스페셜경제

LG Uplus has joined forces with the Seoul Metropolitan Police to carry out an unprecedented on-site response aimed at preventing voice phishing crimes. In situations where financial damage is feared due to malicious apps installed on customers’ smartphones, the company and police are directly locating potential victims to stop the crimes in advance.

As of April 2, LG Uplus announced that it currently operates the “Customer Damage Prevention Analysis System,” which detects real-time activity from malicious apps deployed by voice phishing groups. When this system flags suspicious activity, the information is provided to the police. The police, in turn, collaborate with the Financial Security Institute and others to analyze the situation, and if a real threat is identified, they visit the customer directly.

In an extraordinary move, LG Uplus and the police carried out on-site responses in areas such as Mapo-gu and Seodaemun-gu in Seoul at the end of February. This is the first time such a measure has been taken in the telecommunications industry, marking a significant step from simply providing information to actively preventing damage.

The voice phishing tactics identified in the field have become increasingly sophisticated. Criminals deceive victims by pretending to provide “credit card delivery notices,” creating confusion and leading them to believe there is an issue with their smartphone. They are then tricked into installing a remote control app.

Once the app is installed, all phone calls and messages are intercepted by the criminal organization. Victims may believe they have contacted the police (112) or the Financial Supervisory Service, but in reality, all communication is being manipulated.

In one case, a misunderstanding occurred where the victim initially suspected the visiting police officers and LG Uplus staff to be part of the phishing scam. However, by escorting the victim to the police station, clearly explaining the situation, and removing the malicious app from the smartphone, they were able to prevent actual financial loss.

Based on this case, LG Uplus is preparing a “Malicious App Suspicion Alert” service to more clearly warn customers when harmful apps are detected. Additionally, it plans to further enhance the voice phishing detection features of its AI-powered call assistant, ixi-O.

Meanwhile, the police are reminding the public that “neither the police nor prosecutors will ever ask for money,” and urging citizens to visit the nearest police station if they suspect anything suspicious.

Hong Kwan-hee, head of the Information Security Center at LG Uplus, stated, “Through cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police, we are now able to effectively respond to the evolving tactics of voice phishing.” He added, “We will continue to refine our systems to ensure that customers can use our services with peace of mind.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized the importance of inter-company cooperation and resource solidarity to address social issues. He stated, “We must move beyond individual achievements and open a new decade focused on creating collective impact.”

Chairman Chey attended the “10th Anniversary Celebration of the Social Progress Credit (SPC)” held on the 1st of this month at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. At the event, he reflected on the accomplishments of the past decade and outlined the future direction of the initiative.

SPC is the first project in Korea to convert the social performance of social enterprises into monetary incentives. It was officially launched in 2015 following Chairman Chey’s proposal. To date, a total of 71.5 billion KRW has been provided to 468 companies.

He stated, “Now is the time to go beyond the social value created by individual companies. Businesses, local governments, and institutions must work together to generate collective impact,” and added, “By creating a market where social value can be traded, we can expand resources and accelerate the resolution of social problems.”

Currently, SPC is collaborating with six local governments to support the creation of social value by 69 companies. It is also actively engaged in global research partnerships. Last year, SPC garnered international attention through a joint study conducted by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the Center for Social Value Enhancement Studies.

At the event, eight companies and organizations were honored with achievement awards for their contributions to the expansion of SPC. Awards were presented in various categories such as “Performance Creation” and “Inclusive Innovation,” underscoring the growth of the social value ecosystem.

Chairman Chey concluded, “If more SPC companies emerge and continue to grow, the pace of social change in our society will accelerate even further.

SK Hynix has topped the global DRAM market for the first time, with its strong performance in the High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) sector playing a key role in expanding its overall dominance.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on April 9, SK Hynix recorded a 36% revenue-based market share in the global DRAM market in the first quarter of this year, surpassing Samsung Electronics (34%) to claim the top spot. Micron came in third with a 25% share. This marks the first time SK Hynix has led the DRAM market.

SK Hynix’s rise is rooted in its overwhelming success in the HBM sector, where the company reportedly holds a dominant 70% market share.

Choi Jung-gu, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, commented, “In a market where demand for high-performance computing, such as AI, is surging, SK Hynix has reached a meaningful turning point by successfully implementing a supply strategy centered on HBM.”

As recently as the fourth quarter of last year, Samsung led the market with a 39.3% share, ahead of SK Hynix's 36.6%. However, the surge in HBM demand has since reshaped the market landscape.

Industry experts believe this trend is likely to continue in the short term.

Hwang Min-sung, a research fellow at Counterpoint Research, said, “With AI server demand steadily increasing, market dynamics will be driven more by demand factors than external variables like tariffs in the near term,” adding, “HBM is a core component being deployed in AI infrastructure markets that transcend national boundaries.”

Nevertheless, Counterpoint Research also noted that, in the long term, structural impacts on the HBM market could arise from geopolitical factors, such as tariffs stemming from U.S.-China tensions.

POSCO Group Chairman Jeong-Woo Choi embarked on a three-day visit to Australia starting on April 7 to advance global business initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainable future of the steel industry and enhancing competitiveness in the energy sector.

On April 7 (local time), Chairman Choi attended the Executive Committee meeting of the World Steel Association, where he discussed responses to key challenges such as carbon reduction and shifting demand trends with top executives from major global steelmakers. During the meeting, he emphasized, “Collaboration among global steelmakers is essential to develop low-carbon steel technologies and expand market demand.”

Chairman Choi also held a series of meetings with global steel leaders, including Jayant Acharya, President of India’s JSW Steel, and Liu Jian, Vice Chairman of China’s Hagang Group, exploring ways to expand cooperation, including joint integrated steel mill projects.

Meanwhile, POSCO reaffirmed its ESG leadership by being selected as a “Sustainability Champion” for the fourth consecutive year during the World Steel Association’s members’ meeting.

Beyond the steel business, POSCO also accelerated efforts to strengthen its energy value chain. On April 9, Chairman Choi visited a gas field in Queensland, Australia, operated by Senex Energy, a company acquired by POSCO International. Senex Energy is currently executing an expansion project to increase its annual natural gas production from 20 petajoules (PJ) to 60 PJ by 2026—equivalent to about 1.2 million tons of liquefied natural gas. Once completed, the project is expected to supply approximately 10% of the eastern Australian domestic market.

As Hanwha Group officially announced its share donation plan for the succession of management control within the owner family, it has been confirmed that Chairman Kim Seung-youn must first repay his stock-backed loans in order to proceed with the donation.

According to business circles on the 1st, Chairman Kim has borrowed a total of 105.5 billion won by pledging approximately 9,736,000 shares—about 57.34% of the 16,977,949 shares he owns in Hanwha Corporation—as collateral.

By financial institution, he borrowed 36 billion won from Woori Bank, 35.5 billion won from Hana Bank, 31 billion won from KB Kookmin Bank, and 3 billion won from Korea Securities Finance Corp. The interest rates on these loans range from 4.53% to 5.18%.

The number of shares Chairman Kim plans to donate to his children is 8,488,970 shares, which is fewer than the number currently pledged as collateral.

Therefore, some of the loans must be repaid to release the collateral and make the donation possible. According to the securities industry, to maintain the current collateral ratio and still proceed with the donation, Chairman Kim is expected to repay approximately 40 billion won in advance. As the maturity date of the stock-backed loans is imminent—set for the 10th—attention is focused on how he will respond.

Hanwha Group recently disclosed that “a portion of the pledged shares will be released from collateral before the donation is executed.”

Meanwhile, Kim’s three sons—Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, Hanwha Life Insurance President Kim Dong-won, and Hanwha Galleria Executive Vice President Kim Dong-sun—who are set to receive the shares, are expected to use a combination of stock escrow and stock-backed loans to pay the gift tax.

The estimated total gift tax is approximately 221.8 billion won, calculated based on the average share price from the 4th to the 31st of the previous month. Individually, Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan will bear around 95.1 billion won, while President Kim Dong-won and Executive VP Kim Dong-sun will each bear about 64.3 billion won.

The three sons plan to pay the tax in installments over five years using the deferred payment method, and a portion of the gift tax funds will be raised through stock-backed loans.

In fact, in January, Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan borrowed 18 billion won by pledging 1.25 million shares of Hanwha Corporation. President Kim Dong-won and Executive VP Kim Dong-sun also took out loans of 12.2 billion won and 58 billion won, respectively.

A Hanwha Group representative stated, “The gift tax amount to be paid by the three sons is fully manageable, and the donation will proceed as planned without any issues.

The global memory market landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift amid the soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. This year, the competition for technological leadership between Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix is expected to intensify further.

In particular, the next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market has emerged as a key variable that could significantly impact the companies' performance.

According to industry sources, SK Hynix is accelerating its lead in technology by supplying HBM4 samples to major clients. Building on its previous success of exclusively supplying HBM3E to Nvidia, the company is projected to maintain high profitability this year.

In fact, SK Hynix's operating profit for the first quarter is expected to reach approximately 6.5 trillion won, more than double compared to the previous year.

On the other hand, Samsung Electronics is preparing a full-scale counteroffensive as the memory market begins to rebound. If Samsung passes Nvidia's HBM quality verification (qual test), it is expected to enter the HBM supply race in earnest, potentially shaking SK Hynix’s current dominance. Samsung is likely to pass the qual test within the first half of this year.

Additionally, Samsung is also anticipating a recovery in the general-purpose memory market, including DRAM and NAND flash.

Industry analysts predict that Samsung will rapidly regain profitability in the second half of the year, with the Device Solutions (DS) division’s operating profit expected to reach 6.3 trillion won in the third quarter and 8.1 trillion won in the fourth quarter.

Kim Dong-won, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, “As global demand recovery outpaces supply growth, Samsung is expected to raise DRAM and NAND prices starting this month,” adding, “Improved profitability is anticipated through securing pricing power.

Peter Navarro, the White House Trade Adviser, strongly criticized major exporting countries such as South Korea, Germany, and Japan on March 30 (local time), holding them responsible for the erosion of the U.S. manufacturing base.

In an interview with Fox News, Navarro stated, "Germany, Japan, and South Korea are turning the United States from a manufacturing powerhouse into a simple assembly country."

He pointed out that "of the 16 million cars sold annually in the U.S., more than half are imports with very few American-made parts," claiming that foreign components are being brought in and merely assembled in the U.S. without involving high-wage, high value-added processes.

Navarro acknowledged the possibility of short-term disruptions due to tariff policies, but maintained a firm stance, saying, "President Trump's goal is the medium- to long-term revival of American manufacturing." He added, "We need to regain manufacturing capability like Germany, Japan, and South Korea."

Regarding concerns over rising prices in the U.S., Navarro asserted that "foreign countries will bear most of the inflation burden," expressing confidence that the negative impact of tariffs can be minimized.

He also revealed that the administration is working on a plan to offer tax credits to buyers of American-made cars, as part of a broader tax cut policy targeting the middle and working classes, expected to be announced soon.

On the same day, Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, appeared on Fox News and said a tax bill is likely to pass during the summer, noting, "The most pro-worker tax relief in U.S. history is moving forward quickly."

Meanwhile, President Trump is expected to announce on April 2 the countries and products subject to reciprocal tariffs, although the specific details have not yet been disclosed. Hassett added, "The President will make the best decision based on extensive analysis.

Chairman Chang In-hwa of POSCO Group, marking the company’s 57th anniversary, urged employees to proactively identify new opportunities amid global changes in the steel industry. Emphasizing the importance of expanding into high-profit markets like the United States and India, he reaffirmed POSCO’s commitment to its global strategy.

In his commemorative address on the 31st, Chairman Chang stated, “Since its founding, POSCO has played a pivotal role in the steel industry, driving the national economy and earning recognition for its global competitiveness. Recently, we’ve been steadily expanding into future industries such as energy materials, ensuring continued growth.”

He acknowledged the current challenges POSCO faces, including high tariffs imposed by the U.S., reduced steel import quotas in the EU, and rising protectionism in emerging markets. “The external environment is tough,” he admitted, “but POSCO has a unique DNA that has helped us overcome crises before. We must continue to forge a path forward with our unyielding determination and ability to execute.”

Chairman Chang emphasized that planning alone is not enough to respond to change. He called for on-the-ground execution and agile action. “Instead of focusing on why something can’t be done, we need to think about how to get it done and persist until the end,” he added.

He particularly highlighted that strategic investments in high-growth regions could significantly boost profitability. “In markets like India and the U.S., where growth potential and profitability are high, we must expand locally integrated investments and new businesses centered on future materials,” he said.

POSCO is currently pursuing the construction of an integrated steel plant in India and is carefully exploring various options to advance into high-end processing in the U.S. These efforts are seen as part of a broader strategy to restructure global supply chains and tailor approaches to regional demand.

At the end of his speech, Chairman Chang reflected, “For over half a century, POSCO has overcome numerous hardships. Let us inherit the pioneering spirit of our founding generation and work together to build a path of sustainable growth for future generations.

Maeil Dairies has announced that its management strategy for this year will focus on risk management and protecting profitability, while strengthening its growth strategy centered around premium products.

At the annual general shareholders’ meeting held on the 28th in Jongno-gu, Seoul, CEO Lee In-Ki stated, “Despite challenges such as continued cost increases, low birth rates, and a sluggish domestic market, we have focused our efforts on premium white milk and fermented milk products.”

He added, “We diversified our portfolio with plant-based beverages such as soy, almond, and oat drinks, as well as nutrition products including Selex and Mediwell, achieving approximately 1.6% year-on-year growth in sales last year.”

In 2024, Maeil Dairies recorded consolidated sales of KRW 1.8114 trillion and an operating profit of KRW 70.3 billion. While sales rose by 1.6% compared to the previous year, operating profit declined by 2.6%, highlighting the growing importance of protecting profitability.

CEO Lee emphasized, “The economic growth forecast for 2025 is expected to be lower than initially projected, and the likelihood of a prolonged low-growth trend is high. This year, we will be more thorough in managing risks and defending profitability.”

Meanwhile, during the shareholders’ meeting, all agenda items including the approval of financial statements, appointment of internal directors, approval of director compensation limits, and partial amendments to the articles of incorporation—were passed as proposed.

Notably, Vice Chairwoman and Co-CEO Kim Sun-Hee was reappointed as an internal director, ensuring continuity in the company’s leadership.

Hyundai Steel has announced its plan to secure funding without a rights offering, even as it moves forward with a large-scale investment for overseas expansion. Amid growing global economic uncertainties, the company is showing a cautious approach by adopting an emergency management system to ensure stable financing.

According to industry sources on the 28th, Hyundai Steel officially stated during a recent investor conference call for the construction of an electric arc furnace steel mill in the U.S., specialized in automotive steel sheets, that it has not considered a rights offering.

This stance contrasts with Hanwha Aerospace, which recently announced a large-scale rights offering to raise funds.

Hanwha Aerospace previously revealed plans to conduct a rights offering to raise KRW 3.6 trillion for investments in overseas and domestic defense, shipbuilding, and unmanned aerial vehicle engine sectors.

However, Hyundai Steel intends to cover 50% of its $5.8 billion (approximately KRW 8.5 trillion) investment through joint funding from Hyundai Motor Group and external investors, while the remaining 50% will be financed through loans from financial institutions.

As of the end of last year, Hyundai Steel held KRW 1.2956 trillion in cash and cash equivalents, allowing it to cover a significant portion of the investment through internal funds and external contributions. The portion to be financed through loans may vary depending on future market conditions.

A Hyundai Steel representative stated, “Although the external borrowing portion has been announced as 50%, this is not a finalized figure,” adding, “We are currently in discussions with financial institutions regarding specific amounts and conditions.