South Korea

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

LG Chem and Noritake unveil advanced silver paste adhesive for next-generation automotive power semiconductors
June 17, 2025 | Technology & Innovation

Automakers and semiconductor suppliers face mounting pressure to enhance thermal management and durability in electric and autonomous vehicle power modules.

**LG Chem Ltd. and Japan’s Noritake Co. have collaborated to develop a high-performance silver paste adhesive specifically designed for automotive power semiconductors.**
By combining LG Chem’s particle design technology with Noritake’s expertise in precision ceramics and particle dispersion, the partners aim to improve the bonding of silicon carbide (SiC) chips to substrates—a critical step in electric vehicle and autonomous driving power modules.

**The newly formulated silver paste withstands operational temperatures up to 300°C, greatly exceeding the limits of traditional soldering methods.**
It achieves enhanced thermal conductivity through optimized particle composition and uniform dispersion, ensuring efficient heat dissipation during high-load semiconductor operation and meeting the rigorous thermal management requirements of next-generation automotive electronics.

**Beyond thermal resilience, the adhesive maintains an extended shelf life, allowing storage at room temperature for up to six months without refrigeration.**
This feature streamlines transportation and on-site handling, reduces reliance on cold-chain logistics and enhances usability across global manufacturing facilities.

**Market research projects substantial growth in the automotive silver paste segment, with the market size rising from about 300 billion won in 2025 to an estimated 850 billion won (around US$622 million) by 2030.**
This trend reflects increasing demand for advanced bonding solutions in electric and autonomous vehicle power electronics.

**Shin Hak-cheol, vice chairman and CEO of LG Chem, noted that customized material solutions are key to strengthening the company’s competitiveness in the global automotive adhesive market.**
LG Chem and Noritake intend to continue their joint development of adhesive materials to support future semiconductor advancements.
Police Raid Major Power Companies After Fatal Taean Power Station Accident
June 17, 2025 | Energy & Natural Resources

Authorities have launched coordinated raids on major power companies in response to a fatal accident at the Taean Power Station.


On June 16, 2025, eighty officers from the Chungnam Provincial Police and inspectors from the Ministry of Employment and Labor executed synchronized searches at Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO) headquarters, Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) facilities, and the offices of Korea Power O&M. This action stems from the June 2 death of subcontractor Kim Chung-hyun, who became trapped in a milling machine while processing iron rods at the power station.

**At the time of the incident, Kim was working alone under a secondary subcontract held by Korea Power O&M, which had been engaged by KOWEPO within KEPCO’s power‐station management framework.**
Investigators have requested all documents detailing the contractual relationships between KOWEPO and its subcontractors, Kim’s employment agreement with Korea Power O&M, and any safety protocols or guidelines active at the work site. Officials intend to determine whether the companies established and enforced adequate oversight and risk‐control measures.

**Simultaneously, the Ministry of Employment and Labor is examining possible breaches of labor and safety regulations, including the proper issuance of work orders by KOWEPO or KEPCO and the implementation of required protective measures.**
Authorities have warned that the investigation could broaden as new evidence emerges and that they may pursue criminal charges based on their findings.

Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - June 17, 2025


News
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260

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17

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35

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0
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0
Academic/
Think
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2


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0

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Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.

The goal is to provide intelligence that allows decision makers to avoid being blindsided by what they may have missed, while informing them to make better decisions as well.

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Erudite Risk also includes operations categories so you can monitor the environment for better decision making. Everything is tied together--what happens in risk affects operations and what happens in the market impacts risk profiles.

We categorize key intelligence into one of 30 different operations intelligence categories.

Different roles and functions within the organization can monitor different key issue areas. HR may monitor employment, wages, regulations, labor and management relations, etc., while P&L leaders may monitor overall developing trends.

Operations Categories Reported on Today

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Acting finance minister urges active efforts to support economic recovery

Yonhap | English | News | June 17, 2025 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

Acting Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il emphasized the critical role of the finance ministry in guiding the new administration's economic policy and aiding recovery efforts during an extended meeting with senior officials on June 16, 2025. He underscored the urgency of leveraging the ministry's expertise and execution capability to address ongoing challenges, including declining domestic demand, a global trade war, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Lee called for renewed determination among ministry staff, highlighting the current economic environment's seriousness. The meeting included discussions on key policies, such as the proposed supplementary budget aimed at revitalizing the economy, ensuring price stability, and addressing issues in the real estate market. Additionally, he stressed the importance of monitoring and crisis management in light of increasing military tensions in the region, particularly following Israel's recent preemptive strike on Iran.

Hopes rise for revival of inter-Korean projects

Korea Herald | English | News | June 17, 2025 | North Korea

Owners of South Korean firms with operations in the Kaesong Industrial Complex are expressing renewed optimism for the revival of inter-Korean economic projects following the election of President Lee Jae-myung, a candidate known for advocating warmer relations with North Korea. This sentiment emerges from the possibility of reopening the joint economic zone, which has been closed since February 2016 due to heightened military tensions following North Korea's nuclear tests. Many business owners are eager to return to the complex to either resume operations or reclaim assets left behind.

Former chairman of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Business Association, Shin Han-yong, shared that while entrepreneurs have felt disappointed in the past, they are hopeful about the new administration’s commitments to restoring dialogue with North Korea. The closures have had devastating financial consequences for many companies, with some suffering significant losses due to their operations being largely concentrated in Kaesong. The South Korean government provided limited compensation to affected businesses, leaving many in a precarious financial state.

The encouragement from business leaders like Kim Ki-moon of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises underscores a collective hope for renewed inter-Korean economic cooperation. Stocks related to inter-Korean business interests have seen noticeable surges following positive developments in communication between the two Koreas, although some experts remain skeptical about the prospects for a genuine revival of cooperation. This skepticism stems from concerns over North Korea's advancing nuclear program and its current disinterest in engaging with South Korea on economic matters, suggesting that the obstacles to restarting these projects may be substantial.

Seoul to increase oversight on real estate deals by foreigners

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | June 17, 2025 | UndeterminedReal Estate

Seoul city government is set to implement increased oversight on real estate transactions conducted by foreign buyers, responding to rising foreign ownership and concerns over market imbalance. Announced on June 15, 2025, the new measures aim to enhance scrutiny of funding sources in foreign property deals and expand investigations into irregular transactions identified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Inspections will be conducted to ensure that foreign buyers comply with residency requirements in land transaction permit zones.

This initiative is seen as one of the most significant actions by a Korean municipality to impose greater regulation on a housing market segment that has previously faced few restrictions. There is growing discontent among Korean residents facing stringent lending rules and inflated housing prices, while foreign buyers, particularly those obtaining financing overseas, are perceived to navigate the market with fewer regulatory constraints.

As of late 2024, the foreign ownership figures have highlighted a pressing issue: 98,581 foreign owners held 100,216 homes, including approximately 23,700 in Seoul, and they owned over 66,199 acres of land. The city's measures are part of a broader international effort to regulate foreign investment in real estate, citing examples like Australia, which recently banned foreign purchases of existing homes to tackle housing affordability concerns.

The upcoming policy will involve monthly data collection on transactions from district offices and improved coordination with the Land Ministry to investigate financial documentation submitted by foreign buyers. Violations of residency or usage agreements could lead to correction orders, with fines of up to 10 percent of the property's acquisition price for non-compliance. Mayor Oh Se-hoon has signaled that the city will respond to abnormal price increases associated with foreign purchasing activity and has requested changes to national laws governing foreign property acquisitions.

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