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POSCO begins first-ever strike with 48-hour partial walkout SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - Unionized workers at POSCO began a partial strike on Wednesday, marking the steelmaker's first strike since its founding in 1968. The 48-hour strike comes despite several rounds of talks between the union and management to narrow differences over wages and other labor conditions. The strike halted all production lines at a pickling plant in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, and some lines at a steel sheet plant in Pohang, North Gyengsang Province. These plants produce and process steel used in various industrial applications including high-end electrical steel. The union had earlier threatened to strike unless the steelmaker came up with a revised offer, warning that further action could follow if its demands were not met. It is seeking a 7.1-percent increase in base pay and an incentive payment equivalent to 600 percent of annual salaries, while management has offered a 2-percent increase with a payment of 3.5 million won (US$2,500). The union secured the legal right to strike after mediation by the National Labor Relations Commission, a quasi-judicial agency that resolves labor and management disputes, broke down, while about 92.2 percent of union members backed the walkout. POSCO president Lee Hee-geun met with union members in Pohang earlier this week, but the two sides failed to narrow their differences. The steelmaker said there would be no major disruptions to overall production as it has prepared contingency measures including replacement workers, but prolonged strikes could eventually affect the production of cold-rolled, galvanized and electrical steel sheets. AJP Takeaways - POSCO workers began a 48-hour partial strike on Sept. 9, 2026, marking the steelmaker's first strike since its founding in 1968. - The union is demanding a 7.1-percent base-pay increase and incentives equivalent to 600 percent of annual salaries, while POSCO has offered a 2-percent increase and a 3.5 million won payment. - The strike has halted some production lines in Gwangyang and Pohang, but POSCO expects no major immediate disruption; prolonged industrial action could affect production of cold-rolled, galvanized and electrical steel sheets. 2026-09-09 09:52:31 -
Hyundai Motor Group Donates $500,000 for Flood Recovery in Nepal and Tibet Hyundai Motor Group announced it is providing $500,000 in relief funds for recovery efforts in Nepal and Tibet, which have been severely affected by recent floods.The funds will be distributed through the Korean Red Cross and will be used for local relief activities and recovery efforts. Hyundai Motor Group has a history of supporting large-scale natural disaster relief efforts abroad. This year, it has provided funds and essential supplies in response to disasters including the earthquake in Venezuela in July, the California wildfires in 2025, and the earthquakes and floods in Morocco, Libya, and Turkey in 2023.A representative from Hyundai Motor Group expressed condolences to those affected by the sudden floods in Nepal and Tibet, stating, "We hope this assistance will help in the swift recovery of the affected areas."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:48:10 -
Hyundai Donates 10 X-ble Shoulders to Support National Heritage Care Hyundai Motor Company is taking the lead in supporting national heritage care projects with industrial wearable robots. On September 8, Hyundai held a donation ceremony for 10 units of the 'X-ble Shoulder' at the Haenggung-dong Administrative Welfare Center and the historic Hwaeryeongjeon. This donation is part of the company's social contribution efforts to support the national heritage care initiative led by the Cultural Heritage Administration. There has been a consistent need to reduce the physical strain and safety risks faced by caretakers managing national heritage sites. This is due to the repetitive tasks involved in maintaining these sites, which often require raising arms repeatedly. The X-ble Shoulder is expected to alleviate shoulder fatigue and enhance safety for these workers. Developed by Hyundai and Kia's Robotics Lab, the X-ble Shoulder is a passive wearable robot designed to assist shoulder strength. It features a maximum reduction of 60% in shoulder joint burden, can be used continuously without a battery, and is made from vehicle-grade materials, making it both strong and lightweight (approximately 1.9 kg). The donated X-ble Shoulders will be distributed to cultural heritage care centers in Gyeonggi, North Chungcheong, Northern Gyeongsang, and Western South Jeolla. Caretakers will wear the devices while performing their duties in managing national heritage. A Hyundai representative stated, "We will continue to support efforts to pass down our precious cultural heritage to future generations." Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its robotics product line, including the X-ble Shoulder and the autonomous mobility robot 'Mobed.' The company plans to broaden the practical applications of wearable robots aimed at reducing the physical burden in industrial settings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:48:00
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Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin Denies Pre-selection for Reconstruction Districts Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin emphasized on September 8 that there is no pre-selection of specific areas for the second phase of reconstruction districts, reiterating that the decision will be made through a fair and transparent process.In a statement, Mayor Shin dismissed rumors circulating in some real estate communities and online forums regarding a 'pre-selection for the second phase of reconstruction districts,' stating, "This is completely untrue."This response comes after reports suggested that Mayor Shin had indicated certain areas had already been pre-selected ahead of an official announcement scheduled for the end of September.Mayor Shin clarified, "I have never made any statements suggesting that specific areas or sites were pre-selected before the official announcement of the second phase of reconstruction districts."He further asserted, "The selection of reconstruction districts is not a project that is pursued by pre-determining specific complexes or areas. It must be conducted fairly and transparently according to relevant laws, public solicitation procedures, and established evaluation criteria."He added, "Claims that specific sites were selected before the official selection process is inconsistent with Seongnam's administrative procedures. It is clearly wrong to spread information as if I made statements I did not make to the citizens."Mayor Shin also pointed out that unfounded pre-selection rumors could foster distrust among citizens regarding the selection of districts and exacerbate regional conflicts. He stated, "Seongnam City will not be swayed by any external pressure or baseless claims and will proceed with the selection process according to established principles and procedures."Currently, Mayor Shin is verifying the specific content and dissemination channels of the posts in question.Additionally, he remarked, "I will not take lightly the act of posting unverified information as if it were true or distorting my statements. If necessary, I will consider pursuing civil and criminal liability under relevant laws for defamation and other related issues."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:48:00
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KAI Showcases Next-Generation Fighter Jets in Poland to Target European Market Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is expanding its presence in the European market by showcasing its next-generation fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) linked to the KF-21 at the 34th International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2026) in Kielce, Poland.KAI announced on September 9 that it is participating in the exhibition, which runs from September 8 to 11, featuring around 900 companies from approximately 35 countries. MSPO has been held since 1993 and integrates land, sea, and air defense.At the exhibition, KAI unveiled a future combat system zone that integrates the KF-21 with unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and multipurpose drones (AAP), along with low-orbit communication satellites, forming a next-generation air combat system (NACS). This presentation included a roadmap for the phased development of domestic fighter jets aimed at evolving into sixth-generation aircraft.In the FA-50 zone, KAI displayed the FA-50 model linked with AAP and introduced its performance expansion capabilities through a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) approach. The FA-50 entered the European market after securing an export contract for 48 units with Poland in 2022.In the rotary-wing section, KAI showcased the MUM-T application of the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) with air-launched drones (ALE). Following the completion of system development for the MAH in August, KAI is also targeting the European helicopter replacement market.Previously, KAI opened a base office at the Minsk Air Base in Poland in 2023 to provide technical support for the FA-50 project. Last June, it established a European subsidiary in Warsaw to further expand its market presence.KAI plans to explore follow-up business opportunities in Poland while seeking new projects in European countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia, which have demands for fighter jet replacements.Kim Ji-hong, KAI's vice president, stated, "The performance and reliability of domestic aircraft, proven with the FA-50 in Europe, are generating interest in the KF-21, which is set for its first delivery to our Air Force in the second half of the year. We will continue to strengthen the presence of domestic aircraft across Europe, using Poland as a base."Additionally, KAI recently completed the system development of the domestic Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) designed to support amphibious operations. The MAH is an attack helicopter based on the domestic Surion utility helicopter, incorporating weapon system technologies acquired during the development of the LAH.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:40:00
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Naver courts France in widening global AI push SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - Naver proposed that French companies join it in building artificial intelligence computing complexes for the European market, widening a drive that has carried South Korea's largest internet firm into India and Saudi Arabia this year. Chief Executive Choi Soo-yeon made the pitch at a Korea-France business roundtable in Paris Monday (local time), held during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit. "We want to combine France's stable energy base and Naver's experience in the AI ecosystem to build an AI factory that European companies and startups can use," she said. Naver unveiled the project, which it calls an AI factory, with Nvidia Corp. in June. Brookfield Asset Management will commit up to $9 billion through a special purpose vehicle for a first 200-megawatt phase, and Nvidia has taken a $1 billion equity stake in Naver. Choi told the roundtable that Naver would help French firms and institutions build industry specific systems, citing BOKI, a finance model developed with the Bank of Korea. The company also pitched Hy-NuRI, a reactor model built with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power that runs cut off from outside networks. Naver separately signed a memorandum of understanding with France's National Audiovisual Institute to apply its AI to the institute's audiovisual archives. The company invested in Mistral AI in 2024 and operates Naver Labs Europe, a research center in Grenoble. Naver signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Consultancy Services in New Delhi on April 20 to explore AI, cloud and consumer service business in India. Naver Cloud's Saudi joint venture, Naver Innovation, signed further agreements at the LEAP 2026 technology show that ran in Riyadh through Sept. 3. Naver Webtoon has drawn more than 2 million readers in France with over 70 original titles, the company said. Choi presented a $100 million intellectual property adaptation fund at the Lumiere Summit in Saint Paul de Vence on Sept. 7. AJP Takeaways - Naver proposed on Sept. 8, 2026, that French companies jointly build AI computing complexes in Europe, speaking at a Korea-France business roundtable in Paris held during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to France. - Naver's AI factory project, announced with Nvidia in June 2026, covers a first 200-megawatt phase backed by up to $9 billion arranged by Brookfield Asset Management and a $1 billion equity investment from Nvidia. - Naver signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Tata Consultancy Services in New Delhi on April 20, 2026, and its Saudi joint venture Naver Innovation exchanged eight agreements at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh in early September 2026. 2026-09-09 09:37:05 -
DB HiTek Verifies World's First 8-Inch SiC Foundry Process, Aiming for Mass Production in 2027 DB HiTek has completed reliability verification of the world's first 8-inch wafer-based 1200V silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor foundry process. As the SiC market shifts from 6-inch to 8-inch wafers to enhance cost competitiveness, the company is ramping up efforts to secure customers ahead of mass production in 2027.On September 9, DB HiTek announced the completion of reliability verification for its 8-inch 1200V SiC MOSFET process. The company explained that it has established a foundry system capable of supporting everything from design to wafer manufacturing, electrical characteristic evaluation, and reliability verification.SiC is a next-generation power semiconductor material that is more resistant to high temperatures and high voltages than traditional silicon, making it suitable for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and industrial power equipment. Transitioning from 6-inch to 8-inch wafers is seen as a key shift that can increase the number of chips produced per wafer, thereby lowering SiC prices.DB HiTek provides its self-developed 1st and 2nd generation 1200V SiC MOSFET process design kits (PDK) to its clients. The PDK is a bundle of design rules and models that allows customers to design chips compatible with the foundry process. The company believes this will accelerate prototype production for clients, reducing the overall development time by more than a year.The 2nd generation process has achieved characteristics of resistivity below 2.5 mΩ·cm² and a threshold voltage above 3V. A 3rd generation PDK, which will lower resistivity to below 2.3 mΩ·cm², is set to be released in November.The SiC business is a core component of DB HiTek's strategy to transform its existing 8-inch foundry into a high-value power semiconductor hub. The company aims to increase the revenue share of high-value products in AI data centers, automotive, and industrial applications from 24% in 2025 to 60% by 2030, with a target of expanding total revenue to 1.8 trillion won.Starting in the third quarter of this year, DB HiTek plans to prioritize providing the process to existing partner clients, with plans to expand services to all customers by the second quarter of 2027. Recently, the company has participated in power semiconductor exhibitions in Europe and India to seek new customers for SiC and gallium nitride (GaN).A DB HiTek official stated, "The completion of this reliability verification signifies that we have secured the core process technology and mass production foundation for the world's first 8-inch SiC foundry service. We will prepare for 8-inch SiC mass production in 2027 without any setbacks and expand our competitiveness in the next-generation power semiconductor foundry market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:36:00
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LG Uplus Hosts U+ TECH PLUS Event to Connect with Future Tech Talent LG Uplus announced on September 9 that it held the U+ TECH PLUS event on September 7 at its headquarters in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, to connect with future technology talent. The event featured 23 sessions covering topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), networks, and software (SW).U+ TECH PLUS is an event where LG Uplus technology experts share their research and development experiences and real-world challenges with external talent. This year marks the fourth iteration of the event, which began in 2023. More than 500 participants attended, including LG Uplus employees, graduate students, and professors.The event specifically invited graduate students from key technology fields to enhance collaboration between university research labs and industry, broadening the connection with tech talent.Panel discussions on organizational culture and networking programs were also held. Attendees asked LG Uplus members about their roles, necessary skills, and career development paths.One graduate student remarked, "I was able to see the technical challenges and problem-solving processes that professionals deal with in their actual work."LG Uplus plans to expand its engagement with research talent in key technology areas and strengthen collaboration with university research labs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:28:10
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Shinhan Card Develops AI Engine for Optimal Financial Product Recommendations Shinhan Card is embarking on the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) engine designed to recommend optimal financial products. On September 9, Shinhan Card announced that it has been selected for the '2026 Public-Private Joint Technology Commercialization Research and Development (R&D) Phase 3 Project' organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, marking the official start of the AI engine development. The technology focuses on enabling AI to search for financial products on behalf of customers, compare conditions, and select suitable options. This initiative aims to prepare for the expansion of the 'agent commerce' market, where AI agents will handle purchasing and financial decision-making. To prevent AI from providing inaccurate answers or overlooking certain conditions, Shinhan Card plans to structure the AI's ability to explore various terms included in financial products, policies, and regulations. This approach will allow for real-time updates to AI judgments whenever product or regulatory conditions change. Initially, the developed technology will be applied to financial product recommendation tasks, with plans to expand its use to risk management, marketing, and customer consultation. The technology development and validation will be conducted in collaboration with AI infrastructure company Connector. A Shinhan Card representative stated, "It is crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial decision-making even in an environment where AI makes independent judgments and actions. We plan to continuously enhance AI-based financial services."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:28:00
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Hana Bank Launches Dedicated Personal Investment Bonds for Retirement Pensions Hana Bank announced on September 9 that it has launched a dedicated product allowing individuals to directly purchase government bonds through defined contribution (DC) and individual retirement pension (IRP) accounts.The dedicated personal investment bonds for retirement pensions are savings bonds issued by the government to support individuals in building long-term assets. By using a Hana Bank retirement pension account, customers can invest in bonds without needing a separate dedicated account.Investors can choose from 10-year and 20-year bonds, with purchases starting at 100,000 won. If held until maturity, the bonds will earn compound interest, with an additional interest rate added to the nominal rate.Investors can also benefit from tax advantages associated with retirement pension accounts. Taxes on interest earned from bond investments are deferred until withdrawal, potentially increasing the compound interest effect over time. After the age of 55, receiving the accumulated funds in the form of a pension will subject the income to lower pension income tax rates, reducing the tax burden.Bonds will be issued on the 20th of each month. This month’s subscription period runs from September 9 to September 15. Subscriptions can be made at Hana Bank branches this month, and starting next month, they will also be available through the official mobile application, Hana OneQ.A Hana Bank representative stated, "We will continue to expand our retirement pension product lineup and asset management services to meet the diverse investment preferences and retirement preparation needs of our customers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:24:20