The Korea Times

Samsung backs appliances, LG touts 3D-everything

By Kim Yoo-chul BERLIN ― Samsung and LG Electronics, Korea’s two leading consumer electronics firms, are seeking distinctive strategic approaches at the IFA, one of the world’s biggest technology exhibitions in Berlin, Germany. Samsung hopes that its advanced PCs and home appliances will steal the limelight while its cross-city rival LG plans to stick to its “3D-centric” strategy by exhibiting various 3D-embedded digital devices. Yet, the two giants share one thing in common ― they are desperate to stand out to raise their profile at a time when global financial unrest threatens to kill demand for electronic goods. “Samsung plans to use this year’s IFA as a springboard to boost awareness on home appliances and PCs, which it regards as new growth engines. By contrast, LG has keen interests to expand its 3D-featured devices and I think LG is all-in for 3D,” said an official from the show’s organizer, Wednesday. The IFA, which competes with the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the title of the world’s largest electronics trade show, kicks off this year’s even

Aug 31, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Samsung, LG to wow spectators in Berlin

Next-generation TVs, handsets to highlight IFA trade fair By Kim Yoo-chul It has been a dismal year for the technology industry, but that isn’t keeping Korean giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics from shifting into showboating mode ahead of a major industry trade fair. The IFA, which competes with the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the title of the world’s largest electronics trade show, kicks off this year’s event in Berlin Friday. Samsung and LG, which are always hell-bent on besting the other in every category, are each vowing to steal the show with their latest TVs, smartphones and white goods. The theme of this year’s show will be “three-dimensional (3D)” and “smart,” as electronics makers look to integrate stereoscopic imaging and network technologies to a wider range of devices beyond just televisions and phones. “Clearly, the advancement in 3D-related technologies and products will garner most of the attention in Berlin. And we know that everyone there will be looking for Samsung to generate some noise,’’ said Samsung spokes

Aug 30, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Doosan puts down liquidity fears

By Kim Yoo-chul Doosan Group was not always smart in handling liquidity. But the conglomerate has improved its situation. Its Chairman Park Yong-maan has completed a series of high-profile acquisitions that have turned the light-industry business into a heavy industry conglomerate. One noticeable thing is that the confidence levels for Doosan stocks are not great because of the group’s construction unit Doosan E&C. Doosan E&C was blamed for group-wide liquidity problems since last year as the nation’s construction-related industries were suffering amid economic uncertainties. As of the end of June last year, the total debt by Doosan E&C was some 2.3 trillion won and it should fully handle 1.31 trillion won in debts after its subcontractors had been in struggle for payments amid the bad local building industry. Now Doosan E&C needs 2 trillion won by the end of this year as the group’s construction affiliate must pay one-year maturity of asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) and borrowing with 886 billion won and 1.12 trillion won since July last year _ another big he

Aug 29, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG makes bullish in smartphone market

Under new leadership, electronics maker hopes to join top tier By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics is making stronger moves to boost its smartphone business thanks to positive reactions to new products in developed and developing markets. With more releases, the Seoul-based consumer electronics firm expects a turnaround in its currently ailing smartphone sector by the end of the year, according to LG officials. LG’s mobile phone business is the company’s major capital sinkhole and LG Electronics shares have halved this year, leaving it the worst performer even compared to the deteriorating Nokia and Taiwan-based HTC. A senior LG spokesman said it has seen visible improvement in its handset division and the company has been racking up sizable returns this year. In the second quarter, LG sold 6.2 million smartphones, accounting for 25 percent of its quarterly total of 24.8 million worldwide, according to the company. LG had sold just 4.1 million smartphones in the previous quarter, accounting for 17 percent of the 24.5 million handsets LG sold during the January-March

Aug 29, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Economy

Silver lining in economic cloud

LG Display chief declares 3D TV conquest in US LG Display CEO Kwon Young-soo spoke for about an hour with reporters from Business Focus at his office in Seoul, last week. The 54-year-old head of one of LG’s most important component-making affiliates put his foot down and claimed his firm’s film-type patterned retarder (FPR) for 3D television is firmly established as standard in China, with the United States and Europe the next targets. Kwon expects a consolidation among liquid crystal display (LCD) makers of Taiwan next year, the major suppliers for the global market, which will eliminate overcapacity, meaning that combined with a recovery in the TV market, demand for LG Display’s products will increase and their prices will go up. Kwon said facilities investment will be frozen next year, considering a combination of doubts about a prompt market recovery and precautions, expected of any CEO at a time of uncertainty. _ ED. By Kim Yoo-chul LG Display, the world’s second-biggest manufacturer of liquid crystal displays (LCD) is observing developments in the global market

Aug 28, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Samsung, LG scramble to adjust to Cook era

By Kim Yoo-chul The departure of long-time Apple head man Steve Jobs has been mourned by the media and tech geeks around the world. But for Korean technology giants Samsung and LG, which saw their relationship with their American rival becoming complicated, the start of the Tim Cook era at Apple allows hope for a restart. Samsung, which has dual strength in parts and finished products, is a close partner with Apple in components like chips and liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), but a bitter rival in mobile devices like smartphones and portable computers. Apple has been pushing legal action against Samsung, accusing the Korean electronics maker for ``slavishly’’ copying the look and feel of its immensely popular iPhones and iPads in its own handsets and touch-screen tablets. But with Jobs gone from day-to-day business operations at Apple, Samsung officials hope that Cook will be more willing to ink cross-licensing deals to quiet the dispute over design-related patents. LG Display, which competes with Samsung as the world’s largest LCD provider, sees the leadership c

Aug 26, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Road toward the future

LG, GM to collaborate on next-generation electric vehicles By Kim Yoo-chul LG Group has teamed up with General Motors to develop an extensive range of battery-powered electric vehicles in what the companies describe as a landmark move. The Korean technology giant has been desperate for a slice of the growing world market for electric cars as it looks increasingly like its corporate fate may hinge on batteries, as it continues to struggle in its main markets for consumer electronics and mobile phones. The agreement signed at GM’s headquarters in Detroit aims to combine LG’s expertise in car battery technology with the American automaker’s strength in eco-friendly next-generation vehicles. LG officials emphasized that it goes ``beyond just battery cells.’’ ``The deal covers an expansive range of technologies and parts and the level of cooperation between LG and GM promised in the agreement is unprecedented in this industry,’’ said LG spokeswoman Kim Min-jeong, Friday. Kim declined to unveil further details of the partnership, such as the types of vehicles to be co-

Aug 26, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Companies

KT to offer top-notch services for IAAF

By Kim Yoo-chul KT will provide top-notch telecom-related services for the upcoming 13th IAAF World Championships in Daegu, according to the company chairman. In a written interview, KT CEO and Chairman Lee Suk-chae said its track record of handling world-class events makes his firm the most qualified for the Daegu athletics meet and what it has to offer this time will be even better. “This is a smart era and that means all spectators are cameramen and reporters. KT’s role is to help them file dramatic stories from the event on a real-time basis,” Lee said. KT is the official partner and main telecom service provider for the event. As Korea’s biggest fixed-line broadband operator, the company has invested 6 billion won or some $5.5 million just for telecom lines exclusively for the championships. KT will provide a total of 3,500 telecom lines for broadcasting, fixed-calls and the Internet and Lee said that is enough for 3,500 spectators in the main stadium to use their mobile devices simultaneously. “There is no doubt that KT is ready to offer flawless telecom

Aug 25, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

KT all set for IAAF Championships

Tech & Science

LG Chem plans plant in Kazakhstan

By Kim Yoo-chul It seems LG Chem chief executive Kim Bahn-suk is not completely satisfied with the firm’s current business status. So now he is looking to petrochemical businesses in line with LG’s business expansionary initiatives. Amid the deep struggles of LG Group’s export-driven affiliates including LG Electronics, LG Innotek and LG Display in the wake of the economic turmoil, LG Chem’s steadiness in external growth is expected to see LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo keep Kim in his current position. On Thursday, LG Chem said it plans to jointly build a petrochemical complex with Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries (KPI) within a specialized economic zone in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. This is the first time for Korean companies to take a leading role in oil and gas-related business fields in the Central Asian country. The total investment will reach $4 billion and the 50:50 legal entity will be launched by the end of this year, LG said in a statement. In the investment breakdown, LG Chem and KPI will spend $600 million each and the remaining $2.8 billion will be financed via

Aug 25, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

KT all set for IAAF Championships

Athletes, staff, visitors to experience best of telecom services By Kim Yoo-chul The 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu is expected to showcase KT’s telecom prowess. Because the championships will bring a record number of athletes in competition — 1,945 athletes from 202 countries according to data from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) — KT plans to use the event as a springboard to boast its telecom prowess. “We promise no significant delays in video images and pictures from the championships,” said a senior KT spokesman Lee In-won. Fiber-optic cables will play a key role for real-time image and picture delivery to households around the work. Using fiber-optic cables is far better for sending video images than using satellites. A telecom center at KT’s headquarters in downtown Seoul will transmit images and data from the event around the world. “All images to be seen in households are based on high-definition (HD) levels, which are brighter and more vivid. Also, trial tests for three-dimensional (3D) imag

Aug 25, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul

Kim Yoo-chul

Read more

Samsung backs appliances, LG touts 3D-everything

Samsung, LG to wow spectators in Berlin

Doosan puts down liquidity fears

LG makes bullish in smartphone market

Silver lining in economic cloud

Samsung, LG scramble to adjust to Cook era

Road toward the future

KT to offer top-notch services for IAAF

LG Chem plans plant in Kazakhstan

KT all set for IAAF Championships

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