifying round after finishing 18th. Now he hopes to secure a medal that eluded him four years ago. Meanwhile, Australia's Scotty James led the qualifying round with 94 points, followed by Japanese snowboarders Yuto Totsuka (91.25) and Ryusei Yamada (90.25). 2026-02-12 10:25:27

Hyundai Steel Wins South Korea’s First KOLAS Recognition for Cryogenic Tensile Testing Hyundai Steel said Wednesday it has become the first company in South Korea’s steel industry to receive Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, or KOLAS, recognition in cryogenic materials testing, a key area for next-generation energy storage facilities. Its Pohang testing center recently received international accredited testing-lab recognition from KOLAS, an accreditation body under the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, for cryogenic tensile testing. KOLAS accreditation is an international certification system that recognizes the competence of testing, calibration and inspection bodies under global standards. Test reports bearing KOLAS accreditation are recognized as equivalent in 104 member countries of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, or ILAC, and are widely seen as a marker of technical credibility. Hyundai Steel said the accreditation is also the first case in South Korea to meet test requirements under what it described as the world’s most stringent standards for LNG storage tank design and construction. The recognition covers not only the test itself but also strict temperature-control conditions. Cryogenic tensile testing is a required quality-verification process that evaluates how steel reinforcement withstands impact and loads in extreme cold of minus 165 degrees Celsius or lower. The company said the work demands precise control, including managing temperature deviation at the center of the specimen, meeting required holding times after reaching cryogenic temperatures, and controlling strain rate. Because of those requirements, domestic companies had relied on overseas specialized labs such as the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, or LIST, for cryogenic testing. Hyundai Steel said it has localized the capability with its own technology, strengthening technical self-reliance. With the accreditation, Hyundai Steel said it can now provide a one-stop solution, from producing materials to issuing internationally recognized test reports. It also said it can sharply cut the time needed to issue certificates, which typically took three months or longer, helping shorten delivery schedules. The company said the capability is expected to be especially useful in LNG terminal projects. It said Korea Gas Corp. and Doosan Enerbility have been reported to highly value the ability to conduct fast and accurate verification in South Korea without relying on overseas institutions. A Hyundai Steel official said the KOLAS recognition shows the company is evolving beyond a steel supplier into a technology company that provides customers with trust and safety. “Through continuous R&D and more advanced testing and analysis capabilities, we will become a premium partner that customers seek out first,” the official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:24:00

KAI, Chosun University sign deal for AI-aerospace education partnership Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Chosun University to develop artificial intelligence-integrated education in the aerospace sector. The agreement is aimed at meeting rising demand for future aerospace talent by systematically training AI-based aerospace specialists, while promoting exchanges of new technologies and joint research and development, KAI said. The two organizations plan to deepen education and research cooperation in stages, focusing on the fast-growing field of AI-based integrated product support (IPS) for aerospace. They also said they will pursue a sustainable partnership that links education, research and projects by joining industry- and government-connected initiatives. Under the agreement, KAI and Chosun University will jointly use education and research programs and facilities and seek and carry out support projects to train aerospace professionals. They also plan to cooperate on research tasks, consortium formation and other steps needed to take part in R&D and related support programs. Park Kyung Eun, an executive vice president at KAI, said the deal is a starting point for connecting AI-based IPS education and research with industrial needs to produce practical results. He said KAI will combine its IPS operations experience and technical capabilities with the university’s education and research to build a sustainable cooperation model. Chosun University President Kim Choon Sung said the partnership is meaningful because it will train specialists in aerospace IPS based on AI convergence capabilities and produce research results with both public value and industrial relevance through university-industry cooperation. He said the university plans to keep expanding government- and industry-linked research and education cooperation based on the agreement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:21:26

Hyundai Motor Names Kim Gi-yang Top Passenger-Car Seller for 2025 With 382 Vehicles Hyundai Motor said Thursday it has released its list of top sales performers for last year, naming 10 passenger-vehicle and three commercial-vehicle winners. Kim Gi-yang, a 57-year-old sales director at the company’s Daejeon branch, was the top passenger-vehicle seller nationwide. Kim sold 382 vehicles last year, ranking No. 1 in Hyundai’s passenger-vehicle sales for the fifth straight year. He joined Hyundai in October 1991 and has sold a cumulative 6,948 vehicles through last year. “Today’s result was possible because of trust with customers and consistent communication,” Kim said. “This year, I will move with greater care, work with more depth and continue to do my best with sincerity.” The passenger-vehicle top 10 also included Lee Jeong Ho of the Seongdong branch (368 vehicles), Choi Jin Seong of the Seodaemun Jungang branch (328), Kwon Gil Ju of the Suwon branch (325), Kwon Yun Hyeong of the Seocho Nambu branch (247), Kim Yeong Hwan of the Banpo branch (230), Park Jong Cheol of the Jungnang branch (205), Choi U Hyeok of the Yeouido branch (202), Kwon Yeong Ho of the Daecheon branch (199) and Lee Seok I of the Cheonan City Hall branch (197). The top three commercial-vehicle sellers were Choi Geun Min of the Ulsan Truck branch (201), Song Jae Yeol of the Gyeonggi Truck branch (172) and Kim Yun Gu of the Daegu Truck branch (158). Hyundai said it runs multiple recognition programs to boost morale, including its nationwide top sales selection, the “The Class Awards” and an honorary sales awards system. The nationwide top sales selection and The Class Awards recognize annual top performers. The nationwide program honors top sellers across the country, while The Class Awards divide annual sales totals into ranges and reward winners in each range. Under the honorary sales awards system, employees earn titles and prizes based on cumulative sales in passenger and commercial vehicles: “Sales Master” at 2,000/1,000 vehicles, “Sales Grand Master” at 3,000/1,500, “Sales Expert” at 4,000/2,000 and “Sales Legend” at 5,000/2,500. A Hyundai official said the company will keep pursuing innovation this year to deliver “customer satisfaction” as industry paradigms continue to change. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 10:21:00

Court set to rule on former interior minister over alleged martial law involvement SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min is set to be sentenced on Thursday for his alleged role in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 2 p.m., in a trial broadcast nationwide. Lee is accused of aiding Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 by instructing police and fire agencies to cut off power and water to media outlets on Yoon's orders. He is also charged with perjury for denying his involvement in the botched debacle, during Yoon's impeachment trial in February last year. In his final hearing last month, Lee remained adamant, persistently denying all allegations. But prosecutors sought 15 years in prison, saying Lee, who oversaw national security and disaster management, failed to stop Yoon despite being fully aware that Yoon's late-night bid was illegal and unconstitutional. Thursday's ruling will be the second in cases related to the debacle, after former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison, heavier than the 15 years prosecutors sought, as the court found that the short-lived, late-night fiasco constituted an insurrection. Much attention is now focused on the implications of these two rulings for Yoon's own trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with his verdict set for next Thursday. 2026-02-12 09:41:33