South Korea launches safety certification system for EV batteries

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The Korean government on Monday introduced a mandatory certification system for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, a move aimed at strengthening safety regulations following a high-profile battery fire last year. The new policy requires all EV batteries to undergo 12 stringent safety tests, including assessments for thermal shock, combustion resistance, and overheating prevention. These tests will be conducted by the Korea Automobile Testing & Researc

February 17, 2025

Korea launches center to attract foreign tech talent

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - In a bid to bolster its high-tech workforce, South Korea on Monday unveiled a new recruitment center aimed at attracting 1,000 advanced technology professionals from overseas by 2030. The effort is part of the government’s "K-Tech Pass" program, a sweeping initiative designed to address the growing demand for specialized talent in emerging technologies. The center, established under the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA),

February 17, 2025

US conducting cross-border subsidy probe into Korean pharmaceutical capsules

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The United States has launched a countervailing duty investigation into pharmaceutical hard capsules exported from Vietnam-based facilities operated by South Korean companies, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) reported on Monday. The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies its sweeping tariff offensive, targeting both allies and adversaries. Trade analysts expect stricter enforcement of existing import regulations, including an

February 17, 2025

Global chipmakers race to secure HBM talent amid AI boom

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - SK hynix and Micron Technology are ramping up efforts to enhance their high-bandwidth memory (HBM) capabilities through internal restructuring and aggressive external recruitment, as demand for AI-driven HBM chips continues to rise. SK hynix has introduced an internal Career Growth Program focused on HBM design, advanced packaging development, AI infrastructure, and customer quality management. The company is also transferring DRAM process engineers to i

February 17, 2025

Korean business delegation heads to Washington amid trade tensions

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - A high-profile delegation of South Korean business leaders, led by Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is set to visit Washington this week, marking the first major private-sector mission since President Donald Trump began his second term. The visit comes as the Trump administration signals plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on nations with value added tax (VAT) systems, a move that could affect South Korea’s

February 17, 2025

Kim Jong-un visits mausoleum on father's birth anniversary

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a mausoleum to pay tribute to his late father on the anniversary of his birth, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday. His sister Yo-jong and other high-ranking officials accompanied him on his visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang where his father and grandfather's embalmed bodies lie in state. According to KCNA, Kim "expressed his solemn commitment to dedicating himself to

February 17, 2025

Actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home

SEOUL, February 16 (AJP) - Actress Kim Sae-ron, known for her role in the South Korean action-thriller film "The Man from Nowhere," was found dead at her residence in Seoul. The police received a report at 4:54 p.m. on Sunday that the 24-year-old had been found unresponsive in her home in Seongsu, eastern Seoul. According to a police official, a friend who had planned to meet her made the discovery and alerted authorities. Kim gained prominence as a child actress in 2

February 16, 2025

Hanwha Robotics installs cooking robots at highway rest stop

SEOUL, February 16 (AJP) - Hanwha Robotics announced Sunday that it has installed five cooking robots at a highway rest stop in the southeastern city of Daegu. The robots, called "HCR-5A," are now operating at the Nongong Rest Area and can prepare more than five types of dishes, including pork cutlets, udon, and instant noodles, known as ramyeon. “With this deployment, customers at Nongong Rest Area will now have access to food court services 24 hours a day,&rdq

February 16, 2025

Stray Kids' Felix misses fan meeting after car accident injury

SEOUL, February 16 (AJP) - Felix, a member of K-pop boy group Stray Kids, missed a fan meeting scheduled for Sunday after sustaining a fracture in a minor car accident the previous day. The group's agency, JYP Entertainment, said the incident took place shortly after a fan meeting ended, when Felix's vehicle was slowly moving through a parking lot at the Inspire Arena in Yeongjong Island, Incheon. It collided with a shuttle bus that had been traveling at a low speed, strikin

February 16, 2025

SK chief meets Viet Nam's communist party chief to discuss energy cooperation

SEOUL, February 16 (AJP) - SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has met with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, to discuss strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and fostering bilateral ties. Chey, who also serves as the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with Lam in Hanoi on Friday, according to a report by Viet Nam’s state-run news agency VNA. “SK Group possesses world-class capabilities in the energy sector, and

February 16, 2025