S-Oil honors 19 Koreans for acts of bravery

S-Oil honored 19 Koreans who risked their safety to help others in danger, presenting plaques and a combined 140 million won ($103,000) in prize money at a ceremony on Thursday. The refiner held its 2026 Hero Citizen Award ceremony with the Korea National Council on Social Welfare at its headquarters in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. Among the recipients were Ko Gyung-sik and Jeong Taek-eun, who were injured during rescue efforts. Each received 15 million won. Ko suffered fractures while rescuing a wre

2026-10-01 11:17:18:00

HD Hyundai launches Aegis Destroyer for Korean Navy

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on Wednesday launched the 8,200-ton Daeho Kim Jong-seo, the third next-generation Aegis destroyer (KDX-III Batch-II) for the Republic of Korea Navy, at its Ulsan shipyard. Earlier in the day, the unveiling ceremony brought together approximately 350 government, military and company officials at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard. Key figures included President Lee Jae Myung, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, Chief of Naval Operations

2026-09-30 15:17:49:00

From factories to space, Korean industry puts AI to work

South Korea’s industrial leaders are pushing artificial intelligence beyond software and into factories, shipyards and space, seeking productivity gains and new capabilities in manufacturing and defense. Speaking at the Herald Business Forum at The Shilla Seoul on Tuesday, executives from Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics, Posco Holdings, Samsung SDI, HD Hyundai, LIG Nex1 and Korea Aerospace Industries outlined how AI is reshaping operations, products and investment priorities. The proposals h

2026-09-30 15:02:19:00

Korea offers a way out of hydrogen’s supply-demand deadlock

South Korea’s efforts to develop hydrogen production and customers together offers a model for an industry struggling to get either side to commit first, according to Hydrogen Council CEO Ivana Jemelkova. But turning coordinated projects into a larger market will require governments to give investors greater certainty about future demand, she told The Korea Herald in a recent virtual interview. Producers are reluctant to build costly facilities without committed buyers, while potential customers

2026-09-29 14:21:44:00

China tightens humanoid patent grip with 60% share

China’s widening lead in humanoid robot patents is raising the stakes for South Korea’s push to compete in the fast-growing industry. Across the world’s five major intellectual property offices, known as IP5, China accounted for 60.8 percent of humanoid robot patents as of the first half of 2026, according to Intellectual Property Office data obtained by Rep. Lee Jeong-heon’s office. The US held 21.8 percent and Korea 4.6 percent. China’s share rose from 51.8 percent in 2024, while Korea’s fell

2026-09-28 14:48:37:00

From shipyards to steel: Why Korea leads humanoid deployment

After humanoid robots took center stage in recent years' AI-driven hype, the critical challenge shifted to real-world deployment — with automotive assembly lines and logistics serving as the primary proving grounds. Michael Perry, head of commercial strategy at Persona AI, however, argues that humanoid robots could have their greatest impact in heavy industries such as shipbuilding and steelmaking. He says they could deliver significant economic value while easing acute labor shortages in hazard

2026-09-23 12:34:59:00

Korea Zinc’s $7.4b Project Crucible clears major US environmental review

Korea Zinc’s $7.4 billion “Project Crucible” has passed a key US environmental review, accelerating its plans for an integrated critical minerals smelter in Tennessee. The company said Monday that the US Defense Department completed its Final Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. The department officially concluded that the project’s construction and operations will not significantly alter the surrounding environment. The evaluation examined air quality, greenhous

2026-09-21 17:21:12:00

Will Europe become next proving ground for Hyundai’s Atlas robot?

Hyundai Motor Group is exploring plans to deploy Atlas humanoid robots at its Czech manufacturing plant, positioning Europe as the next strategic proving ground after the US for its robotics-powered smart manufacturing vision. Developed by its US subsidiary Boston Dynamics, the robot’s deployment in Hyundai’s own European lines offers a critical real-world testbed to validate operational reliability, safety and workplace integration. If successful, it could pave the way for broader commercial ro

2026-09-21 14:34:42:00

LS chief pushes AI beyond experiments to results

LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun urged employees to turn artificial intelligence into tangible business results, calling for its wider use to improve manufacturing efficiency and strengthen products and services. Speaking at the fifth LS Future Day at LS Tower in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, Koo said the group should embrace AI adoption and move faster than its industry peers. Launched in 2022 after Koo took office, the annual event brings together employees across the group to share new busin

2026-09-20 13:13:42:00

Volvo ES90 blends sedan poise with SUV practicality

Electric sedans have a packaging problem: Batteries need space, passengers want more of it and neither should come at the expense of the low, elegant profile that defines a sedan. Volvo believes its new ES90 has found a way around that compromise. The electric flagship pairs executive-sedan proportions with SUV-like space and ground clearance — a formula that has already drawn more than 3,500 preorders in South Korea since late June, according to Volvo Car Korea. The model enters a Korean EV mar

2026-09-18 00:00:00:00