Industry

  • Strong memory prices, weak won fuel electronics inflation in Korea
    Strong memory prices, weak won fuel electronics inflation in Korea SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Soaring memory chip prices, compounded by a weak won, are pushing up the cost of electronics in South Korea, from laptops and smartphones to AI-driven devices such as robots and autonomous systems. All computing devices rely on memory chips, and the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers and artificial intelligence has tightened global supply. As chipmakers prioritize high-performance memory for AI servers, device manufacturers and retailers are scram January 12, 2026
  • Korean Air–Asiana union nears; what does it mean for Asiana passengers?
    Korean Air–Asiana union nears; what does it mean for Asiana passengers? SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - The long-awaited merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines is finally approaching completion. But for millions of Asiana passengers, one question matters more than regulatory approvals or aircraft numbers: What happens to my miles, status and benefits? As Asiana is absorbed into Korea's larger flag carrier, its brand, loyalty program and global alliance will all disappear. While the combined airline promises greater scale and efficiency, many freq January 12, 2026
  • US Navy ship arrives in Busan for repair work by HJ Shipbuilding
    US Navy ship arrives in Busan for repair work by HJ Shipbuilding SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - HJ Shipbuilding & Construction said Monday that the 40,000-ton U.S. Navy logistics support ship USNS Amelia Earhart arrived at its Yeongdo shipyard in Busan, marking the start of the company’s first maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO, project for the U.S. Navy. The South Korean shipbuilder secured the MRO contract in December from the U.S. Navy Supply Systems Command, or NAVSUP. The vessel is assigned to the Military Sealift Command. January 12, 2026
  • South Korea seizes record 1,150 tons of illegally imported Chinese farm goods
    South Korea seizes record 1,150 tons of illegally imported Chinese farm goods SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korea has uncovered a large-scale scheme to illegally import Chinese agricultural products that bypassed quarantine procedures or included items banned from entry. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency said Monday it had identified 12 suspects — three brokers and nine importers — accused of bringing uninspected Chinese dried jujubes, raw peanuts and dried chili peppers, as well as prohibited items such as fresh fruit and apple seedlin January 12, 2026
  • HanmiGlobal, KEPCO team up with UK firm on overseas nuclear projects
    HanmiGlobal, KEPCO team up with UK firm on overseas nuclear projects SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korea's HanmiGlobal said Monday it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Korea Electric Power Engineering & Construction and U.K.-based project management firm Turner & Townsend to jointly pursue nuclear power projects overseas. The agreement follows a nuclear cooperation MOU signed last year between HanmiGlobal and KEPCO E&C. The three companies will build an integrated advisory package covering nuclear plant design, eng January 12, 2026
  • Samsungs Galaxy Z TriFold wins top honors at CES 2026
    Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold wins top honors at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Monday its Galaxy Z TriFold device won top honors at CNET’s Best of CES 2026 Awards, taking the overall “Best Product” prize as well as the “Best Mobile Tech” award. CNET, a U.S.-based technology outlet and an official partner of the Consumer Technology Association, works with the CTA to select winners from products unveiled at the annual CES. More than 40 technology experts evaluated entries showca January 12, 2026
  • Kia unveils EV2 compact SUV at Belgium motor show
    Kia unveils EV2 compact SUV at Belgium motor show SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Kia Corp. on Monday unveiled the EV2, a new compact electric sport-utility vehicle, making its global debut at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. Inside, the vehicle features a wide digital display layout comprising a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Kia retained physical buttons for key controls and added ambient lighting and a column-mounted shift-by-wire system. The EV2 GT Line in January 12, 2026
  • South Koreas HMM installs wind-assist propulsion system on oil tanker
    South Korea's HMM installs wind-assist propulsion system on oil tanker SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - HMM said Monday it has become the first South Korean shipping company to deploy a Wing Sail wind-assist propulsion system, as vessel operators seek to curb fuel costs and comply with tightening environmental rules. Wind-assist propulsion systems harness wind power to supplement conventional engines and are regarded as an environmentally friendly technology. They are typically installed on vessels without deck cargo and have been adopted primarily by bul January 12, 2026
  • SK On pushes into LFP batteries for early lead in Koreas energy storage market
    SK On pushes into LFP batteries for early lead in Korea's energy storage market SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - South Korean battery maker SK On is moving forward with plans to establish a lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery production system for energy storage applications at its Seosan facility, according to industry officials on Monday. The company could place orders for LFP battery manufacturing equipment as early as the first quarter of this year, the officials said. It is expected to install an energy storage system, or ESS, battery production line in t January 12, 2026
  • Coupang financial units come under scrutiny as Seoul widens probe
    Coupang financial units come under scrutiny as Seoul widens probe SEOUL, January 11 (AJP) -South Korean regulators are moving to investigate Coupang’s financial units as part of pan-government scrutiny following the country’s largest-ever data leak, amid criticism over what is seen as a lack of response from the company’s U.S.-based headquarters as its customer base remains largely intact. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will begin parallel formal inspections of Coupang affiliates that handle financial services . Offici January 11, 2026