Korea's chaebol families add nearly $25 billion in wealth in first half of 2025 SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - The fortunes of South Korea’s largest business dynasties swelled in the first half of the year, buoyed by rising share prices in their sprawling corporate empires, according to data released Tuesday. Combined assets held by the owner families of the country’s 50 biggest conglomerates rose by nearly 33 trillion won, or about $24.8 billion, between January and August, research firm Leaders Index said. Their holdings were valued at 144.4 trillion won ($108.6 billion) as of late August, based on the firm’s analysis of 623 family members with equity stakes in affiliated companies. Samsung heirs were the biggest beneficiaries. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong saw his wealth climb 4.7 trillion won to roughly 16.6 trillion won, largely driven by a 48 percent surge in Samsung C&T shares. His stake in the company rose in value by 1.8 trillion won. Lee's sister, Lee Boo-jin, who runs Hotel Shilla, gained 1.9 trillion won, while their mother, Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of the Leeum Museum of Art, added 1.7 trillion won. Altogether, the Samsung family’s wealth grew by 10 trillion won, accounting for about one-third of the total gains among chaebol families. Outside Samsung, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon’s assets rose by 2 trillion won to 3 trillion won, partly through stake transfers and family share exchanges after the death of former honorary chairman Cho Seok-rae. Hyundai Motor Group’s Chairman, Chung Eui-sun, added 1.8 trillion won, lifted by stock splits and share price increases across affiliates, including logistics arm Hyundai Glovis. Not all saw gains. Kyobo Life’s Chairman, Shin Chang-jae, lost nearly 800 billion won as his assets fell 25 percent to 2.5 trillion won, dragged down by declines in his company’s share value. Yoo Jung-hyun, chairwoman of NXC and widow of Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju, also shed more than 200 billion won after selling part of her stake and as the company’s per-share valuation dropped. 2025-09-02 16:43:07

Hanwha showcases submarines, weapons systems in bid for Polish defense contracts SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - Hanwha Group said Tuesday its three defense affiliates were taking part in Eastern Europe’s largest arms fair this week, as the South Korean conglomerate looks to strengthen its foothold in Poland and compete for a major submarine modernization program. From Sept. 2 to 5, Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean are exhibiting at the 33rd International Defense Industry Exhibition, or MSPO 2025, in Kielce, Poland. The companies have set up a joint booth spanning nearly 300 square meters to present what they describe as integrated land, air and naval solutions. Hanwha Ocean is highlighting its 3,000-ton Jangbogo-III (KSS-III) Batch II submarine, currently in service with the South Korean Navy. Equipped with air-independent propulsion and lithium-ion batteries, the vessel can remain submerged for more than three weeks and is capable of launching ballistic missiles. The display is aimed squarely at Poland’s ORKA program, a centerpiece of Warsaw’s defense modernization drive. The initiative seeks to replace the Polish Navy’s lone Russian-built Kilo-class submarine with a new fleet of diesel-electric vessels. Given the Baltic region’s coastal operating environment, Hanwha said it was also prepared to offer patrol ships, fast missile craft and unmanned surface vessels tailored to local needs. Hanwha Ocean said it planned to sign agreements with Polish shipbuilders covering technology transfer, workforce training and marine development funding. Hanwha Aerospace, meanwhile, is promoting the K9A2, an upgraded version of its self-propelled howitzer. The new model features fully automated shell loading, raising its firing rate from six to nine rounds per minute while cutting required crew from five to three. Hanwha Systems is also unveiling its Active Protection System for the first time, a defensive suite designed to detect and neutralize incoming threats such as anti-tank missiles. “Hanwha has built deep trust with Poland by keeping promises through the K9 and Chunmoo projects,” said Son Jae-il, chief executive of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems. “We will continue to play an active role in building a stronger defense ecosystem together.” 2025-09-02 15:58:21

[[K-Tech]] UNIST develops AI system to spot microscopic assembly defects in seconds SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology said Tuesday it had developed an artificial intelligence-based inspection system that can detect microscopic assembly defects in less than three seconds, a breakthrough that could speed up manufacturing and cut costs across multiple industries. The system, designed by a team led by Professor Jung Im-doo of the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, uses a “smart jig” — a fixture that holds parts in place during assembly — fitted with soft, 3D-printed sensor caps. When components are clamped down, the caps deform slightly to reflect the surface profile. AI algorithms then analyze those patterns to spot irregularities the moment parts are secured. Defects often occur when component surfaces do not align properly, weakening joints and lowering product quality. Traditional inspection methods can take more than 10 minutes per part. The new system reduces that to just 2.79 seconds, enabling full inspection without slowing automated production lines, the researchers said. The system visualizes results in heat maps, allowing operators to quickly identify both the location and severity of flaws. It is capable of detecting defects as small as a few hundred micrometers, or millionths of a meter. Professor Jung said the technology could be applied in sectors ranging from electric vehicles and home appliances to semiconductors and aerospace. “We expect annual cost savings in the hundreds of millions of won through reduced inspection staff and time, improved quality reliability, and minimized defects,” he said in a statement. 2025-09-02 15:52:20

KAIST uncovers hidden mechanism in next-generation memory technology SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have successfully visualized, for the first time, how tiny particles inside memory devices move and interact when data is written and erased. The discovery could help make future memory chips faster, smaller, and more reliable — a major breakthrough for next-generation computing and artificial intelligence. On September 2, 2025, KAIST announced that two research teams, led by Professor Seungbum Hong and Professor Sang-Hee Ko Park of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, have figured out exactly how electrons and oxygen ions behave inside a new kind of memory called ReRAM. Their study shows that these particles move together in complex ways and that this movement directly affects how memory stores and deletes information. ReRAM stands for Resistive Random Access Memory. It is considered one of the most promising alternatives to current memory technologies because it can store data even when the power is off, has a simple structure, and operates at high speed. Unlike traditional memory chips, ReRAM uses special materials that can change their electrical resistance when a small voltage is applied. This change in resistance is what turns memory "on" and "off." Until now, scientists knew that ReRAM worked because of tiny defects called oxygen vacancies, but they did not fully understand how those defects actually caused the resistance to change. That knowledge gap made it harder to design ReRAM chips that are fast, stable, and energy-efficient. To solve this mystery, the KAIST team built a custom research tool called a “multi-modal scanning probe microscope.” This instrument combines several advanced types of microscopes into one machine. Each type looks at something different: one sees how electric current flows (C-AFM), another tracks the movement of oxygen ions (ESM), and a third detects changes in surface voltage (KPFM). Using this tool, the researchers could watch what was happening inside the memory chip in real time. They tested a thin film made of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a common material used in ReRAM, and applied tiny electrical signals to simulate how memory gets written and erased. What they saw was that electrons need open “paths” to flow through the material, and those paths depend on where the oxygen vacancies are. When more vacancies are bunched together, the paths open up and current flows easily. When the vacancies are spread out, the paths disappear and current is blocked. This directly explained how the memory turns on and off. The researchers also found something new: electrons and oxygen ions don’t just act separately. They interact in complex ways, and their movement is closely linked. This means that both types of particles must be controlled carefully to make ReRAM more stable and efficient. One important discovery was related to how memory can be “erased.” During this process, oxygen ions are pushed into the material, helping the memory stay in the "off" state longer. This insight could be key to making future ReRAM devices more reliable. "This is the first time anyone has been able to directly observe the spatial relationship between oxygen defects, ions, and electrons inside a working memory device," said Professor Hong. "Our approach can be used to study many other materials used in next-generation semiconductors, and could help open up entirely new areas of research." The first author of the paper is PhD candidate Chaewon Gong of KAIST’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The study was published on July 20, 2025, in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, a leading journal published by the American Chemical Society. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. 2025-09-02 15:27:12

President Lee to speak at UN General Assembly later this month SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month. According to the presidential office, Lee will deliver a keynote address on September 23 and chair an open debate of the Security Council the following day. In his keynote speech, Lee will share South Korea's experience of overcoming difficulties after the Korean War, as well as recovery and development in politics and the economy, and outline his administration’s vision and policies on the Korean Peninsula and other global challenges. His 15-minute address will be delivered during the morning session. Lee will also preside over a Security Council open debate on artificial intelligence and international peace and security, marking the first time a South Korean president has chaired such a meeting. South Korea holds the rotating presidency of the Council for September. "The General Assembly’s high-level week is held every September, bringing together leaders from all 193 member states and making it the world’s largest multilateral diplomatic stage," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. "With the U.N. marking its 80th anniversary this year, global attention will be greater than ever," she added. 2025-09-02 15:23:53

LG Electronics partners with Britain's Octopus Energy to push heat pumps in Europe SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - LG Electronics said Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Octopus Energy, Britain’s largest electricity supplier, to expand clean technology solutions in European markets. The memorandum of understanding, signed last week, calls for combining LG’s heat pump systems with Octopus’s artificial-intelligence energy management platform, known as Kraken. The companies plan to roll out the integrated offering in Britain, Germany and other major European markets, targeting households looking for more affordable heating options amid volatile energy prices. Founded in 2016, Octopus has grown rapidly into a multinational company operating in more than 30 countries. Its Kraken platform, which manages real-time renewable energy pricing and distribution, now serves about 10 million customers. The firm has also been a vocal proponent of replacing traditional gas boilers with heat pumps as part of Europe’s efforts to cut carbon emissions. LG said its heat pump systems use waste heat and untapped thermal sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company’s technology incorporates inverter scroll compressors designed to improve efficiency, durability and stability. Greg Jackson, Octopus Energy’s chief executive and founder, said in a press release the partnership would help consumers cut heating costs while reducing environmental impact. Yoon Tae-bong, who oversees global sales at LG Electronics, said the collaboration would accelerate the company’s clean technology growth in Europe and create new opportunities in the sustainable energy market. 2025-09-02 15:21:31

[[K-Tech]] Korean researchers develop cheaper, stronger battery material for EVs SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute said Tuesday it was preparing to move its silicon-graphene composite anode material for lithium-ion batteries into mass production, a step that could extend the range of electric vehicles and improve battery performance in consumer electronics. Silicon has long been regarded as a promising alternative to graphite, the standard anode material in lithium-ion batteries, because it can store roughly 10 times more energy. But its tendency to swell and crack during charging cycles, coupled with low electrical conductivity, has limited its use. Researchers at the government-funded institute said they had overcome those hurdles by combining silicon with graphene, a single-atom-thick layer of carbon known for its strength and conductivity. In the composite, graphene forms a mesh-like coating around silicon particles, reducing structural degradation and improving stability. The team also developed a water-based dispersion process, using oxidation-reduction methods, that allows for the scalable production of high-quality graphene in forms suitable for battery manufacturing. Using a one-step process, they created a “core-shell” structure in which graphene encapsulates silicon, allowing the proportion of silicon in the anode to rise from 5 percent to 20 percent without sacrificing stability. According to KERI, the technology could boost the driving range of electric vehicles by more than 20 percent. The researchers also emphasized cost advantages: instead of relying on expensive nano-silicon, the method uses more affordable micron-sized silicon. Commercial production of graphene is expected to be carried out by JNC Materials, a battery materials company that licensed the technology from KERI for 1.1 billion won, or about $790,000, in 2021. JNC has since built facilities capable of producing thousands of tons of graphene annually — enough, the company said, to supply batteries for about 60,000 electric vehicles or hundreds of millions of smartphones. “This technology simultaneously delivers higher capacity and improved stability for secondary batteries,” said Jeong Seung-yol, director of KERI’s Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center. 2025-09-02 15:16:54

Kim Jong-un inspects institute for new solid-fuel ICBM engine SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a missile research institute on Monday, right before his departure for Beijing to attend a military parade in China. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim inspected "the relevant institute of the General Academy of Chemical Materials under the Missile Administration of the DPRK" on September 1 and met composite carbon fiber material researchers. KCNA said the institute produced a "high-thrust solid-fuel engine with the composite carbon fiber material and verified the credibility of the operation of the engine and its accuracy through eight static firing tests in the past two years." Pyongyang said that the "new-type solid-fuel engine" will be used in "the next-generation ICBM Hwasongpho-20" as well as in the "ICBM Hwasongpho-19." North Korea's latest test was conducted on October 31 last year with the Hwasong-19. The missile is believed to be capable of striking the entire U.S. mainland with a range exceeding 15,000 kilometers, and Russia may have provided Pyongyang with technical assistance in developing such engines. Kim's visit to the institute reportedly took place shortly before his multilateral diplomatic debut at the parade, seen as an effort to underscore North Korea's status as a self-proclaimed "nuclear weapons state" with missiles capable of targeting the U.S. 2025-09-02 13:53:43

Kim Jong-un's train enters China for Beijing military parade SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crossed into China early Tuesday aboard his armored train, bound for Beijing to attend China's "Victory Day" military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim "left Pyongyang by his train" on Monday to join the parade, and the train "passed the border early in the morning on September 2," accompanied by senior ruling party officials. Photographs released by the state media showed Kim inside his private train with Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and senior party official Kim Song-nam. Other images showed him smoking outside the train while speaking with aides. Neither his wife Ri Sol-ju, daughter Ju-ae, nor sister Kim Yo-jong were mentioned in the statements or seen in the photos. Pyongyang rarely confirms a leader’s overseas trip right after departure. When Kim traveled to Russia in 2023, the announcement came two days later. Kim's train is believed to have crossed the Yalu River bridge linking Sinuiju and the Chinese city of Dandong, with his delegation expected to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday. He is scheduled to attend the military parade on Wednesday, joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The parade is seen as underscoring a broader geopolitical divide, casting China, North Korea, and Russia on one side against Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. For the first time in 66 years, the leaders of the three countries, linked by Cold-War era ties, will share the same stage. According to the Kremlin, Xi will take center position on the reviewing stand at Tiananmen Square with Putin on his right and Kim on his left. Such arrangements are carefully staged to signal political closeness. Positioning Kim and Putin directly beside Xi highlights China’s effort to showcase a united front with its two closest partners, sending a message to Washington and its allies. Kim's trip is also seen as a possible opening for renewed dialogue with the U.S., recalling his meetings with Xi ahead of summits with then-President Donald Trump. This would be Kim's first appearance on a multilateral diplomatic stage since assuming power in late 2011. Until now, his overseas visits have been limited to bilateral summits in China, Russia, and the U.S. 2025-09-02 13:45:33

TSMC widens lead over Samsung in foundry business SEOUL, September 02 (AJP) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company tightened its grip on the global chipmaking business in the second quarter of 2025, surpassing 70 percent market share and leaving rivals, including Samsung Electronics, further behind, according to new industry data. Worldwide foundry revenue reached a record $41.7 billion in the quarter, up 14.6 percent from the previous three months, research firm TrendForce reported Monday. TSMC accounted for 70.2 percent of the total, an increase from 67.6 percent in the first quarter, aided by rising demand for artificial intelligence processors, smartphones and notebook computers, as well as higher average selling prices. Samsung, the second-largest contract chipmaker, slipped to 7.3 percent of the market from 7.7 percent in the prior quarter. That left the gap between TSMC and Samsung at nearly 63 percentage points, up from about 60 points three months earlier. China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, the third-largest player, fell to a 5.1 percent share from 6 percent. TrendForce attributed the decline to shipment delays and weaker prices, even as Beijing’s subsidies and U.S. tariffs encouraged more domestic chip demand. The strong overall growth reflected a wave of inventory building in China, spurred by consumer subsidy programs, and anticipation of new smartphones, laptops and servers set to launch in the second half of the year. Samsung continued to benefit from smartphone orders and production of the Nintendo Switch 2, but those gains were not enough to narrow the gap with its Taiwanese rival. 2025-09-02 11:03:07