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  In AI-driven infrastructure, the scale of memory demand is unfathomable SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - The memory cycle shaping today’s intelligence-driven computing is being defined less by consumer gadgets than by infrastructure — a shift underscored by the latest performance of industry leader Samsung Electronics. The South Korean tech giant reported operating profit of 20.0 trillion won ($14 billion) for the October–December quarter, more than tripling from a year earlier and marking its strongest three-month result on record. Revenue January 9, 2026
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  Korean skaters prepare for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - January 9, 2026
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  South Korea targets 2% growth, betting on boosted private consumption SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - South Korea's economy is forecast to grow 2 percent this year, on the back of rising consumer spending and a recovery in construction investment following a prolonged slump, the government projected at a televised meeting of economic officials at the government complex in central Seoul on Friday It also pledged to make this year the starting point for an "economic leap" and to draw up a master plan for spurring growth and narrowing economic gap January 9, 2026
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  CES 2026 : Boston Dynamics' Atlas wins CNET's top robot honor at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday that Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by its robotics company Boston Dynamics, won CNET’s Best Robot award in the Best of CES 2026 honors. Atlas is central to Hyundai Motor Group’s AI robotics strategy unveiled in Las Vegas. The next-generation, electric Atlas development model, shown for the first time at CES 2026, was designed for high efficiency in real manufacturing settings, with autonomous learning and fl January 9, 2026
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  Hot Stock: Hanwha Systems almost hits the ceiling on Trump-era military ambitions SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - Shares of Hanwha Systems surged close to the daily trading ceiling on Friday, fueled by expectations of a sharp increase in U.S. military spending. The stock jumped as much as 24.7 percent to 75,200 won ($51.7) intraday before paring gains to 74,200 won by 2:30 p.m., far outperforming the benchmark KOSPI, which was up less than 0.5 percent. The rally followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who vowed to raise the U.S. defense budget by more than January 9, 2026
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  After a string of EV contract losses, LG Energy Solution reports Q4 loss SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution, having endured multiple headwinds including a labor raid at its U.S. plant and the cancellation of major battery supply contracts, swung to an operating loss in the fourth quarter, even as full-year profit more than doubled on strong data-center-driven demand for energy storage systems. In preliminary earnings released Friday, the South Korean battery maker reported full-year operating profit of 1.35 trillion won ($1.0 bi January 9, 2026
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  OPINION: Time to open the next chapter for BTS and Bang Si-hyuk BTS is a global phenomenon. Yet its stature cannot be measured by sales figures, chart rankings, or stadium records alone. The group’s true significance lies in its origin story: seven unknown young men, without elite credentials, inherited privilege, or a glamorous starting line, rising to the top through discipline, creative labor, and mutual trust. That narrative itself became culture. For young people around the world, BTS offered a quiet but powerful lesson: it is not January 9, 2026
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  North Korean leader vows 'unconditional support' in letter to Putin SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged "unconditional support" in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim sent a reply to a "warm congratulatory letter" he received from Putin "with pleasure," saying that he "will unconditionally respect and unconditionally support all your policies and decisions and I have a will January 9, 2026
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  Italian PM first foreign leader to visit Seoul after relocation of Cheong Wa Dae SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has invited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to visit Seoul, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. She is expected to stay in Seoul for three days starting Jan. 17 for talks with Lee. Her trip will be the first visit by a European leader since Lee took office last year and the first foreign guest since the presidential office returned to Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul. The two leaders are expected to exchange views on various iss January 9, 2026
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  South Korea's overseas construction orders hit highest level in 11 years SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - South Korea's overseas construction orders hit an 11-year high by shifting away from heavy reliance on the Middle East and diversifying into markets such as Europe, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Friday. The ministry said overseas orders totaled $47.27 billion, the highest since 2014 and the first time combined annual orders have exceeded $40 billion since 2015. In the industry's 60-year history, annual orders have exc January 9, 2026