Koo Kwang-mo Inspects U.S. ESS Hub, Pushes Integrated Solutions Beyond Hardware

*Editor's Note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an AI-based customized news recommendation and summarization service developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six tailored news items for each reader type.

1. Koo Kwang-mo Visits U.S. Operations: "Lead AI Energy Market with ESS"

- Key Summary: Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, visited Vertech, an ESS system integration subsidiary in Massachusetts, and called for enhancing software-based integrated solution capabilities beyond battery hardware supply. The ESS market is projected to expand 2.5-fold from approximately 300 GWh last year to 750 GWh by 2030. LG Energy Solution (373220.KS), the only company with local ESS production in North America, is converting five bases to ESS lines. The company recently secured a $4.3 billion (approximately 6.5 trillion won) ESS battery supply contract with Tesla and set a target to raise its ESS and new business share from the current 20% to the mid-40% range. Koo also visited LG Electronics' Brazilian subsidiary, stepping up efforts to capture the Global South market with a population of two billion.

2. Korea Zinc Launches 'Project Crucible,' Full-Scale U.S. Integrated Smelter Construction Begins

- Key Summary: Korea Zinc (010130.KS) launched "Project Crucible," an 11 trillion won ($7.2 billion) integrated smelter project in Clarksville, Tennessee. Chairman Choi Yun-beom emphasized, "We have begun a journey to open a new future beyond 52 years and safeguard national security in critical minerals." The project will inherit skilled workers from the existing Nearstar USA operations and pursue recycling to recover critical minerals such as germanium, gallium, and indium from approximately 620,000 tons of smelting by-products on site. Site preparation begins this year with a target completion date of 2029, and the facility plans to produce 13 types of non-ferrous metals and semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid, making it a core project in the restructuring of the U.S. critical mineral supply chain.

3. New Drugs and Exports Drive K-Pharma and Bio Revenue Past 30 Trillion Won

- Key Summary: Combined revenue of 22 leading companies — those with revenue above 500 billion won or operating margins above 10% — reached 30.2619 trillion won last year, up 12.8% year-on-year. Samsung Biologics posted revenue of 4.557 trillion won and became the first in the industry to surpass 2 trillion won in operating profit. Celltrion recorded revenue of 4.1625 trillion won, buoyed by successful direct sales in the United States. SK Biopharmaceuticals grew 99.1% year-on-year and turned profitable on the back of full-scale U.S. sales of its epilepsy drug Cenobamate (Xcopri). Approximately 20 domestically developed new drug pipelines have reached the global approval stage, raising expectations for further revenue growth. Analysts say the speed at which top companies reinvest in overseas technology acquisition will determine future export success.

4. "Trump's Words Have Only Deepened Uncertainty" — Exchange Rate Surges 20 Won, Stocks Plummet

- Key Summary: President Trump's remarks suggesting a major strike on Iran sent the KOSPI tumbling 4.47% (244.65 points) to close at 5,234.05, while the won-dollar exchange rate rose 18.4 won to 1,519.7 won. Extreme volatility has persisted over 23 trading days since March 3, with an average daily index swing of 3.88%. Foreign investors extended their net selling streak to 11 consecutive trading days. Experts say short-term volatility expansion is unavoidable given Trump's stated timeline of "two to three weeks," and that even a quick ceasefire would have limited significance unless the Strait of Hormuz blockade is lifted. LS Securities analyzed, "After enduring an extremely painful phase in April and May, a full-scale shift to stimulus measures from June onward is likely to give the stock market room to breathe."

5. LG Electronics Joins 'Post-Retirement Rehiring' Trend — Is It Becoming the Industry Norm?

- Key Summary: LG Electronics agreed with its labor union to fully implement a post-retirement rehiring system starting next year, meaning most major Korean conglomerates now have retiree rehiring frameworks in place. SK hynix (000660.KS) operates a technical expert (HE) and master system, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) runs a senior track, and Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) has a skilled worker rehiring system chosen by approximately 90% of its retirees. Experts say voluntary rehiring is the optimal alternative that supplements the side effects of a legally mandated retirement age extension, given that each company has different industry characteristics and workforce structures. Voices are calling for the government to support companies' voluntary tailored systems through incentives rather than imposing uniform legislation.

6. Anjeon Industrial Fire Threatens GV80 and Palisade Deliveries

- Key Summary: A fire at Anjeon Industrial's Daejeon Plant No. 1 is causing widespread production disruptions across major Hyundai Motor and Kia vehicle models. Anjeon Industrial has been supplying engine valves for all Hyundai Motor Group hybrid models and major internal combustion engines, reportedly handling half of total valve supply. Plant No. 1, which handled 6 million of the monthly 7.5 million units, has completely shut down. Hyundai Motor anticipates sequential production halts extending to the GV80, Avante, Palisade, and G90. Hyundai Motor Group is responding by prioritizing electric vehicle production and reverse-importing overseas parts, but concerns are growing that the impact could persist until partial normalization in June, as there is effectively only one domestic engine valve manufacturer.