Korea's Hyundai Motor Group relies on hybrid relief until EV appetite returns SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has largely weathered headwinds from a sluggish electric-vehicle market and unfavorable U.S. tariff conditions by leaning aggressively into hybrid offerings. The group's two marques – Hyundai and Kia – sold 831,933 hybrid vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2025, up 27.2 percent from 654,067 units a year earlier, according to available data. At this pace, annual hybrid sales are projected to s November 13, 2025

USD-KRW eases after testing above 1,1470 after verbal intervention SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) -The U.S. dollar softened after briefly topping 1,470 won during Thursday’s session in Seoul, as investment jitters eased following President Donald Trump’s signing of a bill to end the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown. The Korean won, already down 2 percent this month, initially faced renewed downward pressure as foreign investors took profits after their record stock buying, while the greenback strengthened on Washington’s r November 13, 2025

Hankook Tire to supply tires for Volkswagen's new Tayron SUV SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s Hankook Tire & Technology said on Thursday that it will supply original equipment tires for Volkswagen’s new crossover SUV, the Tayron. The new Ventus Evo SUV tires were developed in close technical collaboration with Volkswagen and are designed to deliver a quieter, more comfortable ride. Hankook said the tires feature an AI-developed compound that optimizes both performance and stability, while a specialized cuff desi November 13, 2025

Samsung showcases cinema screen technology at film festival in Los Angeles SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said on Thursday that it is serving as an official sponsor of the 11th Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles, using the event to highlight its Cinema LED Onyx screen. The festival, which runs through Nov. 20 at the Culver Theater, features films from more than 30 Asian countries. Samsung’s Onyx screen — which uses self-emitting LED technology instead of a traditional projector — will be used for screenings throu November 13, 2025

Swedish embassy to spotlight this year's Nobel prize achievements SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - A symposium spotlighting this year’s Nobel Prize laureates and their academic achievements will be held in Seoul on Monday, bringing together scholars and researchers from Korea and Sweden. Hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul and supported by the Sweden-Korea Education, Research, and Innovation Collaboration (SKERIC) and the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), the event aims to promote academic exchange while honoring the legacy November 13, 2025

Asian markets hardly move on Suneung Day, awaiting end of U.S. shutdown SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Asian markets were largely unmoved on Thursday as investors waited for confirmation of an end to the U.S. government shutdown. In Seoul, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ inched up to 4,153.35 and 911.88, respectively, as of 11:20 a.m. The market opened at 10:00 a.m.—one hour later than usual—due to the nationwide Suneung college entrance exam. The Korean won weakened further, with the dollar gaining 4.60 won to hit a new annual high of 1,474.1 won despi November 13, 2025

PHOTOS: Record number of students sit for annual university entrance exam SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students take the annual university entrance exam at around 1,300 test venues nationwide on Thursday. The number of test-takers increased by about 6 percent or 31,504 students, compared to last year, the highest in seven years since 2019, when 594,924 students took the exam. This is attributed to those born in 2007, known as the auspicious "Year of the Golden Pig," taking the exam, which is anticipated to make university admi November 13, 2025

K Shipbuilding wins $333 million tanker orders from European clients SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s mid-sized shipyard K Shipbuilding said on Thursday that it had signed contracts with two European shipping companies to build five tankers worth about $333 million. The orders, finalized on Nov. 6 and 12, include three 115,000-ton crude oil tankers and two 50,000-ton petrochemical tankers, the company said. All of the new vessels will comply with the International Maritime Organization’s standards for greenhouse gas emissio November 13, 2025

INTERVIEW: Korean economist sees AI as key to breaking out of low growth SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea has a rare chance to escape years of sluggish growth if it can harness artificial intelligence as a new engine of productivity, according to Jeon Kwang-woo, chairman of the Institute for Global Economics and a former head of the Financial Services Commission. In an interview with Aju Business Daily, Jeon said the country’s economy — long constrained by an aging population, weak investment, and slowing exports — could find November 13, 2025

North Korean, Laotian FMs meet in Pyongyang to strengthen ties SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of North Korea and Laos met in Pyongyang to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and her Laotian counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane pledged to implement agreements reached by their leaders in October to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, according to KCNA. Their meetin November 13, 2025