Industry

  • SK hynix expands AI chip capacity with new $14 billion plant in Cheongju
    SK hynix expands AI chip capacity with new $14 billion plant in Cheongju SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - SK hynix will invest about 19 trillion won ($14 billion) to build a new advanced semiconductor packaging plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, in a move to meet surging global demand for high-bandwidth memory. The South Korean chipmaker said Tuesday that the investment will bolster its next-generation memory competitiveness, particularly in HBM, a critical component for AI data centers, while aligning with the government’s push for more balanced regional January 13, 2026
  • Despite equally chip-strong, South Korea overtaken by Taiwan in per capita GDP
    Despite equally chip-strong, South Korea overtaken by Taiwan in per capita GDP SEOUL, January 11 (AJP) Stronger economic growth and a stable currency allowed Taiwan to overtake South Korea in per capita gross domestic product last year, with the gap expected to persist this year, according to government data and economic forecasts released Sunday. South Korea’s per capita GDP in 2025 is estimated at $36,107, down 0.3 percent from the previous year, marking its first decline in three years. The drop reflects weak growth and a sharp depreciation of the won, government January 11, 2026
  • South Korea targets 2% growth, betting on boosted private consumption
    South Korea targets 2% growth, betting on boosted private consumption SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - South Korea's economy is forecast to grow 2 percent this year, on the back of rising consumer spending and a recovery in construction investment following a prolonged slump, the government projected at a televised meeting of economic officials at the government complex in central Seoul on Friday It also pledged to make this year the starting point for an "economic leap" and to draw up a master plan for spurring growth and narrowing economic gaps. To achie January 9, 2026
  • Koreas growth reliant on IT sector as inflation risks linger: BOK chief
    Korea's growth reliant on IT sector as inflation risks linger: BOK chief SEOUL, January 02 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy would grow just 1.4 percent this year if the information technology sector were excluded, the country’s central bank chief said Friday, warning that uneven recovery across industries could leave households feeling worse off than headline growth figures suggest. Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong said in a New Year’s message that overall economic growth is projected at 1.8 percent this year, up from 1 percent last year and clo January 2, 2026
  • Koreas exports hit record $709.7 billion in 2025 as chip shipments surge to all-time high
    Korea's exports hit record $709.7 billion in 2025 as chip shipments surge to all-time high SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports hit an all-time high in 2025, surpassing $700 billion for the first time, driven by record semiconductor shipments despite weakening demand in key overseas markets. According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to $709.7 billion, topping the previous record set in 2024. Average daily exports also reached a historic high of $2.64 billion. Semiconductor exports January 1, 2026
  • US softens export curbs on chip equipment for Samsung, SK hynix plants in China
    US softens export curbs on chip equipment for Samsung, SK hynix plants in China SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The United States has decided to partially ease planned restrictions on shipments of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix plants in China, helping the South Korean chipmakers avoid immediate and significant operational disruptions, industry officials said on Tuesday. Washington had been preparing to revoke the companies’ broad export authorization status and require case-by-case approvals for each shipment of U.S.-made equipm December 30, 2025
  • UPDATE: Koreas factory output rebounds on chips, domestic front remains slack
    UPDATE: Korea's factory output rebounds on chips, domestic front remains slack *Updated with additional information and market response SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s factory output rebounded in November after two consecutive monthly contractions, supported by a sharp pickup in semiconductor production and increased facility investment linked to AI-driven chip demand, government data showed Tuesday. Mining and manufacturing output rose 0.6 percent from the previous month, reversing declines of 4.2 percent in October and 1.0 percent in September, according December 30, 2025
  • South Koreas Mirae Industries signs $7.5 million chip equipment supply deal
    South Korea's Mirae Industries signs $7.5 million chip equipment supply deal SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Mirae Industries, a South Korean manufacturer of semiconductor back-end process equipment, said on Monday it has signed an additional supply contract worth $7.5 million with Unimos Micro Electronics for semiconductor inspection equipment. In a regulatory filing, the company said the contract is equivalent to 37.7 percent of its 27 billion won in revenue recorded last year. Mirae Industries said the latest order reflects the results of its efforts to expand overseas m December 22, 2025
  • Koreas producer prices accelerate as fuel and chip cost jump
    Korea's producer prices accelerate as fuel and chip cost jump SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) -South Korea’s producer prices accelerated in November despite easing international commodity prices, driven by a weaker won and a spike in semiconductor production costs. The producer price index (PPI) rose 0.3 percent from the previous month to 121.31 in November (2020 = 100), extending gains since September, the Bank of Korea said. From a year earlier, the index increased 1.9 percent, accelerating from a 1.6 percent rise in October. By category, prices of ag December 19, 2025
  • SK hynix mulls ADR listing in US
    SK hynix mulls ADR listing in US SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea's memory giant SK hynix is deliberating to list its treasury shares on a U.S. stock market in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to further bolster its corporate value. In a disclosure responding to the Korea Exchange's request on ADR rumors, the company said Wednesday it would report further details within a month. Shares in Seoul opened 4 percent higher at 588,500 won ($400) upon the disclosure posted before the market opening and cl December 10, 2025