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"The Miracle of Semiconductors" Samsung overtaken by SK for the first time... What will be the breakthrough this year?

Global semiconductor giant Samsung Electronics lost its throne to SK hynix for the first time last year. The fierce competition was largely influenced by the rapid growth of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand, driven by the expanding AI market. With attention now focused on how Samsung will overcome this challenge, there is growing expectation that an increase in HBM product share and the emergence of "DeepSeek" could serve as key momentum. ◆ SK hynix surpasses 8 trillion won in operating profit. According to Samsung Electronics on the 2nd, the revenue of its Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees the semiconductor business, was 30.1 trillion won in the fourth quarter, with memory sales accounting for 23 trillion won. However, its operating profit was only 2.9 trillion won. The annual operating profit was 15.1 trillion won. In contrast, rival SK hynix surpassed Samsung Electronics with record-breaking results both in the fourth quarter and for the entire year. SK hynix's fourth-quarter operating profit was 8.08 trillion won, and its annual revenue reached 66 trillion won, with an operating profit of 23.39 trillion won. SK hynix’s annual operating profit was more than 8 trillion won higher than Samsung Electronics'. The key factor that determined the outcome of the semiconductor business last year was HBM. SK hynix has virtually monopolized the supply of HBM to companies like NVIDIA, and with the expansion of the AI market, demand for HBM surged, leading to strong performance. In the fourth quarter, 40% of its revenue came from HBM. SK hynix is expected to continue this momentum, with HBM shipments already sold out for this year. On the other hand, Samsung Electronics, which has a lower contribution from HBM, did not achieve the expected results. Additionally, the company struggled with a demand slump in general-purpose memory and faced challenges from low-priced products from China. Despite recording the highest-ever revenue in the fourth quarter, its operating profit slightly decreased compared to the previous quarter. ◆ Samsung to double HBM supply… 'Timely development of HBM4' Samsung Electronics is expected to focus on expanding its HBM supply in order to take the lead in the semiconductor business. This year, it plans to supply HBM3E to NVIDIA and will need to address challenges such as ▲timely development of HBM4 and ▲countering competitors, including those from China. On the 31st, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources, that Samsung Electronics obtained approval from NVIDIA to supply HBM3E 8-layer memory last month. However, this possibility is considered low, as Samsung had indicated that HBM revenue would actually decrease in the first quarter of this year due to a temporary demand gap. Analysts believe that if Samsung were to supply HBM3E to NVIDIA, there would be no such demand gap. Despite this, Samsung plans to directly confront the crisis by flexibly producing legacy (older) DRAM and focusing on the high-value HBM production. Samsung stated, "Customer demand will rapidly shift from HBM3E 8-layer to 12-layer after the second quarter of this year," adding, "We plan to double the HBM supply compared to last year to meet customer demand." It further revealed, "For 16-layer products, we have created samples and delivered them to major customers." At the same time, Samsung is redesigning HBM3E and pushing forward with the development of HBM4. ◆ DeepSeek 'positive outlook' possible... Urgent need for 52-hour workweek regulation. In addition, there is analysis suggesting that the shock from the Chinese AI startup "DeepSeek" could work as a positive for Samsung Electronics. While U.S. AI companies use NVIDIA's high-cost, high-performance GPU H100, DeepSeek developed its product in just two months using around 2,000 relatively low-performance H800 chips. This has raised the possibility in the AI industry that high-performance GPUs from NVIDIA may not always be necessary. As a result, the introduction of new technology could lead to shifts in the industry ecosystem, which may present long-term opportunities for Samsung Electronics in the AI market. On the 31st, Samsung Electronics commented during a conference call regarding DeepSeek, stating, "There will be both long-term opportunities and short-term risks in the market." They also noted, "As we supply HBM, which is needed for GPUs, to various customers, we are monitoring the situation considering different scenarios." Meanwhile, the potential abolition of the 52-hour workweek regulation in the domestic semiconductor industry is also seen as a positive factor. There are suggestions that lifting the work-hour restrictions would be necessary to outpace Chinese companies and strengthen semiconductor competitiveness. Delays in deliveries due to work-hour regulations have been reported as a common issue. The industry believes that the fastest way to lift the regulations would be to introduce special provisions for semiconductor law currently under discussion in the National Assembly. If economic compensation for worker rights protection and health safeguards are also established, it is believed that this would significantly contribute to enhancing medium- to long-term semiconductor competitiveness. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-02-02 16:54:18 메트로신문 기자

DeepSeek's personal data leakage controversy emerges as a new issue… U.S. and Europe 'block' vs. India 'welcomes'.

The shockwaves caused by the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek are sweeping across the globe, with security issues such as personal data breaches emerging as a new concern. Some countries have banned the use of DeepSeek due to the potential for personal data leakage, while others, particularly those in developed nations, are encouraging the active adoption of DeepSeek, driven by hopes of breaking the monopolistic AI technology regime established by advanced countries. According to foreign reports, including Bloomberg, major global corporations and government agencies are blocking access to the AI inference model "DeepSeek R1" developed by DeepSeek. DeepSeek R1 is a large-scale language model (LLM) trained on 671 billion parameters, and it has caused a major stir by delivering GPT-4-level performance at a low cost. It is particularly noted for its use of NVIDIA's H800 chip, which was released with reduced performance for the Chinese export market, but still manages to deliver performance close to that of GPT-4. The U.S. government and Congress have taken a strong stance by fully banning the use of DeepSeek and are responding aggressively. The U.S. Congress has restricted the use of DeepSeek on public devices like phones and computers within Congress and has directed staff not to install it. The Congress has warned that "threat actors are already exploiting DeepSeek as a means to distribute malicious software and infect devices." The U.S. Navy and Department of Defense have also blocked employee access to DeepSeek. It is reported that the Department of Defense took action after confirming that some employees had used DeepSeek, leading to the decision to restrict access. At the corporate level, the movement to block DeepSeek is also spreading. According to network security firm Netskope, 52% of its clients have already fully blocked access to DeepSeek. Nadir Izraeel, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of cybersecurity company Armis, stated, "About 70% of our clients have requested to block access to DeepSeek," adding, "Hundreds of companies, especially those linked to the government, are concerned about the potential data leakage to the Chinese government and vulnerabilities in personal data protection." DeepSeek's privacy policy explicitly states that user data is collected and stored on servers in China, and any disputes related to this matter are subject to Chinese law. With this information now public, many companies and government agencies are blocking the use of DeepSeek's AI model R1 and its application programming interface (API) for security reasons. Regulatory movements against DeepSeek are also gaining momentum in Europe. The Italian Data Protection Authority requested information regarding DeepSeek's handling of personal data, and as a result, DeepSeek's app was removed from Google and Apple app stores in Italy. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) also sent a letter to DeepSeek requesting information on how user data from Ireland is being processed. The letter expressed concerns about potential violations of the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) has also launched its own investigation into the functioning of DeepSeek's AI system and the potential data protection risks associated with it. In contrast, India has embraced DeepSeek. Unlike the U.S. and Europe, which have adopted a strict regulatory stance, India is eager to actively utilize the technology. Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, praised DeepSeek's technology and announced plans to host the DeepSeek model on servers within the country. Moreover, India has been inspired by DeepSeek's low-cost AI and announced plans to develop six of its own foundational AI models by the end of the year. The government plans to expand AI usage in various fields such as agriculture and climate change through state support. An Indian government official stated, "The foundational AI models developed in India will be able to compete with the top models in the world," adding, "There will be active government support to enhance AI technological competitiveness." Experts point out that the technological innovation of DeepSeek R1 is sparking both expectations and concerns. An AI security expert commented, "The fact that DeepSeek R1 achieves GPT-4 level performance at a low cost is a technological leap, but it also requires a cautious approach in terms of data security and personal data protection." The expert further stated, "In South Korea, we must not only prepare countermeasures for the security threats posed by DeepSeek but also seek a balanced strategy that maximizes the potential of technological advancements." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-02-02 16:27:48 메트로신문 기자

Trump-initiated tariff war begins… South Korean companies, initially spared, urgently preparing countermeasures.

U.S. President Donald Trump went ahead with his plan to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China on the 1st (local time). As a result, the South Korean economy has fallen under the influence of the "Trump tariffs." Many major companies and their partners, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Kia Motors, and POSCO, operate production plants in Mexico and Canada. The industry analyzes that if the tariff war sparked by Trump expands in all directions, the export-dependent South Korean economy could suffer a direct blow. According to foreign reports, including the AP, U.S. President Donald Trump signed three executive orders on the 1st, imposing a 25% tariff on all imports coming from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese products. These measures are set to take effect on the 4th. However, the additional tariff on Canadian energy resources will be set at 10%, not 25, in consideration of potential price increases. In response to the tariffs, Canada and Mexico have firmly stated their intention to retaliate, but the executive orders also include provisions for further retaliation. The executive order regarding Canada specifies, "If Canada imposes tariffs on U.S. imports or takes similar measures in retaliation for these actions, the President may increase or expand the tariffs to ensure the effectiveness of these measures." Most importantly, if these measures continue, South Korean companies with factories in Mexico are expected to suffer as well. Companies like Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Kia, and POSCO have expanded investments in Mexico, either by increasing production capacity or setting up new plants. South Korea's investment in Mexico surged dramatically, from $11 million in 2020 to $396 million in 2022. Samsung Electronics operates home appliance and TV factories in Querétaro and Tijuana, Mexico. LG Electronics has production bases in Reynosa (TVs), Monterrey (refrigerators), and Ramos (automotive electronics). Kia's Mexican plant produced a total of 253,000 vehicles from January to November last year, including 175,000 K3s, 64,000 K4s, and 14,000 Tucsons, with 128,000 K3 units sold to the U.S. Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Transys also operate production plants, and other supply chain participants are also running operations. In Canada, a joint factory between LG Energy Solution and Stellantis produces battery modules, while POSCO Future M is constructing a joint battery cathode materials plant with General Motors (GM) in the country. Additionally, with President Trump maintaining a hardline stance by imposing blanket tariffs on even trade allies, there are concerns that South Korea's export front will face significant challenges. South Korea ranks eighth among the countries with the largest trade surpluses with the U.S., and if tariffs are imposed, it could pose serious risks to the export-dependent South Korean economy. On the 31st of last month, President Trump indicated plans to impose tariffs on imports of semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, copper, oil, and gas. This means that semiconductors, South Korea's largest export product, could fall within the scope of the tariff war. Last year, South Korea's annual trade surplus with the U.S. reached a record high of $55.69 billion. An industry insider stated, "Trump will begin implementing extensive and aggressive tariff pressure starting in the second quarter." He added, "While companies operating in Mexico and Canada will face issues, domestic companies that supply intermediate goods to China will also be affected. Therefore, the entire domestic industry will need to work with the government to prepare more refined countermeasures." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-02-02 16:22:17 메트로신문 기자

Hyundai Motor Establishes Stable Electric Vehicle Production Line in India… Opens EV Battery Plant

Hyundai Motor is establishing a stable electric vehicle production line in India. After investing approximately 1.1 trillion KRW in 2019 to establish an electric vehicle production line, Hyundai Motor has now opened an EV battery plant in India. This move is part of Hyundai's active participation in the Indian government's efforts to expand electric vehicle adoption. According to industry sources on the 29th, Hyundai Motor has established and started operations at its electric vehicle battery plant in Chennai, India. This comes shortly after the launch of Hyundai's first locally produced electric vehicle in India, and it is expected to accelerate Hyundai's push into the Indian electric vehicle market. The Indian electric vehicle market has been steadily growing, reaching approximately 1.53 million units in 2023. The Indian government is actively supporting the growth of the automobile market through policies to foster the eco-friendly vehicle industry. The government aims to increase the share of electric vehicle sales to 30% of total vehicle sales by 2030 and is pushing forward with a robust electrification policy. Since 2024, the government has implemented a policy that includes investing at least $500 million in India and offering a substantial reduction in import tariffs for electric vehicles. Companies that produce electric vehicles within three years are eligible for a tariff cut to just 15%, down from the original 100%. According to the German news website Electrive.com, Hyundai Motor's Chennai battery plant in India is jointly operated with Hyundai Mobis, a parts subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group. The plant will produce battery packs for the first locally produced electric vehicle model, the Creta Electric. Hyundai Motor's new Chennai plant is equipped with facilities capable of producing both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery packs. The plant has an annual production capacity of up to 75,000 units, although it is currently not able to produce at full capacity. Hyundai plans to produce 24,000 units of the Creta Electric annually, and it is not expected to launch any other EV models before 2026. Indian automotive magazine Autocar Professional reported that Hyundai Motor is receiving NMC battery cells from HLI Green Power, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Indonesia. The report further explained that while Hyundai has not yet secured a local supply chain for NMC battery cells, it has signed a supply agreement for LFP battery cells with Indian battery manufacturer Exide Energy. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group sold a total of 853,000 units in the Indian market in 2024 (600,800 units by Hyundai and 245,000 units by Kia). With a market share of about 20%, they are the second-largest player in the Indian market, following Maruti Suzuki. Hyundai and Kia have set a target to sell a total of 914,000 units in India this year. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-30 15:05:03 메트로신문 기자

LCC Industry 'Overworking Aircraft' – Air Busan Aircraft Fire Raises Demands for Enhanced Safety Measures

Just over a month after the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane that resulted in 179 fatalities, a fire broke out on an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae Airport, raising concerns once again about the safety of low-cost carriers (LCCs). This incident occurred after the government held a special safety inspection meeting for LCCs, leading to a decline in trust and an increase in anxiety among airline passengers. With calls for stronger safety measures for LCCs intensifying, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is expected to announce an aviation safety innovation plan in April. ◆ 17 Flights in the 48 Hours Leading Up to the Accident According to industry sources on the 30th, a fire broke out on Air Busan flight BX391, which was preparing to take off from Gimhae Airport for Hong Kong at around 10:15 PM on the 28th. All 176 people on board, including passengers and crew, successfully evacuated the plane. While the incident resulted in seven minor injuries, the fact that it occurred just a month after the Jeju Air disaster has raised concerns about the safety of domestic aviation. In particular, the fact that both Jeju Air and Air Busan are low-cost carriers (LCCs) has led to renewed scrutiny of the safety practices of LCCs. According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, Air Busan's HL7763 aircraft had flown a total of 17 times in the 48 hours leading up to the accident. The total flight time amounted to 942 minutes, or 15 hours and 42 minutes. The flight routes included Gimpo to Jeju, Jeju to Gimhae, Gimpo to Gimhae, and Gimhae to Macau. Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which was involved in the accident, had also operated 13 flights in the 48 hours leading up to the incident, traveling between Muan, Jeju, Incheon airports, and Bangkok, Thailand. This raised concerns about the airline's demanding flight schedule. Similarly, there are voices questioning whether Air Busan's aircraft operated too frequently, perhaps in an attempt to capitalize on the travel demand during the Lunar New Year holiday period. ◆ Cause of the Accident: Battery/Electronics vs. Wiring Defects The aircraft involved in the incident was a 17-year-old Airbus A321-200, which is considered to be relatively old. As a result, the industry is focusing on identifying the cause of the fire, considering various possibilities. There have been eyewitness reports stating that the fire started from the overhead bin, leading to various speculations about the unidentified object that may have caused the fire. In the industry, testimonies from passengers seated at the back suggest that the fire began in the overhead compartment. Considering that smoke was reported to have come from the bin, it is believed that a passenger's luggage may have been involved in the incident. Fires caused by lithium batteries have occurred frequently. For instance, in April of last year, a fire broke out in a carry-on luggage compartment on an Asiana Airlines flight from Gimpo to Jeju, caused by a power bank stored in the compartment. However, the investigation team and firefighters are also keeping the possibility of electrical wiring issues, such as short circuits, open as part of their inquiry. While the aircraft does not reach the 20-year mark typically classified as an older aircraft, it has surpassed 17 years and 3 months of service, making it likely that the aging of the aircraft may have contributed to the incident. The aircraft's rear section contains components like the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), and the electrical wiring in the aircraft is intricately connected. If maintenance records show that wiring replacement or inspections were not properly conducted, there is a high likelihood that it could have led to the fire. ◆ Government Launches Full Investigation The Aviation and Railroad Accident Investigation Committee under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, along with relevant authorities such as the fire department, will begin a thorough inspection of the Air Busan aircraft starting on the 30th. The investigation team plans to recover and analyze the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to investigate the incident. Earlier, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport stated that after conducting a counter-terrorism investigation with relevant authorities starting on the morning of the 29th, no clear suspects were identified. They also explained that although the upper part of the aircraft was completely burned, the aircraft's wings and engines showed no signs of damage. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-30 14:53:42 메트로신문 기자

"Deepseek Moment": The Effectiveness of U.S. Export Controls on AI Semiconductors to China "?"

Following the sudden emergence of China's AI model "Deepseek," questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the U.S.'s export controls on advanced semiconductors to China. This has led to growing concerns over the regulatory policies of the Trump administration. According to a report by Metro Economy on the 29th, there has been ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the U.S. measures that have continued to impose export controls on AI semiconductors in an effort to both pressure China internationally and hinder the development of advanced AI technology. On the 20th, Chinese AI startup Deepseek unveiled its AI model "Deepseek R1," announcing that it successfully developed the model in just two months at a cost that was only about one-tenth of the major U.S. big tech companies' AI systems. Additionally, Deepseek revealed that it used the lower-spec H800 AI semiconductor, rather than the high-end H100 from Nvidia. Deepseek R1 is a large-scale language model (LLM) with 671 billion parameters, similar to ChatGPT. According to Deepseek, the model was trained over approximately two months at a cost of 5.58 million USD (approximately 80.68 billion KRW). The short development time and low cost are attributed to a new architecture designed for efficient learning and training. This architecture reportedly reduces the time required for LLM training to only 2.78 million GPU hours. The semiconductors used for development also had lower performance compared to those used by major big tech companies. Despite this, the model outperformed OpenAI's latest AI model, O1, by a narrow margin in the 2024 AIME (American Math Competition) benchmark. This development, which suggests that U.S. export restrictions might actually accelerate China's technological advancements, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the U.S. policy towards China. In response, the U.S. government announced on the 13th (local time) that it would strengthen export controls on AI semiconductors and revise the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to block circumvention, beginning a 120-day public consultation period. The EAR (Export Administration Regulations) classifies countries' access to advanced AI semiconductors into three tiers, with China being designated as one of the 22 "adverse countries" and subject to the highest level of control. Following the Deepseek incident, major IT figures in the U.S. have referred to the situation as a "Sputnik moment," raising questions about the effectiveness of the U.S.'s strategy to contain China. A "Sputnik moment" refers to the moment when a country with a technological advantage is shocked by the technological progress of a latecomer. CNN evaluated the situation, stating, "Considering that the U.S. has spent years restricting the supply of advanced AI semiconductors to China for security reasons, this outcome is extremely shocking." Since 2022, under the Biden administration, the U.S. has begun regulating the export of major high-performance semiconductors from NVIDIA and AMD to China, citing concerns that China could potentially weaponize these semiconductors for AI development and training. This led to the halting of exports to China for NVIDIA's A100 and the next-generation model H100. The H100 is the highest-performance AI semiconductor used by companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google to develop AI models. The semiconductor used by Deepseek is the H800, a lower version of the H100. While the U.S. sought to control technological advancements through semiconductor access regulations, the counterproductive effects have led to growing support for the stance of major semiconductor companies that opposed the EAR revisions. Following the announcement of the EAR amendments, major global IT companies have collectively protested, arguing that government overreach in regulating the export and import activities of businesses globally is problematic. At the time, NVIDIA pointed out, "By manipulating market outcomes and suppressing competition, the U.S. risks wasting the technological advantages it has painstakingly gained." The company further criticized, "The U.S. wins through innovation, competition, and sharing technology with the world, not by retreating behind a wall of excessive government intervention." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-30 14:46:15 메트로신문 기자

[Trump's Blade] The Battleground for K-Industry?... Finding a Breakthrough Through U.S. Local Investment

Amidst U.S. President Donald Trump's strong protectionist stance, South Korean companies are focusing on increasing local investments in the U.S. to respond to high tariffs. In an uncertain environment, their strategy is to overcome the crisis by concentrating on local production and building supply chains. According to industry sources on the 23rd, following President Trump's re-election on the 20th (local time), domestic companies are actively preparing countermeasures in response to the new administration's policies in the U.S. President Trump announced that starting next month, a 25% tariff will be imposed on all products from Mexico and Canada, and he has instructed a review of existing trade agreements. It is also reported that discussions are underway regarding an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The 10% additional tariff mentioned by Trump would be imposed on top of the tariffs already levied on over $300 billion worth of Chinese imports during his first term. President Trump also signaled the possibility of imposing a universal 10% tariff on all imported goods. Although he mentioned that the universal tariff policy is not yet prepared and the specific implementation timeline remains uncertain, domestic companies are closely monitoring the potential for such tariffs. Companies without local factories are particularly concerned about the loss of price competitiveness due to the introduction of these tariffs. ◆ "Mitigating Tariff Risks by Establishing U.S. Production Facilities" The steel industry is actively expanding into the U.S. as the importance of establishing production facilities in the U.S. has grown. South Korea's steel exports to the U.S. are subject to a duty-free quota of up to 2.68 million tons per year. If local production is established, it can reduce tariff burdens and create a more stable supply chain, which is expected to be advantageous in terms of profitability. Hyundai Steel is reportedly considering building a steel plant in the U.S., attracting attention. Hyundai Steel plans to produce automotive steel products locally in the U.S. and supply them to Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. factories. Hyundai Motor Group operates Kia's plant in Georgia and Hyundai's plant in Alabama. Additionally, Hyundai is constructing a dedicated eco-friendly electric vehicle plant, MetaPlant America (HMGMA), in the Savannah area of Georgia. The shipbuilding industry is also actively investing in the U.S., focusing on the potential for alliances in shipbuilding and defense sectors. Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Phili Shipyard in the U.S. in December 2024, with an investment of approximately $100 million. Hanwha Group is the first domestic company to acquire a U.S. shipyard. Earlier, in November 2024, shortly after his election, President Trump mentioned in his first phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol, "I am aware of South Korea's world-class capabilities in building warships," and added, "It is necessary to closely cooperate with South Korea not only in ship exports but also in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector." The power industry is also expected to experience growth in performance, driven by the U.S. market's need to replace aging power infrastructure. President Trump has announced plans to invest over 700 trillion KRW in artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, there is growing optimism that the power equipment sector will benefit from this trend and experience a boom. HD Hyundai Electric will increase its investment in production facilities for ultra-high voltage transformers in response to growing AI demand and the expansion of data centers. The company plans to invest a total of 396.8 billion KRW in the construction of a new production facility at its Ulsan plant and the establishment of a second plant in Alabama, USA. Through this expansion, HD Hyundai Electric aims to secure production capacity for 756kV (kilovolt) ultra-high voltage transformers, which is the highest voltage specification currently used in the U.S. market. An industry insider stated, "Domestic companies are increasing investments in the U.S. to avoid tariffs and reduce logistics and distribution costs," adding, "It is essential to turn U.S. protectionism into an opportunity by creating jobs and expanding investments in the U.S." They further emphasized, "Expanding market access in the U.S. and actively utilizing the local ecosystem will be key to strengthening cooperation with the new U.S. administration." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 17:03:38 메트로신문 기자

"From Disney Tours to Luxury Goods"… The Three Major Telecom Companies Begin Pre-orders for the Galaxy S25 Series

Pre-orders for Samsung's latest smartphone, the 'Galaxy S25 series,' will begin on the 24th. The three major telecommunications companies are competing to attract users by offering various AI-based benefits and giveaways. According to the telecommunications industry on the 23rd, the three major telecom companies will be offering pre-orders for the Galaxy S25 series from the 24th to the 3rd of next month. Activation will be available starting on the 4th, with the global release scheduled for the 7th of next month. ◆ SKT: "From Disney Tours to AI Benefits" SK Telecom will offer a 3 million KRW travel voucher for a "Walt Disney World Tour" to 50 lucky customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series. The winners can choose their preferred Walt Disney World or Disneyland location from around the world, including destinations like Florida, USA, and Paris, France. Additionally, 2,000 pre-order customers will receive a Starbucks gift card worth 50,000 KRW. Customers can apply for both the Disney World Tour and the Starbucks gift card giveaway simultaneously. A promotion linked to Disney+ will also be held. From February 4th to March 31st, customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and subscribe to the Disney+ plan can apply through the promotion page. The first 5,000 customers will receive a "T Universe Disney+ 3-month subscription," which can be gifted to others. AI-related benefits are also prominent. Customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and complete the necessary event consent will receive an expanded version of the company's AI service "A.Dot" phone call summary feature, increasing from the usual 350 calls per month to up to 1,000 calls for a maximum of 6 months. Additionally, in collaboration with OpenAI, there will be a promotion offering a 50% discount on the paid service "ChatGPT Plus" for three months. Additionally, T Universe benefits have been significantly enhanced. Customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and subscribe to the T Universe CU discount subscription product in offline stores by March 31st will see the monthly discount limit increase from the previous 30,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW, doubling the original amount. This benefit will be available until June 30th. ◆ KT Boosts with Discounted Plans… Limited Sale of Ultra 1TB Model When pre-ordering the Galaxy S25 series through KT, customers can receive the following benefits: ▲ A Samsung genuine ultra-fast charger with the purchase of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, ▲ A choice between Galaxy Buds FE or a popular case with the purchase of the Galaxy S25 or Galaxy S25+, and a 3-month subscription to Millie's Library. Additionally, if purchasing with family or friends, customers can receive up to 600,000 KRW in Naver Pay gift cards (for up to 4 people). Additionally, customers who purchase the product by the end of February will receive a 150,000 KRW discount coupon for the 'Galaxy Watch 7' to be used on the Samsung.com app, as well as three 30% off coupons for accessories. Along with this, they will also receive a 3-month free trial of YouTube Premium, a 3-month free subscription to Willa with an additional 3-month 50% discount, and a 3-month unlimited subscription to various domestic and international digital magazines. The Galaxy S25 Ultra 1TB model will be released on KT's official online store, 'KT.com.' Pre-order customers can purchase the 1TB model at the price of the 512GB model, receiving a discount of 286,000 KRW. The 1TB free upgrade is available in limited quantities. KT.com pre-order customers will receive the following benefits: ▲ A 7% discount on the monthly fee of 5G plans (for up to 24 months; excludes LTE and Direct plans) ▲ 5% cashback or 12-month interest-free installment options with a maximum of 100,000 KRW when using BC, Samsung, or Shinhan cards. In addition, customers who purchase the Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 7 from KT.com and activate their devices will receive a free Galaxy Buds Pro 3 on a first-come, first-served basis. First-time customers on KT.com will also receive an additional Galaxy Watch 5. KT explained that during the pre-order period, customers who watch the live broadcast of the Galaxy S25 series on KT.com and place an order will be entered into a raffle to win luxury prizes such as a Bottega Veneta card wallet, Chanel hand cream, and Hermes perfume. ◆ LGU+ Pre-installs AI Assistant 'ixi-o' ixi-o is an on-device (built-in) AI service launched in November of last year, offering features such as ▲ real-time voice phishing detection, ▲ AI search, ▲ AI call answering, ▲ visual caller ID, and ▲ quick AI summaries and suggestions. An additional feature, "AI search," which allows the AI to analyze call content and recommend related YouTube Shorts, will be added in February. LG U+ offers a benefit to customers through the "Phone Replacement Pass with New Galaxy AI Club" to reduce the burden of device replacement costs. By subscribing to this service, customers can receive up to 40% of the original price back when returning the device after two years. LG U+ is running several promotions for customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series on its official online store, 'Uplus.com.' Pre-order customers will receive a Uplus.com coupon worth up to 200,000 KRW, which can be used for the purchase and activation of the Galaxy S25 series. Additionally, customers who pay with a Samsung Card will receive up to 24-month interest-free installment benefits and a cashback offer worth 90,000 KRW. If customers return their used Galaxy smartphones and purchase the Galaxy S25 series, they can receive an additional 150,000 KRW on top of the existing trade-in value. Additionally, LG U+ will offer several prizes for customers who pre-order and activate their smartphones through Uplus.com, including a Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Ultra7 (1 winner), LG CineBeam Cube (1 winner), an Hermes scarf (1 winner), and Starbucks Americano gift cards (first 10,000 customers). Meanwhile, the three major telecom companies, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, are offering several benefits as standard. First, customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series will receive the "Double Storage" benefit, which allows them to upgrade from the 256GB model to the 512GB model for free. Samsung Electronics also offers the smartphone subscription service "New Galaxy AI Subscription Club." KT allows customers who purchase the Galaxy S25 series and choose the Galaxy Change Choice option to subscribe to "feel safeChange New Galaxy AI Club" (8,000 KRW per month). The "feel safeChange New Galaxy AI Club" service offers up to 50% compensation on the device price when customers return their old phone after two years when purchasing a new phone. LG U+ offers the "Phone Replacement Pass with New Galaxy AI Club." Customers who activate their devices and subscribe to the "Phone Replacement Pass" and provide additional consent will be able to use the "New Galaxy AI Club" for free. Customers of the New Galaxy AI Club can receive up to 40% of the original price back when they return their device after two years. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 16:56:27 메트로신문 기자

Hyundai Motor Achieves Record-High Revenue and Sales…Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Growth Lead the Way

Hyundai Motor recorded its highest-ever performance in both revenue and sales last year. Hyundai Motor announced on the 23rd that its revenue for the previous year reached an all-time high of 175.2312 trillion KRW, marking a 7.7% increase compared to the previous year. This is the highest revenue on record. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by the expanded sales of high-value models, a rise in average selling price (ASP), and favorable exchange rate effects. However, operating profit for the year was 14.2396 trillion KRW, down 5.9% from 2023. The operating profit margin also decreased from 9.3% in 2023 to 8.1%. Net profit stood at 13.2299 trillion KRW. Hyundai Motor's total sales for the previous year reached 4.141959 million units. The eco-friendly vehicle segment, driven by increased sales of hybrids and electric vehicles, grew by 8.9% compared to the previous year, reaching 757,191 units and leading the overall growth. In the domestic market, sales decreased due to the impact of economic slowdown and weakened consumer sentiment. However, in the North American market, sales increased by 4.4%, maintaining a strong growth trajectory. Hyundai Motor's revenue for the fourth quarter of last year was 46.6237 trillion KRW, an 11.9% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Operating profit was 2.8222 trillion KRW, a 17.2% decrease. Global wholesale sales in the fourth quarter totaled 1,066,239 units, a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. While the hybrid and electric vehicle segments continued to show growth, the slowdown in China and emerging markets is believed to have impacted the overall performance. A Hyundai Motor official stated, "Despite increased profit and loss volatility due to the rapidly changing external environment, we continue to grow as sales in the North American region expand and the share of hybrids continues to increase." Hyundai Motor has set its management goals for this year with a global sales target of 4.17 million units, a revenue growth rate of 3-4%, and an operating profit margin of 7-8%. Last year, Hyundai sold a total of 4.142 million units, and in 2023, it recorded sales of 4.217 million units. To achieve these goals, Hyundai plans to fully activate its local electric vehicle production system in North America, expand the sales of hybrids and electric vehicles, and focus on defending profitability. Hyundai Motor has outlined its commitment to continue investing for the future, even in the face of global crises such as increased macroeconomic volatility and growing uncertainties. The company plans to invest a total of 16.9 trillion KRW this year, focusing on responding to the transition to SDVs (Software-Defined Vehicles), building a U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, and securing continuous advancements in future technologies. A Hyundai Motor official stated, "Amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, we aim to establish a sustainable growth foundation through flexible management strategies centered around North America and the expansion of eco-friendly vehicles." Meanwhile, reflecting its strong performance, Hyundai Motor set the year-end dividend at 6,000 KRW per share. The total annual dividend for last year amounted to 12,000 KRW per share, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. Hyundai Motor plans to maintain a dividend payout ratio of over 25% to enhance shareholder value. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 16:41:32 메트로신문 기자

Hyundai and Kia Expect Record High Performance Amid Popularity of Eco-friendly Cars and SUVs…Moving to Respond to U.S. and Chinese Markets This Year

Hyundai Motor and Kia are continuing their strong performance, fueled by the booming eco-friendly vehicle market. With each quarter setting new record-high results, industry attention is focused on whether Hyundai and Kia will achieve unprecedented performance in the previous year. According to industry sources on the 22nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia are set to announce their annual results for last year on the 23rd and 24th, respectively. According to financial information provider FN Guide, securities firms estimate Hyundai's annual results to be approximately 173 trillion KRW in revenue and 14.8 trillion KRW in operating profit. Kia is expected to report about 106.9 trillion KRW in revenue and 12.8 trillion KRW in operating profit. If these estimated figures materialize, Kia will set record-high results in both revenue and operating profit. For Hyundai, the company is expected to achieve its highest-ever revenue figures. In 2023, the combined revenue of the two companies reached 262.472 trillion KRW, with operating profit of 26.7348 trillion KRW, marking their best-ever performance. While the possibility of surpassing 30 trillion KRW in annual operating profit seemed likely through the first half of last year, it appears that, based on the estimates, only revenue records have been broken this year. The continued upward trend in Hyundai Motor and Kia's performance can be attributed to a favorable external environment, including the sustained high exchange rates, as well as a strategic focus on selling high-value vehicles such as eco-friendly cars and SUVs. In particular, strong export performance in North America played a key role in driving the companies' improved results. However, it remains uncertain whether this upward trend will continue into this year. This year, the launch of the Trump 2.0 administration has increased policy uncertainty, which has raised concerns about the companies' performance. Despite increasing investments, such as expanding local production bases in the U.S., Hyundai failed to meet the origin requirements for batteries and key minerals used in eco-friendly vehicles. As a result, Hyundai's Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, and Genesis GV70 electric models were excluded from the U.S. electric vehicle subsidy program. On his first day in office, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the repeal of electric vehicle subsidies, calling them "unfair." The only models from Hyundai and Kia that qualify for the subsidy in the U.S. are the Kia EV6 and EV9. In response, Hyundai Motor Group is focusing all its efforts on meeting the requirements for U.S. electric vehicle subsidy eligibility. A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "By the second quarter of this year, we will meet the parts origin requirements and be eligible for the subsidy again." Hyundai Motor and Kia are also focusing on targeting the Chinese market to expand their global sales. Hyundai Motor is preparing to launch a China-exclusive electric vehicle this year, aiming to expand sales in China, the world's largest electric vehicle market. Industry experts analyze that Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, Beijing Hyundai, will release a China-exclusive electric SUV model this year, with the price expected to be set around 20 million KRW. Kia has continued to see steady sales growth in China, leveraging its electric vehicle (EV) technology. From January to November last year, Kia's electric vehicle sales in China reached 5,526 units, a 26-fold increase compared to the same period the previous year. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung emphasized at the company's New Year's meeting earlier this year, "Since things went well last year, we don't have the luxury of being optimistic about this year," adding, "Simply trying to endure won't be a good strategy." This underscores the importance of responding quickly and flexibly to changes in the global automotive market. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 16:31:55 메트로신문 기자

Starting the Preparation of Subordinate Regulations Amid Equity Controversy Between Domestic Companies and Global Big Tech

"The discussion surrounding the AI Basic Law, which passed the National Assembly in December last year and was approved at the Cabinet meeting this month, is actively ongoing. The AI Basic Law is a law designed to foster the development of South Korea's AI industry and protect the rights and dignity of its citizens." / DALL-E generated image. 4o mini There is a controversy surrounding the AI Basic Law, with claims of reverse discrimination. The argument is that in a situation where global big tech companies are skillfully avoiding domestic laws in platform services, regulatory measures might unfairly target only domestic companies. The government has stated, "If foreign companies are not subject to regulation, domestic companies will not be either." According to the IT industry on the 22nd, concerns about reverse discrimination against domestic companies have been growing since the process of drafting subordinate regulations for the Artificial Intelligence Basic Law (AI Basic Law) on AI development and trust-building began. The Ministry of Science and ICT launched a task force on the 15th to draft the subordinate regulations for the AI Basic Law, which is scheduled to be promulgated this month and fully implemented in January of next year. The AI Basic Law serves as the foundation for policy support to foster the development of the AI industry, while also aiming to protect the rights and dignity of citizens from the potential risks of AI technology. It is the second AI-related law to be enacted in the world. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expedite the task force's work, aiming to complete the drafting of the subordinate regulations by June, well ahead of the deadline of December next year. The AI Basic Law has been one of the key pieces of legislation strongly advocated by the IT industry for swift enactment and implementation. However, the controversy over reverse discrimination arose after the law was enacted because of concerns that if its various regulations are applied only to domestic AI companies, it could put them at a disadvantage in competition with global big tech companies. Industry insiders argue that, while the urgent need for legislation to secure AI technology sovereignty and long-term support policies is clear, they are skeptical about whether there are ways to regulate and sanction global big tech companies within the framework of domestic law. In the past, global big tech companies, citing their foreign status, have either been subject to minimal enforcement of domestic laws or used loopholes to avoid them, paying less taxes and evading legal responsibilities compared to domestic companies. An IT service platform representative, Mr. A, stated, "The AI Basic Law has achieved the outcome of mandating foreign operators to designate domestic agents." However, he also expressed concerns, saying, "Domestic companies are ultimately forced to develop and provide services under the AI Basic Law, but under the development regulations, foreign companies will likely remain unaffected. This raises questions about whether the law is fair and equitable." The AI Basic Law strengthens regulations on foreign AI companies, requiring global big tech companies that impact the domestic market to designate a domestic agent. This is to ensure that these companies provide the necessary support for implementing the government's safety and reliability measures. Failure to designate an agent will result in a fine. The government plans to implement the AI Basic Law with a focus on "promotion" at 70-80% and "regulation" at 20-30%, aiming to alleviate the concerns of the IT industry. On the 21st, Kim Kyung-man, the Director of AI-Based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, who attended the seminar on "Analysis and Evaluation of the AI Basic Law and Future Tasks" co-hosted by Kim & Chang Law Firm and the Korea Data Law and Policy Association, stated, "Regulations under the AI Basic Law that do not apply to foreign companies will not be applied to domestic companies either." He further explained, "For issues such as overlapping regulations or confusion in policy governance that slow down the changes and implementation of the system, we plan to address these promptly through the National AI Commission to ensure that there are no difficulties in competing with foreign companies." Park Min-chul, a lawyer at Kim & Chang Law Firm, expressed concern, stating, "The AI Basic Law is still at a stage where it is difficult to predict what regulations will be in place, leading to fears that it could become the starting point for further regulations." He added, "The subordinate regulations should be clarified while avoiding the addition of unnecessary content, and should be used as a mechanism to increase predictability." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 16:26:13 메트로신문 기자

"Short but Impactful" The Short-Form Drama Boom: China Leading, Will Korea Follow?

Short but impactful "short-form dramas" are changing the landscape of the global content market. In particular, as the short-form platform TikTok overcomes its survival crisis, attention is focused on whether the rapidly growing short-form drama market, primarily centered in China, will benefit from this trend. According to the "2024 China Short-Form Drama Industry Development White Paper" released by the China Internet Video Association on the 22nd, the size of China's short-form drama market reached approximately 50.44 billion yuan (about 10.037 trillion KRW) last year, showing a 35% growth compared to 2023. This surpasses the total size of China's film market in the same year, and it is expected to reach around 19 trillion KRW by 2027. ◆ AI and Localization Strategy: The Key to the Success of Chinese Short-Form Content China's leading short-form drama platform, "Lilshot," produces vertically formatted dramas with each episode lasting about one minute. This short, fast-paced format has become extremely popular among consumers who prefer quick and engaging content. Lilshot has especially gained attention in the U.S. market. In November of last year, it surpassed TikTok to become the most downloaded app in the U.S. with a total of 28.6 million downloads. In-app purchase revenue reached $80 million (approximately 105 billion KRW). Other Chinese short-form drama platforms, such as "DramaBox" and "GoodShot," continue to grow in the Chinese-speaking and Southeast Asian markets as well. The success of Chinese short-form dramas can be attributed to AI technology and localization strategies. AI technology has enabled high-quality content production while reducing costs and production time. Additionally, localized stories that reflect the cultural characteristics of each country, along with strategic partnerships, have accelerated their entry into the global market. Lilshot has attracted consumer interest with its reasonable pricing policy and a diverse range of content genres. Typically, a series consists of 70 to 80 episodes, with the first 58 episodes available for free. Subsequent episodes are offered for a fee, with the total viewing cost around $30 (approximately 40,000 KRW). The average production cost per series is only around $300,000 (approximately 400 million KRW), making it a highly profitable model. ◆ K-Content Takes on the Short-Form Market K-Content, which enjoys strong recognition in the global market, has also ventured into the short-form drama market. Since the launch of South Korea's first short-form drama platform, 'TopReels,' in April last year, 'BeagleU' and Watcha's 'ShotCha' have also actively entered the short-form market. TopReels is operated by Fox Media, a subsidiary of the game distributor NeoRidge, and offers not only original dramas such as "My Revenge Partner" and "Acquired Four Men" but also Chinese short-form dramas. BeagleU is the first domestic short-form platform to enter the Japanese market, offering around 90 dramas in seven languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese. Recently, it gained recognition for its growth potential by securing an investment of approximately 120 billion KRW from Krafton. In particular, ShotCha has attracted attention as Watcha was the first domestic OTT platform to step into the short-form drama market. TVing is also preparing to enter the market by planning original short-form dramas. However, the lack of independent platforms and limited experience in large-scale production are seen as major obstacles in the Korean short-form market. An industry expert positively assessed the potential of short-form dramas as a new growth driver for the Korean content industry, emphasizing, "Strengthening production capabilities through global collaboration and adopting a content strategy that highlights the unique appeal of short-form dramas are essential." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 14:05:44 메트로신문 기자

Unpacked D-2, Key Points to Watch? Focus on the Smarter AI Phone and the Debut of XR Devices

IT tipster Evan Blass posted a photo on his social media, which is believed to be a promotional image of the Galaxy S25 series. / Evan Blass X 4o mini As the Galaxy Unpacked event approaches, attention is focused on the new products to be revealed. The upgraded 'Galaxy S25' series, featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, is expected to be Samsung Electronics' flagship release. With this, Samsung aims to find a breakthrough in the smartphone market and gain a competitive edge. In addition, anticipation is rising for the unveiling of the second-generation 'Galaxy Ring' and Samsung's first mixed reality (XR) product, the 'Moohan' headset. According to industry sources on the 21st, Samsung Electronics will hold the "Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025" event on the 22nd (local time) in San Jose, USA, where the new Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled. The event will take place at 3 AM Korean time on the 23rd. The Unpacked event will be themed "The Next Big Leap in Mobile AI Experience," showcasing the new AI features that will be integrated into the Galaxy S25. The biggest features of the upcoming Galaxy S25 series are its redesigned look, significantly upgraded AI capabilities, and camera improvements. The lineup is expected to include the same models as the previous generation: ▲ Galaxy S25, ▲ Galaxy S25 Plus, and ▲ Galaxy S25 Ultra, with the addition of a new ▲ Galaxy S25 Slim model. Samsung Electronics has traditionally offered three models: the standard, Plus, and Ultra. However, in order to break through in the smartphone market, which is currently focused on thickness competition, Samsung has expanded its lineup by adding the "Slim" model. The biggest change is in the design. While the previous Galaxy S25 series featured sharp, angular corners, it is expected that the new series will adopt a more rounded design. Samsung hinted at this change in a recent video for the Galaxy S25 Unpacked invitation, showcasing the alignment of four smartphones, suggesting a shift in the design. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display and weighs 162g. The Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, comes with a 6.7-inch display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and WQHD resolution, with a weight of 190g. One of the key features of the upcoming Galaxy devices is the advanced AI capabilities and enhanced camera performance. Last month, Samsung introduced key features of its next-generation 'Galaxy AI,' including 'Nowva' and the 'Personal Data Engine.' 'Nowva' is a new notification system that displays the user's real-time activities, such as their schedule, music listening, translations, and health data, directly on the smartphone's lock screen. It is predicted that the voice assistant "Bixby" embedded in the Galaxy S25 will be integrated with Samsung's large language model (LLM) "Gauss" or Google's LLM "Gemini." While Bixby has previously been capable of only simple commands, combining it with an LLM model will enable it to perform more complex tasks. In addition, a "text conversion" feature, which transcribes call content into text, will be added. The scope of features such as text summarization and grammar and spelling checks, which were previously available on individual apps, is expected to expand across the entire device. These AI features will be enabled by Qualcomm's "Snapdragon 8 Elite," which will be integrated into all Galaxy models. The industry analyzes that this chip will see a 40% improvement in GPU performance and a 45% enhancement in AI capabilities compared to the previous generation, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Additionally, Samsung is expected to unveil the upgraded second-generation Galaxy Ring. The new Galaxy Ring will include size options 14 (diameter 23mm) and 15 (diameter 23.8mm), bringing the total number of available sizes to 11. In addition, there is growing attention on whether Samsung will unveil its first XR (extended reality) product at this Unpacked event. Samsung has been developing an XR headset under the project codename "Moohan." While details on the headset's size, screen resolution, and other specifications remain unclear, it is expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, as it has been developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. Last month, Google revealed prototype images of the headset. While similar to Apple's Vision Pro, the key difference lies in its design, which includes large lenses and a headband for improved comfort during wear. Meanwhile, the price of Samsung's latest premium smartphone, the Galaxy S25 series, is expected to be similar to that of its predecessor. For the Galaxy S24, the prices were 1,155,000 KRW for the standard model, 1,353,000 KRW for the Plus, and 1,698,400 KRW for the Ultra. If predictions hold, the 256GB model of the Galaxy S25 is likely to be priced similarly. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 16:33:25 메트로신문 기자

[Trump's Blade] K-Industry at a Crossroads…Secondary Batteries and Steel 'Uncertain' vs. Shipbuilding and Power 'Bright'

President Donald Trump has begun his second term. As a result, the tariff hikes and protectionist policies that the Trump 2.0 administration had previously warned about are expected to impact the entire domestic industry. While some sectors are expressing concerns and tension due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump's return to power, there are also voices expecting potential benefits. According to industry sources on the 21st, with U.S. President Donald Trump officially inaugurated as the 47th president on the 20th (local time), domestic companies highly dependent on exports to the U.S. are facing heightened concerns. During his inauguration speech, President Trump had indicated trade policy reforms through the imposition of tariffs. Given this situation, there is widespread belief that domestic industries heavily reliant on the U.S. market will find it difficult to avoid the impact. ◆ Growing Tension in Secondary Battery and Steel Industries Amid Uncertainty in U.S. Exports The industry most focused on the Trump risk is the secondary battery sector. In his inaugural speech, President Trump stated, "We will end the Green New Deal and revoke the mandate for electric vehicles to revive the automotive industry and honor a sacred pledge to the great American auto workers." The Green New Deal refers to the Biden administration's policy for environmentally sustainable economic growth. Nevertheless, the industry believes that President Trump's statement about "ending the Green New Deal" does not necessarily imply the repeal of the U.S. IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). Repealing or modifying the IRA would not be possible through an executive order alone, and would require a process involving agreement and voting in both the House and Senate. Considering the differences in the number of seats in the House, analysts believe that such a move is unlikely to be realistic. Therefore, it is argued that assuming the repeal of the IRA based solely on the phrase "ending the Green New Deal" is an overstatement. However, a gradual reduction in electric vehicle subsidies is considered inevitable. There is increasing concern that this could negatively impact the profitability of domestic battery companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, which have been increasing investments, including establishing local factories in the U.S. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade predicts that battery exports could decline by 6.1% to 25.2% following the start of the Trump 2.0 administration. The steel industry is also closely monitoring the potential introduction of universal tariffs and carbon taxes. President Trump has made it clear that he intends to impose up to a 60% tariff on Chinese products, signaling his firm stance on containing China. The problem is that South Korean steel products, due to the carbon-intensive nature of the industry, will likely be affected by carbon taxes as well. Steel companies are expressing concerns about additional cost burdens and the potential weakening of export competitiveness. Currently, the U.S. applies a quota system to South Korean steel products. Under the Trump 1.0 administration, the quota system limited the amount of steel imported from South Korea, allowing domestic companies to benefit from duty-free access for 2.63 million tons of steel. However, if carbon taxes are applied to the limited export volume, the cost of the finished products would rise, making it difficult to maintain price competitiveness in the U.S. market. ◆ Shipbuilding and Power Industries Find 'Growth Drivers' in Trump's Re-election On the other hand, there are industries that are welcoming President Trump's re-election. Notably, the shipbuilding industry is expected to benefit from a double boost, with increased demand for eco-friendly ships and President Trump's cooperation requests further enhancing the outlook. In his inaugural speech, President Trump emphasized, "We will declare a national energy emergency and expand oil and natural gas drilling extensively." Additionally, in a phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol in November 2024, he mentioned, "The U.S. shipbuilding industry needs South Korea's help and cooperation." Last month, President Trump also stated, "I am well aware of South Korea's world-class capabilities in building warships and vessels," adding, "I believe close cooperation with South Korea is necessary not only in ship exports but also in the areas of maintenance, repair, and servicing." Especially as President Trump places emphasis on traditional energy and fossil fuel-based industries, the demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LPG carriers is expected to increase. Domestic shipbuilding companies such as HD Hyundai Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries possess the technical capabilities to build around 80% of the world's LNG carriers, and are expected to strengthen their market position in the LNG carrier construction sector. Power equipment companies are also among the industries expecting to benefit from Trump's re-election. This is because President Trump's return to power has accelerated the replacement of power demand in the North American region. President Trump stated, "I will invoke emergency powers to secure the electricity needed for industrial development." Additionally, the day before his inauguration, President Trump stated, "I will use emergency powers to allow wealthy companies and individuals to build large factories and AI factories," and added, "We need twice as much energy, and perhaps even more." As the need for expanding the power grid grows, driven by the strengthening of the AI industry's foundation, U.S. power demand is rapidly increasing. In fact, the U.S. import value of power equipment rose significantly, from $164.34 million in January 2024 to $333.18 million in November of the same year. South Korea ranks as the second-largest importer, accounting for 12% of the total import value, and the overall trend is on the rise. Additionally, the increasing need for power equipment in the process of integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid is a positive factor for the industry. Furthermore, as the U.S. replaces its aging power infrastructure, there is rising demand for transformers, which is expected to benefit the power equipment sector. An industry insider stated, "The concerns over the tariff wars due to President Trump's re-election and the U.S.-China conflict are intertwined, meaning that the entire domestic industry will inevitably be significantly impacted." They continued, "In particular, in response to the changing global economic environment, domestic companies are adopting various strategies such as supply chain restructuring and expanding new businesses, but it is expected that, in the short term, it will be difficult to avoid overall confusion in the industry." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 16:14:53 메트로신문 기자

"Joint Growth" Hyundai and Kia: First-Tier Supplier Sales Exceed 90 Trillion KRW…"Continuing to Expand Global Competitiveness"

The sales of small and medium-sized first-tier suppliers directly providing parts to Hyundai and Kia surpassed 90 trillion KRW for the first time in 2023. Hyundai and Kia announced on the 21st that the combined sales of 237 small and medium-sized first-tier suppliers, as of 2023, amounted to 90.297 trillion KRW. This marks a 326% increase compared to 21.1837 trillion KRW in 2001. Once the final business performance figures for the suppliers are confirmed, the annual sales figure is expected to be even higher. The sales figures were compiled by analyzing the 2023 business performance of 237 small and medium-sized suppliers, excluding Hyundai Motor Group affiliates, companies with less than 10% revenue dependency on Hyundai and Kia, and non-specialized parts manufacturers among Hyundai and Kia's domestic first-tier suppliers. When adding the sales from the 2nd and 3rd-tier suppliers, which total around 5,000, the overall scale exceeds 100 trillion KRW. The 237 suppliers have also shown growth alongside Hyundai and Kia in terms of key financial indicators such as asset size and debt ratio. In 2023, their combined sales exceeded Hyundai's sales of 78.0338 trillion KRW by more than 12 trillion KRW and accounted for 66% of the combined sales of Hyundai and Kia, which totaled 136.5537 trillion KRW. The analysis, based on the Bank of Korea's input-output table (2022 extended version), shows that the sales of the 237 suppliers (90.297 trillion KRW) have contributed significantly to the national economy. The production inducement effect was estimated at 237.8 trillion KRW, and the value-added inducement effect reached 55.6 trillion KRW. The employment inducement effect is estimated to be around 600,000 jobs. The trend of individual suppliers becoming larger is becoming more evident. The average sales per supplier, which was 73.3 billion KRW in 2001, increased to 239.1 billion KRW in 2013 and was recorded at 381 billion KRW in 2023. The proportion of suppliers with sales exceeding 100 billion KRW has grown from 62 companies (21%) in 2001 to 160 companies (68%) in 2023. Hyundai and Kia have maintained an average transaction period of 35 years with their suppliers. This is about three times longer than the average operational lifespan of 13.5 years for international small and medium-sized manufacturers. Additionally, 36% of their suppliers have been in business with them for over 40 years. In addition, Hyundai and Kia have established local production plants in key global regions such as the U.S., Europe, India, Brazil, and Mexico. By supporting not only first-tier suppliers but also second-tier suppliers in their expansion, they have contributed to helping their suppliers secure global competitiveness. A Hyundai Motor Group official explained, "The growth of our suppliers is a result of increased production volumes following Hyundai and Kia's global sales growth, as well as leveraging the trust of being a Hyundai and Kia supplier to increase supply to other overseas automakers, thereby creating various revenue streams." He continued, "We will support sustained growth based on our philosophy that joint growth with suppliers is the source of automotive competitiveness and on long-term partnerships." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 15:41:13 메트로신문 기자

Korea Zinc Management Dispute to be Decided This Week…Choi Yoon-beom vs. MBK Alliance: Who Will Prevail?

In the ongoing management dispute at Korea Zinc, Chairman Choi Yoon-beom's side and the alliance of Youngpoong and MBK Partners (MBK) will engage in a vote battle at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on the 23rd. The key issue of this meeting is the introduction of cumulative voting. The outcome of whether or not the cumulative voting system passes will determine which side—Chairman Choi's side or the MBK alliance—will secure a majority on the board of directors. Chairman Choi Yoon-beom's side at Korea Zinc is mobilizing its friendly shares, as well as the National Pension Service and shares from foreign institutional investors, to push for the passage of the cumulative voting system. On the other hand, the MBK alliance is aiming for a reversal by first blocking the cumulative voting and then taking control of the board based on shareholding ratios. According to business circles on the 20th, the cumulative voting system became the first agenda item of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, proposed by Yumi Development, which is effectively a family-owned company of Chairman Choi Yoon-beom of Korea Zinc. Cumulative voting is a system in which shareholders are given voting rights equal to the number of director candidates for each share they hold, allowing them to concentrate their votes on a single candidate or several candidates. If the cumulative voting system passes, shareholders can allocate their voting rights to a specific candidate or distribute them among multiple candidates. Directors are elected based on the highest number of votes received in order. At this extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, there are a total of 21 director candidates (7 nominated by Korea Zinc and 14 by MBK). Shareholders holding one share will have 21 voting rights, which they can freely distribute among the director candidates they support. As of the end of last year, the combined shareholding of Youngpoong and the MBK alliance in Korea Zinc was 46.72%. Chairman Choi's side holds approximately 39.16% when combining Korea Zinc's 19.95% and friendly shares of 19.21%. This means that Chairman Choi's family has about 7 percentage points less voting rights compared to the Youngpoong and MBK alliance. Chairman Choi's side aims to overcome its disadvantageous shareholding ratio through the cumulative voting system and secure a majority on the board of directors. On the other hand, the Youngpoong and MBK alliance seeks to block the cumulative voting system and leverage its superior shareholding ratio to take control of the board. This agenda item requires a special resolution, meaning it needs the approval of at least two-thirds of the shareholders present at the meeting. Additionally, the "3% rule" under the Commercial Act limits the voting rights of major shareholders to a maximum of 3%, meaning the voting rights of the MBK alliance will be capped at around 24%. This could work against the Youngpoong and MBK alliance, which holds a large stake. The National Pension Service (4.51%) has already expressed support for the cumulative voting system, backing Chairman Choi's side. The outcome of this extraordinary general meeting is expected to be a pivotal turning point in the management dispute. Meanwhile, MBK Partners has filed for an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court to prevent the appointment of directors based on the introduction of the cumulative voting system at Korea Zinc. The court's decision is expected to be delivered by the 21st. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-20 16:05:53 메트로신문 기자

U.S. Imposes Tariff Bomb on Chinese Gloves Starting This Year... Both Malaysian and South Korean Petrochemical Companies 'Benefit'

As the U.S. increases tariffs on Chinese glove manufacturers starting this year, Malaysian glove manufacturers are expected to benefit. This is anticipated to lead to a boost in sales of nitrile butadiene latex (NB latex) by domestic petrochemical companies such as Kumho Petrochemical and LG Chem. NB latex, a key material for surgical rubber gloves, is being exported by South Korean petrochemical companies to Malaysia. According to industry sources on January 20, the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on Chinese-made gloves starting this year, with plans to increase it to 100% by 2026. Following this decision, there is growing attention on the potential surge in sales for Malaysian manufacturers, who had lost market share in the U.S. market. Alongside this, there is widespread expectation that the sales of South Korean NB latex manufacturers will also rise. Top Glove, the world's largest glove manufacturer in Malaysia, reported in its Q1 2025 earnings that sales to North America increased by 21% compared to the previous quarter and surged by 120% year-on-year. Last year, the company's factory utilization rate was only 45%, with a production capacity of 60 billion units, but actual production reached only 26.9 billion units. However, with the rise in North American sales, the Q1 utilization rate significantly increased to 66%. The company plans to expand its total production capacity to 70 billion units this year. In this context, the surge in sales from Malaysian and Thai clients is expected to lead to an increase in sales for South Korean NB latex manufacturers as well, fueling expectations for improved profitability. In South Korea, Kumho Petrochemical and LG Chem are producing NB latex. The completion of Kumho Petrochemical's capacity expansion investment is also seen as a positive factor. Kumho Petrochemical invested approximately 276.5 billion KRW in its Ulsan plant, completing mechanical construction in the first half of last year. Through this expansion, Kumho Petrochemical increased its annual NB latex production capacity from 710,000 tons at the end of last year to 956,000 tons. Analysts predict that the expanded facilities will lead to increased sales volumes from its clients. LG Chem is also expanding its NB latex business. The company produces approximately 550,000 tons across its plants in South Korea (200,000 tons), China (110,000 tons), and Malaysia (240,000 tons). Notably, the utilization rate of its Malaysian plant rose significantly to over 60% in the second half of last year, fueling expectations for further capacity increases. The increase in the export unit price of NB latex is also seen as a favorable development. As of May 2022, the export price of NB latex per ton was $1,052. It then dropped to $638 in July 2023 but rose to $874 in November of the same year. There is widespread expectation that this upward trend will continue in the medium to long term. Moreover, as the inventory accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic has been cleared, the utilization rates of glove manufacturing plants in Southeast Asia are reportedly gradually increasing. As a result, industry experts believe that export prices will continue to rise. An industry insider stated, "Southeast Asian glove manufacturers will be the primary beneficiaries of the U.S. tariff measures, and as a result, domestic material suppliers are expected to see positive effects within this year." They added, "While supply has increased in the market, the key factor going forward will be whether demand continues to support this growth." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-20 15:26:55 메트로신문 기자

[Trump 2.0 Administration Begins] Industries Split in Outlook…Semiconductors and Automobiles Face Challenges, AI and Biotechnology Benefit

"From carrot (subsidies) to stick (tariffs), from friend-shoring (diversification of supply chains) to on-shoring (investment in the U.S.)." As the Donald Trump administration officially begins on January 20 (local time), South Korea and the rest of the world are closely watching the industrial policies of the increasingly visible "Trump 2.0 era." In particular, the United States is the second largest destination for South Korea's exports, following China. Last year, South Korea exported $133 billion worth of goods to China and $127.8 billion worth to the United States. Major exports to the U.S. included automobiles, general machinery, and semiconductors. Given that South Korea's economy heavily relies on exports, the country is naturally highly sensitive to changes in the U.S. industrial policy. According to industry sources on January 20, sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), space industry, biotechnology, and shipbuilding are expected to benefit in the "Trump 2.0 era." On the other hand, industries like secondary batteries, automobiles, semiconductors, and steel are anticipated to face challenges. Samil PwC highlighted the key policies of the Trump administration as follows: ▲ increase in trade tariffs (strengthening protectionism) ▲ corporate tax cuts (enhancing pro-business policies) ▲ curbing illegal immigration (restricting free movement of labor) ▲ America First policy (shifting from global leadership to transaction-based alliances) ▲ expansion of fossil fuel industries (retreat from environmental policies). It further classified the sectors into those likely to benefit and those expected to face challenges, with IT (especially AI), healthcare, aerospace and defense, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals being the beneficiary industries, and steel, semiconductors, automobiles, and secondary batteries being the sectors at risk. Oh Sun-joo, senior researcher at Samil PwC Management Institute, stated, "The second Trump administration is expected to pursue even more aggressive protectionism compared to the first. If trade wars escalate between major countries, it will lead to a decline in global trade volumes, which will inevitably impact South Korea's export-oriented economy." She also analyzed, "The renegotiation of trade agreements such as the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and the Korea-U.S. FTA (Free Trade Agreement), along with the increasing geopolitical risks, will accelerate the restructuring of supply chains centered around the U.S., causing a re-emergence of global supply chain risks." Park Tae-ho, a professor emeritus at Seoul National University and former head of the Trade Negotiation Bureau, stated, "The second Trump administration is expected to halt outsourcing abroad and expand subsidies for key domestic industries such as steel, automobiles, defense, energy, and AI, while also implementing corporate tax cuts in favor of pro-business policies. Additionally, it is anticipated that the administration will push for increased infrastructure investment and active policies to stimulate the domestic real economy." ◆ Semiconductors and Secondary Batteries: South Korea's Key Export Industries Expected to Struggle The sectors most affected by Trump's return, where concerns are becoming a reality, include semiconductors, internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles, and secondary batteries. Among these, semiconductors are a core industry that account for 22% of South Korea's total exports. The Trump administration holds a negative view regarding the subsidy provisions of the semiconductor law (CHIPS and Science Act), also known as the "U.S. Semiconductor Support Act," which was enacted by the previous Biden administration in 2022. As a result, there is a high likelihood that subsidies for foreign companies will be reduced. Trump also advocates for high tariffs, arguing that foreign companies should maintain semiconductor factories within the United States. In particular, regulations related to semiconductors concerning China are expected to intensify. Experts predict that China's plans for semiconductor self-sufficiency will become even more challenging with Trump's return to power. In other words, the intensified containment of China could result in South Korean companies benefiting indirectly. For this reason, experts consider securing a position as a key partner to the U.S. in the high-performance semiconductor sector as crucial. Additionally, as significant changes are expected in the U.S.'s existing semiconductor policies, experts advise that it is necessary to prepare response strategies for various potential scenarios. Park Yoo-ak, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "We must also closely monitor changes in the U.S.'s attitude toward Taiwan." He added, "The second Trump administration may use its relationship with China to pressure Taiwan's TSMC to accelerate its U.S. production roadmap. If this happens, the Taiwanese government may respond strongly, and TSMC could pass on the tariffs imposed by the U.S. to its customers (in the U.S.). If such issues arise, it could dampen investor sentiment in the AI industry." ◆ Universal Tariffs and IRA: Potential Obstacles for the Automobile and Related Industries Automobiles became South Korea's top export item last year, with $34.2 billion worth sent to the U.S. alone. For Hyundai and Kia, the U.S. accounted for 42% of their total exports as of 2023, with 920,000 out of 2.2 million units sold in the U.S. The United States has pointed to South Korean automobiles as a major cause of its trade deficit with South Korea. As a result, there is speculation that the Trump administration may attempt to reduce imports of South Korean vehicles. A prime example is the "universal tariff." The term refers to the imposition of a 10-20% tariff on all imports, regardless of product or country, with the aim of protecting domestic manufacturing jobs in the United States. If the universal tariff is implemented on South Korean automobiles exported to the U.S., a decline in price competitiveness would be inevitable. Previously, S&P Global analyzed that if a 20% tariff were imposed on South Korean cars, Hyundai and Kia's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) could decrease by up to 19%. In its "2025 Economic and Industrial Outlook" report, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) stated, "The Trump administration's policies on the automobile industry, such as the imposition of universal tariffs, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the repeal of fuel efficiency regulations, will significantly affect our automobile industry's exports and production, increasing uncertainty." The report also added, "While there may be room for negotiation with countries with which Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have been signed, the imposition of tariffs will lead to a response from our companies by expanding local production in the U.S., which will have a significantly negative impact on domestic production and exports." It also added, "There is a limit to excessively lowering vehicle prices out of concern for additional tariffs, and diversifying export markets is challenging due to the rising competitiveness of Chinese companies." Electric vehicles and secondary batteries are encountering obstacles from all directions. The Trump administration's retreat from environmental policies and the reduction in IRA support are leading to a lack of demand for electric vehicles, and this negative impact extends to secondary batteries. The oversupply of electric vehicles in China is also a red flag for South Korean companies. Demand for electric vehicles is slowing down, adding to the challenges. However, experts believe that in the case of the IRA, the focus will likely be on reducing the scale of support rather than a complete abolition. Oh Sun-joo, senior researcher, predicted, "Given the continued slowdown in electric vehicle demand since 2023, if the benefits of the IRA are eliminated, the profitability of secondary battery companies is expected to worsen." Professor Park Tae-ho advised, "South Korean companies that have invested in fields such as secondary batteries, electric vehicles, and solar panels in the U.S. need to prepare for the possibility of the elimination or reduction of the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) for these production facilities." The World Bank (WB), which forecasted a global real GDP growth rate of 2.7% this year, the same as last year, analyzed that if the Trump administration imposes a 10% universal tariff, global growth would decrease by 0.3 percentage points. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-20 14:58:18 메트로신문 기자

Amid the crisis in the automotive, semiconductor, and secondary battery industries due to "America First" policies, companies are seeking opportunities.

On the 20th (local time), as the second term of the Trump administration is about to begin, tension is rising within domestic industries such as semiconductors and automobiles. President-elect Trump has previously expressed negative views on semiconductor subsidies and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the battery industry. There is also a high likelihood that he will implement policies such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, lifting the electric vehicle mandate, and halting offshore wind energy development. As a result, domestic companies are seen working diligently to prepare for uncertain market conditions. According to industry sources on the 19th, the second term of the Trump administration is expected to continue the semiconductor export controls against China initiated by the Biden administration. The Biden administration expanded domestic semiconductor manufacturing through the CHIPS Act and planned to regulate the export of advanced semiconductors to China. As a result, South Korean semiconductor companies are planning to focus on establishing local production systems in the U.S. and expanding their technological competitiveness. Currently, Samsung Electronics operates NAND flash production plants in Xi'an and Suzhou, China, as well as semiconductor back-end processing (packaging) plants. SK hynix has DRAM plants in Wuxi, back-end processing plants in Chongqing, and a NAND plant in Dalian. These companies are building factories in the U.S. to respond to export regulations. Currently, Samsung Electronics' plant being constructed in Taylor, Texas, is expected to begin mass production in 2026. SK hynix's Indiana plant is also anticipated to start production of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other AI memory products in the second half of 2028. The South Korean battery industry already has a significant number of factories in the U.S., giving it a competitive edge. Additionally, South Korean companies possess core technologies that enable them to respond effectively to export controls and protectionist trade policies in the medium to long term. However, challenges are expected due to Trump's protectionist trade policies and China's increased export controls to the U.S. Ultimately, the battery industry finds itself in a situation where government support is critical. The South Korean battery industry has historically relied on importing raw materials from China, producing intermediate materials such as anode and cathode materials domestically, and manufacturing finished battery cells in the U.S. under this structure. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recognizes processed battery materials from countries with which the U.S. has free trade agreements (FTAs) as equivalent to domestic materials, qualifying for electric vehicle consumer subsidies. However, if the Trump administration imposes tariffs on battery materials, the South Korean battery industry will inevitably need to restructure its business operations in order to maintain its competitiveness. There is a high likelihood that companies will either build new factories or expand their existing facilities in North America. For cathode materials, which have the highest cost share, EcoPro BM, LG Chem, and POSCO Future M are all constructing factories in North America. Among them, LG Chem's Tennessee plant (with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons) is the only one located in the U.S., while POSCO Future M and EcoPro BM are building plants in Canada. The automotive industry plans to adapt flexibly by adjusting its strategy to focus on eco-friendly vehicles. South Korea's automotive industry accounted for about 60% of the country's total trade surplus with the U.S. last year, solidifying its position as a "key export" industry for South Korea. Hyundai Motor Group plans to reduce electric vehicle production at its local factories and increase the production of eco-friendly vehicles, including hybrid cars, in line with the Trump administration's election promises to abolish electric vehicle subsidies and remove penalties for internal combustion engine vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group plans to focus on the production of the Palisade Hybrid, which is scheduled for release in the U.S. in the second half of this year, and the Genesis Hybrid, which is still under development, at the "Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)" that began operations in October last year. The group will also start production of the large flagship electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) Ioniq 9, which is set to be launched this year. Additionally, the export and import regulations for connected cars are favorable to South Korean companies. The U.S. government, in its confirmation on the 14th, included a provision in the connected car-related regulations that gradually bans the sale of vehicles using Chinese and Russian software components for autonomous driving or communication functions. These regulations will apply to software starting with 2027 models and to hardware starting with 2030 models. Hyundai Motor Group is expected to benefit from these regulations. The group is currently collaborating with NVIDIA on AI programs and is pursuing autonomous taxi services in partnership with Waymo, a Google subsidiary, which is the world's leading robo-taxi company. Additionally, through its subsidiary, Motional, Hyundai Motor Group is focusing on advancing fully autonomous driving technology in the U.S. Additionally, Hyundai Motor Group donated $1 million (approximately 14.7 billion won) to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump as part of its response to the uncertainties of his second term. This is the first time Hyundai Motor Group has made a donation to a U.S. presidential inauguration since its entry into the U.S. market. An industry insider stated, "It is difficult to predict what will happen after President Trump's inauguration," and added, "We need to watch how things will unfold after the start of the Trump administration and prepare flexible strategies for North America, which is our key market." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-19 16:08:28 메트로신문 기자

Naver and Kakao Enhance AI Shopping Services to Capture Both User Convenience and Advertising Revenue

Naver and Kakao are applying artificial intelligence (AI) to their shopping pages, accelerating the development of ultra-personalized services. AI-driven personalized shopping services directly translate into advertising revenue, making them a crucial cash cow for these companies, highlighting their growing importance. According to industry sources on the 19th, following Naver's launch of the AI-based ultra-personalized shopping service, "Naver Plus Store," in October last year, Kakao is now set to release the beta version of its "AI Shopping Mate." In the fourth quarter of last year, Naver launched Plus Store as a separate service, marking the official start of its personalized shopping service. It is scheduled for release as a standalone app in the first half of this year. Plus Store analyzes individual preferences and interests to recommend and display not only products but also benefits, promotions, and shopping-related content, offering an ultra-personalized AI shopping experience. The shopping functionality focused on searching and comparing product specifications will be rebranded as the "Naver Price Comparison" service, which will feature an improved catalog function. Meanwhile, the AI-driven shopping experience, previously scattered across various services such as AiTEMS product recommendations and the FOR YOU service, will be fully expanded through "Naver Plus Store." With the launch of Plus Store, users' shopping experiences have been improved, and sellers have found it easier to collect and analyze shopping data. Despite prolonged sluggish consumer sentiment, the industry estimates that Naver Shopping continues to grow. Lee Jun-ho, an analyst at Hana Securities, stated regarding the commerce business, "The fourth-quarter domestic online shopping transaction volume is expected to show stagnant growth of around 2%, similar to the third quarter, but Naver is projected to outperform this with growth of +5.2%, driven by its Smart Store and Brand Store." On the 18th, Kakao revealed the beta version of its second AI Mate, "AI Shopping Mate," on the AI Mate website. AI Shopping Mate is a service that can be used via web chat and KakaoTalk channels, with a focus on KakaoTalk Gift. Through conversations with users, it not only suggests shopping items they want to purchase but also provides information about their KakaoTalk friends' birthdays and recommended gifts. Kakao developed AI technology specialized for shopping to build the service. Since there is no existing data that fits the gift recommendation scenario, supervised fine-tuning (SFT) data, which allows the AI to naturally perform dialogues and scenarios, is essential for learning the shopping-related scenarios. Kakao developed fine-tuning data internally to make its general-purpose AI model work for the gift recommendation scenario. The company provides a newly designed chatbot tailored to both the familiar KakaoTalk channel chatbot and generative AI, offering users a fully customized experience. Both Naver and Kakao are building and advancing AI shopping services not only to improve user experience but also to maximize advertising revenue. Advertising through shopping services generates revenue from sellers' broad-targeted ads as well as purchase conversion revenue driven by ads. Therefore, if ultra-personalized services lead to user purchases, the platform's advertising revenue will also increase. In fact, consumer shopping experiences through AI technology have been proven overseas. According to a report from Capgemini Research Institute, 68% of consumers in a 2024 survey stated that they had actually purchased products recommended by AI. This is a significant increase from 52% in 2023. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-19 15:37:51 메트로신문 기자

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