South Korea sets ambitious target for greenhouse gas emissions over next decade SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - South Korea has set an ambitious goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 53 to 61 percent over the next 10 years, compared to levels in 2018. The decision on the nationally determined contribution (NDC) target, slightly higher than the government's initial proposal, was made during a cabinet meeting presided by President Lee Jae Myung at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on Tuesday. The NDC under the 2015 Paris Agreement sets a 10-year target that must be submitted to the UN every five years. Despite recent controversy over the NDC, turning into a carbon-neutral society is an unavoidable path for achieving sustainable growth and leaping forward as a global economy, even if it comes with challenges," Lee said during the meeting. Under the new target, the country aims to cut emissions by 325 million to 361.9 million tons over the next decade. Key strategies include expanding renewable energy, decarbonizing industrial materials, promoting zero-energy buildings, and increasing electric and hydrogen vehicles. It will be presented at the UN climate conference (COP30), which is currently underway in Belém, Brazil. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 16:42:30

Carbon-neutral hydrogen seaport eyed in South Korea's Pyeongtaek SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has signed an agreement with the municipal government of Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province to build South Korea’s first carbon-neutral hydrogen port. Under the agreement, the city government plan to introduce hydrogen fuel cell generators, expand the use of eco-friendly port vehicles and equipment, and promote the import of green ammonia — a potential source of clean hydrogen. The project will also explore hydrogen-powered shore power systems, allowing ships docked at Pyeongtaek Port to draw electricity from hydrogen fuel cells instead of running their engines, cutting both emissions and energy costs. The memorandum of understanding, signed Tuesday at Pyeongtaek City Hall, brought together Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Glovis and local authorities to establish hydrogen production, storage and fueling infrastructure at the port, one of South Korea’s key logistics hubs. Hyundai will lead the hydrogen technology initiatives, while Kia and Hyundai Glovis will oversee hydrogen-related operations at the port. Pyeongtaek City will be responsible for building hydrogen production infrastructure, and local agencies will work to streamline regulations. “This partnership demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work together to achieve South Korea’s hydrogen port and city policy goals,” said Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor Group, in a statement. “It is a major step toward establishing eco-friendly power infrastructure within a port for the first time in the country.” Designated as a “hydrogen city” in 2023, Pyeongtaek is developing a large-scale hydrogen pipeline connecting the harbor with the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone. Hyundai has already begun testing hydrogen-powered vehicle transporters between its Asan manufacturing plant and Pyeongtaek Port as part of efforts to reduce logistics emissions. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 16:31:23

Asian stocks give up morning gains; KOSPI barely holds positive terrain SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Asian markets ended a volatile Tuesday mostly lower, with Korea’s main index the lone outlier that managed to stay in positive territory despite surrendering most of its early jump. Morning gains faded as lingering doubts over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate path outweighed relief over progress toward ending the U.S. government shutdown. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose 0.81 percent to 4,106.39 after surging nearly 3 percent earlier in the day. The index briefly slipped into negative territory around 2:20 p.m. before recovering modestly. The won weakened, with the U.S. dollar climbing to as high as 1,464.8 won amid a delayed release of the Seoul–Washington tariff-negotiation factsheet. Retail investors took profits, offloading 282 billion won ($193 million) and curbing the early rally. Institutions and foreign investors turned net buyers, picking up 222.6 billion won and 78.3 billion won, respectively. Market bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the gains. Samsung rose 2.88 percent to 103,500 won, while SK hynix added 2.15 percent to 619,000 won. Tariff-sensitive stocks, however, were under pressure. With the tariff-agreement factsheet still on hold, Hyundai Motor — which remains subject to the 25 percent U.S. auto tariff — slipped 0.55 percent to 269,000 won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also reversed early gains, ending 0.14 percent lower at 50,842.93 after rising more than 0.7 percent in morning trade. Kawasaki Heavy Industries — buoyed in prior sessions by expectations tied to the Takaiichi Sanae cabinet — extended its sharp retreat, plunging 6.11 percent to 10,685 yen ($69.29). Sony, in contrast, jumped 5.51 percent to 4,520 yen after raising its fiscal-year 2025 earnings outlook by 8 percent to 1.43 trillion yen, citing strong image-sensor performance and the success of the blockbuster anime film Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.39 percent to 4,002.76. Advanced-equipment makers outperformed, with Beijing Worldia Diamond Tools surging 16.04 percent to 82.58 yuan ($11.6). Consumer-exposed sectors lagged amid persistent domestic weakness; Dalian Sunasia Tourism tumbled 7.17 percent to 47.11 yuan. Taiwan’s TAIEX mirrored the broader regional reversal, ending down 0.3 percent at 27,784.95 after an early rise of more than 0.4 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also surrendered gains, trading 0.12 percent lower at 26,618 as of 4:11 p.m. 2025-11-11 16:31:22

South Korea's Auros Technology to provide chipmaking tools to Samsung SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Auros Technology, a South Korean maker of semiconductor measurement equipment, has won new contracts from Samsung Electronics to supply tools used in hybrid bonding and post-process inspection. The deal marks a notable expansion for Auros, which until recently was primarily known as a supplier to SK hynix. The company will now provide Samsung with precision tools used in both the front-end and back-end stages of chip production. According to investment banking sources, Samsung has ordered two HE-900IR infrared overlay systems from Auros, each priced at about 3 billion won, or roughly $2.2 million. The combined value of the order, about 6 billion won, represents nearly 10 percent of Auros’s 2024 revenue of 61.4 billion won. The HE-900IR uses infrared light to measure wafer alignment and copper-to-copper connections in hybrid bonding — a critical process for stacking high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. Auros also received an order for its MT-30T, a measurement system used in Samsung’s HBM stacking process to enhance yield by ensuring precise chip spacing. The devices are scheduled for installation at Samsung’s Cheonan and Onyang facilities by early December. Samsung is reportedly considering ordering at least five additional units, which could bring the total value of the project to as much as 15 billion won. Analysts say the order reflects Samsung’s intensified efforts to improve HBM yields as it competes with SK hynix for major supply contracts with Nvidia. “Samsung’s current HBM yields are lower than SK hynix’s, and it is ramping up investment in advanced inspection equipment to close that gap,” said one securities industry source on condition of anonymity. Auros, founded in 2007, began supplying equipment to SK hynix and added Samsung as a customer in 2023. Last year, it signed a 9.6 billion won contract with Samsung for its OL-900NW overlay inspection tool used in HBM pad alignment. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 15:39:32

Flights to be grounded for 30 minutes to reduce noise for test-takers during their crucial exam SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - All flights in South Korea will be grounded for about 35 minutes on Thursday to help students take their English listening test undisturbed, as more than 550,000 test-takers nationwide will sit for their annual university entrance exam. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, takeoffs and landings at airports nationwide will be suspended from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. to minimize noise disruptions for students, affecting around 140 flights. But some emergency and urgent flights will be exempt. Drones and other aerial devices will also be banned, with prior notice provided to the public. The ministry will work with relevant agencies including the Korea Airports Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corporation, to control and monitor air traffic. Joo Jong-wan, a ministry official, advised passengers to be aware of such measures and check their departure times in advance. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 15:37:39

Japanese R-rated anime dominates Korean box office amid drought in Korean cinema SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - KPop Demon Hunters may have ruled the global animation scene on the small screen, but it is R-rated Japanese anime films that are pulling South Koreans back to the big screen this year. Han Suk-hee, a 27-year-old web novel writer, returned for a second viewing of "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc" after being "bewitched" by the immersive big-screen experience and its dark, kinetic storytelling. Adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto's hit manga series, Han said the film captivates far beyond its core anime fanbase. "People come to experience the perfected mise en scène and the lingering aftertaste," he said. "It's not one of those day-to-day films. The beginning, climax, and finale are all stunning." Having read the original comic series and watched the Netflix adaptation, Han joins a wave of avid moviegoers driving the surge in so-called "otaku-genre" films in Korea, as the domestic film pipeline remains in the doldrums. Another Japanese anime sensation, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle," recently became the highest-grossing Japanese film ever released in Korea. It drew a cumulative 5.63 million viewers as of Tuesday, coming within 30,000 viewers of the year's No. 2 Korean box office title, "My Daughter Is a Zombie." In revenue terms, the Japanese blockbuster has earned 60.4 billion won, more than 7 billion won above the Korean film. "Demon Slayer" also broke the previous Japanese box office record in Korea, surpassing the 5.58 million cumulative viewers set by "Suzume," until now the most successful Japanese release in the local market. Meanwhile, "Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc" recorded 2.97 million cumulative viewers over the Nov. 7 to 9 weekend, overtaking Park Chan-wook's festival-lauded "No Other Choice," which drew 2.93 million viewers. The anime has remained a top performer into its eighth week since opening on Sept. 24, buoyed by strong word-of-mouth and steady advanced ticket sales. Repeat viewings by both curious newcomers and longtime fans continue to fuel its resilience. Industry observers say the two anime films excelled at stoking repeat engagement through post-screening events, brisk sales of film merchandise, and an already solid fanbase built through original comics and globally accessible anime series. Domestic films, facing a thin and uninspired slate, have struggled to defend their home turf. The theatrical slump deepened through November and is extending into December, marking a stark reversal from last year. According to the Korean Film Council's first-half industry report published on July 31, total box office revenue fell 33.2 percent from a year earlier to 407.9 billion won, while total admissions declined 32.5 percent to 42.5 million. Korean films performed even worse. Revenue fell 43.1 percent year on year to 202.3 billion won, and admissions dropped 42.7 percent to 21.36 million. Domestic film revenue share slid 8.8 percentage points to 50 percent, and audience share dropped 9 percentage points to 50.3 percent. The absence of big hits—unlike last year's "Exhuma" and "The Roundup: Punishment," both of which surpassed 10 million admissions—left theaters without strong anchors. Japanese anime, which did not crack Korea's annual top 50 between 2015 and 2020, began gaining traction during the later pandemic years. Four anime titles entered the top 50 in 2021, including "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" with 2.22 million viewers. By 2023, six titles made the list, led by "Suzume" with 5.58 million and "The First Slam Dunk" with 4.9 million. Many analysts link this shift toward fandom-driven and niche content to the explosive growth of global streaming platforms after the pandemic. Streaming fragmented viewer habits by exposing audiences to a far broader range of global content, enabling more refined personal tastes to emerge. Japanese anime fits neatly into this pattern. Once a subculture sustained by a small group of devoted fans willing to navigate illegal downloads, anime has now entered the mainstream as major titles became easily accessible on platforms like Netflix. Series such as "Demon Slayer" and "Chainsaw Man" are available on virtually every major streaming service operating in Korea. Critics argue Korean cinema fell into complacency, continuing to churn out broadly targeted films that worked before viewing patterns changed. "Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy," released in late July, is a striking example. Despite its source material—a web novel with 2 billion cumulative global views—the adaptation stripped away much of what energized core fans. Strongly rejected by loyal readers, the film attracted only one-sixth of its 6 million break-even target before exiting theaters. 2025-11-11 15:12:06

Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings invests in livestock distribution startup Pink Packer SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings has completed a seed investment in Pink Packer Co., a global livestock distribution tech startup. The investment was made through the "Seoul Campus Town University Startup Private Investment Association," jointly established by Sookmyung Women's University, Kookmin University, and Sogang University. Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings is the entity that manages the university's startup investment and commercialization programs. It supports university-based ventures and represents Sookmyung Women's University in collaborative initiatives such as the Seoul Campus Town project, bridging academic research with entrepreneurial growth. Pink Packer specializes in connecting meat supply and demand between countries using AI-based matching technology. By analyzing data on lesser-preferred livestock parts by region, the company helps optimize logistics and reduce food waste, transforming undervalued resources into high-value products in line with ESG principles. In 2025, Pink Packer was selected by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as one of the global top 10 startups, earning international recognition. The company, which joined the Sookmyung University Campus Town earlier this year, has built a foundation for growth through technical collaboration with Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings. Through this partnership, Pink Packer plans to enhance its platform and use the new investment to expand into overseas markets and validate its business model globally. Jung Jin, CEO of Pink Packer, said, "This investment marks the beginning of our full-scale effort to innovate data-driven livestock distribution and build a global model that combines sustainability with profitability." Shin Ji-young, CEO of Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings and professor at the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, noted, "Discovering and nurturing companies with innovation and global scalability is a key task for the startup ecosystem. Sookmyung Women's University Technology Holdings plays a unique role by connecting corporate discovery, technology collaboration, and investment attraction, and Pink Packer is a strong example of this effort." 2025-11-11 14:57:21

Hazardous towers demolished at Ulsan power plant as search for missing workers continues SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Two large boiler towers at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan were blown up at around noon on Tuesday to facilitate rescue operations for four workers still missing after a similar structure collapsed during demolition work last week. The towers at the state-run utility company Korea East-West Power had posed an obstacle to search efforts due to the risk that they could also collapse. According to rescue officials, search operations will resume after inspecting the site and implementing necessary safety measures. Nine workers were at the site when a 60-meter boiler tower fell during demolition with explosives last Thursday. Three were killed shortly after the collapse, two were injured, two remain missing, and two are trapped in the rubble and feared dead. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 14:50:24

South Korea's HD Hyundai targets naval contracts in India SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Tuesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Cochin Shipyard, India’s largest state-owned shipbuilder, to help the country modernize its maritime capabilities. The agreement centers on the Indian Navy’s Landing Platform Dock (LPD) project, part of New Delhi’s effort to strengthen domestic shipbuilding. Under the accord, the two companies will cooperate on design, construction and technology sharing, combining Cochin’s local manufacturing base with HD Hyundai’s naval engineering expertise. Cochin Shipyard, based in Kerala, has built a wide range of vessels, including India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. The South Korean company’s latest deal follows an earlier partnership inked in July between Cochin Shipyard and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai’s intermediate holding company. That initial agreement focused on collaboration in procurement, productivity improvement and workforce development. The new MOU aims to jointly execute the LPD program, which could serve as a strategic entry point into India’s broader naval and defense shipbuilding market, HD Hyundai said. HD Hyundai plans to provide design and technical support, drawing on its experience in building naval vessels for countries such as the Philippines and Peru. India has stepped up its naval modernization drive under its TPCR 2025 plan, which outlines military technology and capability development through 2040, including next-generation destroyers, submarines and amphibious ships. “We believe we are the ideal partner for the Indian Navy’s modernization efforts,” said Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy's naval and medium-sized ship division. “This collaboration represents a significant step in expanding our footprint in the Indian naval market.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 14:39:57

PHOTOS: Korean rivers, coasts teem with seasonal life SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - As the Korean Peninsula transitions into the late days of autumn, a familiar drama has begun to unfold along its coasts and waterways, offering a stark tableau of seasonal migration and feeding rituals. In the south, the rare spoonbill has once again been sighted along the shores of Jeju Island. Concurrently, farther north in Gangneung, photographers have gathered at Namdaecheon Stream, staking out positions to capture images of the magnificent osprey as it hunts for its winter sustenance. Off the adjacent coast of Gangneung, a dramatic natural phenomenon has captivated observers: vast schools of mullet have amassed near the shoreline, creating a vivid spectacle as the fish cluster together in the shifting coastal waters. 2025-11-11 14:23:51