my timesThe Korea Times

Kim Yoo-chul

Korea Times Business Reporter

Go to Email

Read more

Tech & Science

HHI interested in Hynix

By Kim Yoo-chul Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s biggest shipyard, is thinking of throwing its hat into the ring for the giant memory chip maker Hynix Semiconductor, which is up for grabs. A senior insider from a Hynix creditor said Tuesday that Hyundai Heavy is mulling over submitting a letter of intent (LOI) for the company. ``I can confirm that HHI has a keen interest in the controlling stakes in Hynix Semiconductor,’’ said the source from a creditor who asked not to be named citing company policy. A total of nine creditors are involved in the sale including Korea Finance Corp. (KoFC), Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank with the deadline for presenting LOIs July 8. Local media reports are saying HHI has decided to make a sole bid for the chip maker as part of the former’s strategy of regaining the family conglomerate. Hynix was formerly Hyundai Electronics. This marks the third attempt to find a new owner for the top-tier semiconductor manufacturer after textile-focused Hyosung earlier dropped its ambitious bid for Hynix. Bu

Jul 5, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Samsung Electronics conducts reshuffle

By Kim Yoo-chul Desperate for a breakthrough in its stagnant semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) businesses, Samsung Electronics moved to combine the two divisions into a single unit that is to be led by its chip boss. It remains to be seen whether the reorganization will be enough to jolt Samsung’s components business and even Kwon Oh-hyun, the head of the newly-created ``device solutions’’ division, admitted that he faces an uphill battle, especially in flat screens. Industry sources say that Samsung’s retooling may also be part of its efforts to repair its deteriorating relationship with Apple, which has sued its Korean rival for copying the look and feel of iPhones and iPads in its own smartphones and touch-screen tablet devices. To Samsung, which boasts dual strength in parts and finished products, Apple has been a keen rival in mobile devices but an odd bedfellow in components, being one of its largest clients for flash-memory chips and LCDs. Samsung officials have been concerned over the possibility of the legal dispute affecting Apple’s appetite

Jul 1, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

Hynixs Kwon to lead KSIA

By Kim Yoo-chul Kwon Oh-chul, chief executive of Hynix Semiconductor, has been named as the new chairman of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA). Kwon replaces Samsung Electronics’ chip boss Kwon Oh-hyun, becoming the first non-Samsung official to lead the industry lobby. Kwon joined Hyundai Group in 1984 and established a career as a corporate finance expert before taking over management at Hynix in March last year. His term as KSIA chairman runs through February 2013. ``Korean companies face tougher competition from rivals in other countries and business conditions are becoming more difficult due to the slow recovery of the global economy,’’ said Kwon when asked to address challenges the chip industry is facing. Korea is home to the country’s two largest makers of computer memory chips in Samsung and Hynix. Last year, the country exported $50.7 billion worth of semiconductors, joining cars and ships as a major export item, according to government data. Despite the challenging environment, Kwon said Hynix expects a better year in terms of revenue

Jul 1, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG Uplus strives to become game-changer

By Kim Yoo-chul The nation's No. 1 mobile carrier SK Telecom could face increased competition after the smallest teleco, LG Uplus, has shown strong optimism in leading the advanced mobile technology sector. Amid an explosive demand for wireless data-intensive devices such as smartphones and tablets, the three local teleco firms, including KT, are investing heavily for an early transition to fourth-generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) technology. SK Telecom and LG Uplus have no doubt that the LTE has a greater capacity for video and other data-intensive functions. But strategies are somewhat different. LG Uplus is pinning high hopes on becoming the top LTE service provider in terms of market share, though SK believes that its proven track record of handling networks and base stations will bring it better revenue in LTE as well. In a press conference, LG Uplus CEO Lee Sang-chul said it will surpass SK Telecom in terms of LTE subscribers from 2014 as it aims to secure 10 million LTE customers within the next three years. SK Telecom, meanwhile, intends to grab eigh

Jun 30, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Others

Samsung on Galaxy offensive

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics is on a bullish track to push its premier phones as consumers check out tech-loaded and software-upgraded Galaxy S smartphones. Samsung has already emerged as a solid competitor to attack Apple in the global smartphone market thanks to the successful launching of the Galaxy S. The latest Galaxy variant ― the Galaxy S II ― is set to continue this assault. Samsung has so far sold over 16 million Galaxies and its handset chief Shin Jong-kyun believes the Galaxy II will find even more customers. ``Consumers are asking us to offer more distinguished values and the Galaxy S II is the right product for this,’’ said the top Samsung executive. The Samsung Galaxy S II sports an extremely slim-line design and it is one of the thinner handsets in the industry. The latest Galaxy adopts the iPhone’s footsteps with its sleek rectangular shape and sharp edges, there’s not a curve in sight. ``The entire effect is very smart. But it’s now all too common in handsets these days; having said that the new Galaxy does it better than most,’’ said Shi

Jun 29, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Others

SK Telecom boosting brand awareness

By Kim Yoo-chul SK Telecom, the nation’s top mobile carrier, is yielding sizable results over its steady investment in boosting its brand awareness. The service brand ``T’’ represents its aim to become a telecom company to provide services via proven technology here. ``Since 2008, SK has been putting more resources on the process of brand renewal via the brand management system (BMS) and we hope the brand is positioned with greater familiarity,’’ said SK Telecom spokeswoman Kim Ji-won. SK Telecom controls over 50 percent of Korea’s mobile phone sector and it is actively shifting its growth strategy outside the peninsula to move away from its dependence on the saturated local market. ``T-Store’’ ― www.tstore.co.kr ― is one noticeable product. The application market, which is the nation’s biggest, is seeing significant growth amid the continued popularity of smartphones in one of the world’s most-wired societies. As of the end of May this year, over 8 million people have registered with the store and 90 percent of SK’s smartphone customers were downloading mobile cont

Jun 29, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LGE chief to bring in outside talent

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Electronics is eyeing a top Daesang executive, as part of its efforts to strengthen its supply chain management (SCM) structure under new CEO Koo Bon-joon. LG has officially offered Park Seong-chil, the chief executive and director of Daesang Corporation, to join the world’s second-biggest TV maker, sources directly involved with situation told The Korea Times, Tuesday. ``The Daesang CEO is seriously considering his next move after a new job offer by LG CEO Koo,’’ said one LG executive, asking not to be identified as he isn’t authorized to speak to the media.

Jun 28, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Companies

LG on corporate evolution

Chairman Koo on double task — searching for new core competencies; bolstering existing ones By Kim Yoo-chul LG is preparing a comeback driven by its commitment to see diversification of earnings by giving more authority to its telecom and chemical businesses. The ability to foster businesses when everyone is tightening their budgets is a clear sign of true leadership; however, focusing on growth in a growth-inhibitive environment could be a daunting challenge. A glib answer for expansion is ``diversification’’ and LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo is directly handling it because the business tycoon believes a diversified firm is better insulated against a loss of revenue in one business sector. Koo is paying more visits to LG’s plants in Korea for inspections, strengthening the view of a ``steady hands’’ policy. LG’s revenue growth so far is mostly because of the significant contribution of the conglomerate’s listed electronics affiliates. Last year, it saw 141 trillion won in total revenue, up from 30 trillion won it registered in 2004 and there is no doubt tha

Jun 27, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Companies

Korea Inc. going bio-centric at full tilt

Conglomerates shifting gears to future-oriented growth engines By Kim Yoo-chul Korea is well-known and trusted for hardware- and scale-centric businesses that range from shipbuilding, televisions, displays, cars, semiconductors, chemicals and steel. Such cash- and labor-intensive businesses have significantly helped the Northeast Asian nations realize rapid industrial and economic growth in the past few decades. Korea, which has top-tier firms including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai-Kia Motors, POSCO and LG Chem, is preparing for another leap forward with bio-related businesses. One of the main reasons why Korea’s leading industrial firms are spending heavily on biotechnologies is quite evident — the country’s ageing population. The healthcare market here is expected to grow significantly over the next five years as the nation becomes an aged society, with spending rising an average 18 percent annually to reach $131 billion in 2014 from $59 billion in 2009, data from Business Monitor International (BMI) said. BMI insisted that major

Jun 27, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
Tech & Science

LG-Ericsson eyes mobile splash

By Kim Yoo-chul LG-Ericsson plans to spend more cash to boost its business in Korea as it seeks to exploit a growing market for telecommunications-related equipment driven by the popularity of smartphones and other mobile Internet devices. LG-Ericsson is a joint venture between Korea’s LG Electronics and Sweden’s Ericsson, and operates a research laboratory in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. The company is involved in developing telecommunications equipment and network technology. ``We are planning the most significant investment, here, for further growth,’’ Mats H Olsson, president of LG-Ericsson China and North East Asia division, told reporters in a news conference in Seoul on the occasion of the company’s first anniversary. Olsson, also a senior vice president of Ericsson, said Korea remains a top-priority market for the company as its tech-savvy users continue to be a demanding test bed that pushes telecommunications operators to adopt more advanced technology. ``The venture’s lab in Anyang will be expanded three times further in terms of overall size,’’ Olsson said,

Jun 23, 2011By Kim Yoo-chul
previous page
247248249250251
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.