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Epson unveils new 'Lifestudio' projectors to tap booming home entertainment market SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Epson introduced a new line of home projectors on Tuesday, betting that South Korea’s growing appetite for streaming and large-screen entertainment will help sustain demand for high-end home viewing devices. At a press event in Seoul, Jun Morohoshi, head of Epson Korea, announced the launch of the Lifestudio Series, which features nine new projector models designed to blend functionality with lifestyle appeal. “South Korea is a key market with growing demand for OTT services and home entertainment,” Morohoshi said. “We aim to usher in a new era of home projectors with our latest products.” The Lifestudio brand, Epson’s latest push in the home entertainment sector, seeks to position projectors not merely as display tools but as central lifestyle devices. The domestic projector market — which surged during the pandemic as consumers spent more time at home — is regaining momentum with the expansion of streaming services and a renewed preference for cinematic viewing experiences. Epson currently holds a 51.7 percent share of the global projector market, maintaining the top spot for 24 consecutive years, and leads in South Korea with a 42 percent share, according to company data. The new Lifestudio Series includes both compact mini projectors and ultra-short-throw models, available in five colors with adjustable stands. A key feature of the lineup is Epson’s new Triple Core Engine technology, which provides enhanced brightness and color accuracy. The system broadens the visible color spectrum while minimizing brightness loss, producing vivid and realistic images even in well-lit environments. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 14:04:33 -
Samsung weighs new 'control tower' as leadership reshuffle nears SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is considering reestablishing a central management body to coordinate its sprawling business divisions, as the conglomerate prepares for a major executive reshuffle next month. The move comes as Chairman Lee Jae-yong marks his third year at the helm with the company riding a resurgent semiconductor boom. Industry sources say Samsung plans to accelerate both its annual personnel reshuffle and a broader organizational restructuring. At the center of speculation is the possible revival of a corporate “control tower,” a strategic management hub that Samsung has lacked since it dismantled its powerful Future Strategy Office in 2016 amid a high-profile political scandal. Since then, the conglomerate has operated with smaller task forces dedicated to business support and financial competitiveness but without a central coordinating structure. Pressure to restore such a unit has grown in recent months. Lee Chan-hee, head of Samsung’s compliance committee, recently underscored the need for “responsible and unified management” through a more formalized control system — a comment interpreted by observers as an endorsement of the idea. Attention is also turning to Samsung’s semiconductor division, the company’s primary profit driver, as it seeks to capitalize on soaring demand for advanced memory chips. Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun is expected to retain oversight of the semiconductor unit, while the company’s HBM4 research and development team, established last year, is set to expand. Samsung is also reportedly reallocating DRAM developers from its foundry and system semiconductor teams to reinforce its leadership in high-performance memory. In the device experience (DX) division, Roh Tae-moon — who has been serving in an acting capacity — is widely expected to be formally appointed as division head. If confirmed, he is likely to hand off his responsibilities in the mobile experience business to a successor. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 13:53:18 -
Kakao founder Kim Beom-su acquitted in SM Entertainment stock manipulation case SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - A Seoul court on Tuesday acquitted Kim Beom-su, founder of tech conglomerate Kakao, of stock manipulation charges tied to the company’s high-profile battle for control of SM Entertainment. The Seoul Southern District Court ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove that Kim conspired to manipulate SM Entertainment’s stock price during Kakao’s contested acquisition fight with Hybe, another major K-pop agency, in early 2023. Former Kakao investment chief Bae Jae-hyun and Kakao Entertainment were also cleared of all charges. “While Kakao considered acquiring SM Entertainment’s management rights, it is difficult to conclude this was an imperative situation,” presiding judge Yang Hwan-seung said in the ruling. “The evidence presented by prosecutors is insufficient to establish that discussions of market manipulation conspiracy took place.” Prosecutors had argued that Kim directed subordinates to place strategic buy orders designed to keep SM’s share price above Hybe’s tender offer, effectively preventing the rival from gaining control. But the court found that Kakao’s trading activity differed “considerably” from typical manipulative patterns in both timing and execution, concluding there was no intent to artificially maintain prices. After the verdict, Kim expressed relief, saying he hoped the decision would allow Kakao to “emerge from the shadow of stock manipulation allegations that have hung over the company.” Prosecutors said they would review the ruling before deciding whether to appeal. Kakao shares rose 3.9 percent to 61,100 won as of 1:24 p.m. following the decision. 2025-10-21 13:29:45 -
KOSPI fueled by red-hot SK hynix continues record rally; Asian stocks higher early Tuesday SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - South Korean and Japanese shares extended gains on Tuesday, buoyed by red-hot semiconductor and energy stocks, sending a ripple effect across broader Asian markets. The benchmark KOSPI climbed 2 percent to 3,890, inching closer to the symbolic four-digit threshold. SK hynix continued its scorching run, breaching 500,000 won ($ 351.60), as investors piled in amid growing fear of missing out (FOMO) on a sustained memory chip rally. “SK hynix shares are flying on FOMO among chip investors amid evident tightening in the DRAM supply chain,” said Ryu Hyung-keun, a researcher at Daishin Securities. Analysts expect the global DRAM shortage to deepen as high-end fabs pivot toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other advanced chips. Even with new facility investments, installation of production equipment such as extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools takes at least six months — a lag that could push DRAM prices up 15–20 percent in the fourth quarter from the July–September period. Nuclear and EV suppliers gain Nuclear-equipment stocks surged after reports that Seoul and Washington are renegotiating their nuclear accord to allow Korea to enrich and reprocess nuclear fuel. KEPCO KPS jumped 4.4 percent to 52,300 won (US$36.83), while Doosan Enerbility rose 1.7 percent to 81,700 won. EV supply-chain names also rallied following upbeat results from U.S. electric-vehicle makers. LG Energy Solution advanced 3.4 percent to 447,000 won, and Samsung Electronics edged up 1.4 percent to 99,600 won, approaching the symbolic 100,000-won milestone. LG Innotek, a key Apple camera-module supplier, soared 5.6 percent to 227,000 won on expectations of solid iPhone earnings. Regional markets upbeat Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.2 percent to 49,760, extending gains for a second session as investors welcomed easing political uncertainty ahead of the ruling-party vote widely expected to confirm Sanae Takaichi — known for her pro-monetary-easing stance — as the next prime minister. Semiconductor-related stocks led the rally, with Advantest, a major chip-testing-equipment maker, climbing 3 percent to 18,000 yen (about 170,000 won). On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.2 percent to 3,870, stabilizing after weaker-than-expected third-quarter growth data. Investors are now focused on the Chinese Communist Party’s Fourth Plenum, which runs through Thursday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 1.4 percent to 26,215, lifted by technology and platform stocks, while Taiwan’s TAIEX added 0.6 percent to 27,850. 2025-10-21 11:25:46 -
HD Hyundai chairman to outline vision for global shipbuilding at APEC forum SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Jeong Ki-sun, chairman of South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai, will present his vision for the future of global shipbuilding at the Future Tech Forum, a side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. The company said Monday that Jeong will deliver a keynote address at the forum, which brings together industry leaders, government officials, and scholars to discuss emerging industrial and technological trends. Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Shipbuilding,” the forum will explore ways to advance the maritime industry through innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. Jeong is expected to highlight HD Hyundai’s initiatives in artificial intelligence, decarbonization, and manufacturing technology, while also proposing new directions for global defense cooperation in shipbuilding. Key partners, including Huntington Ingalls Industries, Anduril, the American Bureau of Shipping, Siemens, and Persona AI, are scheduled to join the discussions. Topics will range from AI-driven production and digital transformation to the evolving landscape of maritime defense and Korea-U.S. strategic cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 10:44:36 -
Remains of South Korean student tortured to death in Cambodia return home SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - The remains of a South Korean college student, who traveled to Cambodia after being lured by an online employment scam in August and was later found to have been tortured to death, were returned home on Tuesday. The cremated ashes of the student in his 20s, identified only by his surname Park, arrived on a Korean Air flight at Incheon International Airport at 8:04 a.m., about some 74 days after he was found dead on Aug. 8 in the Southeast Asian country. A joint autopsy on his body, conducted by South Korean and Cambodian investigators and forensic experts, took place earlier this week after it had been kept at a temple in Phnom Penh since his death. The three-hour autopsy there found no signs of external or internal injuries, but further investigations including drug tests will be conducted to determine the exact cause of his death before the remains are handed over to his family. Park had told his family on July 17 that he was attending an expo before traveling to Cambodia. He was later confined and tortured in a local crime area known as "Wench," and his body, showing signs of torture, was found in a car in Kampot Province on Aug. 8. His death has belatedly revealed a series of online job scams and phishing schemes targeting South Korean citizens, which often involve kidnappings, detentions, and brutal torture by sprawling criminal rings in Cambodia, prompting the government to send a task force there last week. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 10:38:35 -
IFEZ draws $553.5 million in FDI in Q3, reaching 92.3% of annual goal SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) announced that foreign direct investment (FDI) declarations in the third quarter of 2025 reached $553.5 million, achieving 92.3 percent of its yearly target. Following $494.7 million in the first half, an additional $58.8 million was reported in the third quarter, pushing total declarations close to the full-year goal. IFEZ reported strong results in its key strategic sectors, particularly bio and semiconductor industries. Major investments declared earlier in the year included Sartorius Korea Operations ($250 million), Lotte Biologics ($28.7 million), TOK Advanced Materials ($24.6 million), renewable energy firm Orsted ($119.6 million), and retail developer Costco Cheongna ($61.4 million). In the third quarter, Starfield Cheongna joined with a $52.5 million declaration. Actual FDI inflows reached $391.2 million—112 percent of the annual goal of $350 million and more than 2.8 times the previous year's figure. Since its establishment, IFEZ has accumulated a total of $16.72 billion in declared FDI. Despite global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and political instability at home and abroad, IFEZ attributed the steady growth to its active investor relations efforts and the continuous expansion of infrastructure supporting foreign residents and businesses. Maintaining its annual targets of $600 million in FDI declarations and $350 million in inflows, IFEZ has set out the "2025 Comprehensive Investment Promotion Plan," focusing on three main pillars: the medical and bio industry, advanced and strategic industries such as semiconductors, and tourism, leisure, and cultural content. Commissioner Yun Won-sok said he expects IFEZ to surpass $600 million in FDI declarations for the second consecutive year. "Large-scale investment projects in bio and semiconductor sectors are progressing, and we are seeing tangible results from the K-Con Land initiative led by the U.S.-based Kessler Group, aimed at building an Asian version of Hollywood," he said. 2025-10-21 10:36:59 -
Korean Air partners with US startup to develop vertical takeoff, landing aircraft SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Korean Air said Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S.-based startup Archer Aviation to jointly develop advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. The agreement, signed Monday at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, outlines plans to adapt Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, known as Midnight, for government and defense applications. The model is designed for rapid personnel and cargo transport in short-range missions. Under the partnership, Korean Air will contribute its expertise in aircraft modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul — capabilities that could help accelerate the integration of eVTOL technology into both civilian and military operations. “This agreement is a significant step in securing next-generation aviation mobility technology for both civilian and military use,” said Lim Jin-kyu, head of Korean Air’s Aerospace Business Division. “We will work closely with Archer to meet the practical needs of our government and contribute to the development of the domestic aviation industry.” Archer Chief Executive Adam Goldstein called Korean Air “an ideal partner with aerospace expertise and strategic vision,” adding that the collaboration could produce “an AAM solution optimized for Korea.” The deal underscores growing interest among South Korean companies in electric and autonomous flight systems as governments worldwide race to commercialize AAM services. For Korean Air, the partnership signals a diversification beyond traditional aviation into emerging defense and mobility technologies that could define the next era of air transport. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 10:13:43 -
Washington eases stance on upfront cash demand, trade minister says SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Washington is no longer pressing for a lump-sum cash payment for Seoul's pledge of a major investment in the U.S., which was agreed to in return for lowering reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent, a South Korean trade chief said on Monday. Upon returning from his visit to the U.S., Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan said the two sides had narrowed differences in the ongoing tariff-related talks including details on how to fulfill and finance the investment pledge, with Washington stepping back from its demand for an all-cash, upfront payment. "We are making last-minute efforts to find a range that would be acceptable South Korea, where I'll be meeting..... Xi, we worked out a very fair deal, and I expect we'll probably work out a very fair deal" with China, Trump said, adding, "It's going to be a great trade deal. It's going to be fantastic for both countries, and it's going to be fantastic for the entire world." But it remains to be seen whether such a deal will be reached during the summit, as Beijing has yet to officially announce Xi's trip to South Korea, while Trump will make a brief stop here following a longer stay in Tokyo. 2025-10-21 09:47:48 -
OPINION: Coupang can't build Korea's AI future alone SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence is fast becoming the engine of global economic growth. According to Precedence Research, the global AI market is projected to expand from 1,033 trillion won this year to more than 5,020 trillion won — about $3.68 trillion — by 2034. That figure is seven times South Korea’s annual budget and roughly half the size of the United States’ federal spending. Against this backdrop, South Korea has set its sights on becoming a “sovereign AI” nation — one capable of developing and operating its own artificial intelligence technologies and infrastructure without depending heavily on foreign systems. The government has positioned itself as the “control tower,” coordinating policy and resources, while the private sector — the “playmakers” — are expected to drive innovation, exports and global competitiveness. But despite this ambitious vision, South Korea remains behind in the race to cultivate AI "unicorns" — startups valued at over 1 trillion won. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, more than 100 AI unicorns have emerged worldwide. Two-thirds are based in the United States, followed by China and the United Kingdom. Tech giants like Nvidia and Google have invested in nearly half of them. Today, there are 498 AI unicorns globally — but few in South Korea. Amid this shortfall, Coupang, one of the country’s largest e-commerce companies, has announced a significant investment aimed at nurturing domestic AI startups. In partnership with the government’s “Next Unicorn Project,” Coupang plans to create a 150 billion won AI fund, contributing 75 billion won of its own capital. The fund will provide over 10 billion won each to 14 domestic AI firms, with the goal of accelerating Korea’s AI innovation ecosystem. Coupang’s move is a rare bright spot in an otherwise underfunded sector. In 2024, South Korea’s private AI investment totaled just $1.3 billion — barely 1 percent of the $109 billion poured into AI by U.S. companies. Despite the inherent risks, Coupang sees AI as indispensable to national competitiveness, echoing calls from policymakers for deeper private-sector involvement. Other tech and financial firms have also increased their AI spending, but a broader base of investors is needed to sustain momentum. A single company’s effort, no matter how bold, cannot transform an entire industry. Building a vibrant AI ecosystem will require collaboration among corporations, universities, and startups — as well as a policy environment that rewards long-term innovation over short-term profit. For a nation grappling with a shrinking population and slowing productivity, AI is not merely a technological pursuit but an economic necessity. Becoming an “AI powerhouse” will depend on more than government ambition; it will require a private sector willing to take risks, invest deeply, and think globally. South Korea’s future competitiveness may hinge on whether its entrepreneurs — not just its policymakers — are ready to lead the next wave of intelligence. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 09:47:10