
S. Korea to attend intl. defense exhibition in Turkey this week
The International Defence Industry Fair, which opened Tuesday (local time) in Istanbul for a five-day run, will bring together defense officials from more than 80 countries, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states.
Six South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises will showcase homegrown defense technologies aimed at entering the European and Middle Eastern markets, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said.
DAPA said it plans to operate joint booths at upcoming defense exhibitions in Poland in September and the United States in October. (Yonhap)
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Korea Herald
9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[Exclusive] SK On revs up prismatic battery push with new pilot line
Korean battery maker eyes edge over Chinese rivals by diversifying cost-effective battery offerings SK On has begun setting up a pilot line for unidirectional prismatic battery cells at its Daejeon research center this week, as demand grows for this more space-efficient battery format in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. 'Unidirectional' or 'top terminal' cells refer to a battery design in which current flows through terminals placed on the top, optimizing the use of space and simplifying their integration into EVs. Prismatic cells can be made rectangular, unlike the more traditional cylindrical cells. This allows for higher energy density, as there is less empty space between the cells when packed together to make batteries. This initiative marks the completion of SK On's prismatic battery road map, following its earlier launch of a pilot line in 2023 for 'bidirectional' or 'side terminal' prismatic cells, which feature terminals on opposite sides to enhance current distribution and thermal efficiency. 'The initial setup of SK On's unidirectional prismatic battery pilot line — involving equipment delivery, positioning, unpacking, and installation — has start this week,' said an industry source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'Full-scale construction will begin next week, focusing on integrating utilities such as electrical connections.' The source added that sample production will commence soon after the line setup is complete, with a mass production schedule to be determined through client negotiations. The move is part of SK On's broader push to narrow the gap with domestic rival Samsung SDI, which already mass-produces unidirectional prismatic cells, while also preparing for large-scale production of bidirectional cells. LG Energy Solution is likewise developing prismatic batteries through a partnership with General Motors in the US and is reportedly building a pilot line at its Ochang plant in North Chungcheong Province. However, the specific type of prismatic cell remains undisclosed. Demand for prismatic battery cells is accelerating due to their high energy density, enhanced safety, and packaging efficiency — qualities that make them well-suited for both electric vehicles and energy storage systems. According to India-based Market Report Analytics, the global prismatic battery market is expected to grow from approximately $25 billion in 2028 to $40 billion by 2033. Automakers including Hyundai Motor Group, GM, Volkswagen, and Ford are increasingly adopting prismatic designs for next-generation EVs and hybrid vehicles. Samsung SDI, for example, signed a seven-year deal with Hyundai Motor in 2023 to supply batteries for its European EV lineup between 2026 and 2032. GM is working with LG Energy Solution on similar deployments. Though SK On has not disclosed specific customers, media reports suggest it may pursue supply deals with China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, following a strategic agreement signed last year. Geely owns global brands such as Geely Auto, Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. SK On first unveiled its unidirectional and bidirectional prismatic prototypes at the InterBattery 2025 exhibition in Seoul in March. Industry experts say its expansion into unidirectional designs could help SK On build a more diversified customer base and better compete with Chinese firms such as CATL and CALB. Those companies have primarily focused on bidirectional formats, which are optimal for cell-to-pack systems that eliminate conventional battery modules. In contrast, unidirectional cells are better suited for modular systems, where battery cells are arranged into packs via intermediate modules — still widely favored in many EV platforms.


Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Lutnick says he could hear 'expletives' out of Korea following trade deal with Japan
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that he could hear "expletives" out of South Korea after Japan reached a trade deal with US President Donald Trump's administration earlier this week. Lutnick made the remarks, apparently suggesting that the tariff deal between the United States and Japan might have created a sense of urgency for South Korea, which seeks to reach a deal to avoid or lower the Trump administration's 25 percent "reciprocal" tariff set to kick in on Aug. 1. "I could hear the expletives out of Korea when they read the Japanese deal because the Koreans and the Japanese ... they stare at each other," he said in a CNBC interview. "So you can imagine what they were thinking when they saw that Japan made that deal ... They were like, 'Oh man!," he added, underscoring that Koreans "very much" want to make a deal. On Tuesday, Trump announced the deal with Tokyo that would lower the threatened 25 percent reciprocal tariff for Japan to 15 percent in return for Japan's agreement to invest US$550 billion in the US, increase US rice imports by 75 percent and buy 100 Boeing aircraft, to name a few. During the interview, Lutnick said that he will engage in a meeting with South Korean negotiators in Washington on the day, after bilateral high-level trade talks, slated for Friday, were postponed. Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo are currently in Washington amid Seoul's stepped-up efforts to strike a deal with the US "Of course, they are going to be in my office today talking," the secretary said. Seoul and Washington had planned to hold "two-plus-two" trade talks on Friday, where Seoul's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Trade Minister Yeo, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were set to get together.

Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
OSR Holdings Enters into Term Sheet to Acquire Woori IO, a Pioneer in Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring Technology
BELLEVUE, Wash. and SEOUL, South Korea, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OSR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSRH), a global healthcare company advancing biomedical and wellness innovation, today announced it has signed a term sheet ("Term Sheet") with Woori IO Co., Ltd. ("WORIO"), a South Korean medical device company developing next-generation noninvasive glucose monitoring technology. The agreement sets forth certain key terms for a strategic acquisition of WORIO by OSR Holdings' Korean affiliate, OSR Holdings Co., Ltd. ("OSRK"). Under the proposed structure, WORIO will become a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRK. Shareholders of WORIO will receive newly issued shares of OSRK through the share exchange and may be eligible to convert them into OSRH common stock traded on NASDAQ, subject to certain conditions including "$10 per OSRH share" condition. Specifically, WORIO shareholders may convert their OSRK shares into OSRH shares at a fixed exchange ratio of 1 OSRK share = 12.96 OSRH shares, provided that OSRH's stock price reaches $10.00 at least once within three years following the signing of the Term Sheet. If this condition is not met, the parties have agreed to renegotiate in good faith. The agreement includes a 6-month exclusivity period, during which OSRK will conduct confirmatory legal and financial due diligence with a target to complete this transaction within this exclusivity period. WORIO's proprietary platform uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure glucose without needles, sensors, or skin penetration — representing a truly noninvasive alternative to today's continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Its solution aims to eliminate the burden of pain and daily finger pricks for millions of people with diabetes. According to recent global market research, the blood glucose monitoring devices market is expected to exceed $40 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8–10%, driven by rising diabetes prevalence and the convergence of medical technology with consumer electronics. Demand for noninvasive and wearable monitoring systems is expected to be a major growth driver. Dexcom, one of the market leaders in minimally invasive CGM which is the current standard of care has more than $32 billion in market capitalization (as of July 11), underscoring the significant commercial potential of advanced glucose monitoring solutions. Noninvasive alternatives hold tremendous promise and are poised to become an integral part of diabetes management in the future. WORIO has completed a proof-of-concept study with the Korea University Hospital (Guro) to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of its prototype devices and the data measured by them, based on which the company plans to enter a larger confirmatory trial to be registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea for medical device approval pathway. WORIO's noninvasive technology is well positioned to be integrated into wearable glucose monitoring devices such as smart watches — WORIO has been selected by Samsung Electronics' innovative startup program ("C-Lab Outside") in Q1 2025. "We believe this initial milestone with Woori IO aligns strongly with our mission to accelerate breakthrough healthcare innovations with global impact," said Peter Hwang, CEO of OSRH. "Woori IO's breakthrough noninvasive glucose monitoring platform, coupled with its high-profile partnership with global companies, puts OSRH in a position to become a first mover in this fast-growing global market." Following the signing of this Term Sheet, both parties will proceed with due diligence and aim to execute definitive agreements within the 6 months exclusivity period. About OSR Holdings, Inc. OSR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSRH) is a global healthcare holding company dedicated to advancing biomedical innovation approaches to health and wellness to support global health outcomes. Through its subsidiaries, OSRH is engaged in immuno-oncology, regenerative biologics, and medical device distribution. OSRH's vision is to acquire and operate a portfolio of innovative healthcare and wellness companies, improving patient care through cutting-edge research and development. For more information, visit About Woori IO Co., Ltd. Woori IO is a medical device company based in Jeonju, South Korea, focused on the development of noninvasive biosensing solutions. Its proprietary NIRS-based glucose monitoring system enables accurate, pain-free, and user-friendly diabetes management, with strong potential for wearable integration. For more information, visit