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[김상회의 사계] 성장하는 청사의 해

육십갑자는 십간과 십이지를 조합해서 만드는 것으로 육십년을 주기로 한다. 나이 육십을 환갑이라고 하는데 이는 육십갑자를 한 바퀴 돌아 태어난 해와 똑같은 육십갑자의 해가 되었다는 뜻이다. 2025년 을사년은 십간의 '을'과 십이지의 '사'가 조합된 해이다. 육십갑자의 특징은 오행 그리고 색깔과 연관되어 있다. 을은 오행으로 보면 목에 해당하고 목은 청색을 나타낸다. 을사년의 사는 동물 중에서 뱀을 의미하므로 푸른 뱀의 해가 된다. 뱀은 다양한 상징의 동물이다. 신화나 민담에서 빠지지 않고 나오는 동물이 뱀이고 지혜와 변화를 상징한다. 색깔 중에서 푸른색은 활력을 의미한다. 봄과 여름의 신록을 보면 사람들은 자연스럽게 싱그러운 기운을 얻고 활력을 느낀다. 푸른 뱀의 해가 지혜 넘치는 변화 그리고 성장을 향한 움직임으로 해석되는 이유다. 뱀띠인 사람들이 부지런히 새로운 도전에 나서고 현실에 안주하지 않고 변화를 추구하는 것도 이런 영향이 크다. 뱀띠들은 머리가 영민하고 지혜가 있어서 어떤 모임에서든 중심 역할을 맡는다. 또한, 책임감도 갖추고 있어서 사람들을 이끌어가는 능력이 있다. 그렇다고 자기를 지나치게 드러내는 것도 아니다. 신중하게 행동하고 말도 조용히 하지만 믿음을 주는 언변을 보인다. 그렇다면 푸른 뱀의 해에는 어떤 일을 하면 좋을까. 새로운 변화를 꿈꾸는 사람은 망설이지 않고 실행에 옮기기에 좋은 시기다. 멈칫멈칫하면서 시간만 흘려보내지 말고 도전해볼 것이다. 다만 감정에 치우쳐 일을 도모하는 건 조심해야 한다. 뱀처럼 지혜를 발휘하고 감정보다 합리적 이성으로 판단해야 실수가 없다. 활력을 불러오는 목木의 기운을 디딤돌 삼아 더 나은 자리로 도약하기에 적합한 해라고 할 수 있다.

2025-01-24 04:00:20 메트로신문 기자

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 24일 금요일

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 24일 금요일 [쥐띠] 36년 재물의 만족함은 어디까지인가. 48년 주변이 수상하니 말조심. 60년 새우싸움에 고래 등 터지라 해본들. 72년 남에게 피해를 준 내 이득은 결국 피해로 되돌아온다. 84년 세월이 흘러도 변하지 않는 추억이 있다. [소띠] 37년 먼저 주면 다시 큰 것을 얻는다. 49년 제살이 아프면 남의 살도 아프다. 61년 이혼을 서두르기보다 기다려보라. 73년 남의 눈에 티끌만 보지 말고 내 잘못도 생각하라. 85년 걱정은 버리고 과감하게 도전해야. [호랑이띠] 38년 날씨 탓만 하지 말고 밖으로 나가라. 50년 오후 하늘에서 꽃비가 내린다. 62년 거짓과 진실은 한 권역 안에 있으니. 74년 집착은 도둑의 심보가 아닐까 싶다. 86년 물질에서 얻는 행복을 비난할 자 그 누구인가. [토끼띠] 39년 한발 물러서면 그다지 손해는 아니다. 51년 어항 속 물고기처럼 답답한 하루이다. 63년 여의주를 얻은 격이니 뜻한 바를 이룬다. 75년 노력한 보답이 주어지니 보람이다. 87년 초대받은 손님으로 환영을 받는다. [용띠] 40년 바람이 불어대니 방황이 시작된다. 52년 바닷가로 여행을 떠나면 길하다. 64년 노란색이 오늘 행운을 가져온다. 76년 주식에서 금전 이득에 즐거운 일이 생긴다. 88년 원하던 일이 순조롭게 풀리고 재물도 들어온다. [뱀띠] 41년 지도력의 본질은 설득력. 53년 익숙해져서 게을러지지 않기를. 65년 자격증의 시대라곤 하지만 무슨 자격증 이름이 이리 많은지. 77년 고양이 목에 방울 달기. 89년 인정은 변하기 쉬우나 그래도 양보와 겸손으로. [말띠] 42년 꿀을 얻으려면 벌통을 먼저 손질해서 놓아야. 54년 식당에서 영업매출은 이익이다. 66년 우물가에서 숭늉 찾지 말고 일은 순서대로. 78년 개미구멍으로도 공든 탑은 무너진다. 90년 망설임이 때로는 좋은 결과를 준다. [양띠] 43년 운이 상승하기 시작하니 무슨 일이든 시작. 55년 상사병으로 밥맛이 없다. 67년 독단적인 일 처리는 불필요. 79년 진실한 사랑 타령 말고 자신 일에 본분을 다해야 할 것. 91년 한글 자판을 외워 독수리 타자를 시작했다. [원숭이띠] 44년 모임에서 일시적인 감정이 상대의 오해를 산다. 56년 사람과의 불화가 의심되니 나서지 마라. 68년 현상 유지만으로도 반가운 하루. 80년 하늘이 푸르니 마음에서 희망이. 92년 허상의 허망함을 좇다 진짜 보석을 놓친다. [닭띠] 45년 에덴동산은 책에서나 있으려나. 57년 길고 짧은 것을 꼭 대봐야 아는가. 69년 목마른 사람이 우물을 파게 되는데. 81년 사랑은 사람뿐 아니라 동식물 모두에게 필요하다. 93년 부뚜막의 소금도 집어넣어야 소용이라던데. [개띠] 46년 미꾸라지 한 마리가 온 웅덩이를 흐려 놓는다. 58년 돌다리도 두드리고 가야 한다. 70년 떡 줄 사람은 생각도 하지 않는데. 82년 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚을 갚는다. 94년 달콤한 속삭임이 있으니 굳은 의지가 필요한 날이다. [돼지띠] 47년 가족을 위해 일한 것이 나를 위한 것이었다. 59년 재혼녀에게 기분이 상해도 이해를 해가면서. 71년 작은 일에 신경 쓰지 말고 크게 보고 행동해야. 83년 행복도 불행도 길고 짧음이 있다. 95년 내 맘 같지 않을 때가 오늘이다.

2025-01-24 04:00:16 메트로신문 기자

[Trump's Blade] The Battleground for K-Industry?... Finding a Breakthrough Through U.S. Local Investment

Amidst U.S. President Donald Trump's strong protectionist stance, South Korean companies are focusing on increasing local investments in the U.S. to respond to high tariffs. In an uncertain environment, their strategy is to overcome the crisis by concentrating on local production and building supply chains. According to industry sources on the 23rd, following President Trump's re-election on the 20th (local time), domestic companies are actively preparing countermeasures in response to the new administration's policies in the U.S. President Trump announced that starting next month, a 25% tariff will be imposed on all products from Mexico and Canada, and he has instructed a review of existing trade agreements. It is also reported that discussions are underway regarding an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The 10% additional tariff mentioned by Trump would be imposed on top of the tariffs already levied on over $300 billion worth of Chinese imports during his first term. President Trump also signaled the possibility of imposing a universal 10% tariff on all imported goods. Although he mentioned that the universal tariff policy is not yet prepared and the specific implementation timeline remains uncertain, domestic companies are closely monitoring the potential for such tariffs. Companies without local factories are particularly concerned about the loss of price competitiveness due to the introduction of these tariffs. ◆ "Mitigating Tariff Risks by Establishing U.S. Production Facilities" The steel industry is actively expanding into the U.S. as the importance of establishing production facilities in the U.S. has grown. South Korea's steel exports to the U.S. are subject to a duty-free quota of up to 2.68 million tons per year. If local production is established, it can reduce tariff burdens and create a more stable supply chain, which is expected to be advantageous in terms of profitability. Hyundai Steel is reportedly considering building a steel plant in the U.S., attracting attention. Hyundai Steel plans to produce automotive steel products locally in the U.S. and supply them to Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. factories. Hyundai Motor Group operates Kia's plant in Georgia and Hyundai's plant in Alabama. Additionally, Hyundai is constructing a dedicated eco-friendly electric vehicle plant, MetaPlant America (HMGMA), in the Savannah area of Georgia. The shipbuilding industry is also actively investing in the U.S., focusing on the potential for alliances in shipbuilding and defense sectors. Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Phili Shipyard in the U.S. in December 2024, with an investment of approximately $100 million. Hanwha Group is the first domestic company to acquire a U.S. shipyard. Earlier, in November 2024, shortly after his election, President Trump mentioned in his first phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol, "I am aware of South Korea's world-class capabilities in building warships," and added, "It is necessary to closely cooperate with South Korea not only in ship exports but also in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector." The power industry is also expected to experience growth in performance, driven by the U.S. market's need to replace aging power infrastructure. President Trump has announced plans to invest over 700 trillion KRW in artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, there is growing optimism that the power equipment sector will benefit from this trend and experience a boom. HD Hyundai Electric will increase its investment in production facilities for ultra-high voltage transformers in response to growing AI demand and the expansion of data centers. The company plans to invest a total of 396.8 billion KRW in the construction of a new production facility at its Ulsan plant and the establishment of a second plant in Alabama, USA. Through this expansion, HD Hyundai Electric aims to secure production capacity for 756kV (kilovolt) ultra-high voltage transformers, which is the highest voltage specification currently used in the U.S. market. An industry insider stated, "Domestic companies are increasing investments in the U.S. to avoid tariffs and reduce logistics and distribution costs," adding, "It is essential to turn U.S. protectionism into an opportunity by creating jobs and expanding investments in the U.S." They further emphasized, "Expanding market access in the U.S. and actively utilizing the local ecosystem will be key to strengthening cooperation with the new U.S. administration." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 17:03:38 메트로신문 기자

"From Disney Tours to Luxury Goods"… The Three Major Telecom Companies Begin Pre-orders for the Galaxy S25 Series

Pre-orders for Samsung's latest smartphone, the 'Galaxy S25 series,' will begin on the 24th. The three major telecommunications companies are competing to attract users by offering various AI-based benefits and giveaways. According to the telecommunications industry on the 23rd, the three major telecom companies will be offering pre-orders for the Galaxy S25 series from the 24th to the 3rd of next month. Activation will be available starting on the 4th, with the global release scheduled for the 7th of next month. ◆ SKT: "From Disney Tours to AI Benefits" SK Telecom will offer a 3 million KRW travel voucher for a "Walt Disney World Tour" to 50 lucky customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series. The winners can choose their preferred Walt Disney World or Disneyland location from around the world, including destinations like Florida, USA, and Paris, France. Additionally, 2,000 pre-order customers will receive a Starbucks gift card worth 50,000 KRW. Customers can apply for both the Disney World Tour and the Starbucks gift card giveaway simultaneously. A promotion linked to Disney+ will also be held. From February 4th to March 31st, customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and subscribe to the Disney+ plan can apply through the promotion page. The first 5,000 customers will receive a "T Universe Disney+ 3-month subscription," which can be gifted to others. AI-related benefits are also prominent. Customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and complete the necessary event consent will receive an expanded version of the company's AI service "A.Dot" phone call summary feature, increasing from the usual 350 calls per month to up to 1,000 calls for a maximum of 6 months. Additionally, in collaboration with OpenAI, there will be a promotion offering a 50% discount on the paid service "ChatGPT Plus" for three months. Additionally, T Universe benefits have been significantly enhanced. Customers who activate the Galaxy S25 series and subscribe to the T Universe CU discount subscription product in offline stores by March 31st will see the monthly discount limit increase from the previous 30,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW, doubling the original amount. This benefit will be available until June 30th. ◆ KT Boosts with Discounted Plans… Limited Sale of Ultra 1TB Model When pre-ordering the Galaxy S25 series through KT, customers can receive the following benefits: ▲ A Samsung genuine ultra-fast charger with the purchase of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, ▲ A choice between Galaxy Buds FE or a popular case with the purchase of the Galaxy S25 or Galaxy S25+, and a 3-month subscription to Millie's Library. Additionally, if purchasing with family or friends, customers can receive up to 600,000 KRW in Naver Pay gift cards (for up to 4 people). Additionally, customers who purchase the product by the end of February will receive a 150,000 KRW discount coupon for the 'Galaxy Watch 7' to be used on the Samsung.com app, as well as three 30% off coupons for accessories. Along with this, they will also receive a 3-month free trial of YouTube Premium, a 3-month free subscription to Willa with an additional 3-month 50% discount, and a 3-month unlimited subscription to various domestic and international digital magazines. The Galaxy S25 Ultra 1TB model will be released on KT's official online store, 'KT.com.' Pre-order customers can purchase the 1TB model at the price of the 512GB model, receiving a discount of 286,000 KRW. The 1TB free upgrade is available in limited quantities. KT.com pre-order customers will receive the following benefits: ▲ A 7% discount on the monthly fee of 5G plans (for up to 24 months; excludes LTE and Direct plans) ▲ 5% cashback or 12-month interest-free installment options with a maximum of 100,000 KRW when using BC, Samsung, or Shinhan cards. In addition, customers who purchase the Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 7 from KT.com and activate their devices will receive a free Galaxy Buds Pro 3 on a first-come, first-served basis. First-time customers on KT.com will also receive an additional Galaxy Watch 5. KT explained that during the pre-order period, customers who watch the live broadcast of the Galaxy S25 series on KT.com and place an order will be entered into a raffle to win luxury prizes such as a Bottega Veneta card wallet, Chanel hand cream, and Hermes perfume. ◆ LGU+ Pre-installs AI Assistant 'ixi-o' ixi-o is an on-device (built-in) AI service launched in November of last year, offering features such as ▲ real-time voice phishing detection, ▲ AI search, ▲ AI call answering, ▲ visual caller ID, and ▲ quick AI summaries and suggestions. An additional feature, "AI search," which allows the AI to analyze call content and recommend related YouTube Shorts, will be added in February. LG U+ offers a benefit to customers through the "Phone Replacement Pass with New Galaxy AI Club" to reduce the burden of device replacement costs. By subscribing to this service, customers can receive up to 40% of the original price back when returning the device after two years. LG U+ is running several promotions for customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series on its official online store, 'Uplus.com.' Pre-order customers will receive a Uplus.com coupon worth up to 200,000 KRW, which can be used for the purchase and activation of the Galaxy S25 series. Additionally, customers who pay with a Samsung Card will receive up to 24-month interest-free installment benefits and a cashback offer worth 90,000 KRW. If customers return their used Galaxy smartphones and purchase the Galaxy S25 series, they can receive an additional 150,000 KRW on top of the existing trade-in value. Additionally, LG U+ will offer several prizes for customers who pre-order and activate their smartphones through Uplus.com, including a Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Ultra7 (1 winner), LG CineBeam Cube (1 winner), an Hermes scarf (1 winner), and Starbucks Americano gift cards (first 10,000 customers). Meanwhile, the three major telecom companies, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, are offering several benefits as standard. First, customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 series will receive the "Double Storage" benefit, which allows them to upgrade from the 256GB model to the 512GB model for free. Samsung Electronics also offers the smartphone subscription service "New Galaxy AI Subscription Club." KT allows customers who purchase the Galaxy S25 series and choose the Galaxy Change Choice option to subscribe to "feel safeChange New Galaxy AI Club" (8,000 KRW per month). The "feel safeChange New Galaxy AI Club" service offers up to 50% compensation on the device price when customers return their old phone after two years when purchasing a new phone. LG U+ offers the "Phone Replacement Pass with New Galaxy AI Club." Customers who activate their devices and subscribe to the "Phone Replacement Pass" and provide additional consent will be able to use the "New Galaxy AI Club" for free. Customers of the New Galaxy AI Club can receive up to 40% of the original price back when they return their device after two years. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 16:56:27 메트로신문 기자

Hyundai Motor Achieves Record-High Revenue and Sales…Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Growth Lead the Way

Hyundai Motor recorded its highest-ever performance in both revenue and sales last year. Hyundai Motor announced on the 23rd that its revenue for the previous year reached an all-time high of 175.2312 trillion KRW, marking a 7.7% increase compared to the previous year. This is the highest revenue on record. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by the expanded sales of high-value models, a rise in average selling price (ASP), and favorable exchange rate effects. However, operating profit for the year was 14.2396 trillion KRW, down 5.9% from 2023. The operating profit margin also decreased from 9.3% in 2023 to 8.1%. Net profit stood at 13.2299 trillion KRW. Hyundai Motor's total sales for the previous year reached 4.141959 million units. The eco-friendly vehicle segment, driven by increased sales of hybrids and electric vehicles, grew by 8.9% compared to the previous year, reaching 757,191 units and leading the overall growth. In the domestic market, sales decreased due to the impact of economic slowdown and weakened consumer sentiment. However, in the North American market, sales increased by 4.4%, maintaining a strong growth trajectory. Hyundai Motor's revenue for the fourth quarter of last year was 46.6237 trillion KRW, an 11.9% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Operating profit was 2.8222 trillion KRW, a 17.2% decrease. Global wholesale sales in the fourth quarter totaled 1,066,239 units, a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. While the hybrid and electric vehicle segments continued to show growth, the slowdown in China and emerging markets is believed to have impacted the overall performance. A Hyundai Motor official stated, "Despite increased profit and loss volatility due to the rapidly changing external environment, we continue to grow as sales in the North American region expand and the share of hybrids continues to increase." Hyundai Motor has set its management goals for this year with a global sales target of 4.17 million units, a revenue growth rate of 3-4%, and an operating profit margin of 7-8%. Last year, Hyundai sold a total of 4.142 million units, and in 2023, it recorded sales of 4.217 million units. To achieve these goals, Hyundai plans to fully activate its local electric vehicle production system in North America, expand the sales of hybrids and electric vehicles, and focus on defending profitability. Hyundai Motor has outlined its commitment to continue investing for the future, even in the face of global crises such as increased macroeconomic volatility and growing uncertainties. The company plans to invest a total of 16.9 trillion KRW this year, focusing on responding to the transition to SDVs (Software-Defined Vehicles), building a U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, and securing continuous advancements in future technologies. A Hyundai Motor official stated, "Amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, we aim to establish a sustainable growth foundation through flexible management strategies centered around North America and the expansion of eco-friendly vehicles." Meanwhile, reflecting its strong performance, Hyundai Motor set the year-end dividend at 6,000 KRW per share. The total annual dividend for last year amounted to 12,000 KRW per share, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. Hyundai Motor plans to maintain a dividend payout ratio of over 25% to enhance shareholder value. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-23 16:41:32 메트로신문 기자

[김상회의 사계] 진정한 새해

새해는 태양력과 달을 기준으로 한 음력을 함께 사용하고 있는데 지금의 태양력이 완성되기 전까지 동서양을 막론하고 착오가 많았고, 그렇다면 진정한 1년의 시작은 어디서부터일까. 지구가 태양을 한 바퀴 도는데 걸리는 시간은 365일. 엄밀히 따지면 매년 몇 분의 오차가 있긴 하지만 365일 5시간 46분이고 우리는 이것을 1년이라고 부른다. 그리고 하루는 24시간인데 실제로 하루가 정확하게 24시간이 되는 것은 일 년에 단 4일뿐이라는 것을 아는 사람들은 많지가 않다. 그 외에는 24시간이 넘거나 부족하므로 이 차이를 줄이기 위해 4년에 한 번씩 2월에 하루를 더하여 오차를 조정하는 것이다. 지금이야 전 세계의 공식적인 책력은 당연히 태양력이지만 나라마다 고유한 전통 책력을 쓰는 나라들이 다수인 것은 수천 년간 살아온 문화와 전통양식이 계속되고 있는 까닭이다. 우리나라만 하더라도 태양력에 기초한 신년 설날과 음력에 기초한 구정이 있다. 동남아의 대다수 나라 역시 전통적인 신년의 시작은 그 나라들만의 전통적인 책력에 따라 새해는 태양력의 4월에 해당하기도 한다. 동서양을 막론하고 1년의 시작과 하루의 시작을 언제로 볼 것이냐 하는 것은 중요했다. 중국의 상고시대인 하나라 시절에는 인월(寅月)을 1년의 시작으로 보았다. 현재 우리가 사용하고 있는 만세력에서는 입춘 시각에 맞추어 새해가 시작된다고 여기도 있고 명리학에서도 1월은 인월(寅月)로 배정했다. 동지를 아세(亞歲)라고 하여 실질적 해 바뀜으로 여기던 전통에 의해 우리나라가 동지 절기를 성대히 치르는 이유도 여기에 있다. 실제로 고대 서양인 그리스나 메소포타미아 지방의 사람들은 음(陰)의 최저점으로, 일양(一陽)의 생성인 동지(冬至)를 새해의 시작으로 삼았다는 기록이 있다.

2025-01-23 04:00:29 메트로신문 기자

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 23일 목요일

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 23일 목요일 [쥐띠] 36년 의견통일을 하고 새로운 일을 맡아라. 48년 휴대전화 교환을 고려. 60년 반려동물을 키우려면 다른 사람에게 피해가 가지 않도록. 72년 금연을 위해 운동시작. 84년 비단옷 입고 밤길을 돌아다니는 격. [소띠] 37년 문벌보다 실력으로 해냈다. 49년 내가 할 일을 하고 지적질 하던지. 61년 부동산은 전문가의 도움을 받고 일을 추진. 73년 삼각관계 인연을 포기하니 마음은 편하다. 85년 동분서주하니 이익이 생김. [호랑이띠] 38년 정치적인 언쟁에 휘말리면 본전 찾기 힘들다. 50년 새 술은 새 부대에. 62년 익숙한 일도 가볍게 보지 말자. 74년 소중한 것을 나누고 싶다는 마음 자체가 상대에겐 고통. 86년 신혼의 이혼 위기를 극복. [토끼띠] 39년 삶의 질은 나의 선택으로 결정된다. 51년 자신을 자제한다는 것이 힘들기는 하다. 63년 겸손하게 하루를 보내자. 75년 언제나 진리의 길은 가까운 데 있다. 87년 내가 좋다고 남들도 다 좋은 건 아니다. [용띠] 40년 한발 물러서서 양보. 52년 여름이 갔으니 부채는 제 역할을 다한 것. 64년 현대는 실력의 시대라고 하니 공부를. 76년 서시의 찡그리는 모습을 따라가니 동시효빈. 88년 나에게 냉정하고 남에게 관대하다. [뱀띠] 41년 매력적인 이성의 유혹이 있는 날. 53년 진인사대천명이니 최선을 다해라. 65년 기죽지 말고 살자. 77년 실력과 학벌이 별개인 듯 아닌듯하지만 들다 실력이다. 89년 칠흑같이 캄캄해도 곧 새벽이 오겠다. [말띠] 42년 늦었어도 배운다는 것은 소중한 일. 54년 백만 송이 장미가 깔린 길을 걷는 기분. 66년 흐르는 것은 흘러가게 놔둬라. 78년 자존감이 지나치면 주변을 힘들게 한다. 90년 생각이 많아서인지 배고픔을 모르겠다. [양띠] 43년 멍석이 깔렸으니 미뤄둔 일을 마무리. 55년 실수를 하지 않도록 점검. 67년 웃으면 복이 온다고 했다. 79년 질투가 강하면 증오로 바뀌기도 하니 위험. 91년 싸워서 이길 상대가 아니니 피하는 게 상책이다. [원숭이띠] 44년 서류를 제출하고 좋은 결과가 있다. 56년 뿌린 대로 거둔다는 속담이. 68년 상상만으로도 행복한 하루. 80년 사랑을 받고 싶다면 먼저 주되 집착은 불필요하다. 92년 인생은 새옹지마이니 좋은 일이 올 것이니. [닭띠] 45년 날씨가 화창하니 영업도 잘된다. 57년 절이 싫으면 중이 떠날 수밖에 없다. 69년 백절불굴(百折不屈)하여 여기까지 왔는데. 81년 오전부터 하루종일 일이 잘 풀린다. 93년 마음은 청춘이나 몸이 따라 주지 않는다. [개띠] 46년 파란 하늘이 그립고 비빌 언덕이 필요한 날. 58년 자신이 옳다고 믿어도 기다려보자. 70년 우는 아이는 젖을 줘서라도 달래보도록. 82년 커피 한 잔이 여유를 준다. 94년 보통 있는 일에 시시비비 가리지 말도록 하라. [돼지띠] 47년 재테크의 방법이 있지만, 평생 나만 몰랐다. 59년 재운인 유산의 증여로 가난을 탈출. 71년 안다는 것의 삶의 즐거움으로 학습에 매진. 83년 받았으면 자신도 베풀라. 95년 내일 지구가 멸망해도 한그루 사과나무를 심자.

2025-01-23 04:00:27 메트로신문 기자

Hyundai and Kia Expect Record High Performance Amid Popularity of Eco-friendly Cars and SUVs…Moving to Respond to U.S. and Chinese Markets This Year

Hyundai Motor and Kia are continuing their strong performance, fueled by the booming eco-friendly vehicle market. With each quarter setting new record-high results, industry attention is focused on whether Hyundai and Kia will achieve unprecedented performance in the previous year. According to industry sources on the 22nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia are set to announce their annual results for last year on the 23rd and 24th, respectively. According to financial information provider FN Guide, securities firms estimate Hyundai's annual results to be approximately 173 trillion KRW in revenue and 14.8 trillion KRW in operating profit. Kia is expected to report about 106.9 trillion KRW in revenue and 12.8 trillion KRW in operating profit. If these estimated figures materialize, Kia will set record-high results in both revenue and operating profit. For Hyundai, the company is expected to achieve its highest-ever revenue figures. In 2023, the combined revenue of the two companies reached 262.472 trillion KRW, with operating profit of 26.7348 trillion KRW, marking their best-ever performance. While the possibility of surpassing 30 trillion KRW in annual operating profit seemed likely through the first half of last year, it appears that, based on the estimates, only revenue records have been broken this year. The continued upward trend in Hyundai Motor and Kia's performance can be attributed to a favorable external environment, including the sustained high exchange rates, as well as a strategic focus on selling high-value vehicles such as eco-friendly cars and SUVs. In particular, strong export performance in North America played a key role in driving the companies' improved results. However, it remains uncertain whether this upward trend will continue into this year. This year, the launch of the Trump 2.0 administration has increased policy uncertainty, which has raised concerns about the companies' performance. Despite increasing investments, such as expanding local production bases in the U.S., Hyundai failed to meet the origin requirements for batteries and key minerals used in eco-friendly vehicles. As a result, Hyundai's Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, and Genesis GV70 electric models were excluded from the U.S. electric vehicle subsidy program. On his first day in office, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the repeal of electric vehicle subsidies, calling them "unfair." The only models from Hyundai and Kia that qualify for the subsidy in the U.S. are the Kia EV6 and EV9. In response, Hyundai Motor Group is focusing all its efforts on meeting the requirements for U.S. electric vehicle subsidy eligibility. A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "By the second quarter of this year, we will meet the parts origin requirements and be eligible for the subsidy again." Hyundai Motor and Kia are also focusing on targeting the Chinese market to expand their global sales. Hyundai Motor is preparing to launch a China-exclusive electric vehicle this year, aiming to expand sales in China, the world's largest electric vehicle market. Industry experts analyze that Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, Beijing Hyundai, will release a China-exclusive electric SUV model this year, with the price expected to be set around 20 million KRW. Kia has continued to see steady sales growth in China, leveraging its electric vehicle (EV) technology. From January to November last year, Kia's electric vehicle sales in China reached 5,526 units, a 26-fold increase compared to the same period the previous year. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung emphasized at the company's New Year's meeting earlier this year, "Since things went well last year, we don't have the luxury of being optimistic about this year," adding, "Simply trying to endure won't be a good strategy." This underscores the importance of responding quickly and flexibly to changes in the global automotive market. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 16:31:55 메트로신문 기자

Starting the Preparation of Subordinate Regulations Amid Equity Controversy Between Domestic Companies and Global Big Tech

"The discussion surrounding the AI Basic Law, which passed the National Assembly in December last year and was approved at the Cabinet meeting this month, is actively ongoing. The AI Basic Law is a law designed to foster the development of South Korea's AI industry and protect the rights and dignity of its citizens." / DALL-E generated image. 4o mini There is a controversy surrounding the AI Basic Law, with claims of reverse discrimination. The argument is that in a situation where global big tech companies are skillfully avoiding domestic laws in platform services, regulatory measures might unfairly target only domestic companies. The government has stated, "If foreign companies are not subject to regulation, domestic companies will not be either." According to the IT industry on the 22nd, concerns about reverse discrimination against domestic companies have been growing since the process of drafting subordinate regulations for the Artificial Intelligence Basic Law (AI Basic Law) on AI development and trust-building began. The Ministry of Science and ICT launched a task force on the 15th to draft the subordinate regulations for the AI Basic Law, which is scheduled to be promulgated this month and fully implemented in January of next year. The AI Basic Law serves as the foundation for policy support to foster the development of the AI industry, while also aiming to protect the rights and dignity of citizens from the potential risks of AI technology. It is the second AI-related law to be enacted in the world. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expedite the task force's work, aiming to complete the drafting of the subordinate regulations by June, well ahead of the deadline of December next year. The AI Basic Law has been one of the key pieces of legislation strongly advocated by the IT industry for swift enactment and implementation. However, the controversy over reverse discrimination arose after the law was enacted because of concerns that if its various regulations are applied only to domestic AI companies, it could put them at a disadvantage in competition with global big tech companies. Industry insiders argue that, while the urgent need for legislation to secure AI technology sovereignty and long-term support policies is clear, they are skeptical about whether there are ways to regulate and sanction global big tech companies within the framework of domestic law. In the past, global big tech companies, citing their foreign status, have either been subject to minimal enforcement of domestic laws or used loopholes to avoid them, paying less taxes and evading legal responsibilities compared to domestic companies. An IT service platform representative, Mr. A, stated, "The AI Basic Law has achieved the outcome of mandating foreign operators to designate domestic agents." However, he also expressed concerns, saying, "Domestic companies are ultimately forced to develop and provide services under the AI Basic Law, but under the development regulations, foreign companies will likely remain unaffected. This raises questions about whether the law is fair and equitable." The AI Basic Law strengthens regulations on foreign AI companies, requiring global big tech companies that impact the domestic market to designate a domestic agent. This is to ensure that these companies provide the necessary support for implementing the government's safety and reliability measures. Failure to designate an agent will result in a fine. The government plans to implement the AI Basic Law with a focus on "promotion" at 70-80% and "regulation" at 20-30%, aiming to alleviate the concerns of the IT industry. On the 21st, Kim Kyung-man, the Director of AI-Based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, who attended the seminar on "Analysis and Evaluation of the AI Basic Law and Future Tasks" co-hosted by Kim & Chang Law Firm and the Korea Data Law and Policy Association, stated, "Regulations under the AI Basic Law that do not apply to foreign companies will not be applied to domestic companies either." He further explained, "For issues such as overlapping regulations or confusion in policy governance that slow down the changes and implementation of the system, we plan to address these promptly through the National AI Commission to ensure that there are no difficulties in competing with foreign companies." Park Min-chul, a lawyer at Kim & Chang Law Firm, expressed concern, stating, "The AI Basic Law is still at a stage where it is difficult to predict what regulations will be in place, leading to fears that it could become the starting point for further regulations." He added, "The subordinate regulations should be clarified while avoiding the addition of unnecessary content, and should be used as a mechanism to increase predictability." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 16:26:13 메트로신문 기자

"Short but Impactful" The Short-Form Drama Boom: China Leading, Will Korea Follow?

Short but impactful "short-form dramas" are changing the landscape of the global content market. In particular, as the short-form platform TikTok overcomes its survival crisis, attention is focused on whether the rapidly growing short-form drama market, primarily centered in China, will benefit from this trend. According to the "2024 China Short-Form Drama Industry Development White Paper" released by the China Internet Video Association on the 22nd, the size of China's short-form drama market reached approximately 50.44 billion yuan (about 10.037 trillion KRW) last year, showing a 35% growth compared to 2023. This surpasses the total size of China's film market in the same year, and it is expected to reach around 19 trillion KRW by 2027. ◆ AI and Localization Strategy: The Key to the Success of Chinese Short-Form Content China's leading short-form drama platform, "Lilshot," produces vertically formatted dramas with each episode lasting about one minute. This short, fast-paced format has become extremely popular among consumers who prefer quick and engaging content. Lilshot has especially gained attention in the U.S. market. In November of last year, it surpassed TikTok to become the most downloaded app in the U.S. with a total of 28.6 million downloads. In-app purchase revenue reached $80 million (approximately 105 billion KRW). Other Chinese short-form drama platforms, such as "DramaBox" and "GoodShot," continue to grow in the Chinese-speaking and Southeast Asian markets as well. The success of Chinese short-form dramas can be attributed to AI technology and localization strategies. AI technology has enabled high-quality content production while reducing costs and production time. Additionally, localized stories that reflect the cultural characteristics of each country, along with strategic partnerships, have accelerated their entry into the global market. Lilshot has attracted consumer interest with its reasonable pricing policy and a diverse range of content genres. Typically, a series consists of 70 to 80 episodes, with the first 58 episodes available for free. Subsequent episodes are offered for a fee, with the total viewing cost around $30 (approximately 40,000 KRW). The average production cost per series is only around $300,000 (approximately 400 million KRW), making it a highly profitable model. ◆ K-Content Takes on the Short-Form Market K-Content, which enjoys strong recognition in the global market, has also ventured into the short-form drama market. Since the launch of South Korea's first short-form drama platform, 'TopReels,' in April last year, 'BeagleU' and Watcha's 'ShotCha' have also actively entered the short-form market. TopReels is operated by Fox Media, a subsidiary of the game distributor NeoRidge, and offers not only original dramas such as "My Revenge Partner" and "Acquired Four Men" but also Chinese short-form dramas. BeagleU is the first domestic short-form platform to enter the Japanese market, offering around 90 dramas in seven languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese. Recently, it gained recognition for its growth potential by securing an investment of approximately 120 billion KRW from Krafton. In particular, ShotCha has attracted attention as Watcha was the first domestic OTT platform to step into the short-form drama market. TVing is also preparing to enter the market by planning original short-form dramas. However, the lack of independent platforms and limited experience in large-scale production are seen as major obstacles in the Korean short-form market. An industry expert positively assessed the potential of short-form dramas as a new growth driver for the Korean content industry, emphasizing, "Strengthening production capabilities through global collaboration and adopting a content strategy that highlights the unique appeal of short-form dramas are essential." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-22 14:05:44 메트로신문 기자

[김상회의 사계] 을사년 띠별 운세(2)

2025년 을사년을 맞는 말띠들은 달빛이 이지러지는 때가 있는 것처럼 잠시 흐름이 멈칫하는 기운이다. 부부나 연인 사이에서도 별것 아닌 일로 다투는 일이 생기니 참는 것이 상책. 양띠는 어떠할까. 양띠들은 처음에는 미약하나 나중에 뜻을 이루는 격이다. 전반적으로는 반길반흉(半吉半凶)이나 양띠들 역시 을사년에는 삼재가 드는 까닭에 충동적인 행동은 삼가고 조신하게 처신하는 것이 바람직하다. 원숭이띠는 인간관계와 금전관계에 어려움이 따를 수 있다. 사(巳)와 신(申)은 반합의 관계로서 처음에는 좋으나 나중이 어려워지는 관계의 합이다. 기대가 컸던 만큼 실망도 더 커지는 격. 그러니 매사 신중함이 요구된다. 닭띠들은 을사년과는 괜찮은 조합이다. 대인관계도 원활해지나 혹 자만하면 배신감을 느낄 수도. 주변 사람 변동이 많고 친구가 떠나도 새 친구를 만나는 격이다. 본분에 충실하면 결과가 좋다. 을사년에 개띠들은 직장 변동이나 이사와 같은 변동수 이사수가 엿보인다. 때를 기다리던 사람은 새 바람을 기대해 볼 만하다. 단, 과욕은 금물이며 일단 기운은 바람을 탄 격이니 준비가 되었다고 생각되면 힘차게 추진해 봐도 좋다. 연애 중인 사람은 프러포즈도 가하다. 이에 반해 돼지띠들은 역시 을사년에 삼재가 들므로 신중해서 손해 볼 것이 없다. 대인관계와 연애는 변화보다는 현재에 성의를 다하는 것이 안전을 도모하는 것이 된다. 생각만큼 진전이 없더라도 꾸준히 하다보면 분명 결실이 있을 것, 이상은 을사년과 각 띠마다 대략적 특성만 비교하여 따져본 것이다. 각자 사주팔자의 구성과 대운이 다르고 사주마다 십이운성과 신살 등이 다르기에 획일적으로 적용하기에는 당연히 무리가 따른다. 사주팔자 분석으로 지혜롭고 복된 을사년을 지내시기를.

2025-01-22 04:00:15 메트로신문 기자

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 22일 수요일

[오늘의 운세] 2025년 01월 22일 수요일 [쥐띠] 36년 변화가 있어도 흔들리지 말고 앞만 보고 전진. 48년 겉모양만 보고 상대를 판단하다가 낭패. 60년 한번을 참으면 열흘이 편하다. 72년 사소한 서류라도 다시 체크를. 84년 동업 전에 협력자를 구하고 일을 진행. [소띠] 37년 재물로 인한 갈등이 생겨도 이익은 발생. 49년 부적절한 이성 관계는 마음만 다친다. 61년 가뭄에 단비가 내리니 행운이 따른다. 73년 작은 이익에 연연 마라. 85년 병이 깊어지면 생각이 흐려지게 마련이니 건강을. [호랑이띠] 38년 배우자의 지출이 갈수록 태산. 50년 시골로 가려는 이사는 서두르지 말고 물러서서 행동. 62년 사방에 적이 있어서 일의 성사가 어렵다. 74년 머피의 법칙처럼 일이 꼬이는 날. 86년 꽃이 피었으니 좋은 일이 있겠다. [토끼띠] 39년 망설이다가 기회를 놓칠 수 있으니 주의. 51년 구설수가 있으니 조심. 63년 죽은 나무에 물을 주는 것은 아닌지 살펴라. 75년 환상은 환상일 뿐 현실이 아님. 87년 오늘은 무엇보다 언쟁에 조심해야 하는 날이다. [용띠] 40년 마른 논에 물들어 오듯이 이사는 순조롭다. 52년 비가 오고 바람이 불어대니 쉬어가라. 64년 먹구름이 보이니 원행은 삼가. 76년 같은 말이라도 '아' 다르고 '어' 다르다. 88년 미팅을 나갈 때 파란색 옷이 행운을. [뱀띠] 41년 개구리가 올챙이 적 생각 못 하는 게 사람. 53년 조직에서 밀어주니 힘이 난다. 65년 저마다의 방법이 있듯이 묵묵히 하다 보면 된다. 77년 처지가 같은 사람끼리 모인다. 89년 영업이 실타래가 풀리듯 일이 풀린다. [말띠] 42년 뒤늦은 투자는 하룻강아지 범 무서운 줄 모르고 덤비다 낭패. 54년 기회는 있으니 뒤돌아보지 말고 전진. 66년 꽃비가 내리니 세상이 환하다. 78년 부모님 생각이 간절하다. 90년 물고기를 잡고 나면 통발을 잊어버린다. [양띠] 43년 목마른 자가 우물을 파는 법이다. 55년 천 리 길도 한걸음부터이니 우선 시작을 하도록. 67년 기침이 잦으면 반드시 병원으로. 79년 잠이 안 오면 머리 방향을 바꿔보라. 91년 이력서 낸 곳에서 기다리던 기쁜 소식이 온다. [원숭이띠] 44년 책망하기를 좋아하지 마라. 56년 경제적으로 곤란을 겪는데 모르는 곳에서 도움 온다. 68년 절약하는 것도 정도껏 해야 인색함을 면한다. 80년 비빌 언덕이 절실. 92년 고래 싸움에 새우 등 터지니 가정의 화목을 우선시. [닭띠] 45년 일하고도 고맙다는 소리 못 듣는다. 57년 뛰어난 아이디어로 주변 일을 해결한다. 69년 인색함과 절약은 전혀 다른 것이니 생각을 정리해보라. 81년 키는 작아도 일에서는 으뜸. 93년 부드러움보다 강하게 나가야 하는 날. [개띠] 46년 사랑하며 사는 것이 행복. 58년 멍석이 깔렸으니 모든 역량을 발휘해서 노력하라. 70년 무지개 너머 신천지를 기대. 82년 남의 험담을 들어도 전달하지 마라. 94년 사소한 일로 다툼이 시작되니 각자의 의견만 내지 말아라. [돼지띠] 47년 종일 밥을 대충 때우게 된다. 59년 결론은 내 뜻대로 된다. 71년 장마철에 천장에 비가 새니 날벼락이다. 83년 가도 가도 쉬운 길은 나오기가 어려운 인생길이다. 95년 역마의 기운이 왕성하니 움직일 때는 운전 조심을 하도록.

2025-01-22 04:00:13 메트로신문 기자

Unpacked D-2, Key Points to Watch? Focus on the Smarter AI Phone and the Debut of XR Devices

IT tipster Evan Blass posted a photo on his social media, which is believed to be a promotional image of the Galaxy S25 series. / Evan Blass X 4o mini As the Galaxy Unpacked event approaches, attention is focused on the new products to be revealed. The upgraded 'Galaxy S25' series, featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, is expected to be Samsung Electronics' flagship release. With this, Samsung aims to find a breakthrough in the smartphone market and gain a competitive edge. In addition, anticipation is rising for the unveiling of the second-generation 'Galaxy Ring' and Samsung's first mixed reality (XR) product, the 'Moohan' headset. According to industry sources on the 21st, Samsung Electronics will hold the "Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025" event on the 22nd (local time) in San Jose, USA, where the new Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled. The event will take place at 3 AM Korean time on the 23rd. The Unpacked event will be themed "The Next Big Leap in Mobile AI Experience," showcasing the new AI features that will be integrated into the Galaxy S25. The biggest features of the upcoming Galaxy S25 series are its redesigned look, significantly upgraded AI capabilities, and camera improvements. The lineup is expected to include the same models as the previous generation: ▲ Galaxy S25, ▲ Galaxy S25 Plus, and ▲ Galaxy S25 Ultra, with the addition of a new ▲ Galaxy S25 Slim model. Samsung Electronics has traditionally offered three models: the standard, Plus, and Ultra. However, in order to break through in the smartphone market, which is currently focused on thickness competition, Samsung has expanded its lineup by adding the "Slim" model. The biggest change is in the design. While the previous Galaxy S25 series featured sharp, angular corners, it is expected that the new series will adopt a more rounded design. Samsung hinted at this change in a recent video for the Galaxy S25 Unpacked invitation, showcasing the alignment of four smartphones, suggesting a shift in the design. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display and weighs 162g. The Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, comes with a 6.7-inch display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and WQHD resolution, with a weight of 190g. One of the key features of the upcoming Galaxy devices is the advanced AI capabilities and enhanced camera performance. Last month, Samsung introduced key features of its next-generation 'Galaxy AI,' including 'Nowva' and the 'Personal Data Engine.' 'Nowva' is a new notification system that displays the user's real-time activities, such as their schedule, music listening, translations, and health data, directly on the smartphone's lock screen. It is predicted that the voice assistant "Bixby" embedded in the Galaxy S25 will be integrated with Samsung's large language model (LLM) "Gauss" or Google's LLM "Gemini." While Bixby has previously been capable of only simple commands, combining it with an LLM model will enable it to perform more complex tasks. In addition, a "text conversion" feature, which transcribes call content into text, will be added. The scope of features such as text summarization and grammar and spelling checks, which were previously available on individual apps, is expected to expand across the entire device. These AI features will be enabled by Qualcomm's "Snapdragon 8 Elite," which will be integrated into all Galaxy models. The industry analyzes that this chip will see a 40% improvement in GPU performance and a 45% enhancement in AI capabilities compared to the previous generation, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Additionally, Samsung is expected to unveil the upgraded second-generation Galaxy Ring. The new Galaxy Ring will include size options 14 (diameter 23mm) and 15 (diameter 23.8mm), bringing the total number of available sizes to 11. In addition, there is growing attention on whether Samsung will unveil its first XR (extended reality) product at this Unpacked event. Samsung has been developing an XR headset under the project codename "Moohan." While details on the headset's size, screen resolution, and other specifications remain unclear, it is expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, as it has been developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. Last month, Google revealed prototype images of the headset. While similar to Apple's Vision Pro, the key difference lies in its design, which includes large lenses and a headband for improved comfort during wear. Meanwhile, the price of Samsung's latest premium smartphone, the Galaxy S25 series, is expected to be similar to that of its predecessor. For the Galaxy S24, the prices were 1,155,000 KRW for the standard model, 1,353,000 KRW for the Plus, and 1,698,400 KRW for the Ultra. If predictions hold, the 256GB model of the Galaxy S25 is likely to be priced similarly. ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 16:33:25 메트로신문 기자

[Trump's Blade] K-Industry at a Crossroads…Secondary Batteries and Steel 'Uncertain' vs. Shipbuilding and Power 'Bright'

President Donald Trump has begun his second term. As a result, the tariff hikes and protectionist policies that the Trump 2.0 administration had previously warned about are expected to impact the entire domestic industry. While some sectors are expressing concerns and tension due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump's return to power, there are also voices expecting potential benefits. According to industry sources on the 21st, with U.S. President Donald Trump officially inaugurated as the 47th president on the 20th (local time), domestic companies highly dependent on exports to the U.S. are facing heightened concerns. During his inauguration speech, President Trump had indicated trade policy reforms through the imposition of tariffs. Given this situation, there is widespread belief that domestic industries heavily reliant on the U.S. market will find it difficult to avoid the impact. ◆ Growing Tension in Secondary Battery and Steel Industries Amid Uncertainty in U.S. Exports The industry most focused on the Trump risk is the secondary battery sector. In his inaugural speech, President Trump stated, "We will end the Green New Deal and revoke the mandate for electric vehicles to revive the automotive industry and honor a sacred pledge to the great American auto workers." The Green New Deal refers to the Biden administration's policy for environmentally sustainable economic growth. Nevertheless, the industry believes that President Trump's statement about "ending the Green New Deal" does not necessarily imply the repeal of the U.S. IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). Repealing or modifying the IRA would not be possible through an executive order alone, and would require a process involving agreement and voting in both the House and Senate. Considering the differences in the number of seats in the House, analysts believe that such a move is unlikely to be realistic. Therefore, it is argued that assuming the repeal of the IRA based solely on the phrase "ending the Green New Deal" is an overstatement. However, a gradual reduction in electric vehicle subsidies is considered inevitable. There is increasing concern that this could negatively impact the profitability of domestic battery companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On, which have been increasing investments, including establishing local factories in the U.S. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade predicts that battery exports could decline by 6.1% to 25.2% following the start of the Trump 2.0 administration. The steel industry is also closely monitoring the potential introduction of universal tariffs and carbon taxes. President Trump has made it clear that he intends to impose up to a 60% tariff on Chinese products, signaling his firm stance on containing China. The problem is that South Korean steel products, due to the carbon-intensive nature of the industry, will likely be affected by carbon taxes as well. Steel companies are expressing concerns about additional cost burdens and the potential weakening of export competitiveness. Currently, the U.S. applies a quota system to South Korean steel products. Under the Trump 1.0 administration, the quota system limited the amount of steel imported from South Korea, allowing domestic companies to benefit from duty-free access for 2.63 million tons of steel. However, if carbon taxes are applied to the limited export volume, the cost of the finished products would rise, making it difficult to maintain price competitiveness in the U.S. market. ◆ Shipbuilding and Power Industries Find 'Growth Drivers' in Trump's Re-election On the other hand, there are industries that are welcoming President Trump's re-election. Notably, the shipbuilding industry is expected to benefit from a double boost, with increased demand for eco-friendly ships and President Trump's cooperation requests further enhancing the outlook. In his inaugural speech, President Trump emphasized, "We will declare a national energy emergency and expand oil and natural gas drilling extensively." Additionally, in a phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol in November 2024, he mentioned, "The U.S. shipbuilding industry needs South Korea's help and cooperation." Last month, President Trump also stated, "I am well aware of South Korea's world-class capabilities in building warships and vessels," adding, "I believe close cooperation with South Korea is necessary not only in ship exports but also in the areas of maintenance, repair, and servicing." Especially as President Trump places emphasis on traditional energy and fossil fuel-based industries, the demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LPG carriers is expected to increase. Domestic shipbuilding companies such as HD Hyundai Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries possess the technical capabilities to build around 80% of the world's LNG carriers, and are expected to strengthen their market position in the LNG carrier construction sector. Power equipment companies are also among the industries expecting to benefit from Trump's re-election. This is because President Trump's return to power has accelerated the replacement of power demand in the North American region. President Trump stated, "I will invoke emergency powers to secure the electricity needed for industrial development." Additionally, the day before his inauguration, President Trump stated, "I will use emergency powers to allow wealthy companies and individuals to build large factories and AI factories," and added, "We need twice as much energy, and perhaps even more." As the need for expanding the power grid grows, driven by the strengthening of the AI industry's foundation, U.S. power demand is rapidly increasing. In fact, the U.S. import value of power equipment rose significantly, from $164.34 million in January 2024 to $333.18 million in November of the same year. South Korea ranks as the second-largest importer, accounting for 12% of the total import value, and the overall trend is on the rise. Additionally, the increasing need for power equipment in the process of integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid is a positive factor for the industry. Furthermore, as the U.S. replaces its aging power infrastructure, there is rising demand for transformers, which is expected to benefit the power equipment sector. An industry insider stated, "The concerns over the tariff wars due to President Trump's re-election and the U.S.-China conflict are intertwined, meaning that the entire domestic industry will inevitably be significantly impacted." They continued, "In particular, in response to the changing global economic environment, domestic companies are adopting various strategies such as supply chain restructuring and expanding new businesses, but it is expected that, in the short term, it will be difficult to avoid overall confusion in the industry." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 16:14:53 메트로신문 기자

"Joint Growth" Hyundai and Kia: First-Tier Supplier Sales Exceed 90 Trillion KRW…"Continuing to Expand Global Competitiveness"

The sales of small and medium-sized first-tier suppliers directly providing parts to Hyundai and Kia surpassed 90 trillion KRW for the first time in 2023. Hyundai and Kia announced on the 21st that the combined sales of 237 small and medium-sized first-tier suppliers, as of 2023, amounted to 90.297 trillion KRW. This marks a 326% increase compared to 21.1837 trillion KRW in 2001. Once the final business performance figures for the suppliers are confirmed, the annual sales figure is expected to be even higher. The sales figures were compiled by analyzing the 2023 business performance of 237 small and medium-sized suppliers, excluding Hyundai Motor Group affiliates, companies with less than 10% revenue dependency on Hyundai and Kia, and non-specialized parts manufacturers among Hyundai and Kia's domestic first-tier suppliers. When adding the sales from the 2nd and 3rd-tier suppliers, which total around 5,000, the overall scale exceeds 100 trillion KRW. The 237 suppliers have also shown growth alongside Hyundai and Kia in terms of key financial indicators such as asset size and debt ratio. In 2023, their combined sales exceeded Hyundai's sales of 78.0338 trillion KRW by more than 12 trillion KRW and accounted for 66% of the combined sales of Hyundai and Kia, which totaled 136.5537 trillion KRW. The analysis, based on the Bank of Korea's input-output table (2022 extended version), shows that the sales of the 237 suppliers (90.297 trillion KRW) have contributed significantly to the national economy. The production inducement effect was estimated at 237.8 trillion KRW, and the value-added inducement effect reached 55.6 trillion KRW. The employment inducement effect is estimated to be around 600,000 jobs. The trend of individual suppliers becoming larger is becoming more evident. The average sales per supplier, which was 73.3 billion KRW in 2001, increased to 239.1 billion KRW in 2013 and was recorded at 381 billion KRW in 2023. The proportion of suppliers with sales exceeding 100 billion KRW has grown from 62 companies (21%) in 2001 to 160 companies (68%) in 2023. Hyundai and Kia have maintained an average transaction period of 35 years with their suppliers. This is about three times longer than the average operational lifespan of 13.5 years for international small and medium-sized manufacturers. Additionally, 36% of their suppliers have been in business with them for over 40 years. In addition, Hyundai and Kia have established local production plants in key global regions such as the U.S., Europe, India, Brazil, and Mexico. By supporting not only first-tier suppliers but also second-tier suppliers in their expansion, they have contributed to helping their suppliers secure global competitiveness. A Hyundai Motor Group official explained, "The growth of our suppliers is a result of increased production volumes following Hyundai and Kia's global sales growth, as well as leveraging the trust of being a Hyundai and Kia supplier to increase supply to other overseas automakers, thereby creating various revenue streams." He continued, "We will support sustained growth based on our philosophy that joint growth with suppliers is the source of automotive competitiveness and on long-term partnerships." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.

2025-01-21 15:41:13 메트로신문 기자

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