Industry

  • Koreas Hyundai Motor elevates engineers to C-suite
    Korea's Hyundai Motor elevates engineers to C-suite SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday carried out a reshuffle underlying its renewed focus and command over software-defined mobility capabilities. Jin Eun-sook, Vice President of the ICT Division, was promoted to President to become the first female president in the history of Hyundai Motor Company and the third female leader within the broader group, joining the ranks of top executives at Hyundai Commercial and Innocean. Jin, h December 24, 2025
  • Customs watchdog releases list of agricultural products exempt from US tariffs
    Customs watchdog releases list of agricultural products exempt from US tariffs SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Koreans will be able to check which goods are exempt from the country's recently concluded reciprocal tariffs with the U.S., the Korea Customs Service (KCS) said on Wednesday. The KCS said it compiled the list of some 248 agricultural products including coffee, tea, and fruits, which have been exempt from the reciprocal tariffs after the White House issued an executive order exempting them effective from Nov. 13. Those exempt also include seas December 24, 2025
  • S. Koreas new regional carrier SUM Air to take off next year
    S. Korea's new regional carrier SUM Air to take off next year SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - SUM Air, South Korea's new regional air mobility (RAM) carrier, is set to take off from France to Seoul on the last day of this year. Founded in 2022, the carrier plans to operate domestic routes as well as short-haul international routes to nearby destinations such as Japan and China within two hours of flight time. SUM means "island" in Korean, and the carrier plans to connect cities and islands, including Ulleung, Heuksan, and Baengnyeo December 24, 2025
  • Koreas consumer confidence dips as weak won fuels inflation fears
    Korea's consumer confidence dips as weak won fuels inflation fears SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s consumer confidence fell in December as inflationary expectations rose amid persistent weakness in the won, survey data showed Wednesday. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) for December dropped 2.5 points from November to 109.9, according to the Bank of Korea. While a reading above 100 indicates that optimism outweighs pessimism, several subindices pointed to growing household anxiety over economic con December 24, 2025
  • Lotus transforms Seoul showroom into immersive art gallery
    Lotus transforms Seoul showroom into immersive art gallery SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Lotus Cars Korea finished its art collaboration event at its flagship showroom in Seoul's upscale Gangnam district on Wednesday, merging contemporary Japanese art with high-end automotive design. The event, held from Dec. 21, drew guests from fashion, design, automotive and lifestyle sectors. London and Seoul-based creative directing teams Nazferatu and Aube Arte orchestrated the showcase. Japanese contemporary artist Ryota Daimon headlined the even December 24, 2025
  • Fuel tax cuts extended until February
    Fuel tax cuts extended until February SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The government decided to extend a fuel tax cut for another two months as it expires later this month. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said on Wednesday that the fuel tax cut will remain until the end of February next year to support people affected by volatile gas prices amid a rising cost of living. With the extension, the current tax reductions - 7 percent on gasoline and 10 percent on diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - will remain in pla December 24, 2025
  • Naver, Spotify open joint popup store in Seoul to showcase audio content partnership
    Naver, Spotify open joint popup store in Seoul to showcase audio content partnership SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korean internet giant Naver and global music streaming service Spotify have launched a two-day popup store in Seoul's Seongsu-dong to promote their content partnership. The popup store, running from Dec. 23 to 24 at XYZ SEOUL, allows Naver Plus membership subscribers to experience integrated audio content services from both platforms. Non-members can also gain access by signing up for the membership on-site. Since Nov. 27, Naver Plus membershi December 23, 2025
  • Hyundai Motor Group extends European recovery on hybrid demand
    Hyundai Motor Group extends European recovery on hybrid demand SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group continued its recovery in Europe in November, supported by solid demand for electrified vehicles, particularly hybrids. Hyundai Motor and Kia sold a combined 79,901 vehicles in Europe during the month, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) showed on Tuesday. Hyundai’s sales rose 3.7 percent to 41,026 units, while Kia’s deliveries fell 3.2 percent December 23, 2025
  • Former Samsung researchers indicted over chip technology leak to China
    Former Samsung researchers indicted over chip technology leak to China SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korean prosecutors said on Tuesday they have indicted five former employees of Samsung Electronics for leaking core semiconductor technology to a Chinese memory chipmaker. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said five people were detained and charged with violating South Korea’s Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act and Industrial Technology Protection Act. Five others, including engineers at China's Ch December 23, 2025
  • South Koreas Shinhan Card reports leak of data on 190,000 merchants
    South Korea's Shinhan Card reports leak of data on 190,000 merchants Shinhan Card headquarters in Seoul/ Courtesy of Shinhan Card SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Shinhan Card said on Tuesday information on about 190,000 merchants, including store owners’ mobile phone numbers, was leaked in an incident caused by an employee rather than a cyberattack. According to financial industry sources, Shinhan Card confirmed the data leak through an internal investigation and reported the case to the country's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC). December 23, 2025