Showing posts with label korean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label korean. Show all posts

Thursday, March 7, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un orders heightened war preparations

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected field training of troops at a major military operations base in the western region of the country on Wednesday (March 6) and ordered heightened readiness for war, state-run television KRT reported on Thursday (March 7).

The tour of the base, the location of which was not identified, comes after the start of annual combined military drills by U.S. and South Korean forces on Monday (March 4) in the South with twice the number of troops taking part compared to last year.

Kim said the military must "dynamically usher in a new heyday of intensifying the war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation," KRT reported.

The KRT news reader did not mention whether Kim directly referred to the drills by the U.S. and South Korean military. He inspected troops conducting actual maneuvers under conditions simulating actual war, state media said.


Source: Reuters

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Hyundai IONIQ 5 (2025MY minor change)

The Hyundai IONIQ 5, the electric car that forever changed Hyundai, has been given a minor change for the 2025 model year, and this award-winning electric car is now made even better.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5

Starting at 52.4 million Korean Won, the facelifted Hyundai IONIQ 5 saw some revisions on the award-winning electric car that forever changed Hyundai, keeping it fresh and competitive as the opportunity arises.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 interior

The IONIQ 5 minor change saw some revisions inside and out. The exterior now sports a V-shaped garnish and revised bumpers, increasing its overall length by 20mm. The rear spoiler's revised as well and a new set of wheels are offered for this minor change. A sporty N Line variant was added to this minor change, mimicking the looks of the high-performance IONIQ 5 N variant and that's it.

The interior is revised with its new center console layout, a new physical button that offers access to frequently used functions, the wireless charging pad repositioned to the upper part, a new steering wheel design, and ccNC implementation with OTA updates, among others. The N Line jams the red ambient lighting, sports seats, metal pedals, red stitching, and the N steering wheel into the mix.

The IONIQ 5's electric powertrain was updated by increasing the size of its Li-ion battery from 77.4kWh to 84kWh, meaning the performance and ecology were updated as well. RWD variants have 229PS of power and up to 485km of driving range while HTRAC AWD variants have 325PS of power and up to 425km of driving range. Apart from the increased battery size, it comes with a new shock absorber, new cowl crossbar, doubled reinforcement at the rear wheels and the lower part of the vehicle, improved body stiffness, and added sound insulation, slightly improving its dynamics for the good of it.

Apart from the reinforced body and eight airbags, the IONIQ 5 minor change features new safety features such as the hands-on detection steering wheel, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2), Forward/Side/Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, intelligent front lighting, Digital Key 2, and Built-In Cam 2.

The award-winning Hyundai IONIQ 5 is now made even better with this facelift and it looks like it's on a roll. Will you?

Available colors: Atlas White, Lucid Blue Pearl, Digital Teal Green Pearl, Cyber Grey Metallic, Ecotronic Grey Pearl, Abyss Black Pearl, Atlas White Matte, Ecotronic Grey Matte, Gravity Gold Matte, and Ultimate Red Metallic (N Line only).

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Thursday, February 22, 2024

My FH5 Log: The "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get

The third-generation Hyundai i30 is no doubt the last i30 offered in the South Korean market and production ended in 2020 without a direct successor. Long story short.



However, in a parallel universe, the i30 PD still exists in markets outside South Korea, and much to the dismay of Koreans, here lies a high-performance version of the i30 PD.


It's called the i30 N and I obtained it from Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year's Dry Season playlist after hitting the 20-point target. This is the "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get.


Born in Namyang, Honed at the Nurburgring. This is the concept of the N brand since its 2015 announcement and this is the result; the very first Hyundai N car based on the i30 PD. The i30 N incorporates most of Hyundai's know-how in motorsport to create an everyday sports car suitable for daily commuting in comfort on weekdays or for race track performance on the weekend.  Powering the i30 N is a turbocharged 2.0L engine with up to 275PS of power for the Performance Package, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.1 seconds while mated to a 6-speed MT.

The i30 N was facelifted in 2020 and it gained a new 8-speed N DCT for the first time. The Performance Package saw an additional 5PS compared to the pre-facelifted model, making its 0-100kph time 0.2 seconds faster than before.


Riding shotgun with the i30 N, I now know what it's like to drive in a high-performance Korean hot hatchback that's not available in South Korea. Sure, it was built by the Czechs but deep down, it has the beating heart of a secret royal inspector from the Joseon Dynasty, always ready for what's next. Gotta love the cackling exhaust sound while changing gears. It has some rally car vibes to it.

Because being a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, it feels moderate to drive. Not too basic but not challenging behind the wheel. It's like putting cheese on a bowl of spicy ramen if you catch my drift.


Such performance demands a plausible question, a "what if" scenario if you may. If the third-generation Hyundai i30 remained in the Korean market and had the N variant in it, what would it be like to drive in the Land of the Oppas? To find out, I played a certain EventLab event modeled after a certain city track from a certain video game. Spoiler Alert: It's Seoul Central from I dunno what game it is.


Okay, next time, let's remember this right away because I've done this twice. Weird about the flicker parts, though.


Had Hyundai sold the i30 N to the Korean market, it would have been the first before the Veloster N but sadly, the i30 is no more. It's too late for that now in the same way Nissan failed to bring a NISMO-fied Sylphy B17 a long time ago. For now, Korean FH5 players are taking a wistful look at the Hyundai i30 N, the "real" hot hatch Koreans didn't get. 

Once sampled, driven in tears. Long story short.

Friday, February 9, 2024

My FH5 Log: I'M ON IT

In the early days of the COVID pandemic, Hyundai showcased the Prophecy concept which previews the company's first fully-electric saloon sized to Sonata proportions. When Hyundai announced the creation of the IONIQ sub-brand of electric vehicles, the Prophecy Concept starred in a music video with BTS performing the IONIQ brand's anthem, IONIQ: I'M ON IT. Two years after the Prophecy Concept showcase, its production equivalent came to life.


Obtained after hitting a total of 80 points throughout Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year series update, here comes another Hyundai that will make the ARMY thrilled to bits since the Prophecy Concept popped up in the IONIQ: I'M ON IT music video starring BTS.


This is the IONIQ 6, the first fully-electric executive midsize sedan from Hyundai.


Before getting my ARMY vibes with this car, let's have a quick info with this car now that I got my hands on it.

Launched in 2022, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is the second part of the IONIQ trilogy of electric cars since the IONIQ 5 crossover of 2021. With styling inspired by the Prophecy Concept, the IONIQ 6 is one of the most aerodynamic electric cars ever made thanks to its streamlined silhouette.

Running on the same E-GMP platform as the IONIQ 5, the IONIQ 6 is packed with a 77.4kWh battery capacity. In Long Range variants, it produces a high-performance class 228PS of power, or with 4WD variants, a sports car-like 325PS of power.


Smooth like butter, you say? Because of the aerodynamics being smooth like butter, traveling through the straights is a breeze for the IONIQ 6. However, in terms of dynamics, because the IONIQ 6 featured in-game has 4WD, it feels clinically mild to drive. On the bright side, since this is Horizon, you are free to exploit whatever capabilities this fully-electric Korean executive saloon offers. I'm planning to do some stuff with this K-Pop superstar but in the meantime...


...the IONIQ 6 is transported to an EventLab creation where it will face a couple of ICE-powered competitions in a re-enactment of a certain city course from a certain video game. I don't know what that is but for the IONIQ 6, it just feels like home. Flush in the VTR.


A little rough on the competition but like I said, it just feels like home.


A prophecy turned reality, a BTS favorite turned into a Spiderverse favorite, the IONIQ 6 is proof that Hyundai's EV gamble really paid off and here in Forza Horizon 5, players are starting to behave like the ARMY while sampling this Korean EV saloon. Yes, whenever they got their hands on the IONIQ 6, they reminded them of the Prophecy Concept from the BTS music video of the IONIQ brand anthem.

IONIQ, IONIQ, IONIQ, IONIQ, IONIQ, IONIQ...

My FH5 Log: Detective Kona N

Nobody move! Someone arrived in Forza Horizon 5's 30th series update, the Lunar New Year, to crack the case.


No, you're not expecting some kid in a blue coat, red bowtie, glasses, and tranquilizer watch. What you're looking at is the first and only high-performance crossover from the Hyundai N garage, the Kona N. Does the name ring the bell? Man, I love a good pun.


Deduction time, kids.

The Hyundai Kona N is the first and only high-performance crossover SUV from the N range. Based on the facelifted first-generation Kona, it features unique N aesthetics inside and out while being powered by the same 2.0L 280PS Turbo GDi engine and the 8-speed wet-type N DCT gearbox as the Veloster N. It does 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds with a Launch Control set and a top speed of 240kph. Apart from that, it comes with numerous high-performance functions such as the N Power Shift, N Grin Shift, and the most clever of the three, the N Track Sense Shift which optimizes adaptive shift for racetrack driving.

The addition of the Pirelli P-Zero tires, R-MDPS, ECS, TCS, N Corner Carving Differential, and N Power Sense Axle really made a difference to this front-wheel-drive hot crossover in terms of handling.



Digging deeper through the Kona N's case, my thorough deduction and mystery-solving pointed out the way this crossover performs, and because being front-wheel-drive only, it feels easy to drive only on the tarmac. Still, no regrets. This is the new normal, you know.


Having obtained from the Lunar New Year Wet Season playlist, it's time to give Detective Kona a speedrun to the festival before everyone else does. Glasses off, seatbelts on. Detective Kona's on the case!


Swift justice is served...sort of.


And so, the mystery of the Hyundai Kona N is solved. The first and only hot crossover from the Hyundai N range has proven to be either a head-turner or a head-scratcher. Either way, the detective's work is never done for now but in the meantime, let's enjoy more with our new favorite mystery solver as he's busy solving Lunar New Year's surprises in store.

CASE CLOSED.

Monday, January 29, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea tests submarine-launched cruise missiles, KCNA says

 

North Korea tested its new strategic cruise missiles for the second time in a week on Sunday, calling it a newly developed submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), accelerating its navy’s nuclear armament, state news agency KCNA reported on Monday.

Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the missile, called “Pulhwasal-3-31,” which is identical to the strategic cruise missiles that the North said last week were under development.

KCNA said the missiles flew above the sea off the country’s east coast for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds and hit an unspecified island target, indicating the flight time exceeded two hours.

Kim called the test a success, KCNA said, “which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan…for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force.”

South Korea’s military said on Sunday that the North fired multiple cruise missiles off its coast but did not provide details.

North Korea’s ballistic missiles are typically more controversial and are explicitly banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions. But analysts have said intermediate-range cruise missiles were no less a threat than ballistic missiles and are a serious capability for North Korea.

In recent months, the North has tested an array of weapons that include ballistic missile systems that are under development and an underwater drone.

Kim separately inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the manufacturing of other types of new warships, KCNA said.

Source: Reuters

Friday, January 19, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Rare footage shows teens sentenced to hard labour over K-drama

 

Rare footage obtained by BBC Korean shows North Korea publicly sentencing two teenage boys to 12 years of hard labour for watching K-dramas.

The footage, which appears to have been filmed in 2022, shows two 16-year-old boys handcuffed in front of hundreds of students at an outdoor stadium.

It also shows uniformed officers reprimanding the boys for not "deeply reflecting on their mistakes".
South Korean entertainment, including TV, is banned in the North.

Despite that, some are prepared to risk severe punishment to access K-dramas, which have a huge global audience.
Footage such as this is rare, because North Korea forbids photos, videos and other evidence of life in the country from being leaked to the outside world.

This video was provided to the BBC by the South and North Development (Sand), a research institute that works with defectors from the North.

It suggests authorities are coming down harder on such incidents. The clip has reportedly been distributed in North Korea for ideology education and to warn citizens not to watch "decadent recordings".

The video includes a narrator who is repeating state propaganda. "The rotten puppet regime's culture has spread even to teenagers," says the voice, in an apparent reference to South Korea. "They are just 16 years old, but they ruined their own future," it adds.

The boys were also named by officers and had their addresses revealed.

In the past, minors who broke the law in this way would be sent to youth labour camps rather than put behind bars, and the punishment was usually less than five years.

In 2020, however, Pyongyang enacted a law to make watching or distributing South Korean entertainment punishable by death.

A defector previously told the BBC that he was forced to watch a 22-year-old man shot to death. He said the man was accused of listening to South Korean music and had shared films from the South with his friend.

Sand CEO Choi Kyong-hui said Pyongyang sees the spread of K-dramas and K-pop as a danger to its ideology.

"Admiration for South Korean society can soon lead to a weakening of the system... This goes against the monolithic ideology that makes North Koreans revere the Kim family," she said.

North Koreans started getting a taste of South Korean entertainment in the 2000s, during the years of the South's "sunshine policy" which saw it offering unconditional economic and humanitarian aid to the North.

Seoul ended the policy in 2010, saying it found the aid did not reach the ordinary North Koreans it was intended for, and that it had not resulted in any "positive changes" to Pyongyang's behaviour.

But South Korean entertainment continued to reach North Korea through China.

"If you get caught watching an American drama, you can get away with a bribe, but if you watch a Korean drama, you get shot," a North Korean defector told BBC Korean on Thursday.

"For North Korean people, Korean dramas are a 'drug' that helps them forget their difficult reality," the defector said.

"In North Korea, we learn that South Korea lives much worse than us, but when you watch South Korean dramas, it's a completely different world. It seems like the North Korean authorities are wary of that," said another North Korean defector in her 20s.

Source: BBC

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korea passes law banning dog meat trade

 

The slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat is to become illegal in South Korea after MPs backed a new law.

The legislation, set to come into force by 2027, aims to end the centuries-old practice of humans eating dog meat.
Dog meat stew, called "boshintang", is considered a delicacy among some older South Koreans, but the meat has fallen out of favour with diners and is no longer popular with young people.

Under the new law the consumption of dog meat itself will not be illegal.

According to a Gallup poll last year, only 8% of people said they had tried dog meat in the past 12 months, down from 27% in 2015. Fewer than a fifth of those polled said they supported the consumption of the meat.

Lee Chae-yeon, a 22-year-old student, said the ban was necessary to promote animal rights. "More people have pets today," she told the BBC in Seoul. "Dogs are like family now and it's not nice to eat our family."

The new law focuses on the dog meat trade - those convicted of butchering dogs face up to three years in prison, while people found guilty of raising dogs for meat or selling dog meat could serve a maximum of two years.
Farmers and restaurant owners have three years to find alternative sources of employment and income before the legislation comes into force.

According to government statistics, South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms in 2023, all of which will now have to submit a plan to phase out their businesses to their local authorities.
The government has promised to fully support dog meat farmers, butchers and restaurant owners, whose businesses will be forced to close, though the details of what compensation will be offered have yet to be worked through.

On Tuesday lunchtime in Seoul, down an alleyway with several dog meat restaurants, a handful of older people were tucking into the stew and the generational divide was stark.

Kim Seon-ho, 86, was disappointed by the ban. "We've eaten this since the Middle Ages. Why stop us from eating our traditional food?" he said. "If you ban dog meat then you should ban beef."

Previous governments, dating back to the 1980s, have pledged to ban dog meat, but failed to make progress. Current President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee are known animal lovers - they have six dogs, and Ms Kim has called for the practice of eating dogs to end.

Animal rights groups, which have long been pushing for the ban, praised the outcome of Tuesday's vote.

Jung Ah Chae, the executive director of the Humane Society in Korea, said she was surprised to see the ban in her lifetime. "While my heart breaks for all the millions of dogs for whom this change has come too late, I am overjoyed that South Korea can now close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog friendly future," she said.

Dog meat farmers had campaigned against the ban. They argued that, given the declining popularity among young people, the practice should be allowed to die out naturally over time. Many farmers and restaurateurs are elderly and said it would be difficult for them to switch livelihoods so late in life.

One dog farmer, Joo Yeong-bong, told the BBC the industry was in despair.
"In 10 years, the industry would have disappeared. We're in our 60s and 70s and now we have no choice but to lose our livelihoods," he said, adding that this was "an infringement of people's freedom to eat what they like".
One dog meat restaurant owner in her 60s, Mrs Kim, told the BBC she was frustrated by the ban, and blamed it on the rise in the number of people in South Korea having pets.

"Young people these days don't get married, so they think of pets as family, but food is food. We should accept dog meat but raise and slaughter them in a hygienic environment," she said.

"Other countries like China and Vietnam eat dogs, so why are we banning it?"

Source: BBC

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Lee Jae-myung: South Korea opposition leader stabbed in Busan

 

Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the presidential elections in 2022, was stabbed on the left side of his neck on Tuesday morning.

The attacker was arrested at the scene.

Mr Lee sustained a 1cm laceration and was treated in the hospital while conscious, reports said. Police said his wound was not life-threatening.

The attacker who appeared to be a man in his 60s to 70s, reportedly approached Mr Lee asking for an autograph, before suddenly lunging forward to stab him.

His weapon was about 20cm to 30cm (7.8 to 11.8in) long, Yonhap reported.

The man has been silent about both his identity and motive, the South Korean news agency said, citing police officers.

Videos of the attack posted on social media show Mr Lee first collapsing into the crowd and then onto the ground, while several people try to restrain the attacker. Photographs after the incident show Mr Lee lying on the ground with his eyes closed as someone presses a handkerchief to the side of his neck.

Yonhap said he was airlifted to hospital in a helicopter.

A spokesman of Mr Lee's Democratic Party of Korea said medical staff suspected injury to his jugular vein, which carries blood from the head to the heart. Mr Lee would have to undergo surgery as they were concerned about further bleeding, the spokesman, Kwon Chil-seung, said.

"After being transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, we plan to operate quickly. We strongly condemn the attack and consider it a clear act of democracy destruction," he said.

Mr Lee, 59, currently holds a seat in Incheon in South Korea's legislature. He is widely expected to run for a seat in the next general election, which will take place in April.

He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential elections - by a mere 0.73% difference in votes - to current President Yoon Suk Yeol, making it the closest presidential race in South Korean history. He is widely expected to stand in the next presidential elections in 2027.

Since then he has been indicted on corruption and breach of trust charges, with prosecutors accusing him of allowing private developers to profit illegally from a property project while he was mayor of Seongnam, a city of 1 million people to the south of Seoul. Mr Lee has denied those charges, calling them politically motivated.

In September a court dismissed a request from the prosecution for him to be held in custody while he awaited trial on the charges. Prosecutors are still investigating him on a number of other cases linked to corruption while he was in office.

The court's order came three weeks after Mr Lee began a hunger strike to protest Mr Yoon's foreign and domestic policies. Mr Lee had to be hospitalised because of the strike.

There have been a number of past cases of South Korean politicians being physically attacked with weapons.

In March 2022, Mr Lee's predecessor Song Young-gil was attacked with a blunt object while campaigning for Mr Lee. He survived with some head injuries.

In 2006, conservative party leader Park Geun-hye, who later became president, was attacked with a knife which left a scar on her face.

Source: BBC

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Pororo The Movie: Popstar Adventure

Wrapping up Pororo's 20th-anniversary celebration is a brand-new movie adventure where Pororo and pals are becoming intergalactic superstars. A pre-Christmas treat for Korean families who can't get enough of more Pororo-ness.

Pororo The Movie: Popstar Adventure
Pororo The Movie: Popstar Adventure

The newest Pororo movie adventure, Popstar Adventure, is a wrap-up to Pororo's 20th-anniversary celebration. In this latest movie escapade from one of South Korea's longest-running cartoon series, Pororo and pals venture into space to perform in the biggest intergalactic concert assembled, where the virtual idol I-One is also joining in the fun. However, someone's plotting to sabotage the concert, and it's up to Pororo and pals to save the day.

Packed with big adventures, songs, and classic Pororo-ism, this newest movie adventure is the biggest birthday present for one of South Korea's longest-running cartoon series, the ideal Christmas treat for Korean families joining in on the wrap-up of Pororo's 20th-anniversary celebrations.

This movie showcased the longevity of the Pororo series. Believe it or not, nothing's slowing Pororo and pals down to becoming one of the all-time K-Cartoon greats.

Here's to another 20 more years, Pororo and friends! 

Monday, December 18, 2023

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: PH condemns North Korea's missile launch

 

The Philippines joined Japan in condemning the reported ballistic missile launch of North Korea on Monday.

President Marcos made the statement on Monday, Dec. 18, after North Korea reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan.

“We join Japan, together with the rest of the ASEAN (Association of the Southeast Asian Nations), in condemning the continued threat that the launching [of] ballistic missiles by the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] represents,” Marcos said.

"The Philippines joins its voice to all our partners in peace in condemning this looming existential threat," he added.

The President made the remarks during his speech at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) leaders meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Japan as part of the 50th Commemorative ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit.  

“As we speak on economic progress in our region, we found these aspirations on a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific Region. So, such dangerous and provocative actions by the DPRK threaten and destabilize the region and the world,” he stressed.

North Korea reportedly fired a long-range ballistic missile, which supposedly fell into the sea, west of Hokkaido, according to Japan’s coast guard. 

Source: Manila Bulletin

Monday, December 11, 2023

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS members head for South Korean military service, fans vow to wait

 

The remaining four members of K-pop supergroup BTS will begin their 18-month military service in South Korea this week, joining three others already serving, with fans pledging to wait until 2025 for them to perform as a group again.

A group of fans braved rainy weather on Monday to bid a temporary farewell to the seven-member band's leader, RM, and vocalist V in front of their boot camp in the central city of Nonsan.

"I think I'll be fine except for one thing, that I won't be able to make happy memories with you for a while, which is the hardest part," V wrote on fan platform Weverse on Monday, wishing fans well and happiness.

RM also wrote that he might be lonely at times, but that the 18 months would be a chance to get new inspiration and learn new things.

The duo were accompanied by other members of the band, including Jimin and Jung Kook who will start their military service on Tuesday, and the three others who were given a day off from military duty, the Yonhap news agency said.

All able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for about two years, as part of efforts to guard against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Known as ARMY, BTS’ global fan base of millions of loyal followers has helped the band support social causes. In 2020, supporters raised more than $1 million for the Black Lives Matter movement in just 25 hours.

Some ARMY fans gathered at a cafe in a Tokyo district known as Korea Town and vowed to wait for their return.

"I feel sad but I think they'll mature more going into the army and come back looking cool so I'm looking forward and want to wait for them," said Ayami Ito, 22, a nursing care worker.

In Seoul, supporters also expressed their sadness.

"It was raining today, and I was a bit depressed," Kim Yong-sun who runs a BTS-themed cafe near the band's agency building.

"ARMY fans came to the cafe and cheered me up. Talking about the members and listening to music, I feel now much better," said Kim, who was wearing a purple cap and hoodie, BTS' signature colour.

Since announcing a break from group projects in June 2022, BTS members have pursued solo activities before starting military service.

Jin, 30, the oldest member, joined the army last December, followed by j-hope in April and Suga in August.

BTS' global success has triggered debate over whether K-pop artists should be allowed to serve for a shorter term, a perk granted to Olympics and Asian Games medallists and some classical musicians with international achievements.

Source: Reuters

Sunday, November 5, 2023

2023 CJ LOGISTICS SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE

The 2023 CJ LOGISTICS SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP returns to Yongin Everland Speedway for the two-part season finale and with Lee Chanjoon leading the driver's championship after winning three out of six races, will he be able to grab the title? Let's find out.

Screengrab from Superrace

In the first part, Ecsta Racing's Lee Changwook took the win while Vollgas' Jeong Eui-Cheol finished in 2nd and Seohan GP's Kim Jung-gun finished 3rd. In the final part, meanwhile, Vollgas' Kim Jaehyun is the winner while Ecsta Racing completes the podium with Lee Changwook finishing in 2nd and Lee Chanjoon finishing 3rd.

With the 2023 season officially over, Lee Chanjoon is officially Superrace's youngest champion at the age of 21, beating the record set by Kim Jong-gyeom in the 2018 season at age 27. The Ecsta Racing team is crowned this season's team champions while Nexen Tire is officially this season's tire champions.

This concludes the 2023 CJ LOGISTICS SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP. Expect a bigger and better SUPERRACE season next year with GT4-class racing making its South Korean debut.

See you next season.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Genesis GV80 (2024MY Minor Change) & GV80 Coupe

The first SUV from Genesis, the GV80, has gained a minor change for the 2024 model year and the latest minor change brings an additional model to the range; the first-ever GV80 Coupe. So, what's it all about the GV80 minor change?


2024 Genesis GV80
2024 Genesis GV80

2024 Genesis GV80
2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe


Starting at 69,300,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the GV80 minor change and the first-ever GV80 Coupe bring the first Genesis SUV to near ascension with its revised looks, interior, and performance you would expect for Korea's answer to the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. There's more to expect from this latest facelift.


2024 Genesis GV80
2024 Genesis GV80

Beginning with the styling, the GV80 looks sleek and sporty with its new front design, new wheel designs, and a refined rear view, keeping it fresh after three years of service. The Coupe version, meanwhile, looks pretty much the same as the normal GV80 but with a sloping roofline mimicking its German opposition. That roofline means less space compared to the normal GV80 by about 91 liters with the second-row seats present but that's more stuff to store compared to the BMW X6 and the Mercedes GLE Coupe.


2024 Genesis GV80
2024 Genesis GV80 interior

2024 Genesis GV80
2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe interior


The interior of the GV80 has been heavily revamped for this minor change, meaning the dashboard has been heavily reorganized to make room for the 27-inch OLED display where the instrumental cluster and the sat-nav join forces rather than working in separate ways. In addition, it even comes with a digital rear-view mirror, a built-in camera that is handy for spotting some sweet potatoes on the road, and an integrated controller which is rather complicated to use compared to touch screens.

The normal GV80 is offered with a choice of being a five-seater, a six-seater, and a seven-seater while the GV80 Coupe is offered only as a five-seater. It even comes with an available rear-seat entertainment system to keep your bosses in the second-row seats occupied while on the move or getting stuck in traffic.

2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe
2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe

The GV80 2024MY minor change features an all-petrol lineup consisting of a Smartstream G2.5T engine sourced from today's Hyundai Santa Fe MX5, producing 304PS of power and 43kgf-m of torque, and the ultra-powerful Smartstream G3.5L V6 turbo engine producing 380PS of power and 54kg-m of torque. Exclusive to the GV80 is the Smartstream G3.5L V6 turbo engine with a 48V electric supercharger producing 415PS of power and 56kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed automatic.

Like the pre-facelifted model, the GV80 is rear-wheel drive as standard with an optional all-wheel drive system that works on all road conditions; be it tarmac, gravel, or snow. It even comes with an electronically controlled suspension with road preview, which allows the GV80 to recognize road conditions via the front camera. Although they're bulky to drive, these models behave just like the German opposition, nearly.

The facelifted GV80 is fully prepared with the most advanced safety features offered in its class such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with the additional Evasis Steering Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assistance, Highway Driving Assist 2, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, Surround View Monitor, Rear Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The facelifted Genesis GV80 and the first-ever GV80 Coupe promises to become the alpha of the Genesis lineup since its advent three years ago. Although it may be easily overshadowed by the Germans, this updated version promises to propagate itself into presence until it is fully recognized the world over. Be prepared.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Fourth-Generation Kia Sorento (MQ4) - 2024 minor change

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento has gained its minor change for the 2024 model year. Packed with numerous revisions inside and out, the best-selling SUV from Kia is back for more having been on the road for three years.

2024 Kia Sorento
2024 Kia Sorento

Starting at 35,060,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the facelifted Kia Sorento MQ4 continues to assert its dominance in its class with its revised looks, interior, and technology that will keep the best-seller afloat having spent three years of its service.

The biggest change for the recent minor change is the front and it now dons the EV9-styled nose, asserting its masculine looks. Apart from that, it features new wheel designs and slightly revised rear lamps that will keep the Sorento fresh and progressive in every detail.

2024 Kia Sorento
2024 Kia Sorento interior

The interior has been heavily revamped for the recent minor change as hinted by the redesigned dashboard that saw its airconditioning vents streamlined as well as featuring the Panoramic Curved Display that features two 12.3-inch screens (one for the instrumental cluster and the other for the sat-nav) in one extra-long monitor, and the questionable feature that combines radio controls and climate controls into one, not to mention the new seating designs that showcases its premium feel. Despite heavy changes on the driver's side, the Sorento is offered with a choice of either a five-seater, a six-seater, or a seven-seater, depending on the variant.

2024 Kia Sorento
2024 Kia Sorento

The facelifted Sorento is still offered with a choice of a Smartstream D2.2 engine, a powerful Smartstream G2.5T-GDi engine, and the 1.6L turbo-hybrid powertrain now offered with 4WD for the first time. 

Mated to an 8-speed automatic, the diesel variant produces 194PS of power (8PS less than the old one) while fuel economy is around 12.7km/L. The 2.5L turbo variant, meanwhile, produces 281PS of power and 9.4km/L of fuel economy.

The turbo-hybrid variant with its 6-speed automatic transmission has a total power output of 235PS and a fuel economy of 16.6km/L for FF variants while the 4WD variants get 14km/L.

For safety, the Sorento is packed with numerous ADAS such as Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, blind spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance assist, rear parking collision avoidance assist, and Lane Keeping Assist 2. Coupled with the multiple anti-collision automatic braking systems, advanced rear passenger notification, reverse guiding lamp, and 10 airbags, this is the safest Sorento ever made.

One of South Korea's best-selling vehicles just got better with this minor change and the Sorento's back for more.

Photo: KIA

Monday, October 23, 2023

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Korea dangles ‘portfolio standard’ as incentive for hydrogen investments

 

The South Korean energy market is dangling ‘clean hydrogen portfolio standard’ or mandatory percentage of off-take (volume purchase) as an incentive for would-be developers or interested investors in its emerging hydrogen industry.

In a presentation at the ongoing 2nd Korea Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Summit here, Seong-hee Yang, senior manager for Global Legal, Finance and  Cooperation Department-International Cooperation Team of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) noted that the performance standards for hydrogen has been intended “to promote the use of clean hydrogen, and it is separated from the existing RPS (renewable portfolio standard) system and provides a support system that meets the characteristics of hydrogen power generation.”

He emphasized that the mandated pie is 10-percent of the power generation mix and this is typically reckoned from the prior year’s actual record of electricity generation.

Yang said the price and award of hydrogen development contracts would be done through a competitive bidding system as underpinned by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), which is also its government agency laying down the policy framework for hydrogen investments in the country.

The KEPCO executive qualified that the initial bidding for hydrogen ventures in South Korea kicked off this year, and “electricity sales company and community energy suppliers were designated as mandatory purchasers of hydrogen power generation.”

He added “the amount of clean power KEPCO purchases and the cost of purchasing power are determined in the hydrogen market and passed on to consumers.”

Yang specified that “the hydrogen power generation volume is determined by the MOTIE’s announcement; while unit purchase price is determined in the hydrogen power generation bidding market.”

The KEPCO executive conveyed that the investment-offers for hydrogen developments in Korea have been set two-tiered – one is for the regular or gray hydrogen market that could be utilized in planned re-purposing or retrofit of its thermal plants; while the other is clean or green hydrogen that could be coupled with renewable energy, primarily for offshore wind installations.

For the gas plants, Yang stated that the preliminary target will be 20-percent blend and that will be ramped up eventually as technological innovation for hydrogen advances on commercial maturity, primarily on the facets of cost competitiveness and technology innovation.

And in the targeted co-firing of ammonia with coal plants, ammonia is essentially a derivative of hydrogen – or hydrogen serves as an important catalyst for the production of ammonia. In particular, ‘green ammonia’ would refer to ammonia produced using hydrogen that is generated through renewables or low-carbon sources.

He underscored that the Korean government is aggressively pursuing hydrogen investments as part of the country’s overall decarbonization aspiration and to achieve its mid-century net zero goals.

“The Korean government plans to power the country mainly with hydrogen, renewables and nuclear by 2050 and phaseout coal,” Yang stressed.

And since Korea has limited resources on the production of massive-scale green hydrogen that will satiate the needs of its own market, KEPCO indicated that it will be exploring opportunities for hydrogen production in offshore markets – including those in Australia, Middle East North Africa (MENA) and North America as these markets already show competitiveness on green hydrogen ventures.

The secondary international portfolio that the Korean firm has been setting its sights on would be South Africa and Latin America “where resources are abundant but infrastructure is lacking and political risk is relatively high.”

For green hydrogen, Yang highlighted that the development paradigm “involves integrating water electrolysis and ammonia production facilities with renewable energy infrastructure,” adding that “this approach is similar to the IPP (independent power producer) business model and KEPCO holds an advantage due to its stability to leverage its overseas business experience and core competencies.”

He further cited that “considering the trend of declining unit costs for mid- to long-term renewable energy and hydroelectric facilities and strengthening policy support in various countries, green hydrogen is expected to have medium- to long-term price competitive edge over blue hydrogen.”

As explained, gray hydrogen is produced from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR) or a chemical process in which methane from natural gas reacts with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide; while blue hydrogen has the same derivation from natural gas, but the key difference in the development process is the integration of carbon capture and storage or CCS technology. 

Source: Manila Bulletin

Sunday, October 1, 2023

KG MOBILITY Torres EVX

Launched in July 2022, the Torres is the last hope for the troubled Ssangyong Motor Company and the last vehicle to don the Ssangyong banner. Thanks to the Torres' success, the troubled car company is under the hands of its new owner, KG Group, and Ssangyong was renamed KG MOBILITY. A year has passed since the Torres' debut and with KG MOBILITY's new hopes for the new normal, an all-electric version made the rounds.


2024 KG MOBILITY Torres EVX

The first-ever Torres EVX, priced at 47.5 million Korean Won plus additional costs, is the all-electric version of the Torres that is metaphorically labeled as the First Electric Leisure SUV, despite the fact that this is basically an FF-only all-electric crossover fit for almost every walk of life.

To differentiate the EVX from the normal Torres, it's been given a different front design featuring visor-inspired headlamps and unique rear lamps. As for the interior, it's just like a regular Torres and despite its EV drivetrain, the boot space remains up to 1,662 liters thanks to the blade-shaped battery pack that doesn't occupy the space, a wise move only KGM can think of.

The blade-shaped 73.4kWh battery pack is mated to the electric motor that powers the front wheels. this EV powertrain produces a high-performance class 207PS power output, and 34.6kgf-m of torque, which is more compared to its petrol-powered equivalent. It has 433km of driving range on one full charge.

The fact that it's an FF-only electric SUV adds irony to its tough character, the EVX feels civilized to drive almost everywhere thanks to its front MacPherson struts, rear independent multi-link, and front ventilated disc brakes.

Like the normal Torres, the EVX has a wide variety of safety features such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Braking Assistance, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Lane Change Warning, Reverse Collision Avoidance Warning, Reverse Collision Prevention Assistance, and Safe Exit Warning, among many others.

Being a front-wheel-drive-only EV SUV hurts the tough character inherited from its petrol-powered equivalent but the Torres EVX is an all-or-nothing gamble rolled by the recently-renamed KG MOBILITY and looks like it's prime time for what's metaphorically called the First Electric Leisure SUV.

Photo: KG MOBILITY

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

When Hyundai's high-performance N division said they would brace electrification, they really meant it, shocking the entire world by storm. After years of waiting since the launch of IONIQ 5, the first-ever electrified N car has arrived and it's time to get too jealous about it.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N interior

Welcome to the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, the high-performance version of the award-winning IONIQ 5 electric crossover that signals the start of N's electrified route, like it or not. It costs 76,000,000 Korean Won plus additional costs and from every angle, this commoner's EV gets Physical. Physical: N, of course.

Although it looks vaguely similar to the normal IONIQ 5, this beefed-up version features signature N elements, a sporty exterior design, an N Steering Wheel with N-specific functions, and a specific center console with race-specific features fit for your track day use in Inje, among many others. It's hard to say if the IONIQ 5 N is a classified sleeper car because it looks pretty much like the normal one but...who knows. It's going to be a long day.

Armed with an 84kWh Li-ion battery pack and two electric motors powering the front and rear wheels, making it a punchy 4WD prized fighter, the IONIQ 5 N produces a default 609PS of power and 740Nm of torque, more powerful than the Kia EV6 GT. However, with the N Grin Boost engaged for ten seconds, the power gets bumped to 650PS, and with N Launch Control in play, it's capable of a 0-100kph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 260kph, faster than a luxury German saloon. As for the driving range, it's good for 351km on one full charge.

Just like the normal IONIQ 5, it supports V2L capability, meaning you can use some of its juice to charge your phones, your laptop, heck, you can even plug in your TV sets and binge-watch some K-dramas while in the middle of a tailgating party with your pals.

Being a 4WD electric street fighter, the IONIQ 5 N is armed with an e-LSD at the rear axle as well as N Torque Distribution with 11 levels of adjustment and by surprise, an N Drift Optimiser. Although it feels bulky to drive as expected for an electric car, its N characteristics made it damn-straight addictive everywhere. You can really forget about your thoughts while trying to wrestle this car like a Ssireum match.

Although controversial, the IONIQ 5 N features numerous gimmicks such as the N e-shift system where a virtual 8-speed DCT comes out for the play and with the manual mode set, it shifts like you were in a video game, and the ultra-flashy N Active Sound+ where two external speakers and eight internal speakers can imitate engine noises including the jet-inspired Supersonic sound effect.

Like the normal IONIQ 5, the N features a host of safety features such as Remote Smart Parking Assist, Surround View Monitor, and Hyundai SmartSense, among many others.

So, what can I say about the IONIQ 5 N? While the virtual gear shifting and the virtual sound effects are flashy enough to be taunted by speedo boys as a poser machine, not to mention the quirky and bulky handling feel that feels like you're in a Ssireum match, the IONIQ 5 N is one of the many reasons that electric cars are getting manly and dangerous at the same time. Mixing subtlety and obviousness is one thing but with the IONIQ 5 N, we're experiencing burning jealousy right now, wishing we wanted to drive one someday.

The commoner's EV has turned...

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Kia Ray EV

Originally available only for rental or car-sharing purposes until 2019, the Kia Ray EV returns, and this time, it's available to the general public starting at 27,750,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, making this the cheapest Korean electric car you can buy and own today.

2024 Kia Ray EV
2024 Kia Ray EV

2024 Kia Ray EV
2024 Kia Ray EV interior


No strings attached, of course. The Kia Ray EV made its comeback after a four-year absence and unlike the previous one, it's yours to drive and keep if you have the budget to fully own it.

The reborn Kia Ray EV looks just like the recently facelifted Kia Ray, meaning you can still expect the squarish front face with EV9-inspired headlamps, grille-less design, revised rear lamps, and the slightly revised interior with a 10.25-inch color LCD cluster and console-type gear lever as expected but because this is the electric version, you can expect a number of features to differentiate it such as the charging port, exclusive Smoke Blue exterior color, unique 14-inch alloy wheels, and the i-PEDAL mode that can be engaged via paddle shifters.

Micro-business entrepreneurs can have either the two-seater or the single-seater van variants where the rear seats have been deleted for the sake of extra cargo space needed to deliver some balikbayan boxes if you're into that.

2024 Kia Ray EV
2024 Kia Ray EV

The Kia Ray EV's electric powertrain is powered by a 35.2kWh battery pack, making it capable of producing 64.3kW of power output and 147Nm of torque. As for driving range, it's good for 205km in one full charge. As for safety, the Ray EV comes with numerous features such as Rear Collision Prevention Assistance, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Prevention Assist, among many others.

Made for the new normal, the Kia Ray EV is a budget-friendly electric vehicle you can really own and drive with confidence.

Photo: Kia

Thursday, September 28, 2023

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Travis King in US custody after North Korea expulsion

 

US soldier Travis King, who fled from South to North Korea in July, is in American custody after being expelled by Pyongyang, officials say.

Pvt King was transferred into US custody in China before being flown to a US military installation.

The 23-year-old reconnaissance specialist illegally crossed into North Korea in July.

North Korean media said he had fled because of "inhuman treatment" and racism within the US military.

A senior administration official said on Wednesday that after months of "intense diplomacy" Pvt King had been returned to US hands and had spoken to his family.

"We can confirm Pvt King is very happy to be on his way home, and he is very much looking forward to reuniting with his family," the official said.

"We are going to guide him through a re-integration process that will address any medical and emotional concerns and ensure we get him in a good place to reunite with his family."

The official added that the US made no concessions to secure his release.

After being met by US officials in the Chinese border city of Dandong, Pvt King was taken by a state department aircraft to a US airbase in South Korea.

He was expected to return to US soil on Wednesday afternoon, according to state department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Earlier on Wednesday, North Korea's state-run news agency said the country had decided to remove Pvt King, without offering further details.

"The relevant body in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has decided to deport US soldier Travis King, who illegally entered the territory of the republic, in accordance with the laws of the republic," it said.

Pvt King has been in the army since January 2021 and was in South Korea as part of a unit rotation.

Before entering North Korea, he had served two months in detention in South Korea on charges that he assaulted two people and kicked a police car. He was released from custody on 10 July.

He had been due to return to the US for disciplinary proceedings, but managed to leave the airport and join a guided tour of the border village of Panmunjom on the heavily guarded Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two countries. Pvt King crossed into North Korea while on the tour.

The senior administration official said that the immediate focus will be on getting him medically evaluated before any potential disciplinary and administrative actions.

According to the senior administration official, the US learned earlier this month that North Korea intended to release Pvt King.

Swedish officials travelled to North Korea and brought Pvt King to its border with China, where he was met by US ambassador Nicholas Burns. China played a "constructive role" but "did not mediate", the official added.

"All these pieces had to come together quickly," the US official said.

As the US and North Korea have no diplomatic relations, Sweden's embassy in Pyongyang has traditionally negotiated on behalf of the US.

A Swedish embassy spokesman confirmed that the country had acted "within its role as a protective power" for the US in North Korea during the King case.

Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for Pvt King's mother, Claudine Gates, said in a statement that she will "forever be grateful" to the US Army and its partners "for a job well done".

The statement added that Pvt King's family does not intend to give any interviews "for the foreseeable future".

His relatives have previously told US media that he had experienced discrimination while serving in the US military.

They have said his mental health suffered during his time in South Korean custody.

In an interview with the Associated Press news agency last month, Ms Gates said her son had "so many reasons to come home".

"I just can't see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America," she said.

Frank Aum, a North Korea expert at the Washington DC-based US Institute of Peace, said that Pvt King's 71-day detention was "fairly typical" in cases of US citizens held in the country who "are not perceived to have committed a major crime".

Some analysts had speculated Pyongyang might have opted to use the US soldier as a diplomatic bargaining chip.

In previous instances, North Korea has insisted a senior US representative travel to the country to negotiate any American detainee's release, though there is so far no indication that happened in this case.

"They [North Korea] have believed that may be some way to help re-start talks," said Mr Aum, who was previously a senior adviser on North Korea at the office of the US secretary of defence.

"But it didn't seem like North Korea was interested in doing that this time. That may be a reflection of the fact that North Korea is not interested in engaging with the US at the moment."

Mr Aum added that North Korean officials were also no doubt keen to avoid "reinforcing an international perception" that they are a major human rights violator making arbitrary detentions.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Wednesday that while the US "is open to diplomacy" with North Korea, the country's government has repeatedly "rejected" the possibility.

Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defence and CIA paramilitary officer, told the BBC it is a "good thing" that Pvt King was being returned to US custody, although he "is a young man that made some mistakes".

"He is a US soldier and it was important that we did everything we could to bring him home," Mr Mulroy added.


Source: BBC