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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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Tech & Science

Samsung, LG pursuing 'self-renewal' in mobile strategy

By Kim Bo-eunSamsung Electronics' Galaxy Z Fold 2, left, and Z Flip 5G / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsWhile most smartphone prices have increased quite marginally, there will be a much wider diversity of pricing strategies next year compared to this as Samsung and LG Electronics are focusing on highlighting each of their unique “form factors” in upcoming top-tier handsets.Smartphones are becoming more expensive because manufacturers are putting more hardware- and software-driven features into their products. But that doesn't necessarily mean such price increases will burden consumers.That's because the prices hikes could be offset by a growing market for quite affordable flagship mobiles that trade down some fancy specifications to keep their suggested retail price palatable for the average consumer.Samsung Electronics, the market leader, is apparently hoping to remain with its expensive legacy flagship paradigm, but also wants to enjoy a “first-mover advantage” in the premium phone segment by diversifying its lineup as the company has manufacturing prowess

Dec 21, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
Samsung, LG pursuing 'self-renewal' in mobile strategy
Companies

S-Oil pledges to become eco-friendly petrochemical firm

By Kim Bo-eunS-Oil's headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of S-OilS-Oil has set up a long-term growth strategy to drastically cut carbon emissions to better align itself with global trends, the company said Sunday.In its "Vision 2030," S-Oil stated it would seek to become the most competitive, creative eco-friendly petrochemical firm.“Vision 2030 is comprised of a vision, strategic targets and an investment roadmap to be prepared for uncertainties in the management environment of the future and to maintain the company's competitive advantage,” S-Oil said in a statement.The refiner unveiled an investment roadmap seeking to minimize carbon emissions by 2030, in line with the government's pledged goal. The government earlier this month introduced a plan to take carbon emissions down to zero by 2050.The term "clean" has been incorporated into its new vision, showing willingness to strengthen management that upholds environmental, social and governance (ESG) values.The company said it recognizes climate change as an immediate challenge and has taken into account the associated int

Dec 20, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
S-Oil pledges to become eco-friendly petrochemical firm
Tech & Science

LG to supply NCMA battery for Tesla next year

LG Group's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul / Courtesy of LG GroupBy Kim Bo-eunLG's new battery business unit is set to become the first company to produce batteries with nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum (NCMA) anode materials for EVs next year. LG Energy Solution is set to provide the NCMA batteries to Tesla, according to industry sources.LG Energy Solution has stated it will produce the battery, 90 percent of which will be made of nickel, beginning in the latter half of 2021.Regarding the supply of the battery to Tesla, an LG Energy Solution official said, "We cannot confirm this as we cannot specify the names of our clients."But the firm is beefing up production capacity at its plant in Nanjing, China. The plant manufactures cylindrical battery cells used in Tesla's vehicles.It has been reported that the company will provide NCMA batteries for Tesla's Model Y.LG earlier partnered with General Motors to produce the battery by 2022. But LG's sooner-than-expected production, and supply slated for next year, may speed up manufacturing with GM.LG and GM set up a joint venture to ma

Dec 17, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
LG to supply NCMA battery for Tesla next year
Tech & Science

Platform giants meddle with algorithms to increase profitability

Naver case calls for strengthened gov't monitoringBy Kim Bo-eunThe emergence of platform giants such as Google, and in Korea, Naver, has created market circumstances where dominant players are able to alter algorithms to place themselves at an advantage over competing firms.In 2017, the European Union's Antitrust Commission fined Google 2.42 billion euros (3.2 trillion won) for abusing its dominance as a search engine by giving an illegal advantage to its own comparison shopping service.A similar case has unfolded in Korea ― with the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in October imposing a 26.5 billion won fine on Naver for manipulating algorithms to give greater exposure to sellers affiliated with its shopping platform.Naver is the dominant portal in Korea, with 30 million people using its website daily. According to the FTC, Naver has a more than 70 percent market share as an online price comparison service provider based on all major standards including fee income, amount of transactions and engagement with consumers. Other service providers are Kakao and minor platforms such as Danawa a

Dec 17, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
Platform giants meddle with algorithms to increase profitability
Tech & Science

Four major groups brace for tough year ahead

The heads of Korea's four biggest conglomerates toast each other at a government New Year event held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January this year. / YonhapBy Kim Bo-eunSamsung, Hyundai, SK and LG are spending the last weeks of the year finalizing key strategies for 2021. Given the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue for some time into next year, and local regulations that will squeeze businesses are set to be passed, the conglomerates are seeking opportunities amid what is expected to be a tough business climate.The groups are also preparing for possible changes in U.S. policies regarding the environment, labor and trade after President-elect Joe Biden takes office next year.Scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday, Samsung Electronics has convened a meeting of 400 executives online to devise key strategies for 2021. Usually, the heads of overseas subsidiaries come to Korea for the meeting at the end of the year, but this year it is taking place online due to COVID-19.The meeting is the first for new heads of divisions, appointed after Samsung's reshuffle a

Dec 16, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
Four major groups brace for tough year ahead
  • Job market battered by third wave of COVID-19
Tech & Science

LG Energy Solution contemplates IPO destination

People walk past LG Group's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, in this file photo. / Korea Times fileBy Kim Bo-eunFollowing the spinoff of LG Chem's battery business earlier this month, attention is now focusing on where the new corporate body LG Energy Solution will conduct its planned IPO.While the company states key decisions have yet to be made, earlier remarks by key executives have indicated the unit is considering overseas."We will review an IPO based on the amount of funds needed after setting up the new corporate body," LG Chem's CFO Cha Dong-seok told major shareholders in a conference call in September. "Other markets will not be ruled out considering their size and adequacy."Cha referred to the case of LG Display. The former-LG Philips Displays was a 50-50 joint venture set up by LG Electronics and Philips Electronics of the Netherlands. The company debuted on both the KOSPI and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2004.LG Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo led the stock market debuts as the then-LG Electronics CFO. Kwon is now chairman of LG Chem's board.The NASDAQ appears to be

Dec 16, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
LG Energy Solution contemplates IPO destination
Tech & Science

Will conflict over Google fees with US escalate into trade feud?

By Kim Bo-eunAn image of Google Play store / Korea Times fileAttention is growing over moves to prevent Google from carrying out its new app store policy here, after it was revealed the U.S. authorities had warned against a recently proposed bill targeting the American firm. Concerns exist over the possibility of conflict with the U.S. developing into a bigger trade feud, given the sentiment against dominant tech companies here.According to Rep. Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, the Korean Embassy in the U.S. sent documents to the ministries of foreign affairs, trade and ICT, and the Korea Communications Commission last month, notifying them of discussions on the matter with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).The USTR is a government agency in charge of developing and advising on trade policies to the U.S. president. It also conducts trade negotiations with partnering countries and coordinates trade policy within the administration.A member of the USTR is said to have spoken over the phone with an official in charge of commerce at the Korean Embassy, conveying c

Dec 15, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
Will conflict over Google fees with US escalate into trade feud?
Tech & Science

KAIST emeritus professor Lee wins AIS LEO Award

By Kim Bo-eunLee Jae-kyu / Courtesy of KAISTKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Professor Emeritus Lee Jae-kyu has won the Association for Information Systems (AIS)' LEO Award for this year, the school said Monday.The AIS, comprised of members from around 100 countries, is a professional association for individuals and organizations who lead the research, teaching and practice of information systems worldwide.The LEO award, established in 1999 by the AIS Council, recognizes outstanding individuals in the field of information systems. All recipients are scholars who are assessed to have made a global impact in the field. Lee is the first Korean to receive the LEO award.The AIS said Lee was recognized for his research and development in preventative cybersecurity, which is a major part of the efforts he leads to realize what Lee has named "Bright Internet."Lee served as a faculty member of KAIST for 31 years from 1985, until he finished his tenure as HHI chair professor.He is currently China's Xi'an Jiaotong University's Bright Internet Research Center's director

Dec 14, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
KAIST emeritus professor Lee wins AIS LEO Award
Tech & Science

Will global content providers' network freeloading end?

By Kim Bo-eun Content providers such as Google and Netflix will have to take responsibility for the stability of internet services, after revisions to the telecommunications business act went into effect, Thursday. The latest developments are drawing attention to whether these companies will start paying for the networks they use.Up until now, foreign content providers were not held accountable for poor quality or slow speed caused by heavy use of their services.The latest revisions made to the law hold major content providers responsible for maintaining the quality of the networks they use. The firms subject to this regulation are those that had an average of over 1 million daily users in Korea in the last three months of last year and companies that account for at least 1 percent of local data traffic.Five companies providing content here satisfy these conditions ― Google, Netflix, Facebook, Naver and Kakao.These content providers are now required to communicate with internet service providers and content del

Dec 12, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
Will global content providers' network freeloading end?
Tech & Science

KT's team of executives slims down, gets younger

By Kim Bo-eunKang Kook-hyun, left, and Park Jong-ookTelecom giant KT has reduced the number of executives and filled positions with younger company members in its reshuffle and reorganization for 2021, unveiled Friday. This reflects the firm's intention to become a more flexible organization suitable for transition into a digital platform company.KT CEO Ku Hyeon-mo will manage the company with two new executive presidents. KT's head of customer business Kang Kook-hyun and head of management planning Park Jong-ook were promoted to the positions. KT said Kang will be tasked with strengthening customer-centered management, while Park will take on a key role in the company's transition into a tech firm. In the reorganization, KT placed greater weight on its business-to-business (B2B) brand, "KT Enterprise," by setting up a separate division for the unit. KT Enterprise launched in November to offer solutions and services for corporate clients in artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cloud computing.KT Enterprise reflects a shift from KT's former focus on the business-to-consumer (B2C

Dec 11, 2020By Kim Bo-eun
KT's team of executives slims down, gets younger
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