Samsung's Q1 profit beats estimates on Galaxy phones, memory demand

Analysts see steady earnings recovery ahead, but tariff, HBM headwinds remain Samsung Electronics on Tuesday said its earnings for the January–March period are expected to significantly exceed market expectations, driven by strong sales of its flagship artificial intelligence smartphones and better-than-anticipated demand for DRAM chips. In its earnings guidance for the first quarter, the Korean tech giant projected a consolidated operating profit of 6.6 trillion won ($4.48 billion), down 0.15 p

April 8, 2025

LG teams up with will.i.am for AI-enhanced speakers

LG Electronics has launched a new line of AI-integrated wireless speakers in partnership with Black Eyed Peas frontman and entrepreneur will.i.am, aiming to expand its global presence in the highly competitive audio market. At an event held in Seoul on Monday, the tech giant showcased its new lineup of wireless speakers under the revamped xboom brand, outlining a fresh strategic direction for its audio business. The company unveiled three new Bluetooth speakers with the "xboom by will.i.am" line

April 8, 2025

LG CNS to build AI platform for Mirae Asset Life in W130b deal

LG CNS announced Monday that it has signed a 130 billion won ($88.8 million) deal with Mirae Asset Life Insurance to support the insurer’s artificial intelligence transformation and the development of next-generation systems. Under the agreement, LG CNS will build a generative AI platform for Mirae Asset Life and implement a multi-hybrid cloud environment. The Korean IT services provider will also lead a full-scale overhaul and upgrade of Mirae Asset Life’s core systems, including insurance prod

April 7, 2025

Samsung doubles AI TV lineup, targets OLED leadership

TV chief downplays US tariff concerns, citing diversified manufacturing network Samsung Electronics announced Monday the launch of what it calls “true” artificial intelligence TVs, almost doubling its AI-powered lineup from 34 to 61 models this year. The company also vowed to outpace archrival LG Electronics in the premium organic light-emitting diode TV segment to become the No. 1 seller in the domestic market. “Samsung aims to make TVs as more than just a viewing device. With our Vision AI, Sa

April 7, 2025

Seoul to begin tariff talks with Washington Tuesday

Finance minister calls for supplementary budget to address tariff concerns, AI development South Korea’s top trade negotiator is set to begin talks with the US this week, as the Trump administration’s steep 25 percent tariff on imports from Korea is set to go into force on Wednesday. Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo will visit Washington, DC on Tuesday for a two-day trip to meet with key Trump administration officials, including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to the Ministry of In

April 7, 2025

LG Electronics expects best-ever Q1 revenue on B2B, subscription growth

LG Electronics said Monday it expects to post record-high first-quarter revenue, topping 22 trillion won for the first time, driven by growth in business-to-business operations and home appliance subscription services. The South Korean tech giant estimated that its revenue for the January-March period increased 7.8 percent on-year to 22.74 trillion won ($15.5 billion), according to its earnings guidance, breaking 22 trillion won for the first time in any first quarter. Despite its record revenue

April 7, 2025

Trump’s tariffs shake up smartphone supply chains

While Samsung may benefit from diversified manufacturing, Apple’s potential tariff exemption could shift the balance, experts say As global smartphone giants Samsung Electronics and Apple face sweeping tariffs of 40-50 percent under US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs — impacting all countries involved in the two companies' supply chains — attention is turning to whether Samsung could gain a comparative advantage over its American archrival. With Samsung manufacturing in Vietnam and

April 6, 2025

[Photo News] LG lights up Fenway

LG Electronics’ new LED display solutions debuted during the Boston Red Sox’s home opener Friday at Fenway Park. The Korean tech giant installed 11 digital displays, including a main scoreboard measuring 30.5 by 11.5 meters, bringing the total display area to over 840 square meters. The high-definition displays are equipped with HDR or High Dynamic Range technology, delivering vivid contrast and lifelike visuals even in bright outdoor conditions. (LG Electronics)

April 6, 2025

KakaoTalk crashes briefly after court rules to remove Yoon Suk Yeol

KakaoTalk, South Korea’s dominant messenger app, experienced a temporary disruption on Friday following the Constitutional Court’s ruling to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. When Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae read the court’s verdict at approximately 11:22 a.m., upholding Yoon’s impeachment, users reported issues with KakaoTalk on both mobile and PC versions, being unable to send messages or log in to the system. A notification in the chat screen read, "An unexpected error has o

April 4, 2025

Foreign investors show confidence in Korea as FDI arrivals surge

FDI marks second-highest Q1 total on record Despite political turmoil surrounding the impending decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and broader economic uncertainty, foreign direct investment in South Korea remained resilient, bolstered by government efforts to stabilize investor sentiment. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, FDI pledges to Korea in the January-March period totaled $6.41 billion, down 9.2 percent year-on-year. Despite the decline, t

April 3, 2025

Samsung, SK face fresh uncertainty over CHIPS Act funding

Despite subsidy risks, Korean chipmakers remain focused on building US customer base, experts say The US is reportedly considering holding back subsidies promised under the CHIPS Act unless companies increase their investment in the country, creating fresh uncertainty for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Bloomberg, citing eight people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has signaled a possible pause in previously approved gra

April 2, 2025

SK digitally revives legacy of late chair

SK Group announced Wednesday that it has completed a two-year digital archiving project to restore and preserve the legacy of the late Chairman Chey Jong-hyun, a pivotal figure in South Korea’s economic development from the 1970s through the 1990s. Dubbed the “Sunkyong Chronicles,” the extensive archive includes 3,530 voice recordings of Chey and has been digitized for the first time, according to the SK Supex Council. The collection is expected to serve as a valuable resource for understanding

April 2, 2025

YouthMeta unveils revamped ‘RisingX’ AI crypto platform, accelerates global expansion

YouthMeta, a cryptocurrency data solution provider based in Seoul, has launched a revamped version of its AI-based platform RisingX as part of its strategy to accelerate its global expansion, the company announced Tuesday. RisingX provides real-time market analysis and trading signals for over 290 cryptocurrencies listed on Binance Futures, a major global crypto exchange. Key tools such as Kibot Chart and Meta Chart help users identify market trends and deliver "L" (long) or "S" (short) signals,

April 1, 2025

Apple Intelligence launches Korean service

Apple announced Tuesday that it is launching a Korean-language service for Apple Intelligence, its new artificial intelligence system for iPhones, other mobile devices and PCs. Apple Intelligence will now be available in Korean, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. The system offers a range of features, including writing tools, an AI-powered photo eraser, mail and notification summaries, visual intelligence and voice recording with transcription and summ

April 1, 2025

ChatGPT hits 1.2m daily users in Korea amid Ghibli-style AI-generated image trend

If you have been on social media recently, chances are you have come across Studio Ghibli-style images created by ChatGPT. The global trend of AI-generated images has also taken off in Korea, with many users experimenting with Ghibli-style visuals. This surge in interest is reflected in ChatGPT’s user numbers here. According to industry tracker IGAWorks, the AI chatbot recorded a record 1,252,925 daily active users in South Korea on Thursday, a sharp increase from 799,571 on March 1. The platfor

April 1, 2025