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In 2022, top importers of China's gallium products were Japan, Germany and the Netherlands, news website Caixin said, citing customs data. Top importers of germanium products were Japan, France, Germany and the United States, it said. The buyers were anticipating it could take as long as two months to obtain export permits. Jefferies analysts said they saw the export controls as China's second and bigger countermeasure after the Micron ban. "If this action doesn't change the U.S.-China dynamics, more rare earth export controls should be expected."

Persons: Peter Arkell, Jeffries, Janet Yellen, Arkell, Caixin, Morris Young, Roy Lee, Amy Lv, Brenda Goh, Siyi Liu, Kentaro Sugiyama, Joyce Lee, Ben Blanchard, Melanie Burton, Tom Hogue Organizations: China, Companies, Global Mining Association of China, U.S, AXT Inc, Micron, Jefferies, ., Thomson Locations: China, Beijing BEIJING, SHANGHAI, United States, Washington, Beijing, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, France, Europe, Taiwan, South Korea, Yunnan, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Melbourne

☆ Blinken called S.Korea to discuss China visit; N.Korea warns of stronger response
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called key ally South Korea to discuss results of his visit to China this month, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday. Blinken told South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin he had an honest, practical and constructive dialogue with the Chinese side, and wanted to explain the results of his visit in as much detail as possible, a ministry statement said. Blinken's "threats" for China to pressure Pyongyang expresses a "dangerous hegemonic mentality", KCNA said, citing a North Korean foreign ministry official. North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast last week, less than an hour after Pyongyang warned of a response to military drills by South Korean and U.S. troops. Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by William Mallard and Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Park Jin, Xi Jinping, KCNA, Joyce Lee, William Mallard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korean Foreign, North, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, China, Korea's, Beijing, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, North Korean, Korea, U.S

India's top solar power producing state Rajasthan has been getting "early warnings" of technical challenges that could arise as the use of renewables increases, a federal power ministry official said. "If proper tariff structures incentivising flexible thermal generation are not introduced, it could result in slower renewable energy adoption," he said. Reuters GraphicsSOLAR, PLUS COALGreen energy capacity in Asia grew 12% in 2022, the fastest rate among major regions, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. However, authorities in India's sun-drenched Rajasthan state are finding it increasingly difficult to control voltage fluctuations due to the inconsistent nature of solar power output. "Many of these renewable plants are not actually able to comply with such requirements," the official said.

Persons: Rystad, Wood Mackenzie, Lauri Myllyvirta, Pablo Hevia, Koch, Hevia, Florence Tan, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Fransiska, Gopal Sharma, Mei Mei Chu, Joyce Lee, Tony Munroe, Jamie Freed Organizations: Engie, Centre for Research, Clean Energy, Air, Reuters, International Renewable Energy Agency, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: China, India, Asia, Wood Mackenzie SINGAPORE, Rajasthan, Pacific, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, Khanh Vu, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul

☆ YouTube to launch its first official shopping channel in South Korea -Yonhap
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 21 (Reuters) - YouTube will launch its first official shopping channel for live commerce in South Korea on June 30, Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday. It is YouTube's first official shopping channel in any country, Yonhap said. "We may experiment with a variety of YouTube Shopping features from time to time," a YouTube spokesperson said, without elaborating. Shares in Naver fell 4% on Wednesday morning, while retailer Lotte Shopping (023530.KS) fell 3.3%, versus the wider market's (.KS11) 0.5% drop. South Korea's live commerce market is projected to grow to 10 trillion won ($7.7 billion) this year from 2.8 trillion won in 2021, with Naver currently holding about 60% market share, according to Kyobo Securities.

Persons: Yonhap, Philipp Schindler, Naver, 1,291.1600, Joyce Lee, Stephen Coates Organizations: YouTube, South, Lotte, Kyobo Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Naver, KS, Lincoln

☆ South Korea ordered to pay Elliott about $109 mln total over 2015 Samsung merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 20 (Reuters) - The South Korean government has been ordered to pay hedge fund Elliott about $108.5 million, Elliott and the Ministry of Justice said on Tuesday, in an dispute settlement case stemming from the 2015 merger of two Samsung (005930.KS) affiliates. Elliott was a minority stakeholder in Samsung C&T and opposed the deal, deeming the terms of the merger unduly unfavourable to the company. The NPS, which approved the merger, held a larger stake in Samsung C&T and was viewed as a casting vote. The arbitration tribunal ordered the South Korean government to pay Elliott about $53.6 million in damages, plus delayed interest, as well as $28.9 million in legal fees, the justice ministry said, without elaborating. Elliott welcomed the decision in a statement, and urged South Korea to "pay the ultimate award rather than pursue baseless legal proceedings to challenge the Tribunal's decision".

Persons: Elliott, Moon Hyung, Park, hye, Joyce Lee, Sandra Maler Organizations: South, Ministry of Justice, Samsung, Elliott Investment, South Korean, Cheil Industries, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, The Hague, U.S, South, South Korea

☆ Seoul hosts large crowds as BTS fans celebrate 10-year anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Fans of the K-pop boy band BTS dance during BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA in Seoul, South Korea, June 17, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeonSEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) - An estimated 400,000 people gathered in South Korea's capital Seoul on Saturday as fans from around the globe commemorated the 10th anniversary of the debut of K-Pop boy band juggernaut BTS. At the "BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA" at Han River Park in Seoul on Saturday, tens of thousands of fans wandered among various exhibits including a BTS history wall, stage costumes and commemorative sculptures, many in the band's signature purple colour. With hit songs playing in the background, fans danced under shady trees or bonded over their favourite band members. BTS leader RM later read out fan messages, performed and received calls from fellow members Jung Kook and V at the celebration.

Persons: Kim Soo, Audrey Lintner, RM, Jung Kook, V, I've, Kim Hye, Daewoung Kim, Jimin Jung, Joyce Lee, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, BTS, RM, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, SEOUL, South Korea's, Han, Sri Lanka

☆ BTS fans pack Seoul park to celebrate 10-year anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) - An estimated 300,000 people are expected to gather in the heart of South Korea's capital Seoul on Saturday as fans from around the globe commemorated the debut of K-Pop boy band juggernaut BTS 10 years ago. At the "BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA" at Han River Park in Seoul on Saturday, thousands of fans wandered under clear skies and bright sun among various exhibits including a BTS history wall, stage costumes and commemorative sculptures, many in BTS' signature purple colour. With the bands' songs playing in the background, fans danced under shady trees or bonded over their favourite band members. Later on Saturday, BTS leader RM is expected to speak to fans, followed by fireworks over the Han River, with local media estimating up to 300,000 people will be in attendance. "I'll continue to be an ARMY for 10, 20, 30 years, so I hope you as artists, singers, extend a lot of positive influence for a long, long time."

Persons: Audrey Lintner, Kim Hye, Daewoung Kim, Jimin Jung, Joyce Lee, Lincoln Organizations: BTS, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Korea's, Seoul, Han, Sri Lanka

☆ Blinken supports efforts toward "mature" China-South Korea ties - S.Korea ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he supports South Korea's efforts to develop a "healthy and mature" cooperative relationship with China, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Saturday. Blinken, who arrives in Beijing on Sunday for the highest-level visit by an official of President Joe Biden's administration, discussed bilateral relations, relations between China and South Korea, and North Korea in a call with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on Saturday, the ministry said in a statement. Blinken and Park strongly condemned what they consider North Korea's repeated provocations, the ministry said, and agreed the U.S., South Korea and Japan should continue to urge China to play a constructive role in the U.N. Security Council on denuclearisation. Blinken said on Friday the trip was aimed at establishing "open and empowered" communications. Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden's, Jin, Joyce Lee, William Mallard Organizations: South Korean Foreign, . Security, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, China, South, Beijing, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, Japan, denuclearisation, Washington

☆ North Korea starts key party meeting to discuss defence strategy - KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) - North Korea convened a key party meeting to decide its diplomatic and defence strategy "to cope with the changed international situation", with leader Kim Jong Un attending, state media KCNA said on Saturday. The enlarged plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) opened on Friday and plans to also review the country's economic projects during the first half of this year, KCNA said without further elaborating. North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday, less than an hour after Pyongyang warned of an "inevitable" response to military drills staged earlier in the day by South Korean and U.S. troops. North Korea has said the drills were escalating military tensions. Last month, Pyongyang unsuccessfully tried to launch a spy satellite, in its first satellite launch since 2016.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Joyce Lee, Sandra Maler Organizations: Central Committee, Workers ' Party of Korea, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang, U.S

☆ Fans celebrate K-Pop supergroup BTS' 10-year anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Segar/File PhotoSEOUL, June 12 (Reuters) - Fans of K-Pop supergroup BTS gathered in the heart of the South Korean capital Seoul on Monday to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the boy band's debut. Landmarks such as Seoul City Hall and Namsan Tower were lit purple, BTS' signature colour, while dozens of fans from France, Mexico and elsewhere came to enjoy the sights. Organisations and businesses are also joining the celebration, with the city of Seoul working with BTS' management agency HYBE (352820.KS) to set up a tour of landmarks associated with BTS. South Korea's postal service released special commemorative stamps of BTS' debut anniversary. The celebrations are expected to hit a climax on Saturday, when BTS leader RM is expected to meet fans - followed by fireworks near the Han River, which bisects Seoul.

Persons: Mike Segar, Rita, Lotte, JungKook, Daewoung Kim, Joyce Lee, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Hudson, REUTERS, Seoul City Hall, BTS, Hyundai Department, Lotte Cinema, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, SEOUL, Seoul, France, Mexico, Korea, KS

☆ South Korea vows support for its chip sector amid China-US tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, June 8 (Reuters) - South Korea pledged support for its chip sector on Thursday, with President Yoon Suk Yeol describing competition in the industry as an "all-out war" amid heightened Sino-U.S. tension. The government plans to help expand research and development, bolster smaller players, strengthen legal protection for chip technology and set up a chip testing facility, the industry ministry said in a statement. South Korea has sought to avoid becoming embroiled in a tit-for-tat row between China and the United States over semiconductors. On one hand, chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and SK Hynix Inc (000660.KS) depend on U.S. technology and equipment. At the same time, about 40% of South Korea's chip exports go to China, trade ministry data showed.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Yoon, Fitch, Joyce Lee, Edwina Gibbs, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Companies, Samsung Electronics Co, SK Hynix Inc, Washington, Samsung, SK Hynix, SK Hynix's, SK, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, United States, Korea, China, U.S

☆ OpenAI CEO visits South Korea as country seeks to encourage AI development
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, June 9 (Reuters) - Open AI Chief Executive Sam Altman is set to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and about 100 local startups on Friday, as the country seeks to encourage domestic competitiveness in artificial intelligence. After crisscrossing Europe last month meeting lawmakers and national leaders to discuss the prospects and threats of AI, Altman has travelled to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India and South Korea - all this week. The European Union is moving ahead with its draft AI Act, which is expected to become law later this year, while the United States is leaning toward adapting existing laws for AI rather than creating whole new legislation. South Korea has new AI regulation awaiting full parliament approval, which is seen as less restrictive than the EU's version. South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT announced in April plans focused on fostering local AI development, such as measures to provide datasets for training hyperscale AI, while continuing discussions in AI ethics and regulations.

Persons: Sam Altman, Yoon Suk, Altman, Naver, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Deepa Babington Organizations: South Korean, crisscrossing, LG, Financial Times, Microsoft Corp, European, South Korea's Ministry of Science, ICT, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, crisscrossing Europe, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India, South Korea, Korea, United States, China, Kakao, Spain, Mexico, South

South Korean companies do not disclose the unit prices for their weapons, which are often sold with support vehicles and spare parts. That will include building South Korean arms on license in Poland, officials in Seoul and Warsaw said. "It may work for some countries at very, very low volume," he added of Polish-brokered South Korean weapons sales, discussing challenges the joint operation might face. The 2022 arms deal began with South Korean companies signing a framework agreement with the Polish government. Seoul has since approved at least some South Korean weapons components for use in Ukraine.

☆ China, South Korea agree to strengthen talks on chip industry, Chinese commerce ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Printed Chinese and South Korean flags are seen in this illustration, July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBEIJING, May 27 (Reuters) - China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said. Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended on Friday. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. South Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors.

SEOUL, May 27 (Reuters) - A passenger on an Asiana Airlines (020560.KS) flight told police he opened a door on the plane minutes before it landed in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday because he was "uncomfortable", Yonhap News Agency reported. He told police that he opened the door because he "wanted to get off the plane quickly," Yonhap said on Saturday, citing the Daegu Dongbu Police Station. The man opened the door when the plane was about 700 feet (213 metres) above the ground, causing panic onboard. [1/2] Asiana Airlines' Airbus A321 plane, of which a passenger opened a door on a flight shortly before the aircraft landed, is pictured at an airport in Daegu, South Korea May 26, 2023. Police sought an arrest warrant for the detained man on Saturday for violation of the Aviation Security Act and other offences, Yonhap said.

☆ Samsung, SK Hynix shares rise after China fails U.S. rival Micron in security review
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL, May 22 (Reuters) - Shares in South Korea's Samsung Electronics <005930.KS> and SK Hynix (000660.KS) rose in morning trade on Monday after China failed U.S. memory chip rival Micron Technology (MU.O) in a security review. China's cyberspace regulator said on Sunday that products made by Micron had failed its network security review, and it would bar operators of key infrastructure from buying from the company. Samsung shares were up 0.7%, while SK Hynix shares rose 1.1% versus the wider market's (.KS11) 0.8% gain. China had announced its review of Micron's products in late March, after Washington imposed a series of export controls on chipmaking technology to China. SK Hynix had no comment.

☆ Analysis: China's Micron ban highlights chipmakers' dilemma as Sino-U.S. tensions grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SEOUL, May 22 (Reuters) - China's ban on the use of U.S.-based Micron Technology's (MU.O) chips in certain sectors, announced on Sunday, is a stark reminder of risks facing the global chip industry as it braces for escalating Sino-U.S. trade tensions. China's move against Micron, the biggest U.S. memory chipmaker, was widely seen as retaliation for Washington's efforts to restrict Beijing's access to key technology. Such tit-for-tat policies will make investment decisions difficult for all chipmakers, said Kim Sun-woo, analyst at Meritz Securities in Seoul. Analysts recommended accepting the rounds of Sino-U.S. trade war as status quo, while roundabout ways of importing memory chips may emerge in response to any further geopolitical pressure. "(Korean chipmakers) are stuck in the middle and being bothered by all sides," said Kim at Meritz.

☆ Canada's Trudeau to visit South Korea; focus on minerals, security
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, May 16 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will arrive in South Korea on Tuesday for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol as the two countries seek to boost cooperation on security and critical minerals used in batteries. Yoon and Trudeau are scheduled to hold a summit and joint press conference on Wednesday, followed by an official dinner, said Yoon's deputy national security advisor, Kim Tae-hyo. The two U.S. allies have been exploring ways to deepen cooperation on critical minerals used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and step up intelligence sharing. Yoon and Trudeau will sign an agreement on key mineral supply chains, clean energy conversion and energy security cooperation, a South Korean government official told Reuters, requesting anonymity as the deal was not finalised. The two countries have also sought to step up security cooperation including intelligence sharing, while navigating an intensifying rivalry between the United States and China.

☆ Factbox: Old disputes overshadow visit by Japan's Kishida to South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

May 5 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be visiting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday in the latest effort to improve bilateral ties. - Relations between the two North Asian U.S. allies have been strained over disputes dating to Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea. - Relations deteriorated in 2019 when Japan restricted exports of high-tech materials for making chips and display panels to South Korea. - In late March, Japan's trade ministry lifted export curbs to South Korea on the high-tech materials, while South Korea withdrew its complaint filed at the World Trade Organization on Japan's export controls. Under Yoon, South Korea has resumed trilateral military drills and agreed to more intelligence sharing on issues like tracking ballistic missile launches from North Korea.

☆ TrendForce says SK Hynix to raise China legacy chip output capacity
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Memory chips by South Korean semiconductor supplier SK Hynix are seen on a circuit board of a computer in this illustration picture taken February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File PhotoSEOUL, May 4 (Reuters) - South Korea's SK Hynix Inc (000660.KS) plans to expand its legacy chip production capacity at its chip manufacturing facilities in China, market research firm TrendForce said. The world's second-biggest memory chip maker's long-term strategy involves shifting its capacity expansion back to South Korea, while its China chip production site caters to domestic demand in China and the legacy DRAM memory chip market, the TrendForce report said. SK Hynix did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Thursday. Last year, SK Hynix said it had received authorisation from the U.S. Commerce Department for a year to supply equipment needed for chip production in facilities in china, without seeking additional licensing requirements.

The company did not specify how much it expects its second-quarter refining margin, a key profit metric for refiners, to be. The company posted operating profit of 375 billion won ($281.6 million) for the first quarter ended March, versus 1.6 trillion won a year earlier. In March, Ford Motor, which uses batteries from SK On, recalled 18 electric trucks due to a battery cell manufacturing defect. SK On currently has battery joint ventures with Ford and Hyundai Motor Group in the United States. Shares of SK Innovation were trading up 0.5% in morning trade, versus a 0.3% fall in the broader KOSPI index (.KS11).

The World Health Organization said last year the syrups, made by Indian manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, contained lethal toxins ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) – used in car brake fluid. "If you ask and you don't get informed, it's a dead end," Rutendo Kuwana, the WHO's team lead for incidents with substandard and falsified medicines, told Reuters in an interview on March 31. Drug inspectors found a dozen violations at Maiden last October related to the production of the cough syrups sold to Gambia, a government document showed. Among these, some of the COAs of raw ingredients used in making the syrups, including propylene glycol, were missing batch numbers. Kuwana said the WHO was sure of its own cough syrup test results from two separate independent laboratories, both of which showed contamination.

☆ Louis Vuitton dazzles luxury-seeking Seoul with first pre-fall show
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, April 29 (Reuters) - LVMH's (LVMH.PA) top fashion brand Louis Vuitton held its first-ever pre-fall fashion show on Saturday on a bridge in Seoul, the capital of a leading luxury market. In one of the highest profile events since chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari started at Louis Vuitton earlier this year, the runway on the lower level of the double-decker Jamsu bridge that spans the Han River was bathed in blue shadows. Models walked the 795 metre (2,608 feet) bridge, where traffic was stopped for 24 hours, wearing fitted, sporty designs with geometric patterns designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of women’s collections at Louis Vuitton. They strode out of a tunnel on chunky-heeled shoes in slick windbreakers, miniskirts that flared out and striped suits. On Saturday the creator and director of 2021's Netflix hit drama "Squid Game" Hwang Dong-hyuk participated in the show scenography.

☆ North Korea says U.S.-South Korea agreement will worsen insecurity
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, April 29 (Reuters) - North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said a U.S.-South Korea agreement this week about the need to shore up South Korean security will worsen the situation, according to state media KCNA on Saturday. North Korea is convinced it must further perfect a "nuclear war deterrent" as a result, Kim said. Kim's statement is North Korea's first comment on the meeting, and suggests its cycle of military shows of force and weapons development will continue. U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met this week, with the United States pledging to give South Korea more insight into its nuclear planning over any conflict with North Korea amid anxiety over Pyongyang's growing arsenal of missiles and bombs. A U.S. Navy nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) will also visit South Korea for the first time since the 1980s, to help demonstrate Washington's resolve to protect the country from a North Korean attack.

A global downturn in semiconductor demand amid an economic slowdown and weak customer spending sent chip prices plummeting in the first quarter. For the current quarter, Samsung said it expected limited demand recovery for memory chips as major data centre firms invested more conservatively in servers. Revenue fell 18% to 63.7 trillion won. The South Korean tech giant's chip division - normally its most reliable cash cow - reported a 4.58 trillion won loss compared to a 8.45 trillion won profit a year earlier. As a result, smartphone, personal computer and server companies have run down inventories, causing chip prices to plunge by about 70% over the previous nine months.

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