Latest News from Korea Herald
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Nearly 30% of ballots cast so far in early voting for presidential election
More than 13 million voters have cast their ballots in early voting so far for the presidential election, according to the national election commission Friday, with attention focusing on how such high voter enthusiasm would affect the June 3 formal vote. Turnout was 29.97 percent as of 3 p.m. on the second and last day of early voting, compared with the all-time high turnout of 30.74 percent for the same time in early voting for the 2022 presidential election. About 44.3 million voters are eligible for the election that will culminate monthslong political chaos triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. Both Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo have been encouraging people to go to the polls during the two-day early voting period, claiming high turnout benefits their candidates amid a three-way race that included Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party. For Friday, the DP's Lee visited Chuncheon and Wonju in Gangwon Province before heading to Chungju in North Chungcheong Province for his campaign rallies. This marks his first visit to Gangwon during the official campaign period. Both the Gangwon and North Chungcheong provinces were regions where Lee lost to then candidate Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential election. Lee also appeared on cable broadcaster JTBC's YouTube channel and called for a special counsel probe to fully hold accountable those involved in Yoon's martial law bid. "To bring the insurrection to a complete end, all those responsible or complicit must be identified and held accountable," he said. He also said a supplementary budget under his administration will focus on revitalizing the domestic economy and supporting working-class citizens, citing his signature policy of issuing local currency vouchers, which are designed to help small merchants and the self-employed. The PPP's Kim launched a 90-hour nonstop overnight campaign tour across the country in a final push to appeal to voters ahead of the formal vote. He started off with campaign rallies in Gapyeong, Icheon and Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. Kim then traveled to Chungju and Jecheon in North Chungcheong and will head to Wonju and Chuncheon in Gangwon. Earlier in the day, Kim delivered a public address at the PPP's headquarters, urging voters to help prevent Lee from taking office. "To restore the economy, we must stop Lee Jae-myung," he said. "If we fail to stop him now, our economy could collapse in a way that we won't be able to recover even in five or 20 years." The latest poll on the presidential election, published Wednesday, showed the DP's Lee in the lead at 49.2 percent, followed by Kim of the PPP with 36.8 percent. Lee Jun-seok came in third with 10.3 percent support. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Millions flock to vote early; record-high turnout expected
Two days of early voting for South Korea's next president kicked off, as millions of people — along with the presidential candidates themselves — cast their votes Thursday, with advance voting turnout numbers projected to be higher than in any previous election. According to the National Election Commission, voter turnout on the first day of voting came to 19.68 percent Thursday, with 3,568 polling stations having opened nationwide at 6 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m. Thursday. It was the highest first-day figure out of all elections since South Korea's introduction of early voting for presidential elections in 2014. This means about 8.69 million people out of 44.4 million eligible voters nationwide chose to go to a polling station on the first day of early voting, instead of Election Day on Tuesday next week. By region, the southwestern region of the North and South Jeolla provinces and Gwangju — the main liberal stronghold — showed the highest turnout. Early voting turnout for the last presidential election in 2022 amounted to 36.9 percent, up by more than 10 percentage points from the 2017 election. Politicians, including presidential candidates, took part in early voting Thursday and encouraged others to cast their votes as well. The Democratic Party of Korea's Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the clear front-runner in the race, cast his vote Thursday in the Sinchon-dong neighborhood of Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul. Lee voted alongside voters in their early 20s, according to the main liberal party. Lee's wife Kim Hye-kyung did not accompany him, as she voted separately in Busan. Lee, 60, who has polled far ahead of the five other candidates, expressed the hope that the June election could make South Korea "return to the era of the young generation," while emphasizing people's participation in voting could help "overcome the crisis due to an insurrection," as he met with reporters after voting. Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the major conservative People Power Party, went to the polling station with his daughter in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon — the constituency of his main rival, Rep. Lee Jae-myung. After voting, Kim, 73, expressed confidence in a come-from-behind victory, despite significantly lagging Lee in polls throughout the campaigning period. Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party visited his home turf of the Dongtan neighborhood, a residential area in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. He represents the Hwaseong-B constituency, which he won in a surprise upset that defied the polls in the 2024 general election. Lee, 40, said he envisioned a "generational transition" in South Korean politics. Kwon Young-gook, 61, the candidate of the progressive Democratic Labor Party, voted in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. There he raised concerns about the climate crisis and called for a broad shift to low-carbon production. Yeosu is home to an industrial complex dedicated to petrochemicals and steel. Alongside the top four presidential candidates, acting President and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho also went to a polling station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Thursday morning. Lee has served as the acting president since May 2. Those ahead of Lee in the line of presidential succession, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, resigned amid the ongoing political crisis after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally ousted in April for his brief imposition of martial law in December. Also joining the wave of early in-person voting were former Presidents Moon Jae-in and Park Geun-hye. Casting his vote with his wife in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Moon told reporters that people "should remember why the early election came into being," adding they must hold his successor Yoon accountable for "failure in handling state affairs and his acts of insurrection." Moon was the liberal leader of the country from 2017 to 2022 Park, who was also impeached and removed in 2017 due to a broad corruption scandal, cast her vote in Daegu near her residence. Park urged more people to vote as she met with reporters, downplaying concerns of election rigging in early voting. However, she declined to comment on the conservative candidates' failure to unite ahead of the election. Voting in the June 3 election kicked off with overseas voting earlier in May, as election authorities' preliminary data showed that eligible turnout approached 80 percent, with 205,268 people having already voted overseas. For the 2022 election, total voter turnout amounted to 77.1 percent.
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Could glass help Samsung crack next semiconductor conundrum?
Glass substrates inch closer to commercialization — poised to redefine performance, power efficiency in chips Glass substrates, long viewed as a promising next-generation component in advanced chip packaging, are now nearing real-world deployment, as Samsung Electronics signals a transition away from conventional silicon interposers. According to industry sources Wednesday, Samsung plans to adopt glass substrate interposers for its advanced semiconductors by 2028 to 'meet customer demands.' While the company neither confirmed nor denied the development, it stated, 'We are investing in (research and development) and preparing in line with industry trends.' In semiconductor manufacturing, interposers are critical in advanced packaging technologies. They connect high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips with graphics processing units (GPUs) or other logic chips, enabling faster data transfer and improved overall performance. Although chipmakers have traditionally relied on silicon substrates for their manufacturing maturity and compatibility, they are increasingly exploring glass as a high-performance alternative that offers improved energy efficiency. 'If glass substrates are successfully adopted, they could become a very attractive material,' said a chip materials professor on condition of anonymity. 'But there are still significant hurdles to clear before they can be commercialized.' A game changer for advanced packaging Glass core substrates are widely seen as a potential game changer in the semiconductor landscape. They serve as thin, rigid platforms that allow for side-by-side mounting of logic and memory chips, forming the foundation of high-performance computing systems. Their advantages are substantial: exceptional heat resistance, ultra-flat surfaces for greater chip density and finer patterning capabilities. According to SKC, the parent company of glass substrate maker Absolics, the material can improve chip processing speeds by up to 40 percent and reduce power consumption by more than 40 percent compared to traditional silicon substrates. Despite these benefits, commercialization has been slow, primarily due to the brittleness of glass and the high-precision demands of the manufacturing process. Nevertheless, leading chipmakers — including Samsung, Intel, AMD, Broadcom and Nvidia — are actively exploring the adoption of glass substrates in their next-generation chip products. 'Competition in the chip market is intensifying, and players are constantly seeking breakthroughs to set themselves apart,' said Lee Byung-hun, professor of electrical engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology. 'It's encouraging that Samsung continues to pursue differentiation to strengthen its competitive edge.' Amid growing momentum, the global glass substrate market is projected to grow from $7.2 billion in 2024 to $10.3 billion by 2034, according to market tracker Global Market Insight. Who's winning the game? The first company expected to commercialize glass core substrates is Absolics, a semiconductor materials subsidiary of SKC. The firm has already begun prototype production at its Georgia, US facility, which boasts an annual capacity of 12,000 square meters. Absolics is currently undergoing product qualification with clients and aims to complete preparations for mass production within this year. Its Georgia plant, completed in the first half of last year, made Absolics the first Korean firm to receive $40 million in subsidies under the US CHIPS and Science Act — part of a broader $75 million support package from the US government. Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which announced its entry into the glass substrate market last year, aims to produce its first prototype by the second quarter of this year. It has reportedly begun operating a pilot line at its Sejong plant. LG Innotek is also preparing to enter the space, building a pilot line at its Gumi plant and planning to begin prototype production by year-end. As a latecomer, the company aims to differentiate itself through a strategic partnership with a 'major North American client,' according to its CEO. While companies are racing to develop prototypes in 2024, experts caution that the timeline for full commercialization remains uncertain. 'Company activities are largely driven by client interest, but that does not necessarily guarantee immediate deployment,' said another professor specializing in glass core technologies, also requesting anonymity. 'Absolics, for instance, announced more than a year ago that it had begun product qualification with clients, but no results have been disclosed to date.' 'Glass substrates clearly offer compelling advantages,' the professor added. 'But so do their limitations, especially in terms of long-term reliability. Their use will depend heavily on specific applications, and competing materials remain in play. So while the potential is there, it's still too early to speak with certainty.'
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Election worker apprehended after allegedly casting vote on husband's behalf
An election worker was apprehended this week after allegedly casting an early vote for the June 3 presidential election on her husband's behalf, police said Friday. The woman was identified as a contract employee for Seoul's Gangnam district office who was appointed by the National Election Commission (NEC) to help check voters' IDs during the two-day early voting Thursday and Friday, according to Suseo Police Station. Police detained the woman without a warrant Thursday, about half an hour after they received a call that someone had voted twice at a polling station in Gangnam's Daechi 2-dong neighborhood. She is being questioned on suspicion of casting a ballot using her husband's ID before casting her own ballot several hours later. The woman reportedly admitted to all charges but refused to disclose a motive. Both the Gangnam district office and the NEC said they have relieved her of her duties. The NEC also filed a complaint against the woman with the police while requesting an investigation into her husband's possible involvement. "A vote by proxy by an election worker who should strictly and fairly oversee the presidential election is a very serious election crime that brutally tramples on the people's trust in election administration," the commission said. The woman's ballots cannot be nullified as they have already been placed inside ballot boxes, a commission official said. The vote count will proceed normally. In light of this and other incidents, the conservative People Power Party (PPP) on Friday lambasted the poor management in early voting elections, demanding the chief of the election watchdog apologize. Kim Moon-soo, the party's presidential candidate, denounced the NEC after meeting with reporters in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, saying the institution must "wake up" and undergo a "sweeping overhaul." "Why is the NEC still not fixing these problems, after going through many similar cases in the past, like the basket election incident?" he asked, referring to the controversy over the transportation of ballot papers from COVID-19 patients in plastic baskets during the early voting for the 2022 presidential election. Rep. Kim Yong-tae, the party's interim leader, also blamed the NEC for its inadequate election management while referring to a series of incidents that took place during the early voting. Voters reportedly went out to eat while carrying ballot papers in Sinchon, western Seoul, on Thursday. "We will review revising the Public Official Election Act to have election officials sign the early-voting ballot papers," Kim said. He also demanded a comprehensive inspection and overhaul of all early-voting sites, and said those responsible for the incidents must be duly reprimanded. "The chairman of the NEC should stand before the people himself and sincerely apologize," Kim added. Rep. Shin Dong-uk, the PPP's spokesperson, said the liberal Democratic Party (DP) has not been sufficiently critical of the NEC. "The DP has collected a lot of votes in early voting and that party's silence is even more irresponsible (than the NEC's mishaps)," Shin said. "Is the DP the defender of a rigged election?" (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Asia-Pacific Marine Engine Leader Weichai Launches Premium WH17 Marine Power, Earning Recognition from Korean Customers
SEOUL, South Korea, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading brand in the marine engine market in the Asia-Pacific region, Weichai continues to strengthen its strategic presence in the Korean market. In recent years, it has successfully launched the WH17 series—a new generation of premium marine power solutions. With outstanding performance and cutting-edge technology, this product line has rapidly gained recognition from key customers in Korea's seaweed farming and fisheries sectors. "In the demanding operational environment around Mokpo, where tidal changes are drastic, the WH17 engine has demonstrated exceptional adaptability and reliability, along with outstanding fuel economy," said a manager from a seaweed farming company in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. Weichai Group, as a globally leading multinational industrial equipment conglomerate, has achieved a significant milestone with the WH17 series, which represents the culmination of seven years of advanced R&D at Weichai. Covering a power range from 1,000 to 3,200 horsepower, it has undergone over 10,000 hours of rigorous bench tests and accumulated more than 1 million hours of sea trials. Specifically optimized for Korea's complex maritime conditions, it delivers exceptionally stable and robust power output even in rough seas with high waves and strong currents. At the same time, it achieves industry-leading fuel efficiency, significantly reducing customers' operating costs. Leveraging its well-established local service network in Korea, Weichai is actively expanding the success of the WH17 series into more demanding vessel segments, such as transport vessels, engineering ships, and passenger ships. This move further solidifies its position as the Asia-Pacific leader in marine power solutions.
