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Articles by Park Seong-bae
SKT, LG Uplus profits surge as AI data centers fuel growth
South Korean telecom operators SK telecom (SKT) and LG Uplus reported sharp increases in third-quarter operating profit on Wednesday, benefiting from lower one-time costs while expanding their artificial intelligence data center businesses as a new source of growth. SK telecom said consolidated operating profit surged more than elevenfold to 552.3 billion won ($412 million) in the July-September quarter, up 1,040.3 from a year earlier. Revenue rose 13.1 percent to 4.49 trillion won.
Lotte Innovate’s OP jumps 88% as data centers drive growth plans
Lotte Innovate reported an 88 percent increase in third-quarter operating profit, far outpacing revenue growth, as the South Korean IT services company improved profitability ahead of a planned expansion into data center operations. Operating profit rose to 12.4 billion won ($9.3 million) in the July-September period, while revenue increased 2.3 percent to 284 billion won, the company said in a preliminary earnings filing on Monday.
Samsung launches $45bn physical AI drive with Gumi AI data center
Samsung SDS Co. has broken ground on an artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, marking the first tangible step in Samsung Group’s 60 trillion won ($44.6 billion) investment plan to build an advanced industrial cluster in southeastern Korea. Samsung SDS said Monday that the Gumi AI data center, being built on a 46,280-square-meter site, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
Over 4,000 SKT employees create AI agents for work
SK telecom (SKT) is stepping up efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its operations after more than 4,000 employees developed their own AI agents for work, marking a shift from individual productivity tools toward companywide workflow automation.
Korea fines Google, Apple $47 mn over in-app payment practices
The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) has finalized fines totaling 63.71 billion won ($47.42 million) against Google LLC and Apple Inc. over their in-app payment practices. At a meeting Wednesday, the commission found that the companies violated the law by requiring developers to use specific payment methods and unduly delaying app reviews. It also found that Apple charged domestic developers discriminatory commission rates.
Hyundai AutoEver unveils AI-powered security patrol system
Hyundai AutoEver has unveiled an AI-powered security system that combines autonomous patrol robots, video analytics and centralized monitoring to detect threats in areas beyond the reach of conventional surveillance cameras and police patrols. The South Korean automotive software company said Thursday that it showcased the system at the 2026 International Security Industry Exhibition, which opened Wednesday.
KT partners with Acryl to develop customized healthcare AI services
KT Corp. has partnered with healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) company Acryl to expand its AI transformation (AX) business, developing customized services tailored to the data environments and operational needs of individual hospitals. The two companies plan to establish a framework for standardizing and utilizing medical data while jointly developing AI services and conducting real-world demonstrations at healthcare institutions.
LG CNS named Major Player in IDC digital workplace assessment
LG CNS has been named a Major Player in a global digital workplace services assessment by market research firm IDC, as the South Korean IT services company seeks to expand its international presence with agentic artificial intelligence solutions that perform business tasks rather than merely assist employees. LG CNS said Monday it was recognized as a Major Player in the “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Digital Workplace Services 2026” report published last month.
LG CNS, Japan’s KDDI to develop AI, smart city projects in Asia
LG CNS Co. has partnered with Japanese telecom operator KDDI Corp. to carry out artificial intelligence (AI) transformation and smart city projects across the Asia-Pacific region, targeting markets including Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. LG CNS said Wednesday the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue AI transformation (AX) and digital transformation (DX) projects, initially targeting Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and China.
POSCO DX invests $1.5 mn in agentic AI startup Enhans
POSCO DX is investing 2 billion won ($1.5 million) in artificial intelligence startup Enhans to develop AI agents that can absorb veteran employees’ experience and judgment and perform tasks across corporate systems. The company plans to test the technology in office operations before expanding it into industrial settings such as production, equipment management and logistics.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Buds On, its first clip-on earbuds
Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Buds On, its first clip-on wireless earbuds, featuring an open-ear design that allows users to hear their surroundings while listening to music. The earbuds also support artificial intelligence voice interactions and hands-free controls using head movements, expanding their usefulness in everyday situations. Samsung will launch the Galaxy Buds On first in South Korea on Oct. 27, followed by a phased global rollout, the company said Thursday.
LG CNS, General Atlantic team up on software, AI investments
LG CNS has partnered with General Atlantic, a U.S. investment firm with $130 billion in assets under management, to jointly invest in global enterprise software and artificial intelligence companies. The companies signed a co-investment agreement at General Atlantic’s headquarters in New York, LG CNS said Thursday. Attendees included LG CNS President and CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon and Martín Escobari, co-president and head of global growth equity at General Atlantic.
RaonSecure unveils security solutions for agentic AI
RaonSecure Co. has unveiled five security solutions designed to protect agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems, covering identity management, data protection, and threat response as AI increasingly performs tasks autonomously.
Shinsegae I&C launches 9 Meta AI glasses models in Korea
Shinsegae I&C has begun distributing Meta’s latest artificial intelligence glasses in South Korea, bringing nine models ranging from Meta-branded devices to third-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses and limited-edition models designed in collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Lisa. The company said Monday that it has begun distributing 21 variants across nine models as the local distributor of Meta’s device lineup.
ChatGPT Enterprise users in Korea surge 28-fold
The number of ChatGPT Enterprise users in South Korea increased about 28-fold over the past year as companies expanded their use of artificial intelligence beyond information searches and document drafting. OpenAI Korea unveiled its performance in the country and future plans at a press conference held Wednesday at Josun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul, marking the first anniversary of its Korean office.
Hancom, FuriosaAI team up on NPU-based enterprise AI
(Photo Courtesy of Hancom) Hancom Inc. is partnering with South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor company FuriosaAI to target the enterprise and public-sector AI transformation (AX) market with neural processing unit (NPU)-based solutions. Hancom said Tuesday it signed a three-way memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday with affiliate Hancom Innostream Co. and FuriosaAI to collaborate on AX businesses.
Samsung to launch Galaxy S26 FE in Korea Friday
Samsung Electronics will launch the Galaxy S26 FE in South Korea Friday, bringing flagship-level artificial intelligence and camera features to its lower-priced Fan Edition lineup. Samsung said Thursday that the smartphone will be available in three colors — Blueberry, Graphite and Pistachio — through Samsung Stores, Samsung.com and mobile carriers’ online and offline stores nationwide. The device will be offered in a single 256-gigabyte model priced at 1,045,000 won ($770.52).
Samsung SDS to unveil enterprise AI transformation strategy
Samsung SDS will unveil an artificial intelligence transformation strategy designed to help companies turn AI adoption into changes in daily operations and measurable business results. The company plans to present industry-specific applications and implementation strategies for manufacturing, finance and the public sector, drawing on its technologies spanning AI infrastructure, platforms and enterprise solutions.
LG CNS to build GPU liquid-cooling infrastructure at Samsong data center
LG CNS will work with Naver Cloud to install liquid-cooling infrastructure at its Samsong Data Center as it prepares to accommodate Nvidia’s next-generation Vera Rubin graphics processors. LG CNS said Wednesday that the data center will adopt direct-to-chip cooling, a system that circulates coolant through cold plates attached directly to GPU chips to remove heat more efficiently than conventional air cooling.
KT, SNUH partner on AI-native hospital platform
KT Corp. and Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) have agreed to jointly develop an artificial intelligence-powered healthcare platform aimed at accelerating AI transformation (AX) across the medical sector. KT said Monday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with SNUH to build a medical AX platform combining the hospital’s clinical and research expertise with KT’s AI, cloud and data technologies.
KT profit slips in Q2 as AX business gains momentum
KT Corp. reported weaker second-quarter earnings as last year’s property development gains created a high comparison base and customer reward programs weighed on wireless revenue. However, its AI transformation (AX) and cloud businesses continued to post double-digit growth, helping cushion the decline. The company said on Wednesday that consolidated revenue for the second quarter totaled 6.68 trillion won ($4.73 billion), while operating profit fell to 648.3 billion won.
LG CNS to map AI transformation for Korea’s airports
LG CNS has won a project to develop a long-term artificial intelligence (AI) transformation roadmap for South Korea’s 14 airports, covering operations, customer services and safety management. The company said on Wednesday that it had been selected by Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) to lead the “KAC AI Master Plan (ISMP)” project. The contract is worth 2.67 billion won ($1.88 million) and will run for 12 months.
KT partners with YUHS on healthcare AI
KT Corp. has partnered with Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) to standardize medical data and build an artificial intelligence (AI) foundation for healthcare, aiming to accelerate the development of AI-powered medical services and digital healthcare innovation. The two organizations said on Tuesday they signed a memorandum of understanding at Yonsei University Health System in Seoul to strengthen the use of medical data and enhance competitiveness in healthcare AI.
LG Uplus acquires PAGO Networks to expand security business
CEO Hong Bum-shik. (LG Uplus) LG Uplus Corp. has acquired PAGO Networks Inc., a South Korean managed detection and response (MDR) specialist, to expand its security business. LG Uplus announced the acquisition Tuesday but did not disclose the purchase price or stake acquired, citing confidentiality provisions. It is the company’s first merger and acquisition (M&A) deal in seven years, since its acquisition of LG HelloVision Corp. in 2019, and the first since CEO Hong Bum-shik took office.
Hancom to launch value-up plan with AI growth, shareholder returns
Hancom is moving ahead with a corporate value enhancement program, aiming to boost shareholder returns while accelerating its artificial intelligence (AI) business as it targets a third consecutive year of record sales. The company said on Tuesday that its board approved a proposal to launch the value-up initiative. Hancom plans to disclose the program in the fourth quarter after consulting with a major accounting firm.
Chinese short-form apps narrow viewing gap with Korean OTTs
(Image generated by Gemini) Chinese short-form drama platforms are rapidly gaining traction among South Korean viewers, narrowing the gap in viewing time with domestic streaming services as short-form content reshapes the country’s online video market. According to Mobile Index on Sunday, the average monthly viewing time per user for South Korea’s three major over-the-top (OTT) streaming service platforms -- TVING, Wavve and Coupang Play -- stood at 328 minutes in January.
SK telecom expands wearable lineup for runners
SK telecom said on Sunday it is expanding its lineup of wearable devices for runners by adding products from GPS smartwatch maker Garmin and open-ear headphone brand Shokz, while broadening its Run Mate program for running enthusiasts. The new lineup includes Garmin’s Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 265 GPS running smartwatches, as well as Shokz’s OpenRun Pro 2 bone-conduction headphones. The Forerunner 70 will be sold exclusively through SK telecom under a partnership with Garmin.
Legora enters Korea with Seoul office
Legora, the global legal technology startup that became the first legal AI company to receive investment from Nvidia, is entering the South Korean market by opening its fourth Asia-Pacific office in Seoul and launching legal artificial intelligence services for domestic law firms. According to industry sources on Thursday, Legora will open its Seoul office on Friday, making the city its fourth Asia-Pacific hub after Sydney, Singapore and Tokyo.
LG U+ to invest 1.3 tn won in AI data center, buy back shares
LG Uplus will invest 1.3 trillion won ($897 million) in expanding its artificial intelligence data center in Paju while buying back 90 billion won worth of its own shares, strengthening both its AI infrastructure and shareholder return strategy. The company said Wednesday that its board approved the share repurchase, with the acquired shares to be retired at a later date to enhance shareholder value. The move follows LG Uplus’ value-up plan announced in November 2024.
KT targets financial sector with expanded AX services
KT Corp. is stepping up its push into the financial sector by expanding its artificial intelligence transformation (AX) business with an integrated platform covering consulting, deployment and ongoing optimization. The company said Sunday it will offer financial institutions a “5-Layer AX Full Stack” framework that supports the entire AI transformation process, from strategy planning and system implementation to operations and continuous upgrades.
SK telecom launches dedicated AI data center subsidiary
South Korea’s top mobile carrier SK telecom Co. has established a dedicated subsidiary to develop and operate artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, reinforcing its commitment to building large-scale AI infrastructure. The move comes in line with the government’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three AI powers.
Samsung launches first-ever Galaxy credit card in the U.S.
Samsung Electronics Co. has launched its first branded credit card in the United States, expanding its mobile financial services as it deepens integration across its Galaxy ecosystem. The company said Tuesday it introduced the Samsung Galaxy Card, its first credit card developed exclusively for the U.S. market.
IGLOO earns AI+ certification for autonomous SOC push
As artificial intelligence becomes a core technology in cybersecurity operations, IGLOO Corp. has received third-party validation for the reliability of its security-focused AI agent, marking another step toward autonomous security operations centers (SOCs) capable of detecting, analyzing and responding to cyber threats. The company said on Monday that its security AI agent, AiR (AI Road), has obtained AI+ certification from the Korea Standards Association (KSA).
Maeil Business Newspaper Korea's No. 1 Economic Media
Kyobo Book Centre's combined 'sam' and Moazine package 800,000 e-books and 2,400 digital magazines Business magazines including Maeil Business Economy Promotion of 4,900 won per month through the end of August An LG Uplus employee introduces the newly launched subscription product. LG Uplus LG Uplus has launched a bundled subscription product that combines e-books and digital magazines, expanding its content subscription services.
Maeil Business Newspaper Korea's No. 1 Economic Media
Netflix's second-quarter revenue rose 13.4% year on year to 18.6 trillion won Content exports generate $570 million in output for every $100 million exported K content ranked among the 12 major export items last year based on export value Broadcasting and video industry exports have tripled in eight years Among Netflix's Top 10 most-watched titles in the first half of 2026, "Teach You a Lesson" ranked sixth.
Maeil Business Newspaper Korea's No. 1 Economic Media
Building a platform linked to solar power generation and EV charging Turning parking spaces into energy production hubs Expanding step by step to public and private parking lots Hi Parking CEO Park Jun-gyu, center, poses for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding for the joint development and operation of a solar power generation project at parking lots nationwide.
Maeil Business Newspaper Korea's No. 1 Economic Media
Reading trends unveiled based on 10 years of usage data Zalpha generation shifts reading from ‘reading’ to ‘recording and sharing’ Users of summary content read an average of 13.3 books per month In the AI era, reading is evolving into an everyday hobby At a media seminar held on the 15th in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, titled ‘Reading the First Half of 2026 Trends Through Data: The New Everyday Life Changed by the Zalpha Generation,’ Lee Shin-hyung, head of KT Millie’s Library’s Unlimited Reading...
CJ OliveNetworks to build AI-powered sports broadcast truck
CJ OliveNetworks said on Tuesday that it has won a contract to build a next-generation ultra-high-definition (UHD) and AI-powered sports broadcasting truck for sports marketing company Next Creative. The company will oversee the entire project, including compact vehicle design, broadcasting system integration and regulatory approvals, while introducing AI-based production technologies in phases.
Naver gains search share with AI-powered search tool
Naver is strengthening its dominance in South Korea’s search market as its conversational AI search service gains traction, highlighting how AI-powered tools are reshaping the way users discover information, shop and make reservations online. According to market research firm InternetTrend and Naver on Sunday, the company’s average search market share rose to 66.34 percent between April 27 and June 17, following the launch of its AI Tab beta service.
Samsung SDS, Naver Cloud, Elice lead race for Korea’s AI GPU project
Samsung SDS Co., Naver Cloud Corp. and Elice Inc. have emerged as frontrunners for South Korea’s 2.08 trillion won ($1.4 billion) artificial intelligence (AI) graphics processing unit (GPU) infrastructure project. According to industry sources on Thursday, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency have completed on-site inspections for the project and are now conducting follow-up negotiations with Samsung SDS, Naver Cloud, and Elice.
HP Korea partners with Upstage on enterprise AI agents
HP Korea has joined hands with South Korean artificial intelligence startup Upstage to target the growing enterprise AI agent market, combining HP’s high-performance workstation infrastructure with Upstage’s generative AI technologies. HP Korea said Thursday that the two companies signed a strategic memorandum of understanding on cooperation in AI agent solutions.
LG CNS targets N. American factories with AI manufacturing push
LG CNS is accelerating its expansion into North America’s manufacturing AI transformation market with smart factory solutions designed for small and mid-sized manufacturers. The company said Wednesday it participated in IoT Tech Expo 2026 held in San Jose, California, on May 18-19 local time, becoming the only South Korean company to exhibit at the event.
Competition intensifies in Korea’s enterprise ChatGPT market
Competition in South Korea’s enterprise ChatGPT market is intensifying as major system integration companies race to secure partnerships with OpenAI amid growing corporate demand for generative artificial intelligence services. Following Samsung SDS and LG CNS, SK AX has now joined OpenAI’s partner network, underscoring the accelerating push among South Korean IT service providers to bring generative AI into real-world business operations.
KT to supply renewable energy to Tokyo Electron Korea
KT Corp. said Monday it will begin supplying renewable energy to Tokyo Electron Korea under a direct power purchase agreement, supporting the semiconductor equipment maker’s carbon-neutral transition in South Korea.
Korea’s largest AI, robotics tech show to open next month
South Korea’s largest business technology exhibition, Smart Tech Korea 2026, will take place from June 10 to 12 at COEX in Seoul, showcasing the latest trends in artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies as the event marks its 15th anniversary. Hosted by Maeil Business and MBN and organized by Exporum, the exhibition will expand across all exhibition halls at COEX under this year’s slogan, “The Tech Nexus,” according to organizers on Sunday.
LG CNS unveils AI-powered robot platform for factories, logistics
LG CNS on Thursday unveiled its new robot transformation platform brand “Physical Works,” aiming to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered robots across manufacturing and logistics sites. The South Korean IT solutions provider introduced the platform during its RX Media Day event at LG Science Park in Seoul’s Magok district, describing it as an all-in-one system that supports robot training, verification, operation and integrated control.
AhnLab Q1 OP jumps 84% on steady growth
AhnLab reported strong first-quarter earnings on the back of steady growth across its core businesses and improving overseas performance. The company said Monday it posted consolidated revenue of 59.1 billion won ($40.1 million) and operating profit of 1.9 billion won for the January–March period. Revenue rose 3.3 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit surged 84.4 percent from 1 billion won.
Samsung SDS climbs to No. 2 in Korea’s public cloud market, overtaking MS
Samsung SDS has overtaken Microsoft to become the second-largest player in South Korea’s public cloud market, signaling a shift in a sector long dominated by global tech firms. According to a report released Sunday by International Data Corporation (IDC), the country’s public cloud services market reached 6.23 trillion won ($4.2 billion) in 2024, up 23.4 percent from a year earlier.
Galaxy Corp unveils AI glasses, robots in entertainment tech push
Galaxy Corporation unveiled artificial intelligence-powered glasses and robots on Wednesday, outlining a future growth strategy centered on combining entertainment with advanced technologies. The announcement was made at a press event in Seoul, where CEO Choi Yong-ho introduced the company’s vision of “entertainment tech,” aiming to integrate AI and robotics into intellectual property and content to create new revenue models.
Samsung SDS to build AI agents for Woori Bank AX push
Samsung SDS has been selected to lead Woori Bank’s artificial intelligence transformation project, covering both AI agent deployment and long-term IT infrastructure optimization. Samsung SDS said Tuesday it has been named the preferred bidder for Woori Bank’s “AI agent development for AX” project. The initiative aims to create more than 175 AI agents by linking the bank’s existing business systems.
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