U.S. tariffs on Chinese batteries open door for Korean battery firms SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - The United States plans to sharply raise tariffs on Chinese-made energy storage system batteries, a move that could reshape the fast-growing American clean energy market and give South Korea’s battery makers an opening to expand. The Commerce Department said tariffs on Chinese ESS batteries, already steep at 40.9 percent, will climb to 58.4 percent in 2026. The increase stems largely from Section 301 trade penalties, which will rise from 7.5 percent to 25 percent, layered on top of basic import duties, reciprocal tariffs and a 20 percent surcharge linked to fentanyl trafficking. The higher levies are expected to erase China’s long-standing price advantage. Industry analysts estimate that lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery cells shipped from China to the United States will cost about $87 per kilowatt-hour next year, up from roughly $73 last year. That would put them on par with the $85 to $90 charged by South Korean producers operating in the United States. Seoul’s battery makers are moving quickly to seize the opportunity. LG Energy Solution began mass production of LFP batteries for energy storage at its Michigan plant in June and reported a U.S. order backlog exceeding 50 gigawatt-hours. The company plans to nearly double its domestic ESS production capacity to 30 gigawatt-hours next year. Samsung SDI is preparing to start ESS battery production by year’s end and add LFP capacity in the second half of 2026. SK On, meanwhile, is retooling its Georgia plant, SK Battery America, to produce storage batteries while reserving its joint venture facilities for electric vehicle cells. The U.S. administration’s Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, which provides tax breaks to U.S.-based clean energy manufacturers, further tilts the playing field toward Korean companies. Chinese producers have limited access to the subsidy. For South Korea’s big three battery makers, energy storage represents a critical hedge. Demand for EV batteries has slowed, and federal subsidies for electric vehicle purchases are scheduled to expire at the end of September under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a shift that could further weaken the market. 2025-09-01 15:14:09

Samsung Electronics retains lead in India's TV market SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics strengthened its grip on India’s television market in the first half of 2025, holding a 23.8 percent share by shipment volume and extending its run as the top seller for a ninth consecutive year, according to data released Monday by the research firm Omdia. Samsung first captured the No. 1 spot in India in 2017 and has kept it ever since, fending off challenges from both domestic and Chinese competitors. LG Electronics ranked second with a 16.5 percent share, while Xiaomi — once a formidable rival — slipped to third at 7.9 percent, less than half its 2020 level of 18 percent. By revenue, however, LG has been outperforming its Korean rival. Data from the market tracker GfK showed LG leading in sales-based share at 27.5 percent, up from 25.8 percent a year earlier, marking its second straight year at the top by that measure. The divergence highlights the split between unit shipments, where Samsung dominates, and sales value, where LG has found strength in higher-priced models. India, with its 1.4 billion people and rising appetite for advanced consumer electronics, has become one of the world’s largest television markets, reaching 11.29 million units annually in 2024. Samsung has leaned on its premium lineup — including Neo QLED 8K sets with third-generation AI processors, OLED models with anti-glare technology, and its Samsung TV Plus streaming service, which offers more than 100 local channels in 14 Indian languages alongside global and Korean content. LG has similarly bet on premium positioning, expanding its OLED portfolio while rolling out its own free streaming service, LG Channels, in India last year. The platform delivers content in 10 regional languages, from Hindi and Punjabi to Tamil and Bhojpuri, part of a broader localization strategy in the diverse Indian market. For both Korean companies, India has become a crucial proving ground in the global television race — a market large enough to reward premium strategies, but competitive enough to keep even dominant players under pressure. 2025-09-01 15:08:58

KAIST develops AI that restores clear video through fog and distortion SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) has developed an artificial intelligence system capable of restoring sharp images from video footage that is blurred or distorted by fog, frosted glass, or other scattering effects. The research was carried out by Professor Jang Moo-seok of KAIST's Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and Professor Ye Jong-chul of the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI. Their team created what they describe as the world's first "video diffusion-based restoration technology," which uses time-based information to reconstruct video frames that have been degraded during filming. When light is scattered, such as in fog, smoke, or through frosted glass, camera sensors receive jumbled signals, producing blurred or unclear images. The new system learns how video frames change over time and uses that continuity to recover details hidden behind scattering media. Scattering media are materials that disrupt the path of light and distort visual information. Common examples include fog, smoke, translucent glass, and even biological tissues like skin. The KAIST team's technology can effectively "see through" such barriers, similar to peering past frosted glass. The potential areas of applications are very wide. The method could be used in medical imaging to examine blood vessels or skin tissue without invasive procedures. It could assist in search-and-rescue operations where smoke reduces visibility. It could also improve driver assistance systems on foggy roads, enable industrial inspections of plastics or glass, and provide clearer views underwater. Traditional AI restoration methods often work only within the narrow range of data they were trained on. To overcome this, the KAIST team combined physics-based optical modeling with video diffusion models, allowing the AI to adapt to many kinds of image damage. Unlike conventional still-image approaches, their system accounts for how scattering environments change over time, for instance, the shifting view behind a curtain moved by wind. By training the model to learn temporal correlations between video frames, the researchers achieved stable restoration across different distances, thicknesses, and noise levels. In one demonstration, they were able to observe the motion of sperm cells behind a moving scattering layer, a first in the field. The study also showed that the same framework could handle other restoration tasks without retraining, including fog removal, image quality enhancement, and blind deblurring of unfocused video. This suggests that the method could serve as a general-purpose platform for image and video restoration. Researcher Kwon Tae-sung said, "We confirmed that a diffusion model trained on temporal correlations can effectively solve optical inverse problems, restoring data hidden behind moving scattering layers. In the future, we plan to extend this research to more optical challenges, including those that require tracking how light changes over time." Doctoral students Kwon Tae-sung and Song Guk-ho of KAIST were co-first authors of the paper. The study was published on August 13 in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI), one of the world's leading journals in artificial intelligence. The work was supported by South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea, Samsung's Future Technology Development Program, and the AI Star Fellowship program. 2025-09-01 14:28:55

Chinese milk tea chains push into South Korea's coffee-saturated market SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - South Korea has long been known as a “coffee republic,” with one of the world’s highest concentrations of cafes per capita. But a wave of Chinese milk tea brands is challenging that dominance, betting that young Korean consumers are ready for a new kind of drink culture. ChaPanda, a fast-growing Chinese beverage chain listed in Hong Kong, disclosed last week that South Korea had become its largest overseas market, accounting for nearly half of its more than 40 international outlets. Since opening its first Seoul store in January, the company has expanded quickly into trendy districts like Gangnam and Hongdae, and even to Jeju Island. ChaPanda, which operates 8,444 stores in China, has made South Korea a cornerstone of its broader push into markets including France and the United States. Mixue, China’s biggest bubble tea chain by store count, has also opened more than 10 locations in Seoul, concentrating on university districts. The company runs over 53,000 outlets worldwide — 48,000 of them in mainland China — and reported $2.09 billion in revenue in the first half of this year, up nearly 40 percent from a year earlier. Premium players are also eyeing the Korean market. HeyTea has established shops in Gangnam, Myeongdong and Hongdae, part of a global network of more than 100 overseas locations. Chagee, another high-end brand and the first Chinese milk tea chain to list on Nasdaq, announced plans to enter South Korea soon. It already operates more than 7,000 stores worldwide. The international rush reflects limits at home. China’s once-booming milk tea industry is now saturated, with thousands of outlets crowding cities and margins narrowing. Seeking new growth, companies are turning abroad — and finding opportunities in markets like South Korea, where younger consumers are increasingly receptive to Chinese lifestyle brands, helped along by a recent surge in bilateral tourism after China eased visa restrictions. Still, analysts caution that success is not guaranteed. Building brand awareness may be easier than building reliable supply chains, especially for drinks that depend on imported tea leaves, fruit and dairy. The state-run China Securities Journal noted that ensuring ingredient quality overseas remains one of the biggest risks to the industry’s global expansion. 2025-09-01 14:08:49

Kim Jong-un expected to depart Pyongyang Monday by train for Beijing military parade SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to leave Pyongyang by train on Monday and arrive in Beijing the following day to attend a military parade as part of China's "Victory Day" celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to multiple government sources on Sunday, Kim is likely to depart Pyongyang on Monday with a special armored train, which takes about 20 to 24 hours to reach the Chinese capital. A Monday departure would allow him to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday, one day before the parade. Koo Byung-sam, spokesperson for South Korea's Ministry of Unification, said, "The specifics of Kim Jong-un's itinerary in China have not yet been confirmed," adding that the government is "closely monitoring related developments." Kim has visited China four times before. He traveled by train for his first trip in March 2018 and again in January 2019, while flying on his personal aircraft for visits in May and June 2018. However, the aging plane has not been seen in recent years, fueling speculation he will once again rely on rail transport. The armored train offers greater security, equipped with bulletproof windows and infrared coating to reduce satellite detection, though its weight limits the train's maximum speed to about 80 kilometers per hour. Security measures in Dandong, the Chinese border city with North Korea, have also been tightened, and train services to Beijing temporarily suspended, further suggesting rail travel. Kim is expected to stay at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the Chinese government’s official reception venue for visiting leaders, where he lodged during all three of his previous visits to Beijing. Pyongyang confirmed last week that Kim will attend the parade, which would be his first appearance on a multilateral diplomatic stage since assuming power in late 2011. Until now, he has held only bilateral summits during his visits to China and Russia. With Russian President Vladimir Putin also set to attend the parade, speculation is mounting over a possible trilateral meeting among Kim, Putin and Xi. Analysts are also watching whether Kim's China trip could pave the way for dialogue with the U.S., as he has a record of meeting with Xi ahead of engaging Washington. In both 2018 and 2019, Kim met Xi shortly before holding summits with then-U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore and Hanoi, fueling speculation that Pyongyang is again seeking political leverage from Beijing before any future talks with Washington. 2025-09-01 13:43:21

[[K-Pop]] Stray Kids break record, topping Billboard 200 for seventh time SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids have claimed their seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with their latest full-length album. According to Billboard's preview on Sunday, the group's latest album "Karma" debuted atop the chart, surpassing the soundtrack album of Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." "All seven of the group's Billboard 200 chart entries have debuted at No. 1, beginning with 'Oddinary' in 2022," it said. Since first topping the chart with "Oddinary" in 2022, the group has achieved consecutive No. 1 debuts with "Maxident," "ATE," "Hop," and three more albums, becoming the K-pop group with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. The record surpasses K-pop juggernaut BTS, which notched six No. 1s on the chart. Their latest album, released on Aug. 22, contains 11 tracks, including the title song "Ceremony," which reflects the group’s growth through overcoming various conflicts. Debuting in March 2018 through a reality show of the same name, the group produces much of its own music through a unit 3RACHA, composed of members Bang-chan, Chang-bin, and Han. With their hip-hop–based sound, the eight members have built a distinctive style through powerful performances. Critics praised the group's artistry. Music critic Lim Hee-yoon said their success came from "sticking to their own color rather than relying on foreign producers or features," while Jeong Min-jae said that "their participation in songwriting has shaped their individuality, though the group still lacks a hit in South Korea." 2025-09-01 13:12:47

Pyongyang condemns joint statement on cyber threats SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - North Korea on Monday denounced South Korea, the United States and Japan for pledging joint action against its illicit information technology (IT) activities, calling the move a "political farce." In an op-ed carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the foreign ministry accused the three countries of having "recently made public a joint statement full of fabrication under the pretext of coping with the 'cyber threat' from the DPRK ." "Attempt of the U.S., Japan and the ROK to turn cyberspace into a theatre of geopolitical confrontation should not be allowed," KCNA quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Kim Chon Il. Kim criticized recent meetings where Pyongyang’s cyber activities were discussed, including last month’s trilateral talks in Tokyo, the Munich Security Conference in February, and a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in April. He claimed the moves were intended to expand "provocative acts to a new domain with an aim to systematize and institutionalize the collective collaboration to put pressure on a sovereign state and aggravate geopolitical confrontation." He also said it warns the three countries "for their hostile attempt to turn cyber space into a theatre of geopolitical confrontation aimed to threaten the security of our state and infringe upon its sovereign rights." The ministry further said North Korea "will take practical measures to defend its rights and interests" regarding the issue. The North’s criticism came after Seoul, Washington and Tokyo issued a joint statement last week vowing coordinated efforts against Pyongyang’s illicit cyber activities. 2025-09-01 13:11:29

US tightens grip on Korean chipmakers' China operations SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - For years, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the two South Korean giants that dominate the global memory chip market, operated their Chinese factories with a special privilege. A designation from Washington allowed their plants to import the American equipment essential for advanced semiconductor production without the usual licensing hurdles, insulating them from the turbulence of U.S.-China trade disputes. That privilege is about to vanish. On Saturday, the Commerce Department said it would revoke so-called Validated End User, or VEU, status for the Chinese subsidiaries of Samsung, SK hynix and Intel, requiring them to obtain individual permits for every shipment of U.S. machinery starting early next year. The decision, set to be published in the Federal Register on Sept. 2, will take effect 120 days later. Its implications are sweeping. Samsung’s Xian NAND flash factory and SK hynix’s DRAM and NAND plants in Wuxi and Dalian account for a large share of global memory chip output. Industry officials fear the new licensing regime could stall technology upgrades, deter fresh investment and inject uncertainty into an already fragile supply chain. “The VEU system gave stability for equipment imports,” one industry executive said. “Without it, even routine upgrades will be difficult.” The Commerce Department estimates the shift will generate about 1,000 additional export license applications each year. Washington has signaled it will continue to approve equipment necessary to sustain current production, a move that may prevent immediate shutdowns. But the broader message is clear: The United States is tightening oversight of how foreign companies operate inside China’s semiconductor sector. The timing raised eyebrows in Seoul. The announcement came just days after President Trump met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington, a summit that touched on trade, economic security and technology policy but ended without concrete agreements. Some analysts see the revocation as a pointed reminder that America expects allies to align with its strategy to curtail China’s access to advanced chipmaking. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it would continue talks with Washington to reduce the fallout. “Stable operations at Korean semiconductor facilities in China are crucial for global supply chain stability,” a ministry spokesman said. Samsung and SK hynix face a delicate balancing act. Both companies rely heavily on Chinese facilities for production, while also depending on American technology to run them. The United States, meanwhile, is pursuing a dual strategy: easing some trade tensions with Beijing — extending a tariff cease-fire and partially loosening semiconductor export curbs — while quietly erecting new barriers to prevent what it calls the leakage of critical technologies. 2025-09-01 11:16:47

Ulsan signs deal to build hydrogen plant SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Ulsan City said Monday that it had signed an agreement with Deokyang Energen, a fuel gas and pipeline company, to build a hydrogen production and distribution center, as the city seeks to cement its role as a leader in the nation’s hydrogen economy. Under the memorandum of understanding, Deokyang Energen will invest 22 billion won, or about $15.9 million, to construct the facility by October 2026 in Hwangseong-dong, within the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex. The project will include a production plant capable of generating 2,400 cubic meters of hydrogen an hour — enough, officials said, to simultaneously refuel about 10 hydrogen-powered buses. At a signing ceremony, Mayor Kim Du-gyeom pledged to support the project with streamlined permits and other administrative assistance. “This agreement represents an opportunity for Ulsan to advance further as a leading city in the hydrogen economy,” he said, adding that the city would expand its supply infrastructure to foster growth and create jobs. The announcement follows a separate deal in May with Korea Southern Power, which plans to spend 600 billion won, or $432 million, to build a 135-megawatt clean hydrogen power plant in the city. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2029, with completion expected in 2031. 2025-09-01 09:37:39

S. Korean households cut food spending to nine-year low amid persistent inflation SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - South Korean households reduced their food spending to the lowest level in nearly a decade, as high prices forced families to cut back even on basic groceries. Adjusted for inflation, monthly household spending on food and nonalcoholic beverages fell 1 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, to 341,000 won, or about $245, according to government data released on Monday. That was the lowest level since 2016. In nominal terms, spending rose 1.8 percent to 423,000 won. But the increase failed to keep pace with a 2.9 percent rise in food prices over the same period, reflecting a prolonged squeeze on family budgets. Food costs have been rising faster than overall consumer prices for more than five years. In the second quarter, the food price index reached 125.33, compared with 116.32 for the broader consumer price index, both based on 2020 levels. The pressure has been compounded by extreme weather and currency swings that raised costs for food producers, who in turn have passed them on to consumers. Prices of instant noodles jumped 7.6 percent in July from a year earlier, while confectionery and ice cream rose 6 percent. Families have also been reining in restaurant visits. Spending at eateries edged up just 0.2 percent in the second quarter, to 353,000 won per household. Economists warn that conditions could worsen in the months ahead. With the government weighing increases in electricity and gas rates later this year, households already struggling with higher grocery bills may find little relief. 2025-09-01 09:33:01