Hanwha Solutions' Q2 profit more than triples on renewable energy strength SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions said Wednesday its second-quarter operating profit more than tripled from the previous quarter, helped by stronger earnings from its renewable energy, chemical and advanced materials businesses. The company posted 4.58 trillion won ($3.2 billion) in consolidated sales and 306.5 billion won in operating profit in the April-June period. Sales rose 18 percent from 3.88 trillion won in the first quarter, while operating profit jumped 231 percent f July 29, 2026

South Korea completes decade-long development of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea has completed the development of its first homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, dubbed Boramae, marking the completion of a decade-long project launched in December 2015. At a ceremony held at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)'s headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) officially declared the completion of the project, with key officials from government agencies, institution July 29, 2026

Koreas enter quiet undersea race amid the slow death of denuclearization SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - For more than three decades, denuclearization was the one word that defined every major policy toward North Korea. Every summit, sanctions package and diplomatic initiative ultimately revolved around the goal of dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. Today, the word is quietly disappearing — not because the objective has been achieved, but because policymakers in Washington and Seoul are increasingly planning for a future in which North Kor July 29, 2026

LG Electronics offers interim dividend and completes buyback SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - LG Electronics said Wednesday its board had approved an interim cash dividend of 500 won per common and preferred share and completed a previously announced 100 billion won share buyback as part of its shareholder return policy. The company set Aug. 13 as the record date for the interim dividend, with payments scheduled for Aug. 28. The total dividend payout amounts to about 89.7 billion won. LG Electronics said it has maintained a minimum annual dividend July 29, 2026

Seoul office vacancy hits 5-year high on new downtown supply SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Seoul's Grade A office vacancy rate rose to 5.8 percent in the second quarter, up 1.8 percentage points from the previous quarter and the highest level since the third quarter of 2021, according to a report released by Cushman & Wakefield Korea, the local arm of the global commercial real estate services firm. The increase was driven by new supply rather than falling demand. Two large towers, G1 Seoul in the Gongpyeong redevelopment zone and Rene Squ July 29, 2026

SK hynix is today's chip profit king, But what next? SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - SK hynix achieved something no major semiconductor company has done before: it became the world's most profitable chipmaker – albeit with little fanfare. Its record-breaking 76.1 percent operating margin in the second quarter surpassed those of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Micron Technology, demonstrating how an early bet on artificial intelligence memory has turned the South Korean company into the industry's earnings powe July 29, 2026

Illegal Chinese fishing boat seizures drop to five-year low in first half SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - The number of Chinese fishing boats seized for illegal fishing in South Korean waters fell sharply in the first half of this year, as the Korea Coast Guard stepped up enforcement with tougher penalties and special crackdowns. The Korea Coast Guard said Wednesday it seized 21 Chinese fishing boats from January to June, down 43.2 percent from 37 vessels a year earlier. The figure marked the lowest first-half level in five years. Annual seizures of illegal Chi July 29, 2026

SK hynix dismisses AI slowdown concerns with massive capacity expansion plan SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - SK hynix brushed aside growing concerns over a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI)-related investment on Wednesday, saying demand from major cloud providers would remain strong beyond next year as it reported record quarterly earnings and unveiled plans to spend nearly 50 trillion won (US$35 billion) on capacity expansion. The world's second-largest memory chipmaker reported a record operating profit of 60.54 trillion won for the April-June quarter, July 29, 2026

Genesis backs Marilyn Monroe short film ahead of Venice premiere SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korean carmaker Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis is backing a 17-minute short film marking the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth. The project will make its world premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival in September. Genesis said Wednesday that the company played a vital role in the production of "Flesh Impact," by collaborating with Authentic Brands Group, which owns and manages the Marilyn Monroe estate. The f July 29, 2026

Private investment in Korean port projects rises 17.5% in first half SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Private investment in South Korea’s port development projects reached 252.3 billion won ($173.44 million) in the first half of this year, up 17.5 percent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Monday. The figure came from 78 projects approved by 10 regional oceans and fisheries offices and five local governments, including solar power facilities, logistics facilities and seafood distribution centers. Privately led port developm July 29, 2026