SK hynix redefines chip profit with 72% margin on HBM supremacy SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) -Regardless of the headline figures, SK hynix reigns as the most profitable chipmaker in the world and will likely stay so through the year as it consolidates leadership in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) critical to the AI transition through aggressive spending from its enhanced firepower. The Korean pure-play memory maker will test upgraded HBM4E prototypes in the second half for potential rollout next year depending on client demand, according to executives du April 23, 2026

Korea's 'Haegung' naval missile secures first export deal with Malaysia SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s domestically developed naval missile “Haegung” has been exported for the first time, with a supply contract signed with Malaysia worth about $94 million. LIG D&A said Wednesday it had signed the deal with Malaysia’s defense ministry on the sidelines of the DSA 2026 defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, as Malaysia’s navy moves forward with modernization efforts, opening new opportunities in the Southeast Asian mar April 23, 2026

SK hynix Q1 profit nearly doubles from last best Q4 to record $25 bn SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - SK hynix, a front-runner in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips designed for AI accelerators, delivered its best-yet quarter ended March with its three-month operating profit nearly doubled from the previous best and its top-line also at a record high. According to its disclosure Thursday, SK hynix’s quarterly operating profit of 37.61 trillion won ($25.4 billion) came in well above the market consensus of 34.9 trillion won compiled by FnGuide, nearly do April 23, 2026

Korea auto industry calls for tax incentives as Chinese EV share hits 33.9 percent SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) — After dominating the rechargeable bus market, smaller electrified four wheels of Chinese origin are rapidly proliferating on South Korean roads. Chinese brands accounted for 33.9 percent of Korea's electric vehicle market in 2025, up sharply from 4.7 percent in 2022, according to a report presented at the Automobile & Mobility Industry Development Forum hosted by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Industry Association (KAMA) in Seoul. Over April 22, 2026

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signs deal to supply power equipment for US data center SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a mega contract to supply power-generation equipment to U.S. energy solutions company Aperion Energy Group, the shipbuilder said on Wednesday. Under the contract, worth 627.1 billion Korean won (US$424 million), which is the largest of its kind the shipbuilder has ever signed, the equipment with a total capacity of 684 megawatts based on its HiMSEN engines will be installed at the Texas-based company's data center, April 22, 2026

Automakers to recall over 500,000 vehicles due to defective parts SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - About half a million vehicles will be recalled due to defective parts, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Wednesday. The country's largest automaker Hyundai Motor will recall about 239,683 units across four models including the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Ioniq 6 electric sedan, as well as its luxury brand Genesis' G90. The recall, set to begin on June 4, follows a similar recall in the U.S. earlier this mont April 22, 2026

USFK commander warns against 'political expediency' in wartime opcon transfer SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea (USFK), warned Tuesday that “political expediency should not outpace the conditions” in discussions over the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), as Seoul pushes to complete the transition within the current administration. Testifying before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Brunson stressed that the focus should remain on meeting the necessary requirements rather tha April 22, 2026

LG AI Research, NVIDIA to co-develop specialized AI models, deepen tech alliance SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - LG AI Research and U.S. chipmaker NVIDIA will deepen their technology alliance to co-develop specialized artificial intelligence models. Executives from both companies, including LG AI Research Co-head Lim Woo-hyung and NVIDIA’s Vice President of Applied Deep Learning Research Bryan Catanzaro, met at LG's research headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss joint AI ecosystem strategies. Under the agreement, the companies will combine L April 22, 2026

Korea's Hanwha expands partnership with Alberta for submarine bid in Canada SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) -South Korea's Hanwha Group pitching for a $40 billion submarine program in Canada is widening its support base across the North American country to win favor against its European competition. Hanwha Group is expanding cooperation with the Canadian province of Alberta across key industries including energy, defense and shipbuilding as it seeks to broaden local industrial partnerships and economic cooperation tied to Hanwha Ocean’s bid for Canada&rsq April 22, 2026

Hyundai Motor's Q1 earnings to reflect tariff and war costs  SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor is expected to post a sharp drop in first-quarter earnings, as rising tariff burdens, war-related disruptions and currency-driven costs squeeze margins despite relatively resilient global demand. According to data compiled by FnGuide, the automaker’s operating profit is forecast at 2.4 trillion to 2.6 trillion won, down 38 to 50 percent from a year earlier. The company is set to report results on Thursday. The downgrade reflects inte April 21, 2026