SemiVoice

Today

• Outlook for KDDX Contract by Year-End, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Security Penalty Lifted in November as Variable

  ➀ The detailed design and contractor selection for South Korea's next-generation destroyer (KDDX) are delayed to year-end, impacting competition between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean;

  ➁ HD Hyundai’s 1.8-point security penalty, linked to a past information leak, will expire in November, strengthening its bidding position;

  ➂ Political pressure favors fair competitive bidding over sole-source contracts, with Hanwha Ocean leveraging its naval project experience and group synergy.

• LX Hausys Supports Improvement of Residential Environments for Group Homes

  ➀ LX Hausys renovated a 30-year-old group home in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, addressing severe mold and insulation issues caused by leaks;

  ➁ The month-long renovation included upgrading windows, flooring, wallpaper, partitions, and furniture boards to create safer living conditions for six residents;

  ➂ This marks the company's third collaboration with Habitat Korea and the Korea Group Home Council to refurbish aging facilities for vulnerable children and youth.

• LGES Begins Mass Production of LFP Batteries for ESS at Michigan Plant in the U.S.

  ➀ LG Energy Solution commenced mass production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) at its Michigan facility, supplying major clients like Teragen and Delta;

  ➁ The company accelerated production by repurposing existing electric vehicle battery lines, bypassing original plans to build a new Arizona plant by 2026;

  ➂ Localized manufacturing enhances agility to meet surging ESS demand driven by AI data centers and renewable energy infrastructure.

• HMM Conducts Cleanup Activity at Geojampo Beach to Celebrate Sea Day

  ➀ HMM, along with maritime police and employees, conducted a beach cleanup at Geojampo Beach in Incheon on May 30, collecting marine debris such as plastic waste and fishing equipment;

  ➁ This activity, held annually since 2023, aligns with HMM's ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on environmental protection, community engagement, and global outreach;

  ➂ HMM has pioneered eco-friendly practices, including recycling ship-generated nylon ropes into raw materials and participating in Incheon Port's resource circulation project to repurpose plastic bottles from vessels.

• LG Electronics Launches 'Whisen AI System Air Conditioner' with Wind Adjustments Based on Sleep Stages

  ➀ LG Electronics announced the launch of the 'Whisen AI System Air Conditioner' equipped with radar sensors and enhanced AI, which automatically adjusts airflow based on sleep stages (e.g., direct wind for rapid cooling before sleep, indirect wind after detecting stable sleep);

  ➁ The AI energy-saving function reduces power consumption by up to 30% through pattern-based optimization, and a self-cleaning feature removes dust and bacteria via condensation and drying;

  ➂ A newly developed 'slim embedding kit' simplifies installation without additional construction work, addressing practical user needs.

• Samsung Electronics Launches 'AI Home Appliance Troika' Festa

  ➀ Samsung Electronics is running the 'AI Home Appliance Troika' Festa until July 31, offering up to 500,000 membership points for purchasing AI-powered air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines;

  ➁ Customers buying AI appliance packages receive additional points, and new subscribers to the 'AI Subscription Club' can win movie tickets through a lottery;

  ➂ Participation events include voting on Samsung.com for desired products to win Starbucks coupons, with 1,000 winners selected.

• Merro Lab Leads Energy Saving Market with Mesh Network-Based Smart Lighting System

  ➀ Merro Lab’s wireless mesh network-based smart lighting system reduces installation costs by 90% and electricity bills by up to 60%, driving demand in logistics and manufacturing facilities;

  ➁ Partnering with energy service companies (ESCOs) like KEPCO-ES and Korea East-West Power under an EPC model, the company’s H1 2025 revenue (surpassing 2024’s full-year total of 45 billion KRW, ~$34.6 million) reflects rapid growth;

  ➂ Focused on large-scale projects and cost optimization, Merro Lab aims to achieve annual profitability, transitioning into a leading energy solutions provider.

May 31

• Doosan Yeongang Foundation Supports 'Doosan Yeongang High School Scholarship Students' with Approximately 500 Million Won

  ➀ The Doosan Yeongang Foundation selected 499 new high school scholarship recipients, providing approximately 500 million KRW (about $384,615) in financial support;

  ➁ The program expanded its reach by adding six underfunded high schools in Seoul's outskirts to ensure equitable access to scholarships;

  ➂ The foundation plans to distribute a total of 3 billion KRW (approximately $2.3 million) annually through various scholarship initiatives in the latter half of the year.

• Murata Expands Automotive Common Mode Choke Coil Lineup... 'Capable of Handling High Currents up to 15A at 150℃ High Temperatures'

  ➀ Murata added new models to its PLT10HH series of common mode choke coils for automotive power line noise suppression, addressing high-temperature and high-current demands in advanced vehicles;

  ➁ The new lineup uses innovative ferrite materials, enabling operation at 150℃ and handling currents up to 15A—10 times higher than previous models at 125℃;

  ➂ Mass production of the upgraded components is set to begin in June 2025 to meet growing industry needs.

• Gyeonggi Province Finalizes Selection of 50 Universities for RISE Program

  ➀ Gyeonggi Province selected 50 universities (25 general and 25 vocational) for its RISE program, a government initiative to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and regional innovation, representing 67% of local universities;

  ➁ Backed by ₩63.6 billion (approx. $46.4 million) in annual funding, the program targets seven future growth sectors, including AI, semiconductors, future vehicles, and aerospace, with grants up to ₩4 billion for general universities and ₩2 billion for vocational institutions;

  ➂ The initiative also emphasizes building regional innovation clusters and fostering partnerships between universities, industries, and local governments to drive economic development.

• Samsung Heavy Industries to Showcase Competitiveness at Nor-Shipping 2025

  ➀ Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) will participate in the Nor-Shipping 2025 exhibition in Oslo (June 2-6) to promote advanced shipbuilding and marine energy technologies;

  ➁ The biennial event, celebrating its 60th anniversary, will host around 1,000 global organizations and companies to discuss industry trends and solutions;

  ➂ SHI plans to secure technical approvals for LNG carriers with solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and sign agreements for 3-cargo tank LNG carriers, emphasizing eco-friendly innovations and global collaboration to lead the market.

• KAIST Professor Team Wins Prestigious Robotics Challenge at Global Conference

  ➀ A KAIST research team led by Professor Myung Hyun won first place in the NSS Challenge 2025 at IEEE ICRA, a top-tier robotics conference, with their LiDAR scan registration technology;

  ➁ The team developed a multi-session framework (CubicFeat, Quatro, Chameleon) to robustly align LiDAR scans in dynamic construction environments, defeating rivals from Taiwan and China;

  ➂ The $4,000-winning technology demonstrates potential for autonomous systems like self-driving cars and drones, marking KAIST's third major ICRA award since 2022.

• Marvell Achieves Record Quarterly Results with Custom AI Semiconductors

  ➀ Marvell reported record Q1 FY26 revenue of $1.895 billion, up 63% YoY, driven by surging demand for custom AI semiconductors, with data center sales accounting for 76% of total revenue;

  ➁ The company anticipates continued growth in AI custom silicon, projecting Q2 revenue of $2 billion (±5%) and EPS of $0.62-$0.72, while its consumer segment is expected to grow ~50% QoQ due to gaming demand recovery;

  ➂ Marvell will host an 'AI Day' on June 17 to unveil its AI silicon roadmap and key customer collaborations.

• Hanmi Semiconductor Completes KRW 130 Billion Stock Buyback

  ➀ Hanmi Semiconductor announced the completion of a KRW 130 billion (approx. $100 million) stock buyback, the largest since its founding, involving 1.302 million shares;

  ➁ This follows a previous KRW 57.3 billion (approx. $44.08 million) buyback from a total KRW 200 billion treasury shares acquired last year;

  ➂ The buyback reduces total outstanding shares, increasing EPS and enhancing shareholder value by improving stock valuation potential.

• LG Electronics CEO Jo Joo-wan Meets Microsoft VP to Discuss AI Cooperation

  ➀ LG Electronics CEO Jo Joo-wan met with Microsoft's Dajan Rodriguez, Corporate VP of Manufacturing & Mobility, to discuss strengthening collaboration in AI-driven businesses;

  ➁ Follow-up discussions focused on potential partnerships in data centers, AI home solutions, and mobility, building on their strategic alliance announced at CES 2025;

  ➂ The companies are jointly developing products including a mobile AI home hub and expanding AI data center technologies.

May 30

• Innométrie to Participate in Germany's 'The Battery Show 2025'

  ➀ Innométrie will exhibit X-ray and CT inspection equipment for secondary batteries at The Battery Show 2025 in Germany, a major European expo with 1,154 participating companies;

  ➁ The company will showcase mock-up equipment and non-destructive testing solutions for prismatic, cylindrical (46π), LFP, and solid-state batteries;

  ➂ CEO Lee Gap-soo highlighted plans to engage global clients, expand collaborations with Chinese manufacturers, and expects domestic orders to resume in Q2, anticipating a performance turnaround in 2025.

• Hanwha Ocean Signs MOU with Polish Shipyard, Aims to Secure Orca Submarine Order

  ➀ Hanwha Ocean signed an MOU with Poland's PGZ SW and Nauta Shipyard to collaborate on shipbuilding, maintenance, and technology transfer for naval vessels, including the Orca submarine project;

  ➁ The agreement follows months of discussions and includes joint development, overseas exports, and modernization of Poland's naval industry;

  ➂ Hanwha aims to strengthen its global defense market competitiveness through this partnership, targeting submarine orders and establishing a new cooperation model.

• Uzbek Government Officials Visit Hoseo University to Benchmark Industry-Academic Cooperation and Discuss Collaboration

  ➀ 17 Uzbek government officials visited Hoseo University to study its industry-academic cooperation model, including ABL-based programs and regional projects in semiconductors, smart factories, and AI;

  ➁ The delegation toured the semiconductor packaging fab and explored partnerships with local ventures like InnoBase and The Young Medi;

  ➂ The visit aimed to enhance Uzbekistan's industrial capabilities by adopting Korea's collaborative frameworks and fostering global talent development.

• LS Materials Develops ESS for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

  ➀ LS Materials and LS Cable jointly developed a hybrid energy storage system (H-ESS) for EV charging stations, integrating high-power capacitors and lithium-ion batteries to enable fast charging and extended lifespan;

  ➁ The system stores reserve power to handle peak demand, reduces fire risks through minimized heat generation, and features a compact design for cost-effective infrastructure deployment in locations like highways and urban charging hubs;

  ➂ Funded by a South Korean government initiative, the technology aims to expand into AI data centers and renewable energy applications, with plans to target global markets in North America and Europe.

• 1 in 2 Samsung All-in-One Washer-Dryer Customers Do Laundry in the Evening

  ➀ 53% of surveyed Samsung BESPOKE AI Combo users do laundry in the evening, surpassing the 42% rate of split-system users;

  ➁ Key purchase drivers include convenience (no manual transfer between washer/dryer), space-saving (40% less space than separate units), and AI features like auto detergent dispensing and customized cycles;

  ➂ The 2025 model increases drying capacity to 18kg (industry-leading) and reduces total cycle time to 79 minutes (20 minutes faster).

• NVIDIA Cancels $8 Billion H20 Orders in Q2 Due to Chinese Export Restrictions

  ➀ NVIDIA revealed that U.S. export controls led to the cancellation of $8 billion in Q2 H20 AI chip orders for China, with $2.5 billion in Q1 revenue recognition blocked;

  ➁ CEO Jensen Huang warned that strict regulations prevent designing Hopper-based products for China, potentially boosting local competitors and weakening U.S. firms' position in China's $50 billion AI semiconductor market;

  ➂ NVIDIA reported Q1 revenue of $44.6 billion (up 69% YoY) and provided Q2 guidance of $45 billion (±2%), while booking $4.5 billion in inventory-related losses.

• LG Electronics and LG Uplus Begin First Field Test of Next-Gen 'Liquid Cooling Solution' for AI Data Centers

  ➀ LG Electronics and LG Uplus are conducting the first external test of their advanced liquid cooling solution (CDU) at LG Uplus's Pyeongchon 2 data center to optimize cooling performance in high-heat AI data center environments;

  ➁ The solution uses cold plates attached to CPUs/GPUs, circulating coolant to dissipate heat, offering compact design and high energy efficiency critical for AI data centers;

  ➂ Key features include virtual sensors for system stability, inverter-driven pumps for energy savings, and leak detection sensors, leveraging LG's decade-long expertise in data center cooling technologies.

• Lotte Chemical Conducts Resource Recycling Awareness Education for Children at Workplace Daycare Centers

  ➀ Lotte Chemical announced on May 29, 2025, that it has been running a 40-day educational campaign since May 12 for children at five in-house daycare centers across Seoul, Yeosu, Uiwang, and Daesan, focusing on waste toy recycling and resource circulation awareness.

  ➁ The program, part of its 'Project LOOP' initiative, engaged children through interactive activities like environmental quizzes, toy disassembly, upcycled keychain creation, and toy donations, aiming to instill the importance of resource conservation and environmental protection.

  ➂ Partnering with social enterprise 'Elephant Factory', Lotte Chemical plans to expand this model to public daycare centers after pilot testing, reinforcing its ESG commitment through circular economy practices since 2020.

• S-Oil Launches Welfare Card Offering KRW 55 per Liter Discount for Truck Drivers

  ➀ S-OIL launched the '55 Truck Welfare Shinhan Card,' providing an immediate on-site discount of KRW 55 per liter (≈$0.042) for truck drivers at approximately 2,000 S-OIL gas stations nationwide, along with government fuel subsidies;

  ➁ The card has no annual fee, is available to all licensed freight transport operators under the Cargo Transport Business Act, and can be applied through Shinhan Card channels;

  ➂ S-OIL, the market leader in the truck fuel segment, continues to strengthen customer benefits through high-value partnerships and promotions for both commercial and general customers.

April 1

• Dongkuk Steel aims to secure workforce amid tough market conditions

  ➀ Dongkuk Steel Group announced the open recruitment of new and experienced employees for the year 2025, with applications available on their recruitment website until April 13th. The selection process includes an online personality test, document screening, interviews, and medical examinations.

  ➁ New employees will be assigned to 22 positions in Seoul, Incheon, Pohang, and Dangjin. Experienced employees will be assigned to 3 positions in Seoul, Incheon, and Pohang.

  ➂ Final successful candidates are expected to join in early July. The recruitment schedule and results will be notified via the website and text messages.

• KCC and KCC Silicon donate 250 million won for wildfire recovery

  ➀ KCC and KCC Silicon have donated 250 million won to support wildfire victims and aid in rapid recovery.

  ➁ KCC donated 200 million won, and KCC Silicon donated 50 million won, which will be delivered through the National Disaster Relief Association.

  ➂ The funds are intended to support livelihoods and restore living conditions for residents in affected areas, and KCC reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility and continuing philanthropic efforts.

• Dreame Releases 25-Year Model Cost-effective Robot Vacuum 'L40S Pro Ultra'

  ➀ Dreame Technology has released the L40S Pro Ultra, a new model in their L-series robot vacuum line, featuring advanced core technologies such as dual robot arms and the EasyLeap system for innovative cleaning.

  ➁ The L40S Pro Ultra is designed to meet diverse customer needs with improved performance and reduced prices, offering superior suction power, innovative brush systems, and convenient features like automatic cleaning and drying.

  ➂ To celebrate the launch, a 'Super Brand Day' promotion is being held on GMarket and Auction, offering customer benefits such as accessory kits and gift certificates.

• Novosense Releases Atmosphere Lamp Driver NSUC1500 Supporting 16-bit Dimming

  ➀ Novosense, an analog semiconductor specialist, has released the NSUC1500-Q1, a system-on-chip (SoC) for vehicle interior atmosphere lamp driver systems.

  ➁ The NSUC1500-Q1 integrates an Arm Cortex-M3 core and a 4-channel high-precision current LED driver, supporting 16-bit independent PWM dimming and 6-bit analog dimming for more precise control and effective compensation for light attenuation.

  ➂ The product meets AEC-Q100 Grade 1 and CISPR 25 Class EMC standards, ensuring high reliability and flexibility. It is designed for future vehicles evolving into emotional and intelligent mobile living spaces, enhancing the driving and riding experience with smart and comfortable interior atmosphere lamps.

• LS Group and LIG Group Sign MOU for Strategic Collaboration in Defense Industry

  ➀ LS Group and LIG Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand collaboration in the defense industry, as well as in electricity, energy, and communications.

  ➁ The two groups plan to engage in joint research and development, market surveys, exchange of technology and human resources, and the establishment of joint investment companies.

  ➂ They aim to create synergies by leveraging each other's core competencies and resources for mutual growth, and plan to form a coordinating body to concretize collaboration methods, partnership strategies, and action plans in the near future.

• DYETEC Research Institute and Control Union Korea Sign Cooperation Agreement to Support Sustainable Fiber Certification

  ➀ DYETEC Research Institute and Control Union Korea are set to sign a cooperation agreement at 'DORNBIRN GFC-ASIA 2025' to establish a cooperative system to support sustainable fiber certification for the domestic fiber industry.

  ➁ Control Union, a global certification body with over 100 years of history, issues certifications such as GRS, RCS, OCS, and GOTS, which are essential for fiber companies' global exports.

  ➂ The collaboration aims to support certification processes, standardize and ensure reliability of certification procedures, exchange information and technology regarding international standards and regulations, and jointly operate sustainable fiber technology seminars and ESG education programs.