Trump could target battery materials sourced from China, sources say South Korean battery companies are closely monitoring the second Donald Trump administration’s potential imposition of tariffs on key battery materials produced in Korea. The concern follows the enforcement of 25 percent duties on Korean steel and aluminum that took effect Wednesday, with additional tariffs expected next month. While electric vehicle batteries are currently exempt from the proposed tariffs — set to be enforced

Hyundai Motor Company is poised to set up its second hydrogen fuel cell production facility at its Ulsan plant, ramping up its growth momentum in the hydrogen-powered electric vehicle market. According to media reports on Tuesday, the automaker is in talks with the Ulsan plant labor union to build the hydrogen facility adjacent to the factory’s existing auto transmission manufacturing site. This new production base will be the company’s second, following the one in Guangzhou, China, and the firs

LG Energy Solution said Monday that its joint research team with Yonsei University has made a breakthrough in next-generation dry electrode manufacturing technology for electric vehicle batteries. Electrodes, a key component affecting battery performance, are typically produced using a wet process that involves solvents to create a slurry, which is then coated onto a metal foil and dried. This method is energy- and time-intensive, requires substantial facility investments, and limits the energy

South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors’ Office decided not to appeal a court’s decision to revoke President Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention, Yonhap News reported Saturday. The decision came a day after the Seoul Central District Court approved Yoon's request for detention revocation. Yoon is now expected to be released from the Seoul Detention Center, where he was held for 52 days in connection with his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The president, who is suspended from office following parlia

South Korea and Canada are set to strengthen strategic partnerships in defense and critical mineral sectors amid the rising geopolitical uncertainty. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won met with Weldon Epp, assistant deputy minister of the Indo-Pacific division at Global Affairs Canada, in the capital city of Ottawa on Friday. The two parties agreed to further develop their achievements in five core areas of cooperation --

SK On is set to develop an in-house artificial intelligence-powered model to optimize its electric vehicle battery production and enhance cost and operational efficiency across its business, according to the firm's executive. Dubbed the “Battery Foundation Model,” this advanced AI system will create a framework using big data to guide business operations or decision-making processes, according to Kim Sang-jin, vice president and head of the new form factor product development office at SK On, du

Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed his hope to accelerate the K2 tank supply deal with South Korea, aiming to strengthen the defense partnership between the two nations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Duda told Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul that he wishes to swiftly complete the delayed second contract for the K2 tanks, underscoring the importance of mutually beneficial defense cooperation, including local production in Poland. The K2 tank, manufactured by Hyunda

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD’s launch in Korea has been at a standstill for a month, as its Atto 3 SUV has failed to meet one of the Environment Ministry’s criteria for EV subsidies. According to industry sources Thursday, BYD Korea is still waiting for the ministry to approve the subsidy after the company committed to adding the "State of Charge" feature to limit the maximum charge level to below 100 percent to prevent overcharging via a software update within this year. In 2025, the mini

Samsung SDI President and CEO Choi Joo-sun said Wednesday the company is poised to start mass production of its new 46-series cylindrical batteries for electric vehicles, an upgraded version of the smaller 21700 batteries. “We have secured customers for these batteries and have submitted sample products (to them),” said Choi during a press briefing at the InterBattery 2025 exhibition on Wednesday in Gangnam, Seoul, while declining to disclose specifics, citing confidentiality. The 46-series cyli

Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution and chairman of the Korea Battery Industry Association, stated Wednesday that the company is well-positioned to benefit from its extensive US production facilities, despite the tariff threats from President Donald Trump. “The tariff policies of the new US administration fundamentally encourage domestic production,” Kim said during a press briefing at the InterBattery 2025 exhibition in Gangnam, Seoul. “We intend to capitalize on our US factories effectiv

Amid concerns over a potential withdrawal due to tariff threats from US President Donald Trump's administration, Hector Villarreal, General Motors Korea president and CEO, reaffirmed his commitment to the company’s domestic operations. According to the company, Villarreal visited the Chevrolet Shinchon dealership on Friday, where he highlighted a focus on "achieving sales growth this year by offering world-class premium vehicles from GM’s global brands, including Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC, to

Innometry said Monday it will present its noninvasive X-ray inspection solutions for electric vehicle batteries at this week’s InterBattery expo in Seoul. The company will showcase its X-ray and 3D CT technology used to analyze the internal structure of the car batteries to identify manufacturing defects and help prevent EV fires. Specifically, the equipment is designed to monitor whether the internal electrodes in batteries of various form factors ― such as prismatic, pouch and cylindrical ― ar

Samsung SDI announced Monday that it would showcase new battery technologies for Hyundai Motor Group's robots and autonomous vehicles at the upcoming InterBattery 2025 expo in Seoul. At its exhibition booth, the company will feature DAL-e, a service robot developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia, which runs on a battery pack powered by Samsung SDI’s 21700 cylindrical cells — measuring 21 millimeters in diameter and 70 millimeters in length. The robot will engage with visitors and introduce Samsung SDI

SK On said Sunday that it will showcase an advanced thermal management solution for electric vehicle batteries with SK Enmove, its sister company under SK Innovation, at the upcoming battery exhibition in Seoul. The company’s battery pack, currently under development with the lubricant supplier, features “immersion cooling technology” that enhances cooling efficiency through an optimized fluid flow design, maximizing the contact area between thermal fluids and cells. Immersion cooling is a therm

Northvolt, backed by Volkswagen Group, was once hailed as Europe’s hope for an electric vehicle battery champion to challenge the creeping presence of Asian competitors. In a bid to spur growth, the Swedish battery maker hired dozens of battery researchers from Korean rivals, promising heftier salaries and a better quality of life -- until recently. After years of financial struggles, however, the company last month filed for bankruptcy protection in the US and its employees reportedly see