AI comes at a price: $3,000 for a phone SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Apple is ready for a strong comeback after losing loyal Korean consumers to Samsung's foldables, with the iPhone's first foldable form rolling out across Korea on Oct. 23. The appeal to lure back long-term iPhone users is apparent, if form had been the sole put-off. The sole damper is the starting price tag of 3.29 million won for the entry-level 256-gigabyte model and 5.09 million won for the top-end 2-terabyte iPhone Duo. Apple has again se September 11, 2026

Samsung E&A lands $3.5 billion Saudi fertilizer plant deal SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) -Samsung E&A has won a $3.5 billion contract to build a major fertilizer complex in Saudi Arabia, extending its run of large overseas orders and deepening its foothold in one of its most important Middle Eastern markets. The South Korean engineering company said Friday it signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with SABIC Agri-Nutrients for the SAN-7 project, worth about 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion). Samsung E&A will ca September 11, 2026

South Korea begins construction of new Arctic research icebreaker SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea has begun construction of a next-generation icebreaking research vessel designed to expand the country’s access to the high Arctic and strengthen research capabilities along emerging Arctic shipping routes. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday that a keel-laying ceremony for the new vessel was being held at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province, with around 40 officials from the ministry, Korea Pola September 11, 2026

Genesis puts its flagship full-size SUV on display ahead of launch SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor's luxury brand Genesis is showcasing its full-size electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the GV90, giving South Korean customers a closer look at the vehicle ahead of its launch, the automaker said on Friday. During a two-week-long showcase running from Friday through Sept. 27 at its dealership in Suji, Gyeonggi Province, customers will be able to see the vehicle up close after the flagship SUV was first unveiled globally in San Franci September 11, 2026

South Korea puts SMR law into force SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's small modular reactor law took effect, setting up state support to bring the technology to market as artificial intelligence and data centers drive up power demand. Enacted in March, the special act and its enforcement decree require the Ministry of Science and ICT to draw up a basic plan for SMR development every five years, backed by annual implementation plans and regular progress reviews. The plan taking effect Friday must address September 11, 2026

Korean Air to launch free Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi next week SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Korean Air will begin offering free in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink on select flights starting from next week, the South Korean flag carrier said on Friday. With the launch of the service slated for Sept. 15, Korean Air will become the first major East Asian carrier to adopt Starlink's satellite-based internet, enhancing onboard connectivity. The service will initially be available on four retrofitted aircraft including three Airbus A350-900s September 11, 2026

Hanwha lands Chunmoo deal in Croatia, widening K-defense footprint in Europe SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's K-defense drive is spreading beyond its Polish beachhead into a broader European network, with Hanwha Aerospace adding Croatia as the fourth European operator of its Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system in a 410 million euro ($477 million) deal. Hanwha Aerospace signed the contract Thursday to supply 18 Chunmoo systems to Croatia, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The deal is worth about 640 billion won September 11, 2026

Korean games swap console blockbusters for phone anime in Tokyo SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - South Korea's biggest game publishers arrive at Tokyo Game Show next week with a lineup that fits in a pocket, trading the console blockbusters they hauled to Gamescom three weeks ago for free-to-play anime games built mostly for phones. Nexon, Netmarble, NC and Smilegate are all bringing what the industry calls subculture titles — character-driven games drawn in Japanese animation style and largely monetized through randomized character draws. September 10, 2026

Hanwha Systems unveils space AI solution at Poland defense expo SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems has unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered satellite imagery analysis solution overseas for the first time, as the South Korean defense company seeks to expand its presence in the global space and defense markets. The company said Thursday it introduced its "Space AI Solution" at MSPO 2026, a major defense exhibition held in Kielce, Poland, on Wednesday. During the launch event, Hanwha demonstrated the system analyzing imager September 10, 2026

Nexon opens Mabinogi Mobile to outside AI agents SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - Nexon will let its cross-platform role playing game "Mabinogi Mobile" players hand routine chores to outside AI agents such as Claude Code, while keeping trading, payments and character growth off-limits. The feature, called AI Connector, will first arrive as a beta on the role-playing game's PC version in an upcoming update, its operators said in a notice posted Wednesday. It is switched off by default and works only with AI tools player September 10, 2026