[[K-tech]] SK hynix could find opportunities as Nvidia faces supply bottleneck for China-bound AI chips SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Despite receiving a green light from Washington to apply for export licenses for its H20 artificial intelligence chip, Nvidia is grappling with production constraints that could sharply limit shipments to China. The H20, a lower-spec AI chip tailored to comply with U.S. export controls, was expected to re-enter the Chinese market following a recent regulatory shift. Chinese technology giants including ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent are eager to acquire the H20, which had been blocked from import under U.S. restrictions. With those curbs now partially relaxed, a backlog of pent-up demand remains. Yet Nvidia’s ability to meet that demand appears increasingly uncertain. The chipmaker halted mass production of the H20 at TSMC during last year’s export ban. Since then, TSMC has reallocated the freed capacity to other clients. During a recent press conference in Beijing, Nvidia’s chief executive, Jensen Huang, said new production orders could take “at least nine months” before delivery. Caught between bureaucratic ambiguity and mounting political scrutiny, Nvidia now faces a growing supply bottleneck that threatens to stall its return to the Chinese market. One potential beneficiary of the logjam is South Korea’s SK hynix. The company began supplying its advanced 8-layer HBM3E (high-bandwidth memory) chips for use in the H20 earlier this year, replacing the previous-generation HBM3 to boost performance. Should Nvidia retain that configuration for China-bound shipments, SK hynix could be well-positioned to capitalize. Although U.S.-based Micron is also qualified to supply HBM3E memory, analysts say SK hynix is likely to maintain its lead due to its longstanding partnership with Nvidia and demonstrated manufacturing yields. The company has said it plans to devote 80 percent of its HBM3E output this year to 12-layer chips and the remaining 20 percent to 8-layer versions. That ratio, however, could be adjusted if demand for the H20 increases. 2025-07-23 15:19:35

PHOTOS: Post-flood fight against floating waste SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Cleanup operations are in full swing at Paldang Lake, where a massive influx of trash and debris has accumulated following recent torrential rains. Officials from the Gyeonggi Province Water Resources Headquarters estimate that more than 1,000 tons of floating waste were swept into the lake by the heavy downpours Workers began collection efforts on July 23 to address the extensive contamination of the critical water source. 2025-07-23 15:09:37

[[K-film]] Park Chan-wook's latest film to compete at Venice Film Festival next month SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's latest film has been invited to compete at this year's Venice International Film Festival next month. According to organizers of the prestigious annual festival in a livestreamed event on Tuesday, "No Other Choice" will vie for the top prize along with 20 other films, becoming the first South Korean film invited to the main competition section in over a decade, since the late director Kim Ki-duk's "Pietà," which won the Golden Lion in 2012. Based on American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax," the thriller revolves around an office worker, played by actor Lee Byung-hun, who struggles to support his family as a breadwinner after suddenly losing his job. It is Park's second film to be invited to the festival, following "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" in 2005, marking his return to the international spotlight after his critically-acclaimed "Decision to Leave," which earned him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022. The veteran filmmaker also took home the Grand Prix award with "Oldboy" in 2004 and the Jury Prize with "Thirst" in 2009. During a press event held in Seoul in January this year before filming began, Park recalled that he started writing the script some 17 years ago, and said "Completing it after such a long period of struggle made me realize I was right not to give up on this project." "No Other Choice," his 12th feature, is slated for release here this fall, after being screed at the festival, which runs for about two weeks in the Italian city from Aug. 27. 2025-07-23 14:12:15

Korea's lending clampdown leaves door wide open for foreign buyers SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Foreign property acquisitions in Seoul have surged in the wake of South Korea’s tightened mortgage lending rules for domestic buyers, according to newly released court registry data. The new regulations, which took effect on June 27, cap mortgage loans at 600 million won (about $435,000) for most buyers. In the weeks that followed, domestic transactions plummeted. Between July 1 and July 18, purchases of apartments and officetels — mixed-use buildings that serve both residential and commercial purposes — fell by 27.2 percent compared to the same period in June. In contrast, foreign acquisitions rose 14.3 percent over the same span, totaling 120 transactions. Chinese nationals accounted for nearly half, with 57 purchases, followed by Americans with 35 and Canadians with eight. The increase highlights a regulatory gap that exempts overseas buyers using foreign financing from the lending restrictions imposed on domestic borrowers. While South Korean residents are subject to strict lending requirements, foreigners using external capital sources face few such constraints. The disparity has prompted a wave of high-end listings targeting Chinese investors. On Juwai.com, China’s largest international property platform, dozens of Seoul luxury apartments are featured, with some priced as high as 25.8 billion won (approximately $18.7 million). Foreign ownership of South Korean residential properties exceeded 100,000 units for the first time last year, an increase of 9.6 percent from the year prior. Nearly three-quarters of those properties are located in the greater Seoul area, and more than 9,000 units are held through fractional ownership by multiple foreign buyers. Critics have pointed to the uneven enforcement of lending rules. Domestic buyers face immediate loan recalls and penalties for violations, while foreign buyers using offshore funding mechanisms are largely unaffected — exposing what lawmakers and housing advocates describe as a structural enforcement gap. In response, lawmakers have proposed legislation to rein in foreign purchases. The measures include shifting from a notification-based system to a permit-based process and requiring a minimum three-year residency commitment for foreign buyers seeking to acquire residential property. 2025-07-23 14:01:19

Samsung's grip on foldable phone market expected to slip this year SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is expected to see its global market share in foldable smartphones drop by roughly 10 percentage points this year, as rival brands gain ground in the rapidly evolving segment, according to a report by Taiwan-based research firm TrendForce. The firm projects global shipments of foldable phones will reach 19.8 million units in 2025. Samsung’s share is forecast to decline from 45.2 percent last year to 35.4 percent in 2025, reflecting growing competition. Samsung recently unveiled its latest model, the Galaxy Z Fold7, boasting refinements in hinge design, crease visibility, and form factor. While TrendForce acknowledged the company’s technological advancements, it cited intensifying market competition — particularly from Chinese manufacturers — as the primary factor eroding Samsung’s dominance. Huawei is poised to maintain a strong foothold in the Chinese market and is projected to capture 34.3 percent of global foldable phone sales this year, placing it just behind Samsung. Other Chinese brands are also expected to gain momentum. Honor’s share is forecast to rise from 6 percent to 9.1 percent, Motorola from 5.5 percent to 7.6 percent, and Xiaomi from 3 percent to 5.1 percent. TrendForce noted that the entrance of Apple into the foldable category could reshape the competitive landscape. Apple is widely expected to debut its first foldable device in the second half of 2026, featuring a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal screen. The long-rumored foldable iPhone, aimed at premium users, could serve as a catalyst for broader adoption of foldable technology, the report said. 2025-07-23 13:40:37

[[K-Tech]] Hanwha's US shipyard to build LNG carrier in $250 million deal SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean has signed a 348 billion won (approximately $250 million) contract with its American affiliate, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. The agreement includes an option for a second vessel and highlights Hanwha Group’s broader strategy to position itself at the forefront of U.S. regulatory changes requiring domestically built LNG carriers for American gas exports starting in 2029. The move comes amid a resurgence of interest in strengthening domestic shipbuilding capabilities in the United States, particularly in sectors deemed critical to energy and national security. Under the terms of the deal, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, located in Pennsylvania, will serve as the primary contractor for the project, which is commissioned by another group company, Hanwha Shipping. The actual construction, however, will be subcontracted to Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding facilities in Geoje. The vessel will be built to comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and other American maritime safety standards, with Hanwha Philly Shipyard overseeing the certification process. “If the vessel is to be registered as a U.S. ship, it must meet USCG standards and obtain relevant certifications,” the company said in a statement. “Hanwha Philly Shipyard, with its extensive experience building ships in the U.S., will lead these processes.” Hanwha Ocean sees the contract as an opportunity to transfer its LNG carrier expertise — typically reserved for high-end, technologically advanced vessels — to its U.S. affiliate. “Hanwha Philly Shipyard is a core facility that has built over half of all large commercial vessels subject to the Jones Act in the U.S.,” a Hanwha Ocean official said. “This project will elevate Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s technical capacity by expanding into the complex LNG carrier segment, while also integrating Hanwha Ocean’s global shipbuilding expertise into the U.S. maritime industry.” 2025-07-23 10:54:05

Sejong mayor presses for capital relocation, says structural reform is urgent SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - On Tuesday, Sejong City Mayor Choi Min-ho called for the full relocation of South Korea's presidential office and National Assembly to Sejong, saying that completing the city’s role as an administrative capital is essential to resolving regional imbalance and improving government efficiency. "Sejong and the completion of the administrative capital are not merely political issues but matters of Korea's future strategy," Choi said during a briefing hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club. "This embodies the public values of national competitiveness, regional integration and improving the quality of citizens' lives." The plan to relocate the capital was first announced in 2002 but was blocked by a Constitutional Court ruling in 2004. As a result, Sejong was launched in 2012 as a multifunctional administrative city. Since then, it has developed into a key policy center. Today, Sejong is home to 47 central government agencies, 16 ministries, more than 50 public institutions and major national research institutes. Its population has grown from 70,000 to over 390,000, with an average age of 37.6 years, the lowest in the country. It also ranks near the top in birth rate nationwide. Still, Choi said inefficiencies persist due to the continued presence of major state institutions in Seoul. "Annual travel expenses between Seoul and Sejong for official duties are estimated at 60 to 70 billion won," he said. "This figure only accounts for official budget spending, not personal costs." Although a new National Assembly complex is under construction in Sejong and 11 of the Assembly’s 17 standing committees are scheduled to move, Choi stressed that relocating the presidential office is necessary to complete the transition and reduce the excessive concentration of resources in the capital region. Choi also urged broader structural reforms. He called for the decentralization of high-quality jobs and elite universities, pointing out that over 90 percent of people moving to the Seoul area are young. He proposed relocating parts of Seoul National University to the provinces and restructuring Korea Polytechnic University into an international institution based in Sejong. He said Sejong should take on the country's core administrative functions, while Seoul should be cultivated as a global city for diplomacy, finance and culture. Referring to the Goryeo dynasty's historical system of "three capitals," he added that Pyongyang could eventually serve as a third capital after reunification. Choi called for constitutional reform. He proposed a bicameral legislature and a dual executive system where a prime minister oversees domestic affairs and the president focuses on diplomacy, national defense and unification. "South Korea is at a singularity," he said. "The problems we face cannot be solved by existing methods alone." 2025-07-22 19:14:32

HMM expands global port investments with major projects in Brazil, Spain SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - HMM, South Korea’s largest shipping company, is accelerating its push into international port terminal operations, targeting long-term leases and acquisitions as it seeks to cement its position in the global logistics market. The company plans to invest in terminals with operating rights spanning 20 to 30 years, generating revenue through vessel management, cargo handling, storage, and integrated logistics services. According to industry sources, HMM has decided to join the bidding process for Brazil’s Tecon 10 project, a new mega-terminal to be constructed at the Port of Santos, the busiest port in Latin America. The Brazilian government aims to develop the terminal on a 620,000-square-meter site near Sao Paulo, with a projected annual capacity of 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. The move comes as trade volumes between South America and global markets continue to surge, intensifying congestion at Santos, which currently handles around 6 million TEUs annually. With 58 privately operated terminals, the addition of Tecon 10 is expected to boost the port’s throughput by roughly 50 percent, easing longstanding capacity bottlenecks. HMM is also expanding its presence in Europe. The company will invest 35 million euros to enlarge its terminal at the Port of Algeciras in southern Spain. The expansion will increase the facility’s size from 300,000 square meters to 460,000 square meters, raising its annual handling capacity from 1.6 million to 2.1 million TEUs. As part of the investment, HMM has extended its operating rights for the Algeciras terminal by 22 years, from 2043 to 2065. HMM currently operates eight terminals across six countries, as it continues to expand its global logistics network. 2025-07-22 17:35:53

PHOTOS: Enduring ancient masterpiece in Gyeongju SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - Nestled on the slopes of Mount Tohams, the Seokguram Grotto stands as a testament to the apex of Buddhist art during the unified Silla Dynasty. Regarded as a paramount masterpiece, its creation began in 751 under the patronage of Kim Dae-seong, then the prime minister to King Gyeongdeok. The grotto was completed 23 years later, in 774 during the reign of King Hyegong. King Gyeongdeok's era (742-765) is celebrated as a golden age for Silla's Buddhist artistic endeavors. Beyond Seokguram, this period saw the emergence of other iconic cultural treasures, including the Bulguksa Temple, Dabotap Pagoda, Seokgatap Pagoda, and the magnificent Hwangnyongsa Bell. Crafted from white granite, the grotto's interior once housed 40 carved Buddhist figures surrounding a central Buddha. Today, 38 of these intricately sculpted figures remain. What truly sets Seokguram apart is its remarkable synthesis of disciplines: architecture, mathematics, geometry, religious philosophy and artistic expression converge harmoniously within its design. The Seokguram Grotto is officially recognized as a National Treasure of South Korea. In a significant historical designation, it was jointly inscribed with Bulguksa Temple on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in December 1995. Within the grotto, the antechamber, serving as the entrance, and the walls of the narrow passageway are adorned with symbolic Buddhist carvings. The main Buddha, rendered with masterly technique and lifelike detail, exudes a profound tranquility. Other sculptures contribute to a collective body of work that is considered unparalleled in East Asian Buddhist sculpture. The profound serenity of the main Buddha, nestled within the grotto's hushed confines, imparts a deep sense of mystery, its natural form seeming to emanate compassion to all who behold it. Seokguram Grotto during restoration work in the 1910s/ Courtesy of Sungkyunkwan University Museum 2025-07-22 17:28:11

North Korea lures foreign tourists with huge discounts for next year's marathon event SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - North Korea appears to be eager to earn hard currency, as it has already started offering deals for its annual marathon event for next spring. According to ads on Tuesday by Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specializing in travel to the isolated country, early-bird discounts of 50 percent are available until Sept. 1 for those who sign up for the Pyongyang International Marathon, which is scheduled for April next year. Without detailed itineraries and other arrangements for the event, the tour agency said plans are subject to change without notice according to the North's tourism policy. Fees for next year's event have yet to be decided either, with this year's ranging from US$70 to $150 depending on the length of courses. Since the new progressive administration took office here last month, there is speculation that South Korea could send participants to next year's event as part of efforts to ease tensions with the North. First held in 1981 to commemorate the birthday of regime founder Kim Il-sung, the marathon resumed this year for the first time since 2019, after a years-long hiatus due to coronavirus pandemic, drawing participants from 46 countries. 2025-07-22 17:03:44