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Ko Dong-hwan

Korea Times Business Reporter

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Companies

L&F leads LFP cathode production, targets non-Chinese ESS supply chain

L&F is accelerating its lead in the global battery cathode market by launching Korea’s first mass production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials, positioning itself as a key non-Chinese supplier for the fast-growing energy storage system (ESS) sector. The company will begin producing 30,000 tons annually at its L&F Plus plant by the end of September. The plant’s capacity is set to double by the end of June next year to meet surging demand for ESS in North America. “The ongoing spike in LFP demand is the biggest strategic shift we’re seeing from global customers,” L&F President and Chief Financial Officer Yu Sung-hun said. “Beyond cost, supply chain stability is now the new competitive edge accelerating LFP growth.” While high-nickel ternary (NCM) cathodes remain dominant in premium electric vehicles (EVs), LFP has become the standard for ESS and mass-market EVs due to its thermal stability, long lifespan and cost efficiency. The ESS boom, driven by artificial intelligence data centers, renewable energy integration and energy security, is structurally pushing the mark

1d agoBy Ko Dong-hwan
L&F leads LFP cathode production, targets non-Chinese ESS supply chain
Companies

'Nicotine-free' vapes raise concerns as tests find nicotine, analogues

Vapes purporting to contain zero nicotine are raising public and government concerns as some of the products have been confirmed to contain lethal substances while remaining largely outside regulatory oversight. The controversial market emerged after the country’s revised Tobacco Business Act, which took effect on April 24, defined synthetic nicotine vapes as tobacco product and enforced taxation that more than doubled their retail prices. It led to a market introduction of vapes not yet fully regulated by the government such as products marketed as nicotine-free or containing nicotine analogues. Consumers unwilling to pay the higher prices but still wanting to smoke quickly responded to the alternatives, with the trend spreading among teenagers as well. Ninety-nine percent of vapes marketed as containing nicotine analogue or zero nicotine are imported from China, with demand rising rapidly. According to Rep. Park Soo-young of main opposition People Power Party, Korea’s import of “nicotine-free” vapes increased to 164 tons last year from 95 tons in 2022. Imports recorded 68 tons

1d agoBy Ko Dong-hwan
'Nicotine-free' vapes raise concerns as tests find nicotine, analogues
Companies

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' pioneers 'Shot for SCREENX' in Hollywood

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is the first Hollywood film to use CJ 4DPLEX’s “Shot for SCREENX” production model, which was developed to incorporate the SCREENX viewing experience from the filming stage. Released Wednesday, the film was designed with the SCREENX viewing experience in mind from the outset. SCREENX extends images from the main screen onto both side walls, creating a 270-degree panoramic viewing experience. Unlike the conventional approach of converting a completed movie into SCREENX, Shot for SCREENX involves filmmakers and CJ 4DPLEX capturing footage specifically for the format during production. For “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” director Destin Daniel Cretton, the production team and CJ 4DPLEX worked together on set to capture footage specifically for SCREENX theaters. “CJ 4DPLEX and their team came to the set of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ to shoot footage that you will experience specifically for SCREENX auditoriums,” Cretton said. “This is something truly unique.” The film’s web-swinging action highlights the benefits of the new approach. As Sp

2d agoBy Ko Dong-hwan
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' pioneers 'Shot for SCREENX' in Hollywood
Companies

Woowa Brothers unveils smarter, faster delivery robot

Woowa Brothers, operator of major food delivery platform Baemin, launched an upgraded delivery robot Monday with improved intelligence and speed. The company said the upgraded robot, Dilly X3-R 1.4, weighs 8 percent less than its predecessor, bringing its weight below 100 kilograms. The slimmer robot can also travel at a top speed of 15 kilometers per hour. Under operational safety certification standards for outdoor mobile robots set by the country’s Intelligent Robots Act, robots weighing more than 100 kilograms are limited to a maximum speed of 10 kilometers per hour. Dilly’s previous model exceeded the 100-kilogram threshold. Another improvement is the material used. The robot is made with expanded polypropylene (EPP). According to the company, EPP, compared to the plastic used for the older model, can be recycled better, is lighter and more durable, and has strong resistance to heat. EPP’s high insulation capacity makes it ideal for keeping food products cold or hot. Dilly’s new eyes are also now more in number, equipping the vehicle with better visuals for autonomous drivin

2d agoBy Ko Dong-hwan
Woowa Brothers unveils smarter, faster delivery robot
Companies

P&G Korea names former India sales chief as new GM

P&G Korea has appointed Rohini Venkateswaran, formerly chief sales officer of P&G India, as its new general manager. Venkateswaran, who officially started the role Saturday, will oversee P&G’s business in Korea and lead efforts to strengthen its market position. She joined P&G India in 2005 and has more than 20 years of experience across India, the United States, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, spanning sales, market strategy, global retail channels, e-commerce and brand management. During more than a decade in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets, she held various roles in sales, market strategy and brand management, contributing to the skin care and grooming categories. Most recently, she served as chief sales officer of P&G India, overseeing sales strategy and business across major retail and e-commerce channels. “Korea is one of P&G’s most strategically important markets, distinguished by highly discerning consumers, elevated expectations and rapid market change,” Venkateswaran said. “I look forward to understanding their unique needs and delivering

2d agoBy Ko Dong-hwan
P&G Korea names former India sales chief as new GM
Companies

Shinsegae bridges traditional flavors to dessert, banchan

The current global popularity of Korean foods might be propelled by Buldak instant noodles, fried chicken and tteokbokki, but the history of Korean cuisine was not always characterized by the same flavors. Instead, Korean food was traditionally driven by seasonal and regional diversity, using traditional fermentation and preservation methods over artificial additives, and favoring subtle, mild flavors as often as strong, pungent dishes. Historically there were many books focused on cooking, with the oldest dating to 1450, helping to detail the development of Korean food and gastronomy. Major department store group Shinsegae operates a food research organization dedicated to preserving and modernizing traditional Korean flavors. Led by Senior Vice President Han Hee-jung, the Korean Food Laboratory runs three consumer brands to showcase authentic Korean flavors. The Grocer of Korean Delicacies is a retailer for traditional Korean refreshments, including cooking ingredients, fermented pastes and sauces, side dishes, beverages, rice, tea and snacks. Most of the ingredients are locally sourc

Aug 1, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Shinsegae bridges traditional flavors to dessert, banchan
Companies

Korean cattle farmers disgruntled by Brazilian beef import plan

Korean cattle farmers have criticized President Lee Jae Myung over his initiative to advance Korea’s beef trade with Brazil, saying it will worsen the market competitiveness for Korean beef (hanwoo) and impact cattle farmers' businesses. Hanwoo Association, based in Seoul, said Thursday that Lee made the order to bolster trade between the two nations without fully assessing the impact the deal would have on Korean hanwoo farmers. Following Lee's summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Monday, the government announced a plan to dispatch health and quarantine experts to Brazil in August to inspect the country’s beef industry and confirm its qualitative conditions before importing Brazilian beef. The measure came after the two presidents met in Seoul in February and signed a four-year action plan for 2026-29, agreeing for Korea to assess the import risks of Brazilian beef. The group condemned the plan, saying it came even before Lee confirmed how bilateral beef trade could harm the domestic hanwoo market and prepared countermeasures to protect Korean ca

Jul 31, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Korean cattle farmers disgruntled by Brazilian beef import plan
Companies

Hanwha accelerates 3rd-generation succession with clearer roles among chairman's 3 sons

Hanwha Group has nearly finalized the group’s succession from its second-generation owner family members to its third-generation ones, clarifying the roles of Chairman Kim Seung-youn’s three sons with a series of promotions and business reshuffling. The high-level promotions, paired with a major corporate spin-off, signal a shift toward performance under a “responsibility-based management” system led by the Kim brothers and supported by seasoned professional executives. The cornerstone of the overhaul is the vertical split of Hanwha Corp. into two entities — a surviving company focused on defense, shipbuilding, energy and finance, and a new company, Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings (Hanwha M&S), covering machinery, robotics, semiconductor equipment, retail, leisure and food services. The asset split ratio stands at roughly 76 percent for the surviving entity and 24 percent for the new one, with both set to relist on Aug. 25. At the top, Kim Dong-kwan, the eldest son, has been promoted from vice chairman to executive vice chairman — the only executive in the group with tha

Jul 31, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Hanwha accelerates 3rd-generation succession with clearer roles among chairman's 3 sons
Companies

Hanwha announces executive promotions, new CEOs to accelerate future growth

Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, has been promoted to executive vice chairman, while Hanwha Life President Kim Dong-won has been promoted to group vice chairman and Hanwha Vision Vice President Kim Dong-seon to president of Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings, the group's new holding company, Hanwha Group said Thursday. The promotions of Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-youn’s three sons are part of a major executive reshuffle aimed at strengthening the group’s business competitiveness and securing new growth engines. Kim Dong-kwan, the eldest son, has spearheaded growth in Hanwha’s defense, shipbuilding, aerospace and energy businesses, driving global expansion and leading major strategic projects. Kim Dong-won, the second son, has focused on digital transformation in financial services and expanding the group’s global operations, laying the groundwork for long-term growth. Kim Dong-seon, the youngest son, has delivered results in retail, leisure, and food and beverage while expanding into high-tech sectors such as semiconductor equipment. Hanwha has also named CEO nominee

Jul 30, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Hanwha announces executive promotions, new CEOs to accelerate future growth
Companies

Breweries to pull Korean tourism following K-Chicken Belt

The country’s selected traditional breweries have emerged as a new pillar of the government’s efforts to promote domestic tourism. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Thursday unveiled a list of 69 traditional liquor makers nationwide, offering a range of products from soju and makgeolli to wine and liqueurs. The ministry said the initiative goes beyond simply introducing the breweries, as it aims to promote regional economies by highlighting local tourist attractions near the selected venues. Alongside the brewery list, the ministry released a separate guide organized by province, featuring local heritage sites, signature dishes, specialty agricultural products and recommended transportation options for visitors. By cross-referencing the two lists, tourists can choose breweries to visit and extend their trips by exploring nearby attractions and local specialties. For example, visitors to Haechang Brewery in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, can also visit Bulhoesa Temple in nearby Naju and try fermented skate, known for its pungent ammonia-like aroma, as well a

Jul 30, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Breweries to pull Korean tourism following K-Chicken Belt
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