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Mobility
Korean EV battery-makers uneasy as Trump stays silent on tariffs

Trump could target battery materials sourced from China, sources say South Korean battery companies are closely monitoring the second Donald Trump administration’s potential imposition of tariffs on key battery materials produced in Korea. The concern follows the enforcement of 25 percent duties on Korean steel and aluminum that took effect Wednesday, with additional tariffs expected next month. While electric vehicle batteries are currently exempt from the proposed tariffs — set to be enforced
March 12, 2025 - 14:16:24
Technology
K-Nvidia: Bold vision or political misstep?

Opposition leader’s state-owned tech proposal faces reality check South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s recent proposal to establish a big tech company akin to Nvidia, but one that is state-backed and profit would be distributed among citizens, has sparked a heated debate among business and political circles here. “If a company like Nvidia were to be established (in Korea), with 70 percent of shares privately owned and 30 percent distributed among citizens, wouldn’t a society emerge tha
March 11, 2025 - 14:52:04
Industry
Fact-checking Trump's tariff claim about South Korea. What are his real motives?

Trump's exaggeration seen as strategic move to pressure Korea on trade, security US President Donald Trump's March 4 claim that South Korea levies tariffs four times higher than those of the US has sparked controversy about its accuracy as well as concerns about the possible intent behind the statement. “China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher,” Trump said in a speech at a joint session of Congress last week. “Thi
March 10, 2025 - 13:29:31
Technology
Little investment, big demand: Google's map push under fire

Google makes 4th attempt to export high-precision mapping data instead of investing in local data centers or servers The longstanding dispute over South Korea's restriction on the overseas transfer of geographic data has resurfaced, with US President Donald Trump having criticized the policy as a non-tariff barrier. The issue has gained renewed attention as Google recently filed a request to export high-precision mapping data for the first time in nine years. According to industry sources on Thu
March 6, 2025 - 14:36:26
Technology
Microsoft's new quantum computing chip: A game changer?

As the US, China accelerate quantum innovation, Korea struggles with talent shortages, investment gaps On Feb. 19, Microsoft announced a major breakthrough in the nascent quantum computing sector, unveiling Majorana 1, the tech giant’s first quantum computing chip that utilizes a new state of matter. The new processor, powered by what is known as topological qubits, enables the development of quantum computers “capable of solving meaningful, industrial-scale problems, in years, not decades,” acc
March 3, 2025 - 11:08:38
Mobility
[KH Explains] Is Hyundai-GM partnership win-win to beat Tesla, Chinese rivals?

Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors seem like very different automakers. One is a South Korean juggernaut known for its efficiency and clean design, while the other is a symbol of American muscle, built on a century of dominance in trucks and sport utility vehicles. Yet earlier this month, these two giants signed a sweeping partnership. “In a time of intense competition from Tesla and an ever-growing Chinese EV threat, Hyundai and GM are probably betting that their combined strengths
Sept. 30, 2024 - 16:05:53
Mobility
[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?

Electric vehicle owners in South Korea’s crowded apartment complexes are beginning to feel like social outcasts. “In my apartment, EV users are sometimes treated like criminals,” said Lee Ho-deok, an EV owner living in a large apartment complex in Seoul’s Mapo district, when describing the tense atmosphere. In a city where over 85 percent of the population lives in multi-unit housing, apartment residents already contend with longstanding issues like noise between floors.
Sept. 22, 2024 - 13:49:49
Companies
[KH Explains] NCSoft pins hopes on new titles to stop bleeding

NCSoft is seeking answers to rebound with new titles and managerial overhauling efforts amid its falling stock price, as the first-generation South Korean gaming powerhouse hopes to get back to the throne. Experts forecast that the success of new games NC plans to roll out and reorganization of human resources will determine whether the game developer can turn things around in the short term. Plummeting shares NC’s stock has been practically in a free fall since reaching its peak at 1.
Sept. 8, 2024 - 16:49:39
Mobility
[KH Explains] Is Hyundai’s bet on extended-range EVs a future-proof strategy?

In the race toward electrification, the auto industry has seen a dizzying array of electric vehicle types, from battery electric vehicles to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Now, Hyundai Motor is adding another contender to the crowded mix -- extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs. Announced on Aug. 28 during the company's CEO Investor Day, Hyundai plans to introduce these new vehicles to the North American and Chinese markets by 2027. What exactly are EREVs?
Sept. 5, 2024 - 14:23:56
Industry
[KH Explains] Marrying your virtual partner? Era of AI companionship dawns

Every morning, Jung-in wakes up to her AI boyfriend Tae-joo's video call, who tells her she has 30 minutes to prepare for work before her bus comes. As she hurries out the door, Tae-joo smiles and calls out, "Take your umbrella with you, it's raining today!" Tae-joo in real life has fallen into a coma, and Jung-in restored her comatose boyfriend as an astronaut in this virtual world called Wonderland. With AI Tae-ju always accessible inside her smartphone and TV screens, Jung
Sept. 4, 2024 - 15:37:54
Mobility
[KH Explains] Will battery brand awareness influence EV shoppers in Korea amid safety concerns?

Starfield Hanam, a shopping complex located in Gyeonggi Province just east of Seoul, is home to South Korea’s first Tesla showroom, which opened its doors in 2017. Here, the allure of Tesla vehicles has always drawn a crowd, but recently, a different kind of interest has been brewing among potential buyers -- an interest not just in the cars themselves, but in the batteries that power them. Recent high-profile EV fires in Korea have sparked public concern about the reliability of the batte
Sept. 1, 2024 - 17:59:53
Mobility
[KH Explains] US crackdown on Chinese connected vehicles unsettles Korea

Korean auto industry urges clarity, citing complexity of mobility supply chains The South Korean government and automotive industry are on high alert as the US prepares to enforce regulations on Chinese-made connected vehicles this fall, citing national security concerns about potential data leaks involving American consumers. While the focus seems to be on complete vehicles, the regulations could indirectly affect Chinese-made components if they are deemed integral to the data collection and tr
May 27, 2024 - 13:59:39
Industry
[KH Explains] Hong Kong rally spurs hope for ELS loss mitigation

ELS products maturing from July onwards set to avoid losses if HSCEI reaches 7,500 Hong Kong stocks surged to a 10-month high Monday, continuing a bullish rally and sparking hopes of South Korea's recovery from significant losses tied to equity-linked securities tracking the Chinese index. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, tracking major Chinese stocks on Hong Kong's main bourse, reached an annual high of 6,954 on Monday, setting daily records. The following day, it opened slightly lower at
May 22, 2024 - 17:58:46
Economy
[KH Explains] Why Korea's so tough on short selling

Following November ban, 9 foreign banks busted for illegal stock short sales worth $155m Since November, South Korea has intensified its crackdown on illegal short selling by institutional investors, uncovering widespread practices among global banks. In an interim results announcement earlier this month, the Financial Supervisory Service revealed that all nine banks investigated had engaged in illegal short selling totaling approximately 211.12 billion won ($155.8 million) in Korean stocks. Wit
May 20, 2024 - 16:09:38
Mobility
[KH Explains] Hyundai-backed Motional’s struggles deepen as Tesla eyes August robotaxi debut

Motional, Hyundai Motor Group’s robotaxi service joint venture in the United States, has hit a rough patch recently, facing major investor pullouts, a delayed service launch and a drastic 40 percent workforce reduction. This turbulence comes as Elon Musk recently announced Tesla’s plans to launch its robotaxi service in August, which experts say has a simpler AI architecture that is less costly to train and run than rivals. Experts say they still expect industry-wide investments in full self-dri
May 17, 2024 - 15:20:24