Samsung's foldable lead holds as Apple's entry nears SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Selfies taken by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have served diplomatic and branding purposes alongside their social media role. During a state visit to Beijing, selfies were taken on a Xiaomi smartphone gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. More recently, photos during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Seoul were taken on a Samsung Electronics device. President Lee gifted Meloni a pink Galaxy Z Flip 7, matching the prime minister’s well-known preference for the color. While the idea of gifting a smartphone may echo Xi’s earlier gesture, it also underscored Seoul’s confidence in Samsung’s foldable leadership — a category the company pioneered and continues to dominate. Foldable smartphones have moved beyond novelty into the ultra-premium segment as durability, performance and software optimization have improved. The appeal now extends beyond design and status to functionality, particularly larger, tablet-like displays that enable multitasking and productivity. Market research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts global foldable smartphone panel shipments will rise 46 percent in 2026, signaling renewed expansion after several years of uneven demand. Foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow about 14 percent in 2025 before accelerating to roughly 38 percent in 2026. Grand View Research estimates the global foldable smartphone market at $27.79 billion in 2024 and projects it will more than double to $74 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of 13.5 percent. Much of the renewed traction is expected to come from Apple’s entry into the segment. “Apple’s entry into the foldable market will act as a key growth driver,” said Guillaume Chansin, research director at Counterpoint Research. “The launch of a foldable iPhone is expected to reinvigorate the foldable smartphone segment and significantly boost panel shipments in 2026.” Despite the looming competition, Samsung Display is expected to remain the dominant supplier of foldable OLED panels, with its global market share projected to exceed 50 percent. The growing adoption of book-style foldables is also expected to lift average selling prices, Counterpoint said. The market is also shifting in form factor. While clamshell-style models such as the Galaxy Z Flip series continue to attract attention for their compact design and fashion appeal, book-style foldables are gaining a larger share of value and profitability, driven by demand for bigger screens and productivity-oriented use cases. Multi-fold devices, including tri-fold models, are expected to account for only a low single-digit share of the market in 2026. Samsung strengthened its position in 2025 after regaining momentum in the premium foldable segment. The company held about 64 percent of the global foldable smartphone market in the third quarter of 2025, up from 56 percent a year earlier, according to Counterpoint Research. Analysts say 2026 could mark a turning point as foldables transition from niche products to a more established premium category amid intensifying competition. “Brand loyalty between Apple and Samsung remains strong, but younger consumers are becoming less defined by legacy preferences,” said Park Jung-eun, a professor of business administration at Ewha Womans University. “Among Gen Z users, there is growing interest in differentiation and design-driven devices rather than simply following long-standing brand norms.” Samsung Electronics said it was unable to confirm whether the device had been provided as part of any sponsorship arrangement. Whether heightened visibility and renewed momentum translate into sustained growth will depend on pricing, software optimization and competition — particularly as Apple prepares to enter the foldable arena. 2026-01-21 15:33:32

Polls show strong support in South Korea for new nuclear plants SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - A majority of South Koreans support building new nuclear power plants as electricity demand surges with the expansion of artificial intelligence, two public opinion polls showed, adding pressure on the government to reconsider its energy policy stance. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Wednesday it had conducted nationwide surveys last week on a new-reactor plan. The ministry commissioned Korea Gallup and Realmeter to survey 1,519 and 1,505 respondents, respectively, using proportional allocation by gender, age and region. In the Gallup poll, 69.6 percent of respondents said the plan to build new nuclear reactors should proceed, compared with 22.5 percent who said it should be halted. In the Realmeter survey, 61.9 percent supported moving ahead, while 30.8 percent opposed the plan. Support for nuclear power more broadly was also strong. In the Gallup poll, 89.5 percent said nuclear power is necessary, while 82 percent said the same in the Realmeter poll. On safety, about 60 percent of respondents in both surveys said nuclear power is safe, outnumbering those who viewed it as dangerous. When asked which power sources should be expanded, respondents most frequently cited renewable energy and nuclear power. In the Gallup poll, renewables ranked first at 48.9 percent, followed by nuclear at 38 percent and liquefied natural gas at 5.6 percent. In the Realmeter poll, renewables accounted for 43.1 percent and nuclear for 41.9 percent. The results are expected to serve as a key reference as the government weighs whether to proceed with plans for two new large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Those plans were previously finalized but later put on hold after the government decided to reopen public deliberations. Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan has said since taking office that the new-reactor plan would be reviewed “from scratch,” citing insufficient public input during the drafting of the Lee Jae Myung administration's electricity plan. President Lee has previously expressed skepticism about expanding nuclear power, noting at a September news conference that nuclear plant construction typically takes more than 15 years and that suitable sites are limited. He has argued that solar and wind power, which can be built within one to two years, should be expanded on a large scale. More recently, however, growing electricity demand from AI development has prompted renewed calls within and outside government for stable baseload power. At a New Year’s news conference on Wednesday, Lee said that global trends point to “enormous energy demand” and acknowledged that renewable energy faces intermittency challenges. He said the government should keep an open mind and assess whether new reactors are needed, whether they are safe and what the public wants. A day earlier, he told a Cabinet meeting that public opinion “overwhelmingly” supports expanding nuclear power to address electricity supply concerns. The ministry said it will review whether to pursue new nuclear construction by considering the poll results alongside policy discussions. A ministry official said the government is examining “realistic” power supply options that take into account growth in advanced industries such as AI and semiconductors, as well as carbon-neutrality goals. 2026-01-21 15:31:30

Korean transformer exports, stocks hit record highs on global AI power demand SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's gains from the accelerating global shift toward artificial intelligence are extending beyond semiconductors. Exports of ultra-high-voltage transformers surged to a record high last year, driven by aggressive investment in power infrastructure for data center expansion worldwide. Exports of transformers rated at 10,000 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) or higher reached $1.3 billion last year, according to the Korea International Trade Association. It marked the first time shipments topped the $1 billion mark since 2010 and the highest level since records began in 1977. The United States accounted for the largest share, importing about $738 million worth of Korean transformers. Shipments to the U.S. jumped nearly sevenfold over the past three years, fueled by the dual need to replace aging grid infrastructure and connect newly built AI data centers to power networks. "Large-scale AI data centers have extremely high GPU server density, which causes electricity demand to surge," said Lee Sang-heon, an analyst at iM Securities. "High-capacity, high-efficiency transformers are essential, and switchboards that distribute, disconnect and protect the power flowing from these transformers are also key equipment." According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand from data centers is projected to more than double to about 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, roughly equivalent to Japan's current total power consumption. AI-optimized data centers are expected to be the main driver, with their electricity demand forecast to quadruple by the end of the decade. In the United States, data centers are on track to account for nearly half of total electricity demand growth through 2030. By then, the country is expected to consume more power processing data than manufacturing aluminum, steel, cement and chemicals combined. This surge in power demand has triggered a global scramble for transformers. Lead times for large power transformers have stretched beyond 200 weeks, and equipment shortages are increasingly cited as a major bottleneck for data center development. Companies such as Amazon have reported project delays due to limited transformer availability. South Korea's major power-equipment makers — HD Hyundai Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric — have secured order backlogs stretching five to six years ahead, with some contracts already booked through 2031. To meet demand, the firms are ramping up production. HD Hyundai Electric is expanding its transformer plant in Alabama, aiming to boost capacity by 30 percent by early 2026. Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to nearly double annual output at its Memphis facility to more than 250 units by 2027 and recently announced a $225 million investment in a new high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transformer plant in Changwon. LS Electric said in its third-quarter report that it plans to invest in facilities in Texas and Utah to expand production. Korean manufacturers currently hold about 25 percent of the U.S. transformer market, benefiting from differentiated technology, competitive pricing and the ability to deliver customized products faster than many rivals. Exports are also diversifying beyond the U.S. Shipments to the United Kingdom rose to 126 billion won through November last year, up from 50 billion won in 2023, as Britain accelerates grid modernization. HD Hyundai Electric secured a 220 billion won contract from UK National Grid, while Hyosung Heavy Industries signed a 120 billion won deal with Scottish Power Energy Networks. Korean power-equipment firms are also developing next-generation grid-stabilization technologies. Hyosung Heavy Industries said Tuesday it partnered with Germany's Skeleton Technologies and Japan's Marubeni to develop e-STATCOM, a power compensation system designed to maintain grid stability amid fluctuating demand from AI-driven industries and renewable energy sources. Industry analysts expect the boom to continue. The North American transformer market is projected to grow to $41.62 billion by 2030, up from $30.28 billion last year, according to Markets and Markets, driven by infrastructure replacement and AI-related power demand. "The North American market is maintaining solid demand, centered on 765-kV ultra-high-voltage transformers," said Lee Han-gyeol, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities. "As data centers expand, on-site power generation is increasing because grid connections take time. However, grid connections are essential in the long term for system stability, so demand for ultra-high-voltage transformers should remain strong." The surge in demand has been mirrored in the stock market. HD Hyundai Electric traded at 897,000 won on Wednesday, up 132.99 percent from a year earlier, while LS Electric rose 144.44 percent to 504,000 won. Hyosung Heavy Industries posted the biggest gain among the three, soaring 398.5 percent to 2,324,000 won. 2026-01-21 15:29:53

Former PM sentenced to 23 years in prison over martial law involvement SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for his involvement in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle in December 2024. In a nationwide televised trial, the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul handed down the sentence, ruling that the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law constituted an insurrection. The court said, ", as prime minister, had a duty to comply with the Constitution, uphold laws and democratic values, and take every effort to protect them." The court added, "Despite this, he neglected his duties and chose to take part in the debacle, thinking it could succeed." It also warned that Han's actions could have risked returning the country to its "darkest past," when democracy and civil rights were suppressed under authoritarian and military rule. The court further criticized Han for hiding and fabricating documents to make the martial law declaration appear lawful, despite his responsibility to uncover the truth and take accountability for the short-lived, late-night fiasco. The punishment was heavier than the 15 years prosecutors sought at Han's final hearing in November last year, who had accused him of aiding Yoon's martial law bid rather than preventing it, despite his duty to check abuses of presidential power. Han denied all allegations, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the debacle and never agreed with or aided it, even after becoming aware of it. Wednesday's ruling is expected to have implications for Yoon's own trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with a verdict likely to be handed down next month. 2026-01-21 15:20:24

Nomura flags heavy US investment burden for Samsung Electronics, SK hynix SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and SK hynix may need to invest between 100 trillion won and 120 trillion won ($74–89 billion) in the United States from 2027 to 2030 to secure tariff exemptions, according to a new analysis by Nomura Securities. That would translate into annual investment of about 25 trillion won to 30 trillion won, or roughly a quarter of the two companies’ combined annual memory chip capital expenditure, estimated at 120 trillion won to 140 trillion won, the report said. Nomura said tariff-exemption terms agreed between the United States and Taiwan are likely to be applied similarly to South Korea, making expanded U.S. investment by Korean memory chipmakers difficult to avoid. Under arrangements reached during the Trump administration, Taiwanese companies building new semiconductor production facilities in the United States can receive tariff exemptions covering imports of up to 2.5 times their production capacity while construction is under way. After a facility is completed, imports of up to 1.5 times the new capacity can be exempted from tariffs. Nomura noted that Samsung has already committed about $37 billion (54.4 trillion won) to U.S. foundry investments, while SK hynix has invested roughly $3.9 billion (5.7 trillion won) in U.S. packaging facilities. However, the brokerage said those investments are unlikely to be sufficient to fully secure tariff exemptions. The report said the companies may need to expand memory production capacity in the United States, potentially at the expense of planned investment in South Korea. Nomura estimated that, due to higher labor and operating costs, production costs at U.S.-based memory plants would be at least 40 percent higher than in South Korea. “The ultimate impact on profitability depends on the supply-demand environment,” it said, adding that under similar conditions, higher costs are likely to be passed on to end customers. Assuming operating profit margins for Korea-based production remain as high as 70 percent during a supply shortage, Nomura estimated margins at U.S. facilities could reach up to 58 percent. On a consolidated basis, that would imply overall margins in the mid-to-high 60 percent range. Nomura said uncertainty over tariffs could weigh on share prices in the short term. However, if the memory supercycle continues through at least 2027, the negative impact from additional U.S. investment is likely to be limited in the short to medium term. The long-term impact would also remain contained if chipmakers maintain disciplined capital spending and solid profitability, it added. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 15:17:20

Modern interpretation of ancestral ritual dance wins award in New York SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - "One Dance," a contemporary interpretation of South Korea's royal ancestral ritual presented by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, won an award in New York on Tuesday. It won the New York Dance and Performance Awards, also known as the Bessie Awards, which annually honor outstanding achievements by independent dance artists. Choreographers Jung Hye-jin, Kim Seong-hun, and Kim Jae-deok, who collaborated on the modern adaptation of a ceremonial dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, shared the honor with three other winners selected from 12 nominees. The work was praised for its "visually captivating" choreography, striking a perfect balance of stillness and movement. Jung said, "'One Dance' reflects the spirit of people who endured together with one heart toward a single goal," adding that the award was the result of the time and effort that many people devoted to the project. 2026-01-21 15:06:10

Korean won rebounds after president signals KRW–USD range SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - The Korean won, which briefly revisited the perceived government defense line of 1,480 per dollar before markets opened Wednesday, rebounded sharply after President Lee Jae Myung publicly referred to a specific range for the exchange rate. During a televised New Year’s press conference, Lee addressed the won’s prolonged weakness, noting that the depreciation was not “a uniquely Korean phenomenon” but reflected broader geopolitical and global currency trends. Some market participants have described the won’s recent level around 1,470 per dollar as a “new normal,” Lee said. He added that if the Korean currency were strictly moving in line with the Japanese yen against the dollar, it would be trading closer to 1,600 won. Lee said authorities are continuing to explore measures to stabilize the currency, adding that officials expect the dollar-won rate to fall toward the 1,400 range within one to two months, though he did not specify the basis for the forecast. The president’s reference to a specific range had an immediate impact on the market. The dollar fell 11.1 won to 1,468.7 won in afternoon trading. “If there had been a quick fix, we would have already used it,” Lee said. “The government is implementing many useful policies that it can. But at the end of the day, the market is determined by supply and demand.” The won averaged a record-low 1,423.32 per dollar last year and has remained under pressure since the start of this year amid strong global demand for U.S. assets and lingering uncertainty over South Korea’s foreign exchange outlook. Concerns have also persisted over Seoul’s commitment to invest $350 billion in the United States under a sweeping tariff agreement with Washington. While the pledge has eased trade tensions, uncertainty over how the government will deliver the roughly $20 billion in annual funding has weighed on the local foreign-exchange market, according to a trader at SK Securities. U.S. officials are expected to visit Seoul as early as next month or in March to discuss the details of the investment framework, the trader said. 2026-01-21 14:59:53

Incheon signs MOU with U.S. Kessler Collection for I-CON City project in Cheongna SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Incheon City on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. hospitality company The Kessler Collection and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to jointly pursue a $1.4 billion culture and tourism complex in Cheongna International City. The agreement was signed at Incheon City Hall by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Richard C. Kessler, chairman and founder of The Kessler Collection, and Kang Oh-soon, head of LH’s Regional Balanced Development Headquarters. The project, dubbed the Cheongna Culture and Tourism Complex, or I-CON City, is planned on a 260,000-square-meter site in Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon. The development will integrate cultural, tourism, business and residential functions, according to the city. Planned facilities include hotels, resorts and condominiums, as well as museums, a content tower, VFX studios, a K-pop arena, officetels, senior housing and public parks. The project will involve strategic investors including The Kessler Collection, Daol Asset Management, Cheongna Icon City, which is to be established, and Galaxy Corporation. SK Securities will participate as a financial investor, while Posco E&C will take part as the construction company. The total project cost is estimated at 1.9867 trillion won ($1,353 million), with an initial investment of 633.1 billion won planned for 2027 and 2028, according to the city. The Kessler Collection and Daol Asset Management will each invest 30 billion won, holding 30 percent stakes apiece. Kessler Korea and SK Securities will each contribute 12.5 percent stakes, while Posco E&C will invest for a 10 percent stake and Galaxy Corporation for a 5 percent stake. With support from the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), the IFEZ Authority will provide administrative support, including assistance with approvals and foreign investment-related procedures, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Founded in 1984, The Kessler Collection is a U.S. hospitality firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida, specializing in the development and operation of hotels, resorts and restaurants. The company operates a portfolio of boutique hotels and resorts across major U.S. cities. “I-Con City not just stands for Incheon Contents, but also reflects our vision to create an iconic landmark in the Korean gateway,’” Kessler said. “It is going to be quite an interesting experiment of intermingling of technology, culture, and creativity... one that I think will uncover opportunities that developers may not have identified in the past.” Mayor Yoo echoed the sentiment, saying, “The Kessler Collection’s investment in Cheongna International City will serve as an important catalyst for building Incheon’s cultural and arts ecosystem,” adding that the city will continue to closely coordinate with relevant agencies and companies to advance the project steadily. 2026-01-21 14:51:56

New catalyst design boosts hydrogen efficiency while cutting costs SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Researchers in South Korea have developed a new structure for catalysts that significantly reduces the amount of expensive precious metals required for hydrogen production and fuel cells. A team led by Professor Cho Eun-ae from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on January 21 that they have successfully created ultra-thin nanosheets that outperform traditional particle-based catalysts. Catalysts are essential for splitting water to create hydrogen and for generating electricity in fuel cells. However, the industry relies heavily on iridium and platinum, rare metals that are prohibitively expensive and prone to degradation over time. Current commercial catalysts use these metals in the form of small particles, which often clump together, reducing their effectiveness and limiting their lifespan. To address this, the research team abandoned the traditional granular form in favor of a sheet-like structure. By flattening the catalyst material into ultra-thin layers—thousands of times thinner than a human hair—the researchers created a structure that exposes much more surface area to the chemical reaction. This allows the system to generate more hydrogen or electricity using a smaller amount of precious metal. The new structure also solved a longstanding engineering challenge regarding support materials. Titanium oxide is a durable and inexpensive material, but it is rarely used to support catalysts because it does not conduct electricity well. The researchers found that when the new nanosheets are layered over titanium oxide, the sheets themselves connect to form a conductive path. This allows the stable titanium oxide to support the catalyst without impeding the flow of electricity. When applied to water electrolysis for hydrogen production, the new iridium nanosheet catalyst improved production speed by 38 percent compared to commercial catalysts. It achieved this performance while reducing the amount of iridium used by 65 percent. The system remained stable for over 1,000 hours under high-load conditions similar to industrial settings. The team applied the same design strategy to fuel cells using a platinum-copper alloy. The resulting catalyst demonstrated high durability and efficiency. In fuel cell tests, the platinum-copper nanosheets showed a 13-fold increase in performance per mass of platinum compared to commercial options. The fuel cell performance increased by roughly 2.3 times. Furthermore, the catalyst maintained 65 percent of its initial performance even after a rigorous durability test of 50,000 cycles, proving it to be far more durable than existing alternatives. This was achieved while reducing platinum usage by 60 percent. "We have presented a new catalyst structure that can simultaneously improve hydrogen production and fuel cell performance while using significantly less expensive precious metals," said Professor Cho Eun-ae. "This research will be a turning point in lowering the cost of hydrogen energy and accelerating commercialization." The research was supported by the Energy Human Resources Development Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, and the Nano and Material Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. (Paper information) Journal: ACS Nano (Impact Factor: 16.0) Title: Ultrathin Iridium Nanosheets on Titanium Oxide for High-Efficiency and Durable Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c15659 (Paper information) Journal: Nano Letters (Impact Factor: 9.6) Title: Ultrathin PtCu Nanosheets: A New Frontier in Highly Efficient and Durable Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04848 2026-01-21 14:43:32

Jeju Air bans in-flight use of portable battery packs SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air said on Wednesday it will ban the use of portable battery packs on board its aircraft starting Jan. 22, citing the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. The measure applies to all passengers on domestic and international flights and prohibits using portable battery packs to charge devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers during flights. Under existing transport ministry guidelines, charging portable battery packs and electronic cigarettes on board is already prohibited. Jeju Air said it is going a step further by banning in-flight use of battery packs entirely to further reduce fire risks. The airline said it will post notices on its website and provide advance alerts via KakaoTalk notifications and during self-service kiosk check-in. Airport check-in counters will also inform passengers of the new restriction. Jeju Air said it has strengthened safety measures related to lithium batteries over the past year. The airline has carried fire-suppression pouches on board since February last year and, under enhanced government safety standards, has required passengers since March to take short-circuit prevention measures and keep battery packs on their person or in a visible location during flights. In August, the airline added temperature-sensitive stickers to overhead storage bins. The carrier also said it has immediately disposed of found items involving lithium batteries, including portable battery packs and e-cigarettes, since February last year. Since April, it has banned wireless hair straighteners from being carried on board due to concerns over excessive heat generation. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 14:01:54