South Korea
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South Korea is preparing emergency measures to prevent a possible labour strike at Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker. According to Reuters, the South Korean government may even invoke emergency arbitration to stop industrial action that could severely impact the country’s economy and global semiconductor supply chains. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok warned that even a single day of disruption at Samsung’s semiconductor plants could cause direct losses of nearly $670 million. The bigger concern is that semiconductor production lines are extremely sensitive and may take months to fully recover after a shutdown. Samsung accounts for a major share of South Korea’s exports, making the situation critical for the country’s economy. In this video, we explain why the Samsung strike matters, how it could affect AI and global chip markets, and why governments are closely watching the situation. Stay tuned for the latest Samsung and semiconductor industry updates.
South Korea Unveils $880 Billion AI and Chip Investment Push
Samsung, SK Hynix and Naver back at least 1,350 trillion won for chips and AI data centers.
finance.yahoo.com
South Korea is preparing a massive AI infrastructure push, with companies including Samsung Electronics (SSNLF), SK Hynix (HXSCL) and Naver (NHNCF) expected to invest at least 1,350 trillion won, or about $880 billion, across chips and data centers. Samsung Group and SK Group plan to build two chipmaking plants each in the southwest, creating a combined 800 trillion won investment aimed at expanding production capacity as AI-driven demand continues to rise. Another 550 trillion won is expected to come from companies including Naver to build 8.4 gigawatts of AI data-center capacity by 2029.
South Korea's SK Hynix launching $28 billion US listing to ride global AI wave
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix will launch a U.S. listing on Monday to raise about $28 billion, according to regulatory filings, as it capitalises on the global artificial intelligence boom with one of the world's largest new share sales. Ten ADRs will represent one common share and the stock...
finance.yahoo.com
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix will launch a U.S. listing on Monday to raise about $28 billion, according to regulatory filings, as it capitalises on the global artificial intelligence boom with one of the world's largest new share sales.
Seoul has been investing in better rainfall management systems. AI is increasingly finding use in its local municipalities. SK has been subjected to erratic patterns as climate change continues enlarge the scope of its challenges.
Flooding of low lying urban areas remains a challenge.
Flooding of low lying urban areas remains a challenge.
S. Korea Backs 50 Startups to Develop Military Technologies
South Korea is seeking about 50 industry partners for its “Challenge for All – Defense” open innovation program, increasing support for emerging businesses developing technologies for the defense sector.
thedefensepost.com
South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) is seeking about 50 industry partners for its “Challenge for All – Defense” open innovation program, increasing support for emerging businesses developing technologies for the defense sector.
The program connects selected firms with other established enterprises to build and validate tactical solutions, supplying up to 100 million won ($67,597) for proof-of-concept projects and prototype development.
They may also qualify for follow-on government research and commercialization programs worth up to 600 million won ($405,582, depending on project requirements.
The selection process includes document screening, one-on-one meetings with the military and suppliers, and an evaluation of proposed collaboration plans before finalists are chosen.
Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 'Tank Day' fiasco
People have filed complaints against Starbucks for allegedly making light of the deadly Gwangju Uprising.
www.bbc.com
South Korean police have raided the national headquarters of Starbucks over defamation claims surrounding a controversial marketing campaign.
Starbucks Korea had in May launched a coffee tumbler promotion called "Tank Day" on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where hundreds were believed to have been killed by military forces.
Many felt the "tank" was a reference to vehicles deployed to crush pro-democracy protesters and the promotion sparked a mass boycott movement.
Starbucks quickly rolled it back, saying it was unintentional but civic groups filed a criminal complaint against the company, demanding the police investigate it for defaming victims of the military dictatorship.
Shinsegae Group, which operates Starbucks in Korea, said it had launched an internal investigation into the campaign and concluded that the mistake was unintentional.
South Korea continues to swelter under record-breaking heat,.. with some parts of the country climbing above 40 degrees Celsius this week.
Trump says US scaling back joint military operations with South Korea
Trump cites his "very good relationship" with North Korea's leader in deciding to downsize the exercises.
www.bbc.com
President Donald Trump has said the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.
He also noted on Truth Social that South Korea had recently declined to join the US in the "denuclearisation" of Iran.
"These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile," Trump posted.
Seoul said it was reviewing Trump's comments, adding it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks. Pyongyang has not yet commented.
Earlier, South Korea said the drills with the US would proceed "as scheduled".
It comes after North Korea this month conducted ballistic missile tests banned by the United Nations.
Trump said in his social media post on Sunday that it was "too late to cancel", as the US and South Korea were due to start their annual military exercises on Monday.
He added: "While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, 'No thanks!'"
Trump's announcement came less than 24 hours after he posted an old photograph of himself and Kim from 2019, writing the two were great friends "despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture".
In its statement, South Korea's presidential Blue House said it would continue diplomatic consultations on US-Korea military cooperation related to the Strait of Hormuz, while discussing details on joint military drills with the United States.
South Korea is currently caught in a severe diplomatic and security dilemma between US military pressure and Iranian threats of “serious consequences" over the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
As Washington demands that its allies back its maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul is trying to walk a tightrope to safeguard its economy, energy security, and long-standing alliances, according to Al Jazeera and other reports.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry and security officials have explicitly warned that any South Korean military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz—even for maritime security—will be treated as direct support for US aggression. Tehran has threatened to target South Korea’s economic and military assets in the Persian Gulf if Seoul capitulates to US demands, say reports.
South Korea is highly vulnerable to the conflict. It relies on the Strait of Hormuz for 61% of its crude oil imports. Dozens of South Korean ships have already faced being stranded or rerouted due to closures in the waterway.
Inside South Korea’s university programs offering a direct route to Samsung and SK Hynix
Companies are helping universities develop courses, provide financial support and create pathways through which qualifying students can join them.
AI disruption has led several prominent entrepreneurs to question the value of traditional college graduate programs. But top South Korean tech companies continue to ascribe value to degrees.
In fact, they are helping craft university courses that fast-track entry into the AI sector, with some offering guaranteed jobs to graduates.
Jung Chae-rin is a second-year student at Sogang University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering, a four-year degree established in partnership with memory-chip maker SK Hynix.
Her course comes with a guarantee of employment in SK Hynix upon graduation.
At Sungkyunkwan University, or SKKU, third-year student Kim Tae-rin is at the Department of Intelligent Software, a five-year integrated bachelor’s and master’s program in AI software, created in partnership with Samsung Electronics.
Her route also increases the chances of employment, but she must first clear a separate Samsung hiring process.
The corporate programs belong to a category within South Korea’s university system known as “contract departments.” Companies help universities develop courses, provide financial support and create pathways through which qualifying students can join them.
SK Hynix has partnerships with several South Korean universities including Korea University and Hanyang University.
Rival Samsung Electronics collaborates with institutes such as Yonsei University, the Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, as well as the Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology.
Kim and Jung told CNBC that these programs offered them financial support and greater certainty of securing a job. For the companies, the programs create a pipeline of skilled workers.
Data from Seoul-based Jongro Academy showed that the number of applicants to contract departments with tie-ups to large companies increased by more than 38% from a year earlier, which also include courses linked to companies such as automaker Hyundai Motor and mobile network operator LG Uplus.
For those looking to ride the AI boom, these programs are particularly lucrative, as Samsung and SK Hynix offer its workers massive pay packets.