Seeking changes in the way a conglomerate operates, SK Group kicked off an annual in-house forum Monday in search of a new path to transform its wide range of businesses. Hosted by Chairman Chey Tae-won, the Icheon Forum invited CEOs of affiliates, executives and rank-and-file employees to discuss the future of the nation’s third-largest conglomerate, which faces growing geopolitical risks, technological competition and fast-changing consumer markets, officials said.During the third editio

Industry Aug. 19, 2019

In the trendy industry of luxury automobiles -- particularly in a country where the market is highly volatile, depending on social and even political factors -- sustaining a respected premium business is indeed a challenging task. Balancing confidence with humility with accrued sophistication, Han Sung Motor CEO Ulf Ausprung is responsible for the stellar performance over the past few years of the largest official Mercedes-Benz dealer here.According to CEO Score, a local corporate tracker, Han S

Mobility Aug. 18, 2019

A global alliance of multinational companies led by South Korea’s SK Group will standardize the measurement of businesses’ contribution to society in the next three years, officials said Thursday.Taking the leadership of the project, SK in partnership with German chemical firm Basf, has launched a nonprofit organization in Frankfurt to start developing a methodology for measuring the value of social contribution made by private entities. Named Value Balancing Alliance, the organizati

Industry Aug. 15, 2019

The government has approved the use of Posco’s cryogenic high manganese steel for manufacturing liquefied natural gas storage tanks, the company said Tuesday.The decision made after a review by an independent panel on gas technology standardization will be notified by the government, it added.Cryogenic HMS developed by the South Korean steel giant, can withstand temperatures as low as minus 196 degree Celsius, and could replace nickel alloy steel which has been commonly used for LNG storag

Mobility Aug. 13, 2019

South Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis said Tuesday it will supply collision-warning features including radar and camera sensors, developed in-house, for Hyundai Motor’s commercial vehicles starting September.The forward-looking sensor and radar automatically detect objects that are up to 170 meters ahead, and reduce the speed of vehicles to avoid collision with other vehicles. Hyundai Motor is applying such driver-assist features in its commercial vehicles for the first time. Mobis&r

Mobility Aug. 13, 2019

US carmaker Tesla Motors’ Model 3 landed in South Korea on Tuesday, with the local branch starting to receive orders via its website. The price of the Model 3 starts from 52 million won ($43,000) without a government subsidy of 9 million won. The company plans to request for state subsidies. The first batch of the Model 3 will be delivered to customers starting in the final quarter, it said in an email statement. The smallest sedan by Tesla has three trims, including a high-performance ver

Mobility Aug. 13, 2019

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin met Israel’s Economy Minister Eli Cohen to discuss ways to strengthen partnership with tech companies and startups in the Middle Eastern country, the South Korean food and retail giant said Monday.During a meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, the chairman told the minister that Lotte plans to invest in Israel’s innovative companies in the areas of agriculture, robots and artificial intelligence for the group’s future growth. Minister Cohen, in resp

Industry Aug. 12, 2019

A decision to have Hanwha Chemical Corp. absorb its wholly owned subsidiary Hanwha Q Cells & Advanced Materials drew market interest this week not just because of the move aimed to boost solar power business, but also the indication that the group may be laying the groundwork for a leadership transfer to the chairman’s son.Hanwha Q Cells & Advanced Materials is a global manufacturer of solar power modules and automotive lightweight materials.It has been led by Executive Vice Presid

Industry Aug. 1, 2019

Samsung Electronics’ operating profits halved in the second quarter on weak chip prices and poor mobile sales, but it is expected to face even more challenges in the second half of the year due to increased uncertainties over trade disputes and the nearing trial to determine the fate of its de facto leader. The South Korean IT giant’s sales slid 4 percent to 56.1 trillion won ($47.4 billion), but its operating profits plunged 55.6 percent on-year to 6.59 trillion won over lower memor

Technology July 31, 2019

An Indonesian Cabinet member has confirmed Hyundai Motor’s plan to build a new manufacturing factory with a $1 billion investment into the country, according to local media. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said he met the carmaker’s de facto leader Chung Euisun on Friday to discuss the investment plan and that the carmaker has secured a plot for construction on western Java Island, Indonesian newspaper Kompas reported Sunday. The planned factory wil

Mobility July 29, 2019

SONGDO, Incheon – As vehicles increasingly shift from gasoline to electric power, attention is turning to whether lighter materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers and aluminum will replace steel in car parts, frames and bodywork. But South Korean steel giant Posco thinks there is hope for steel yet. It is aiming to keep carmaker clients by offering lighter but stronger kinds of steel. The strategy comes thanks to a highly engineered marketing solution devised by its research and

Industry July 28, 2019

Hyundai Motor Group plans to launch a research unit of its artificial intelligence division in the heart of Silicon Valley within this year, establishing its first overseas division entirely for AI development, the company said Thursday.The AIR Center will be the latest addition to Hyundai Motor’s AI projects. The carmaker launched the Artificial Intelligence Research Lab late last year and hired Kim Jeong-hee, a South Korean expert in deep learning and former leader of Naver Lab’s i

Mobility July 25, 2019

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Euisun on Thursday held talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss the carmaker’s market entry and future investment plans, according to the company.Chung is the first South Korean conglomerate leader to meet President Widodo after his election victory in May. During the meeting held at the presidential palace in Jakarta, the Indonesian leader reportedly sought more investments by Hyundai in the country, touting the carmaker as

Mobility July 25, 2019

The prosecution on Wednesday indicted former executives of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors on charges of delaying recall processes in Korea for 18 months, though they were allegedly aware of engine defects.According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, three former executives who were responsible of product quality between 2015 and 2017 were indicted on charges of violating the Motor Vehicle Management Act.The companies were aware of problems such as engine stalls, connecting ro

Mobility July 24, 2019

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, South Korea’s industrial equipment maker has agreed to provide key parts needed for construction of a small modular reactor in the United States, the company said Wednesday.Under a partnership with NuScale Power, the South Korean company will supply parts crucial for a nuclear steam supply system and other parts for the SMR. SMR is a new kind of light water reactor for a nuclear power plant.  The project is a part of a plan between NuScale a

Mobility July 24, 2019