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Hyundai Department Store Expands Overseas Presence of K-Brands via ‘The Hyundai Global’

Hyundai Department Store is accelerating the global expansion of Korean brands through its K-content export platform, “The Hyundai Global.” Building on its offline presence in Japan and Taiwan, the company has recently expanded into Japan’s online retail channels, further advancing its strategy to grow K-brands globally.
“The Hyundai Global” is a platform through which Hyundai Department Store identifies competitive Korean brands across fashion, beauty and entertainment, and supports their distribution in overseas markets. By managing end-to-end operations, including customs clearance, import and export procedures and local distribution negotiations, the company enables Korean brands to enter global markets on a more stable footing.
Most recently, Hyundai Department Store launched a dedicated “The Hyundai” section on the Japanese online fashion platform NUGU, introducing approximately 450 K-fashion brands. NUGU, a platform popular among Generation Z consumers in Japan, has more than two million monthly active users. Leveraging local customer data and consumption trends, Hyundai plans to strengthen brand curation and enhance synergies between online and offline channels to further enhance the competitiveness of K-fashion. The company is also preparing to open a 660-square-meter flagship store for “The Hyundai Global” in Tokyo’s Omotesando shopping district, marking a more aggressive move into the Japanese market.
In Taiwan, the platform has also demonstrated strong performance. A “The Hyundai Global” pop-up store operated at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store recorded cumulative sales of KRW 1.2 billion over approximately two months, achieving the highest monthly sales among all pop-up stores at the location. Building on this success, Hyundai plans to expand pop-up operations to major cities such as Taichung and Tainan, while also exploring opportunities to expand into Southeast Asian markets.

Hanmi Semiconductor Launches the World's First “BOC COB BONDER”

HANMI Semiconductor has announced the world’s first “BOC COB BONDER,” which will be supplied to global memory customers. This “two-in-one” bonding system integrates both the BOC (Board on Chip) process and the COB (Chip on Board) process into a single-equipment process, eliminating the need for separate dedicated machines.
The BOC process, based on flip-chip technology, is primarily used in DRAM products that require high-speed signal transmission, while the COB process utilizes a non-flip approach for high-capacity NAND flash. By combining both processes into one system, HANMI enables customers to respond flexibly to product design changes without the need to replace any equipment. The solution also improves production-line space utilization and reduces capital expenditure.
The new equipment incorporates HANMI’s proprietary design expertise from its TC BONDER, in which the company holds the world’s largest market share. A precision thermal management system applied to both the chuck table and bonding head ensures stable temperature control across various process environments.
The “BOC COB BONDER” is expected to be used in the production of high-performance stacked GDDR and enterprise SSDs. With demand for high-performance memory rising alongside the expansion of AI and data centers, market demand for the equipment is projected to grow rapidly. Through this launch, HANMI aims to further strengthen its technological competitiveness in the AI memory semiconductor sector and expand its position within the global supply chain.

Zeniel Group Marks 30th Anniversary with Publication Seminar

Zeniel Group, a comprehensive HR services provider, held a seminar on January 9 at the FKI Tower Conference Center in Yeouido to commemorate the publication of its 30th anniversary book, Strategic Outsourcing for Creative and Sustainable Management. The book redefines outsourcing not as a simple cost-cutting tool, but as a strategic management instrument that enables companies to focus on core competencies, distribute operational risks, design accountability structures and respond to digital transformation. The event drew approximately 300 participants from the outsourcing industry, academia and policy research institutions, reflecting strong interest in the topic. In the panel discussion that followed, participants emphasized the need for a shift toward a value- and responsibility-driven industrial structure in response to the expansion of AI and evolving labor market dynamics.
Zeniel also introduced its integrated labor and safety management platform, “Issue-free,” and outlined its mid- to long-term vision centered on strengthening data-driven smart HR services, expanding customized client solutions and advancing ESG management.

KB Jangyu Hospital Implements AI Smart Ward System Across All Wards

KB Jangyu Hospital, operated by the KB Medical Foundation under KBI Group’s healthcare division, has implemented the AI-based ward monitoring system “thynC” across all 210 inpatient beds and commenced full-scale operation. The system collects and analyzes patient biometric data in real time, including electrocardiogram data, heart rate and oxygen saturation, through sensors worn by patients. In the event of abnormalities, alerts are immediately transmitted to medical staff. A centralized monitoring system at the nurses’ station allows staff to view patient conditions across the ward at a glance, enabling rapid response. Through smart wards, the hospital has reduced the burden of routine rounds for medical staff and improved operational efficiency. Meanwhile, the system is also capable of detecting risk signals early and responding within the critical window in emergency situations. The hospital aims to leverage this initiative to strengthen its role as a regional healthcare hub in Gimhae and to expand digital healthcare services in phases.

LINA Life Insurance Launches an Enhanced Health Insurance Product for Existing Customers

LINA Life Insurance has introduced a comprehensive health insurance product, Simple Health Insurance with Immediate Enrollment (Type II, No Surrender Value), designed to enhance benefits for existing customers. While maintaining a coverage structure similar to other health insurance products, the new offering provides tangible benefits to long-term customers. It includes comprehensive coverage across diagnosis, hospitalization, surgery and treatment, along with a 5% premium discount for the first year after enrollment to reduce the financial burden. Under the immediate coverage option, full coverage begins from the first day of enrollment, with no waiting or reduction periods. Additional riders enable more comprehensive coverage for major conditions such as cancer, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, as well as hospitalization, surgery, caregiving and related expenses. Through this product, LINA Life Insurance aims to further strengthen trust with existing customers and reinforce its role as a long-term partner.

Commercial Operation of Biomass Boiler Begins at Samyang Foods’ Wonju Plant

Veolia Korea has completed the handover of a newly installed wood biomass boiler facility at Samyang Foods’ Wonju plant. Following the signing of a green steam supply agreement in November 2024, installation and commissioning began in mid-June 2025, with full commercial operation commencing in December 2025. The project supplies 30 tons of green steam per hour using wood pellets and is expected to reduce carbon emissions from the Wonju plant by approximately 45%.
Through a 15-year partnership, Veolia will also support Samyang Foods in achieving its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. The project serves as a significant milestone in aligning industrial growth with environmental responsibility, and Veolia Korea plans to continue providing innovative solutions to support sustainable operations for industrial customers.

President & CEO Young-seop Kim Appointed President of the Polymer Society of Korea

Young-seop Kim, President and CEO of Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc., has been appointed the 43rd President of the Polymer Society of Korea. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the society plays a leading role in advancing polymer science and the materials industry in Korea, with approximately 5,000 members. Kim expressed his commitment to contributing to the advancement of polymer science and the materials industry by strengthening collaboration among industry, academia and research institutions, while broadening academia-industry communication. Additionally, he plans to host an international conference marking the society’s 50th anniversary with participation from leading global scholars, to enhance the international standing of both the society and Korea’s polymer science community. The society also aims to expand next-generation talent development programs, and promote greater participation from women scientists and regional chapters to enhance inclusivity.

Next-Generation AI Call Agent “ixi-O Pro” Unveiled at MWC26

LG U+ introduced its next-generation AI call agent, “ixi-O Pro,” at MWC26 held in Barcelona, Spain. As an advanced version of its AI call application “ixi-O,” the new service functions as a hyper-personalized AI call agent that analyzes users’ daily data, including calls, messages and schedules, to proactively provide relevant information. Without requiring manual activation, the service organizes and presents tasks or schedules mentioned in previous calls and delivers real-time information during conversations to support more seamless communication. The exhibition also showcased the future expansion of ixi-O beyond smartphones into a voice-based AI agent operating across homes, offices, vehicles and robots. In collaboration with Kookmin Bank, LG U+ also introduced a system that detects signs of voice phishing at the telecommunications stage and blocks fraudulent activity before financial transactions occur. Through these initiatives, the company presented a vision for human-centered AI services that enhance both convenience and security.