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Baek Byung-yeul

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.

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Tech & Science

SK Broadband's tablet IPTV service gaining popularity

A model watches a video using SK Broadband's tablet PC-based IPTV service B tv air in this photo provided by the company, Tuesday. Courtesy of SK BroadbandBy Baek Byung-yeulWith people spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for devices has also been on the rise. To meet this trend, SK Broadband, the wholly owned internet service provider subsidiary of the nation's leading mobile carrier SK Telecom, has been making gains with its tablet PC-based internet protocol television (IPTV) service B tv air for people who want to have a second or third device that operates like a TV at home or elsewhere.“We have seen increasing demand for B tv air service as there are more people who prefer to have a TV for each family member,” a company official said Tuesday. “Especially, families with children show more preference for the B tv air service because TV content that family members want to watch is different.”A model promotes SK Broadband's tablet PC-based IPTV service B tv air in this photo provided by the company, Tuesday. Courtesy of SK Broadband

Aug 18, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
SK Broadband's tablet IPTV service gaining popularity
Tech & Science

LG Electronics begins iDevice sales at its brand stores

Apple's iPhones are displayed at LG Electronics' Best Shop store in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeulBy Baek Byung-yeulOn Monday, which was a statutory holiday because of National Liberation Day the day before, something surprising happened at an LG Best Shop selling LG's home appliances in Seoul's affluent Gangnam area.In these pandemic times, stores have seen fewer visitors ― but those who ventured into LG's brand store saw Apple's iPhone 12 smartphones on display. One customer there stated, “I had heard that LG has started selling iPhones.”For Korean consumers, who typically visit Samsung Digital Plaza or LG Best Shop to purchase each brand's electronic devices or home appliances, seeing overseas competitor Apple's gadgets in a local official LG store was something new. The surprising sight could be possible as LG Electronics had announced earlier that it would begin sales activities of iPhones starting this month after the company withdrew from its mobile business as of July 31. With the decision, consumers can try out and purchase Apple devices at a

Aug 17, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Electronics begins iDevice sales at its brand stores
  • LG getting closer with Apple
Companies

LG Energy Solution secures stable supply of nickel, cobalt

By Baek Byung-yeulLG Energy Solution CEO Kim Jong-hyun / Courtesy of LG Energy SolutionLG Energy Solution (LGES) has established a stable supply chain of nickel and cobalt ― essential materials for manufacturing battery cells ― in Australia, reducing its concerns about sourcing raw materials.The battery-making company said Monday it has signed a six-year agreement with Australian Mines for the supply of nickel and cobalt. It said the raw materials will be supplied in the form of a mixed hydroxide precipitate from the North Queensland region.“Under the binding long form offtake agreement between LGES and Australian Mines, the battery manufacturer will have access to 71,000 tons of nickel and 7,000 tons of cobalt for six years starting from the end of 2024,” LGES said.The amount of raw materials is enough to produce batteries that can power 1.3 million high-performance electric vehicles (EVs), each of which will have a driving distance of over 500 kilometers on a single charge.LG Energy Solution's battery-manufacturing plant in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province / Courtesy

Aug 16, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Energy Solution secures stable supply of nickel, cobalt
Banking & Finance

Hana Bank supports Cheonan warship families

A Hana Bank official holds a placard showing the bank's support for the bereaved families of the 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship in this photo, Monday. Hana Bank said that it has signed a contract with guardians of the remaining underage children of the sailors who perished in the sinking, to provide support for the safe and transparent management of the national donations collected for them. In 2010, 46 South Korean sailors were killed when the warship sunk, the cause of which is still disputed, but which some believe to be a torpedo from a North Korean submarine infiltrating South Korea's part of the Yellow Sea. Courtesy of Hana Bank

Aug 16, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Hana Bank supports Cheonan warship families
Tech & Science

Samsung urged to strengthen competitiveness, work in nation's best interests

Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, left, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, right, arrive at the Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul to attend a meeting, July 4, 2019. Korea Times file By Baek Byung-yeulSamsung chief Lee Jae-yong was freed from jail on Aug. 13 after the government granted him parole.Leaving the Seoul Detention Center last Friday, Lee offered a public apology, saying, “I apologize for causing people great concern,” and adding, “I am well aware of the concerns, criticisms and expectations on me.”In line with Lee's apology, President Moon Jae-in said the same day that he is aware that there are pros and cons to releasing Lee, but added that he is seeking the public's understanding in accepting the decision as it is in the nation's best interests. The President's remark can be interpreted as suggesting that Samsung, which is active in a wide range of businesses, from chip-making to drug manufacturing, will play a significant role in improving the country's edge amid

Aug 15, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung urged to strengthen competitiveness, work in nation's best interests
  • After release, Samsung chief asked to play role as 'special vaccine envoy'
Companies

After release, Samsung chief asked to play role as 'special vaccine envoy'

Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong speaks with reporters after being released from prison at the Seoul Detention Center, Aug. 13. YonhapBy Baek Byung-yeulFollowing Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong being released from prison Aug. 13, attention is being paid as to whether the leader of the country's largest conglomerate will play a role as a “special vaccine envoy” to help deal with a supply shortage here. President Moon Jae-in said the justice ministry authorizing the parole was “a choice for the national interest,” which could be interpreted as him expecting the Samsung chief to play a role in facilitating the supply of COVID-19 vaccines.Early this year, the government signed a contract with Moderna for 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, but the U.S. biotech firm halved its planned shipment for this month, citing production problems, causing a major disruption in the government's vaccination schedule. In response, the health ministry immediately protested the delay in the vaccine shipment and sent a delegation led by Second Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae to Moderna

Aug 15, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
After release, Samsung chief asked to play role as 'special vaccine envoy'
  • Samsung urged to strengthen competitiveness, work in nation's best interests
Companies

Korea fights 'vaccine bias' in face of Moderna, Pfizer preference

People wait in line to get COVID-19 vaccine shots at a hospital in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapRuling DPK wants Samsung leader Lee to address Moderna vaccine shortage issue By Baek Byung-yeulDespite the country experiencing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, there is an evasive atmosphere over having an AstraZeneca shot that is intensifying due to concerns that it may cause blood clots as a rare side effect.Due to such concerns, some local hospitals have been discarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. In July, the government limited the use of this vaccine to people over 50 years old ― from those over 30 ― because of concerns over the potential side effect, and as a result people want to be inoculated with Pfizer or Moderna vaccines that were developed using mRNA (mRNA) technology rather than traditional methods. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are also known to have a higher efficacy rate than the traditionally produced vaccines.According to online vaccine booking platforms and local hospitals, Thursday, few people were looking for the leftovers of the AstraZeneca vaccine, but the Pfizer vaccines wer

Aug 12, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea fights 'vaccine bias' in face of Moderna, Pfizer preference
  • New COVID-19 cases feared to plateau in 2,000s, citizens urged to stay home over weekend
  • Korea signs deal with Pfizer for 30 million COVID-19 vaccines for 2022
Tech & Science

With chip price falling, SK hynix feels downward pressure

SK hynix's plant in Icheon / Courtesy of SK hynixBy Baek Byung-yeulSK hynix's stock price has plummeted by more than 18 percent within a week, due to falling memory chip prices and market concerns that the semiconductor business has reached its peak.On Thursday, the stock price of the world's second-largest DRAM maker closed at 100,500 won, down 4.74 percent from Wednesday. It was down for the sixth day straight, since the company's stock price ended at 121,000 won on Aug. 4.The stock price of SK hynix dropped further during trading time, Thursday morning, after Morgan Stanley cut down the chipmaker's stock target price to 80,000 won from 156,000 won in its report titled “Memory ― Winter is coming.” The financial firm also downgraded its rating on SK hynix to “underweight,” based on a slowing increase in chip prices as supply catches up with demand. The company also downgraded its price target of Samsung Electronics to 89,000 won from 98,000 won.The fundamental cause of the stock price plunge is falling memory chip prices. According to market tracker TrendForc

Aug 12, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
With chip price falling, SK hynix feels downward pressure
Tech & Science

Samsung opens up bidding for in-company food service

Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulIn an apparent move to improve its compliance policy, Samsung Electronics has widened its scope of bidding for in-company food services currently provided by one of its affiliates.The decision came after its in-company compliance committee recommended the group expand the openness of in-company cafeterias to outside food service providers. In June 2020, the committee advised Samsung Electronics and other affiliates to avoid private contracts when choosing meal service providers and to conduct competitive bidding to improve transparency in operations of the group.In a statement released Wednesday, Samsung Electronics said it had requested bids for six in-company cafeterias, including in Suwon, Gwangju, Gumi and other locations across the country, following the opening of two in-house cafeterias in the first half of the year.The bidding process is open to small- and medium-sized food service providers in an effort to achieve mutual growth.“The primary target in the bid

Aug 11, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung opens up bidding for in-company food service
Tech & Science

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event to be livestreamed on KT IPTV

Roh Tae-moon, chief of Samsung Electronics' mobile communications business, introduces new Galaxy devices at a virtual event in Jan. 15. Users of KT's IPTV service are able to watch Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Unpacked event which will start at 11 p.m. (KST), Aug. 11. Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulUsers of KT's internet protocol TV service (IPTV) are able to watch Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Unpacked event, which will be held online at 11 p.m. (KST) Aug. 11, on their TV.The telecommunications company said Wednesday that its IPTV service Olleh TV will broadcast Samsung's new smartphone introduction event. Samsung has unveiled its latest gadgets under the name of the Galaxy Unpacked event both offline and online. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, the company has held the Unpacked events online only. This is the first time that the Samsung event will be broadcast live on TV.A KT official said livestreaming Samsung's event proves the competitiveness of its IPTV service.“KT's Olleh TV is the largest IPTV platform in the country. Livestreaming the Samsung event s

Aug 11, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event to be livestreamed on KT IPTV
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