The Korea Times

Ananti Jeju opens new clubhouse blending architecture with 'gotjawal' forest

Ananti has opened a new clubhouse at Ananti Jeju, integrating "gotjawal," Jeju Island’s distinctive forest ecosystem shaped by volcanic terrain, into a contemporary architectural setting. Opened on July 22, the clubhouse combines the island’s natural landscape with architecture, golf and dining, offering guests a place to unwind while experiencing Jeju’s unique environment. Located in Gujwa-eup in northeastern Jeju, Ananti Jeju sits in an evergreen forest area about 80 to 130 meters above sea level. Despite its proximity to the coast, the property is surrounded by the dense woodland characteristic of gotjawal. Rather than treating the forest as a scenic backdrop, Ananti has incorporated the natural surroundings into the clubhouse’s design. The building connects the island’s sky, water, land and woodland with its golf courses, creating a seamless transition between architecture and nature. Golf remains central to the property, which features 36 holes across two courses: the 18-hole Halla Course and the 18-hole Kimnyeong Course. Dense woodland lines the fairways, while distinct l

Oct 29, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

Ananti Jeju opens new clubhouse blending architecture with 'gotjawal' forest

Companies

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra becomes Lula's digital campaign 'weapon'

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 81, reportedly embraced Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S26 Ultra to step up his social media campaign and reach younger voters in his bid for a historic fourth term in office. Lula, who had long avoided using mobile phones, received his first smartphone, a Galaxy S26 Ultra, after a setback in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election. He then turned to WhatsApp and other digital platforms to broaden his campaign’s online reach, according to media reports. The Guardian and the BBC reported on Oct. 26 that Lula’s camp launched a WhatsApp channel called “Lula’s Army” after he lost the first-round vote on Oct. 4. The channel attracted 10.8 million followers in just three weeks. A video posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Oct. 21 shows Rafael Fonteles, governor of the northeastern state of Piaui, presenting Lula with a box containing the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Lula pledged to join the “Lula’s Army” WhatsApp channel. At the end of the video, he held up the smartphone and described it as “the weapon of our army.” The Galaxy S26

Oct 28, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra becomes Lula's digital campaign 'weapon'

Companies

SK hynix halts Solidigm IPO plan amid regulatory pressure

Potential government regulatory scrutiny may have been the main factor behind SK hynix’s decision to halt plans for a U.S. listing of its subsidiary Solidigm, according to industry sources Friday. Earlier in the day, SK hynix announced that its U.S.-based NAND flash memory subsidiary will halt its review of potential pre-initial public offering (IPO) fundraising and IPO options, citing volatile capital markets and recent trends in semiconductor stock prices, the chip giant said Friday. “Even though SK hynix cited market conditions, the government’s warnings may have played a greater role in the decision,” an industry source said. After reports emerged in August that Solidigm was considering a U.S. IPO as early as next year, potentially valuing the company at up to $150 billion, concerns arose that the listing could undermine SK hynix’s shareholder value. Since then, SK hynix has repeatedly responded to reports of a possible U.S. listing by saying that no decision had been made. However, amid mounting controversy over Solidigm’s potential dual listing, financial authorities war

Oct 23, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

SK hynix halts Solidigm IPO plan amid regulatory pressure

Companies

LS MnM weighs output adjustments as copper concentrate shortage squeezes smelters

LS MnM, Korea’s only dedicated copper smelter, is considering adjusting copper concentrate purchases and production to protect profitability as a global shortage of the raw material drives processing fees to record lows, the company said Monday. The move comes as London Metal Exchange (LME) Week 2026 opens in London on Monday, bringing together miners, traders and smelters to discuss market conditions and commercial terms. Copper prices are approaching record highs, while spot treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for copper concentrate have plunged to record lows, squeezing smelters’ margins. The imbalance reflects a structural mismatch between constrained mine supply and expanding smelting capacity. In a March analysis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) cited declining ore grades, rising capital costs and lengthy mine development timelines as key constraints on copper concentrate supplies. New smelting capacity is growing faster than mine production, intensifying competition for raw materials. The IEA warned that low TC/RCs could persist over the medium term. The Internationa

Oct 19, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

LS MnM weighs output adjustments as copper concentrate shortage squeezes smelters

Companies

CJ, Daou Kiwoom may team up for JoongAng Ilbo bid

Speculation is growing that CJ Group could team up with Daou Kiwoom Group to bid for control of JoongAng Ilbo, as the newspaper publisher seeks a buyer amid a liquidity crisis at its parent group. According to industry sources Friday, CJ is reportedly considering forming a consortium with Daou Kiwoom to participate in the final round of bidding for the newspaper. The deadline for final bids is on Oct. 19. CJ holds a 9.24 percent stake in JoongAng Ilbo through its affiliate CJ OliveNetworks, potentially giving the group an existing foothold in the acquisition process. JoongAng Ilbo entered a workout program in July amid liquidity pressures at some affiliates of JoongAng Group. The newspaper publisher is pursuing the sale of its management rights and other restructuring measures to restore its financial health. The company said in a statement on Sept. 29 that it aims to select a preferred bidder by the end of October. Six companies reportedly participated in the preliminary bidding last month: Global Sae-A, Geumbo Development, Daou Technology, Orion, OK Financial Group and eBroadcasting. A w

Oct 16, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

CJ, Daou Kiwoom may team up for JoongAng Ilbo bid

Companies

INTERVIEW Alaska Airlines eyes Asia expansion as Korea route gains traction

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines is looking to expand its presence in Asia as its Incheon-Seattle route gains traction, with Korea emerging as a key market in the U.S. carrier’s expanding international network. The airline recorded load factors of 82 percent in June, 84 percent in July and 79 percent in August on the route, marking a strong start in its first full year of operations. The figures exceeded expectations for a new route, which typically takes about three years to mature as the airline adjusts schedules and connections to meet passenger demand. "Those are really good, strong load factors for the first year of a new route," Shane Tackett, president and chief financial officer of Alaska Airlines, said in an interview with The Korea Times on Sept. 29. He added that one month ranked among Alaska's best-performing international routes financially before fuel prices increased significantly. The airline sees further opportunities to attract passengers from Korea, where its brand remains relatively unfamiliar. Tackett said Alaska Airlines aims to raise awareness of its services and enco

Oct 15, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

[INTERVIEW] Alaska Airlines eyes Asia expansion as Korea route gains traction

Opinion

Korean golfers are choosing differently

Korea’s golf boom is losing steam after several years of unprecedented growth. Visitor numbers have fallen from their pandemic-era peak, raising concerns that the industry’s golden era may be coming to an end. But that may not be the right way to read the situation. Korean golfers are not giving up the sport. They are simply becoming more selective about where, when and how they play — and increasingly looking overseas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf was one of the biggest beneficiaries of restrictions on international travel and indoor activities. With overseas trips largely off the table, golfers had few alternatives. Domestic courses became crowded, tee times were hard to secure and prices rose as demand surged. The sport also attracted a new generation of enthusiasts. Younger Koreans embraced golf not only as a sport but as a lifestyle. Golf apparel became a fashion statement, while courses became popular backdrops for social media posts. For many young golfers, a round was part of a broader experience combining food, travel and leisure. It was a powerful combination that fu

Sep 23, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

Companies

PHOTO Czech defense chief visits LIG D&A

LIG Defense and Aerospace CEO Shin Ick-hyun, center, shakes hands with Jaromir Zuna, third from left, deputy prime minister and defense minister of the Czech Republic, during Zuna’s visit to the Korean defense company in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. The visit was part of the Czech government’s strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities, with Zuna inspecting LIG D&A’s cutting-edge air defense systems and discussing ways to advance bilateral defense cooperation. Courtesy of LIG D&A

Sep 8, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

[PHOTO] Czech defense chief visits LIG D&A

Companies

Golfzon wraps up Korean qualifiers for 2026 China Open

Golfzon said Thursday that it has completed the Korean qualifying rounds for the 2026 Golfzon China Open, finalizing 20 Korean players who will compete in the tournament finals in December. The global tournament offers a total prize pool of about 4.25 billion won ($3.1 million), with the winner taking home approximately 1.05 billion won. It brings together professional and amateur golfers from Korea, China, other parts of Asia, the Americas and Europe. The Korean preliminary qualifiers ran from March 10 to May 31, attracting about 20,000 golfers — 4,461 in the Pro Division and 15,523 in the Open Division. Participants played more than 40,000 rounds in total. About 200 golfers advanced to the Korean main qualifying rounds, held in July and August at Golfzon City Golf China No. 2 in Yanji, China. The qualifiers selected 15 professionals and five amateurs for the finals. Pro Division A, held from July 20-24, featured players with previous KPGA or KLPGA Tour victories, as well as those ranked in the top 30 in the 2025 first-tier tour money rankings. Kim Hong-taek, Lee Tae-hee, Ji Han-sol,

Sep 3, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

Golfzon wraps up Korean qualifiers for 2026 China Open

Companies

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK Hyundai Motor's stock rally puts Munoz to test

How much of Hyundai Motor's dramatic stock rally can be attributed to CEO Jose Munoz? Since taking the helm in January 2025 as Hyundai Motor's first foreign CEO, Munoz has faced U.S. tariff pressure, intensifying competition and a rapidly changing auto market. Yet the company's stock has nearly doubled, rising from around 220,000 won ($159) when he took over to 415,000 won as of Friday's close. Munoz can point to several achievements. He has put a greater focus on the group's U.S. business, where Hyundai Motor has maintained its market share despite the 15 percent U.S. auto tariff. The company has also expanded its hybrid lineup and increased local production in North America. At the same time, Munoz has pushed Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis to work more closely on engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and distribution to cut costs and protect profits. Those efforts have helped Hyundai Motor maintain strong sales, despite a challenging business environment. Second-quarter revenue hit a record 49.2 trillion won, but operating profit fell more than 20 percent from a year earlier as tariff

Aug 21, 2026By Kang Seung-woo

Kang Seung-woo

Read more

Ananti Jeju opens new clubhouse blending architecture with 'gotjawal' forest

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra becomes Lula's digital campaign 'weapon'

SK hynix halts Solidigm IPO plan amid regulatory pressure

LS MnM weighs output adjustments as copper concentrate shortage squeezes smelters

CJ, Daou Kiwoom may team up for JoongAng Ilbo bid

INTERVIEW Alaska Airlines eyes Asia expansion as Korea route gains traction

Korean golfers are choosing differently

PHOTO Czech defense chief visits LIG D&A

Golfzon wraps up Korean qualifiers for 2026 China Open

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK Hyundai Motor's stock rally puts Munoz to test

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