KT joins state project to build AI-driven 'dark factory' solutions

The Korea Times - Sep 17, 2026

KT said Thursday it has joined a government-led research project to develop design and construction solutions for "dark factories" — fully automated, unmanned plants that run around the clock using artificial intelligence (AI) across every stage of production. The project falls under a Ministry of Science and ICT initiative to build a research and development ecosystem for a software platform based on collaborative intelligence and physical AI. It aims to build a dark factory near Jeonbuk Innovation City in North Jeolla Province. Besides KT, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, LG Energy Solution, Harim Foods, Shinsung E&G and the Korea Productivity Center are taking part as joint research institutions. KT will develop a system built on modular edge AI data center infrastructure — compact, distributed AI data centers pre-assembled on factory floors — to generate and verify Sim-Ready synthetic data, or digital data usable in virtual simulation environments, along with an integrated environment for operating AI agents. Through the research, KT aims to resolve error

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KT, KISTI launch Korea's 1st 400 Gbps super-fast data highway to US

Sep 16, 2026

KT, KISTI launch Korea's 1st 400 Gbps super-fast data highway to US

KT, one of Korea's major telecommunications service providers, has joined forces with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) to open the nation's first 400-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) international dedicated circuit linking Korea and the United States, creating a faster route for massive research datasets. The circuit connects KISTI’s headquarters in Daejeon with Chicago, a major hub for research networks serving North America and Europe, KT said Wednesday. The new connection quadruples bandwidth from the previous 100 Gbps and is designed to support faster, more stable transfers for international scientific collaboration. Demand for cross-border data exchange has grown as research involving artificial intelligence (AI), large-scale science and astronomy increasingly depends on vast volumes of data, KT said. The new network is expected to accelerate transfers of large research datasets, strengthen global connectivity for Korea’s national research network and expand support for international collaborative research. KT and KISTI also completed technical tests aim

Stella Artois debuts Pure Gold premium lager in Korea

Sep 16, 2026

Stella Artois debuts Pure Gold premium lager in Korea

Stella Artois is introducing Pure Gold, a new premium lager in Korea that combines zero sugar and zero gluten with a lower alcohol content of 4.2 percent. The Belgian beer brand said Wednesday that Pure Gold, its first new lineup introduced in Korea, is designed around a lighter drinking experience while retaining a delicate, clean flavor. The launch makes Korea the first market in Asia to receive Pure Gold, which was first introduced in Brazil and will begin appearing in stores and restaurants nationwide from late September. Stella Artois said Pure Gold contains about 16 percent less alcohol than its existing beer. The new lager will be available in 330-milliliter and 500-milliliter cans and 500-milliliter bottles. Bottle sales will begin primarily at premium restaurants in Seoul and the capital region before expanding to other restaurants, while online platforms will offer assorted packages. A 500-milliliter eight-can package will go on sale Sept. 28, followed by a package containing eight 500-milliliter cans and a dedicated Stella Artois chalice on Oct. 15. The packaging takes its cues

Korea, Uzbekistan sign MOU to expand agricultural cooperation

Sep 16, 2026

Korea, Uzbekistan sign MOU to expand agricultural cooperation

Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture on Monday to support sustainable agricultural development and expand bilateral cooperation. The RDA, an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said the agreement was signed ahead of the Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on Wednesday. The MOU aims to help Uzbekistan train agricultural specialists by drawing on Korea’s farming technologies and the RDA’s experience in structured training programs. Under the agreement, the two countries will cooperate to improve agricultural productivity through advanced technologies and sustainable farming practices. They will also expand knowledge-sharing, technical guidance and consulting, professional training and exchanges among agricultural institutions and experts. The RDA will help develop customized training programs that reflect Uzbekistan’s farming conditions and needs. It also plans to strengthen the capabilities of researchers, agricultural workers and farmers through exchanges

Mars Korea consolidates Kellogg, Pringles to expand snack, pet care portfolio

Sep 16, 2026

Mars Korea consolidates Kellogg, Pringles to expand snack, pet care portfolio

Mars Korea is integrating Kellogg’s cereals and Pringles into its domestic lineup, establishing a consolidated consumer goods powerhouse spanning snacks, breakfast foods and pet care. The integration follows Mars’ acquisition of Kellanova, the parent company of Nongshim Kellogg, in December 2025, Mars Korea said Wednesday. Mars Korea held its first all-employee town hall Tuesday, marking the first official gathering since its Korea operations and organizations began operating under a unified structure. Lee said the change marked a milestone as Mars moved into a new phase in Korea and urged employees to build on the strengths of each business and brand to create greater synergies. The expanded portfolio adds Kellogg and Pringles to Mars Korea’s existing brands, which include Snickers and Twix in chocolate, Eclipse in gum and mints, and Cesar, Whiskas and Greenies in pet care. The combined business now spans chocolate, gum and mints, cereal, snacks and pet care, broadening Mars Korea’s presence across consumer categories. Mars said the integration is intended to create a unified oper

BGF Retail opens Korea's largest convenience-store logistics hub

Sep 16, 2026

BGF Retail opens Korea's largest convenience-store logistics hub

BGF Retail has opened what it calls Korea’s largest logistics center for the convenience-store industry, placing a 260 billion won ($187 million) investment at the center of its effort to remake regional distribution and support overseas expansion. The company held a completion ceremony Wednesday at its new facility in Gurang-dong, Gangseo District, Busan, with BGF Group Chairman Hong Seok-jo, BGF Retail Vice Chairman Hong Jung-kook and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo among those attending. Built on a 47,186.8-square-meter site, the center has 128,072.65 square meters of floor space, making it BGF Retail’s largest logistics investment to date. BGF Retail began planning the facility after signing an investment agreement with Busan in 2021 and started construction in 2024, completing the project on July 14 after roughly two years of construction. The center is designed to reorganize deliveries across Busan and the Yeongnam region while serving as a major distribution point for CU stores. Its location near Busan New Port will also allow BGF Retail to handle import and export logistics as it exp

GS turns AI data centers into startup proving ground

Sep 16, 2026

GS turns AI data centers into startup proving ground

For GS, building AI data centers is becoming less about finding more power and more about finding what comes next, gathering seven startups Tuesday to pitch technologies spanning electricity, memory, cooling and computing. GS Ventures held its 2026 Tech Day at GS Tower in Gangnam, Seoul, bringing together six companies in its investment portfolio and one additional startup focused on artificial intelligence (AI) data center technologies. Executives from GS Energy, GS Caltex, GS E&C, GS E&R and GS Global attended, along with representatives of participating startups. The companies presented technologies covering much of the infrastructure needed to keep AI data centers running, from stable power supplies to graphics processing unit (GPU) cloud operations. Synergy introduced a hydrogen fuel cell solution for data centers, drawing on technology developed for ships and maritime transportation, while Exina presented intelligent memory based on Compute Express Link, or CXL, designed to ease data-processing bottlenecks. CoolMicro and SDT presented liquid-cooling systems, with one using direct-to

SK Telecom, F5 sign partnership on AI cloud security

Sep 16, 2026

SK Telecom, F5 sign partnership on AI cloud security

SK Telecom said it signed a partnership with global security company F5 to expand cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) cloud security, aimed at strengthening the carrier's ability to defend against web and API attacks as well as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) and bot attacks. Under the deal, SK Telecom will act as both a value-added reseller, which resells F5 products with added services or technology, and a managed service provider, which uses F5 products to deliver managed IT services to customers — making it F5's first domestic managed service partner for its software-as-a-service security platform. F5, headquartered in Seattle, is a global leader in multicloud application and API security, providing solutions to more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies. Its software-as-a-service-based security platform, F5 Distributed Cloud, helps companies protect applications and APIs across multicloud environments as part of their digital transformation. SK Telecom said the partnership responds to the rapidly growing AI market and tightening security regulations. The market fo

KHNP wins EPRI Technology Transfer Award for wind power technology

Sep 16, 2026

KHNP wins EPRI Technology Transfer Award for wind power technology

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has won the Technology Transfer Award (TTA) from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a U.S.-based nonprofit power research consortium, for its technological achievements in the wind power sector. The award recognizes the results of a wind power performance improvement project jointly conducted by KHNP and EPRI. As part of the project, KHNP developed an advanced engineering technology that uses machine learning to detect abnormal turbine behavior, identify the causes of performance degradation and develop measures to improve efficiency. KHNP applied the technology to wind farms operating in the United States, using it to identify underperforming turbines, analyze the causes of their performance declines and develop plans to improve efficiency. KHNP plans to integrate the software developed through the project into its operations and further develop it as an in-house technology. The move is expected to reduce the company's reliance on external engineering services and maintenance costs while improving the performance and efficiency of its overse

SC Bank Korea offers up to 4% premium on Hi Account in new customer push

Sep 16, 2026

SC Bank Korea offers up to 4% premium on Hi Account in new customer push

Standard Chartered (SC) Bank Korea is offering first-time customers an interest rate premium of up to 4 percent on its Hi Account, as part of a promotional campaign running through the end of the year, the lender said Wednesday. The product is available for sign-up through Dec. 31, while the special rate offer — 3.4 percentage points regardless of balance — will remain in effect through Jan. 31, 2027, meaning those who join earlier will benefit from the higher rate for a longer period. The offer is open to customers who have been newly registered with SC Bank Korea for 31 days or less, as well as existing customers who have not held won- or foreign-currency demand deposit, savings or installment savings accounts with the bank during the previous year. The Hi Account has a base rate of 0.1 percent a year. Outside the promotional offer, customers can also qualify for additional rate incentives, including 0.1 percentage point for opening the account through a partner channel, 0.2 percentage points for consenting to marketing communications and 0.2 percentage points for Priority Banking

Abu Dhabi delegation visits Korea to expand economic, investment ties

Sep 16, 2026

Abu Dhabi delegation visits Korea to expand economic, investment ties

A high-level delegation from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) is visiting Korea from Sept. 15-17, as part of the emirate's continuing effort to strengthen ties with major trading partners and economies. The visit builds on the special strategic partnership between Korea and the United Arab Emirates established in 2018, with the delegation set to explore expanded cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, energy, water resources, health care, education, space and agricultural technology. More than 88 public and private organizations are represented in the delegation, including the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Abu Dhabi Customs, Hub71, Abu Dhabi Police, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, Emirates Global Aluminium, Etihad Airways, Masdar City, Core42 and financial services and investment banking platform Al Liwan. Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and second v

Korea cannot afford to slow down AI development: science minister

Sep 16, 2026

Korea cannot afford to slow down AI development: science minister

Korea "cannot afford" to slow down its artificial intelligence (AI) progress, the country's science minister said Wednesday, but noted the emphasis should be put on responsible development rather than the speed of advancement itself. "It is an entirely different matter for a country already ahead to adjust its pace, than for a nation that is catching up while simultaneously having to create new markets to slow down," Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon wrote in a social media post. "We cannot afford to slow down the pace of AI development," he stressed. The minister said the gap between countries that have secured AI frontier models approaching the level of human intelligence and those who have not could eventually extend beyond merely a technological gap and into other areas, such as the country's industrial competitiveness, national security and even its future growth. But Bae expressed a cautionary approach to unconditional acceleration, stressing efforts to ensure safety and trust should also come in tandem with the pace of technological development. The science minister's comments come a

China’s AI chip stocks face crucial test as MetaX lock-up period expires

Sep 16, 2026

China’s AI chip stocks face crucial test as MetaX lock-up period expires

China is bracing for a potential massive sell-off of a high-profile artificial intelligence chip stock on Thursday, when a lock-up period affecting 14 million shares in MetaX Integrated Circuits is set to expire. Analysts expect MetaX to face “significant selling pressure” when the restricted shares are released for trading, after the expiry of a similar lock-up period for shares in fellow AI chip firm Moore Threads last week sparked an avalanche of sales that wiped nearly 49 billion yuan...

iPhone 18 Pro review: the biggest upgrade Apple's made in years

Sep 16, 2026

iPhone 18 Pro review: the biggest upgrade Apple's made in years

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro looks almost identical to last year's model. But don't let the familiar design fool you. This is one of the most significant internal upgrades Apple has made in years, and it's the camera doing the heavy lifting.

Kimi creator Moonshot draws global funds seeking ‘top-tier’ Chinese AI developers: sources

Sep 16, 2026

Kimi creator Moonshot draws global funds seeking ‘top-tier’ Chinese AI developers: sources

China’s Moonshot AI has attracted global investor interest spanning Europe, Asia and the Middle East, people familiar with the matter say, as international capital scrambles for access to Chinese frontier artificial intelligence labs, betting on their high-stakes race against US rivals. The Beijing-based developer of the Kimi family of AI models has seen mounting interest from overseas players ranging from European investment firms to Middle East family offices, with some seeking indirect...

Meta unveils more Meta One subscription plans, targeting creators and businesses

Sep 16, 2026

Meta unveils more Meta One subscription plans, targeting creators and businesses

Meta One consolidates the existing subscription plans for WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, and adds even more AI tools to the mix.

Blizzard’s new StarCraft is a shooter game and won’t arrive until 2030

Sep 16, 2026

Blizzard’s new StarCraft is a shooter game and won’t arrive until 2030

StarCraft is finally returning, but not as a real-time strategy sequel many fans were expecting.

Razer’s new Sensa-enabled Kraken V4 X puts haptics in a headset for below S$200

Sep 16, 2026

Razer’s new Sensa-enabled Kraken V4 X puts haptics in a headset for below S$200

Razer has brought down Sensa haptics from the Kraken V4 Pro, and put it into the body of a Kraken V4 X.

Everything you need to know before Amazon Prime Big Deal Days returns from 6 to 8 October 2026!

Sep 16, 2026

Everything you need to know before Amazon Prime Big Deal Days returns from 6 to 8 October 2026!

With less than a month to go before we see another Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event, here is what you need to know about the sale.

OPPO confirms global launch of Find X10 Pro Max

Sep 16, 2026

OPPO confirms global launch of Find X10 Pro Max

According to its specifications for the Mainland Chinese market, the phone will likely come with triple 200MP cameras and a powerful MediaTek chipset.

Gigabyte showcases its compact AI TOP ATOM desktop at Tech in Asia Conference

Sep 16, 2026

Gigabyte showcases its compact AI TOP ATOM desktop at Tech in Asia Conference

The Mac mini-sized computer is designed for developers and businesses that want to run AI models locally.

Sim Lim Square Weekly Price List Downloads (Updated)

Sep 16, 2026

Sim Lim Square Weekly Price List Downloads (Updated)

Sometimes, last-minute in-store shopping might be your best option.

‘The world should trust us’: Silicon Valley billionaire’s plea as fight escalates

Sep 15, 2026

‘The world should trust us’: Silicon Valley billionaire’s plea as fight escalates

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman backed an AI slowdown on Saturday. Now he says the public should be able to put their faith in AI firms to act responsibly without strings attached.

Sega and Netflix announce slate of new adaptations spanning Crazy Taxi, Sonic and Yakuza

Sep 15, 2026

Sega and Netflix announce slate of new adaptations spanning Crazy Taxi, Sonic and Yakuza

Adaptations for Crazy Taxi and Yakuza prequel Stranger than Heaven will be live-action, while the Sonic adaptation is set to be an animated series for kids.

Will Delta stick to old friend, keep Korean carrier in Cho family's hand?

Sep 15, 2026

Will Delta stick to old friend, keep Korean carrier in Cho family's hand?

With Hoban Group’s stake in Hanjin KAL nearly matching that of Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae and his interested parties, Delta Air Lines and Japan Airlines (JAL) are emerging as potentially crucial allies in maintaining the Cho family's control of Korean Air. As Hoban closes in on Cho’s stake in Hanjin KAL, Korean Air’s controlling shareholder is counting on its old ally, Delta Air Lines, to help hold the line. Delta owns a 14.9 percent stake in Hanjin KAL, making it one of the largest shareholders and a key pillar of Cho’s shareholder base. The U.S. carrier has also maintained a deep strategic relationship with Korean Air for years, and is widely considered to stand in favor of Cho’s leadership. That support could become increasingly important as the ownership structure tightens. Hoban now owns 20.15 percent of Hanjin KAL, just 0.42 percentage point below Cho and his related parties. The gap is small enough to turn every major shareholder into a potential kingmaker, particularly as Korea Development Bank (KDB) still holds a 10.58 percent stake and has yet to decide when an

[COVER STORY] Hoban's insatiable appetite: Group founder targets Korean Air

Sep 15, 2026

[COVER STORY] Hoban's insatiable appetite: Group founder targets Korean Air

Kim Sang-yeol, founder and former chairman of Hoban Group, has built the company into one of Korea’s most aggressive investors, with his latest bet on Korean Air bringing Hoban’s Hanjin KAL stake nearly level with that of the airline’s controlling shareholder. Hoban Group has so far amassed a 20.15 percent stake in Hanjin KAL, the parent company of Korean Air, putting it just 0.42 percentage point behind Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae and his related parties, which collectively own 20.57 percent. That narrow gap puts Kim in a position to challenge the balance of power at Korea’s flagship airline — particularly if Korea Development Bank (KDB) decides to sell its 10.58 percent stake. The state-run bank has yet to decide how to sell its stake in Hanjin KAL. The decision may determine who holds the upper hand in the management rights for the integrated airline that is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17 following Korean Air's takeover of Asiana Airlines. Hoban has expanded far beyond its housing construction roots through a string of acquisitions and investments, including Taihan Cab

Hyundai plays catch-up as Tesla strengthens grip on Korea's EV market

Sep 15, 2026

Hyundai plays catch-up as Tesla strengthens grip on Korea's EV market

Hyundai Motor’s autonomous driving road map is putting its ability to keep pace with Tesla under scrutiny, as the U.S. automaker rapidly gains stronger ground in Korea’s electric vehicle (EV) market. Last week, Hyundai Motor Group’s self-driving arm — 42dot — said it will introduce cars with Level 2+ autonomous driving technology based on Nvidia’s platform in the first half of 2028, followed by Level 2++ technology later that year. Vehicles equipped with the carmaker’s proprietary Atria artificial intelligence (AI) system will also be mass-produced in the second half of 2029, according to 42dot. Under the road map, the automaker seeks to close the gap with Tesla and other overseas autonomous driving leaders. But the timeline for Hyundai Motor's self-driving commercialization still leaves much to be desired, as Tesla has already turned into a consumer-facing product. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system is already available in Korea in limited form, although regulatory approval for its broader domestic operation remains a key hurdle. Tesla has also been expand

Hyosung Heavy Industries secures $277 mil. in US Big Tech orders amid AI data center boom

Sep 15, 2026

Hyosung Heavy Industries secures $277 mil. in US Big Tech orders amid AI data center boom

Hyosung Heavy Industries has secured 386.5 billion won ($277 million) worth of ultra-high-voltage transformer orders from two major U.S. Big Tech companies this month, strengthening its position as a key power infrastructure supplier amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The company said Tuesday that the transformers will be installed at newly built AI data centers in the northern and southern United States. The orders include 220 billion won worth of 765-kilovolt transformers and 166.5 billion won worth of 345-kilovolt transformers. The equipment will supply electricity to power-intensive data center facilities. The latest deals reflect Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon’s yearslong efforts to establish a local production and solutions network in the U.S. Cho has described the surge in demand for power infrastructure as a “once-in-60-years supercycle” driven by AI. He has set a goal of making Hyosung Heavy Industries one of the world’s top three power equipment companies within five years by offering a broad portfolio ranging from transformers and ci

SK chief Chey appeals prosecution's decision not to indict ex-wife's lawyer

Sep 15, 2026

SK chief Chey appeals prosecution's decision not to indict ex-wife's lawyer

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won on Tuesday appealed the prosecution's decision not to indict a lawyer representing his former wife over claims that Chey spent more than 100 billion won ($74.2 million) on his live-in partner. Chey had filed a complaint against his former wife Roh Soh-yeong's lawyer, whose identity was withheld, accusing him of defamation for allegedly spreading false information about Kim Hee-young, the SK chairman's partner, during their divorce lawsuit in November 2023. Chey's legal representatives issued a statement following the prosecution's decision not to indict the lawyer last week, saying the amount claimed had been inflated by more than 50-fold because it included money paid to Roh and charitable donations. The statement said the total amount Chey and Kim spent on living expenses was approximately 2 billion won at the time the claim was made, which was verified through an examination of financial transaction records and fully explained to a court handling the property division between Chey and Roh. The 100 billion won figure cited by Roh's lawyer included not onl

Samsung, Verizon complete key technology trial for 6G networks

Sep 15, 2026

Samsung, Verizon complete key technology trial for 6G networks

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that it has successfully completed a key technology trial for commercializing sixth-generation (6G) networks with U.S. mobile carrier Verizon Communications Inc. The two companies successfully completed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) trial at a major international soccer fan event in Texas, enabling real-time sensing-driven intelligence across a virtualized network, the Korean tech giant said. The milestone marks one of the industry's first practical implementations of a key 6G technology, demonstrating how operators can leverage software-driven network architectures to create infrastructure that actively perceives, understands and responds to its surroundings. For the ISAC trial, Samsung integrated commercial AI-powered virtualized radio access network (vRAN) and virtualized core network (vCore) technologies with an ISAC application. This enabled the ISAC trial to leverage connectivity from a 5G network without requiring additional equipment. "This successful ISAC trial underscores how Verizon's decisio

Korea Exchange after-market draws heavy retail trading, sharp volatility

Sep 15, 2026

Korea Exchange after-market draws heavy retail trading, sharp volatility

Kim Ji-ho stared at his stock trading app in confusion on Monday evening. He knew that the after-hours market was opening and noticed that a stock he was interested in had risen 10 percent. But by the time he returned from the bathroom, all the gains had disappeared. "It was a little scary, so I don't think I'll be trading in the after-hours market for a while," said Kim, a 25-year-old college student. For investors who eagerly jumped in, the experience was not entirely satisfying either. Some brokerages experienced technical glitches, while some investors said the new system was confusing because they could not easily distinguish regular-session closing prices from prices in the after-hours session. Others said the separate Korea Exchange (KRX) and Nextrade after-hours markets made trading more cumbersome and confusing, as investors had to choose between two different order screens. The KRX extended stock trading hours Monday, allowing almost all listed stocks to be traded between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Until now, Nextrade, an alternative trading system, had been the only option for after-hou

Korea cuts space-risk planning cycle from 10 years to 5

Sep 15, 2026

Korea cuts space-risk planning cycle from 10 years to 5

Korea is shortening its timetable for preparing for threats in orbit, moving to a five-year cycle for its national space-risk plan as satellites multiply and solar activity creates new uncertainties. The Korea AeroSpace Administration said Tuesday that an amendment to the Space Development Promotion Act was promulgated and took effect the same day, cutting the planning cycle from 10 years to five. The change is intended to give the government more flexibility as private sector space development accelerates, satellite launches increase and the risk of collisions involving orbital debris grows. The previous law required the government to establish its basic plan for preparing against space risks every 10 years. The Korea AeroSpace Administration said the rapid increase in low-Earth-orbit satellites and fluctuations in space weather linked to solar activity have underscored the need for more frequent policy reviews. Under the revised law, the five-year cycle will also apply to plans adopted before the amendment took effect. That means the second Basic Plan for Space Risk Preparedness, adopted

Samsung SDS joins Anthropic's Claude Partner Network as Select-tier partner

Sep 15, 2026

Samsung SDS joins Anthropic's Claude Partner Network as Select-tier partner

Samsung SDS has become the first Korean company to earn Select-tier status in Anthropic’s Claude Partner Network (CPN), strengthening its ability to help businesses adopt and operate Claude-based artificial intelligence (AI) services. The designation comes about two months after the company signed a strategic partnership with the U.S. firm in July at an AI summit in San Francisco to expand enterprise AI business opportunities in Korea. The CPN’s Select tier recognizes partners with certified technical expertise and experience deploying Claude-based solutions in customers’ production environments. Samsung SDS said the new status strengthens its end-to-end AI adoption framework, covering consulting on Claude deployment, access to the model through Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Amazon Bedrock platform, service implementation and operations and ongoing technical support. “By combining Anthropic's frontier AI technology with Samsung SDS's digital transformation expertise across industries, we will accelerate domestic companies’ AI adoption and help create tangible business value,”

Global X debuts ETF targeting key MLCC manufacturers

Sep 15, 2026

Global X debuts ETF targeting key MLCC manufacturers

Global X, the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), announced Tuesday the launch of a new fund that seeks to invest in the manufacturers of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and related components. A key building block of many modern electronic devices, MLCCs are used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers, electric vehicles, smartphones and other items. Roughly 85 percent of the global MLCC industry is controlled by five manufacturers based in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The Global X MLCC & Electronic Components ETF provides exposure to all of these companies, which can be difficult for U.S. investors to access directly. Its portfolio includes Murata Manufacturing, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Yageo Corp., TDK Corp. and many others. "The manufacturers of these components sit at a genuine chokepoint in the AI supply chain and could be difficult to access directly through U.S.-listed shares," said Pedro Palandrani, head of product research & development at Global X. Global X has long been known for thematic ETFs, including innovations such as its AI and technology ETF,

Asiana passengers can use mileage on Korean Air for 10 years

Sep 15, 2026

Asiana passengers can use mileage on Korean Air for 10 years

Asiana Airlines passengers will be able to keep their existing mileage and use it on Korean Air-operated flights for 10 years after the two airlines merge, under a mileage integration plan approved by Korea’s antitrust regulator Monday. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) approved Korean Air’s revised plan with conditions aimed at preserving customer benefits and expanding opportunities to redeem mileage following the carriers’ merger on Dec. 17. Under the plan, Asiana mileage will be managed separately for 10 years from the merger date, even after Asiana ceases to exist as a corporate entity. Customers will not have to immediately convert their Asiana mileage to Korean Air’s program. During the 10-year period, Asiana customers will retain the airline’s existing redemption standards and expiration rules. They will also be able to use their mileage across all Korean Air-operated routes for award tickets, seat upgrades, mileage-and-cash payments and shopping. Customers who choose to convert their Asiana mileage can do so at any time during the 10-year period. Flight-earned mileage wi

Hancom to launch AI workforce platform targeting US solo entrepreneurs

Sep 15, 2026

Hancom to launch AI workforce platform targeting US solo entrepreneurs

Software company Hancom plans to launch Nomadian, an artificial intelligence (AI) workforce platform that allows solo entrepreneurs to assemble teams of task-specific AI agents, targeting the U.S. market with a beta release planned for December. Hancom said Tuesday it has formed a dedicated task force to develop the web-based platform, which will be offered on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis, with a full subscription service planned for 2027 following the beta release. Nomadian is designed primarily for the growing number of solo entrepreneurs and small businesses in the United States, allowing users to hire AI agents for roles such as data analysis, content marketing and email marketing, and connect them to the tools they need. Users will be able to issue a task in a single sentence, prompting the platform to break it down into smaller tasks and assign them to appropriate AI agents, while they can also create custom agents for roles that are unavailable. The agents can produce documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The agents' work is displayed in a 3D virtual office, allowing

Coupang launches information security committee after data leak

Sep 15, 2026

Coupang launches information security committee after data leak

E-commerce giant Coupang Corp. said Tuesday it has launched an information-dedicated committee to overhaul its security system and bolster public confidence in the company. The move comes months after the company was slapped with a record fine of 624.7 billion won ($460 million) by the Korean government in June over a massive customer data leak late last year. "We will continue to improve our security system by incorporating the expertise and know-how of specialists, while striving to exceed global standards," a Coupang official said. The Information Security Advisory Committee consists of seven experts in information security, law, management and information technology (IT), the company said. They include Coupang Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Brett Matthes, Eumene Kang, a senior adviser at law firm Kim & Chang, and Kim Hyun-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. At their first meeting Tuesday, the committee members discussed changes in relevant laws and regulations, growing security threats in the market and possible countermeasures. U.S.-li

Korea's Nuri rocket to carry 1st microsatellite constellation in 5th launch

Sep 15, 2026

Korea's Nuri rocket to carry 1st microsatellite constellation in 5th launch

Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket will carry 15 satellites on its fifth launch next month, including five satellites that will form part of the country's first domestically launched microsatellite constellation, the space agency said Tuesday. The launch is scheduled for Oct. 7 between 12:23 p.m. and 1:23 p.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, with the exact time to be decided on launch day, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said. The payload consists of five New-space Earth Observation Satellite Constellation for National Safety (NEONSAT) as the primary payload and 10 CubeSats as secondary payloads. The five NEONSATs weigh about 500 kilograms combined, while the CubeSats weigh about 96 kilograms. The mission will be Nuri's first attempt to deploy multiple satellites performing the same mission sequentially into orbit. To prevent collisions, the five NEONSATs will be released in different directions at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds. "On its fifth launch, the Nuri rocket will attempt Korea's first satellite constellation launch mission," Park J

Why budget phones are disappearing just when they are needed most

Sep 15, 2026

Why budget phones are disappearing just when they are needed most

Inflation has thinned consumers’ wallets, yet budget and midrange smartphones are losing ground just when buyers need affordable options most. Soaring component costs, particularly for memory chips, are making it harder for manufacturers to sustain a low-margin, high-volume business model. As manufacturers focus on expanding their premium foldable phone lineups, consumers are increasingly turning to repairs and secondhand devices. iPhone 17e surpasses 1 million won Rising prices for budget and midrange smartphones are putting further pressure on consumers. According to smartphone industry observers Monday, Apple raised the price of its entry-level iPhone 17e, released in March, by 16.1 percent on Thursday, from 990,000 won ($726) to 1.15 million won. The company repriced the existing model as it launched its new iPhone 18 series at substantially higher prices amid so-called “chipflation” driven by global chip shortages. Samsung Electronics has also raised prices for its entry-level Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A37, released in Korea in June, costs 598,400 won, up 19.8 percent from la

China is beating the US in consumer AI adoption, thanks to super apps: Morgan Stanley

Sep 15, 2026

China is beating the US in consumer AI adoption, thanks to super apps: Morgan Stanley

China is surging ahead of the US in consumer AI adoption as technology giants like Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group Holding embed artificial intelligence directly into popular everyday apps, even as American models lead in capability, according to Morgan Stanley. A survey conducted by the bank and published in a report on Monday showed that 80 per cent of Chinese respondents used AI for personal purposes at least weekly, compared with 54 per cent in the US. China’s generative AI user base grew...

Forget AI KPIs: how China’s tech giants are rationing tokens for employees

Sep 15, 2026

Forget AI KPIs: how China’s tech giants are rationing tokens for employees

When generative artificial intelligence first swept through China’s technology sector, workers faced a clear directive from management: use AI and use it often. Consuming vast numbers of AI tokens – the basic unit of computing power needed to process text or write code – became a badge of honour, with companies often viewing a high token count as a sign that employees were productive and taking initiative. But those computing allowances are now being sharply rolled back as China’s leading...

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