The Korean government laid out its new strategy, dubbed the “new growth 4.0 strategy,” details of which were released Monday. The primary goals highlighted in the plan are listed as follows:

• Flying taxis by 2025. 
• Spacecraft on the moon in 2032. 
• A 30 percent share in the 6G market by 2030. 
• Robot delivery in 2025. 
• Drone delivery in 2027.

Apart from these aforementioned goals,15 other areas have been targeted by the government. They include future mobility, space exploration, quantum technology, future medical technology; energy technology, AI and 6G communication networks, logistics, carbon-neutral cities, smart farms, smart grids, semiconductors, batteries, carbon-free and autonomous ships, bioscience innovation, K-culture and tourism; Korean content development; and huge overseas deals,v including construction, defense exports, and nuclear power plant contracts. 

Additionally, the Korean government is also heavily focusing on commercializing flying cars. Very recently, Japan’s first manned taxi took to the skies in a first-of-its-kind trip. With their ability to cover shorter distances in a shorter amount of time, flying cars hold the promise of freeing up the roads for pedestrians, cyclists, and long-distance travelers. The Korean government is also planning to open an Urban Air Mobility test bed in Goheung, South Jeolla, in the month of August this year. Further reports also state that Hyundai Motor and Korean Air are just some of the biggest private organizations involved in the design and development of flying vehicles. In-city testing is expected to begin in 2024.

As per the government’s proposition of a precision digital map, fully autonomous vehicles will be commercialized and regulated by the year 2027. As a part of its long-term plan, the government is also aiming towards popularizing self-driving vehicles by 2035. For the space program, the launch of the third iteration of their rocket, Nuri-Ho will be held in the first half of this year itself, with yearly launches planned down the line until 2027.

Another big part of Korea’s government plans is to open Korea’s very own Disney by the year 2025. The massive project, estimated at 6.3 billion won (~$48.5 Million), will be a key project to integrate the country’s culture and entertainment interests. The whole project will be located in Goyang at the time of its completion. 

Apart from the development of a 50-Qubit quantum computer by the year 2026, the Korean government is also advocating for the R&D of next-generation nuclear reactors. A lot of major Korean organizations are keen on investing in the nuclear future of the country. A new, more specific AI application plan will be implemented by the government to make day-to-day life easy for the country’s residents. The applications will range from childcare to education and medical services to 6G technology. The country already ranks second worldwide in terms of 5G network share. Lastly, micro fulfillment centers will be permitted by the government in order to deliver drones and robots for military applications.

Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho stated that their economic slowdown is attributed to reducing exports and investments pertaining to the global economy. Such a detailed, step-by-step plan will help boost the country’s economic vitality over a long period. Of course, technological innovation will be the key method to achieving these long-term goals.

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The deployment of 5G infrastructure is underway wor5G infrastructure works are continuing at full speed almost all over the world. However, the number of people who can use this modern connection technology today is very limited. While 5G is available in a few pilot test areas, it is not yet widely available in many regions. Nevertheless, in developed countries such as South Korea, which is already one of the world’s leading technology hubs, 5G is more widely available. In fact, South Korea has recently announced that it plans to launch its 6G network. Here are the details…

South Korea plans to launch 6G network service in 2028

South Korea has recently announced that it plans to launch its 6G network service in 2028, two years ahead of schedule, as it seeks to secure an early advantage in the future wireless frequencies. The country’s Ministry of Science and ICT announced the K-Network 2030 plan, which aims to develop world-class 6G technologies, innovate software-based next-generation mobile networks, and strengthen the network supply chain.

The advanced plan also aims to encourage local companies to produce materials, parts, and equipment for 6G technology in the country, and to develop an open RAN that is compatible with any mobile device and enables mobile carriers and enterprises to offer flexible services. Additionally, the ministry is conducting a feasibility study for a research and development project on core 6G technologies worth KRW 625.3 billion ($481.7 million).

South Korea’s efforts to lead in the development of 6G technology come as the country seeks to maintain its leading position in the global competition for future network infrastructure. As the demand for higher speeds and lower latency in wireless communications continues to rise, the country is looking to retain its competitive edge following the 5G network race. According to the German analysis firm IPlytics, South Korea accounted for 25.9 percent of the number of 5G patents last year, closely following the market leader China with 26.8 percent.

The advanced plan will also create new opportunities for local companies and researchers to participate in the development of 6G technology. By encouraging the production of materials, parts, and equipment for 6G technology in the country, the government hopes to create new jobs and promote economic growth. The open RAN system will also enable mobile carriers and enterprises to offer flexible services, which could create new business opportunities in the telecommunications sector.

With this move, the country hopes to secure an early lead in the next generation of wireless technology, as well as promote innovation and economic growth.

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(via)

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Apple has been facing several lawsuits in different regions around the world and the issues just keep increasing for the technology firm. In the latest development, it is said that Apple has to pay up to $46 million South Korea on benefits that it failed to declare.

Based on the data from Korea Fair Trade Commission, a lawmaker has come to the conclusion that technology giant Apple needs to pay $46 million. This is related to an investigation that found Apple guilty of antitrust behaviors.

In 2016, the US-based giant was accused of anti-competitive practices in South Korea. Given the popularity of its smartphones, the mobile carriers had to sell them and taking unfair advantage of its position, Apple was dictating terms. It was accused of imposing three onerous conditions on local carriers:

• Carriers had to buy minimum quantities of each model, dictated by Apple
• Carriers had to share the cost of warranty repairs or replacements
• Carriers had to pay to run Apple’s own TV ads for the iPhone

While Apple had settled the case by proposing a series of measures but the issue of dictating mobile carriers to pay for TV ads for the iPhones is coming to haunt the company.

Carriers had to pay the full cost of running iPhone ads on TV and they were only allowed to use Apple’s own ads. The carriers were permitted to only add their own logo to the final frame. This effectively gave free advertising to Apple, amounting to a taxable benefit that the company failed to declare.

It appears that Apple made local mobile carriers in Korea pay 20 to 30 billion won, for which Apple needs to pay 28.8 billion to 43.2 billion won in corporate taxes. But the total amount of corporate taxes the company should pay comes to 36.6 billion to 55 billion won when including additional taxes imposed for failing to report the corporate taxes.

The claim is from a minority party so it remains to be seen if anything comes out of it. But the timing is crucial as it comes at a time when Apple is under pressure in the country as Apple and Google are now required to allow developers to use third-party payment platforms in their app stores in Korea.

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If there’s one 2021 device that has leaked well ahead of launch, it is definitely the Samsung’s Galaxy S21. In fact, almost all the info regarding the entire series of 3 devices is out in the open. Now, a fresh report says Samsung will hold a teeny-weeny pre-order window for the devices in its home country.

The Galaxy S21 series comprising of Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra 5G devices will be open for pre-orders from January 15th as per the new info. If what the Twitter user(via Sammobile) says is true, this is going to be the situation in Korea.

He also says that the pre-orders will run through to January 21 which is a span of just about 6 days. In the past, Samsung has had at least a two-week window for the predecessors(Galaxy S20 series). That said, the disparity between regions this time is baffling as the devices are already up for blind orders in India.

EDITOR’S PICK: Samsung Galaxy S21 series pre-orders started in China before Xiaomi Mi 11’s launch

Of course, there is also the possibility of Samsung testing the waters to get the pulse of the audience in bigger countries like India, China. 2020 has been a bit of a rollercoaster for the world and not everyone would be willing to spend such premium pricing(leak) for a smartphone. One other reason could be enough stocks which the company had planned well in advance so that it feels a week for pre-orders is enough.

Anyway, the Korea release date(January 29), as mentioned by the user, corroborates with the early report. Samsung has mostly maintained at least a unanimous launch date of devices across regions. And we can expect the same to repeat this time as well.

Nevertheless, the announcement(January 14) is reportedly just a few weeks away granted Samsung doesn’t jump the gun here. The company has already confirmed that it is bringing new display technology on January 6 and a new Exynos chipset on January 12.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy M12 bags NBTC certification, Launch could be nearing

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In the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, several companies have already bowed down to the pressure from the U.S. to ban Huawei from their 5G infrastructure development. Now, it seems that Korea could be added to the list soon.

As per a report coming from Korea, a U.S. Congress committee has submitted a new bill that urges Pentagon to consider mobile security risks posed by the Chinese tech companies when it deploys troops and weapons overseas.

The bill named the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, has been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committees and will soon be put on the vote. If passed, it could be used to force host countries to ban Huawei or other companies that the United States deems as a security risk.

Given that Korea heavily relies on heavily armed U.S. troops for its defense, it could be forced to ban Huawei. This is because LG UPlus, one of the mobile network operator in Korea, is using 5G equipment from Huawei.

EDITOR’S PICK: Samsung’s Tizen OS becomes the leading Smart TV platform globally, reports Strategy Analytics

LG Uplus has been using Huawei equipment in its network since 2013, which now accounts for over 30 percent of its total infrastructure. While the U.S. government has asked LG Uplus to stop using equipment from the Chinese giant but the company maintains that it’s impossible to do so given the costs involved.

However, the company has said that it is using Ericsson’s equipment in Pyeongtaek and Uijeongbu, where U.S. military bases are located, and their vicinities. On the other hand, Korea says that it is up to the network operator to determine which equipment to use.

UP NEXT: South Korea records nearly 10 million 5G users in October

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Counterpoint Research, a well-known analytical firm has released a report on South Korea Smartphone Market for Q2 2020. According to it, Samsung led the market, followed by Apple and LG at second and third positions respectively.

The research firm is yet to publish the report on its website but it has sent it out to media houses in South Korea. As per the report, Samsung retained the top position with a 67% market share. The company improved by 3% QoQ.

The second place was acquired by Apple with a 19% market share. The American tech giant grew a mere 1% QoQ. Whereas, LG continued to remain in the third position with a 13% market share. Also, unlike the top two companies, it declined 3% QoQ.

Samsung led the South Korea Smartphone Market due to the strong sales of Galaxy A series and Galaxy S20 series. In fact, 5 of the top 10 bestsellers were Galaxy A series devices. However, Apple iPhone SE 2020 was the best-selling smartphone in the whole of Q2 2020 in the country.

Since most of the bestsellers were Galaxy A series of smartphones, the sales of handsets priced below $400 represented 45% of the entire sales. It increased by 33% YoY because like the US, South Korea had always been a flagship device market. But the pandemic changed this market as Counterpoint Research reported in May.

Last but not least, though the South Korea Smartphone Market incremented by 9% QoQ in Q2 2020, it declined by 8% YoY.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G production cost is about $549

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Coronavirus or COVID-19 originated from the Wuhan province of China in late 2019. Since then, it has now spread to 203 countries affecting nearly a million people with over 44,000 deaths. This has led to lockdowns, which is severely impacting lives as well as businesses. Samsung already became a victim of the pandemic when it had to temporarily shut down one of its smartphone factories in South Korea as a number of the plant’s employees tested positive for the virus. Now, the company confirms yet another case of coronavirus but in a chip factory.

Samsung, in a statement, revealed that one of its workers at a foundry fab (chip manufacturing facility) in Giheung, Korea had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Thus, as a safety precaution, the firm has isolated all the people who were in close contact with that employee. It has even closed the work area of the positive employee for disinfection.

Despite this, the South Korean tech giant confirmed it won’t affect the output of this particular chip factory as other cleanrooms/work areas are in continuous operation. Also, this person is the first and the only Samsung chip factory worker to have caught the virus for now.

Earlier this month, another chip factory of Samsung in Hwaseong, Seoul caught fire but with no casualties. Even at that time, the company stated the production to remain unaffected. However, disruption of supply chain and other factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led the conglomerate to reduce pay raise for its employees this year.

UP NEXT: Samsung and LG will send a total of 430 engineers to their Vietnam Manufacturing Facilities

(Via)

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Korean market has been one of the leading in production of smartphones, thanks to home grown companies like Samsung and LG. However, it now seems that the once-bustling smartphone plans for productions are now about to fade out.

Both smartphone brands from South Korea — Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are either shutting down their production lines in the home market or are curtailing domestic output, as per the report from industry analysts.

Nowadays, companies are moving their productions to third-world countries where the production cost is lower because of lower labor costs. This is important as the competition with Chinese smartphone makers such as Huawei and Xiaomi have made the smartphone market price competitive.

Going by the developments, it is being speculated that the smartphone production in South Korea could soon come down to zero. According to a report from Strategy Analytics, smartphones produced in Korea accounted for 11.4 percent of the total shipped in the global market in 2008, but the figure fell sharply to 1.3 percent in 2018.

The Korean production of smartphones is expected to fall further following LG Electronics’ decision to phase out work at its Pyeongtaek factory in Gyeonggi Province by the end of the year. It will now shift production to Hai Phong in Vietnam where the firm has operated a factory since 2014.

On the other hand, Samsung Electronics is also scaling down its output in Korea. The company produced about 60 million smartphones annually in Korea a decade ago, but is currently producing about 20 million. Samsung, which operates factories in Vietnam, Brazil, India and Indonesia, produces about 300 million devices a year in total.

Read More: Samsung confirms the development of under display camera technology for ‘perfect full-screen’ devices

As per the recent figures, Samsung produces almost half of its entire smartphones in Vietnam. The company is also planning to build additional factories in India, seeking to increase smartphone production.

(Via)

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