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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

Samsung Electronic seeks Intel chip outsourcing deal

By Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics' semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics is apparently set to clinch a deal to produce semiconductors for U.S. chip giant Intel at its manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, according to a report by U.S.-based technology news site SemiAccurate, Wednesday (local time).If the deal goes through, starting the second half of 2021, Samsung will manufacture 15,000 graphic chips for Intel at the Austin plant, which utilizes 14-nanometer processing technology, rather than CPUs that require advanced 7-nanometer or 5-nanomter tech.A Samsung Electronics official said “the company cannot comment on the issue.”Intel said it plans to stick to a strategy of producing the majority of its chips internally, but was considering outsourcing some production.Industry analysts said Taiwan's TSMC will be the biggest beneficiary of this strategy as media have reported that the foundry leader has already secured an outsourcing deal with Intel. Although Samsung is also expected to secure a smaller

Jan 22, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung Electronic seeks Intel chip outsourcing deal
Companies

SK Innovation acquires stake in EV battery business in China

Image of Blue Park Smart Energy Technology's battery swap station in China, provided by SK Innovation, Thursday. SK said it acquired a 13.3 percent stake in the Chinese company. / Courtesy of SK InnovationBy Baek Byung-yeulSK Innovation has acquired a stake in a Beijing-based company that sells recharged batteries that can be swapped between electric vehicles (EVs), the energy and chemical arm of SK Group said Thursday.The company said it acquired a 13.3 percent stake in Blue Park Smart Energy Technology (BPSE), a subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Group. SK Innovation said demand for battery swap stations is expected to increase as the swapping system is faster than recharging the batteries themselves, which could take hours. BPSE is a leading battery swap station operator authorized by the Chinese government.SK Innovation said the stake acquisition, which was inked in the form of a non-disclosure agreement, is part of the company's move to expand into the battery service business in China, which accounts for more than half of the global EV market. SK Innovation has been cooperating w

Jan 21, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
SK Innovation acquires stake in EV battery business in China
Tech & Science

'I will continue to support compliance committee activities': Samsung chief

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong enters Seoul High Court for the re-hearing of evidence in an appeal in a major bribery case, Monday. / YonhapBy Baek Byung-yeulLee Jae-yong, the imprisoned chief of Samsung Group, has vowed to continue his support for the activities of the conglomerate's compliance committee in his first message from behind bars, a move to fulfill his pledge to enhance transparent management at the country's largest chaebolSamsung Electronics, the crown jewel affiliate of the group, said Thursday that Lee, who is listed as vice chairman of the company, delivered the message through his legal team.“Vice Chairman Lee sent a message that he will continue to support the activity of the group's compliance committee. He also earnestly asked the committee members to continue doing their jobs,” the company said.On Monday, an appellate court handed a prison sentence of two-and-a-half years to the vice chairman in the re-hearing of evidence in an appeal of his bribery conviction. Lee was convicted and imprisoned in 2017 after being found guilty of payi

Jan 21, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
'I will continue to support compliance committee activities': Samsung chief
Tech & Science

LG Electronics hints at withdrawing from phone biz

By Baek Byung-yeulLG Electronics CEO Kwon Bong-seokLG Electronics CEO Kwon Bong-seok hinted Wednesday that the tech giant may pull out of mobile phone manufacturing saying the company was open to all options over whether to continue running its money-losing smartphone business or not.There have been a series of media reports recently stating that the company may exit the smartphone business after seeing losses for years. In response to the speculation, Kwon sent an email to employees and clarified the company's position about the operation of its mobile communications unit, which oversees the business.LG said the internal communication was sent to employees to reassure them that "whatever decision is made, their wellbeing is LG's first priority."This is the first time that the company has officially spoken about the continued existence of its smartphone business. LG added the company will “transparently” share any information about its future as soon as any decision is taken.LG added it was time for the company to make a “sober judgment” about whether to conti

Jan 20, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Electronics hints at withdrawing from phone biz
  • EXCLUSIVE Vingroup seeks to acquire LG smartphone manufacturing plants
Tech & Science

Samsung Electro-Mechanics launches new MLCC for 5G phones

Samsung Electro-Mechanics' multi-layer ceramic capacitors / Courtesy of Samsung Electro-MechanicsBy Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electro-Mechanics announced Wednesday that it has developed a new multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) that is slimmer and capable of reducing high-frequency noise from 5G smartphone processor chips.The ultra-slim, three-socket MLCC is 18 percent thinner than its predecessor and supplies have already begun to global smartphone manufacturers, according to the IT component maker.An MLCC is a core component of electronic devices, controlling the stable flow of current within electric circuits in smartphones and home appliances. With more cars adopting electronics equipment, MLCCs are also increasingly used in automobiles.Samsung Electro-Mechanics said the new product is the thinnest among the “1209-class” (1.2-millimeters in length and 0.9-millimeters in width) three-socket MLCCs with a thickness of 0.65 millimeters, which allows smartphone makers more freedom in terms of product design.The company said its previous products had a width of 0.8 millimeter

Jan 20, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung Electro-Mechanics launches new MLCC for 5G phones
Tech & Science

INTERVIEW Merck vows to be best partner for Korea tech firms

Merck's OLED Application Center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of MerckBy Baek Byung-yeulKai Beckmann, CEO of Performance Materials at Merck / Courtesy of MerckThe COVID-19 pandemic has sent the global economy into a deep contraction, infecting tens of millions of people across the world and bringing economic activities to a near standstill.In the wake of the pandemic, Merck, based in Germany, is developing its technological capabilities as its cutting-edge materials will be increasingly used in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), fifth-generation networks (5G), internet of things (IoT), autonomous driving and smart cities.Kai Beckmann, CEO of Performance Materials at Merck, said the leading company in semiconductor and other electronics materials businesses will continue to establish close relationships with Korean firms and academia, which have been playing pivotal roles in advancing electronics technologies.In 2020, Merck opened the Korea Advanced Technology Center (K-ATeC) in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province for the semiconductor industry and deci

Jan 20, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
[INTERVIEW] Merck vows to be best partner for Korea tech firms
Tech & Science

A message to LG Electronics

Image shows LG Electronics' new smartphone with a rollable display, introduced during a press conference at CES 2021, Jan. 11. Courtesy of LG ElectronicsSmartphone business restructuring could boost LG Electronics value By Baek Byung-yeulLG Electronics denied media reports last week that it was reportedly thinking of exiting its money-losing smartphone business. But industry officials said Sunday that now is the time for LG to get off the fence, because the fundamental strength of the business conglomerate is evolving from consumer products to manufacturing key components in the burgeoning IT and electric vehicle (EV) industries.LG was used to be the top player in the bygone days of “feature” or “design-centric” mobile phones. Compared to rivals such as Nokia and Samsung Electronics more than a decade ago, users were fond of the refined and trend-setting designs of LG phones. Many people in Korea still have fond memories of LG's svelte Chocolate phone, streamlined Shine phone and uber-chic Prada phone.But the company lost its luster after lagging behind i

Jan 17, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
A message to LG Electronics
Tech & Science

Samsung unveils Galaxy S21

Roh Tae-moon, president and head of mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics, poses with the company's Galaxy S21 smartphone during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event held online, Friday. / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics has unveiled its new Galaxy S21 smartphone which it boasts will allow people to do things more easily as it enhances the company's presence in the premium phone market.The tech giant held an unpacked event Friday, online due to the virus pandemic. Samsung said the 5G network-enabled Galaxy S21 series comes with three different models ― the Galaxy S21, S21+ and the S21 Ultra ― and Galaxy Buds Pro wireless earphones, which can reduce background noise by up to 99 percent.With the latest mobile processor chips, upgraded camera features and bold new designs, Samsung said the Galaxy S21 series is designed to offer a better user experience.“We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home, we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigor

Jan 15, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung unveils Galaxy S21
  • Samsung rolls out new 108-megapixel image sensor
Tech & Science

Samsung rolls out new 108-megapixel image sensor

An image for Samsung Electronics' ISOCELL HM3 image sensor / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics introduced a new 108-megapixel image sensor Friday that enables smartphones to offer sharper and detailed images in ultra-high resolution. With the latest product, the tech giant is seeking to take the leadership in the fast-growing image sensor market.The company said the mobile image sensor, the Samsung ISOCELL HM3, is able to “capture sharper and more vivid images in ultra-high resolution with faster auto-focus and extended dynamic range.”Chang Duck-hyun, executive vice president of the sensor business at Samsung, said the ISOCELL HM3 was “the culmination of Samsung's latest sensor technologies that will help deliver premium mobile experiences to today's smart-device users.”“While a pixel is just a single dot of color, when in the millions, these dots can be transformed into stunning snapshots of life. With more pixels, images are sharper, with fuller details that can maintain their integrity even when enlarged,” Chan

Jan 15, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung rolls out new 108-megapixel image sensor
  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S21
Companies

Korean Air's Asiana acquisition facing overseas antitrust review

Airplanes of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are seen at Incheon International Airport / YonhapBy Baek Byung-yeulKorean Air said Thursday it has submitted documents to antitrust regulators in multiple countries, asking them to review the company's planned acquisition of Asiana Airlines.In November last year, the country's largest full-service carrier announced it would acquire cash-strapped rival Asiana Airlines after raising 1.5 trillion won ($1.36 billion) for the deal by issuing new stock. If Korean Air receives approval from the antitrust agencies, the carrier will emerge as the world's 10th largest airline by fleet size.The carrier itself didn't specify to which countries it submitted the applications, but Lee Dong-gull, chairman of the Korea Development Bank (KDB), recently revealed documents were submitted to regulators in 16 countries including Korea, China, Turkey, Taiwan, members of the European Union and the United States.“It is difficult to say how long the review process will take because every regulator will make its own judgment based on their interests and estima

Jan 14, 2021By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean Air's Asiana acquisition facing overseas antitrust review
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