Why HBM defines the AI race and seats SK hynix in the lead SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - DRAM has long been the dependable workhorse of computing — a flat, two-dimensional structure built to read and write data one cycle at a time. It remains essential for general-purpose CPUs, but its architecture is now running into hard physical limits as artificial intelligence demands exponentially higher data throughput. High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) upends that classical design. Instead of laying chips out side-by-side, HBM stacks multiple DRAM layers October 29, 2025

HOT STOCK: Power equipment stocks rally on Saudi contract, US nuclear cooperation hopes SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Shares of South Korean electrical-equipment makers, particularly transformer manufacturers, climbed sharply on Wednesday after a consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) was named the preferred bidder for a major wind power project in Saudi Arabia — a decision that investors saw as a boost for Korean exports in the energy-infrastructure sector. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced Tuesday that the KEPCO consortium had October 29, 2025

APEC CEO Summit opens in Gyeongju with focus on AI, regional cooperation GYEONGJU, October 29 (AJP) - The CEO Summit as part of as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit kicked off on Wednesday in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju, drawing top business leaders and political figures from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and sustainable growth. President Lee Jae Myung delivered the opening address at the Gyeongju Arts Center, emphasizing the summit's themes October 29, 2025

Asian markets mixed as investors await Trump-Xi meeting SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Major Asian stock markets closed with mixed results on Wednesday, as investors weighed optimism over technology earnings against caution ahead of a high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In South Korea, the benchmark KOSPI index rose 2 percent to close at 3,921.52, led by gains in semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Both extended their recent rally amid renewed hopes that Washington mig October 29, 2025

French quantum computing firm Pascal to establish research center in Seoul SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday that it had secured a major investment from Pascal, a leading French quantum computing company. Under a memorandum of understanding signed this week, Pascal plans to invest $52.8 million to establish a quantum computing research and development center in Seoul, a project expected to create 51 jobs. The two sides will also collaborate on talent development and support programs for startups and companies October 29, 2025

SK Bioscience hosts Hilleman Institute board in Korea to deepen vaccine collaboration SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - The board of the Hilleman Institute, a leading global vaccine research organization, visited SK Bioscience’s headquarters on Tuesday to explore deeper cooperation in vaccine development and manufacturing, the company said Wednesday. The visit marked a significant step in strengthening strategic ties between the two organizations. It was the first time the Hilleman Institute’s board — established by pharmaceutical giant MSD and the U.K. October 29, 2025

Bank of Korea chief warns of risks from won-based stablecoin SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong voiced caution on Wednesday over the potential introduction of a won-denominated stablecoin, warning that such a digital currency could trigger capital outflows and heighten volatility in the currency market. “Many people might take the won stablecoin abroad, which is worrisome,” Lee told lawmakers during a parliamentary audit, stressing that a hasty rollout could pose financial stability risks. October 29, 2025

Hanmi Semiconductor chairman increases stake in sign of confidence SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Hanmi Semiconductor said Wednesday that its chairman, Kwak Dong-shin, will buy 5 billion won (about $3.7 million) worth of company shares using his own funds. The purchase, expected to be completed by Nov. 26, will bring Kwak’s total personal investment in Hanmi shares since 2023 to 47.3 billion won, raising his stake from 33.47 percent to 33.50 percent. Hanmi Semiconductor is a global leader in TC bonder equipment — technology critical t October 29, 2025

South Korea sees births rise for 14th straight month SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - South Korea recorded an increase in births for the 14th consecutive month in August, according to new government data released Wednesday. The National Data Office said 20,867 babies were born in August, a 3.8 percent increase from a year earlier. Births rose in 12 of the country’s 17 major regions, including Seoul and Busan, though declines continued in Daejeon, Sejong and several smaller provinces. The birth rate climbed to 4.8 per 1,0 October 29, 2025

AI data centers are 'strategic national assets': Naver chief SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Naver’s chief executive, Choi Soo-yeon, urged greater institutional and policy support for artificial intelligence data centers, calling them essential to the next stage of digital development in South Korea. Speaking Wednesday at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, Choi emphasized that AI data centers had become foundational infrastructure for the global economy and said governments should treat them as strategic national assets. “The AI October 29, 2025