SemiVoice

May 12

• [Photo] Experience Home Appliances and Make Desserts

  ➀ Increased demand for home appliance replacements during Family Month;

  ➁ LG Electronics hosts a popular consumer event at Seoul's Ground220, allowing visitors to experience kitchen appliances and participate in dessert-making activities (e.g., crafting highball cocktails) ;

  ➂ Interactive spaces blend product trials with hands-on culinary creativity to attract customers.

May 11

• Ministry of Environment Joins Hands with Semiconductor and Display Industries to Overcome Water Crisis Amid Climate Change

  ➀ The Korean Ministry of Environment collaborates with semiconductor and display industries (e.g., SK Hynix, Samsung) to address water scarcity driven by climate change through initiatives like the 'Water Positive Policy';

  ➁ Key plans include R&D for domestic ultrapure water production, AI data center liquid cooling technology using water heat, and sustainable water reuse strategies;

  ➂ Discussions also cover greenhouse gas emissions trading, chemical management laws, and balancing environmental policies with industrial competitiveness.

• Oh-hyung Kwon, President of Qualcomm Asia-Pacific: '40th Anniversary Marks a Turning Point... Leap into an Intelligent Computing Enterprise'

  ➀ Qualcomm, celebrating its 40th anniversary, shifts focus from wireless communication to becoming an intelligent computing company, emphasizing **AI-driven innovations** in automotive, PC, IoT, and robotics;

  ➀ The company restructured its chipset development process to prioritize **software platforms**, enabling broader accessibility for developers, including SMEs and startups;

  ➂ Targeting a 50% revenue share (approximately $22 billion) from non-smartphone sectors by 2029, Qualcomm is expanding partnerships with Korean firms like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai across smart devices and automotive technologies.

• Five Major Economic Organizations Jointly Propose '100 Policy Tasks' to Presidential Candidates

  ➀ Five major South Korean economic organizations proposed 100 policy initiatives for the next government, focusing on AI capability enhancement (via a '3+3 Initiative'), energy policy reforms, and fostering future industries like aerospace and robotics;

  ➁ Key proposals include establishing a National Energy Committee, creating a 'Mega Sandbox' for regulatory flexibility, and addressing challenges from protectionism and demographic decline;

  ➂ The groups emphasized the need for labor policy adjustments to support aging workers and decentralized energy systems to boost industrial competitiveness.

• UK Chef Jamie Oliver's Kitchen Studio Renovated with Samsung Bespoke AI

  ➀ Renowned UK chef Jamie Oliver opened a kitchen studio in London's John Lewis department store, featuring Samsung's Bespoke AI kitchen appliances;

  ➁ The studio, located on Oxford Street (500k daily visitors), includes advanced appliances like the Dual Cook Smart Oven and Dual Flex Induction for hands-on cooking classes;

  ➂ These appliances enable flexible cooking spaces and uniform heat distribution, allowing participants to experience Samsung's premium AI-driven home appliances.

• LG Electronics Establishes Kitchen Appliance Experience Space at Ground 220

  ➀ LG Electronics renovated its customer experience space 'Ground 220' in Seoul to offer interactive zones where visitors create desserts and snacks using LG kitchen appliances like smart ovens and water purifiers;

  ➁ The space features areas like 'Foodie Ground' for DIY culinary creations, 'Vibe Ground' for OTT content enjoyment, 'Live Ground' for music concerts and AI workshops, and 'Custom Ground' for personalized merchandise design;

  ➂ The initiative aims to engage younger generations through hands-on experiences, showcasing LG's product innovation and enhancing customer interaction.

• LG Electronics Tops Japan's 70-inch+ OLED TV Market

  ➀ LG Electronics secured 38% market share in Japan's 70-inch+ OLED TV segment in 2023, overtaking Sony (26.5%) and Panasonic (14.1%) due to expanded large-size models like 83-inch and 97-inch TVs;

  ➁ The company leveraged Japan's trend toward larger TVs, with 50-inch+ TVs growing from 13% (2014) to 42% (2023) market penetration;

  ➂ LG plans to re-enter Japan's premium home appliance market, including refrigerators and washing machines, and launched a pet-friendly air purifier 'AeroCat Tower' in Japan and South Korea.

• Lee Jae-yong to Visit Japan Next Week, Expected to Attend Osaka Expo’s 'Korean Day'

  ➀ Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, will visit Osaka, Japan, to attend the 'Korean Day' event during the 2025 Osaka Expo’s 'Korea Week' (May 13-17), marking the 60th anniversary of normalized Korea-Japan relations.

  ➁ The event, part of the Osaka Expo’s 'National Day' program, will showcase Korean culture and history, including a reenactment of the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic mission.

  ➂ Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor will participate in the expo’s 'Korean Excellence Exhibition,' highlighting their innovations amid strengthened bilateral economic cooperation.

May 10

• HJ Heavy Industries Partners with KAI for Domestic Production of High-Speed Landing Craft Equipment

  ➀ HJ Heavy Industries signed an MOU with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on May 7 to jointly develop domestic simulators and integrated control systems for the LSF-II Batch-II high-speed landing craft;

  ➁ The high-speed landing craft can operate at 40 knots (74 km/h), traverse sea and land, and transport armored vehicles, enabling missions in challenging terrains like tidal flats and rivers;

  ➂ As the sole domestic builder of all eight LSF ships ordered by the Navy, HJ plans to expand cooperation with KAI to localize naval components and enhance South Korea's maritime defense capabilities.

• LG AI Research Institute Consolidates Research Organization in Magok

  ➀ LG AI Research Institute relocated its headquarters to Magok's D&O building within LG Science Park, consolidating 300 researchers from Yeouido and Magok to enhance R&D synergy;

  ➁ The institute emphasized collaborative spaces, developed secure on-device AI models, and established an AI education system training over 15,000 employees in four years;

  ➂ It aims to advance next-gen AI for agentic AI, productivity enhancement, and new material/drug design in 2024.

• LG Chem Supports Partners in Establishing Carbon-Neutral Leading Plants

  ➀ LG Chem announced support for Woosung Chemical's carbon reduction initiatives, including installing solar panels at its factory under the government-led 'Carbon-Neutral Leading Plant Project';

  ➁ As the only major corporation providing direct funding, LG Chem aims to reduce Scope 3 emissions and enhance Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) management while assisting partners;

  ➂ The company is expanding ESG efforts, such as carbon measurement verification and lifecycle assessment (LCA) through its autonomous ESG support program.

• LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University Expand and Reorganize Industry-Academia Cooperation Center

  ➀ LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University expanded their industry-academia cooperation center, originally established in 2022, to include the Department of Mechanical Engineering, integrating three departments;

  ➁ Collaborative projects increased from 9 to 13, adding simulation and analysis tasks from mechanical engineering;

  ➂ Both parties aim to foster talent and lead future battery and material technologies through long-term partnerships and a sustainable research ecosystem.

• Samsung TV Plus to Exclusively Stream 'SM Town Live 2025' Concert

  ➀ Samsung TV Plus will exclusively broadcast the 'SM Town Live 2025 in LA' concert, celebrating the 30th anniversary of SM Entertainment's founding, featuring artists like aespa, NCT 127, and Red Velvet;

  ➁ The livestream will cover 18 countries, with on-demand replay available in 14 countries for six months;

  ➂ This collaboration expands Samsung TV Plus's K-content offerings, currently available on 630 million devices globally with over 4,000 hours of free Korean dramas and music.

• Fujifilm Korea Opens Photography Culture Pop-up Store in Suwon

  ➀ Fujifilm Korea launched the photography-themed pop-up store 'The Selfie Room: A Day to Remember' at Suwon Time Villas, operating until July 31;

  ➁ The store features interactive zones including a self-studio, photo kiosk for seasonal-themed four-cut photos, instant film camera experiences (e.g., Instax Wide Evo), and an analog photography exhibition showcasing works by three artists;

  ➂ Customers can create interior decor using photos through the 'Analog Photo Shopping' service, enhancing engagement with analog photography culture.

May 9

• Schneider Electric Realizes Smart Energy Management with Power Management Solutions

  ➀ Schneider Electric introduced advanced power management and cooling solutions for AI data centers, including high-efficiency Galaxy V Series UPS and liquid cooling technology acquired through MotiveAir;

  ➁ The Galaxy VXL UPS saves 50-70% installation space, reduces power consumption by 3x with Eco Conversion Mode, and supports live-swap functionality to maximize uptime;

  ➂ Partnered with NVIDIA and SK Telecom to develop sustainable power infrastructure for next-gen AI data centers, focusing on energy efficiency and thermal management stability.

• US Scraps AI Chip Export Control Plan by Country Grade, Prepares New Regulations

  ➀ The Trump administration cancels the Biden-era AI semiconductor export control policy, which categorized countries into tiers, citing excessive complexity and bureaucracy;

  ➁ The new policy aims to simplify controls, prevent technology leaks to China, and support U.S. innovation, with stricter measures against re-exports through countries like Malaysia and Thailand;

  ➂ The Biden administration's 'AI Diffusion Framework,' originally set for May 15 implementation, is replaced as Trump plans to negotiate AI chip agreements during an upcoming Middle East visit.

• Samsung Electronics QLED TV Receives 'Real Quantum Dot Display' Certification

  ➀ Samsung's QLED TVs obtain 'Real Quantum Dot Display' certification from TUV Rheinland, validating their compliance with international IEC standards and quantum dot technology;

  ➀ The certification confirms the display's precise RGB color separation in spectral tests, enhancing brand credibility;

  ➂ Nine TV series, including Neo QLED 8K and 4K models, are certified, with Samsung pledging to lead the premium TV market through continuous innovation.

• Dell Launches Five Enterprise AI Laptops with AMD Ryzen AI Pro Processors

  ➀ Dell introduces five enterprise AI laptops in South Korea featuring AMD's Ryzen AI Pro 300 Series (code: Kraken Point) with up to 50 TOPS NPU capabilities for advanced on-device AI processing;

  ➀ Flagship models include Dell Pro 14 Plus and 16 Plus with Ryzen AI 5 Pro 340 and AI 7 Pro 350 processors (upgradable to AI 9 HX Pro 370), offering 14.5-hour battery life, 5MP HDR cameras, and modular USB-C ports;

  ➀ New Dell Pro desktops (micro and slim designs) and the pre-installed Dell Pro AI Studio toolkit enable offline NPU-based AI model training, accelerating enterprise AI development cycles to under six weeks.

• Unid Achieves 4x Accident-Free Milestone...No Industrial Accidents for 1560 Days

  ➀ Unid's Ulsan plant achieved 4x the accident-free target (1,560 days) with zero industrial accidents since January 2021, while maintaining stable environmental operations;

  ➁ The company implemented safety programs including equipment upgrades, worker-manager communication initiatives, regular training, and incentive systems to foster proactive risk management;

  ➂ Unid emphasizes ESG-driven safety practices and aims to sustain a hazard-free workplace as part of its long-term growth strategy.

• S-Oil Surpasses 100 Million YouTube Views... Hosts Commemorative Event

  ➀ S-Oil's YouTube channel 'Gudoil' exceeded 140 million total views, with one short video reaching 90 million views;

  ➁ Subscribers surged by 150,000 in three months, surpassing 190,000 and earning a 'Silver Play Button' from YouTube;

  ➂ The company launched a customer event offering baseball game tickets and plans to release new short dramas to enhance global communication as an influencer.

May 8

• POSCO Holdings and LG Chem Join Hands in CCU Technology Demonstration Project... Preparing for a Carbon-Reduction Future

  ➀ POSCO Holdings and LG Chem formed a consortium with the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and Gyeongsangbuk-do to participate in a government-led CCU mega-project, aiming to capture CO₂ from steelmaking processes and convert it into syngas for sustainable aviation fuel or steel production;

  ➁ The project, approved in October 2024, plans to begin validation in 2026 at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks, following feasibility studies;

  ➂ LG Chem will demonstrate its methane dry reforming (DRM) technology to convert CO₂ and methane into syngas, while POSCO provides facilities and CO₂ capture expertise to establish a circular resource system.

• PI Advanced Materials Reports Q1 Operating Profit of KRW 8.9 Billion... Up 260.4% YoY

  ➀ PI Advanced Materials announced Q1 revenue of KRW 64.1 billion (approx. $49.3 million) and operating profit of KRW 8.9 billion (approx. $6.85 million), marking YoY growth of 23.7% and 260.4%, respectively;

  ➁ Sales for flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB) rose 20.3% to KRW 31.8 billion, while heat dissipation sheet sales surged 91.7% to KRW 17.9 billion, driven by strong demand;

  ➂ The company expects Q2 revenue and profitability to improve further due to new product launches, though macroeconomic uncertainties, including U.S. tariff policies, remain a concern.

• S-Oil Recruits University Students for Natural Monument Guardians Team

  ➀ S-Oil is recruiting 40 university students nationwide by May 23 for its 13th Natural Monument Guardians program, a CSR initiative co-hosted with the Environmental Foundation to promote biodiversity conservation;

  ➀ Selected participants will engage in summer camps, promotional campaigns, volunteer activities with S-Oil employees, and habitat protection projects, with awards for outstanding teams at year-end;

  ➂ The program aims to cultivate future environmental leaders through hands-on conservation efforts and public awareness initiatives.

• Samsung Heavy Industries Strengthens FLNG Standard Lineup…MLF-O Independent Model Receives Certification from Three Overseas Major Class Societies

  ➀ Samsung Heavy Industries developed the MLF-O, a standardized FLNG model for deep-sea operations, certified by DNV, LR, and ABS, enhancing its LNG production and storage solutions;

  ➁ The MLF-O features a dual-row cargo tank design to minimize sloshing impacts and offers flexible storage capacity from 180,000㎥ to 220,000㎥;

  ➂ The company plans to leverage MLF-O and MLF-N models to secure overseas gas field projects, emphasizing cost efficiency and shortened delivery times.

• LG Electronics Combines 'OLED TV' with 'Pop Art'

  ➀ LG Electronics participates in Frieze New York 2025, showcasing its 2025 OLED evo and Signature OLED T TVs through pop art collaborations with artist Steven Harrington, known for designing the LA 2028 Olympics logo;

  ➁ The exhibition features large 97-inch OLED evo G5 TVs and wireless/transparent OLED T models, highlighting superior color accuracy, wireless AV transmission, and immersive experiences like AR-like transparent displays;

  ➂ The LG StanbyME2 lifestyle screen is also displayed, offering customizable motion art and seamless integration into living spaces, emphasizing the fusion of art and technology.

• Lee Jong-hyuk, Head of Samsung Display's Large Display Division, Receives SID Special Recognition Award

  ➀ Lee Jong-hyuk, Vice President of Samsung Display's Large Display Division, was awarded the SID Special Recognition Award for his contributions to premium OLED technology development and QD-OLED commercialization;

  ➁ He led the development of high-efficiency device structures, flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation materials, and 8.5th-generation inkjet printing technology for QD-OLED;

  ➂ With Samsung since 1996, he currently oversees both the Large Display Division and IT Business Team, driving advancements in display innovation.

• BA Energy Launches 'Battery Safety Warehouse' to Upgrade Battery Safety and Efficiency

  ➀ BA Energy launched the Battery Safety Warehouse (BSW), an AI-integrated logistics system designed to enhance safety and efficiency in battery storage, addressing the surge in post-use EV battery demand and fire risks;

  ➁ BSW features real-time temperature/gas/humidity monitoring, modular scalability, and compliance with Korean environmental standards, positioning it as a smart logistics solution for governments, repair centers, and manufacturers;

  ➂ The company plans global expansion into Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and European markets, leveraging BSW alongside its existing products (BSB and BSC) to set new safety benchmarks in battery management.

• Kim Byung-gu, LG Display Executive, Appointed as SID Fellow

  ➀ Kim Byung-gu, Executive of LG Display, has been appointed as a Fellow of the Society for Information Display (SID), a lifetime honor awarded to the top 0.1% of members for outstanding research achievements;

  ➁ He was recognized for commercializing the world's first tandem-structured P-OLED for automotive displays and advancing high-performance IT displays like foldable and in-cell touch technologies;

  ➂ The tandem structure, featuring dual organic light-emitting layers, offers enhanced durability with high brightness and longevity, and Kim pioneered the application of foldable technology in 13-inch+ displays.

May 7

• [Photo] Growing Flowers and Leafy Vegetables with a Plant Cultivation Device

  ➀ Plant cultivation devices equipped with LED technology are gaining popularity among single-person households;

  ➀ The devices, such as 'Wells Farm' and 'Wells Farm Flower,' offer seasonal customized seedlings through a subscription service;

  ➂ Users can grow leafy vegetables and decorative flowers at home for both practical and aesthetic purposes.

• [Photo] Popularity of Home Plant Cultivation Devices

  ➀ Rising single-person households drive demand for home plant cultivation devices;

  ➀ Well's Farm and Well's Farm Flower offer LED-equipped plant-growing systems with seasonal seedling subscriptions;

  ➂ Combines functional vegetable growth and interior decoration, reflecting trends in self-sufficiency and home aesthetics.