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  • SK hynix Invites 30,000 Partners and Families for ThanksFULL Day
    SK hynix Invites 30,000 Partners and Families for 'ThanksFULL Day' SK hynix is expanding its support for partner companies to include their employees and families. The company will invite approximately 30,000 people, including over 8,000 employees from partner firms, to express gratitude for their contributions to semiconductor competitiveness.On October 15, SK hynix will hold a 'ThanksFULL Day' at Seoul Land in Gyeonggi Province, inviting members and families from more than 130 key partner companies.The event's name reflects the company's intention to convey a full measure of thanks to the employees and families who have contributed to shared achievements. The program will feature family-friendly activities and events centered around the themes of 'togetherness' and 'gratitude.'CEO Kwak Noh-jung and other senior executives will attend the event, with key figures like Cha Sun-yong, head of the Future Technology Research Institute, and Lee Byeong-ki, head of mass production, welcoming attendees at the entrance.SK hynix views this event as an extension of its existing co-growth policies. In July, the company announced plans to enhance support for semiconductor material, parts, and equipment partners using a 1.4 trillion won co-growth fund over the next five years.In the technology sector, SK hynix operates an 'R&D Challenge Compensation System' to support partners facing financial burdens in research and development, as well as an 'IPR Sharing Support Center' for sharing patents. A 'Trinity Fab' will be established in the Yongin semiconductor cluster to facilitate joint research and development, set to open in 2027.Financial support will also continue. The company provides low-interest funds to partners through a co-growth fund and will make early payments of approximately 304.7 billion won for deliveries ahead of the Chuseok holiday to alleviate financial burdens during the festive season.This event focuses on expressing gratitude directly to the employees and families of partner companies who work alongside SK hynix, going beyond institutional support. Special programs, including a 3D craft model of a fab for child attendees, will also be available.CEO Kwak Noh-jung stated, "Partners are invaluable allies in building K-semiconductor competitiveness, and SK hynix's achievements could not have been realized without the efforts of partner employees who have worked hard on the ground. I sincerely thank the employees and their families while continuing to provide practical support to help partners enhance their technological competitiveness and achieve stable growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:44:00
  • Kim Young-ho of Samsung Electronics Service Wins Customer Satisfaction Award for Second Consecutive Year
    Kim Young-ho of Samsung Electronics Service Wins Customer Satisfaction Award for Second Consecutive Year Kim Young-ho, CEO of Samsung Electronics Service, has been awarded the Customer Satisfaction Award at the 2026 Korea Management Awards for the second consecutive year. His recognition comes as a result of expanding services that enhance customer convenience, including a nationwide appointment system for service centers and AI-based remote diagnostics.Samsung Electronics Service announced on September 17 that Kim was selected for the Customer Satisfaction Award in the CEO category at the 2026 Korea Management Awards, organized by the Korea Institute for Industrial Policy Studies.Since April, Samsung has implemented an appointment service at all service centers nationwide, allowing customers to schedule product inspections for their mobile phones and tablets at their preferred times. This service was initially piloted at select centers in September of last year before being rolled out across the country.The company is also enhancing its AI-based remote service. Through SmartThings, engineers can check product conditions and address some issues remotely without needing to visit in person. For customers in remote islands and mountainous areas, mobile service center vehicles are regularly deployed.This year, Samsung Electronics Service achieved first place for three consecutive years in the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) for electronic product after-sales service and also ranked first in three categories of the Korean Service Quality Index (KS-SQI) for home appliances, mobile phones, and computers.In disaster situations, the company deploys service personnel to assist. When wildfires or flooding occur, special service teams are sent to the affected areas to provide free inspections and repairs for damaged appliances. In August, a special service team was dispatched to assist with the heavy rainfall damage in the Gyeongnam region.Kim Young-ho stated, "Winning the Customer Satisfaction Award at the Korea Management Awards for two consecutive years is a result of all employees practicing our 'customer first' philosophy. We will continue to strive to provide services that satisfy our customers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:36:00
  • Samsung Electronics Expands AI Home Appliances Tailored to Local Markets
    Samsung Electronics Expands AI Home Appliances Tailored to Local Markets Samsung Electronics is targeting the global market with artificial intelligence (AI) home appliances tailored to local climates and lifestyles. In India, the company is showcasing cooling technologies suited for the hot and humid climate, along with family care features, while in Latin America, it emphasizes energy-saving capabilities and reduced household burdens to meet regional demands.On September 16, Samsung held the appliance tech seminar 'The Brief' in Gurugram, India, where it presented AI home appliance technologies reflecting local consumer needs and living environments.The event highlighted the 'Everyday AI Companion' strategy centered around the AI-based integrated platform 'SmartThings,' which aims to alleviate household burdens and manage energy efficiently. Attendees experienced features designed for India's climate and family-oriented lifestyle through demonstrations of air conditioners, kitchen appliances, and home care reliability.In the air conditioning demonstration area, Samsung introduced its Wind-Free technology, which cools without direct airflow, and showcased five airflow control technologies using the 'Bespoke AI Wind-Free Pro' with its 'Motion Blade' fan. The seminar also featured the 'Wearable Good Sleep' function, which adjusts the sleep environment based on users' sleep stages and body temperature changes in conjunction with Galaxy Watch and Ring devices.In the kitchen appliance segment, the 'Bespoke AI Family Hub' refrigerator demonstrated the 'Now Brief' feature, which provides personalized information, and the 'Family Care' function, which detects parents' appliance usage patterns to check on their well-being.Post-purchase management also utilizes AI and connectivity technologies. 'SmartThings Home Care' monitors appliance status and notifies users when it's time to replace filters or clean devices. With 'Home Remote Management (HRM),' professional consultants can analyze device conditions remotely and guide users on necessary actions.Samsung is expanding its region-specific AI appliance strategy to other markets. In August, it held tech seminars in São Paulo, Brazil, and on September 9 in Mexico City, where it introduced AI-based energy-saving and household burden-reducing features.Lee Sang-jik, Vice President of Samsung Electronics' DA Division, stated, "The true value of AI home appliances lies in enhancing consumers' daily lives and quality of life. We will continue to innovate by developing AI technologies that reflect regional environments and cultures, becoming a partner that provides practical value in everyday life."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:36:00
  • Michelin Two-Star Restaurant Fined for Serving Non-Approved Ants
    Michelin Two-Star Restaurant Fined for Serving Non-Approved Ants A Michelin two-star restaurant has been fined for serving dishes containing ants that were not approved for consumption.According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Western District Court sentenced the restaurant's owner, identified as Kim (41), to a fine of 15 million won on September 16 for violating food hygiene laws. The restaurant's operating corporation was also fined 10 million won.Kim and the corporation were accused of importing and serving dried ant products from the United States and Thailand in their dishes over a period of about four years starting in 2021.The issue arose because ants are not included in the list of insects permitted as food ingredients in South Korea. Current food hygiene laws recognize only ten types of insects as edible, and ants are not among them.During the trial, it was confirmed that the ants used in cooking and sales contained excessive levels of heavy metals.The court stated, "We must consider the purpose of the law, which is to prevent hygiene-related harm from food and to protect and promote public health," noting the detection of heavy metals above permissible levels in the ants as a factor in sentencing.However, the court opted for a fine rather than imprisonment, taking into account that Kim and the corporation acknowledged their wrongdoing and had no prior criminal record.Additionally, the court suggested that Kim and the corporation may not have been fully aware that ants were not permitted as food ingredients in South Korea, given that some regions abroad utilize ants as food.Earlier, prosecutors had requested a one-year prison sentence for Kim during the closing arguments on July 20. However, the court ultimately imposed a fine instead of a suspended prison sentence.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:32:20
  • POSCO Group Accelerates Triple-Core Strategy, Chairman Jang In-hwa Says Quick Execution is Key to Survival
    POSCO Group Accelerates 'Triple-Core' Strategy, Chairman Jang In-hwa Says Quick Execution is Key to Survival Jang In-hwa, chairman of POSCO Group, will focus on the execution of the group's future growth strategy, 'Triple-Core,' during the '2026 POSCO Forum' with all group executives.According to POSCO Group, the forum is a gathering of all executives to discuss future growth and innovation strategies while listening to insights from external experts.This year's forum, themed 'Seize Future Value in a New Competitive Landscape,' will take place over two days starting September 17 at the Songdo POSCO Global R&D Center. It aims to concretize the execution plans for the Triple-Core strategy announced in July and derive solutions for securing future value.The forum will consist of three sessions: how the competitive landscape is changing, where and how to compete and grow, and how to complete the transformation. Each session will feature lectures, discussions, and panel talks led by top experts in their respective fields.Chairman Jang stated, 'In this transformative period marked by geopolitical restructuring and shifts in technological paradigms, quick execution is the key to survival.' He emphasized the need to read the direction of change, prepare adequately, and find clear answers on how quickly to adapt in order to successfully implement the Triple-Core strategy and expand resource-centric operations. He urged, 'Let us open new paths for growth with bold goals and decisive execution.'Jang also highlighted key tasks, including the localization strategy for steel, securing major markets for lithium and rare earths, and the buffering role of energy businesses. He noted that differentiated growth logic should be applied, considering the varying management environments of each business.Dominic Barton, chairman of Rio Tinto, will deliver the keynote address, analyzing the impact of geopolitical and technological changes on corporate value. He will present strategic insights for POSCO Group based on global companies that have achieved remarkable growth through portfolio restructuring and focused investments.Subsequent sessions will explore strategies and case studies from leading companies that are creating new success formulas amid the restructuring of the global industrial order, as well as examining the potential applications of physical AI in autonomous manufacturing technologies and ways to enhance future value.Through this forum, POSCO Group plans to clarify its future direction and derive a mid-term execution agenda.Previously, at the 'CEO Investor Day,' POSCO Group announced its vision to transform its business portfolio centered on resources, expanding beyond steel to include lithium and energy, and to emerge as a key national resource supplier through the Triple-Core strategy.A POSCO Group official stated, 'We will accelerate the transition to a resource-centric portfolio and solidify our future growth foundation through enhanced supply chain resilience, technological innovation, and corporate value enhancement.'Meanwhile, POSCO Group is also speeding up its business restructuring in line with the Triple-Core strategy. It is promoting the localization of steel production through an electric arc furnace plant in Louisiana, USA, while expanding its supply chain for key resources such as lithium and rare earths to strengthen its resource-centric business portfolio.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:32:00
  • Market Preview: Fed Signals Further Rate Hikes, Increasing KOSPI Volatility
    Market Preview: Fed Signals Further Rate Hikes, Increasing KOSPI Volatility The U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates for the first time in over three years and its indication of potential further increases have raised concerns about increased volatility in the domestic stock market. Following a decline in the New York stock market, rising U.S. Treasury yields and a stronger dollar are expected to weigh on investor sentiment.On September 16, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 631.21 points (1.21%) at 51,461.90 on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 fell 33.92 points (0.45%) to finish at 7,551.81, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 3.15 points (0.01%) to close at 25,978.43.Initially, the New York market showed gains, but it reversed course following the Fed's interest rate decision. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, marking the first increase since July 2023.All 12 FOMC members unanimously supported the rate hike. With the Fed leaving the door open for additional rate increases this year, market participants are increasingly cautious about the potential for further tightening.U.S. Treasury yields also rose, with the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield surpassing 5% during trading. The dollar strengthened, with the Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar against six major currencies, rising 0.6% to 100.21.International oil prices fell after a recent surge, as news of Saudi Arabia's diversion of oil supplies led to a partial reversal of gains. October futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil settled at $102.43 per barrel, down 3.21% from the previous trading day.According to Seo Sang-young, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, "As Fed Chair Kevin Warsh continued to emphasize inflation, his somewhat hawkish remarks led to a strengthening of the dollar and a rise in interest rates, causing the indices to turn downward."Attention is now focused on whether the potential for further tightening by the Fed will impact investor sentiment in the domestic market. As of 8:17 a.m. on September 16, shares of Samsung Electronics were up 0.39% compared to the previous trading day. In contrast, SK Hynix fell 0.06%, SK Square dropped 0.20%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics declined 0.51%, and LG Energy Solution decreased by 0.27%.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "We should prepare for the possibility of an additional rate hike this year, as the domestic market is likely to experience increased volatility while digesting the hawkish signals from the September FOMC."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:32:00
  • Samsung Launches One UI 9 Update with AI Features to Combat Voice Phishing
    Samsung Launches 'One UI 9' Update with AI Features to Combat Voice Phishing Samsung Electronics has begun rolling out its latest user interface software update, 'One UI 9,' starting in South Korea and expanding to global markets. The update will first be available for the Galaxy S26 series, with plans to broaden support to additional devices. According to Samsung on September 17, One UI 9 enhances usability across different form factors and offers improved Galaxy AI and personalized features through the recent update. New features include 'My FanCam,' which automatically tracks specific individuals in videos and centers them on the screen, and a 'Warranty and Care' menu that integrates device warranty checks, self-diagnosis, estimated repair costs, Samsung Care+ management, and service center reservations. Existing features have also been significantly improved. The 'Now Brief' function now allows users to create personalized briefing cards. 'Now Nudge' automatically suggests appointment information or location sharing during conversations. The 'Creative Studio' assists in generating images tailored to important schedules. The 'Interpretation' feature has been upgraded with a 'Thread View' to track conversation flow, and translation speed has been enhanced. The 'Scan' function now includes improved document correction for curved pages and a finger eraser feature. The 'Voice Recording' function organizes summaries into structured formats, including titles and table layouts. Security measures have also been significantly strengthened. A new 'Security Brief' summarizes security issues, and an on-device AI-based 'Privacy Protection Notification' has been added. The number of countries supported for 'Voice Phishing Alert' notifications has increased. In South Korea, a new technology has been implemented to detect AI-modulated voices in calls, providing real-time pop-ups and alerts to block potential voice phishing attempts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:32:00
  • CJ OliveNetworks to Enhance AI Recruitment for New Hires in Second Half of 2026
    CJ OliveNetworks to Enhance AI Recruitment for New Hires in Second Half of 2026 CJ OliveNetworks announced plans to implement AI competency assessments in its recruitment process for new hires in the second half of 2026, aiming to secure 'AI native talent.' The company intends to select candidates with both job-specific expertise and the ability to utilize AI in response to the industry's overall AI transformation (AX).The company revealed its public recruitment for new employees on September 17, 2026. The positions available include roles in AI, data, software, digital transformation (DX), ERP, information security, infrastructure services, cloud, network services, and AI video product planning. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 30 through the CJ Group recruitment website.AI engineers will support AX across various industries by developing generative AI and agent-based services. Data engineers will be responsible for building and operating the group’s data platform. DX engineers will develop systems and services for key CJ Group businesses, including food and food services, logistics and new retail, and entertainment and media.This recruitment drive focuses on selecting 'AI native talent.' The goal is to find individuals who can use AI as a fundamental tool in their work, identify new opportunities independently, and demonstrate their achievements.To facilitate this, the company has completely overhauled its coding test process and introduced an 'AI competency assessment test' for all positions. Candidates for development roles will take a 'vibe coding test' that evaluates their ability to collaborate with AI to produce tangible results. Non-development roles will undergo an 'AI utilization competency test' to assess how effectively they can leverage AI in work scenarios.The recruitment process will consist of document screening, the AI competency assessment test, and two rounds of interviews. Candidates who pass the second interview will undergo an internship evaluation within three weeks, with final acceptance confirmed in January 2027. To assist applicants in understanding the roles, an online recruitment briefing featuring hiring managers and job seniors will be held on September 28.In addition to hiring new employees, CJ OliveNetworks is linking its youth AI talent development program to recruitment efforts. The company participates in the 'K-New Deal Academy' by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the 'Future Tomorrow Work Experience' project, offering AI education and internship programs for young people.Lee Yong-wook, head of HR at CJ OliveNetworks, stated, "In an era where AI is fundamental to how we work, we have restructured our recruitment process to discover AI native talent. We look forward to receiving interest and applications from individuals who want to grow with CJ OliveNetworks, leading the AX of the industry and finding new opportunities through AI." CJ OliveNetworks aims to strengthen its capabilities in AI, big data, and cloud technology, with a goal of becoming one of the top five AX and DX companies in South Korea by 2030, coinciding with its 30th anniversary last year. In the first half of this year, the company strategically enhanced its AI sector and expanded its recruitment of related talent, outlining the responsibilities of AI engineers to include language AI, physical AI, and agent-based application service development. The introduction of the AI competency assessment test for all positions marks a significant step in integrating AI utilization capabilities into the recruitment process.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:28:00
  • Korean Music Copyright Association Enhances Royalty Distribution System
    Korean Music Copyright Association Enhances Royalty Distribution System The Korea Music Copyright Association has improved its matching system, a key step in the royalty distribution process. Some operations have become up to 1,200 times faster.According to the association on September 17, the large-scale matching of works has been reduced from the previous 3-4 days to under one hour, while matching rights holders for overseas royalties has decreased from about 10 hours to under 30 seconds. This represents an improvement of at least 72 times and up to 1,200 times in processing speed.To distribute royalties, the association must connect music usage data received from users on platforms like YouTube and Netflix with the information on works and rights holders it manages.The matching of works involves identifying potential matches by comparing song titles, artist names, and album names, while rights holder matching connects overseas royalties to actual rights holders who are members of the association.Previously, even the same song could be entered with different spacing, English spellings, artist names, or subtitles, necessitating repeated searches and comparisons of large datasets. As a result, matching works took several days, and matching rights holders for overseas royalties averaged about 10 hours.The association has revamped the system through in-house development. Instead of repeatedly requesting calculations from the database, the system now directly compares the similarity of music information, optimizing both the candidate search method and the data processing process.By processing multiple data points and reducing unnecessary additional searches once a certain level of similarity is reached, the association has been able to decrease processing times. This allows for more music usage data to be verified within the same distribution schedule and enables additional checks on unmatched data that were not automatically linked. This is expected to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of royalty distribution.In the future, the association plans to refine its ability to recognize differences in artist names and featuring credits, and it will consider matching methods that reflect the linguistic characteristics of Hangul, such as initial, medial, and final sounds. The goal is to develop a system that meets global standards for use in collecting and distributing overseas royalties.Lee Si-ha, president of the Korea Music Copyright Association, stated, "The speed and accuracy of the distribution system are directly related to the royalties that members should receive. In a situation where music usage data is rapidly increasing, it is necessary to continuously improve the system structure, as stable processing is difficult with existing methods."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:24:00
  • SK Securities: HD Hyundai Marine Solutions to Benefit from Engine Expansion, Target Price Set at 340,000 Won
    SK Securities: HD Hyundai Marine Solutions to Benefit from Engine Expansion, Target Price Set at 340,000 Won SK Securities stated that HD Hyundai Marine Solutions is expected to be a major beneficiary of the expanded production capacity of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' HiMSEN engines. The firm maintained a 'Buy' rating and a target price of 340,000 won.Han Seung-han, a researcher at SK Securities, noted, "The key to stock price momentum lies not in short-term performance but in the long-term growth trajectory, which is expanding from a focus on ships to include data centers (DC)." He projected that the after-market (AM) services for land power generation engines, based on the increased production capacity of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' four-stroke engines, will lead to stable high profitability for HD Hyundai Marine Solutions. The operating profit margin for this business is estimated to be around 50-60%.He specifically forecasted that maintenance performance would rapidly expand following the full-scale supply of land power generation engines. The 1GW supply from HD Hyundai Engines is expected to begin in 2027-2028, while the 3GW supply from the Ulsan new plant is set to start in the fourth quarter of 2028. Consequently, maintenance revenue and profits are anticipated to significantly increase starting in 2030, three years after delivery.The shorter maintenance cycle for data center engines compared to ships is also seen as a factor for performance growth. The expected maintenance cycle for data center engines is three years, shorter than the five years for ships, with approximately 30% of engine sales expected to come from maintenance revenue every three years. Assuming a 25-year operational period for data centers, the total maintenance revenue could amount to 2.5 times the engine sales revenue for HD Hyundai Marine Solutions.SK Securities also expects continued growth in performance. The firm forecasts that HD Hyundai Marine Solutions' operating profit will rise from 415.8 billion won this year to 516.4 billion won in 2027 and 655 billion won in 2028. The operating profit margin is also projected to increase from 17.2% to 18.8% and then to 20.8% during the same period.Han identified the floating data center (FDC) retrofit business as a new growth driver. With the recent increase in demand for FDCs from hyperscalers, HD Hyundai Marine Solutions is currently in discussions regarding inquiries related to this business. He anticipates that the FDC retrofit business will become a new growth engine in the eco-friendly solutions sector, based on its shorter lead time compared to new builds.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-17 08:24:00