Amid the continued positive trend in automotive exports, the export amount index has turned upward for the first time in 13 months, riding on the recovery in the semiconductor market. Due to the decline in international oil prices, the import amount index has experienced eight consecutive months of
The government is driving the development of next-generation batteries with significantly improved energy density and safety.On Nov. 29, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) announced that the “High-performance Next-Generation Secondary Battery Technology Development Project for Eco-f
POSCO Group has commenced operations of South Korea’s first lithium plant. The group is accelerating the establishment of a supply chain and the domestic production of core materials for its secondary battery business, a key driver of its new growth.On Nov. 29, POSCO Group announced the completion o
CJ ENM’s over-the-top (OTT) media platform Tving and SK Square’s Wavve are set to merge. Discussions of the merger between the two companies began in 2020 but had not progressed due to differing views on the specifics. However, discussions have recently accelerated.The merger of Tving and Wavve is a
SK bioscience, an innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced that the updated COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2601) developed by Novavax, a global company advancing protein-based vaccines with its Matrix-M™ adjuvant, has received an emergen
On Nov. 25 (local time), construction began on Hyundai Motor’s electric vehicle-dedicated factory, “Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA),” in Ellabell, Georgia, the U.S.Alongside the increase in automobile exports, the export of automotive parts is also on the rise. As the supply of finishe
South Korean shipbuilding companies are actively considering the construction of overseas production bases to address a shortage of manpower. However, some are raising concerns about potential “technology leakage” arising from the construction of overseas shipyards.According to industry sources on N
On Nov. 27, Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) announced that a delegation of 11 researchers, including Professor Han Nam-sik, AI Center Director at the Milner Research Institute affiliated with the University of Cambridge, and Senior Researcher Georgia Sakkoziorga visited IFEZ. They toured
Samsung Electronics has confirmed on Nov. 27 that they have completed the trademark registration for the terms “AI Smartphone” and “AI Phone” in connection with the launch of an artificial intelligence (AI) equipped smartphone next year. This registration was finalized on Nov. 24 with the European U
China has overtaken Germany as the top exporter of electric vehicles (EVs) to Korea.Korea’s imports of Chinese EVs totaled US$172 million in October, according to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA). That’s more than double the amount of Korea’s German EV imports (US$70 million). This i
Jusung Engineering, a semiconductor, display, and solar equipment company, has carved a mythical path in the barren land of domestic ventures. This year marks its 30th anniversary. Established in 1993, the company has experienced various challenges but has achieved remarkable growth through continuo
Hanwha Aerospace has announced a groundbreaking 175.9 billion won (US$143.4 million) contract with the U.K.’s BAE Systems for the supply of modular charge systems (MCS) for 155 mm artillery shells used by NATO member countries. The contract was revealed on Nov. 23.The MCS, a cylindrical modular prop
With Chinese authorities set to begin controlling graphite exports, a key raw material for anode materials for batteries, in December, they held an event with Korean companies only to explain how they will enforce their export control policy.This was the first time China, which has played the weapon
With a short-term external debt ratio reaching a historically low level in the third quarter of this year, South Korea’s ability to meet external obligations is demonstrated by an increase of US$21.4 billion in net external financial assets in just one quarter. This is because debts decreased more s
This year marks the first time that the number of countries importing Korean kimchi has surpassed 90. The global popularity of Korean kimchi, often attributed to the Hallyu wave and health trends such as vegetarianism, is leading the way in showcasing K-food on the international stage.According to t
The average wages of employees belonging to the “Big 3” shipyards in South Korea -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean -- have increased by approximately 15% in the past year. Particularly noteworthy is Hanwha Ocean, where the average wage surged by around 12 mil
Korea’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise by 2.0 percent next year from this year, according to the state-run Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) in its 2024 Economic and Industrial Outlook report released on Nov. 20. The relatively conservative forecast is
Hyundai Motor Group’s three car brands -- Hyundai, Kia and Genesis -- sold 173,428 units in the U.K. passenger car market in the first 10 months of this year, up 8.7 percent year on year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Nov. 20. Their market share stood at 10.8
The value of the Japanese yen is nearing its lowest point in 33 years, emerging as a hidden challenge for South Korea’s industrial sector. Key industries such as steel, automotive, and electronic components, which directly compete with Japanese counterparts, are facing weakened price competitiveness