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China's EV boom offers new opportunities for Korean auto suppliers: KOTRA SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - China’s dominance in electric vehicle production is opening a fresh wave of opportunities for South Korean companies, particularly those specializing in core automotive technologies and components, according to a new report by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). In a report released Tuesday titled “Recent Trends and Implications in China’s Automotive Industry,” KOTRA identified strong potential for Korean firms to supply electric vehicle-related parts and systems as Chinese automakers expand output and face growing international scrutiny. The agency pointed to surging demand for automotive semiconductors, ultra-lightweight materials, EV software solutions, and components related to speed reduction and transmission as key areas for growth. “As China pivots toward electric mobility, there is a widening gap between rapid expansion and the need for high-quality, specialized components—precisely where Korean firms excel,” said Lee Ji-hyung from KOTRA. “Our focus must be on developing technologies tailored to the unique demands of China’s market while building deeper partnerships with local players.” The report details how China, in 2024, cemented its role as the world’s largest auto market, producing and selling over 30 million vehicles and exporting more than 5 million. Electric vehicles accounted for over 40 percent of total production, and Chinese brands now command more than 80 percent of the domestic EV segment. However, the report also underscores challenges within the Chinese market. Fierce price competition has left only a handful of EV makers — including BYD, Li Auto, and Tesla — operating above the breakeven point, thanks to annual sales volumes exceeding 400,000 units. As domestic competition intensifies, Chinese automakers are accelerating exports, prompting protective responses from the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries, including countervailing duties and anti-dumping measures. These trade frictions, KOTRA noted, are creating new supply chain dynamics that Korean firms can tap into. The report emphasizes the strategic advantage Korean suppliers hold in high-precision, export-ready components — particularly as Chinese manufacturers aim to improve quality and performance to compete globally. 2025-08-05 14:15:12
[[K-Tech]] Korean biotech firms target Middle East's healthcare markets SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - South Korean pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are ramping up expansion into the Middle East, seizing new opportunities in healthcare as Gulf nations shift their economic focus away from oil and toward medical innovation and services. Botulinum toxin manufacturers and medical artificial intelligence firms are at the forefront of this push, aiming to tap into rising healthcare investments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, industry officials said Tuesday. Hugel, a leading South Korean aesthetic medicine firm, is awaiting regulatory approval to launch its botulinum toxin product, Botulax, in Saudi Arabia. Mirae Asset Securities expects the company’s botulinum exports to surge by 53 percent in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half. The move follows Hugel’s market entries into Kuwait in 2023 via Medica Group and the United Arab Emirates this past May, positioning Saudi Arabia as its next major target. Medytox, which also entered the Saudi market last year, is moving to establish the first Korean botulinum toxin manufacturing plant in the region. The firm signed an agreement in May with Dubai’s Tecom Group to construct the facility within Dubai Science Park, a strategic step toward localizing production. Daewoong Pharmaceutical, another major player, has expanded its botulinum toxin product, Nabota, to five Middle Eastern markets since 2022. Export sales for Nabota reached 156 billion won ($120 million) in 2024, up from 108.2 billion won two years earlier. The biotech push extends beyond aesthetics. South Korea’s medical AI companies are also accelerating efforts to enter the region. Last month, Vuno signed a partnership with an Egyptian healthcare provider to distribute its AI-powered cardiac arrest prediction tool, DeepCAS, across Egypt, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The firm is currently navigating local regulatory approval processes. Lunit, a Seoul-based medical AI startup, played a prominent role during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in June, providing AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis to detect infectious respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Since entering the region in 2023, Lunit has secured supply contracts with UAE’s SEHA health authority and Saudi Arabia’s Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group. Analysts say the momentum is driven by the region’s push for economic diversification and aspirations to become global medical hubs. According to market research firm Research and Markets, the pharmaceutical market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow to $42.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. 2025-08-05 14:05:14
South Korea moves to shore up steel industry hit by US tariffs, Chinese imports SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - A joint inspection team made up of senior government officials and industry representatives visited major steelworks in the southeastern port city of Pohang on Tuesday, as South Korea confronts a deepening crisis in its steel sector driven by U.S. tariffs and a surge in low-cost Chinese imports. The team, including officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, held closed-door meetings at the steel plants of POSCO and Hyundai Steel. The site visits were intended to assess the feasibility of designating Pohang as a preemptive industrial crisis response zone, according to city officials. The visit comes as Pohang, long the center of South Korea’s steel industry, suffers from a severe slowdown. Production at the city’s steel industrial complex, which houses 268 companies operating 355 factories, totaled 1.2 trillion won (about $920 million) in May — a 7.2 percent decline from a year earlier. Cumulative output through May fell 9.3 percent year-on-year to 5.87 trillion won. Amid growing global competition and weakening demand, major steelmakers have begun scaling back operations in the region. POSCO shuttered its No. 1 blast furnace last year, followed more recently by the closure of its wire rod plant, citing an oversupply in the global market, falling prices, and outdated equipment. Hyundai Steel closed its No. 2 Pohang plant in July, citing unsustainable losses. The downturn has prompted an unusual show of political unity. On Monday, 106 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties jointly introduced a sweeping “K-Steel Bill,” which would establish a presidential committee under President Lee Jae Myung to guide the industry’s transition toward low-carbon steelmaking. The proposed legislation outlines plans to designate four major steel-producing regions — Pohang, Gwangyang, Incheon and Dangjin — as special green steel zones. These areas would benefit from fast-tracked permits, reduced administrative fees, and exemptions from certain antitrust regulations to allow for coordinated restructuring efforts. The bill also proposes tougher trade defenses, including stricter verification of country-of-origin claims and extended anti-dumping measures, in an effort to stem the influx of low-priced Chinese steel. Crucially, the legislation seeks to position South Korea’s steel industry for a transition to hydrogen-based production, as global regulatory pressures mount. The European Union is set to impose carbon-based tariffs on steel imports, raising the stakes for producers who continue to rely on coal-intensive methods. Industry leaders welcomed the proposed overhaul. “This special bill comes at a very important time for overcoming the steel industry crisis and transitioning to green steel technology,” said Lee Kyung-ho, executive vice chairman of the Korea Iron & Steel Association, which has traditionally been led by chairmen of POSCO. The bill, if enacted, could provide a critical boost to an industry that helped power South Korea’s postwar economic rise — but now finds itself at a crossroads, squeezed between environmental mandates abroad and fierce price competition at home. 2025-08-05 13:59:16
Striker Son Heung-min's move to Los Angeles FC 'imminent' SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - Striker Son Heung-min appears to be on the verge of joining Los Angeles FC. Son "is poised to sign with MLS side LAFC, with an unveiling happening as soon as Wednesday," ESPN reported Monday, citing sources. The American sports network added that Son is set to join LAFC for a "fee of around $26 million." Amid months of swirling transfer rumors, Son finally confirmed he is leaving Tottenham Hotspur, just ahead of a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul over the weekend, describing it as "one of the hardest decisions" of his football career. British media outlet BBC also reported similarly, "The final details of the transfer remain in discussion but his move to LAFC is now considered subject just to the completion of paperwork and a medical." Son, whose contract with Spurs runs until 2026, has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances since his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He is set to head west soon to complete the transfer and begin a new chapter after wrapping up his 10-year stint with Tottenham. 2025-08-05 10:46:33
POSCO joins bid to acquire Australia's historic steelworks SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - South Korean steel firm POSCO has joined an international consortium to pursue the acquisition of the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia, as part of a broader strategy to secure low-carbon raw materials and bolster its green transition. The consortium, which includes Australia’s BlueScope Steel, Japan’s Nippon Steel, and India’s JSW Group, has submitted a non-binding expression of interest to the South Australian government. If successful, the acquisition would mark a rare convergence of Asia-Pacific steelmakers collaborating on a major industrial project, amid growing global pressure to cut emissions from heavy industries. BlueScope confirmed the group’s intent, saying it views Whyalla as a promising hub for producing and exporting low-carbon steel. If selected to advance in the bidding process, the consortium plans to conduct joint due diligence and enter talks with both state and federal authorities about potential financial assistance. Located on the southern coast of Australia, the Whyalla facility began operations in 1941 and has the capacity to produce 1.2 million metric tons of structural steel annually. In recent years, the plant has struggled with operational setbacks, eventually prompting a state-led search for new ownership. For POSCO, the Whyalla site offers a strategic opportunity. The facility is linked to a magnetite mine — an essential input for making direct reduced iron (DRI) and hot briquetted iron (HBI), which are both critical to reducing emissions in steel production. South Australia’s ample renewable energy resources further enhance the site’s appeal as a potential center for low-carbon steelmaking. POSCO officials said the move aligns with POSCO’s broader ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The company has ramped up investment in green steel technologies and is actively seeking overseas assets that can help diversify and decarbonize its raw material supply chain. 2025-08-05 10:07:34
KAIST study finds that inflammation during pregnancy may cause childhood asthma and allergies SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - KAIST researchers have discovered how inflammation in the placenta during pregnancy can alter a baby's immune system, leading to stronger allergic reactions such as asthma after birth. The study is the first in the world to show exactly how this prenatal inflammation affects immune development and raises new possibilities for early prediction and prevention of childhood allergic diseases. The findings were announced on August 4 by KAIST, whose research team was led by Professor Lee Heung-kyu from the Department of Biological Sciences. According to the team, inflammation in the mother's body during pregnancy can influence the fetus through the placenta by disrupting its ability to regulate stress hormones. This, in turn, changes how the baby's immune system develops, especially the activity of T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the body's immune memory. The researchers conducted an experiment using pregnant mice. To create an inflammatory condition, they injected the animals with a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is commonly used to trigger immune responses in lab studies. As expected, the inflammation spread to the placenta. The team found that the inflamed placenta produced increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical signal that activates neutrophils. Neutrophils are immune cells that form the largest portion of white blood cells in the human body, making up between 40 to 75 percent. They play a key role in the body's innate immune system by attacking bacteria and fungi. When neutrophils became active in the placenta, they caused tissue damage, which triggered stress in the fetus. As a result, the fetus began producing large amounts of a stress hormone known as glucocorticoid. This hormone caused a shift in the development of the fetus's immune system. Specifically, the T cells in the fetus, immune cells responsible for remembering threats like viruses or allergens, lived longer and developed stronger memory functions. After birth, this change had consequences. When these offspring were repeatedly exposed to allergens such as house dust mites, their immune systems reacted more aggressively than usual. The mice showed strong eosinophilic inflammation, a type of allergic response that plays a key role in asthma. Eosinophils are immune cells that become overactive in people with allergies and contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. "Through this study, we were able to demonstrate for the first time how a mother's immune response during pregnancy, particularly inflammation, affects the allergy-related immune system of the fetus through the placenta," said Lee Heung-kyu. "This will serve as a scientific basis for developing early detection biomarkers and preventive strategies for childhood allergic diseases." The first author of the paper is Kwon Myung-seung, a Ph.D. graduate of KAIST's Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering and currently a clinical fellow in gynecologic oncology at Konyang University Hospital. The study was published on July 1 in the journal Mucosal Immunology, a leading publication in the field of immune responses related to the body's mucous membranes. The paper is titled Placental inflammation-driven T cell memory formation promotes allergic responses in offspring via endogenous glucocorticoids. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of South Korea, under the Basic Research Program and the Biomedical Technology Development Program. 2025-08-04 17:37:03
[[K-Film]] Park Chan-wook's new thriller to open Busan film fest next month SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - Award-winning director Park Chan-wook's latest film will open this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which is slated to be held in the southern port city next month. According to organizers of the annual film fest on Monday, "No Other Choice" starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin has been chosen as the curtain-raiser for BIFF, which kicks off its 10-day run on Sept. 17, with Lee set to host the festival's opening ceremony. The thriller, based on American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax," revolves around a man who believes he has achieved everything in life until he is suddenly laid off and struggles to find a new job to support his family. Park's 12th feature has also been invited to compete at this year's Venice International Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9. Meanwhile, more than 240 films will be screened during BIFF, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, with around 14 films competing for the best Asian film award. The top prize winner will bring the festival to a close on Sept. 26. 2025-08-04 16:56:44
[[PHOTOS]] S. Koreans enjoy scorching summer SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - As the peak of summer sets in, vacation spots across South Korea are bustling with people making the most of the season. Beaches and festival grounds are filled with crowds enjoying their summer break. Here is a glimpse of how people are spending their summer days. 2025-08-04 16:02:00
[[K-Tech]] Korea selects five teams to develop national AI models in major push for technological sovereignty SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - The South Korean government has selected five elite teams to spearhead the development of foundational artificial intelligence models, marking a major step in the country’s effort to build a sovereign AI ecosystem. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced Monday that the teams — Naver Cloud, Upstage, SK Telecom, NC AI, and LG AI Research — were chosen following a government-led evaluation of proposals based on technological capability, strategic vision, feasibility, and potential contributions to Korea’s broader AI landscape. Each team brings a distinct approach to the ambitious national project. Naver Cloud was recognized for its development of core technologies supporting a general-purpose AI model designed for broad, real-world usability and public accessibility. Upstage earned praise for its commitment to building world-class AI models grounded in proprietary technology, with an eye toward strengthening Korea’s AI research and industrial base. SK Telecom was selected for its work on next-generation multimodal AI capable of processing language, images, and behavioral data to deliver uniquely “Korean-style” AI services. NC AI stood out for its focus on building scalable generative models for industrial applications, while LG AI Research received high marks for EXAONE — a hyper-scale AI system developed entirely using domestic technologies. Formal agreements with the five teams are expected to be signed by the end of August. Upon signing, the groups will be at the forefront of Korea’s national AI strategy. But the path forward will be highly competitive. A first-phase evaluation in December will reduce the number of teams from five to four. Subsequent performance reviews will take place every six months, with only two teams ultimately remaining by 2027 under what the ministry described as a “survival-based” system. The initiative reflects growing momentum in South Korea to assert greater technological independence in foundational AI — the large-scale models that underpin applications ranging from search and translation to robotics and advanced analytics. The move also echoes similar efforts in the European Union and China to build national alternatives to dominant platforms developed by U.S. tech giants. Analysts say the project signals Seoul’s intent not only to catch up in the global AI race, but to shape its own path in defining ethical, accessible, and nationally controlled AI systems. “It’s not just about building powerful models,” said Lee Jae-hyuk, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Policy. “It’s about defining what Korean AI looks like — and ensuring it reflects the country’s values, industries, and strategic priorities.” 2025-08-04 15:57:59
[[K-Tech]] Ground broken for South Korea's first renewable biofuel plant SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - LG Chem has begun construction on South Korea’s first hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production facility, marking a major step in the country’s push to expand its footprint in sustainable energy and materials. The plant, located in the coastal city of Seosan in South Chungcheong Province, is being developed by LG-Eni Biorefining, a joint venture between LG Chem and Italian energy company Eni. Completion is expected by 2027, the company said in a statement Monday. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce approximately 300,000 tons of HVO annually. The renewable fuel — made by hydrogenating plant-based oils such as used cooking oil — is seen as a next-generation alternative to fossil fuels, offering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while retaining high performance, especially in low temperatures. In addition to its use as a diesel substitute, HVO can be further refined into sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, and bio-naphtha. The latter is an increasingly valuable raw material in the petrochemical industry, particularly for producing ethylene, a core building block in plastics and other materials. LG Chem plans to integrate bio-naphtha into its existing product lines to expand its portfolio of environmentally certified goods. These include components for electronics, automotive parts, hygiene products, and sporting equipment — all of which are manufactured in compliance with international sustainability standards. “This facility will serve as a critical foundation for our transition toward low-carbon, high-efficiency materials,” said Shin Hak-cheol, CEO of LG Chem. “We will continue to drive technological innovation and commercialization in eco-friendly fuels and biomaterials to strengthen our global competitiveness.” The project builds on a strategic partnership announced in December 2024 between LG Chem and Enilive, a subsidiary of Eni. The Italian firm already operates HVO production sites in Italy with a combined annual capacity of 2 million tons and maintains extensive supply networks across Europe, Africa, and Asia. 2025-08-04 15:48:11