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Lee Gyu-lee

Korea Times Business Reporter

Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.

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Tech & Science

LG CNS unveils PhysicalWorks to accelerate industrial robot deployment

LG CNS unveiled PhysicalWorks on Thursday, an integrated robot transformation platform that cuts industrial robot deployment times from several months to one or two months, as the company escalates its push into physical artificial intelligence (AI). PhysicalWorks integrates the entire cycle of robot operations —training, verification, deployment, operation, control and management — marking the first time a Korean company has launched an end-to-end robot platform under its own brand. "Robots are evolving beyond simple automation equipment into entities that actually perform production and operations," LG CNS CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon said during its media event to introduce the platform at LG Science Park in western Seoul. “The essence of robot transformation isn't about individual robot performance, but establishing a framework for field-specific training, validation and unified operations … LG CNS aims to partner with clients through their entire robot transformation, leveraging industrial expertise and AI integration capabilities.” Emphasizing the importance of integrated systems

May 7, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
LG CNS unveils PhysicalWorks to accelerate industrial robot deployment
Tech & Science

Google, Naver integrate ads into AI-powered search tools as search landscape shifts

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the search engine landscape, Google and Naver are accelerating efforts to integrate advertising into their AI services in a bid to offset soaring infrastructure costs and shore up their legacy ad businesses, with context-driven ads emerging as their preferred solution. Google has recently opened the door to introduce ads directly into its AI chatbot Gemini, softening its earlier stance that it had no such plans. During the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 30, Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler emphasized the longstanding role of advertising in scaling digital platforms. “Ads have always been a big part of scaling products to reach billions of people,” he said. “And if done well, ads can be really valuable and really helpful commercial information.” However, he struck a cautious tone, adding, “At the right moment, we'll share any plans as we have said, but we're not rushing anything here." Google has continued to test paid placements inside the AI Overview feature at the top of its search results, suggestin

May 7, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
Google, Naver integrate ads into AI-powered search tools as search landscape shifts
Tech & Science

Samsung SDS to build token securities platform for KSD

Samsung SDS has won a contract to build and operate a tokenized securities platform for the Korea Securities Depository (KSD), marking a step toward expanding Korea’s digital asset infrastructure. Tokenized securities are conventional financial assets, such as stocks, bonds or real estate, that are issued or recorded on distributed ledgers, such as blockchain, allowing ownership and rights to be tracked and transferred safely in digital form. The structure simplifies post-trade processes and enables fractional ownership, making it easier for retail investors to participate. Tokenized securities have been gaining traction as demand grows for tokenizing financial products and turning assets such as data, artwork and real estate into tradable digital instruments. Under the project, KSD plans to connect its existing electronic securities account system with a blockchain-based ledger to strengthen issuance and rights management for tokenized securities, while preparing for future market expansion. Samsung SDS will implement a total volume management system that monitors issuance and circulat

May 6, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
Samsung SDS to build token securities platform for KSD
Companies

HMM to relocate to Busan after reaching agreement with union

HMM has reached a last-minute agreement with its labor union to relocate its headquarters from Seoul to Busan, easing concerns over a potential strike and clearing a key hurdle ahead of a decisive shareholders’ vote on May 8. The company announced on Thursday that it is moving forward with the relocation after ultimately reaching a compromise. This comes after months of stalled negotiations between management and the union since late last year, with the union filing an unfair labor‑practice complaint and requesting dispute mediation. The union has also been moving to secure the legal right to strike, describing the relocation as a politically motivated move. “HMM’s relocation to Busan is a symbolic and hopeful message that brings us one step closer to building Busan as a maritime capital,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said during a press conference for the announcement in Seoul. “The creation of a marine cluster and fostering a maritime capital region will provide a foundation for new regional growth engines and a solid base for Korea’s balanced, sustaina

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
HMM to relocate to Busan after reaching agreement with union
Companies

LG Energy Solution nears $7.2 bil. BMW battery deal

LG Energy Solution is likely to supply BMW with its 46-series cylindrical batteries, a deal that would mark a potential first-time partnership to power the German carmaker’s pure electric vehicles (EVs). According to the battery industry on Thursday, the two sides are in the final stages of negotiating a contract estimated to be worth around 10 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with a supply period expected to span about 10 years. If finalized, the agreement would expand LG Energy Solution’s client base for the 46-millimeter-diameter cylindrical battery format, a technology widely seen as key for next-generation EVs. The company has already secured supply agreements for the 46-series batteries with several global EV manufacturers, including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Chery Automobile and Aptera. However, an LG Energy Solution official declined to confirm the reported BMW contract, saying, “We cannot comment on matters related to specific customers.” The potential deal comes as the company seeks to rebound from a weak first quarter by accelerating growth in both EV and energy storage

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
LG Energy Solution nears $7.2 bil. BMW battery deal
Tech & Science

LG Innotek, Applied Intuition CEOs meet for deeper physical AI partnership

LG Innotek is accelerating its push into physical artificial intelligence (AI), deepening its collaboration with U.S.-based software developer Applied Intuition. The company said Thursday that its CEO, Moon Hyuk-soo, met with Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, at the company’s headquarters in Gangseo District, Seoul, on Wednesday to discuss potential cooperation in physical AI. The meeting was held as a follow-up to the two companies’ strategic partnership in autonomous driving announced in March. The two are working to advance autonomous driving solutions by integrating LG Innotek’s sensing modules with Applied Intuition’s software platform. “Applied Intuition is a leading player in physical AI trusted by global companies,” Moon said. “Through this partnership, LG Innotek aims to leap forward as a global top-tier player in sensing technologies in the era of physical AI.” Senior executives from both sides also attended the meeting, including LG Innotek’s Chief Technology Officer John Min and Applied Intuition’s Head of Automotive Vertical Will Lin. D

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
LG Innotek, Applied Intuition CEOs meet for deeper physical AI partnership
Tech & Science

LG Electronics logs record $16.1 bil. Q1 sales on appliances, auto growth

LG Electronics posted its highest first-quarter revenue of 23.7 trillion won ($16.05 billion) as its home appliances and vehicle solutions business divisions hit a combined 10 trillion won in quarterly revenue for the first time. The company announced Wednesday that first-quarter revenue rose 4.3 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit surged 32.9 percent to 1.67 trillion won, recording the third-highest operating profit for the period. The performance represents a sharp turnaround from the previous quarter's loss, demonstrating what the company described as strengthened core business competitiveness despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The company said its core businesses, including home appliances and TVs, delivered solid performance, while its vehicle solutions business maintained steady momentum. The Home Appliances Solution Division, which includes all home appliances except TVs and air conditioners, posted revenue of 6.94 trillion won and operating profit of 569.7 billion won, with an 8.2 percent operating margin, marking its highest quarterly revenue ever. "Growth was

Apr 29, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
LG Electronics logs record $16.1 bil. Q1 sales on appliances, auto growth
Companies

LX Hausys wins Red Dot Award for eco-friendly HIMACS Terrazzo

LX Hausys has won this year’s Red Dot Design Award, one of the world’s top three design accolades. The company said Wednesday that it secured an award in the product design category for its acrylic solid surface product, HIMACS Terrazzo, recognized for both its distinctive design and eco-friendly use of recycled materials. The Red Dot Design Award, alongside Germany’s iF Design Award and the U.S.-based IDEA Design Award, is widely regarded as a benchmark for global design excellence. HIMACS Terrazzo reinterprets the traditional Italian terrazzo technique —where marble chips or stone fragments are embedded in cement to create a richly textured surface — into a modern aesthetic. LX Hausys applied this concept to acrylic solid surfaces, creating refined yet dynamic patterns that mimic the texture and visual depth of classic terrazzo while offering modern versatility. Beyond design, the product was evaluated positively for its environmental sustainability. The material incorporates recycled content derived from leftover fragments generated during the production and processing of art

Apr 29, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
LX Hausys wins Red Dot Award for eco-friendly HIMACS Terrazzo
Companies

AMCHAM report highlights regulatory hurdles facing US firms in Korea

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) released on Tuesday its annual 2026 Business Environment Insight Report outlining key regulatory challenges and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Korea’s competitiveness as a regional headquarters and innovation hub for U.S. companies. In its report, AMCHAM identified key regulatory challenges facing U.S. companies in Korea, including issues that may function as nontariff barriers, AMCHAM Chairman and CEO James Kim said. The report said complex regulatory structure, policy inconsistency and misalignment with global standards continue to burden business activity. Overlapping regulations, frequent policy changes and limited predictability were also cited as major sources of uncertainty in investment and operations. These challenges, the report pointed out, are becoming more critical in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, where policy clarity, cross-border data mobility and reliable access to energy and infrastructure are seen as essential to innovation and large-scale investment. The r

Apr 29, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
AMCHAM report highlights regulatory hurdles facing US firms in Korea
Tech & Science

Hyundai Motor selected for gov't self-driving projects in Gwangju

Hyundai Motor has been selected as one of three participants in a government-backed autonomous driving initiative in Gwangju, as Korea steps up efforts to commercialize artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mobility. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Tuesday that it has chosen Hyundai, Autonomous A2Z and RideFlux to develop end-to-end (E2E) AI autonomous driving technology, with a fleet of 200 dedicated vehicles in the city’s designated testbed area. To support the initiative, the ministry designated Gwangju as Korea’s first city-wide pilot zone for autonomous vehicles, covering 500.97 square kilometers. The designation allows participating companies to conduct real-world testing of their technologies across the entire metropolitan area with fewer regulatory constraints. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader plan to establish AI-powered autonomous driving mega zones, backed by comprehensive policy support spanning finance, infrastructure, talent and regulation. “At last, the country’s leading autonomous driving companies have come toget

Apr 28, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
Hyundai Motor selected for gov't self-driving projects in Gwangju
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