Local mobile content provider protection, secondary battery industry support
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act
Proposed by Rep. Choi Min-hee (Democratic Party of Korea)
● This bill would bar global app market operators such as Google and Apple from retaliating against mobile content providers who report violations, including the coercive use of specific in-app payment systems. Offenders could face punitive damages of up to three times the resulting losses.
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Korea Development Act
Proposed by Rep. Min Hyung-bae (Democratic Party of Korea)
● This bill would explicitly establish the duty of policy financial institutions to promote balanced regional development in relevant laws, including the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act.
Pending Bill: Special Act on the Promotion and Support of the Secondary Battery Industry
Proposed by Rep. Lee Sang-hwi (People Power Party)
● This bill would establish national-level measures to foster and support the secondary battery industry, aiming to drive innovation, boost growth and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
Promulgated Bill: Safety Control and Business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act
Competent Authority: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
● The amended law, effective November 28, will allow drivers to refuel their own vehicles at liquefied petroleum gas stations equipped with appropriate facilities.
Competent Authority: Financial Services Commission
● Under the draft amendment, the supervisory benchmark under the Korea Insurance Capital Standard would be lowered from 150 percent to 130 percent as early as mid-June.
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Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
CATL's ‘salt battery': Cheaper EVs or chemistry compromise?
Chinese battery giant challenges EV norms with low-cost sodium-ion cells, but experts question energy limits CATL, the Chinese battery behemoth, is poised to shake up the electric vehicle landscape with sodium-ion batteries, or 'salt batteries,' with mass production for mainstream EVs scheduled within this year. These cells are expected to offer an even greater cost advantage over CATL's current lithium iron phosphate offerings, further pressuring South Korean battery rivals already struggling to challenge China's dominance in the electrified vehicle sector. Contrary to projections from Korean companies, which had anticipated CATL's sodium-ion cells would be better suited for energy storage systems, CATL plans to launch its 'Naxtra' battery for passenger vehicles by December. The battery reportedly offers an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram and a range of 500 kilometers on a single charge. A key marketing highlight is the battery's exceptional performance in cold weather, surpassing that of existing lithium-ion technologies, including Korea's nickel cobalt manganese products and the LFP cells whose production is dominated by China. Cheaper than LFP, easier to produce CATL's sodium-ion battery launch presents an unwelcome challenge for Korean battery manufacturers, who have yet to begin mass production of LFP cells for EVs. Addressing China's sodium battery innovation, SK On CEO and President Lee Seok-hee reportedly said in a recent closed-door meeting, 'We need to closely monitor technological trends in sodium-ion cells for the budget-friendly EV market.' The nickname is misleading: Sodium batteries don't actually have salt in them. But one of their biggest advantages is their lower cost and more readily available raw materials compared to lithium-ion cells. According to data from Shanghai Metals Market, battery-grade sodium carbonate was priced at $598.18 per ton as of Tuesday, while lithium carbonate cost $9,612.58 per ton. 'Sodium-ion batteries could become significantly cheaper than LFP — possibly half the cost — once production is optimized,' said a senior researcher at a major Korean battery company. 'Unlike lithium, which shows drastic price fluctuations due to limited reserves, sodium can be easily sourced from sodium chloride or sodium hydroxide, both widely available in seawater.' The researcher added that the manufacturing process for sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells is largely 'exchangeable,' potentially lowering equipment costs for the new battery chemistry. The simplicity of the production process is another reason sodium-ion batteries are advancing more rapidly toward commercialization than other next-generation technologies, such as lithium-metal batteries, which are currently being pursued by a joint partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and SES AI. 'The electrode slurry used in salt batteries is usually softer and stickier than in lithium-metal cells. This allows for more uniform coating on current collectors such as aluminum foils,' noted the researcher. 'In contrast, lithium-metal batteries often face challenges like dendrite formation, which can lead to battery fires.' Premature hype? Despite the promising innovation, industry insiders remain skeptical about sodium-ion batteries replacing LFP or NCM cells due to their inherently lower energy density. Last month, CATL began mass production of a 24V start-stop integrated sodium-ion battery for heavy-duty trucks. However, as the name suggests, it is primarily designed to start engines or power auxiliary systems in internal combustion engine vehicles, not to drive fully electric heavy trucks, which require high-voltage packs. 'Due to its larger ionic radius and a relatively low average operating voltage of around 3.2 volts per cell, sodium-ion lags in energy density compared to lithium-ion,' said an industry source who requested anonymity. 'CATL's 150-175Wh/kg energy density is significantly lower than NCM's approximately 500Wh/kg. Not to mention its disadvantage to maintain stable performance in high-voltage conditions of over 4.2V.' Batteries with low energy density are typically used in budget EVs rather than in electric SUVs or high-performance models that require longer ranges and higher power. Although CATL claims a 500 km range and stable performance in cold weather, such batteries are likely to experience greater real-world range drops than those with higher energy density. 'Sodium-ion batteries offer commercial viability in cost-sensitive segments, but replacing lithium-ion cells remains a challenge,' the source added. The senior researcher agreed, noting, 'Our company views salt batteries as one of many next-generation battery technologies. We don't necessarily see them as direct replacements for LFP or NCM.' Among Korean battery makers, only LG Energy Solution is aiming for sodium-ion battery commercialization for uninterruptible power supplies and EVs by 2030. Samsung SDI and SK On are still exploring potential development paths. Meanwhile, Fortune Business Insights projects the global sodium-ion battery market will grow from $18.2 billion in 2025 to $203.2 billion by 2032, reflecting more than tenfold growth over the period. hyejin2@
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
CATL's 'salt battery': Breakthrough or budget hype?
Chinese battery giant challenges EV norms with low-cost sodium-ion cells, but experts question energy limits CATL, the Chinese battery behemoth, is poised to shake up the electric vehicle landscape with sodium-ion batteries, or 'salt batteries,' with mass production for mainstream EVs scheduled within this year. These cells are expected to offer an even greater cost advantage over CATL's current lithium iron phosphate offerings, further pressuring South Korean battery rivals already struggling to challenge China's dominance in the electrified vehicle sector. Contrary to projections from Korean companies, which had anticipated CATL's sodium-ion cells would be better suited for energy storage systems, CATL plans to launch its 'Naxtra' battery for passenger vehicles by December. The battery reportedly offers an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram and a range of 500 kilometers on a single charge. A key marketing highlight is the battery's exceptional performance in cold weather, surpassing that of existing lithium-ion technologies, including Korea's nickel cobalt manganese products and the LFP cells whose production is dominated by China. Cheaper than LFP, easier to produce CATL's sodium-ion battery launch presents an unwelcome challenge for Korean battery manufacturers, who have yet to begin mass production of LFP cells for EVs. Addressing China's sodium battery innovation, SK On CEO and President Lee Seok-hee reportedly said in a recent closed-door meeting, 'We need to closely monitor technological trends in sodium-ion cells for the budget-friendly EV market.' The nickname is misleading: Sodium batteries don't actually have salt in them. But one of their biggest advantages is their lower cost and more readily available raw materials compared to lithium-ion cells. According to data from Shanghai Metals Market, battery-grade sodium carbonate was priced at $598.18 per ton as of Tuesday, while lithium carbonate cost $9,612.58 per ton. 'Sodium-ion batteries could become significantly cheaper than LFP — possibly half the cost — once production is optimized,' said a senior researcher at a major Korean battery company. 'Unlike lithium, which shows drastic price fluctuations due to limited reserves, sodium can be easily sourced from sodium chloride or sodium hydroxide, both widely available in seawater.' The researcher added that the manufacturing process for sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells is largely 'exchangeable,' potentially lowering equipment costs for the new battery chemistry. The simplicity of the production process is another reason sodium-ion batteries are advancing more rapidly toward commercialization than other next-generation technologies, such as lithium-metal batteries, which are currently being pursued by a joint partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and SES AI. 'The electrode slurry used in salt batteries is usually softer and stickier than in lithium-metal cells. This allows for more uniform coating on current collectors such as aluminum foils,' noted the researcher. 'In contrast, lithium-metal batteries often face challenges like dendrite formation, which can lead to battery fires.' Premature hype? Despite the promising innovation, industry insiders remain skeptical about sodium-ion batteries replacing LFP or NCM cells due to their inherently lower energy density. Last month, CATL began mass production of a 24V start-stop integrated sodium-ion battery for heavy-duty trucks. However, as the name suggests, it is primarily designed to start engines or power auxiliary systems in internal combustion engine vehicles, not to drive fully electric heavy trucks, which require high-voltage packs. 'Due to its larger ionic radius and a relatively low average operating voltage of around 3.2 volts per cell, sodium-ion lags in energy density compared to lithium-ion,' said an industry source who requested anonymity. 'CATL's 150-175Wh/kg energy density is significantly lower than NCM's approximately 500Wh/kg. Not to mention its disadvantage to maintain stable performance in high-voltage conditions of over 4.2V.' Batteries with low energy density are typically used in budget EVs rather than in electric SUVs or high-performance models that require longer ranges and higher power. Although CATL claims a 500 km range and stable performance in cold weather, such batteries are likely to experience greater real-world range drops than those with higher energy density. 'Sodium-ion batteries offer commercial viability in cost-sensitive segments, but replacing lithium-ion cells remains a challenge,' the source added. The senior researcher agreed, noting, 'Our company views salt batteries as one of many next-generation battery technologies. We don't necessarily see them as direct replacements for LFP or NCM.' Among Korean battery makers, only LG Energy Solution is aiming for sodium-ion battery commercialization for uninterruptible power supplies and EVs by 2030. Samsung SDI and SK On are still exploring potential development paths. Meanwhile, Fortune Business Insights projects the global sodium-ion battery market will grow from $18.2 billion in 2025 to $203.2 billion by 2032, reflecting more than tenfold growth over the period. hyejin2@
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
Presidential aide steps down over book defending Yoon's martial law
Kang Jun-wook, the presidential secretary for national integration, resigned Tuesday, the presidential office has announced, after drawing public criticism over his book defending former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. Merely a week after President Lee Jae Myung named Kang to take on the newly established position within his office, the secretary offered to resign in them morning, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. The president accepted the resignation after considering 'the public opinion that (Kang's beliefs) do not align with the governing philosophy and principles of the administration,' the spokesperson added. Public concerns were stoked after it was found that Kang, who had been tasked with unifying a politically divided country, expressed opinions aligned with far-right ideologies through social media and a book published in the past. Kang published a political commentary book in March this year that contained portions supporting Yoon's martial law bid. '(Yoon's) martial law was imposed as an act of rebellion as he could no longer bear the violent abuse of power of the majority party,' he wrote in the book, referring to the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds a firm parliamentary majority. He added that the public's view of Yoon's martial law as an act of insurrection is the result of manipulation of opinion by the Democratic Party. A Facebook post uploaded by Kang around 2018 also reflected pro-Japan views, as he supported the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule over Korea as a way of modernization, while undermining the forced nature of Japan's wartime military sexual slavery. 'The attitude of the Japanese people is too respectful to have recklessly taken away anyone from the streets, including comfort women,' Kang wrote, using the euphemistic term for Korean victims of sexual slavery. 'I believe that the colonial rule modernized (Korea) and do not believe in forced labor.' Far-right scholars tend to deprecate independence fighters against Japan in the early 20th century as terrorists, based on a view that Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule helped Korea modernize. The presidential office said it plans to name as Kang's successor another conservative figure who shares the Lee administration's political philosophy. In recent weeks, several of Lee's Cabinet picks have been mired in controversies. Kang's resignation closely follows the president's decision to withdraw his nomination of Education Minister Lee Jin-sook, following allegations of academic plagiarism and of breaking the law to send her daughter to study overseas. The former nominee had apologized for sending her daughter overseas in 2007, when she was a ninth grader, against Korean law that stipulates compulsory education through middle school, which ends after ninth grade. However, she denied allegations of academic plagiarism. The president appears, on the other hand, likely to push forward with the appointment of Gender Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has been accused of mistreating staff members at her legislative office in recent years as a two-term Democratic Party lawmaker. Kang Sun-woo is alleged to have replaced staff members 46 times over just five years and made demands of them outside of their legislative support duties, such as asking them to fix her toilet, according to reports. The nominee said at her hearing that the correct figure was actually 27, not 46. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said at Tuesday's morning press briefing that President Lee is expected to file a request with the National Assembly by the end of the day to reconsider and adopt Kang's personnel hearing report. The rival parties last week failed to agree on the adoption of Kang's personnel hearing report, which is a mandatory step in a Cabinet nomination. Yet while Cabinet ministers are required to undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing, their appointment by the president is not contingent on the Assembly's approval.
