Samsung Display rolls out 360Hz QD-OLED with new pixel structure as high-end monitor competition intensifies SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - Samsung Display has begun mass supply of a 34-inch QD-OLED monitor panel featuring a newly designed “V-Stripe” pixel structure, as panel makers race to differentiate performance in the premium gaming and productivity market. The company said it started shipping the panels in December to seven global manufacturers, including ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte. The model supports a 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio, a 360Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1, January 1, 2026

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. Semico January 1, 2026

SK Group recruits former vice industry minister to head Chinese operations SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) -South Korea's second-largest conglomerate SK Group has appointed Park Sung-taek, former vice minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, to head its Chinese operations. Park, a career bureaucrat with more than 30 years of experience at the, stepped down in June following the launch of the new government under President Lee Jae Myung. Over his career, he held a series of senior posts, including director of the power industry division, chief of staff to the m December 31, 2025

South Korean crypto exchange Korbit fined over anti-money laundering breaches SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has fined cryptocurrency exchange Korbit 2.73 billion won ($2 million) for violations of anti-money laundering (AML) obligations, issuing an institutional warning against the company. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) said on Wednesday a comprehensive FIU inspection found Korbit had breached legal requirements, including prohibitions on transactions with unreported virtual asset service provider December 31, 2025

K-haircare push expands in US as LG H&H's Dr. Groot draws crowds in New York SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-beauty influence is extending into the hair-care sector as LG Household & Health Care’s derma scalp-care brand Dr. Groot drew nearly 1,700 visitors during a pop-up event in New York earlier this month, reflecting growing overseas interest in Korean premium hair-care products. Dr. Groot operated a two-day “pop-up truck” in Manhattan on Dec. 11–12, offering scalp-analysis services and product trials that th December 31, 2025

Korean Economy/Business Calendar SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Jan 8 (Thu) 3rd–4th Quarter 2025 Flow of Funds (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Jan 2nd week (estimate) Q4 Results (Preliminary) - Samsung Electronics Q4 Results (Preliminary) - LG Electronics Q4 Results (Preliminary) - LG Energy Solution Jan 14 (Wed) Dec. 2025 Export and Import Price Index & Terms of Trade Index (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Dec. 2025 Annual Employment Trends - Ministry of Data and Statistics Nov. 2025 Househol December 31, 2025

South Korea to launch Asia-Pacific's first AI Basic Law on Jan. 22 SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea will become one of the first countries in Asia-Pacific to enforce comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation on Jan. 22, but unlike the European Union's stringent compliance regime, Seoul is opting for a business-friendly approach with at least a one-year grace period before imposing penalties. The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday that the government will provide consulting services and financial support to help companie December 31, 2025

Hanwha Systems wins $30 mln deal to supply combat systems to Philippine Navy SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems said on Wednesday it has signed a contract worth about 40 billion won ($30 million) to supply additional combat management systems (CMS) and tactical data links (TDL) for two next-generation frigates of the Philippine Navy. The deal covers CMS and TDL equipment for two 3,200-ton-class frigates, the company said. A CMS, often described as a warship’s “brain,” integrates data from onboard sensors to detect and assess t December 31, 2025

South Korea's Daebang, Woomi, Jungheung builders face probe for unfair internal dealings SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s antitrust watchdog said on Wednesday it had uncovered four cases of unfair internal transactions involving large business groups this year, imposing a combined 93.5 billion won ($70 million) in fines and referring three companies to the prosecution. Corrective orders and fines were issued against Daebang Construction, Jungheung Construction, Woomi Construction and CJ Group, while the three builders were reported to prosecutors, acco December 31, 2025

Doosan Enerbility secures 575 billion won deal to build offshore wind farm SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea's Doosan Enerbility has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build the 104-megawatt Yeonggwang Yawol offshore wind farm in South Korea. The project involves installing 13 offshore wind turbines, each with a capacity of 8 megawatts, off Nakwol-myeon in Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla Province. Doosan Enerbility said the contract is valued at 575 billion won ($430 million) and covers the full EPC scope, inclu December 31, 2025