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?
Samsung bonus dispute: How far could the impact spread?
Samsung Electronics’ escalating labor dispute over bonus distribution is drawing global attention, raising concerns that disruptions at the world’s largest memory chip-maker could ripple through the global semiconductor supply chain. The union is demanding the removal of caps on performance-based bonuses and payouts equivalent to 15 percent of operating profit — estimated at around 45 trillion won ($31 billion). If talks fail, the union plans to launch a walkout on May 21, beginning with a rally
May 7, 2026 - 16:52:53
National security emerges as major dealbreaker in cross-border M&As
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions are increasingly being tested not only on strategic fit or financial value, but also through the broader and often opaque filter of national security. Deals are being scrapped at the last minute as governments invoke security concerns, while in other cases acquirers are pressured to accept unfavorable conditions to win regulatory approval. South Korean dealmakers are no exception, facing setbacks in efforts to buy or sell businesses and losing critical time
May 7, 2026 - 14:44:18
Brother's involvement opens door for tighter scrutiny of Coupang
South Korea’s antitrust regulator has designated Kim Bom-suk, known globally as Bom Kim, as the controlling figure of Coupang, a move that significantly expands regulatory oversight of the US-listed firm and its founder’s family. The decision replaces Coupang Inc. with Kim as the group’s “same person” — a legal term under Korean antitrust law that identifies the effective controller of a business group and serves as the basis for monitoring related-party transactions and potential self-dealing.
April 29, 2026 - 15:16:00
Inside portfolio of Korea’s central bank chief nominee
Bank of Korea governor nominee Shin Hyun-song’s 8.2 billion won ($5.6 million) asset portfolio offers a window into his investment philosophy — one shaped by global experience and a cautious approach to diversification. Disclosed ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing, the portfolio reflects a career spanning institutions such as the Bank for International Settlements and the International Monetary Fund, as well as academia at Oxford and Princeton, and points to a risk-weighted, globall
April 16, 2026 - 15:21:03
Will Korea’s WGBI entry calm volatile markets?
Korea’s government bonds begin entering the FTSE World Government Bond Index, or WGBI, on Wednesday, marking a milestone Seoul has pursued for years to broaden foreign participation in its bond market. Inclusion in one of the world’s most closely watched sovereign bond benchmarks is expected to draw fresh foreign funds into Korean government debt, with around 80 trillion won ($52 billion) in inflows anticipated over the eight months through November as the country is phased into the index. The t
March 31, 2026 - 15:25:29
As Qualcomm pitches partnership, Samsung faces chip dilemma
At a media briefing Friday in Seoul, Qualcomm delivered a carefully timed message: It wants to be seen not just as Samsung’s chip supplier, but as a core partner in building Galaxy phones. Chris Patrick, Qualcomm’s senior vice president for mobile handsets, told reporters the two companies work “as one team from the beginning,” co-designing chips years before a Galaxy device reaches the market. It was a polished case for partnership. It also came just weeks after Samsung began reducing its relia
March 25, 2026 - 15:11:59
SK hynix eyes US listing to unlock AI premium
SK hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chip maker, is stepping up plans to list on the US market via American Depositary Receipts or ADRs, as it looks to close a persistent valuation gap with global semiconductor peers despite strong AI-driven earnings. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won confirmed Monday that the company is actively reviewing an ADR issuance, signaling a more concrete move beyond earlier disclosures. In a regulatory filing in December, SK hynix said it was considering various s
March 17, 2026 - 15:13:26
Why Korean memory giants aren't rushing to expand DRAM supply
The world suddenly cannot get enough memory chips. Artificial intelligence data centers are consuming unprecedented volumes of DRAM, pushing prices higher and squeezing supply for everything from smartphones to laptops. The two companies at the center of that boom, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, earned more than 72.1 trillion won ($48.7 billion) in operating profit last year. And yet the shortage continues. The question seems obvious. If demand is booming and profits are soaring, why not simp
March 12, 2026 - 14:55:08
How Boston Dynamics IPO could unlock Hyundai Motor Group’s ownership overhaul
Hyundai Motor Group’s decadeslong effort to streamline its complex ownership structure could finally gain momentum. The catalyst is not a new SUV, but the company behind the back-flipping humanoid robot Atlas. Boston Dynamics, the auto-to-steel conglomerate’s US robotics unit, will work toward a long-anticipated initial public offering on the Nasdaq this year, according to sources. With a potential listing as early as 2027, the company is expected to select underwriters and file for a preliminar
March 9, 2026 - 15:20:58
Lee Jae Myung’s war on housing speculation
President Lee Jae Myung has declared war on housing speculation, using X as both a megaphone and a pressure tool. “For the sake of a sensible and prosperous nation, I will rein in, by any means, real estate speculation that can ruin the country,” Lee wrote in an X post on Feb. 3. In just over a month, he has posted more than two dozen times on real estate, framing it not as a narrow property issue but as a broader distortion of the national economy. “Housing speculation robs young people of hope
March 8, 2026 - 14:19:00
Search built Naver. Now AI commerce may define its future
Type “sofa” into Naver’s shopping app these days, and something different happens. Instead of a grid of product listings, an AI agent asks questions. Do you live alone? Do you have pets? It notices browsing patterns suggesting a dog in the household and recommends waterproof fabrics and scratch-resistant materials. Then it proposes a specific product: a three-seat Aquatex sofa from Carrem Furniture, discounted 41 percent to 347,000 won ($235), rated 4.74 stars. Ask it to compare brands, and it i
March 4, 2026 - 14:27:02
How humanoid robots are rewriting Hyundai–Toyota rivalry
With the humanoid robotics boom accelerating, Hyundai Motor Group and Toyota — longtime Asian rivals in the global auto industry — are emerging as striking contrasts in how they view robots as the next engine of growth. For years, Hyundai traded at a valuation discount to Toyota, widely seen as the more technologically advanced and globally dominant automaker. Now, that perception is shifting. As robotics moves from concept to commercialization, investors are reassessing Hyundai’s growth traject
March 3, 2026 - 13:38:07
Korea's market rally shifts tone in shareholder activism
Activist hedge funds were once treated as unwelcome agitators in South Korea, often turned away at corporate doorsteps. Wary of short-term pressure and hostile campaigns, management viewed them as disruptive forces threatening their control and stability. While a full detente has yet to emerge, the mood is shifting. Amid a blistering stock market rally, shareholder activism has moderated, as rising valuations ease the urgency for direct confrontation. On top of that, corporations appear increasi
Feb. 26, 2026 - 15:40:23
Premium vs scale: Hyundai, Tesla clash in robot pricing
Hyundai Motor Group and Tesla are heading toward a second realm following their automotive rivalry — this time in humanoid robotics, extending a competitive dynamic first forged in the electric vehicle market. Tesla’s history of using aggressive pricing to defend and expand its EV dominance suggests it could deploy a similar strategy in robotics, setting up a potential price war as the market begins to scale. According to a recent report by the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Hyundai is expected to
Feb. 22, 2026 - 15:18:01
Domestic policy, global impact: Why Korea’s platform bill draws US pushback
South Korea’s proposed online platform law has yet to be finalized, but Washington has already begun raising concerns through diplomatic and trade channels. The bill is still under review by the government and the National Assembly. Discussions center on market dominance, self-preferencing and data governance, and no final framework has been agreed upon. Fair Trade Commission Chair Ju Biung-ghi has stressed that any rules would apply equally to domestic and foreign firms. Yet US engagement has s
Feb. 19, 2026 - 14:10:39
