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Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho speaks during the company's annual general meeting on March 15 in southern Seoul. [SAMSUNG SDI] The CEO of Samsung SDI confirmed that the company is discussing a mid- to long-term partnership with General Motors, following reports that the battery maker and the U.S. automaker signed a memorandum of understanding to build a battery plant in the United States. “I visited the United States to have a close discussion with GM for the mid- to long-term cooperation,” said Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho on his way out of the annual general meeting Wednesday, without specifically answering whether or not the two parties signed an agreement. The head of the Yongin, Gyeonggi–based battery maker hinted at the possibility of making lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries to cater to clients pursuing affordability and safety. “LFP batteries represent an important platform, and we are working hard for the LFP range in order to meet the needs of different … [Read more...] about Samsung SDI, General Motors discuss possible cooperation

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in Yeongtong District, Suwon, Gyeonggi [YONHAP] Prosecutors requested arrest warrants for four former and current leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) for allegedly contacting North Korean agents overseas. The Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office applied for the warrants on Thursday, accusing the unionists of violating the National Security Act. Prosecutors are seeking to arrest a high-ranking official at the KCTU surnamed Seok, an official at the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union surnamed Kim, a former high-ranking official of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union surnamed Kim and the owner of a so-called "peace shelter" on Jeju Island surnamed Shin. The “peace shelter” is dedicated to the victims of the Sewol passenger ferry, which capsized off Korea's southern coast in April 2014 while en route to Jeju, killing 299 passengers. Seok is accused of being in touch with multiple North Korean agents — including Ri … [Read more...] about Unionists allegedly received protest slogans from North

Yellow dust blankets Seoul on Thursday as weather authorities warned of bad air quality through Friday. [YONHAP] Yellow dust descended on Korea on Thursday and was expected to linger through Friday, pushing fine dust levels up in the Seoul metropolitan area and some southern regions. The Air Quality Forecasting Center, run by the Environment Ministry’s National Institute of Environmental Research, blamed China for the air pollutants, saying that the yellow dust affecting Korea this week originated from northeast China on Wednesday. Korea's northwestern coastal areas were the hardest hit on Thursday, with fine dust levels in Incheon reaching 163 micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered “very bad” on the government’s four-tier air quality system. On Friday, fine dust levels in the Seoul metropolitan area — referring to Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi — Gangwon, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, North Jeolla, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan and North Gyeongsang are expected to be … [Read more...] about Yellow dust expected to continue Friday

U.S. President Joe Biden, left, speaks at the opening of the inaugural Summit for Democracy from the White House in Washington on Dec. 9, 2021. Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will co-host the second Summit for Democracy next Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP] Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will lead a plenary session on economic growth and shared prosperity as a co-host of U.S. President Joe Biden's second Summit for Democracy next week, said the presidential office Thursday. The two-day virtual summit will be held on March 29 and 30 and is expected to bring together some 120 global leaders invited by Biden. "It is meaningful that South Korea is taking the lead in tackling the global issue of a retreat in democracy through the co-hosting the second Summit for Democracy," National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han told reporters in Seoul. Kim added that the summit with be an opportunity to "demonstrate domestically and internationally how President Yoon is concretely implementing his vision of … [Read more...] about Yoon to lead session at Biden’s Summit for Democracy

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Amid growing global concern over the social media platform, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday, where U.S. lawmakers are expected to question Chew over safety concerns for minors and preventing U.S. user data from foreign access. Key Facts In Chew’s first appearance before Congress, he’s expected to discuss the company’s privacy and data security practices, as well as the company’s relationship with the Chinese government, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent months. Prepared Remarks Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to talk about TikTok and our mission to inspire creativity and bring joy to more than 1 billion people worldwide. I look forward to discussing what makes TikTok so special to the diverse audiences it serves, as well as our … [Read more...] about TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s Prepared Comments Before Congress