SemiVoice

May 27

• Supermicro Leads AI Data Center Market with Innovative Integrated Data Center Solutions

  ➀ Supermicro unveiled DCBBS (modular data center infrastructure) and DLC-2 (liquid cooling system) at COMPUTEX 2025, targeting AI and HPC demands;

  ➁ DCBBS simplifies deployment with pre-validated designs, while DLC-2 reduces energy consumption by 40% and noise to 50dB, supporting up to 250kW per rack;

  ➂ The company reported $4.6 billion (₩6.4 trillion) in Q1 revenue, aiming for 30% market share in liquid cooling with existing systems holding over 80% global adoption.

• [Photo] Dyson Unveils the Slimmest Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

  ➀ Dyson introduced its new cordless vacuum cleaner 'Pencil Vac' at an event in Seoul on May 26, weighing 1.8kg with a slim 38mm-diameter handle for enhanced portability.

  ➁ The product highlights Dyson's focus on compact design and advanced cleaning technology for modern households.

  ➂ Demonstrations were held at Musinsa Square Seongsu4, showcasing the vacuum's capabilities and ergonomic features.

May 26

• Wearable Robots Settling Into Daily Life

  ➀ Wearable robots designed to protect musculoskeletal systems are being adopted across sectors like public institutions and the leisure industry;

  ➀ A sanitation worker in Seoul was photographed using a wearable robot during early-morning waste collection, highlighting real-world applications;

  ➂ The technology demonstrates expanding integration beyond industrial settings into daily tasks.

• TES Expands Scale 8-Fold with New R&D Center

  ➀ TES completed a new R&D center in Yongin, South Korea, expanding its area by 8.6 times (from 702㎡ to 6,036㎡) with an investment of 63.6 billion KRW (~$48.9M USD);

  ➁ The facility will focus on developing next-gen semiconductor equipment, including 3D DRAM, 400+ layer NAND flash, 2nm system semiconductors (BSPDN), and HBM back-end processes using advanced techniques like ACL and CVD;

  ➂ The expansion aims to accelerate R&D for faster mass production of cutting-edge memory and logic devices.

• President Lee Chan-hee Receives Japan Boy Scouts Association's 'Sakura Gold Award'

  ➀ Lee Chan-hee, President of the Korea Scout Federation, was awarded the 'Sakura Gold Award' by the Japan Boy Scouts Association at its national convention in Fukuoka on May 24;

  ➁ The award recognizes his efforts to revive international exchanges halted by COVID-19 and support youth global engagement since taking office in February last year;

  ➂ Lee currently serves as a visiting professor at Seoul National University, senior advisor at law firm Yulchon, and chairman of Samsung's Compliance Oversight Committee.

• Wearable Robots Integrated into Daily Life

  ➀ Wearable robots are increasingly adopted in public sectors and leisure industries, aiding musculoskeletal protection;

  ➁ A photo depicts sanitation workers in Seoul using wearable robots during early-morning waste collection;

  ➂ The technology demonstrates practical integration into daily workflows, enhancing efficiency and safety across diverse applications.

• Hanmi Micron Formalizes 'Second-Generation Succession'... Vice President Choi Han-soo Appointed as Inside Director

  ➀ Hanmi Micron appoints Choi Han-soo, son of Chairman Choi Chang-ho, as an inside director, marking the formalization of succession planning;

  ➁ A July shareholders' meeting will approve restructuring into a holding company (Hanmi Semiconductor Holdings) and a new entity (Hanmi Micron), widely seen as a move to facilitate control transfer;

  ➂ The 75-year-old founder's succession plan accelerates, with the holding structure enabling streamlined governance and future leadership transition.

• NVIDIA Develops 'Low-Cost Blackwell' for China to Bypass US Export Controls; Mass Production as Early as Next Month

  ➀ NVIDIA is developing a low-cost 'Blackwell' AI chip for China to circumvent US export restrictions, with mass production expected to start as early as June;

  ➁ The chip uses GDDR7 graphics memory (instead of restricted HBM) and reduced specifications to comply with US regulations, priced at $6,500-$8,000, significantly cheaper than the H20 ($11,200);

  ➂ China accounts for ~13% of NVIDIA's revenue (2024-2025 fiscal year), driving efforts to maintain market share despite geopolitical constraints.

• Samsung Drops from 2nd to 4th in Smartphone CIS Market Share

  ➀ Samsung fell from 2nd to 4th in global smartphone CMOS image sensor (CIS) market share in 2024, as Chinese OEMs increased adoption of domestic suppliers like GalaxyCore and OmniVision;

  ➁ GalaxyCore surged 32% in shipments to claim 2nd place, while OmniVision retained 3rd place, with Sony maintaining its top position;

  ➂ Samsung is shifting focus to high-end products (e.g., 200MP+ CIS) amid intensifying competition and China's push for localized supply chains.

• Samsung Electronics Takes First Place in North American Q1 OLED TV Market for the First Time

  ➀ Samsung Electronics captured 50.3% revenue share and 45.2% volume share in North America's Q1 OLED TV market, marking its first-ever leadership position;

  ➁ Expanded product lineups (e.g., 42/48/83-inch models) and aggressive consumer targeting helped Samsung overtake LG, which saw declines to 34.5% revenue and 42.0% volume shares;

  ➂ Market dynamics shifted post-Samsung's 2022 OLED TV re-entry, though LG remains dominant in Europe with 56.4% volume share in Q1 2025.

May 25

• [Photo] Wearable Robots Settling into Daily Life

  ➀ Wearable robots aiding musculoskeletal protection are increasingly adopted in public institutions and leisure industries;

  ➁ Examples include police officers on patrol, hikers in mountainous regions, and sanitation workers using the technology during tasks;

  ➂ The integration of wearable robotics into daily activities highlights advancements in enhancing work efficiency and safety.

• LG Electronics Reports 45% Increase in Sales of Whisen Stand Air Conditioners

  ➀ LG Whisen stand air conditioners saw a 45% year-on-year sales growth from January to April, driven by AI-powered models with voice recognition and personalized cooling features;

  ➁ New products like "Whisen Obje Collection Tower I" and "Whisen Obje View I Pro" use everyday phrases (e.g., "It's sweaty") to automatically adjust temperature and airflow, boosting user satisfaction;

  ➂ Subscription customers doubled in 2025, prompting LG to operate its Changwon factory at full capacity and deploy additional installation crews to meet demand.

• Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics 'Air Conditioner Sales Surge'

  ➀ Samsung Electronics sells over 10,000 home air conditioners daily, driven by AI-enhanced models, with sales up 30% YoY last week;

  ➁ LG Electronics reports a 45% YoY sales increase for its AI-equipped air conditioners (Jan-Apr), featuring voice recognition and personalized cooling;

  ➂ Both companies are boosting production and installation resources to meet rising demand, with air conditioner subscriptions doubling YoY.

• POSCO Group Introduces First LNG Carrier, Secures Full Natural Gas Value Chain

  ➀ POSCO International launched its first dedicated LNG carrier 'HL FORTUNA,' built by HD Hyundai Samho, marking the consolidation of the group's end-to-end LNG value chain from production to power generation;

  ➁ The 174,000㎥-capacity vessel, equipped with dual-fuel systems and re-liquefaction technology, can transport LNG equivalent to South Korea's 12-hour consumption and meets international environmental regulations;

  ➂ Scheduled for delivery in late May 2025, the carrier will begin transporting U.S. and Mexico-sourced LNG under long-term contracts, with plans to expand dedicated fleets to enhance supply stability and global trading efficiency.

• Intel Launches AI-Optimized CPU with NVIDIA Collaboration

  ➀ Intel released three new Xeon 6 processors designed to enhance AI performance through dynamic CPU core frequency adjustments using Priority Core Turbo (PCT) technology;

  ➁ PCT optimizes resource allocation by prioritizing high-performance cores for AI workloads, accelerating data transfer to GPUs;

  ➂ One of the processors will power NVIDIA's DGX B300 AI system, with Intel emphasizing strengthened collaboration to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions.

• Doosan Enerbility and Korea Western Power Embark on Development and Demonstration of Korean Mid-Sized Hydrogen-Only Power Generation Turbine

  ➀ Doosan Enerbility and Korea Western Power signed an MOU to jointly develop and demonstrate a domestically produced 90MW hydrogen-only power generation turbine, aiming to complete development by 2028;

  ➁ Doosan will lead the technology development and mass production of components, while Korea Western Power will implement the turbine in new power plants for verification;

  ➂ The collaboration aligns with South Korea's clean energy policies and aims to establish stable hydrogen power infrastructure while pursuing global market expansion.

May 24

• SK Magic Joins 'OnGI Mailbox Initiative'... Donates 6 Million KRW

  ➀ SK Magic partnered with the non-profit OnGI Foundation to support a handwritten letter volunteer program, offering emotional care through personalized replies；

  ➁ Donated 6 million KRW (approximately US$4,400) to expand the OnGI Mailbox initiative, which operates 85 anonymous mailboxes nationwide；

  ➂ 240 SK Magic employees, including regional managers and service staff, will participate in writing heartfelt responses to individuals seeking comfort.

• Chinese TV Sellers Reported to KFTC for 'UHD TV' Unable to Receive UHD Broadcasts

  ➀ UHD Korea reported Chinese TV manufacturers (including TCL and Xiaomi) to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) for falsely advertising "UHD TV" models lacking ATSC 3.0 tuners required for terrestrial UHD broadcasts in Korea;

  ➁ The products cannot receive local UHD broadcasts despite being labeled as "4K UHD TV," misleading consumers and leading to complaints;

  ➂ Only Samsung and LG Electronics currently sell compliant UHD TVs in Korea, prompting calls for stricter labeling regulations to protect consumer rights.

• Samsung Welfare Foundation Expands 'Diversity Respect Program' to Kindergartens Nationwide

  ➀ Samsung Welfare Foundation expands its 'Diversity Respect Program,' initially launched in 2020 at Samsung kindergartens, to 300 kindergartens nationwide in partnership with the Korea Childcare Promotion Agency;

  ➁ The program focuses on fostering respect, communication, empathy, and cooperation in early childhood through teacher training and child-friendly activities, with a pilot conducted at 95 kindergartens in 2024;

  ➂ Six training sessions will be held until July 30, 2025, emphasizing key concepts like inclusion and care, reflecting Samsung's commitment to supporting children's growth in a low-birthrate society.

• LS Eco Energy Discusses Rare Earth Cooperation with Vietnamese Government

  ➀ LS Eco Energy executives met with Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade Vice Minister to request institutional support for rare earth projects, including regulatory approvals and partnerships with local mining firms;

  ➁ Vietnam has gained attention as a key rare earth supplier amid China's export restrictions driven by prolonged U.S.-China tensions;

  ➂ LS Eco Energy is collaborating with Korean research institutions to develop rare earth refining technologies and establish a phased supply chain leveraging Vietnam's resources.

• Seallink Receives Presidential Citation at Invention Day

  ➀ Seallink was awarded the Presidential Citation at the 60th Invention Day for its lubricant-free sealing technology, which revolutionizes semiconductor deposition equipment by reducing costs and improving maintenance efficiency;

  ➁ Its patented S-Seal replaces Japan-monopolized magnetic fluid seals in diffusion furnaces, doubling component lifespan and cutting process costs, with patents registered in the U.S., Japan, Europe, Taiwan, China, and South Korea;

  ➂ The technology is expanding beyond semiconductors to petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace, while the company develops AI-driven predictive maintenance solutions to prevent leaks and aims to become a global "hidden champion."

• Samsung SDI's Rights Offering for Employees and Existing Shareholders Achieves 102% Subscription Rate

  ➀ Samsung SDI announced that its rights offering for employees and existing shareholders achieved a subscription rate of 101.96%, with 12.05 million shares subscribed (exceeding the planned 11.82 million shares);

  ➁ The success is attributed to strong participation from Samsung Electronics (largest shareholder) and full subscription by employees, alongside investor optimism about undervalued stock and future performance recovery;

  ➂ The raised capital (approximately ₩1.65 trillion / ~$1.23 billion) will fund investments in a U.S. joint venture with GM and expansion of a Hungarian production plant.

• Kyungdong Navien Creates Garden with Temperature Technology at '2025 Seoul International Garden Expo'

  ➀ Kyungdong Navien participates in the 2025 Seoul International Garden Expo with a 743.8㎡ garden showcasing temperature technologies like condensing boilers and sleep-enhancing mats;

  ➁ The garden features shaded trees, weather-protective canopies, a flowing water wall, and heated stone seats powered by boilers for year-round comfort;

  ➂ Illuminated with orange lighting reflecting the company's branding, the space ensures nighttime accessibility and relaxation.

• KoELSA and Gimpo Goldline SRS Sign Agreement on Elevator Safety Cooperation

  ➀ KoELSA's Gyeongin Regional Office and Gimpo Goldline SRS signed an agreement to strengthen elevator safety for Gimpo Goldline passengers, focusing on accident prevention and emergency response;

  ➁ Key initiatives include implementing a QR code rescue system for trapped passengers, providing safety training for station staff, and enhancing mutual cooperation frameworks;

  ➂ The collaboration aims to establish a safer elevator environment, with both parties expressing commitment to ongoing safety improvements at the signing ceremony held on May 21.

• Samsung Electronics to Provide KRW 290 Billion in Company Shares to 120,000 Employees

  ➀ Samsung Electronics announced it will distribute 5.256 million company shares (worth KRW 287.5 billion / ~$221 million USD) to 123,086 employees on May 26;

  ➁ This fulfills part of the February agreement between the company and the Samsung Electronics Labor Union;

  ➂ The move is part of Samsung's broader plan utilising KRW 3 trillion from its recent share buyback program for employee compensation initiatives.

May 23

• At Home Minix Food Processor Surpasses 200,000 Cumulative Sales

  ➀ At Home Minix's food processor 'The Flender' series has surpassed 200,000 cumulative units sold within 1 year and 8 months of launch, equivalent to selling one unit every 5 minutes daily;

  ➁ The upgraded 'The Flender Pro' model, featuring automatic weight sensing and water-free drying, sold over 20,000 units last month;

  ➂ The company emphasizes its compact design and technological advancements to maintain market leadership in food waste solutions.

• Dongkuk CM Successfully Hosts 'Luxteel Tour' for Architects

  ➀ Dongkuk CM organized a 'Luxteel Tour' event for 30 architects from the Korean Architectural Institute to showcase its advanced steel finishing materials and production processes;

  ➀ The event included lectures, application case studies, and a visit to Dosesung Center, a specialized steel processing facility established in 2018;

  ➀ Participants praised the company's integrated approach to design and manufacturing, emphasizing trust in quality and alignment with architectural trends.

• Gangwon Province Holds Regular Semiconductor Industry Committee Meeting... '222.3 Billion KRW Investment to Formalize Cluster Development'

  ➀ Gangwon Province held its first semiconductor industry committee meeting in 2025, focusing on strategic growth and new national projects for semiconductor clusters;

  ➁ A total investment of 222.3 billion KRW (approx. $170 million USD) is allocated to nine core projects, including the Korea Semiconductor Education Institute and medical AI semiconductor training centers;

  ➂ New initiatives aim to establish semiconductor material infrastructure and healthcare-focused semiconductor platforms to strengthen technological independence and regional collaboration.

• LG Electronics Surpasses 10 Million OLED TV Sales in Europe

  ➀ LG Electronics has surpassed 10 million cumulative OLED TV sales in Europe, doubling from 5 million in 2021 and maintaining global leadership with 20 million units sold by 2024;

  ➁ In Q1 2025, LG held a 56.4% European OLED TV market share, with its TVs ranked #1 in 12 countries for display quality and design;

  ➂ Key success factors include webOS platform integration (featuring 1,700+ channels), localized content partnerships, and advancements in brightness and AI-driven features in 2025 models.

• Korea Zinc Continues 15-Year Partnership with Child Welfare Facility... Employee Volunteer Activities Carried Out

  ➀ Korea Zinc and its subsidiaries have supported Dongmyung Child Welfare Center for 15 years, donating 50 million KRW annually (approximately $38,000) to fund psychological support, child development programs, and post-discharge assistance;

  ➁ Employees from Korea Zinc and affiliates participated in volunteer activities, such as accompanying children at a Kid’s Cafe and Seoul Grand Park outings, prioritizing the children’s experiential needs;

  ➂ The company emphasizes sustained support for children’s growth into self-reliant adults, extending aid even after they leave the center.