Industry

  • In AI power game, China has the edge — at least for now, as U.S. makes energy a top priority
    In AI power game, China has the edge — at least for now, as U.S. makes energy a top priority Editor’s Note AI is no longer defined solely by algorithms. As large-scale deployment accelerates, data centers and power infrastructure have become decisive constraints. AJP examines how energy capacity is reshaping the U.S.–China AI rivalry — and what lessons South Korea must draw as time tightens in the global race. SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - AI is no longer constrained mainly by algorithms or chips. As data centers scale to industrial size, electricity has eme December 29, 2025
  • Woori Financial Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong tapped for second term
    Woori Financial Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong tapped for second term SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Woori Financial Group’s executive candidate recommendation committee has nominated incumbent Chairman Lim Jong-ryong as the group’s next chairman. Committee Chair Lee Kang-haeng said at a media briefing on Monday that Lim was credited with completing the group’s full-service financial portfolio by entering the securities business and acquiring an insurance company during his tenure. Lee said Lim also strengthened Woori’s fina December 29, 2025
  • Silver prices hit fresh all-time high
    Silver prices hit fresh all-time high SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Global silver prices rose above US$80 an ounce, reaching an all-time high. According to data released by Bloomberg on Monday, spot silver briefly jumped to $84 an ounce, setting a new record, and was trading around $80.1 in the afternoon. Silver, a precious metal with strong industrial demand in semiconductors and solar power, has surged this year as supply constraints coincided with expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts. Silver has surged about 180 December 29, 2025
  • South Korea tops $700 billion in annual exports for first time
    South Korea tops $700 billion in annual exports for first time SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - South Korea has become the sixth country in the world to surpass US$700 billion in annual exports, achieving the milestone for the first time. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, preliminary data show that this year's cumulative exports reached $700 billion as of Monday. The export-dependent country first exceeded $100 billion in annual exports in 1995, then surpassed $200 billion in 2004, $300 billion in 2006, $400 billion in 2 December 29, 2025
  • Personal information of 30,000 Korean Air employees leaked
    Personal information of 30,000 Korean Air employees leaked SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Personal information of around 30,000 Korean Air employees has been leaked, the country's flagship carrier said on Monday, raising security concerns after a spate of massive data breaches across various industries recently. The leak occurred when KC&D, the airline's supplier for in-flight meals and onboard sales, was hit by a hacking attack. According to Korean Air, the leaked data includes employees' names and bank account numbers. Kore December 29, 2025
  • Koreas national pension fund eyes 20% annual gain, assets seen at 1,473 trillion won
    Korea's national pension fund eyes 20% annual gain, assets seen at 1,473 trillion won SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s national pension is expected to post a record annual return of about 20 percent this year, lifting its assets to an estimated 1,473 trillion won, the government said on Monday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said preliminary December figures show the fund’s annual return is projected at around 20 percent, surpassing last year’s 15 percent gain and marking the highest level since the national pension system was introd December 29, 2025
  • Hyundai Motor marks 40 years in US as tariffs, EV rivals test growth strategy
    Hyundai Motor marks 40 years in US as tariffs, EV rivals test growth strategy SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor will mark its 40th anniversary in the United States next year as it confronts a convergence of challenges, including a remaining 15 percent tariff, intensifying competition from Tesla and Chinese electric-vehicle makers, the expiration of subsidies and a rapidly evolving race in software-defined vehicles such as autonomous driving. Attention is focused on whether Hyundai Motor Group can navigate these pressures under the leadership of Cha December 29, 2025
  • Coupangs $1.2 bn compensation plan suspected as marketing, not atonement
    Coupang's $1.2 bn compensation plan suspected as marketing, not atonement SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) -Already in the hot seat for what many see as a dismissive attitude toward consumers and regulators, Coupang has drawn fresh public backlash in South Korea with its $1.2 billion compensation plan widely seen as marketing tactic to retain customers rather than offering genuine redress. The e-commerce giant said Monday it would distribute 1.685 trillion won worth of purchase vouchers to 33.7 million current, former and withdrawn users whose personal informat December 29, 2025
  • Budget minister nominee defines Korea under near-term perfect storm
    Budget minister nominee defines Korea under near-term perfect storm SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) -Lee Hye-hoon, a former three-term opposition lawmaker and economist tapped as the inaugural Minister of Planning and Budget, on Monday described the South Korean economy under a near-term "perfect storm", requiring a fundamental rethink of government spending priorities are set. “We need an approach that finds and eliminates unnecessary spending, while investing boldly in people’s livelihoods and growth,” Lee said a December 29, 2025
  • Celltrion wins FDA nod for phase 1 trial of bispecific antibody cancer drug
    Celltrion wins FDA nod for phase 1 trial of bispecific antibody cancer drug SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Celltrion said Monday it has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of CT-P72/ABP-102, a bispecific antibody drug designed to treat HER2-expressing solid tumors. The drug, co-developed with U.S.-based Abpro, employs a T-cell engager mechanism that links immune cells directly to cancer cells expressing the HER2 protein. Celltrion plans to begin dosing patients next year following preparatory procedures, ac December 29, 2025