Nvidia-Google rivalry translates to bigger AI chip pie for Korean memory foundries SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Expectations that Google’s in-house tensor processing units (TPUs) will challenge Nvidia’s near-monopoly in AI accelerators are translating into a bigger market for memory giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in Korea and Micron Technology in the United States. Nvidia still commands an overwhelming share of the global AI accelerator market. But growth of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and neural processing units (NPUs) &m November 27, 2025

Sticky prices and weak won to stretch Korea's belt-tightening to next year SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Koreans tightened their belts through most of the year as stubborn inflation and the steepest depreciation of the won eroded purchasing power, government data showed Thursday. Nominal household income rose 3.5 percent on year in the July–September period to 5,439,000 won ($3,713), while real income—adjusted for inflation—grew 1.5 percent, supported largely by government stimulus handouts, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics November 27, 2025

LG Electronics names home appliance chief as new CEO SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - LG Electronics has appointed Ryu Jae-cheol, head of its Home Appliance & Air Solution (H&A) division, as chief executive officer, replacing Cho Joo-wan. The board approved the leadership change on Thursday as part of its executive appointments and organizational restructuring. Ryu, known for his technical background and operational experience within LG’s flagship appliance unit, will be tasked with sharpening the company’s compet November 27, 2025

Kia successfully tests remote driving on public roads SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Kia has become the first South Korean automaker to successfully demonstrate remote driving on public roads. Remote driving allows a vehicle without a driver to be operated from a control center via 4G and 5G mobile networks. Considered a near-term solution compared with fully autonomous systems, the technology can intervene when self-driving functions fail and is drawing growing interest for applications in car-sharing, logistics and mobility support i November 27, 2025

Naver plays down Nasdaq talk as it moves to absorb crypto exchange Dunamu SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Naver has pushed back on speculation that its fintech arm could seek a Nasdaq listing after absorbing Dunamu, operator of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, as it must address regulatory hurdles before taking the big step. "We have no confirmed plans to pursue a Nasdaq listing for Naver Financial at this time," CEO Choi Soo-yeon said Thursday at a press briefing at Naver's headquarters in Seongnam. "Even if we c November 27, 2025

South Korean food firms tap K-beauty boom for new growth SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - South Korean food companies are accelerating their push into cosmetics and “inner beauty” products as slowing consumption and rising costs squeeze margins in their core businesses. The globally recognized K-beauty sector — supported by steady global demand and a strong manufacturing base — is emerging as an attractive diversification route. Industry sources say hy has expanded its probiotics research into skincare, developing November 27, 2025

South Korea's Upbit reports $31 million crypto theft SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said Thursday that digital assets worth about $31 million were stolen in an early-morning security breach, marking the platform’s most serious incident since its major hack six years ago. Operator Dunamu said the breach was detected around 4:40 a.m., when assets on the Solana network were transferred to an unauthorized wallet. The stolen holdings include Solana (SOL) and 23 othe November 27, 2025

South Korea unveils new guidelines to boost foreign investor entry into stock market SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) on Thursday unveiled new guidelines for foreign omnibus accounts, aiming to streamline market access for overseas investors and attract additional capital inflows. Omnibus accounts allow foreign institutions to trade and settle Korean equities without opening individual accounts for each client — a structure similar to how South Korean investors trade U.S. stocks. The country’s first s November 27, 2025

BOK holds base rate at 2.50%, bond yields jump as markets price in end of easing SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea kept the base rate unchanged at 2.50 percent at its final monetary policy meeting of 2025 on Thursday and signaled that the latest easing cycle may be nearing an end as a persistently weak won fans inflation while simultaneously eroding household purchasing power. Governor Rhee Chang-yong said the decision was “almost unanimous,” with five of the six board members voting for a freeze due to heightened foreign-exchange volati November 27, 2025

Naver Financial, Dunamu vow to seize global market with AI-Web3 synergy SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Naver Financial and cryptocurrency exchange operator Dunamu on Thursday declared their intent to dominate the global digital finance landscape by fusing artificial intelligence with blockchain technology, as the two Korean tech powerhouses formalize their corporate alliance. Top executives from Naver, Naver Financial and Dunamu gathered at Naver's second headquarters in Seongnam to unveil their vision a day after approving a merger that brings Upbit op November 27, 2025