Hanwha highlights unmanned, AI defense systems in Romania SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Hanwha Group will showcase next-generation unmanned and artificial intelligence-based military systems at a defense exhibition in Romania this week, as it seeks to deepen partnerships in Europe and expand its presence across EU and NATO markets. Hanwha said Tuesday that its key defense affiliates will participate in the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace, or BSDA 2026, which will take place from Wednesday to Friday at ROMAERO in Bucharest. The biennial event is May 12, 2026

Krafton's 'Subnautica 2' opens Steam preloads as wishlists pass 5 million SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Krafton's creative studio Unknown Worlds opened Steam pre-orders and pre-downloads for "Subnautica 2" at midnight Tuesday, three days before the underwater survival sequel enters early access on Friday. The title has held the top spot on Steam's global wishlist for nine straight months and recently crossed 5 million cumulative wishlists, the company said. It also climbed to No. 1 on Steam's global top-grossing chart shortly after pre-order May 12, 2026

South Korea reaches 76 million vehicles in 50 years of auto exports SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - South Korea has exported more than 76 million vehicles over the past 50 years since entering overseas markets, the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association said on Tuesday. The cumulative number of exports reached 76.55 million vehicles as of last month, a milestone that comes nearly half a century after Hyundai Motor first exported its domestically made Pony passenger car to Ecuador in June 1976. The country first hit the 10 million mark in vehicle shi May 12, 2026

Seoul mulling deploying Hyundai Motor robots for border patrol  SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s military is quietly studying whether robotic dogs and wearables built by Hyundai Motor Group could one day complement human patrols along the tense front lines dividing the Korean Peninsula, as demographic collapse begins to hollow out the ranks of one of the world’s largest conscript armies. The discussions, still at an early stage, underscore how a shrinking birthrate is forcing Seoul’s military planners to confront a strategic May 11, 2026

Eastar Jet joins IATA as full member to strengthen global competitiveness SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Eastar Jet has joined the International Air Transport Association as a full member, the airline said Monday, in a move aimed at strengthening its global competitiveness and safety standards. IATA is the world’s largest airline industry association, with 374 member airlines from 129 countries. It plays a central role in the global aviation industry by setting and managing international standards and regulations for air transport, as well as assigning airli May 11, 2026

LG Electronics to supply OLED monitors for Hyundai's N racing simulators SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - LG Electronics (LGE) announced Monday it will supply high-end OLED monitors for Hyundai Motor’s high-performance "Hyundai N Racing Simulator," expanding its display business into the virtual driving sector. Under the partnership, LG will provide the 65-inch LG OLED Pro monitor for the "Pro" simulator model and 65-inch OLED TVs for the "Racer" model. The professional-grade OLED Pro features 4K resolution and a specialized May 11, 2026

Hanwha Aerospace to supply additional Chunmoo launchers to Estonia SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace will supply three additional Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers to Estonia, the company said Monday, marking a follow-up deal just five months after its first contract with the Baltic nation. The latest purchase reflects the growing defense partnership between South Korea and Estonia, which began with Estonia’s acquisition of K9 self-propelled howitzers and has since expanded to include precision-guided multiple rocket launchers. Hanwha May 11, 2026

S-Oil swings to $837 million Q1 operating profit on crude price surge SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - S-Oil returned to profit in the first quarter as a jump in crude prices triggered by the Middle East conflict delivered hefty inventory gains, more than offsetting headwinds from scheduled maintenance and a domestic petroleum price cap. According to regulatory filings released Monday, the Aramco-controlled refiner posted a consolidated operating profit of 1.23 trillion won ($835.7 million) for the January to March period, swinging from an operating loss of 21.5 May 11, 2026

Hyundai Rotem partners with Korea Aerospace University to strengthen space business SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace University to cooperate in the space industry, the company said Monday. The agreement, signed on Friday, is aimed at building an industry-academia cooperation platform in the space sector through joint research, networking and talent development. Under the MOU, the two sides will work together on joint research and commercialization of next-generation space technologies, establish a May 11, 2026

Samsung Electronics labor talks begin under government mediation SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and its union began two days of intensive talks Monday under government mediation in a bid to avert a full-scale strike planned for next week, though prospects for a breakthrough remained uncertain as both sides held firm on bonus demands tied to the semiconductor boom. Speaking before a post-mediation session at the National Labor Relations Commission in central Seoul, SELU Chairman Choi Seung-ho said the union stood by its demand to alloca May 11, 2026