KH Explains In series
Major issues broken down to the basics.
#Explained
# Issues
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KH Explains In series
Major issues broken down to the basics.
Would you like to subscribe?
Korean EV battery-makers uneasy as Trump stays silent on tariffs
Trump could target battery materials sourced from China, sources say South Korean battery companies are closely monitoring the second Donald Trump administration’s potential imposition of tariffs on key battery materials produced in Korea. The concern follows the enforcement of 25 percent duties on Korean steel and aluminum that took effect Wednesday, with additional tariffs expected next month. While electric vehicle batteries are currently exempt from the proposed tariffs — set to be enforced
March 12, 2025 - 14:16:24
K-Nvidia: Bold vision or political misstep?
Opposition leader’s state-owned tech proposal faces reality check South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s recent proposal to establish a big tech company akin to Nvidia, but one that is state-backed and profit would be distributed among citizens, has sparked a heated debate among business and political circles here. “If a company like Nvidia were to be established (in Korea), with 70 percent of shares privately owned and 30 percent distributed among citizens, wouldn’t a society emerge tha
March 11, 2025 - 14:52:04
Fact-checking Trump's tariff claim about South Korea. What are his real motives?
Trump's exaggeration seen as strategic move to pressure Korea on trade, security US President Donald Trump's March 4 claim that South Korea levies tariffs four times higher than those of the US has sparked controversy about its accuracy as well as concerns about the possible intent behind the statement. “China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher,” Trump said in a speech at a joint session of Congress last week. “Thi
March 10, 2025 - 13:29:31
Little investment, big demand: Google's map push under fire
Google makes 4th attempt to export high-precision mapping data instead of investing in local data centers or servers The longstanding dispute over South Korea's restriction on the overseas transfer of geographic data has resurfaced, with US President Donald Trump having criticized the policy as a non-tariff barrier. The issue has gained renewed attention as Google recently filed a request to export high-precision mapping data for the first time in nine years. According to industry sources on Thu
March 6, 2025 - 14:36:26
Microsoft's new quantum computing chip: A game changer?
As the US, China accelerate quantum innovation, Korea struggles with talent shortages, investment gaps On Feb. 19, Microsoft announced a major breakthrough in the nascent quantum computing sector, unveiling Majorana 1, the tech giant’s first quantum computing chip that utilizes a new state of matter. The new processor, powered by what is known as topological qubits, enables the development of quantum computers “capable of solving meaningful, industrial-scale problems, in years, not decades,” acc
March 3, 2025 - 11:08:38
Why Carlyle, Blackstone, MBK are vying for stake in this little-known tech firm
'Korea's ASML' HPSP’s exclusive chip tech puts it at center of M&A frenzy South Korean semiconductor equipment maker HPSP has emerged as a key player in the M&A scene, attracting top-tier private equity giants including Carlyle Group, Blackstone and MBK Partners. The company’s exclusive technology in the advanced chip market has made it a highly sought-after asset. Often referred to as "Korea’s ASML," HPSP dominates the market for high-pressure hydrogen annealing equipment, securing major global
Feb. 26, 2025 - 15:00:59
How Starbucks stays unrivaled on Korean turf
Coffee chain on track for record sales of W3tr; Korea boasts higher Starbucks store density than US or China In the capital of South Korea, where Starbucks' green glow beckons from what can seem like nearly every corner, the brand is deeply embedded in the local coffee scene -- and the lifestyle that brews with it. Through the whirlwind of Korea's ever-shifting coffee economy, Starbucks Korea has not just survived but dominated, with both sales and store numbers steadily climbing. One might rais
Feb. 10, 2025 - 13:27:59
Why can't Korean battery makers ditch loss-making Chinese factories?
China remains crucial supply chain for key materials, strategic hub for emerging markets Amid an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, Korean battery manufacturers are struggling with slowing operations in China, exacerbated by an already sluggish demand for electric vehicles. Despite mounting pressure to cut costs and boost profits, industry insiders suggest that companies cannot significantly downsize their Chinese facilities due to their strategic importance. “Currently, batter
Feb. 6, 2025 - 14:41:19
Trump's executive orders ripple through Korean industries
US President Donald Trump wasted no time on his first day back in the White House, signing a flurry of executive orders on Monday aimed at achieving his vision to “put America first.” The sweeping actions included rescinding nearly 80 Biden-era policies and addressing issues such as immigration, climate change and gender. These orders, while centered on US domestic policy, could also have huge implications for South Korean businesses. What is an executive order? An executive order is a directive
Jan. 22, 2025 - 15:23:55
Can NPS put out fire in FX market?
Outlook mixed as Korea's pension giant weighs on foreign exchange hedging As South Korea’s currency market grapples with heavy fluctuations, attention is turning to whether the nation's sovereign wealth fund, the National Pension Service, can help stabilize the won by bolstering its foreign exchange hedging strategies. The Korean won had a rough year-end as the country struggled with ongoing political turmoil, involving impeachments and protests. The won’s value plunged to 1,486.7 per dollar dur
Jan. 13, 2025 - 14:27:21
What stopped a Korean mall fire from turning into a deadly catastrophe
When the fire broke out and rapidly spread, there were hundreds inside the building, including elementary students taking swimming lessons When a fire erupted Friday in a bustling commercial building near Yatap Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, it had all the makings of a deadly tragedy. The flames, which started in the kitchen of a restaurant on the first floor, quickly spread up the building’s exterior, spewing thick black smoke. Yet, more than 300 people escaped safely or were rescued b
Jan. 6, 2025 - 16:54:09
What falling won means for Korea
Korean currency's value against dollar plunges to weakest level in 15 years The Korean won continues to struggle with sharp devaluation against the dollar as the country is pressured by rising tensions in local politics and the reshaped global trade environment. On Friday, the won's value against the greenback touched 1,486.7 won during intraday trading. It was the first time the won-dollar exchange rate had hit the 1,480 won bar in nearly 16 years since reaching 1,488.5 won on March 16, 2009, a
Dec. 29, 2024 - 13:58:14
What's going on in South Korean politics now?
South Korea’s parliament voted Friday to impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been filling in for President Yoon Suk Yeol since he was impeached on Dec. 14. This is the latest development in an unprecedented political crisis that has unfolded in South Korea this month, stemming from the now-suspended Yoon’s botched attempt to invoke military rule on Dec. 3. Here’s what you need to know to catch up with what’s going on in South Korean politics. • South Korean politics
Dec. 27, 2024 - 16:55:10
How North Korea’s provocations have shifted in 2024
The decline in North Korean provocations reflects its political burden of managing strategic uncertainties while strengthening ties with Russia.
Dec. 24, 2024 - 18:00:48
Crypto tax postponed again: Why Korea remains a rare case
Amid the rapidly expanding global virtual asset market, South Korea has decided to push back cryptocurrency trading taxation until 2027. On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed a revised Income Tax Act, which includes a two-year delay on taxing income from virtual asset trading, initially planned f
Dec. 10, 2024 - 15:56:12
