H Energy CEO says AI platform is key to meeting RE100 pressure in South Korea "Apple has declared it will make its entire supply chain carbon-neutral by 2030. If you can’t prove RE100, supply contracts get cut. This won’t be just a big-company issue — it will become a survival requirement for the entire supply chain," Ham Il-han, CEO of H Energy, said in an interview with Aju Business on May 5. Ham pointed to the company’s solution, "SolarShare Baro," a corporate platform that lets businesses buy electricity directly to meet RE100 goals. Using a company’s rooftop, H Energy installs and operates a solar power facility, allowing the business to receive power without upfront investment and at about 28% less than Korea Electric Power Corp. rates, he said. "In South Korea, where dependence on energy imports exceeds 90%, sunlight and wind are the only means of self-reliance," Ham said. He argued that instead of waiting decades for transmission lines needed for large power plants, the fastest approach is producing and using electricity on-site from corporate rooftops — a local production-and-consumption model. Ham also said technology can address structural bottlenecks in South Korea’s renewable energy market. He founded H Energy after leading energy projects for 17 years at LG CNS, aiming to use an artificial intelligence platform to streamline a market he described as fragmented across design, construction and operations. "In the coming era of renewable energy, the ability to integrate distributed resources into data and forecast with AI will become national competitiveness," Ham said. He added that H Energy’s goal is to change how energy capital is owned and distributed so returns circulate within local communities. Founded in 2018, H Energy operates multiple renewable energy platforms using data and AI. In addition to SolarShare Baro, it runs SolarOnCare, an asset management platform for solar power plants; Mohat, a cooperative-based renewable energy investment platform; and SolarShare, a rooftop solar leasing platform, the company said. Ham said the company’s ambitions extend beyond South Korea, with a long-term goal of exporting a "K-energy platform" to global markets, using Japan as a base and expanding to Southeast Asia and beyond. "No matter who installs solar panels or what power plants are built, our role is to build a platform that ensures those resources are operated properly," Ham said. "Changing the ownership and distribution structure of energy capital — that is why H Energy started, and it will not change."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 18:05:59

South Korea to Launch Fifth-Generation Indemnity Health Insurance With Lower Premiums Financial authorities will launch fifth-generation indemnity health insurance on Tuesday, cutting premiums while reshaping coverage. The key change is stronger protection for serious illnesses and reduced benefits for nonsevere, noncovered services. Analysts say the shift could be seen by consumers as a cut in benefits, slowing early adoption. The Financial Services Commission said Monday it is overhauling the product structure so coverage better matches standard medical costs covered by the national health system and treatment for serious diseases. At the same time, it plans to curb excessive care by scaling back nonsevere coverage. Regulators estimate premiums will be about 30% lower than fourth-generation plans and more than 50% lower than first- and second-generation plans. Authorities expect the overhaul to ease worsening loss ratios, a structural problem in the indemnity insurance market. They also announced incentives for first- and second-generation policyholders, including an optional discount rider and a contract-switching discount. Starting in November, the contract-switching program will cover 50% of fifth-generation premiums for three years. Even so, many in the market doubt the new plans will take hold quickly. Consumers are likely to focus on the perception of reduced coverage. First- and second-generation policies, often structured to run until age 80 or 100, can be kept long-term and generally offer broader benefits, limiting the incentive to move to new products. Insurers also point to the fourth-generation rollout, when even a 50% discount for one year led to only single-digit switching rates among first- through third-generation policyholders, dampening expectations for the fifth generation. According to the General Insurance Association of Korea, the risk loss ratios by generation as of the end of last year at nine nonlife insurers launching fifth-generation plans Tuesday — Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance, Hanwha General Insurance, Lotte Insurance, Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, KB Insurance, DB Insurance and NongHyup Property & Casualty Insurance — were 118.6% for first-generation policies (simple average), 114.8% for second-generation, 138.4% for third-generation and 153.8% for fourth-generation. Jeon Hyeon-uk, a team leader at the Financial Supervisory Service’s Insurance Product Dispute Division 2, said there are concerns the fifth generation could follow a similar path because fourth-generation loss ratios are high. But he said the fifth generation sets a 50% copayment rate for nonsevere, noncovered services, which could restrain use. “We expect the loss ratio to improve compared with the fourth generation,” he said. An insurance industry official said regulators appeared to try to differentiate the fifth generation after the weak performance of the fourth. Still, the official said the key will be how many first- and second-generation policyholders switch, and early switching is likely to be limited because the switching discount begins in November. The official added that because the new structure distinguishes between severe and nonsevere cases, inquiries are expected to rise for now over whether it is better to keep existing coverage or switch. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 18:05:22

Samsung Electronics Faces Growing Divide Between Chip and Device Units as Union Rift Deepens Samsung Electronics is seeing an increasingly stark performance gap between its semiconductor business (DS) and its device business (DX), and the divide is now spilling into open friction inside its labor groups. According to industry officials on May 5, Samsung’s first-quarter results showed the DS division posting more than 53 trillion won in operating profit, accounting for most of the company’s earnings. The DX division, which covers mobile phones, TVs and home appliances, posted about 3 trillion won over the same period. DS operating margins were well above 60%, while DX margins were in the single digits. Some in the industry are even raising the possibility that DX could post an annual loss, and analysts say restructuring has already begun in parts of the home-appliance business. That imbalance has become a direct backdrop to labor tensions. A joint struggle committee led by an umbrella union has demanded that Samsung pay 15% of DS operating profit as performance bonuses and has signaled the possibility of a strike. That would amount to several hundred million won per person, a level some outsiders view as excessive. Amid the dispute, the Donghaeng union, made up largely of DX workers, formally withdrew from the joint committee on May 4. The union cited DS-centered agenda-setting and a lack of internal communication as reasons for leaving. Some observers say the split reflects more than a tactical disagreement, arguing that outsized compensation demands — raised as DS workers view the division’s results as their own achievement — have widened cracks across the organization. They also say a DS-driven labor campaign does not match the reality facing DX employees under restructuring pressure. Shin Je-yoon, chairman of Samsung Electronics’ board, recently posted a message on the company’s internal bulletin board urging the sides to close ranks. “For the semiconductor business, a foundational national industry, timing and customer trust are key,” he wrote, warning that development or production disruptions and missed delivery dates could “undermine fundamental competitiveness,” drive customers to rivals and erode market leadership. He added that it was time for employees to unite and resolve issues through “sincere dialogue.” There are also reports that some global customers are stepping up checks on delivery stability risks and monitoring the possibility of internal production disruptions. Many in the industry view the situation as more than a wage dispute, saying it reflects structural change and conflicting interests between business divisions. As long as DS continues to post strong results, the case for bigger bonuses may persist, but from a companywide perspective it could weaken internal cohesion. Experts say the semiconductor business now faces the need to manage internal conflict risks alongside external competition. An industry official said the DS union’s bonus push has spread beyond concerns about competitiveness to broader internal conflict, creating a crisis that could damage the strength of the Samsung brand.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 18:04:09

South Korea’s Big 3 Shipbuilders Win $1.1B in Energy Vessel Orders in One Day South Korea’s three major shipbuilders won about 1.5 trillion won ($1.1 billion) in combined orders within a day, reflecting a broader mix of vessel types and customers, industry officials said. Analysts said the deals point to growth beyond ship orders into a wider market for energy transport and storage infrastructure. According to the industry on May 5, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries each secured orders a day earlier from shipowners in different regions for energy-related vessels. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering won an order from KSS Shipping for three very large gas carriers, or VLGCs, worth about 500 billion won. VLGCs, which transport LPG, are seen as a steady-demand segment as global gas trade expands. Hanwha Ocean secured an order worth about 500 billion won from an Africa-based shipowner for three very large ammonia carriers, or VLACs. Ammonia is drawing attention as a next-generation carbon-free fuel, and demand for transport is expected to grow. Samsung Heavy Industries signed a contract worth about 480 billion won with an Asia-based shipowner to build one floating storage and regasification unit, or FSRU. An FSRU stores LNG and converts it back into gas for supply, serving as an offshore terminal that can be built faster than an onshore terminal. It is also widely used as a tool to respond to power supply needs. The latest orders are notable not only for the range of vessel types but also because customers now include Africa, a sign that energy demand is spreading more broadly across regions rather than concentrating on specific fuels or markets, the industry said. With power demand rising alongside the spread of artificial intelligence data centers, demand for LNG-based power generation is increasing, while transport demand for other fuels such as LPG and ammonia is also growing. As a result, shipbuilders are expanding from transport vessels into parts of offshore storage and supply facilities. Clarksons Research said its newbuilding price index, a benchmark for ship prices, has recently climbed above 180 and continues to rise. The trend suggests a seller’s market is becoming entrenched as shipbuilders, backed by solid order backlogs, focus on high value-added vessels. The high per-ship prices in the latest deals have fueled assessments that the three shipbuilders are moving into a phase of higher-quality growth centered on energy-related vessels. “Domestic shipbuilders are widening their order portfolios around high value-added ships,” an industry official said. “After selective ordering strategies were reflected in strong results, we expect the trend of improving profitability to continue.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 18:03:17

Aju News Corporation Chairman Kwak Young-kil receives Korea University Alumni Award SEOUL, May 05 (AJP) - Aju News Corporation Chairman Kwak Young-kil received the Proud Korea University Alumni Award on Tuesday, using the platform to advocate for a transition to spirit-centered artificial intelligence to ensure human control over technology. The award recognizes the contributions Kwak has made to South Korean media and his philosophical approach to the intersection of humanities and technology. His speech at the ceremony defined a new vision for artificial intelligence governance, emphasizing that spiritual values must guide technological advancement. Korea University President Kim Dong-won presented the award during a ceremony marking the 121st anniversary of the institution at the Inchon Memorial Hall in Seoul. Samyang International Chairman Huh Kwang-soo and Ace Bed Chief Executive Officer Ahn Sung-ho were also honored with the alumni award for their contributions to society and the university. University officials cited the career-long dedication of Kwak to reporting truth and his pioneering spirit. They noted his affection for his alma mater and his commitment to nurturing future scholars as key reasons for his selection. Kwak, who graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature in 1974, said the most important lesson he learned was a humanities mindset rather than just language. He described his academic background as a door to spirituality that transcends linguistic boundaries. The chairman emphasized that the core driving force of the current era must be spirituality. He noted that while he focused on human-centered artificial intelligence a decade ago, the rapid evolution of technology now necessitates a shift toward spirit-centered systems. If spirituality cannot govern artificial intelligence, humans will inevitably be dominated by technology, Kwak told the audience. He added that the essence of this spirituality aligns with the university's core values of liberty, justice, and truth. As a media executive, Kwak highlighted his efforts to promote South Korean industries, including the defense sector, through multilingual news systems. He expressed a desire for Korea University to serve as a lamp for humanity in the age of artificial intelligence. During the ceremony, KNet Investment Partners Chief Executive Officer Kim Dae-young and Eugene Investment and Securities Chief Executive Officer Yoo Chang-su also received the Social Service and Development Contribution Award. 2026-05-05 17:46:37

Special Prosecutor Bars Han Dong-hoon From Leaving South Korea in Probe of Alleged North Korea Remittance Case Manipulation A second comprehensive special prosecutor team led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young has barred Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, from leaving the country after he was accused in connection with allegations that an investigation into remittances to North Korea was manipulated. The team said on the 6th that it imposed a travel ban on Han. A special prosecutor official said the restriction followed the filing of a complaint naming Han as an accused party in a case alleging presidential office interference in a Suwon District Prosecutors Office investigation. According to the Justice Ministry’s Korea Immigration Service, Han has been under a travel ban from the 13th of last month through the 12th of this month due to the ongoing investigation. Han disclosed the travel ban on Facebook and said, “Last year, the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor imposed a travel ban on me for an absurd reason and then closed the case without even questioning me. This special prosecutor is repeating the same excessive move.” He added, “The Democratic Party couldn’t even call me as a witness for a parliamentary probe aimed at canceling Lee Jae-myung’s indictment, yet the party and political special prosecutors keep putting on a show. Again, I say, ‘Go ahead and try.’ But there must be no election interference.” Earlier, the civic group Judicial Justice Action filed a complaint with the special prosecutor team on the 7th of last month against seven people, including Han, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok, former Suwon District Prosecutors Office chief Hong Seung-wook, former second deputy chief prosecutor Kim Young-il, former Criminal Division 6 chief Kim Young-nam, and prosecutor Park Sang-yong. The group alleged abuse of authority and obstruction of rights, and inducing perjury, among other charges. The group said the complaint was based on claims that a “typical fabricated investigation aimed at eliminating a political rival” was carried out to tie Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung — described as a leading presidential contender who lost the 20th presidential election by 0.7 percentage points — to the case. The special prosecutor team received the Ssangbangwool remittances-to-North-Korea case from a human rights inspection task force at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office in early last month. It has since pursued the probe under the name “alleged presidential office interference in the Suwon District Prosecutors Office investigation.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 17:34:34

South Korea reviews Hormuz mission after Trump demands military support SEOUL, May 05 (AJP) - The South Korean presidential office Blue House announced Tuesday it is reviewing military participation in a United States-led maritime operation following an explosion on a South Korean cargo ship. The move indicates a shift in Seoul's policy as it evaluates international maritime security against its own domestic legal requirements and peninsula defense needs. The HMM NAMU, a vessel operated by the flagship carrier HMM, suffered an explosion and fire at 8:40 p.m. (1140 GMT) on Monday near the United Arab Emirates. All 24 crew members, including six South Korean nationals, are confirmed safe, but the ship remains inoperable and requires towing to a nearby port for a forensic inspection. The Blue House said that the government is considering the military proposal while accounting for the defense posture of the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures. Officials emphasized that the safety of international shipping lanes and the freedom of navigation are core principles that must be protected under international law. Seoul is currently "noting" the recent public comments made by Donald Trump, who claimed on Truth Social that Iran was responsible for the blast and urged South Korea to join a mission called Project Freedom. The presidential office confirmed that it is maintaining close communication with Washington regarding the stable use of major sea lanes in the region. The government is also coordinating with relevant nations to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire. Officials stated that the safety of South Korean citizens and vessels remains the primary focus while the technical origins of the incident are determined. The Blue House stated it will implement corresponding follow-up measures as soon as the results of the investigation are confirmed. 2026-05-05 17:30:03

Samsung TV Unit Faces Cost Pressures as Panel Prices Jump Nearly 36% in Two Years Samsung Electronics is moving to reshape its TV business, with a sharper focus on improving its cost structure and streamlining operations as profitability remains under pressure from higher input and shipping costs. On May 5, Samsung said it expects it will be difficult to secure strong results and profitability in the TV market this year due to rising raw material prices. The company expects second-quarter demand to grow as major sports events such as the World Cup increase, but it sees overall TV demand remaining largely stagnant this year. A central challenge is the cost of display panels. As panel prices continue to rise, Samsung’s production costs have climbed. According to the company’s business report, Samsung’s spending on display panel purchases rose to 7.9606 trillion won in 2025 from 5.8624 trillion won in 2023, a 35.8% increase in two years. Logistics costs are also rising. With the war in the Middle East dragging on, ocean freight rates have increased, adding to global supply chain cost pressures. Because TVs are bulky and must be shipped worldwide, higher freight costs can directly squeeze margins. Organizational efficiency and cost cuts are expected to be key tasks under President Lee Won-jin. Samsung is seen pursuing a shift from a hardware-centered business toward platforms and services while reducing unnecessary expenses. On the product side, Samsung is pursuing a two-track strategy. In the mid- to low-priced segment, it aims to maintain market share while competing with Chinese brands. In the premium segment, it is expected to focus on advanced markets such as the United States and Europe, centered on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs and ultra-large models. Samsung has recently strengthened its premium lineup by expanding its Micro RGB offerings and has also released new Mini LED models as it seeks to broaden choices and boost share in the mass market. However, Chinese companies such as TCL and Hisense are rapidly improving their technological capabilities, prompting concerns that hardware differentiation alone may not be enough. The key, analysts say, will be how much Samsung can widen gaps in platforms and artificial intelligence. If Samsung strengthens service competitiveness by combining its Tizen OS TV operating system with content and AI features, it could open a new path for growth in its TV business. Kim Won-woo, a vice president in Samsung’s Visual Display Business, said on a recent second-quarter earnings conference call that the company would further solidify its No. 1 position in the global TV market through differentiated product marketing and proactive business responses. He said Samsung will "successfully introduce new models that change the competitive landscape, centered on Micro RGB, OLED and Mini LED, and maximize the launch effect."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 17:28:45

Samsung Taps Software Veteran Lee Won-jin to Lead TV Push on AI and Platforms Samsung Electronics has put software and content specialist Lee Won-jin in charge of its Visual Display (VD) Business, which oversees the company’s TV operations. It is the first time in about 20 years that the VD unit has been led by someone without a hardware development background, since former vice chairman Choi Gee-sung in 2007. The move is widely seen as a bid to counter low-priced competition from Chinese brands by shifting from a hardware-centered approach to a strategy built on platforms and artificial intelligence. Industry officials said Samsung on May 4 appointed Lee, who previously worked at Google, as head of the VD Business, signaling a broader shift in its TV strategy. The personnel change is being interpreted as more than a reshuffle, pointing to a restructuring toward software and services. Samsung has long held the No. 1 spot globally in TV revenue, but it has faced growing pressure on profitability and market share amid aggressive pricing by Chinese rivals. According to market researcher Omdia, Samsung’s share slipped from 30.1% in 2023 to 29.1% last year. TCL and Hisense posted shares of 13.1% and 10.9%, respectively, pushing their combined share into the mid-20% range and narrowing the gap with Samsung. Samsung is accelerating efforts to strengthen its platform business around its Tizen TV operating system. The company aims to generate recurring revenue beyond one-time TV sales through its ad-supported free streaming service, Samsung TV Plus. The service has expanded, with monthly active users topping 100 million worldwide as of January this year. Competition in the global TV market is also intensifying around platforms rather than hardware alone. Omdia forecast that Hisense’s V (formerly Vidaa) will surpass LG Electronics’ webOS in shipments in Europe this year. The Connected TV Marketing Association estimated that in 2024, Samsung’s Tizen OS led the smart TV OS market with a 12.8% share, followed by Hisense V at 7.8% and LG’s webOS at 7.4%. Samsung is also expanding its lineup of TVs with stronger AI features. It plans to apply AI functions to 99% of its new TV models this year as it pushes broader adoption of “AI TVs.” The company is positioning the strategy as a way to secure an edge through high quality and differentiated services, rather than competing primarily on low prices. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 17:27:26

U.S. Raises Pressure on China Over Deportations and Iran Ahead of Trump’s Beijing Trip The United States is stepping up pressure on China over the return of Chinese nationals ordered deported from the U.S. and over Iran, ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing. A senior Trump administration official told Reuters on Monday that China has been reluctant to accept the return of Chinese nationals in the U.S. illegally and that Washington is prepared to tighten travel restrictions if Beijing does not change course. The official said China accepted about 3,000 people for deportation in early 2025 via charter and commercial flights, but has sharply reduced cooperation over the past six months. “China is not cooperating sufficiently with the United States to repatriate its own citizens,” the official said, calling it a violation of China’s international obligations and its responsibility to its nationals. If China does not expand cooperation, the official said the U.S. could consider raising visa application bonds, widening limits on visa issuance and strengthening entry denials at the border. The official warned that China’s lack of cooperation could also affect future travel by Chinese people who follow the law. The U.S. government estimates more than 100,000 Chinese nationals are in the United States illegally. More than 30,000 have final deportation orders, and about 1,500 are detained awaiting removal, the report said. The warning comes as Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing on May 14-15 for a summit with President Xi Jinping. Trump is expected to raise deportations alongside trade issues. Since returning to office, Trump has made immigration enforcement and deportations a core policy and has raised the possibility of tariffs or sanctions against countries that do not cooperate in taking back their nationals. China has been described as responding cautiously to U.S. requests for years, saying it is willing to accept “verified Chinese nationals” while maintaining that identity checks take time. U.S. urges China to help pressure Iran The United States is also pressing China in connection with Iran. The New York Times reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Fox News interview on Sunday that he urged China to join “this international operation” and said it remains to be seen whether China will use diplomacy to get Iran to reopen the strait. “Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, and China has been buying 90% of Iran’s energy, so it is effectively funding the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Bessent said. Bessent also said the United States has “complete control” of the strait, underscoring the U.S.-led maritime operation. “We are demanding that (Iran) release these ships for the benefit of the international community, and we expect our international partners to engage in the same way,” he said, adding that it is a good time for partners to step up pressure on Iran. He said the United States is returning fire only if attacked and “is not the provocateur,” but added that if Iran seeks to escalate, the U.S. is ready to respond. The United States has also tightened sanctions targeting China in recent weeks. The State and Treasury departments last month sanctioned China’s Hengli Group over imports of Iranian crude oil, and on May 1 added sanctions on operators tied to a “shadow fleet” linked to Iran’s petroleum exports. Treasury also sanctioned three Iranian exchange houses and related front companies that it said brokered foreign-exchange transactions worth billions of dollars, cutting them off from financial dealings. The groups are accused of converting yuan flowing in from China into other currencies that could be used for military funding. China has pushed back against U.S. sanctions on its companies, signaling discomfort and urging noncompliance, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 17:15:22