HBM chips are now edible in rare chipmaking collabo SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Chips responsible for a quarter of South Korea’s exports are now edible — coated with honey and banana — thanks to a rare collaboration between convenience-store chain 7-Eleven and memory behemoth SK hynix. The new 7-Select Honey Banana Flavor snack plays on this year’s buzzword, HBM (high bandwidth memory) — the ultra-fast DRAM that powers Nvidia chips and other AI accelerators, and which accounts for about 70 percent of revenue at SK hynix, the world’s dominant supplier in the AI-specific chip market. HBM is a vertically stacked array of DRAM dies that sits directly atop a CPU or GPU, delivering far greater bandwidth per package than conventional DRAM. SK hynix, which controlled more than 60 percent of the HBM market as of June through its exclusive supply relationship with Nvidia, has also been the strongest-performing stock on the KOSPI this year. 7-Eleven said the tie-up marks the first collaboration between a convenience-store brand and a semiconductor company to create a “novel consumer experience” amid the AI-driven tech boom. The snack is shaped like an HBM chip — a neat square block — and features sweet honey-banana cream layered over crunchy corn chips. The smooth sweetness and sharp crunch are meant to mimic HBM’s fast data throughput and precision. An SK hynix–style product-launch parody video will accompany the release, ending with a humorous reveal of the “Honey Banana Flavor HBM Chip.” “We wanted to infuse a high-tech narrative into everyday snacks to offer a new brand experience,” said Park Sun-kyung, snack team MD at 7-Eleven. “We will continue to deliver unexpected enjoyment through cross-industry collaborations.” 2025-11-26 10:50:13

KAIST to test plasma thruster for small satellites on Nuri rocket SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said on November 26 that its cube satellite K-HERO will fly on South Korea's Nuri rocket early tomorrow to test a next-generation plasma thruster designed for small satellites. Nuri, also known as KSLV-II, is the country's first fully domestic launch vehicle. The upcoming fourth launch is scheduled for November 27 at 0:55 a.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung. It is also the first flight in which Hanwha Aerospace is serving as the system integrator after receiving technology transfer from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). The shift is viewed as an early step toward moving South Korea's launch vehicle development from a government-led model to a more private-led structure. The mission will carry 13 satellites into a 600-kilometer orbit, including the main payload, Next-Generation Small Satellite 3, along with 12 cube satellites from universities, research institutes, and companies. K-HERO is one of them. K-HERO, which stands for KAIST Hall Effect Rocket Orbiter, is a 3U cube satellite developed by Professor Choi Won-ho's team in the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering. The satellite measures 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters by 30 centimeters and weighs 3.9 kilograms. The project began after the team was selected as a basic satellite group in the 2022 cube satellite competition overseen by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. As a basic test satellite, K-HERO is designed to confirm whether early designs and components can operate reliably in space before moving to a full flight model. Its main mission is to demonstrate the operation of a miniature plasma thruster in orbit. The engine is a 150 watt Hall thruster that the team redesigned so it can also operate at about 30 watts, which is important for small satellites with limited power. A plasma thruster uses electricity to ionize xenon gas and then pushes the plasma out the back to generate movement. The propulsion is gentle but highly efficient, making electric engines well-suited for small satellites and satellite constellations that require precise maneuvering while conserving energy. Large geostationary satellites and deep space probes have used electric propulsion for decades, but scaling the technology down for lightweight satellites has become increasingly important as the global space industry shifts toward clusters of small spacecraft. KAIST said K-HERO will be the first attempt to test a fully domestic miniature plasma thruster in space. The university said the demonstration could help strengthen South Korea's competitiveness in the growing small satellite market. Professor Choi's group has researched Hall thrusters since 2003 and previously flew a 200 watt model on KAIST's Science and Technology Satellite 3 in 2013. The new thruster is smaller and more efficient so it can support missions in low Earth orbit. CosmoB, a startup from Professor Choi's laboratory, also contributed to the K-HERO project to support future commercialization. Professor Choi said the thruster being tested on K-HERO can be applied to missions such as low Earth orbit surveillance satellites, 6G communication satellites, ultralow orbit imaging satellites, and small asteroid probes. KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung said the mission is an opportunity to verify the university's electric propulsion technology in space again and can help improve the country's competitiveness in small satellite platforms. 2025-11-26 10:46:58

Mourners flock to memorial altar to pay respects to tireless actor SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - A steady stream of mourners from all walks of life are paying their last respects to actor Lee Soon-jae at a memorial altar in Seoul on Wednesday. Lee, widely regarded as one of South Korea's most distinguished and prolific actors, died at the age of 91 at his home in the traditional wealthy district of Seongbuk-dong in northern Seoul the previous day, with his family by his side in his final moments. His memorial altar set up at Asan Medical Center in southern Seoul has been visited by fellow actors, colleagues and political figures including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, reflecting his broad influence across various fields. With an illustrious career spanning nearly seven decades in film, television, and theater, Lee worked tirelessly, appearing in more than 140 dramas, shows, and plays, and remained active as South Korea's oldest actor until sudden health issues forced him to step down late last year. Born in 1934 in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, an area that is now part of North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of four. While studying philosophy at the country's most prestigious university, Seoul National University, Lee realized that acting was his calling and became a movie buff. He chose an unconventional path, as elite students rarely pursued careers in the showbiz industry at the time. Captivated by British actor and director Laurence Olivier's performance in the 1948 cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare's epic tragedy "Hamlet," Lee developed a passion for cinema, which eventually led him to make his acting debut in 1956 in a low-budget play adapted from "Beyond the Horizon" by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. Lee began his professional acting career in 1965 as a contracted actor with TBC, one of South Korea's early terrestrial broadcasters, and went on to appear in countless television programs, including dramas, sitcoms, and variety shows. His acting career was catapulted when he appeared in MBC's megahit series "What Is Love" in 1991, thanks to his vivid portrayal of a traditional, conservative, stern father that reflected the social values of the time. The drama's popularity was so immense that nearly all the streets would empty whenever a new episode aired. After a brief venture into politics in 1992, he returned to showbiz, taking his career to new heights in 2006 with sitcom "High Kick Through the Roof," where he revealed a different side of himself by playing the role of a grumpy but harmless elderly man like the neighbor from next door. Later in life, he enjoyed another heyday in 2013 when cable channel tvN's travel-themed reality show "Grandpas Over Flowers" became an immediate hit. Lee will be laid to rest at a cemetery in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province after a funeral service at the hospital on Thursday. He is survived by his wife and two children. Meanwhile, the government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest decoration given to individuals who have contributed to the development of Korean culture. 2025-11-26 10:42:07

SK Telecom teams up with Samsung for commercialization of 6G network SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s SK Telecom said on Wednesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Electronics to jointly develop next-generation mobile technology, focusing on AI-based radio access networks (AI RAN) to support the eventual commercialization of 6G. Under the partnership, research will be jointly carried out by SK Telecom’s network technology division and Samsung Research. SK Telecom will contribute data and infrastructure from its nationwide mobile network, while Samsung will lead work on AI channel estimation models and distributed multi-antenna algorithms. The joint research will cover core network technologies. The two companies have been working together as members of the AI RAN Alliance since last year. In June, they jointly proposed an AI-based channel estimation technique at a conference in Espoo, Finland. They also presented research findings at a conference in Boston in November. SK Telecom released South Korea’s first 6G white paper in 2023 and showcased AI RAN-enabled base stations at MWC 2025. In October, the operator signed a separate agreement with Nvidia to deepen cooperation on AI RAN development. Ryu Tak-ki of SK Telecom said integrating AI with wireless technology will be essential for global competitiveness in 6G, adding that the company aims to achieve “world-class AI RAN-based 6G capabilities” through its collaboration with Samsung. Jung Jin-kook of Samsung Research said early, field-oriented cooperation would be critical to securing core AI RAN technologies and laying the groundwork for commercial 6G deployment. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 10:40:30

South Korea's HJ Heavy wins flood control project in Philippines SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s HJ Heavy Industries said on Wednesday it has been selected by the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways to lead the Tagum flood control project, a contract valued at about $76 million. The project is designed to address long-standing flooding in Tagum City in Davao del Norte through the construction of levees and bridges, as well as dredging and widening of local rivers. The work is scheduled to take 48 months from commencement. Manila has been accelerating flood-mitigation investments as climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, working closely with international partners including the Asian Development Bank. HJ Heavy Industries completed the Pampanga flood control project in April last year. Since entering the Philippine market in 1973, the company has carried out more than 80 projects — from roads and ports to airports — and has contributed to major undertakings such as the Manila Light Rail and Davao International Airport. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 10:22:33

IMF urges Korea to raise retirement age, delay pension payouts SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The International Monetary Fund has recommended that South Korea raise its statutory retirement age to 65 and delay the start of public pension benefits to 68, according to a report posted on the IMF’s website. Citing OECD research, the Fund said the proposed changes could lift total employment by about 14 percent and increase GDP by 12 percent by 2070. The IMF said adjusting the retirement and pension system is essential to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability as the country confronts rapid population ageing. It also called for reforms to South Korea’s seniority-based wage structure, urging a shift toward performance-related pay. Without changes to the wage system, simply extending the retirement age could have “unintended negative effects,” the report warned. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 09:49:51

S. Korea sets 2027 target for full autonomous vehicle commercialization SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea will make large-scale investments in autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the country’s transition to an innovation-driven economy, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Wednesday. Speaking at an economic strategy meeting in Sejong, Koo said the government aims to commercialize fully autonomous vehicles by 2027 and elevate South Korea into the world’s top three leaders in the sector. Beginning next year, the government will establish dedicated “test cities” for autonomous driving, deploying more than 100 vehicles to collect data and validate technologies. Seoul also plans to support the development of specialized GPUs for autonomous systems and set up AI learning centers accessible to companies, universities and research institutes. Koo vowed to ease regulatory hurdles that have slowed progress in core technologies, including allowing the use of original, unpseudonymized video data to improve research accuracy. The meeting also reviewed plans to advance next-generation energy projects spanning solar power, power grids and green hydrogen. Koo said the government aims to commercialize high-efficiency tandem solar cell modules by 2028 and begin mass production of 20-megawatt offshore wind turbines within five years. To strengthen energy security, authorities will seek standard design approval for Korean small modular reactors and expand investment in nuclear-related funds. Koo added that AI-based grid systems will be introduced to improve forecasting and direct electricity to regions with higher demand. South Korea also plans to localize key high-voltage direct current technologies by 2027 and complete construction of the West Coast energy highway. In green hydrogen, the government aims to cut production costs by more than half through advances in high-efficiency technologies and large-scale demonstration projects. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 09:38:10

OPINION: Workplace safety policies fail to address the most vulnerable SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Workplace fatalities in South Korea are on the rise again. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's third-quarter report, 457 people have died from industrial accidents this year, an increase from last year. Despite heightened safety measures and relevant regulations implemented over the past three years, deaths remain concentrated in small businesses and construction sites, where enforcement proves difficult. While large companies have improved safety management, smaller operations remain vulnerable. Accidents in small-scale industries like retail and agriculture are not coincidental. Many of these businesses have fewer than five employees, making it difficult to implement safety measures. Small construction sites, often focused on daily revenue, lack the resources for professional safety managers. As a result, accidents such as falls and entrapments in projects under 500 million Korean won (US$340,000) occur repeatedly and are often dismissed as unavoidable. The government's policies remain focused on large corporations and major sites, imposing uniform penalties regardless of business size, even though small businesses struggle to meet the same safety requirements. A survey found that implementing safety recommendations costs small businesses an average of 60 million won. The law applies uniformly, yet small businesses lack the time and resources for compliance. Insufficient oversight exacerbates the issue. With 1,000 safety inspectors managing 3 million workplaces nationwide, effective supervision is impossible. Accidents frequently occur in areas beyond inspectors' reach, predominantly affecting small sites. Although the government plans to increase inspectors by next year, this alone is inadequate. A complete overhaul of the inspection system is necessary for meaningful change. To make safety policies effective, the government must provide tailored support reflecting the realities of small businesses. This includes significantly reducing safety management costs through direct public funding. Regular assistance with safety equipment and process improvements should be institutionalized to alleviate initial burdens on small sites. Additionally, a localized inspection and education system for businesses with fewer than five employees and small construction sites is essential. Regular visits and support teams should offer practical advice on-site. Developing simple, industry-specific safety and health management models as 'standard manuals for small businesses' is also crucial. Industrial accidents are not just statistics; they affect individuals and families. Accidents in small businesses occur in environments lacking even basic protections, making their impact more tragic. We repeatedly question why fatalities persist, but the answer is clear: the most vulnerable remain neglected. Policies to reduce workplace deaths should focus on building a supportive safety net from the ground up, rather than imposing top-down regulations. Ignoring the risks faced by small businesses must end, as this may be the last chance to prevent recurring tragedies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI. 2025-11-26 09:07:24

South Korea to transfer retired submarine to Poland as part of naval cooperation SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea will transfer the decommissioned Jang Bogo submarine to Poland at no cost by the end of this year, according to multiple military sources. The donated submarine would give Poland a stop-gap training platform for submarine crews, enabling familiarization with submarine operations and maintenance ahead of the next-generation vessels. The submarine represented the Republic of Korea Navy’s first generation of post-Cold War submarines. In the South Korean fleet it was commissioned in the mid-1990s after being built — the first boat launched in 1991 and entering service in 1994. The move is intended to support South Korean companies aiming to take part in Poland’s ongoing submarine acquisition program, the Orka Project. According to South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean — one of the firms bidding for the Orka contract — the donation helps strengthen its bid by offering Poland an interim capability and smoother transition. Poland’s Orka Project aims to acquire three new 3,000-ton submarines to modernize its undersea fleet. Competing bidders reportedly include Hanwha Ocean from South Korea, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Italy’s Fincantieri, and Sweden’s Saab. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 08:54:34

South Korea performs third-best in Q3 real GDP growth in OECD scale SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) -SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The South Korean economy performed third-best among 26 economies of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the third quarter, according to preliminary compiling by OECD, the Bank of Korea said Wednesday. Korea’s real GDP grew 1.166 percent in the July–September period, ranking third out of 26 countries that had released preliminary estimates, Israel topped the list with 2.967 percent growth, driven largely by a sharp rebound from a –1.1 percent contraction in the second quarter. Indonesia, continuing its streak of robust expansion, placed second at 1.216 percent. China recorded 1.1 percent growth, performing behind Korea’s quarterly rate for the first time in more than three years — since the second quarter of 2022. Korea’s third-quarter performance marks a dramatic turnaround from earlier this year. In the first quarter, GDP fell –0.219 percent, weighed down by weak consumer sentiment following the national emergency decree, placing Korea 34th among 37 economies. The economy rebounded in the second quarter, expanding 0.675 percent on the back of strong exports despite cross-tariff shocks from the United States, lifting Korea’s ranking to 10th. The Bank of Korea is expected to raise its 2025 growth outlook in its revised economic forecast on Thursday. Jungwoo Park, economist at Nomura Securities, in its recent report observed rising equity and housing prices are generating a wealth effect that will help revive consumption. “Growth next year is likely to outpace Korea’s potential growth rate (of around 1.8 percent),” he said. He perceived that the Bank of Korea’s rate-cutting cycle is effectively over. “We expect the BOK to support the government’s expansionary fiscal stance and keep the policy rate unchanged at 2.50 percent through the end of next year,” he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-26 07:26:00