SemiVoice

September 24

• HSAD Launches First 'Brand-Customized Agent' in the Advertising Industry

  ➀ HSAD introduced the first 'Brand-Customized Agent' in the advertising industry, featuring three integrated solutions: Intentrics (AI chatbot for analyzing consumer intent), Market Intelligence 26 (big data analytics for brand strategy), and AIEO Studio (AI-optimized content creation);

  ➁ The agent utilizes conversational AI and big data to optimize marketing strategies and generate content tailored for AI search algorithms;

  ➂ HSAD plans to offer the solution via SaaS and aims to launch an AI-powered internal knowledge management tool by year-end.

• Cheonan City Launches Full-Scale Initiative to Foster Future Growth Engine AI Industry…Leaping Towards Becoming the Central Region’s Leading AI City

  ➀ Cheonan City held a kick-off meeting for its AI industry development plan, gathering experts to discuss strategies for AI infrastructure, policy direction, and ecosystem creation;

  ➁ The city aims to transition from a semiconductor/manufacturing-focused economy to an AI hub by linking with government projects and building core infrastructures like AI data centers;

  ➂ Deputy Mayor Kim Seok-pil emphasized AI’s critical role in sustainable urban growth and pledged to attract AI businesses while addressing challenges such as power supply for tech facilities.

• Schneider Electric to Participate in ‘Komarine 2025’…Showcases Comprehensive Solutions

  ➀ Schneider Electric Korea announced its participation in Komarine 2025, a global shipbuilding and marine industry exhibition in Busan, focusing on energy transition and carbon neutrality;

  ➁ The company will showcase solutions like EcoStruxure-based marine solutions, the Power Monitoring Expert (PME) platform for real-time energy optimization, and MasterPact MTZ Active circuit breakers for operational resilience;

  ➂ Key technologies aim to enhance energy efficiency, digital transformation, and reliable power management in marine and offshore industries, aligning with global sustainability goals.

• LG Electronics Holds Software Developer Conference, Gathering Technology Leaders to Lead the AI Era

  ➀ LG Electronics hosted the 'LG Software Developer Conference 2025' in Seoul from September 23 to 25, attended by 3,500 developers from LG Group affiliates, focusing on AI, cloud, and cybersecurity；

  ➁ Global tech leaders like AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and IBM Quantum delivered keynote speeches, sharing insights on quantum computing, AI strategies, and security；

  ➂ The event featured hands-on workshops, a hackathon, and networking programs to foster collaboration and practical skill development among developers.

• SK Key Foundry Launches New Process Technology for High-Voltage-Resistant Capacitors

  ➀ SK Key Foundry introduced a new **Multi-Level Thick IMD** process for capacitors, achieving an 18㎛ insulation layer structure to withstand up to **19,000V**, enhancing safety and reliability in semiconductor devices;

  ➁ The process passed automotive semiconductor reliability tests (**AEC-Q100**) and is compatible with **0.13/0.18㎛ BCD** technology, targeting applications in electric vehicles and industrial electronics;

  ➂ The company provides design tools (PDK, DRC, LVS) to accelerate product development and plans to expand high-reliability insulation technology for global clients, including those in the U.S., China, and Taiwan.

• Youngpoong Bookstore and Moving Brewery to Host 'Book Beer Salon' Event

  ➀ Youngpoong Bookstore collaborates with Moving Brewery to host the autumn outdoor program 'Book Beer Salon' near Cheonggyecheon until October 2, combining books and craft beer;

  ➀ The event debuts a limited-edition collaborative beer 'Yeongpung Vienna Lager' and offers activities like book-themed beer talks, special discounts, and exclusive promotions;

  ➀ The initiative aims to provide urban residents with a leisurely reading culture experience through this unique blend of literature and beverages.

• Hanwha Power Systems Collaborates with Samsung Heavy Industries on Joint Development of 'Gear-Type Compander'

  ➀ Hanwha Power Systems and Samsung Heavy Industries signed an agreement to co-develop a gear-type compander for the SENSE liquefaction process system, a core technology for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG);

  ➁ The collaboration aims to localize FLNG liquefaction equipment, improving efficiency through integrated gear-driven compression/expansion modules and reducing reliance on foreign technology;

  ➂ Plans include completing basic design by early 2026, optimizing equipment modularity for cost reduction, and expanding global market participation through joint projects to strengthen Korea’s offshore plant competitiveness.

• Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Seoul National University Establish 'Advanced Materials Industry-Academic Cooperation Center'

  ➀ Samsung Electro-Mechanics partners with Seoul National University to jointly establish an advanced materials and AI-focused research center, aiming to enhance MLCC technology and semiconductor component development;

  ➁ The five-year collaboration will focus on materials, AI-driven process optimization, and talent cultivation, involving over 10 professors and researchers;

  ➂ The initiative seeks to strengthen South Korea’s semiconductor material ecosystem and drive innovation in core industrial technologies.

• Dreamy Robot Vacuums Now Receive AS Services at Hi-Mart

  ➀ Dreamy has partnered with Hi-Mart to offer after-service (AS) for its robot vacuums at over 300 Hi-Mart stores nationwide;

  ➁ Previously limited to 20 offline AS centers, the expansion enhances accessibility for customers;

  ➂ Online AS registration via a dedicated app will be introduced in the first half of 2026.

• KTC Signs MOU with Kazakhstan to Support Elevator Industry's Entry into Central Asian Market

  ➀ KTC signed an MOU with Kazakhstani organizations to promote cooperation in elevator industry development, covering R&D, quality testing, talent training, and market expansion;

  ➁ Kazakhstan's elevator market is projected to grow annually by 10%, reaching 498.4 billion KRW (≈ $370 million) by 2030, up from 232.5 billion KRW (≈ $172.6 million) in 2022;

  ➂ KTC plans to expand partnerships in Uzbekistan for rare metal supply chain development and address resource instability caused by U.S.-China trade disputes.

September 23

• LG Chem Establishes Robotic Automation Laboratory at Daejeon Research Institute

  ➀ LG Chem has built South Korea's first robotic automation laboratory (ASL) in the chemical industry at its Daejeon Research Institute to enhance battery material competitiveness;

  ➁ The lab automates high-risk processes (e.g., high-temperature and acid treatments) and enables 24/7 operations, improving safety and efficiency while freeing researchers for strategic tasks;

  ➂ LG plans to expand automation to its Magok R&D campus and integrate AI-driven data analysis for advanced research innovation.

• S-Oil Renovates Headquarters Signage in Mapo for Autumn Arrival

  ➀ S-OIL revamped the exterior signage at its Mapo headquarters in Seoul with a poem titled 'Prayer for September' to celebrate autumn;

  ➁ The company stated it aims to spread love and hope subtly, like autumn leaves, to citizens passing through Gongdeok Intersection;

  ➂ Since 2016, S-OIL has seasonally updated the signage with poetic messages to deliver warmth and encouragement to local communities.

• LG Display Achieves Highest 'Zero Waste to Landfill' Certification Across All Domestic Sites

  ➀ LG Display's Paju and Gumi sites in South Korea received the ZWTL Platinum certification from UL Solutions, verifying 100% recycling of waste without incineration or landfill;

  ➁ The company plans to obtain ZWTL certification for all overseas production sites by 2025 and aims for Platinum certification across global facilities by 2030;

  ➂ Domestic waste volume decreased by 25% from 128,000 tons (2022) to 96,000 tons (2024) through improved recycling of materials like waste glass and synthetic resin.

• Hanmi Semiconductor Begins Mass Production of 'Big Die FC Bonder' for AI Semiconductors

  ➀ Hanmi Semiconductor has launched the 'Big Die FC Bonder,' a 2.5D advanced packaging equipment capable of handling 75×75mm large interposer packaging, supporting AI semiconductor integration;

  ➁ The company expands its business scope from HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) to AI semiconductors, targeting foundries and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) customers;

  ➂ The global advanced packaging market is projected to grow from $46 billion (≈₩64 trillion) in 2024 to $79.4 billion (≈₩110 trillion) by 2030, with a CAGR of 9.5%.

• Hanwha Defense Trio Hosts U.S. Korean War Veterans Event: 'We Will Uphold ROK-US Alliance Values'

  ➀ Hanwha's defense subsidiaries (Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Ocean) and the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs co-hosted a three-day event (Sept. 18–20) to honor 85 U.S. Korean War veterans and their families, including naval nurse Lois R. Guin and Army Sergeant Robert M. Martinez.

  ➁ Participants toured defense facilities in Changwon and Geoje, witnessing live demonstrations of K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo rocket systems, and shipbuilding sites, reflecting South Korea's growth as a defense powerhouse since the Korean War.

  ➂ The Ministry awarded the 'ROK-US Alliance Legacy Family Award' to five multi-generational military service families, emphasizing the alliance's enduring strength. Hanwha reaffirmed its commitment to honoring veterans and strengthening bilateral ties.

• POSCO Group Holds '2025 POSCO Forum'… Chairman Chang In-Hwa Vows to 'Create Sustainable Growth'

  ➀ POSCO Group hosted its 7th annual **2025 POSCO Forum** in Songdo, addressing sustainable growth through technological innovation in mobility, AI, and energy. MIT’s Andrew McAfee discussed AI-driven industrial strategies;

  ➁ Chairman Chang In-Hwa urged innovation beyond traditional success models, emphasizing safety reforms and the creation of **K-Safety** standards for workplaces;

  ➂ The group reinforced R&D commitments, linking technology with business strategies to secure global competitiveness and future industries like EV materials and robotics.

• HD Hyundai Oilbank to Supply SAF to Korean Air's International Flights

  ➀ HD Hyundai Oilbank signs a contract with Korean Air to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the Incheon-Kobe route from September 2025 to 2026, marking its domestic market entry;

  ➁ The company will supply fuel for approximately 90 aircraft using co-processing technology and previously exported SAF to Japan, reinforcing its credibility;

  ➂ This precedes South Korea's 2027 SAF blending mandate, aligning with global policies like the EU's 70% SAF target by 2050 and Japan's 10% goal by 2030.

• Hanwha Group Advances 303.5 Billion KRW in Payments to Suppliers Ahead of Chuseok

  ➀ Hanwha Group will early pay 303.5 billion KRW (~$2.62 billion USD) to 2,620 suppliers before Chuseok to ease their financial strain and stimulate the domestic economy;

  ➁ Subsidiaries Hanwha Ocean (1,430 billion KRW), Hanwha Aerospace (763 billion KRW), and Hanwha Systems (357 billion KRW) lead the payments, continuing a tradition of holiday-season support, including 190 billion KRW paid last year;

  ➂ The group purchased 6.5 billion KRW in gift certificates for employees to boost local markets and conducted community initiatives, including donations to seniors and environmental cleanup events.

• LG Electronics Tops Call Center Quality Index for Second Consecutive Year

  ➀ LG Electronics ranked first in the 2025 Call Center Quality Index (KS-CQI) survey by KSA, achieving the top score among 255 institutions across 57 industries for the second consecutive year.

  ➁ The company integrated AI technologies like the AI Contact Center (AICC) and the Argo remote diagnostic system (based on LG ThinQ) to analyze customer interactions in real-time and resolve issues preemptively.

  ➂ Specialized services for seniors (e.g., enlarged ARS text, slower speech options, direct access to a dedicated senior team) and a sign language video consultation service for hearing/speech-impaired customers significantly enhanced inclusivity.

• Tariff Exemptions for Strategic Industries Like Shipbuilding and Nuclear Power, Separate Visas Needed for MASGA Project

  ➀ Korean companies urged the government to implement tariff exemptions or delays for strategic industries (e.g., shipbuilding, nuclear power) to supplement incomplete U.S. supply chains;

  ➁ Proposed separate visa programs for MASGA project professionals to address challenges like H-1B quota limits and lengthy U.S. visa processes;

  ➂ Government emphasized ongoing support measures, including emergency aid for affected companies and expanded global market access.

September 22

• Samsung Electronics Ushers in the 'Ambient AI' Era with Hybrid AI

  ➀ Samsung Electronics is advancing its hybrid AI strategy, combining on-device and cloud AI, to develop an 'Ambient AI' ecosystem that provides personalized, seamless smart home experiences without user commands;

  ➁ Key features include automated energy-saving modes, family/pet care notifications via AI-powered appliances, and robust security via Samsung Knox, protecting user data across 1 billion+ devices;

  ➂ Collaboration with Samsung C&T aims to commercialize AI-powered modular smart homes, integrating AI stacks for rapid assembly and global market expansion, targeting 1 billion AI devices in households within three years.

• 110 C-Level Executives Propose AI National Strategy: 'Solutions Must Be Found in Infrastructure, Talent, and Data'

  ➀ 110 Korean CEOs and executives emphasize strengthening infrastructure, talent, and data to position Korea as a top-three global AI power, addressing challenges like regulatory uncertainty and NVIDIA GPU dependency;

  ➁ Critical needs include domestic AI chip development, power infrastructure expansion, and targeted investments in hardware/software for specialized vertical AI applications;

  ➂ Strategies highlight leveraging Korea’s manufacturing strength in physical AI and fostering service-oriented AI ecosystems to create globally competitive, user-centric solutions.

• [43rd Anniversary Special] AI Core 'HBM': SK, Samsung, and Suppliers Lead the Charge

  ➀ HBM, a key component for AI accelerators, combines GPU computation with high-speed data supply, dominated by South Korean companies like SK Hynix (65% market share) and Samsung;

  ➁ SK Hynix collaborates with TSMC to develop HBM4 with system semiconductor technology, while Samsung leverages its in-house 1c DRAM for HBM4 differentiation;

  ➂ Domestic suppliers like Hanmi Semiconductor (TC bonder) and EO Technics (wafer-cutting tech) strengthen global competitiveness in HBM materials and equipment.

• Samsung Prepays 1.19 Trillion KRW to Suppliers Ahead of Chuseok

  ➀ Samsung and 13 affiliates will prepay 1.19 trillion KRW (approximately $864 million USD) to suppliers ahead of the Chuseok holiday to alleviate financial burdens, a 320 billion KRW increase compared to 2024;

  ➁ The company is operating an online marketplace for employees to purchase products from SMEs supported by Samsung’s Smart Factory initiatives, which have improved production efficiency and quality;

  ➂ Samsung plans to expand its Smart Factory Ecosystem by linking SMEs with its distribution channels and providing consulting to create business opportunities.

• KCCI Women’s Business Committee Donates KRW 100 Million to Friends of Love

  ➀ The Women’s Business Committee of the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry donated KRW 100 million (approximately USD 73,500) worth of daily necessities, clothing, and books to the nonprofit organization Friends of Love at a charity bazaar on September 20.

  ➁ The funds and proceeds from the event will be used to support vulnerable groups, including low-income families and marginalized communities.

  ➂ Committee Chairwoman Jung Ki-ok emphasized the group’s commitment to expanding social contribution activities through partnerships like the New Entrepreneurial Spirit Council (ERT).

• LG Electronics Overhauls Smart Home Intelligence... Core is 'Empathy AI'

  ➀ LG Electronics is advancing AI-driven smart home ecosystems with its 'Empathy AI' technology, focusing on intuitive user interaction and emotional understanding.

  ➁ The AI hub 'ThinQ On' acts as a central controller, using generative AI to connect and automate IoT devices, adapting to users' routines and preferences (e.g., adjusting lighting and HVAC systems proactively).

  ➂ LG plans to expand its AI Home solutions beyond residential spaces into commercial and mobility sectors, offering modular housing (Smart Cottage) and vehicle-integrated platforms (Supremium) for seamless AI experiences.

• LG AI Research Institute Proves South Korea's Native AI Foundational Technology with 'ExaOne' on 43rd Anniversary

  ➀ LG's AI model 'ExaOne 4.0' integrates reasoning and generative AI, achieving global competitiveness with performance comparable to OpenAI's GPT-5 and Claude;

  ➁ Ranked 1st in Korea and 11th globally in AI benchmarks, ExaOne 4.0's 32B-parameter model passed six national professional certification exams;

  ➂ Collaborates with LSEG, FuriosaAI (for NPU solutions), and global medical institutions, while leading a national AI foundation model project with a 10-company consortium.

• Towards AI Semiconductor Independence... South Korea's Commercialization Countdown

  ➀ The global AI semiconductor market, led by NVIDIA, is projected to reach $457 billion by 2030, driving South Korean startups like FuriosaAI and Rebellions to challenge the market dominance with specialized AI accelerators;

  ➁ FuriosaAI's 'Renegade' chip adopts a Tensor Contraction Processor (TCP) architecture for efficient AI inference, securing LG AI Research as a client and targeting mass production by year-end. Rebellions integrates dual neural cores and UCIe-Advanced chiplet technology in its 'Rebel-Quad' accelerator, aiming for 2025 mass production;

  ➂ QRT, a reliability testing firm spun off from SK Hynix, supports AI accelerator validation, addressing thermal and durability challenges in high-performance AI chips.

• South Korea Sees Fastest Tariff Increase Rate Against US, Ranks 6th in Tariff Imposition at $3.3 Billion

  ➀ South Korea's tariffs on exports to the U.S. surged 47.1 times in Q2 2025 compared to Q4 2024, the highest increase rate among top exporters, with automotive and parts accounting for 57.5% ($1.9 billion) due to new 25% duties;

  ➁ South Korea ranked 6th in total U.S. tariff imposition ($3.3 billion), with an effective tariff rate of 10%—the 3rd highest among top exporters—highlighting a disproportionate burden relative to its 8th-place export volume;

  ➂ Experts urge accelerating tariff reduction agreements to 15% and implementing domestic production tax incentives to mitigate export challenges, as tariffs consume nearly 3.75% of export revenues, exceeding manufacturers' average profit margins (5.6% in 2024).

September 21

• S-Oil Conducts Volunteer Activities with Employee Families to Aid Ecosystem Preservation

  ➀ S-Oil organized a volunteer event on September 20 at Seoul’s Nanji Waterfront Ecological Learning Center, involving employees and their families to promote ecosystem conservation;

  ➀ Activities included creating and deploying EM mud balls (eco-friendly microbial clay for water purification) and removing invasive plant species to improve Han River water quality;

  ➂ The company reaffirmed its commitment to ESG values and community-focused initiatives, emphasizing the importance of "sharing" as a core corporate principle.