September 10, 2024

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EDITOR'S PICKS

• Tech 
  

  Hanwha, SK develop world’s 1st non-flammable ESS for ships

  Hanwha Aerospace and SK Enmove announced Tuesday that they have developed the world’s first non-flammable energy storage system, or ESS, seeking to secure the lead in the eco-friendly maritime solution sector. The two companies under two of Korea’s largest conglomerates -- Hanwha Group and SK Group -- showcased the liquid immersion cooling ESS technology and how it fills up a lithium-ion battery module with thermal fluids to reduce the chances of a fire to zero. “Safety is a

• Tech 
  

  [2024 IFA] Samsung to bolster B2B AI services

  BERLIN -- Samsung Electronics has unveiled its vision to expand its AI presence from mobile devices and home appliances to residential and commercial buildings. Under the vision “AI for all,” the tech giant said it will launch diverse AI-based services for business-to-business areas, including "AI apartment," "AI office," "AI store" and "AI stay," taking advantage of its leadership in AI-powered home appliances. AI apartment, for instance,

• Markets 
  

  Minister pushes for inheritance tax overhaul

  South Korea is set to overhaul its inheritance tax system next year, with the Finance Ministry preparing a bill to tax the inheritors instead of the estate that is being inherited. To enhance fairness and ensure consistency in taxation, as well as align with global trends, the government plans to shift to an inheritance acquisition tax system," Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok said Monday during a meeting with journalists at the government complex in Sejong City. T

• Companies 
  

  Hyundai-Kia EV powertrains named in best engines of 2024

  Hyundai-Kia’s electric powertrains, featured in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV9 GT-Line, have been recognized by US media outlet WardsAuto as two of the 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems for 2024. This also is the third straight year that Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP electric vehicle platform, has earned this prestigious recognition. WardsAuto has been holding automotive powertrain awards since 1995. Expanded in 2019 to include electric propulsion systems, the awards spo

• Companies 
  

  Taihan completes Kuwait’s first fiber optic cable plant

  South Korean electric wire maker Taihan Cable & Solution announced Tuesday that it has completed Kuwait’s first fiber optic cable factory, as the company aims to localize production and tap into the Middle East’s growing demand for 5G network infrastructure. The factory, a joint venture with Kuwaiti construction and trade company Rank, held its grand opening on Monday local time in the Mina Abdulla industrial area. Equipped with advanced production and testing facilities, the 5,

• Markets 
  

  Young Koreans with bad credit surge

  The number of young South Koreans with delinquent loans has rapidly increased in the past three years, data by the state-run financial watchdog showed Monday. As of July, 65,887 people in their 20s have been registered at the Korea Credit Information Services as "delinquent borrowers," referring to people who are disadvantaged in financial transactions due to long-standing credit card or bank debt. This figure marked a 25.3 percent increase from the 52,580 delinquent borrowers in the

• Companies 
  

  HMM to bolster global alliance, invest W23tr by 2030

  South Korea’s leading container shipper HMM said Tuesday it has created a five-year cooperative body, dubbed Premier Alliance, together with two global partners Japan’s ONE and Taiwan’s Yang Ming, to further expand its vessel route network. Separate from the new alliance, the firm has also signed an agreement with MSC, the world’s top shipper based in Switzerland, to share freight space on Northern European and Mediterranean routes for four years, the company added. W

• Companies 
  

  HD Hyundai, Hanwha on edge as KDDX probe nears conclusion

  South Korea’s shipbuilding industry is bracing for the conclusion of a high-profile police investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) project, with results expected as early as mid-September. The outcome could determine whether the delayed selection process for the multi-billion-dollar naval project finally moves forward. The National Office of Investigation, part of the National Police Agency, is set to finalize its probe into allegatio

• Markets 
  

  Korea’s hostility to short selling may scare global investors away

  While South Korean regulators maintain a wary eye against short selling, the prolonged ban and imposing stricter guidelines on the practice could drive foreign investors away from the local equity market, experts said. Following heavy market fluctuations, local regulators enforced a complete ban on short selling in November. The halt, initially set to last until June, has been prolonged to March next year with a complete reform on the system. Though the ban did not lead to a massive capital ou

• Tech 
  

  [2024 IFA] LG Electronics CEO committed to elevating corporate value

  BERLIN -- LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan promised to actively engage with global investors as part of the company’s value-up drive. “LG Electronics is committed to enhancing its corporate value these days,” Cho said during a meeting with a group of Korean reporters held on the sidelines of the IFA trade show in Berlin on Friday. His comments came ahead of his visit to London to meet with institutional investors for a non-deal roadshow on Saturday. This marks the first time t

• Companies 
  

  Celltrion eyes new production plant, aims for W5tr in sales

  Celltrion Group Founder and Chairman Seo Jung-jin has announced plans to expand the company's pharmaceutical production facilities either in South Korea or abroad as part of its strategy to enter the contract development and manufacturing organization sector. The biosimilar giant also aims to commercialize a total of six new drug pipelines by the end of 2029. "Expanding manufacturing facilities is crucial for securing production capacity and ensuring a sustainable future," Seo reporte

• Companies 
  

  SK Ecoplant secures $98m by offloading stake in Ascend Elements

  South Korean energy and environmental solutions provider SK Ecoplant said Monday that it has secured over $98 million by selling its stake in the American battery recycling firm Ascend Elements, as part of its initiative to restructure its recycling business portfolio. SK Ecoplant had invested over $60.8 million in Ascend Elements since 2022. It sold its entire stake of approximately 9.2 million shares to SKS PE, a Seoul-based private equity firm, according to the company’s regulatory fil

• Companies 
  

  LS Cable CEO vows to hit W10tr sales by 2030

  LS Cable & System CEO Koo Bon-kyu has pledged to achieve 10 trillion won ($7.5 billion) in sales by 2030 by accelerating business expansion abroad.  “Joining hands with (our subsidiary) LS Eco Energy, we will set up our global production bases in Europe, Asia and North America,” Koo said during a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. “With LS Marine Solution, the company aims to strengthen its business portfolio for cable supply, installation and maintenance u

• Companies 
  

  HD Hyundai to showcase uncrewed vessel at REAIM conference

  HD Hyundai said Monday that it is participating in the REAIM Summit, a global military conference, held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, central Seoul, this week. REAIM Summit 2024 is an international multilateral event where 90 countries are presenting their uncrewed vessel technologies and discussing responsible military use of artificial intelligence. HD Hyundai will showcase a model of Tenebris, an uncrewed surface vehicle co-developed with US-based big data analytics firm Palantir Technol

• Companies 
  

  APR’s Medicube, Aprilskin brands enter UK market

  Korean beauty brands Medicube and Aprilskin have officially entered the UK market, South Korean beauty tech company APR announced Monday. The two brands are now available through London-based K-beauty retailer Pureseoul, which operates both online and in physical stores in prime shopping districts such as those of Soho, Westfield and Oxford. Pureseoul, a leading distributor of over 60 Korean beauty brands, is seen as a key partner in helping Medicube and Aprilskin gain a foothold in the UK mar

• Tech 
  

  [2024 IFA] Samsung CEO weighs in with AI connectivity to take on rivals at IFA

  BERLIN -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and co-CEO Han Jong-hee said the Korean tech giant is looking to artificial intelligence connectivity to take on its rivals, as this year’s IFA in Berlin, one of the world’s largest consumer appliance trade shows, kicked off Thursday. “Who can provide consumers with a richer experience of connecting products” is the key message to convey, Han told The Korea Herald on Thursday at Samsung Electronics pavilion, upon his visit to