SemiVoice

August 2

• GoodPeople International and Together Smiling Foundation Recruit Participants for the 1st Developmental Disabilities Workplace Festival 'HERE WE GO!'

  ➀ GoodPeople International and Together Smiling Foundation will host the 'HERE WE GO!' festival on October 23 in Suwon, aiming to boost confidence and employment sustainability for workers with developmental disabilities through performances, exhibitions, and team activities;

  ➁ The event features creative zones for art displays, sports missions, and workshops focused on workplace skills, health, and peer collaboration, alongside awards and prize events;

  ➂ Designed with accessibility in mind, the festival includes sensory-friendly spaces and visual guides to ensure inclusive participation, supported by sponsors like Maeil Dairy and Shinhan Bank.

• Korea Electrical Contractors Association Reports Record Revenue Despite Fewer Projects in 2024

  ➀ The Korea Electrical Contractors Association announced a 7.3% YoY revenue increase to KRW 39.2846 trillion (~$30.2 billion) in 2024, the highest since 1994;

  ➁ Project numbers fell by ~10,000 to 618,000 due to construction industry slowdown, while rising labor/material costs drove revenue growth;

  ➂ Large firms (443 companies over KRW 10 billion/~$7.7 million) accounted for 48.52% of total performance, highlighting significant market concentration.

• KEA States 'Expansion of Eco-Design Regulations Should Be Recognized as a Global Mega Trend'

  ➀ KEA released a report urging recognition of the EU's expanded Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) as a global mega trend, emphasizing its impact on South Korea's electronics industry;

  ➁ The EU plans to apply ESPR to 16 electronic products by 2030, including displays and smartphones, while pushing for repairability and recycled material usage;

  ➂ Major companies like Samsung and Apple are adapting with supply chain adjustments and ESG strategies, as KEA highlights the need for proactive global supply chain alignment with EU's de facto environmental standards.

• Coway Opens 'Coway Gallery Jeju Direct Store'

  ➀ Coway opened its first brand experience and sales store in Jeju, South Korea, located in Norihyeong-dong, targeting both local residents and tourists;

  ➁ The store showcases flagship products such as water purifiers, air mattresses, and air purifiers, allowing visitors to test and purchase them;

  ➂ No prior reservation is required for entry, but consultation services can be booked in advance through Coway's official website.

• Chungnam Content Agency Launches '2025 World Robo Festa' as a Stage for Future Innovation with Physical AI

  ➀ The Chungnam Content Agency (Chungnam COIX) will host the '2025 World Robo Festa' from May 5-6 at Sangmyung University in Cheonan, focusing on Physical AI to nurture talent and startups;

  ➁ Key events include international robotics competitions, startup pitch contests, exhibitions, investor meetings, and public engagement programs, with participation from domestic investors and tech institutions;

  ➂ The festival aims to foster innovation in robotics and mobility technologies, supported by regional governments and universities like KOREATECH and Hoseo University.

• Samsung Electronics Launches 'Moving Style Edge' and Expands Lineup

  ➀ Samsung Electronics launched the 'Moving Style Edge' monitor, featuring a 32-inch 4K display with uniform 'Even Bezel' design and support for OTT platforms;

  ➁ The lineup includes 'Standard' (87.9 million KRW ≈ $640) and 'Light' models (83.9 million KRW ≈ $610), offering flexible placement with L-shaped and I-shaped stands;

  ➂ The 'Moving Style 202' campaign allows 202 customization combinations and recruits 70 creators to showcase personalized setups via SNS missions.

August 1

• Kozma Expands Renovation of Compact Massager Product Line

  ➀ Kozma has released upgraded versions of its popular compact massagers, including the neck/shoulder massager 'Runnerble Max' with ergonomic 4D massage, four auto modes, USB-C charging, and a matte finish.

  ➁ The leg-focused 'Leenermax' model features an LED thermal care system, 4000mAh fast-charging battery, and zipper fixation, while the abdominal massager 'Koizcore Max' became the top seller in H1 2025.

  ➂ The company emphasized its strategy to continuously renew best-selling products into 'Max' series, addressing evolving consumer needs and lifestyle trends.

• Qualcomm Reports Q2 Net Profit of 3.7 Trillion KRW, Discusses AI Chip Supply for Cloud and Data Centers

  ➀ Qualcomm announced Q2 FY24 results with revenue of $10.37B (+10% YoY) and net profit of $2.67B (+25% YoY), aligning with market expectations;

  ➁ The company provided strong Q3 revenue guidance of ~$10.7B, exceeding Wall Street estimates, while revealing shareholder returns including $1B dividends and $2.8B stock buybacks;

  ➂ CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized expansion into AI processing and data center CPUs, confirming early-stage collaborations with major cloud providers despite previous exit from server chip business.

• KIMS Accelerates Phase 2 of Advanced Materials Research Complex... Now Focusing on 'Extreme Materials'

  ➀ The second phase (2025-2028) of Gyeongsangnam-do's Advanced Materials Research Complex project, with a total investment of 309.65 billion KRW (~$2.38 billion), aims to establish infrastructure for extreme materials, targeting high-value industries like defense, nuclear power, and hydrogen;

  ➁ The project will develop ultra-high/low-temperature material testing centers, cutting-edge equipment, and R&D support to bolster South Korea's position as a global leader in advanced materials;

  ➂ A planned third phase will expand functional materials research, positioning Changwon as a hub for national strategic industries and transforming R&D outcomes into industrial competitiveness.

• Samsung Electronics: 'Completion of KRW 10 Trillion Share Buyback Accelerated to October'

  ➀ Samsung Electronics announced the accelerated completion of its KRW 10 trillion (approx. $7.3 billion) share buyback program to October 2025, ahead of the original November deadline;

  ➁ The company has already acquired KRW 6.1 trillion worth of shares in two phases this year, with KRW 3 trillion burned in February and plans to cancel remaining shares for shareholder value;

  ➂ The latest KRW 3.9 trillion repurchase includes KRW 1.1 trillion for employee incentives, with the rest aimed at enhancing shareholder value through timely cancellations.

• Samsung Electronics Q2 Operating Profit at KRW 4.7 Trillion...Down 55% YoY

  ➀ Samsung reported Q2 revenue of KRW 74.6 trillion (≈$55.5 billion), up 0.67% YoY, but operating profit plunged 55.23% to KRW 4.7 trillion (≈$3.5 billion). Semiconductor division profits fell significantly due to inventory valuation costs and U.S. sanctions on advanced chips;

  ➁ Memory sales grew with HBM3E and DDR5 products for servers, but profits were dragged down by one-time expenses. Foundry revenue improved but faced inventory provisions and low utilization of mature processes;

  ➂ Despite challenges, Samsung plans to focus on AI-driven products like HBM, high-capacity SSDs, and 2nm GAA process chips to recover, while targeting premium smartphones and AI appliances for growth.

• FuriosaAI Secures 170 Billion Won in Series C Funding

  ➀ FuriosaAI raised 170 billion KRW (approximately $123 million) in Series C funding from over 40 institutions, including Industrial Bank of Korea and IBK Securities, achieving a valuation exceeding 1 trillion KRW and unicorn status;

  ➁ The funds will fuel mass production of its second-gen 'Renegade' AI chip and development of third-gen products;

  ➂ CEO Baek Joon-ho emphasized plans to expand sales to global enterprise clients.

• WMB Wins Data Center Domestic Equipment/SW Development & Verification Project… 'Core to Data Center Tech Localization in AI Era'

  ➀ WMB, alongside Inogrid and NIPA, will lead a government-backed project to advance domestic data center equipment/software, focusing on AI-driven predictive analytics and automation;

  ➁ Key technologies include 3D digital twin-based DCIM, AI performance prediction, cloud management platform integration, and unified operational systems to enhance energy efficiency and stability;

  ➂ The project aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology, strengthen Korea's data center industry competitiveness, and serve as a foundation for WMB's global market expansion.

• Samsung Electro-Mechanics Reports Q2 Operating Profit of 213 Billion KRW... Up 1% Year-on-Year

  ➀ Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced Q2 revenue of 2.7846 trillion KRW ($2.14 billion USD) and operating profit of 213 billion KRW ($163.8 million USD), marking year-on-year increases of 8.2% and 0.7% respectively;

  ➁ Growth was driven by increased demand for MLCCs (high-value automotive/industrial components) and FCBGA packages for AI accelerators, despite unfavorable exchange rates;

  ➂ The company forecasts sustained demand in Q3 for IT components, AI servers, and ADAS products, leveraging smartphone launches and automotive/SmartFactory trends.

July 31

• LG Energy Solutions Secures Massive LFP Battery Order... 3-Year 6 Trillion KRW Supply to Tesla

  ➀ LG Energy Solution secured a 3-year LFP battery supply contract worth 5.94 trillion KRW (approximately $4.55 billion USD), with Tesla as the likely customer for energy storage systems (ESS);

  ➁ The deal enables LG to diversify from NCM batteries, utilizing US manufacturing bases to circumvent tariffs amid US-China trade tensions;

  ➂ The contract includes provisions for extension up to 7 years with additional supply, following LG's recent commencement of LFP battery production in Michigan.

• Musk Holds Video Call with Lee Jae-yong: 'An Honor to Work with Samsung'

  ➀ Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed a $16.5 billion (~22.8 trillion KRW) foundry partnership with Samsung Electronics to produce next-gen AI6 chips at its Texas plant, emphasizing its strategic importance for autonomous vehicles and robots;

  ➁ Musk defended Samsung's capabilities, stating both Samsung and TSMC are 'excellent,' following discussions with Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong about leveraging mutual strengths;

  ➂ Lee Jae-yong departed for the U.S. to discuss business collaborations and potential support for tariff negotiations under the Trump administration ahead of the contract finalization.

• Nakwol Blueheart Refutes Claims of Chinese Capital Dependency and Security Risks in Offshore Wind Project

  ➀ Nakwol BlueHeart, the developer of the Nakwol Offshore Wind Project (2.3 trillion KRW, approximately $1.77 billion USD), denied allegations of Chinese capital influence and security threats, stating they are distortions of facts and may pursue legal action against baseless claims;

  ➁ The project, currently 53% complete, is South Korea's largest operational offshore wind initiative (364.8MW), with 72% ownership held by Korean company Myungwoon Industrial Development and 28% by Thailand's B.Grimm Power (a German-founded firm), emphasizing domestic industry dominance;

  ➂ Defense and safety concerns were dismissed, citing approvals from military authorities, local construction oversight by Korean firms like Samhae E&C, and a 70% domestic investment return through supplier partnerships, while addressing limited Chinese advisory roles in procurement.

• Daol TS Signs Partnership Agreement with LG AI Research Institute

  ➀ Daol TS partners with LG AI Research Institute to develop integrated AI appliance packages combining EXAONE 4.0 generative AI model with Dell's high-performance AI servers and ISV solutions;

  ➁ The collaboration aims to simplify AI adoption for enterprises through one-stop solutions, leveraging Daol's AI infrastructure expertise and partner ecosystem;

  ➂ Targets industries like manufacturing, public sector, and finance to expand Korea's AI ecosystem, with both parties highlighting synergy between LG's technology and Daol's market experience.

• Samsung Electronics Sees Surge in AI Appliance Sales in July

  ➀ Samsung Electronics reported significant sales growth for AI-powered appliances in July 2025, with air conditioner sales rising over 40% YoY, Bespoke 4-door refrigerators up 20%, and KitchenFit refrigerators surging 90% YoY;

  ➁ The Bespoke AI Combo washer-dryer also saw a 40% increase in sales, driven by high demand during summer;

  ➂ Samsung is offering government-backed rebates (10% refund) and additional discounts (up to 10% off or 100,000/30,000 reward points) to boost consumer purchases of energy-efficient AI appliances.

• LG Electronics Launches Usage Certification Event for Tumbler Cleaner 'LG MyCup'

  ➀ LG Electronics is hosting an event until August 27, encouraging users to share their MyCup tumbler cleaner experience on social media with specific hashtags (#TumblerCleaner, #LGMyCup) for a chance to win prizes like the LG StanbyME 2, LG tiiun Mini, and Starbucks gift cards;

  ➁ The company developed MyCup with ESG goals in mind, expanding installations to 2,000 Starbucks Korea stores by year-end and offering a subscription service with professional maintenance every 3 months;

  ➂ MyCup features LG's dishwasher technology, certified to eliminate 99.999% of harmful bacteria, utilizes eco-friendly materials, and provides three cleaning modes (Quick, Standard, Dry) adaptable to user needs.

• Minix Launches 'The Slim' Ultra-Lightweight, Ultra-Slim, and Ultra-Close Wireless Vacuum Cleaner

  ➀ Minix launched 'The Slim' wireless vacuum cleaner (1.7kg weight, 6.7cm width) designed for narrow spaces like under beds or car interiors with 180° floor-clinging capability;

  ➁ Features include a Dust Vision IR sensor for battery optimization, dual BLDC motors in both device and station, auto-charging/emptying docking station, and a 1.9L one-touch dustbag;

  ➂ Priced at 599,000 KRW (approximately $431), it includes a 4-layer micro-filtering system blocking 99.97% of fine dust and allergens.

• Silicon Photonics to Surpass $10 Billion in 10 Years...26% Average Annual Growth

  ➀ The silicon photonics market is projected to grow from $2.15 billion in 2024 to $10.33 billion by 2034, with a 26.32% CAGR, driven by demand for high-speed data transmission and energy efficiency in AI and 6G infrastructure;

  ➁ Key applications include AI chip I/O (reaching terabit-per-second speeds), data centers, and 6G base stations, with adoption by NVIDIA, Google, and Huawei;

  ➂ Regional leaders: North America (36.5%), Asia-Pacific (30.4%), and Europe (24.2%), with data centers/HPC accounting for 39.2% of demand.

• Samsung Invests in Rebellion to Strengthen Foundry Partnership

  ➀ Samsung Ventures and Samsung Securities confirmed investment in Rebellions' Series C funding round (targeting $50M-$200M), supporting its pre-IPO plans;

  ➁ Rebellions, a 4-year-old AI chip unicorn valued at ₩1.3 trillion ($940M), has raised ₩300B ($216M) cumulatively and plans 4nm chip mass production in 2026;

  ➂ The investment aims to secure advanced foundry clients for Samsung, which is transitioning Rebellions from TSMC's 7nm to its own 5nm/4nm processes.

• ISC Reports Q2 Operating Profit of KRW 13.7 Billion, Up 96% QoQ

  ① ISC achieved Q2 revenue of KRW 51.7 billion (≈USD 43.1 million) and operating profit of KRW 13.7 billion (≈USD 11.4 million), marking 63% and 96% quarterly growth respectively, driven by AI data center test sockets and system semiconductor orders;

  ② High-end test sockets for advanced interfaces and thermal reliability saw increased ASP and shipments;

  ③ The company forecasts further growth in Q3 with AI accelerators, GPU demand, and autonomous/automotive chip testing collaborations with major foundries.

July 7

• Some Models of AtHome Minix Food Waste Disposers Halted from Sales Due to Non-compliant Radio Wave Certification Notice

  ➀ AtHome Minix suspended sales of its 'The Flender' food waste disposer after failing Korea’s radio wave compliance test (17,000+ units affected);

  ➁ The company is offering free inspections and circuit replacements, with plans to re-release an improved version;

  ➂ South Korea’s food waste disposer market (₩330 billion/$254 million in 2024) is projected to reach ₩1 trillion/$769 million by 2027, with LG Electronics planning entry.

• HD Hyundai Joins Hands with India's Largest State-Owned Shipyard to Expand Global Market Influence

  ➀ HD Hyundai partners with India's Cochin Shipyard through an MOU, focusing on design support, technology collaboration, and workforce training to strengthen India's maritime industry;

  ➁ The partnership aligns with India's ₹250 billion (~$3 billion) maritime development fund and Vision 2030, as the nation's shipbuilding/repair market surged from $90 million (2022) to $1.12 billion (2024), with 60% annual growth projected until 2033;

  ➂ The collaboration aims to bolster HD Hyundai's global competitiveness while supporting India's shipbuilding modernization, leveraging HD's expertise for mutual growth.

• Park Systems to Double AFM Production Line in Suwon

  ➀ Park Systems is doubling its atomic force microscope (AFM) production capacity in Suwon, South Korea, aiming to reach a sales target of 400 billion KRW (approximately $307 million USD) by expanding its current facilities post-headquarters relocation to Gwacheon.

  ➁ The company plans to retain its Suwon production site while moving its headquarters, with long-term goals to build a new factory in Uiwang by 2029. Clients include major semiconductor firms like Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, and TSMC.

  ➂ With an annual revenue growth of 27.4% from 2019 to 2024, Park Systems targets sustained 20% yearly growth, driven by rising demand for precision measurement tools in the semiconductor industry.

• SK Energy and S-Oil Extend Contracts with Discount Gas Stations... Focus on Domestic Market Amid Uncertainty

  ➀ SK Energy and S-Oil extend petroleum supply contracts with discount gas stations (e.g., Korea Petroleum Corporation, Nonghyup Economic Holdings) until at least September 2026, with options to extend to 2027;

  ➁ The decision prioritizes stable domestic market share over higher profitability amid global economic uncertainty and volatile oil prices, leveraging discount stations’ nationwide sales network;

  ➂ Industry voices call for policy adjustments to balance supplier profitability and market stability, as current low-margin contracts may face challenges if export conditions improve.

• S-OIL Operates 'Gudoil Cafe' Year-Round to Cool Down Local Residents

  ➀ S-OIL operates a free vending machine named 'Gudoil Cafe' year-round in front of its Seoul headquarters, offering seasonal beverages like cold water in summer and warm teas in winter;

  ➀ Since 2011, it has served as a rest area for locals, students, delivery drivers, and bus drivers;

  ➂ A donation box beside the vending machine collects voluntary contributions, funding welfare programs for low-income families with infants in the Mapo district.

• US Reverses Regulations on 'Forever Chemicals' PFAS... Semiconductor Industry Relieved

  ➀ The Trump administration eases PFAS regulations to allow delayed implementation (2031) and reduces the number of restricted PFAS types, alleviating pressure on semiconductor manufacturers requiring these chemicals;

  ➁ Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which are building PFAS-free supply chains, gain time to develop alternatives, as global material firms face technical hurdles in matching performance;

  ➂ The US aims to strengthen semiconductor competitiveness against Europe and attract investments, benefiting domestic fabs and ongoing projects by Samsung and SK Hynix.