Seoul shivers in season's first subzero temperatures SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Subzero temperatures swept across the country on Tuesday, with the mercury in Seoul dropping to -2 degree Celsius. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, morning lows plummeted about five to ten degrees colder than the previous day as a cold air front descended from the north overnight. Most inland regions and eastern Gangwon areas were also gripped by subzero temperatures, with Goseong at -12.1 degrees, Yeoncheon at -8.2 degrees, and Paju at -8 degrees, while strong winds made it feel even colder. The cold snap, which came about 10 days after Ipdong, a day known as Ipdong or the beginning of winter in the lunar calendar, is expected to linger this week, with daytime highs remaining between 4 degrees and 11 degrees in most regions. The cold snap, which came about 10 days after Ipdong, a day known as the beginning of winter in the lunar calendar, is expected to linger this week, with daytime highs remaining between 4 degrees and 11 degrees nationwide. 2025-11-18 11:26:58

Asian shares slide as Nvidia-linked stocks tumble; Baby Shark creator's KOSDAQ debut modest SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Asian markets fell broadly on Tuesday morning, dragged down by sharp losses in Nvidia-linked stocks after renewed selling by major U.S. hedge funds, while the “Baby Shark” creator’s KOSDAQ debut drew less fanfare than expected. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI dropped 1.55 percent to 4,025.95 as of 10:30 a.m., pressured by reports that Thiel Macro — the hedge fund founded by Palantir Technologies chairman Peter Thiel — had liquidated its entire Nvidia stake. Additional reports that several hedge funds were trimming exposure to the Magnificent 7 (M7) further weighed on sentiment. Foreign investors, who often adjust their positioning in Korean chipmakers based on Nvidia developments, sold 13 billion won ($8.9 million) worth of local shares. Institutions offloaded a larger 178 billion won, while retail investors stepped in to buy dips with net purchases of 167 billion won. Tech bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both declined. Samsung eased 1 percent to 99,600 won, while SK hynix fell 4 percent to 582,000 won, marking the steepest drop among major constituents. In contrast, shipbuilding stocks continued to climb following last week’s bilateral tariff-negotiation factsheet that boosted expectations for expanded defense cooperation. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, a key producer of military submarines, rose 3.3 percent to 625,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean added 1 percent to 132,300 won. The KOSDAQ fell 1.47 percent to 889.3. The Pinkfong Company — globally known for its viral hit “Baby Shark” — made its KOSDAQ debut, jumping 36.3 percent from its IPO price to 51,800 won even as most other mid- to large-cap names traded lower. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also slumped under heavy selling pressure, falling 2.1 percent to 49,279 as of 10:30 a.m. Nvidia-linked stocks led the declines in Tokyo as well: chip-testing equipment maker Advantest slid 2.3 percent to 19,540 yen ($125.9), while Tokyo Electron tumbled 4 percent to 31,960 yen. Chinese markets posted comparatively mild declines but remained weighed down by persistent concerns over economic stagnation. The Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.19 percent lower at 3,965, showing no post–Singles’ Day lift, while the Shenzhen Composite slipped 0.34 percent to 13,160. Taiwan’s TAIEX fell 0.88 percent to 27,206, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.12 percent to 26,090. 2025-11-18 11:21:41

Hyosung to expand high-voltage transformer plant in US SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon is moving to turn the company’s Memphis transformer plant into the largest facility of its kind in the United States, as demand for high-voltage equipment rises alongside the nation’s aging grid and a rapid build-out of AI-driven data centers. Hyosung Heavy Industries said Tuesday it will invest $157 million to boost the plant’s production capacity by more than 50 percent by 2028. The expansion is part of Cho’s strategy to position the company for what he calls the era of “AI-powered power infrastructure.” Including the latest investment, Hyosung has committed roughly $300 million to the Memphis site since acquiring it in 2020. The factory is the only U.S. facility capable of both designing and manufacturing 765kV transformers — equipment that reduces transmission losses more effectively than the more common 345kV or 500kV units. Hyosung has held a leading share of the U.S. 765kV transformer market since the early 2010s. Demand for high-capacity transformers is projected to surge as utilities upgrade outdated systems and AI expansion drives heavy load growth. The U.S. transformer market is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 7.7 percent, doubling from $12.2 billion in 2024 to $25.7 billion by 2034, according to the company. Hyosung said the expansion will strengthen its U.S. supply chain footprint, enabling quicker delivery of grid-critical equipment and cementing its position among the world’s top power-equipment suppliers. High-voltage transformers play a central role in stepping up and down voltage during transmission, directly affecting grid stability and efficiency. Cho, who pushed ahead with the 2020 acquisition, said local production will be essential for long-term competitiveness. “The future of the power industry lies in managing not just equipment but power flow, storage and system stability,” he said in a press release. “This expansion will solidify our position as the No. 1 global total-solution provider.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 11:07:31

Korean institutions primary driver of KOSPI gain and reap big from their long bet SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - South Korean institutional investors have emerged as the primary force behind the KOSPI’s world-leading rally this year, reaping sizable gains from their long-position strategy fueled largely through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Domestic financial institutions made aggressive bets on Korean equities via ETFs, significantly boosting their bottom line. According to the Korea Exchange, foreigners have been net sellers of 5.86 trillion won (around $4 billion) and retail investors 13.19 trillion won so far this year, taking profits after the record-setting rally. Despite this offloading, the KOSPI has maintained one of the strongest performances among major global indices — rising more than 60 percent — thanks to steady long positioning by local institutions, predominantly financial investment firms. Institutions purchased a net 8.61 trillion won this year, with financial investment accounts alone buying 19.09 trillion won. Financial funds maintained a net-buying stance for most of the year except January. Financial investment accounts refer to brokerage-run proprietary trading divisions that execute arbitrage, hedging, and market-making strategies. Their yearly positions typically net out to near zero, but the surge of ETF inflows has shifted that pattern. When money flows into ETFs, brokers are required to buy the underlying stocks, and these purchases appear in market-making accounts — contributing to consistent net buying by financial investment firms. Analysts note this ETF-driven structure is now offsetting the impact of foreign selling. Even with foreigners unloading around 9 trillion won this month, passive ETF inflows have kept the KOSPI’s upward momentum intact. Passive funds do not shift positions abruptly, reducing the risk of sharp corrections. “The influence of financial investments and ETF flows is becoming more significant than foreign investors in driving the domestic stock market,” said Heo Jae-hwan of Eugene Investment & Securities. “This structure helps limit the downside even if the pace of gains slows.” The long-term bet has been especially lucrative for insurers, who account for a large share of Korea’s typically-long institutional capital. According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system, Hanwha Life Insurance posted accumulated net profit of 768.9 billion won as of September, up 5.8 percent from a year earlier. Its investment income more than doubled, jumping from 195.6 billion won to 582.2 billion won. Samsung Life’s net profit rose 3 percent to 2.232 trillion won in the third quarter, despite a 6.7-percent drop in insurance profit, as investment income expanded 9 percent to 1.38 trillion won. Kyobo Life also reported a 1.2-percent rise in net profit to 904.1 billion won, driven by an almost 50-percent surge in investment returns. Shinhan Life logged the strongest growth among insurers, with net profit up 10 percent to 514.5 billion won as investment income more than doubled to 128.6 billion won. 2025-11-18 11:00:58

Half of high-ranking officials own multiple homes SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Nearly half of high-ranking government officials including lawmakers own two or more homes, a recent analysis shows. The analysis of some 2,581 senior officials, released by corporate tracker Leaders Index on Tuesday, found that 48.8 percent hold multiple homes, with 17.8 percent owning at least three. Real estate accounts for 58.7 percent of their total assets estimated at 5.71 trillion won. Apartments make up 58.9 percent, followed by sprawling private residences at 16.6 percent, multi-unit buildings at 8.6 percent, and others. Government officials own an average of 1.89 homes each, local government heads 1.87, and lawmakers 1.41. Nearly 30 percent of these properties, worth 1.33 trillion won, are concentrated in Seoul's affluent districts of Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa, south of the Han River. Cho Sung-myung, a district chief of Gangnam, owns the most properties, with 42 residential units and buildings. Among lawmakers, Park Min-kyu of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) owns the most, with more than a dozen properties including an apartment in Seocho and 11 studios in Gwanak, southwestern Seoul. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 10:40:38

LG H&H's wearable skincare device wins CES Innovation Award SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - LG H&H's wearable skincare device “Hyper Rejuvenating Eye Patch” has been named the winner of CES 2026 Innovation Award in the beauty tech category, the company said Tuesday. The product combines skin-analysis algorithms, customized ingredient delivery and controlled light therapy in a lightweight wearable. The system comprises an AI-based skin diagnosis program, a bio-mimicking patch, a flexible LED patch and a headband controller. To use the device, AI scans and interprets aging indicators — including fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles — drawing on a database of 60,000 individuals. It then recommends specific cosmetic ingredients and delivers them to the skin through a suction-inspired patch designed to boost absorption. The patch technology was first introduced in April by the company’s luxury brand, The History of Whoo, under the name “Skin Activator Patch.” “We will continue integrating personalized solutions with next-generation wearables to deliver new customer experiences through future beauty tech research,” said Kang Nae-kyu, chief technology officer at LG H&H. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 10:34:39

POSCO chief calls for tech-led strategy to withstand global volatility SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa called for stepped-up technological innovation to help the steel conglomerate manage an increasingly unpredictable business landscape, telling employees the company must accelerate development efforts and reinforce long-term competitiveness. Speaking Tuesday at the POSCO Group Tech Forum, Jang said the company needs a more collaborative approach to research and development as it adapts to shifts in global supply chains and demand patterns. “The importance of resource acquisition in steel and battery materials cannot be overstated,” he said, adding that employees should strengthen AI capabilities to support the group’s broader digital transformation. The two-day forum gathered more than 1,300 executives, engineers and researchers to review the company’s latest technological achievements and debate future priorities. The event was launched in 1989 as POSCO’s flagship platform for charting its R&D agenda. Since assuming office, Jang has pushed an innovation-led strategy, aiming to fortify the company’s existing steel and secondary battery materials businesses while identifying new areas of growth through a unified corporate R&D framework. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 10:13:33

PHOTOS: Kimchi — symbol of communal love, sharing SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - As the cold grip of winter descends, kimchi transcends its role as a staple food in South Korea to become a powerful symbol of communal love and sharing. This spirit was vividly on display in Seoul on Nov. 17, where a massive kimchi-making event took place at Garak Market in Songpa-gu. It was to prepare thousands of heads of kimchi destined for low-income families and elderly residents living alone. Enduring the biting wind, volunteers worked tirelessly, stuffing salted cabbage leaves with a vibrant, pungent red seasoning. The spicy fragrance of the seasoning filled the chilly air as mountains of freshly prepared kimchi were meticulously stacked. Known as the Garak Kimjang Festival, this event is celebrating its 18th anniversary, having been a continuous tradition of giving since 2008. The event is a true community effort. Funding is secured through a collaboration between market merchants and the city government, while the labor relies on a diverse group of volunteers, including local citizens, foreign residents, and children. This year, the participants collectively made an estimated 80,000 heads of kimchi. The entirety of the finished product is slated for delivery to 10,000 vulnerable households across Seoul. Historically, Kimjang — the annual process of making large quantities of kimchi to last through the winter — was a major, multi-day undertaking. The meticulous work, which involves salting the cabbage, blending the seasoning, and stuffing the filling, was a crucial time when families and neighbors gathered to prepare for the long winter. However, this grand scale has begun to shrink. Factors such as changing family structures, reduced domestic kimchi consumption, and a general labor shortage have led to a decrease in the overall volume of homemade kimchi. The sight of entire neighborhoods coordinating this effort is now rare. Despite these modern changes, kimjang endures. It remains a deeply established custom that actively connects and preserves the memory of the Korean community's collective spirit. 2025-11-18 10:01:22

North Korea condemns Seoul's recent security deal with Washington as 'confrontational' SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korea denounced a joint fact sheet released last week outlining trade and security agreements between Seoul and Washington, warning that it will take countermeasures against what it called a "confrontational stance," state media reported on Tuesday. In a lengthy commentary, the state-run possession of nuclear submarine, disregarding the danger of the global nuclear arms race to be incurred by the nuclear proliferation to a non-nuclear state, and gave green light for the enrichment of uranium and the reprocessing of nuclear waste fuel, thus laying a springboard for its development into the 'quasi-nuclear weapons state,'" it said. The "strategic move" is "bound to cause a 'nuclear domino phenomenon' in the region and spark a hot arms race," it added. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 09:31:58

Hyundai Motor Group bets big on driverless cars, humanoid robots SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group is making one of the most aggressive wagers yet on artificial intelligence in the global auto industry, unveiling plans to spend roughly 51 trillion won — about $38 billion — in the coming years to build an AI-driven manufacturing ecosystem centered on autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. The investment, stretching from 2026 to 2030, signals the company’s belief that the automobile is rapidly evolving from a machine designed for transport into a mobile platform that reshapes how people use their time. At the same time, Hyundai is betting that factories — long optimized for speed and cost — will soon need to operate with a level of autonomy that mirrors the vehicles they produce. “Our mid- to long-term goal is to establish AI infrastructure and an advanced AI robotics value chain to transform the automotive industry,” a Hyundai official said. A cornerstone of Hyundai’s plan is a high-power AI data center capable of processing the staggering volumes of information produced by autonomous vehicles and physical robots. This facility will store petabyte-scale datasets and train models that must continuously interpret a shifting world: road conditions, human behavior, mechanical wear, and countless other variables. The company is also building what it calls a “Physical AI Application Center,” designed as a proving ground where robots can be tested for safety and reliability before being deployed to industrial settings. Hyundai says this will support a new business in customized robots and AI-based manufacturing services — including foundry operations and tailored machine designs. The move comes as South Korea — despite its strengths in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing — lacks dedicated research hubs in physical AI. That gap has left Hyundai trailing competitors in the United States and China, where companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai but still U.S.-based in origin, and several Chinese EV makers are racing ahead on autonomous driving and humanoid robotics. Hyundai argues that building out AI infrastructure is no longer optional. Autonomous vehicles rely on dense networks of cameras, sensors, and high-precision maps to make rapid decisions in unpredictable environments. In factories, humanoid robots must identify hazards in real time and adapt to complex work routines once reserved only for humans. The company says the long-term goal is to collapse the boundaries between Hyundai’s products and the factories that build them. In this vision, autonomous cars and factory robots feed data into shared AI systems that optimize not only manufacturing but the vehicles’ own performance on the road. It is a sweeping reimagination of the auto business — one in which software and physical intelligence drive value, and where the factory floor becomes as important as the showroom. “Integrating vehicles and factories into a single intelligent ecosystem is essential for the future of mobility,” a company representative said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 09:23:33