[THE INVESTOR] Korea leading network operator SK Telecom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson to develop core technologies for the next-generation network, or 5G.Through the partnership, the three will conduct trial tests of key 5G technologies including network functions virtualization(NFV), software-defined telecommunications infrastructure(SDTI), and distributed cloud, all of which will provide optimized end-user experiences, SKT said on June 30.The Kore

Technology June 30, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Google Maps will be allowed to offer full services in the nation only if it censors core security facilities on its digital map.Earlier this month, the US Internet giant requested permission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to get access to South Korea’s geographical data in a bid to make its flagship online maps’ services, such as the zoomed-in view of the satellite images, fully available in Korea.It was Google’s l

Technology June 30, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Network operator KT said June 30 that mobile on-demand music app genie, operated by its subsidiary KT Music, received an award at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, an annual mobile trade show.GSMA, the organizer of the mobile trade show, evaluated mobile music apps in Asia, and KT Music’s app received top scores in a range of categories including user experience, quality of content, and technology advancement. KT Music’s virtual reality music streaming platform genie VR. KT M

Technology June 30, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Tech giant Samsung Electronics said June 30 that it would join a project to build a tourist complex on Jeju Island. The tech giant said it has joined hands with land developer JCC to develop a smart energy grid fitted with environmentally friendly energy management systems in the Jeju Ora Tourist Complex, which is scheduled to be built by 2021. The resort to be built on 3.6 million square meters of land by 2021 will feature 7,650-seat convention center, hotels, condos, shopping ma

Technology June 30, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Display maker Samsung Display is reportedly planning to sell its liquid-crystal display equipment at its L7 manufacturing line in Asan, South Chuncheong Province.“Samsung Display is currently negotiating with India-based Twinstar Display to hand over the LCD manufacturing equipment at the L7 line to Twinstar Display,” reported online news outlet iNews 24 citing an anonymous source. “The potential deal will likely involve Samsung’s technical support for the Indian company as the la

Technology June 29, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Tech giant Samsung Electronics said June 29 that it has developed a small-sized antenna and a power amplifier that will accelerate the research and development and commercialization of 5G network devices.The new network technologies can be applied to both 5G base stations and end-user devices which utilize 28 gigahertz millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. The mmWave frequencies are expected to be one of the primary enablers of next-generation networks, according to Samsung.“This ach

Technology June 29, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Network operator SK Telecom said June 29 that a leading Chinese telecommunications firm has decided to invest in two Korean start-ups, which had participated in a start-up program run by the Korean telecom firm.SKT said the two start-ups -- Wisejet and Ezbelle -- have secured 900 million won ($769,500) of funding, respectively, from China Unicom, the second largest telecom firm in China. Jang Dong-hyun(second from left), the chief executive of SK Telecom, looks at products made by

Latest News June 29, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] IT solutions firm Samsung SDS said on June 29 that it would join forces with German software firm SAP to develop cloud systems for businesses.The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding for the partnership at its head office in Seoul on June 29.“We are proud to announce our partnership with Samsung SDS in enterprise cloud, one of SAP’s core services,” said Bernd Leukert, member of SAP’s products & innovations unit.Chung Yoo-sung (left), president and CEO of Samsung SDS,

Technology June 29, 2016

[THE INVESTOR ] Dayou Winia, a Korean electronics firm, has joined hands with Haier, one of China’s leading electronics makers, to jump into the Chinese market,The Korean firm, well known for its electric rice cooker and kimchi refrigerator brand Dimchae, said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qingdao-headquartered electronics firm for a partnership to sell its electronic cookers in China. Executives of Dayou Winia and Haier participate in an event to sign a sales partnership

Industry June 28, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Is the hallyu fever over? Some naysayers claim the cultural phenomenon that hit the world in early 2000s is losing its gloss as it runs out of contents to showcase. Boy bands, girl groups and food like kimchi and bulgogi -- the centerpieces of the cultural wave -- are getting old for global fans.K-pop fans attend an outdoor event during the KCON convention held in Newark, New Jersey, from June 24 to June 25. CJ E&MA recent government report also showed the growth of Korean culture

Industry June 27, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s leading media giant CJ E&M has been persistently pushing to tap into the global show business to develop a new business model.And “Kinky Boots,” a Broadway musical, is one of its latest and most successful efforts. CJ E&M, which has participated in the production of the musical since 2012, is responsible for bringing the energetic stage performance to the Asian markets including China and Korea. A scene from Kinky Boots.“As a co-producer of ‘Kinky Boots,’ CJ E&M was able t

Industry June 24, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Chinese TV makers armed with price competitiveness are a growing threat to Korean electronics giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.Chinese electronics firms, such as LeTV, which is also a streaming services firm, has recently rolled out 65-inch 4K TVs with a price tag of around $900 in the Chinese market, according to IHS, a market research firm.A model poses with Samsung Electronics’ super ultra-high definition TV. (Samsung Electronics)They are around three times cheaper

Technology June 21, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics has announced that it would shift its focus to NAND flash memory from DRAM as the global DRAM market is reeling from record low prices.“The tech giant told investors (at the firm’s investor relations session) that it would scale down the investment in its DRAM business compared to last year,” reported online news outlet the Financial News, quoting a market analyst who participated in the meeting as saying.The tech giant held IR sessions in New York City and Bos

Technology June 21, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] A top Samsung Electronics executive said that the Internet of Things market will serve as a driving force behind the company’s semiconductor business.Participating in an investor relations conference held at Conrad Seoul on June 20, Samsung’s chief technology officer So byung-se said “IoT will become a locomotive of the semiconductor business.”“Developers should tailor system-on-chips made by other chipmakers on their own, but the ARTIK platform gets rid of such nuisance,” the CTO

Technology June 20, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Smartphone-maker Pantech will release a new model on June 30, its first after being acquired by a consortium led by telecom equipment firm Solid in December last year.The firm, once the third largest in Korea after Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, was on the brink of bankruptcy due to decreasing sales and financial constraints in 2015.After it was acquired by the consortium, the firm has focused on rolling out connected devices for automotive, defense and home automation in

Technology June 20, 2016