Hanwha, EDGE team up on integrated UAE air defense network SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems and the UAE’s EDGE Group have agreed to jointly develop an integrated air defense network for the UAE. Hanwha Systems said Thursday the two sides signed a term sheet at EDGE headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday outlining the direction of the project and a phased review of weapons systems that could be introduced. Hanwha Systems has supplied multifunction radars, while Hanwha Aerospace has provided launchers, canisters and missile September 17, 2026

Korean refiners' windfall meets a supply test SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korean refiners, fresh from a record first half, face uncertain crude supply for November after Saudi Arabia shut its main pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, industry officials said on Thursday. SK Innovation, S-Oil, GS Caltex and HD Hyundai Oilbank earned a combined operating profit of about 14.8 trillion won ($10.73 billion) from January to June. Industry estimates show about half of first-quarter profit came from inventory gains and the September 17, 2026

Samsung, Apple, Google face US patent probe SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics has joined U.S. tech giants Apple and Google as targets of a U.S. patent investigation over allegations that certain electronic devices infringe audio technology patents held by a California company. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) said Wednesday it had opened a Section 337 investigation into certain electronic devices with audio technologies following a complaint by California-based BoomCloud 360 Inc. BoomCloud alleg September 17, 2026

Korea cracks down on misleading holiday gift ads SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Online listings for toothpaste, cosmetics and medical devices were caught in 308 cases of misleading advertising and illegal distribution ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Thursday. Cosmetics accounted for 63 cases, 44 of which touted drug-like benefits such as "skin regeneration" and "anti-inflammatory" effects. Toothpaste, mouthwash and tooth whiteners, staples of holiday gift sets, drew 45 ca September 17, 2026

Cockpit seniority remains final stumbling block to Asiana-KAL merger SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - The integration of Asiana Airlines under Korean Air's wing is on course for liftoff as a single national full-service carrier in December — except for one major piece of unfinished business in the cockpit. Asiana flight numbers are set to begin switching from the OZ code to Korean Air's KE code in November, while the long-delayed mileage integration plan has cleared its final regulatory hurdle. The two airlines, however, have yet to resol September 16, 2026

Coupang rejects proposal to compensate data breach victims SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korea's e-commerce giant Coupang has rejected a proposal by the country's consumer watchdog to compensate customers affected by a massive data breach last year. According to industry sources on Wednesday, Coupang notified the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission under the Korea Consumer Agency last Friday that it would not accept the proposal. In a reccomdation which is not leggoiung bining, the commission in late July urged that Coup September 16, 2026

SK hynix plays down speculation of Intel fab tie-up SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) -Shares of SK hynix shot up nearly 4 percent Wednesday on a report that the South Korea-based memory giant was considering producing memory chips in the United States at an Intel facility, a scenario the chipmaker later played down. "We are intent on adding an overseas fab, and reviewing multiple countries and sites," a company spokesman said, declining to name the countries under consideration or confirm whether Intel was among the potential par September 16, 2026

Homeplus struggles to regain footing after court rescue SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Homeplus is generating only about 40 percent of its targeted sales two weeks after securing court approval for its rehabilitation plan, forcing it to split overdue wages into two payments, according to industry sources on Wednesday. The hypermarket chain reportedly told its two labor unions that revenue was falling short of what it needs to meet repayments under the plan. Unpaid July wages will be paid in two installments on Sept. 23 and 30, with payme September 16, 2026

Chip binge intoxicates Korean Inc. stakeholders, waves of strikes spread SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Two years on, the still-strong chip bonanza of the AI-driven economic age has bestowed on South Korea a double-digit growth in national wealth in nominal terms unseen in more than three decades, thrusting stakeholders — employees and shareholders — into brawls for a bigger share of the newfound riches. Strikes and strike threats have become a recurring scene this year, spreading from chipmakers and shipbuilders to digital platforms such as Kak September 16, 2026

Defense nominee apologizes over martial law SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul apologized Tuesday for the military’s role during the Dec. 3, 2024 martial law declaration, while signaling support for the government’s push to overhaul South Korea’s military academies. Speaking at his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, Kang said he felt a “deep sense of responsibility” as one of the military’s highest-ranking officers at the time and apologized to t September 16, 2026