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Kim Bo-eun

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.

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Companies

GM works with LG to address battery defect issues

LG Energy Solution's (LGES) Ochang plant in North Chungcheong Province. Courtesy of LGESUS carmaker confirms 10 battery-related fires in Bolt EVsBy Kim Bo-eunA GM signboard / Korea Times fileGeneral Motors (GM) said Monday it was working with LG to address battery-related defects after it found that 10 fires in its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles (EVs) were caused by batteries supplied by LG affiliates. In an email interview, GM spokesman Dan Flores said the automaker was collaborating with LG to resolve the manufacturing defect. LG Energy Solution (LGES) manufactures batteries for Chevrolet Bolt EVs, while LG Electronics assembles LGES-produced cells into battery modules and packs"So far, GM experts have confirmed 10 battery related fires in Bolt EVs,” Flores said. "GM and LG are working around the clock, seven days a week to resolve this manufacturing defect. We have a long-standing partnership with LG and will continue to work with them to address known issues.”Flores added GM will only begin replacing battery modules when GM and LG were confident of the safety of LG'

Sep 6, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
GM works with LG to address battery defect issues
Companies

Will Samsung SDI benefit from Rivian IPO?

In this file photo Rivian's R1T, an all-electric pickup truck is displayed at the Amazon booth during CES 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP-YonhapBy Kim Bo-eunThe electric vehicle (EV) industry is keenly observing U.S. electric truck manufacturer Rivian's moves for an initial public offering (IPO), given the startup's stock market debut will propel its business and expand opportunities for suppliers. Suppliers such as EV battery maker Samsung SDI could potentially benefit.The company announced the plan, Aug. 27, local time, but did not offer details such as the timing of the IPO or corporate valuation aim. Bloomberg reported Rivian is seeking to be listed by November, with a valuation of $80 billion.In this case, Rivian's corporate value would exceed that of GM and Ford. The company is backed by investments from Amazon and Ford, and is considered to be the next Tesla. Rivian has received 100,000 delivery van orders from Amazon. The company, focused on EV trucks and SUVs, is set to launch models within this year.Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe

Sep 3, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
Will Samsung SDI benefit from Rivian IPO?
Companies

SK's reorganization drive faces backlash from investors

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won speaks at a company event held online last month. Courtesy of SK By Kim Bo-eunSK, Korea's third-largest business group, has recently been realigning its businesses in an apparent move to boost efficiency and secure funds to foster new businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. But the reorganization is facing a backlash from investors who are claiming it has undermined corporate value and will end up incurring losses for them.SK decided recently to split some businesses up into new entities and integrate existing units. SK appears to be gearing up to concentrate resources on its semiconductor and electric vehicle battery businesses, as well as streamlining entities focusing on investments in future growth sectors. One of the group's largest reorganization efforts is the planned split-off of SK Innovation's (SKI) battery and oil and gas production business, scheduled for next month.The new battery affiliate plans to draw needed funds

Sep 3, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
SK's reorganization drive faces backlash from investors
Tech & Science

Samsung launches new image sensors with ultra-fine pixel technologies

By Kim Bo-eunAn image of Samsung's ISOCELL HP1 image sensor / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics' new image sensors, unveiled on Thursday, mark two firsts in the chip industry. Its ISOCELL HP1 is the first mobile image sensor to support 200 megapixels, and its ISOCELL GN5 is the first to adopt all-directional focusing Dual Pixel Prop technologies.Based on Samsung's most advanced 0.64 micrometer-sized pixels, it brings ultra-high resolution in a small package that fits in portable devices.Samsung released its first 200-megapixel product two years after launching a 180-megapixel image sensor in August 2019. The company previously launched the industry's first 64-megapixel product in May 2019. Technological development has resulted in pixel size being reduced continuously. Samsung introduced the industry's first 1 micrometer-sized pixel in July 2015 and the first 0.9 micrometer-sized pixel in October 2017, then the first 0.7 micrometer-sized pixel in the industry in September 2019.For low-light photography, the ISOCELL HP1 features a new pixel-binning ChameleonCell techn

Sep 2, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
Samsung launches new image sensors with ultra-fine pixel technologies
Tech & Science

Passage of anti-Google bill to benefit app developers, users

Revisions to the Telecommunications Business Act are being passed at the National Assembly's plenary session on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. The revisions block dominant platform operators such as Google and Apple from requiring app developers on their app stores to use the tech giants' payment systems. YonhapBy Kim Bo-eunKorea's passage of the world's first law barring dominant platform operators' control over app market payments is drawing attention to its market impact.The bill that passed the National Assembly's main session on Tuesday bans app market operators such as Google and Apple from imposing a certain means of payment on app developers.This means Google and Apple will have to allow payments via outside services on their app stores. The passage of the bill could have a “ripple effect” around the world, given Google has introduced its in-app payment policy in a number of countries. It will accelerate moves by regulators in the United States and the European Union to diminish the dominant status of platform operators such as Google to provide fairer competition for o

Sep 1, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
Passage of anti-Google bill to benefit app developers, users
Tech & Science

3 telecom firms offer higher 5G speed, greater coverage in 2021

By Kim Bo-eunKorea's three major telecom firms offered higher 5G speed and greater coverage this year, according to a biannual government inspection unveiled Tuesday.This year's assessment comes at a particularly sensitive time, following consumer complaints of sub-par internet speed offered by telecom firms. Around 500 consumers have already launched a class action against the telecom firms for slow 5G speed, while around 1,500 more are in are also gearing up to sue the firms. The mobile carriers are accused of exaggerating internet speed when infrastructure for the service was not fully set up.The Ministry of Science and ICT conducts the inspection twice a year at the end of each half. The government evaluation is a sensitive matter for the telecom firms, that continue to compete for subscribers and higher internet speeds. According to the ministry's inspection, SK Telecom (SKT), KT and LG Uplus offered an average of 808.45 megabits per second in 5G download speed, which is up by 117.98 megabits per second compared to the latter half of 2020.SKT led the telecom companies in 5G spee

Aug 31, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
3 telecom firms offer higher 5G speed, greater coverage in 2021
Tech & Science

Samsung's foldable phone sales to determine its flagship trajectory

By Kim Bo-eunSamsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 models / Korea Times fileSamsung's sales of new foldable phones this year will prove to be crucial in realizing its strategy to popularize its premium smartphones.Market researchers are offering a range of forecasts. Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) expects foldable phone shipments to reach 5.5 million this year, double the 2.3 million of last year. Counterpoint Research projects foldable phone shipments to reach 9 million this year. DSCC predicts Samsung will account for about 90 percent of global foldable phone shipments. Samsung declined to share its internal sales goal, but it is likely to be close to market projections of 6.5 million foldable smartphone sales this year, given its market share. Samsung Vice President Choi Bang-seop referred to that figure cast by market researchers, after the company's latest foldable models debuted at an unpacked event earlier this month."Market circumstances haven't changed from last year, given no new players such as Apple have unveiled foldable models," an industry official said.This

Aug 30, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
Samsung's foldable phone sales to determine its flagship trajectory
Companies

Korea-Germany trade reaches record in first half of 2021

These screenshots show the hosts and speakers of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI)'s Economic Outlook 2021 event held online, Aug. 26. In the top row center is KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann and right, Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority Deputy Commissioner Kim Gyu-sik. In the middle row is the charge d'affaires at the German Embassy in Seoul, Peter Winkler, left, and Germany Trade and Invest Director and Correspondent for Korea, Frank Robaschik. In the bottom row right is the Sustainable Management Research Group head & Korea University Professor Rhee Jay-hyuk / Courtesy of KGCCIBy Kim Bo-eunKorea and Germany's trade volume reached a record high in the first half of this year, a seminar hosted by the bilateral chamber of commerce and the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority noted on Aug. 26. This record is an achievement in addition to Korea becoming Germany's second-largest export market in Asia, after China, in 2020. The growth in exports was backed by solid demand for German vehicles, as Korea's consumer sentiment was relatively l

Aug 29, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
Korea-Germany trade reaches record in first half of 2021
Companies

ANALYSIS Responsibility: a top issue for the driverless vehicle market

'Apple will not likely want responsibility and neither will carmakers' By Kim Bo-eunA recent string of crashes involving Tesla vehicles in the U.S. is raising questions about the capabilities and safety of today's driverless technologiesEleven accidents since 2018 have reportedly occurred while Tesla's Autopilot mode was engaged, including at least one that was lethal. The continued accidents in vehicles equipped with its Autopilot mode suggest that the technology is far from perfect.Major car manufacturers, including Tesla, BMW, GM and Hyundai Motor currently offer the level 2 self-driving function. There are six levels of autonomous driving technology ranging from 0 to 5, with level 5 being the most complete form of automated driving.Currently, most automated driving features available on the market require some level of human involvement, which puts them at level 1 or 2. Level 2 requires the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel, but the vehicle steers, accelerates and brakes on its own during highway driving. Testing is underway for levels 3 and 4 in Korea, but these f

Aug 29, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
[ANALYSIS] Responsibility: a top issue for the driverless vehicle market
Tech & Science

SKT to boost commerce biz with subscription platform

SK Telecom (SKT) Mobile Network Operations President Ryu Young-sang speaks during an online press event held to introduce the company's new subscription platform “T Universe,” Wednesday. Courtesy of SKT'T Universe' to launch in partnership with Amazon, Google, big local brandsBy Kim Bo-eunKorea's top mobile carrier SK Telecom (SKT) has its eyes on becoming a part of its users' daily lives, on the same level as platform giants like Google, Facebook and Microsoft. SKT said Wednesday it is launching a package of subscription services, in a bid to expand its user base in a variety of sectors, and that it will offer these services under the brand "T Universe" on Aug. 31, in partnership with global firms such as Amazon and local brands including Emart and Baedal Minjok.“SKT has been in the telecom business for 35 years. Integrating technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) with SKT's retail channels, customer service experience and other capabilities, we believe the company can sufficiently serve in the role of a commerce platform,” Ryu Young-sang, head of the

Aug 25, 2021By Kim Bo-eun
SKT to boost commerce biz with subscription platform
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