The Korea Times

Samsung to build new LCD line

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics is reviving its plan to add a massive $3 billion liquid crystal display (LCD) production line in its joint venture with S-LCD in Tangjeong, South Chungcheong Province, a Samsung executive said. If the plan is revived, it is likely that the two electronics firms will jointly pay for the costs, although it is possible for Sony to go solo, industry sources said. The new plant will likely be based on the latest 11th generation production technology. The construction plan was shelved due to a down market. Samsung insiders say that the plant would provide screens for the company's new generation of flat-screen televisions, including models with Internet connectivity or supporting three dimensional (3D) stereoscopic images. "We have seen substantial progress in the plans to build the advanced panel plant within our LCD complex near Seoul. We are focusing on securing equipment, materials and parts for building the line," Chang Won-kie, the head of Samsung’s LCD division, told The Korea Times, Wednesday. Chang said Samsung will make a

Oct 6, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Sony aims to dethrone Canon in cameras

Japanese technology giant has high hopes for translucent-mirror cameras By Kim Yoo-chul The global camera market is dominated by a handful of Japanese companies, but Sony aspires to eventually establish itself as the clear-cut industry leader at the expense of its domestic rivals Canon and Nikon. Most of the competition will come in the market for premium, interchangeable lens cameras, where Canon and Nikon combine for a 70 percent global share. These are two tough foes indeed, but Sony is confident that the latest additions to its Alpha series of translucent mirror cameras will prove to be among the first of many intriguing products that could eventually shake the hierarchy. Sony recently launched the Alpha 33 and 55 cameras in Korea, where the growth in the demand for interchangeable lens cameras appears to be gaining pace. The two cameras, which look like digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras but are more compact and weigh less, are distinguished by translucent mirrors that separate the optical pathway between the main image sensor and a phase-detection

Oct 5, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG foreign executives face uncertain fate

By Kim Yoo-chul It wasn't long ago when LG Electronics touted its fleet of foreign executives as symbols of its elevated status as a global technology giant. However, with the company now facing a management overhaul after faltering in its main markets of consumer electronics and mobile phones, it seems unclear whether the high-profile foreign employees are considered as part of the future or the past. Several industry sources have told The Korea Times that LG Electronics is likely to let the contracts of its key foreign executives, including marketing head Dermot Boden and chief procurement officer (CPO) Tom Linton, lapse when they come up for renewal later this year. Didier Chenneveau, who left Hewlett Packard to head LG Electronics’ supply chain management in 2008, is also likely to be released. The fates of the foreigners were perhaps tied to former LG Electronics chief executive Nam Yong, who was replaced by LG Group Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon recently after being blamed for derailing the company’s efforts to better compete with bigger rivals Samsung Electronic

Oct 3, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Does KT CEO have Midas touch or sleight of hand?

By Kim Yoo-chul After a stunning success that is upsetting the pecking order in the mobile business industry on the basis of iPhone popularity, KT CEO Lee Suk-chae is expanding to another field of growth ― wireless data service. This time, his foreign partner is Intel. Lee’s effort is so far guiding the mobile business in Korea in a new direction in less than a year with new vision. KT is at full speed to utilize its broadband infrastructure amid an explosive growth in wireless data spurred by the so-called ``smartphone fever.’’ Thanks to help from Intel, KT may feel somewhat relaxed to hedge the investment risk for WiBro or wireless broadband and to boost business efficiency. The KT Chairman Lee believes WiBro is a ``persuasive answer’’ to better handle higher wireless data traffic rather than shift to the next-generation telecom technology called long-term evolution (LTE). On Thursday, Intel Capital _ Intel’s global investment body ― said it has invested $20 million in Wibro Infra ― a joint venture with KT, Samsung Electronics and Kookmin Bank Investment.

Oct 1, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Opinion

Is Samsung’s software transition in wrong direction?

By Kim Yoo-chul Late last year, top executives at Samsung Electronics put the company on emergency footing to come up with measures to deal with Apple's iPhones on its home turf. Fast penetration by Apple's "all-in-one" smartphone in the local market has threatened Samsung’s dominant status here, particularly in the area of hardware-focused products such as feature phones. Responding to the iPhone's rising popularity, Samsung introduced its own smartphone, the Galaxy S, which is seen as the harbinger of a strategic transition toward software. Samsung's move was considered a step in the right direction as it succeeded in gaining a strong foothold with the Galaxy S and received credit from the market over its strategy shift. However, questions are arising over the direction as its business structure has failed to keep up with the transformation. "Samsung has made 'substantial progresses' to catch up with the new wave and is stepping up efforts to speed up the transition. But, we are still undergoing a turbulent period as there are a lot of issues we have to tackle," s

Sep 30, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG Chem wins big deal with Renault

By Kim Yoo-chul LG Chem said Thursday that it has signed an agreement with Renault to supply lithium batteries for the French auto manufacturer's upcoming electric vehicles, which the company said will be its biggest deal in the battery business. Under a multi-year contract, the LG Group's chemical component-making affiliate will ship the batteries for Renault's EVs, which are expected to be marketed from mid-2011. "Considering the expected production volume of Renault's EVs, the latest deal will be the largest that LG Chem has inked with automakers so far," said Song Choong-sup, a senior company spokesman. Song, however, declined to comment on further financial details, but industry sources estimated that the contract is valued at a minimum of $1.8 billion over five years. A representative of Renault's Korean branch also declined to give any specific numbers, citing the sensitivity of the issue. The deal is forecast to help LG Chem ensure further business stability in its battery unit after securing major U.S. and European carmakers as key clients for its lithium b

Sep 30, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

Can owner scion turn LG around?

Markets expect firm business plan from group leader’s brother, son of honorary chairman By Kim Yoo-chul Can LG Electronics' new CEO Koo Bon-joon turn the company around? Koo, a scion of the founding and owner family, is moving in after Nam Yong resigned, being held responsible for a boneheaded strategy that forced LG to pay for a late start in the smartphone business. Judging by market reactions, the news of Koo's appointment, the younger brother of Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo, is being well received. Nam's departure had been widely expected for a faltering bottom line and an unviable business plans. Of course, the capricious market appears to be ready to turn against him, unless he shows leadership at an early date. Besides, some foreign investors may find Koo's rise to be typical of Korea's family-oriented corporate governance. "The importance of the CEO cannot be overestimated in the corporate culture of Korea," said a top-ranking industry executive, in a phone interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. "Koo should provide for action, boldness and strategy,"

Sep 29, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

LG to miss TV sales target in 2010

By Kim Yoo-chul Korea's LG Electronics said Wednesday that it may not achieve this year's flat-screen TV sales target, raising market worries over continued sluggish performances in one of LG’s critical cash-cows. LG Electronics, which only trails its cross-town rival Samsung Electronics in the global flat-screen TV industry, is on alert to revive sagging momentum in the television business as it was the latecomer in premium LED-backlit and 3D televisions. Officials say LG is experiencing tough challenges to keep the industry's No. 2 position amid Japanese rival Sony's increased presence by selling low-priced televisions. "LG may not achieve its 5 million LED-backlit LCD sales target in the latter half," said Kang Shin-ik, the president of LG's home entertainment division, which handles the TV business. LG earlier had said it was planning to sell 7 million LED-backlit LCD televisions for the full this year. During the first six months of this year, LG sold 1.1 million of such sets. LED TVs are LCD sets that use LED as the main backlight, enhancing brightness and sav

Sep 29, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Tech & Science

KT alert over iPhone 4 complaints

By Kim Yoo-chul Apple is selling more and more iPhones here, but this is also leading to more noise in consumer complaints. According to KT, the mobile-phone operator that exclusively provides iPhones here, there are increasing complaints related to the supposed reception problems of the iPhone 4, Apple's latest gadget. The carrier, which dismisses the claims that the device may be seriously flawed, says it will closely monitor the situation, although a recall isn't a possibility. "We are alerted over the complaints over low reception. The grumblings, many of them coming from the Internet communities of iPhone 4 users, are certainly larger than what we expected," a senior KT executive told The Korea Times Friday. Officials from Apple's Korean office refused to comment on the issue. The supposed reception problems linked to the iPhone 4, which may be related to Apple's unique antenna design, had been highly publicized during the device’s release in the United States, which forced Apple to hand out rubber ``bumpers’’ to cover the devices and prevent users from bloc

Sep 24, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Companies

Lee Kun-hee refuses to head FKI

By Kim Yoo-chul Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee has officially refused to take the top position at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), the nation’s most influential business lobby. Lee has been pressed to head the FKI since former Chairman Cho Suck-rai stepped down in early July due to health reasons. ``I am not in good health. In addition, I am swamped with work,’’ Lee told reporters at Gimpo International Airport before flying to Japan, Friday. It is the first time that the chairman has officially shown his intention not to lead the business lobby. Lee was on his way to Japan to receive an honorary law doctorate from Waseda University in Tokyo on September 20. The chairman said that chief executives will meet with the heads of its major subcontractors at a workshop slated for later this month. ``Samsung will add to its efforts to boost better relationships with our suppliers. The key point is how low-ranking employees can feel better about the partnerships,’’ Lee said. Last week during a meeting with President Lee Myung-bak, he said Samsung will ex

Sep 17, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

Kim Yoo-chul

Read more

Samsung to build new LCD line

Sony aims to dethrone Canon in cameras

LG foreign executives face uncertain fate

Does KT CEO have Midas touch or sleight of hand?

Is Samsung’s software transition in wrong direction?

LG Chem wins big deal with Renault

Can owner scion turn LG around?

LG to miss TV sales target in 2010

KT alert over iPhone 4 complaints

Lee Kun-hee refuses to head FKI

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