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☆ South Korea's Yoon Vows Clearer Rules After Wife's 'Dior Bag Scandal'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Heekyong Yang and Josh SmithSEOUL (Reuters) - The release of hidden camera footage showing South Korea's first lady accepting a Dior bag as a gift was a "political manoeuvre", President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday, but vowed to draw clearer lines to ensure such incidents do not happen again. The comments were his first public response to a controversy, dubbed the "Dior bag scandal" by local media, that has roiled his ruling party ahead of a key election in April. "What's important is to set clearer boundaries with others to prevent something like this from happening in the future." A Gallup Korea weekly poll on Friday showed that Yoon's approval ratings had fallen to 29%, the lowest in nine months. (Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Ju-min Park, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)

Persons: Heekyong Yang, Josh Smith SEOUL, Dior, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Yoon, it's, Kim's, Abraham Choi, Josh Smith, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: People Power Party, KBS, Reuters, Gallup Korea Locations: North Korea, April's

☆ Seoul Police Chief Indicted Over Halloween Crush
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors have indicted the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, charging him with contributing through negligence to the Halloween crowd crush in Seoul in 2022 that killed nearly 160 people, according to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office. The indictment of Seoul police chief Kim Kwang-ho came more than a year after the crowd crush in October 2022, which killed 159 people on a Halloween weekend in the entertainment district of Itaewon in capital Seoul. Kim is the highest-ranking police official charged in connection with the crowd crush. In January last year, a special investigation team referred Kim and 22 other police, rescue and district office officials to the prosecution on charges related to the government's inadequate response to the stampede. (Reporting by Heekyong Yang; editing by Giles Elgood)

Persons: , Kim Kwang, Kim, Heekyong Yang, Giles Elgood Organizations: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Seoul Western, Prosecutors Office Locations: SEOUL, Seoul, Itaewon

☆ North Korea says interference in its satellites would be declaration of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks on as a rocket carrying a spy satellite Malligyong-1 is launched, as North Korean government claims, in a location given as North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on November 21, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 2 (Reuters) - North Korea said on Saturday it would consider any interference with its satellite operations a declaration of war and would mobilise its war deterrence if any attack against its strategic assets were imminent. Pyongyang would respond to any U.S. interference in space by eliminating the viability of U.S. spy satellites, state media KCNA reported, citing a statement from North Korea's defence ministry spokesperson. North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite on Nov. 21, transmitting photos of military installations in the U.S. mainland, Japan and the U.S. territory of Guam. The United States on Thursday targeted North Korea with fresh sanctions after the launch, designating foreign-based agents it accused of facilitating sanctions evasion to gather revenue and technology for its weapons of mass destruction programme.

Persons: Kim Jong, Washington, Heekyong Yang, Josh Smith, Lincoln, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, KCNA, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic People's, U.S . Space Command, Korean, Thomson Locations: North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea, Rights SEOUL, Pyongyang, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, U.S, Japan, Guam, United States, Korea, South Korea

☆ Hyundai Motor breaks ground on $1.5 bln EV plant in South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ULSAN, South Korea, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) on Monday broke ground on a 2 trillion won ($1.52 billion) dedicated electric vehicle (EV) plant in South Korea, as the automaker accelerate a shift to electrification. Hyundai Motor Group, which encompasses Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis brands, said in April it plans to launch 31 EVs by 2030. Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor's Chief Executive Officer and other officials, including the Ulsan Metropolitan City Mayor, attended the event to witness the ground breaking of the EV factory, the automaker's first new plant in South Korea in 29 years. The groundbreaking comes after Hyundai Motor said it would stick to its EV rollout plans - a contrast to some rivals that have pulled back on EV production due to cooling demand. Last year, Hyundai Motor Group broke ground on a $5.54 billion EV and battery plants in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Persons: Euisun Chung, Jaehoon Chang, Chang, 1,316.5100, Heekyong Yang, Ed Davies Organizations: Hyundai, Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp, Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, Genesis, Hyundai Motor's, Ulsan Metropolitan City Mayor, EV, General Motors Co, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC, Ford Motor, Tesla Inc, GM, Honda, Thomson Locations: ULSAN, South Korea, Ulsan, U.S ., Georgia, United States, Michigan, Mexico

[1/2] An employee walks past the logo of LG Energy Solution at its office building in Seoul, South Korea, November 23, 2021. The three companies signed a non-binding agreement in February to form a joint venture to create one of Europe's biggest electric vehicle (EV) battery cell facilities near Turkey's capital Ankara. "Considering the current pace of electric vehicle adoption, the timing is not appropriate for a battery cell investment," Koc Holding said in a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). "Ford and Koc Holding will remain committed to support electric vehicle production at Ford Otosan's (FROTO.IS) Kocaeli Plant and will evaluate potential battery cell investments in the future in line with the dynamics of the electric vehicle market," it said. "LG Energy Solution and Ford are working together on a plan to support battery cell production for this EV from LG Energy Solution’s existing operations, extending the companies’ long-standing business relationship," LGES said in a statement.

Persons: Kim Hong, Koc, Ford, LGES, Ebru Tuncay, Heekyong Yang, Huseyin Hayatsever, Chizu Nomiyama, Diane Craft Organizations: LG Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Turkey's Koc, Ford, Koc Holding, General Motors, LG, EV, EVs, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights ANKARA, SEOUL, Korean, Turkey's, Ankara, China, Europe, United States, Poland, Indonesia, Canada

☆ Hyundai Motor Group air taxi unit plans US manufacturing facility
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Group's air taxi unit Supernal plans to build a manufacturing facility in the United States to make flying electric taxis for commuters, the South Korean auto group said on Wednesday. Electric air taxi-makers worldwide have pitched themselves as clean alternatives to decongest cities, attracting investment from airline heavyweights such as Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) though they are still a long way away from commercial operations. Shin said the eVTOL taxi would be capable of flying at 120 mph (193 kph) and have capacity for a pilot and four passengers, targeting December 2024 for a test flight. Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp (000270.KS) and Hyundai Mobis (012330.KS), have together invested 1.2 trillion won ($915.70 million) in Washington-based Supernal since its establishment in 2021, according to regulatory filings. Last month, Hyundai Motor Group signed an agreement with Korean Air Lines (003490.KS) to work together to accelerate the design of electric eVTOL vehicles and air mobility ecosystem in South Korea.

Persons: Shin Jaiwon, Shin, 1,310.4700, Heekyong Yang, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hyundai, South Korean, Supernal, Bloomberg, Electric, Delta Air Lines Inc, Kia Corp, Hyundai Motor Group, Korean Air Lines, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, United States, Las Vegas, Washington, South Korea

SEOUL, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Operations at Kia Corp's (000270.KS) assembly plant in South Korea have been suspended due to disruptions in parts supplies, the carmaker said on Wednesday. Poongki Industrial Co Ltd, a Kia supplier that makes chassis parts, suffered a fatal accident that resulted in the death of one worker on Tuesday and halted its own operations, causing supply disruptions at Kia's plant, a Kia spokesperson said. Labour authorities are investigating the accident, putting a halt to forklift truck operations at the Kia supplier's factory, a labour ministry spokesperson said. Kia is checking on alternative sources for Poongki's components, according to the Kia spokesperson. The plant located in the southwestern city of Gwangju produces about 2,000 vehicles a day, according to media reports.

Persons: Kia Corp's, Poongki, Kia, Lee Jae, Heekyong Yang, Ed Davies Organizations: Kia, Poongki Industrial Co Ltd, Labour, Eugene Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Gwangju

Analysts said, however, that Asiana's greenlighting of the cargo unit sale did not necessarily ensure smooth sailing ahead for the deal. They noted the desired valuation for the air cargo unit of some 700 billion won ($520 million) including debt, as reported by local media, was probably too high. Approving the sale was a contentious issue at Asiana amid concerns that a takeover by Korean Air would lead to the loss of many Asiana jobs. Korean Air also said it will buy 300 billion won of convertible bonds issued by Asiana, part of fresh financial support to the smaller airline. The company accounts for about a fifth of South Korea's market for overseas air cargo.

Persons: Bae, Asiana, IAG, 1,342.9900, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Hyunsu Yim, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Asiana Airlines, Korean Air Lines, Korean Air, country's, European, Analysts, Hi Investment, Securities, European Union, European Commission, Air, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, British Airways, Spanish, Korea Development Bank, Asiana, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, KS, Korean, Union, United States, Japan, Asiana, Iberia, Germany, Russia

☆ Asiana Airlines shares jump ahead of board meeting on merger with Korean Air
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

If approved, the move might help South Korea's biggest carrier Korean Airlines (003490.KS) to win European Union antitrust approval for acquiring Asiana Airlines. Asiana Airlines said on Friday that it would hold a board meeting on Monday to discuss whether to accept Korean Air's proposal to the EU, according to its regulatory filing. Reuters reported earlier that Korean Air would offer to sell Asiana's air cargo business and divest routes to four EU cities. Separately, Korean Air will convene a board meeting on Monday, said a company official who declined to share further details. At the board meeting, the carrier is expected to finalise a revised proposal to gain EU approval for its merger with Asiana Airlines, Maeil Business Newspaper reported.

Persons: Heekyong Yang, Ed Davies Organizations: Korea's Asiana Airlines, Korean Air Lines, Korea's, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Reuters, Korean Air, Maeil Business, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Korea's, KS, Asiana

☆ Samsung Electronics' Q3 profit falls 78% but chip loss narrows
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A worker waters a flower bed next to the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. The world's biggest maker of memory chips and smartphones said operating profit reached 2.4 trillion won ($1.78 billion) in July-September, versus 10.85 trillion won a year earlier. That was in line with the South Korean manufacturer's own estimate of 2.4 trillion won published earlier this month. Revenue fell 12% to 67.4 trillion won. ($1 = 1,346.5000 won)Reporting by Joyce Lee and Heekyong Yang; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kim Hong, 1,346.5000, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Samsung Electronics, REUTERS, Rights, South Korean, Revenue, Thomson Locations: Suwon, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, KS

☆ Global EV battery supply chain puzzles over China graphite curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Graphite powder, used for battery paste, is pictured in a Volkswagen pilot line for battery cell production in Salzgitter, Germany, May 18, 2022. China dominates the global EV battery supply chain including production of graphite - the single largest component. Graphite companies in the country process both the natural material mined domestically and overseas, as well as synthetic forms. Under the new rules, China will require export permits starting Dec. 1 for high-end synthetic graphite, as well as key forms of natural graphite. NATURAL GRAPHITE HITGlobal companies using natural graphite include Hitachi Chemical, part of Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp (4004.T), South Korea's POSCO Future M (003670.KS) and Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical, which produces natural graphite at two plants in China, according to research firm CRU Group.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Sunit Kapur, Zhang Yan, Siyi Liu, Brenda Goh, Satoshi Sugiyama, Heekyong Yang, Seoul ， Paul Lienert, Jing Xu, Dominique Patton, Tony Munroe, David Evans Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Rights, EV, Qingdao, Reuters, China's Ministry of Commerce, Gotion High Tech, BTR, Material Technology, Hitachi Chemical, Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp, Mitsubishi Chemical, CRU Group, Mitsubishi, Resources, Materials, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, Beijing, China, Japan, South Korea, United States, U.S, Shanghai, Ningbo Shanshan, Indonesia, Finland, Japan's, Australia, Mozambique, U.S ., Louisiana, North Carolina, Toyko, Seoul ，, Detroit

A Hyundai Elantra N is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. Hyundai reported a net profit of 3.2 trillion won ($2.36 billion) for the July-September period, up from 1.3 trillion in profit a year earlier. That exceeded an estimate of 2.9 trillion won from 19 analysts compiled by LSEG SmartEstimate, which is weighted toward forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate. Revenue rose 8.7% year-on-year to 41 trillion won. Shares of Hyundai Motor were trading down 0.2% as of 0451 GMT, versus benchmark KOSPI's (.KS11) 2.4% fall.

Persons: Aly, LSEG SmartEstimate, 1,358.3200, Heekyong Yang, Joyce Lee, Clarence Fernandez, Jamie Freed Organizations: Hyundai, Auto, REUTERS, Rights, General Motors, EV, Hyundai Motor, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Rights SEOUL, KS

The logo of SK Hynix is seen at its headquarters in Seongnam, South Korea, April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Oct 26 (Reuters) - South Korea's SK Hynix (000660.KS) said a boom in artificial intelligence will drive chip profits after posting a sharply narrower third quarter loss than it did in the previous quarter. SK Hynix said it swung to a 1.8 trillion won ($1.33 billion) third-quarter operating loss from a profit of 1.7 trillion won a year earlier. It was its fourth consecutive quarterly loss, but improved from a trough of a 3.4 trillion won loss in the first quarter and a 2.9 trillion won loss in the second quarter. SK Hynix was ahead of rivals in developing HBM3 chips and securing AI-chip leader Nvidia (NVDA.O) as a client.

Persons: Kim Hong, chipmaker, SK Hynix, LSEG SmartEstimate, 1,351.6200, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed Organizations: SK Hynix, REUTERS, Rights, Korea's SK Hynix, SK, Revenue, Samsung Electronics, Analysts, SK Hynix's, Nvidia, Thomson Locations: Seongnam, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, KS

People visit the LG display at the international consumer technology fair IFA in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2022. Mobile display panel orders are concentrated in the second half of the year, when panels for Apple's latest mobile products are produced before the holiday season. Shares in LG Display rose as much as 8% after the earnings result, versus a 0.7% drop in the wider market (.KS11). "LG Display made it clear it will turn to profit. LG Display posted an operating loss of 662 billion won ($491.11 million) for the July-September quarter versus a loss of 759 billion won a year earlier.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Sung, Kim, Jeff Kim, midsized, Max, 1,347.9600, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Clarence Fernandez, Jamie Freed, Lincoln Organizations: LG, IFA, REUTERS, Wednesday, Apple, KB Securities, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, SEOUL, Korean

An employee walks past the logo of LG Energy Solution at its office building in Seoul, South Korea, November 23, 2021. LGES, which supplies Tesla (TSLA.O), General Motors (GM.N) and other automakers, said revenue growth in 2024 would not be as high as the mid-30% rate forecast for this year. LGES shares dropped as much as 6.69% to the lowest level in more than 12 months, versus the benchmark KOSPI's (.KS11) 0.6% fall. The company also said it would produce cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from 2026 to better respond to demand for lower-priced EVs. But it was down 6% from the June quarter due to the demand slowdown in Europe, production adjustments by automakers and lower metal prices.

Persons: Kim Hong, Lee Chang, sil, Kim Gyunghoon, Kim, Kang Dong, LGES, 1,345.0800, Heekyong Yang, Joyce Lee, Miyoung Kim, Jamie Freed Organizations: LG Energy, REUTERS, GM JV, Korean, EV, General Motors, GM, Hyundai Motor Securities, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, SEOUL, China, Europe, Poland, U.S, Ohio, ARIZONA, Arizona

A general view of the Samsung SDI battery factory in God, Hungary, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Marton Monus Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Oct 23 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung SDI (006400.KS) said on Monday it will supply Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) with electric vehicle (EV) batteries for seven years starting 2026, marking the first battery supply deal between the two companies. "The latest supply deal marks the first ever partnership between Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group in the field of electric vehicle batteries," Samsung SDI said in a statement. The battery maker, which supplies to General Motors Co (GM.N), Stellantis (STLAM.MI), BMW (BMWG.DE) among others, added that it will supply prismatic batteries manufactured at its factory in Hungary for Hyundai Motor's EVs targeting the European market from 2026 through 2032. Samsung SDI did not disclose the size of the deal.

Persons: Marton Monus, Heekyong Yang, hyang Choi, Diane Craft, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Samsung SDI, REUTERS, Rights, Korea's Samsung SDI, Hyundai, Samsung, Hyundai Motor Group, General Motors Co, BMW, Hyundai Motor's, Thomson Locations: God, Hungary, Rights SEOUL, KS

☆ Hyundai to build Saudi car plant jointly with Saudi wealth fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Hyundai Motor Company is pictured at the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 22 (Reuters) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group (005380.KS) will build a car plant in Saudi Arabia jointly with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Sunday. Hyundai Motor Group, the world's No. Yoon visited Saudi Arabia where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler. Yoon traveled with a delegation of business leaders including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair E.S.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chung, Prince Mohammed, Pesha Magid, Heekyong Yang, Aziz El Yaakoubi, John Stonestreet, David Holmes Organizations: Hyundai Motor, New York, REUTERS, Rights, Hyundai Motor Group, Public Investment Fund, South, Hyundai, South Korean, Saudi Crown, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Rights RIYADH, KS, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, Gulf

☆ Analysts' comments on China's export permits for some graphite products
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here is what analysts are saying about the measure:IVAN LAM, SENIOR ANALYST, COUNTERPOINT RESEARCH:"In addition to China, other countries and regions also implement graphite export controls. Graphite has a wide range of applications in industry, and the demand for its use is growing. KANG DONG-JIN, ANALYST AT HYUNDAI SECURITIES IN SEOUL:"It's not that China would suddenly stop export graphite, but it would be more intensely regulated and reviewed. It is still unclear how far China would take this graphite export curb, which would determine the supply chains. "With this new graphite export curb, South Korean firms - or South Korea in general, which heavily rely on China for graphite imports, would need to seek alternatives, such as mines from the United States or Australia, but it would likely increase cost burden for many."

Persons: Aly, IVAN LAM, CHRISTOPHER RICHTER, you've, KANG DONG, JIN, Brenda Goh, Daniel Leussink, Heekyong Yang, Miyoung Kim, Nivedita Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EU, Thomson Locations: Port, Shanghai, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Russia, Ukraine, TOKYO, SEOUL, South Korea, United States, Australia, Tokyo, Seoul

The UAW said that 8,700 union members at Ford's Kentucky truck plant went on strike after the union said the No. [1/4]United Auto Workers (UAW) members strike outside of Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. October 11, 2023. Even with Wednesday's walkout, only about 22% of the 150,000 UAW workers at the Detroit Three automakers are on strike. The walkout in Kentucky will put stress on Ford UAW members beyond the sprawling factory near Louisville. Workers at a dozen other Ford plants that supply engines, transmissions and other components to the plant could be furloughed.

Persons: Shawn Fain's, Fain, Ford, leadership's, UAW bargainers, Harley Shaiken, Shaiken, Wednesday's Ford, walkouts, David Shepardson, Joe White, Abhirup Roy, Heekyong Yang, Peter Henderson, Sayantani Ghosh, Jamie Freed Organizations: DETROIT, United Auto Workers, Detroit Three automakers, UAW, Ford, Duty, Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Kentucky, Detroit, Motors, Chrysler, Plant, Handout, Detroit Three, Ford UAW, Workers, University of California, GM, Stellantis, BlueOval SK, South Korea's SK, Thomson Locations: Ford's Kentucky, U.S, Kentucky, Arlington , Texas, Stellantis, Sterling Heights, Warren , Michigan, Detroit, Ford's, Louisville , Kentucky, Louisville, Berkeley, South, Tennessee, Washington, San Francisco, Bengaluru, Seoul

☆ Kia Corp unveils three smaller-medium-sized EVs to speed its electrification ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Kia Corp (000270.KS) on Thursday unveiled three new small-to-medium sized electric vehicles (EV) to attract a wider range of customers in an effort to expedite its electrification strategies. The production of the EV5 will take place in both China and South Korea, Kia said, adding that the EV5 in China and South Korea would have different battery types. Kia did not disclose the detailed driving range of the EV5 for South Korea, adding that it will be tailored to meet market demands. Analysts said Kia's push to launch more affordable EVs is timely as an increasing number of car buyers are looking to purchase price friendly EVs. "While those early adopters have preferred more expensive premium electric vehicles, as EVs have become more popular among more general public, consumer needs for more affordable EVs have significantly grown," said Lee Jae-il, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities.

Persons: Kia, Song Ho Sung, ”, Spencer Cho, Lee Jae, Heekyong Yang, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Kia Corp, South, Kia, Global, Analysts, Eugene Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, China

☆ Hyundai Motor to make BAIC's ARCFOX electric cars in Beijing - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Beijing Hyundai sign is seen at an entrance to the Beijing Hyundai Motor plant in Chongqing, China October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Yilei Sun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor has decided to produce Beijing Automotive Group Co's EV brand ARCFOX cars at its plant in Beijing in a bid for a breakthrough in a major market where it has been struggling to make a foothold, a news report said on Wednesday. The plan is for Beijing Hyundai Motor, a joint venture of Hyundai Motor (011760.KS) and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), to produce the ARCFOX vehicles, and the companies are discussing the details, the report cited the sources as saying. Beijing Hyundai Motor will likely oversee the design, production and quality control and use its plant in Beijing, the report said. When asked to comment on the report, Hyundai Motor said it was "currently reviewing various measures for EV production, but nothing has been decided," in a statement to Reuters.

Persons: BAIC, Jack Kim, Heekyong Yang, William Maclean Organizations: Beijing Hyundai, REUTERS, Yilei, Rights, Hyundai, Beijing Automotive, Korea Economic, Beijing Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Motor, Beijing Automotive Group, Reuters, Kia, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Chongqing, China, Rights SEOUL, Korea

☆ Union at Kia Corp suspends strike action to resume talks with company
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The union and Kia's management had been holding talks for three months over wage increases and an extension of the retirement age. Earlier, the union said it would limit working hours for six working days from Oct. 12 after negotiations stalled, in what would have been the first industrial action at Kia in three years. Kia declined to comment on the industrial action. Last month, the union at South Korea's second largest automaker with more than 26,600 members said 92.3% of its members had approved strike action unless the management accepts their demands. Because the deals with Hyundai Motor and affiliate Hyundai Mobis (012330.KS) were concluded without any industrial action, Kia's unions are likely to avoid any major industrial action, analysts said.

Persons: Kim Hong, Kia Corp's, Lee Jae, Heekyong Yang, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Kia Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Kia, Reuters, South, Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, Eugene Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, KS, South Korea's

☆ Kia Corp's unionised workers to go on partial strike over wages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Kia Corp is seen on its electric vehicle EV6 during a photo opportunity in Seoul, South Korea, June 1, 2021. Last month, the union at South Korea's No.2 automaker with more than 26,600 members said 92.3% of its members had approved strike action unless the management accept the demands. The union said it would work regular hours on days when they are holding talks with the management. Kia declined to comment on the strike. Shares in Kia Corp were trading up 0.7%, versus the benchmark KOSPI's (.KS11) 2.1% rise as of 0217 GMT.

Persons: Kim Hong, Kia Corp's, Kia, Lee Jae, Heekyong Yang, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Kia Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Kia, South, Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, Eugene Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, KS

Samsung shares opened 3.3% higher versus a 1.4% rise in the wider market (.KS11), as analysts said memory chip prices likely bottomed in the third quarter, with some types starting to rebound. The world's largest memory chip and smartphone maker estimated its operating profit fell to 2.4 trillion won ($1.79 billion) in July-September, from 10.85 trillion won a year earlier in a short preliminary earnings statement. The profit beat a 2.1 trillion won LSEG SmartEstimate, which is weighted toward forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate. The company reported losses of 4.58 trillion won and 4.36 trillion in its chip business in the first and second quarter respectively, as memory chip prices plunged and its inventory values were slashed. Samsung's said its revenue likely fell 13% from the same period a year earlier to 67 trillion won.

Persons: Yves Herman, LSEG, Ko Yeongmin, chipmakers, Ko, Samsung's, 1,342.1900, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Jamie Freed Organizations: Samsung, REUTERS, Samsung Electronics, Daol Investment, Securities, Apple, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Diegem, Belgium, SEOUL

The world's largest memory chip and smartphone maker estimated its operating profit fell to 2.4 trillion won ($1.79 billion) in July-September, from 10.85 trillion won a year earlier in a short preliminary earnings statement. The profit beat a 2.1 trillion won LSEG SmartEstimate, which is weighted toward forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate. Although down sharply from last year, Samsung's third quarter profit is higher than the first quarter's 640 billion won and the second quarter's 670 billion won. Rival Micron Technology (MU.O) also forecast a quarterly loss last month, triggering concerns of a sluggish recovery in the memory chip maker's end markets such as data centres. Samsung's revenue likely fell 13% from the same period a year earlier to 67 trillion won, Samsung said in the statement.

Persons: Yves Herman, LSEG, Samsung's, chipmakers, 1,342.1900, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Jamie Freed Organizations: Samsung, REUTERS, Rights, Samsung Electronics Co, Micron Technology, Apple, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Diegem, Belgium, Rights SEOUL, KS, Korean

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