Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

The author is an architect and a former president of the Korea National University of Arts.

The Roman Empire began as a cluster of settlements on seven hills. The most important of them, the Capitoline Hill, gave rise to the English word "capital" and is known in Italian as Campidoglio. In 1536, ahead of a visit to Rome by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Pope Paul III commissioned a sweeping redesign of the hill, which had fallen into decline. He entrusted the task to Michelangelo.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) was already renowned as a master of painting and sculpture, yet he demonstrated equal brilliance in architecture. The hill stands at the far end of the Roman Forum, the political and civic heart of ancient Rome. An archive building occupied the site, with a sheer cliff behind it. Michelangelo removed the existing square that faced the Forum and instead created a new piazza oriented toward St. Peter's Basilica. By turning his back on antiquity and redirecting the axis toward the city's contemporary center, he symbolically shifted Rome's focal point.

He constructed the Cordonata, an 80-meter (262.5-foot) sloping ramp, as the principal approach. Its steps were spaced to match a horse's stride, allowing riders to ascend without dismounting.

Two medieval buildings on the site, the Palazzo Senatorio and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, stood at an acute angle to one another. Michelangelo added a new structure opposite the Conservators' Palace, forming a trapezoidal piazza framed by three unified facades. He remodeled the fronts of the older buildings to match the new one, creating visual harmony. The empty square enclosed by architecture thus became the central subject.

The trapezoidal plan employed a reversed application of Renaissance linear perspective, producing subtle optical illusions depending on the viewer's position. Michelangelo applied similar principles to the Cordonata, making the upper width appear broader and the lower narrower, reducing the perceived steepness of the ascent.

The hill had once been called "Caput Mundi," meaning "head of the world," and marked by an omphalos, or navel stone, symbolizing the world's center. On the pavement of the piazza, Michelangelo designed a twelve-pointed star and oval pattern, placing at its center an equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, with a replica now in place. From the square, one can see the Tiber River, Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican beyond the ruins of the Forum. With bold vision and meticulous planning, Michelangelo reshaped the Campidoglio into a new "Caput Mundi."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

On Tuesday, six major business associations issued an urgent appeal to the National Assembly to swiftly pass the Special Act on Investment in the United States. Their warning that legislative delays could weaken Korea's leverage in negotiations with Washington and erode industrial competitiveness reflected deep anxiety. In an era of extreme uncertainty in global trade, the business community sees political inaction as compounding risks.

Yet even on the day of the appeal, rival parties remained focused on a separate set of contentious judicial reform bills. The People Power Party (PPP) staged a march from the National Assembly to the presidential office, denouncing what it called "dictatorship disguised as judicial reform." The Democratic Party (DP) criticized the protest as a political maneuver aimed at reviving former President Yoon Suk Yeol. While both parties describe the U.S. investment bill as urgent, each blames the other for delays.

With local elections three months away, partisan calculations appear to be shaping priorities. Lawmakers are wary of alienating core supporters, even as national interests require prompt action.

The proposed legislation is not complex. It would establish the necessary institutions and funding mechanisms to support $200 billion in strategic investment in the United States and an additional $150 billion in shipbuilding cooperation, commitments made following the conclusion of tariff negotiations between Seoul and Washington. A measure with little substantive room for disagreement has nonetheless been stalled for months. That delay suggests a troubling detachment from the scale of potential losses facing companies and the broader economy.

The DP has said it will reactivate a special committee on U.S. investment on Wednesday, complete a bill review by the following Tuesday and seek passage at a plenary session on Mar. 12. To meet that timetable, however, it must move beyond claims that the delay stems solely from a PPP filibuster and street protests. The PPP has countered that if the bill were truly urgent, it should have taken precedence over the judicial reform measures.

The opposition, for its part, should suspend its extraparliamentary campaign and cooperate across party lines. This bill could serve as a starting point for broader collaboration on other pending issues.

At stake is the national interest. Assigning blame will not restore any damage already done. Lawmakers must confront the reality that delays may provide grounds for higher tariffs, and that a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has introduced new uncertainty. Exports of semiconductors, automobiles and pharmaceuticals remain vulnerable. Bipartisan cooperation is not optional but necessary.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

Big Ocean, a pioneering K-pop group made up entirely of members who are deaf or hard of hearing, is aiming for victory with the release of its third EP, "The Greatest Battle."

The album tells the story of a person who fights one's own battle and emerges victorious — a narrative that reflects not only Big Ocean's journey so far, but also the struggles faced by people everywhere, the members said.

"We've been living our lives fiercely, fighting against prejudice surrounding disabilities — but I don't think it's only us who are fighting our own battle every day," said member Jiseok during a press showcase held in western Seoul on Tuesday.

Big Ocean is nearing the second anniversary of its debut on April 20, 2024 — the Day of Persons with Disabilities in Korea — under Parastar Entertainment as the first K-pop group fully composed of members with limited or no hearing. The trio of Jiseok, PJ and Chanyeon utilizes AI tools in the recording process.

The group's third EP, "The Greatest Battle," features eight tracks, including two lead tracks, "One Man Army" and "Cold Moon," along with two B-sides, "Alive" and "Back," as well as instrumental versions of the four songs.

"This album feels like a chant to turn what seems like an unwinnable fight into a victory," said Chanyeon. "I hope this can be a chance for more people to feel encouraged."

Heard in sequence, the tracks of "The Greatest Battle" unfold as a cohesive narrative.

The album opens with "Alive," a cinematic introduction marked by choir vocals, followed by "One Man Army," a dramatic track driven by pounding drums and the sounds of Korean traditional instruments.

"One Man Army" was inspired by Admiral Yi Sun-shin's legendary victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597, where his fleet of 12 ships defeated a much larger Japanese naval force. Yi, revered as Korea's greatest military hero, is most well known for overcoming overwhelming odds during the Japanese invasions of Korea.

The story continues with "Back," an upbeat pop track that declares the return of once-defeated heroes, before closing with "Cold Moon," a softer song focusing on inner maturity.

The members took part in a songwriting camp for "One Man Army," discussing which sonic frequencies each member could better perceive and what instruments they wanted incorporated into the track.

"The song 'One Man Army' was inspired by the Myeongnyang battle where [Yi's naval force] defeated some 130 ships with only 12 ships," explained Chanyeon. "The victory at Myeongnyang, which seemed impossible at first, resonated really deeply with us."

"One of the prejudices we've faced is the belief that we wouldn't be able to pursue music or art because of our disabilities," said Jiseok. "But I'm genuinely happy when I can express music through my body and enjoy it. Being an idol was my dream — to share my performance with everyone."

The group had a successful run last year, reaching new milestones, including its first concert in Japan in March last year and its first U.S. and European tours in July and August.

"The hardest part of doing tours was the sound, but Pado [Big Ocean's official fandom] would shout our names to signal when to begin the performance," Jiseok recalled. "That's how we were able to build trust and strengthen our bond, and continue to grow."

Big Ocean is set to begin another U.S. tour in April, starting with a show in Chicago on April 10.

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

Big Ocean, a pioneering K-pop group made up entirely of members who are deaf or hard of hearing, is aiming for victory with the release of its third EP, "The Greatest Battle."

The album tells the story of a person who fights one's own battle and emerges victorious — a narrative that reflects not only Big Ocean's journey so far, but also the struggles faced by people everywhere, the members said.

"We've been living our lives fiercely, fighting against prejudice surrounding disabilities — but I don't think it's only us who are fighting our own battle every day," said member Jiseok during a press showcase held in western Seoul on Tuesday.

Big Ocean is nearing the second anniversary of its debut on April 20, 2024 — the Day of Persons with Disabilities in Korea — under Parastar Entertainment as the first K-pop group fully composed of members with limited or no hearing. The trio of Jiseok, PJ and Chanyeon utilizes AI tools in the recording process.

The group's third EP, "The Greatest Battle," features eight tracks, including two lead tracks, "One Man Army" and "Cold Moon," along with two B-sides, "Alive" and "Back," as well as instrumental versions of the four songs.

"This album feels like a chant to turn what seems like an unwinnable fight into a victory," said Chanyeon. "I hope this can be a chance for more people to feel encouraged."

Heard in sequence, the tracks of "The Greatest Battle" unfold as a cohesive narrative.

The album opens with "Alive," a cinematic introduction marked by choir vocals, followed by "One Man Army," a dramatic track driven by pounding drums and the sounds of Korean traditional instruments.

"One Man Army" was inspired by Admiral Yi Sun-shin's legendary victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597, where his fleet of 12 ships defeated a much larger Japanese naval force. Yi, revered as Korea's greatest military hero, is most well known for overcoming overwhelming odds during the Japanese invasions of Korea.

The story continues with "Back," an upbeat pop track that declares the return of once-defeated heroes, before closing with "Cold Moon," a softer song focusing on inner maturity.

The members took part in a songwriting camp for "One Man Army," discussing which sonic frequencies each member could better perceive and what instruments they wanted incorporated into the track.

"The song 'One Man Army' was inspired by the Myeongnyang battle where [Yi's naval force] defeated some 130 ships with only 12 ships," explained Chanyeon. "The victory at Myeongnyang, which seemed impossible at first, resonated really deeply with us."

"One of the prejudices we've faced is the belief that we wouldn't be able to pursue music or art because of our disabilities," said Jiseok. "But I'm genuinely happy when I can express music through my body and enjoy it. Being an idol was my dream — to share my performance with everyone."

The group had a successful run last year, reaching new milestones, including its first concert in Japan in March last year and its first U.S. and European tours in July and August.

"The hardest part of doing tours was the sound, but Pado [Big Ocean's official fandom] would shout our names to signal when to begin the performance," Jiseok recalled. "That's how we were able to build trust and strengthen our bond, and continue to grow."

Big Ocean is set to begin another U.S. tour in April, starting with a show in Chicago on April 10.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz choking off Korea's primary artery for Middle Eastern crude, Seoul is weighing an expansion of oil imports from the United States and Australia to blunt the impact from the escalating U.S.-Iran war.

Korea depends heavily on the Middle East for roughly 70 percent of its crude oil imports, and nearly 99 percent of the region's shipments bound for Korea pass through the narrow waterway. Korea currently holds oil reserves equivalent to about seven months of supply.

"On the supply side, we are carefully managing existing stockpiles and reviewing hiking imports from the United States and Australia, alternative countries to the Middle East," an official overseeing crude imports at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Tuesday. "If the situation deteriorates further, we are also considering demand-side measures, including adjustments to petroleum exports."

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday warned that "if anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the IRGC and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze."

Despite being only about 90 miles long and 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, the Strait of Hormuz possesses critical geopolitical importance as the exclusive maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Roughly 26 percent of global crude and 23 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments flow through the strait every year.

It has never experienced a complete blockade, but it has faced multiple disruptions over the decades, including the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, tensions between Iranian and U.S. naval forces in 2007 and Iran's seizure of the Advantage Sweet, a crude tanker chartered by Chevron in 2023.

The Korean government is also mulling the option of redirecting volumes that are produced overseas back to Korea.

"Crude refined in our foreign factories, such as Vietnam, is generally sold locally, but we are considering bringing those home," a representative of the Korea National Oil Corporation told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Korea's reserves include the government's stockpiles equivalent to 117.1 days of consumption and private-sector stockpiles covering an additional 104.1 days, together amounting to about seven months.

"The government does not foresee an immediate emergency given that reserves amount to roughly 200 days of crude and gas, but the authorities are working to secure alternative supply routes," said Rep. Han Jeoung-ae, chair of the Democratic Party's policy committee, on Tuesday.

Korea's heavy reliance on the Middle East leaves it acutely vulnerable to surging oil prices. As of last year, 71 percent of crude oil, 34 percent of natural gas and 66 percent of petroleum products were imported from the region.

Brent crude futures for May delivery on the Intercontinental Exchange settled at $77.74 a barrel on Monday, up 6.7 percent from the prior session. Prices briefly surged as high as $82.37 intraday before paring gains toward the close. West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery settled at $71.23 a barrel, up 6.3 percent from the previous session.

The Hyundai Research Institute estimated that under a prolonged-war scenario in which crude averages around $100 a barrel, "Korea's economic growth rate would fall by at least 0.3 percentage point," while consumer "inflation would rise by 1.1 percentage points."

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

A new boy band — already featuring quite a few familiar faces for some K-pop fans — just entered the scene by declaring "I'm Alive."

"I believe the idea of being alive, for Tunexx, is about knowing oneself," said leader Donggyu of boy band Tunexx during the group's debut showcase held at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul on Tuesday, the day that the seven-member act debuted with "I'm Alive," the lead track of its first EP, "Set By Us Only."

"As some of us spent a long time as trainees and also appeared on audition programs, we've spent a lot of time reflecting on who we are," Donggyu continued. "Through that deliberation about what we like and what we're capable of, we've formed a clear determination of how we want to survive in the K-pop industry and walk our own path."

Tunexx is the latest boy band to debut under IST Entertainment — previously home to Apink and The Boyz — and is the agency's first new act in about four years since now-disbanded ATBO.

Tunexx consists of seven members: Donggyu, Inhu, Sihwan, Arctic, Taira, Zeon and Sungjun. Donggyu, Inhu, Sihwan and Arctic were contestants on Mnet's reality competition show "Boys II Planet" (2025), while Zeon appeared on MBN's "The Origin - A, B, Or What?" (2022), which formed ATBO.

Donggyu, who made it to the final round of "Boys II Planet" and finished in 15th place, shared that many fellow contestants reached out to congratulate him on the group's debut.

"While competing on the program, we often talked about how desperately we all wanted to debut," he said, adding that he is grateful for the supportive messages.

The team's name, Tunexx, combines the words "tune" and "X," the latter of which means both "unclassified" and "cross," according to IST Entertainment. Under the slogan "Tune in to our Frequency," the group aims to transcend boundaries and broaden its range.

"We don't define ourselves in specific frames or genres," said member Inhu. "The fact that we are not afraid of changes or taking on challenges is our strength."

The group's debut EP, "Set By Us Only," features four tracks led by "I'm Alive," along with B-sides "100%," "Obsessed" and "Twenty Something."

Members Donggyu, Zeon and Sihwan all took part in writing lyrics for the lead track and "100%," while Taira participated in creating the choreography for "100%."

"I really want to show the passion and love we have for music," said Sungjun. "My hope is for us to be recognized for our versatility by taking on various new genres and concepts."

This article is by Kim Hyoung-gu and read by an artificial voice.

WASHINGTON — The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Monday declared the institutionalization of a trade policy that puts the United States first.

The 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report, released Monday, noted that Seoul pledged to address nontariff barriers affecting agricultural products and to prohibit discrimination against U.S. digital firms. The annual report, which the USTR described as submitted to Congress on Monday, reviews the previous year's U.S. trade-policy performance and lays out the administration's blueprint for the year ahead.

The USTR on Monday also pledged to institutionalize the "America First Trade Policy," outlining plans to build on 2025 achievements and strengthen the approach in 2026 to sustain growth momentum for domestic producers and the U.S. economy.

The report's key concept is "reciprocity," based on the America First trade policy. the USTR assessed that reciprocal tariff measures announced last year on April 2 targeting all trading partners made a tangible contribution to reducing the U.S. trade deficit, increasing exports and supporting economic growth — concluding that the America First trade policy is producing results.

The USTR wrote that the monthly trade deficit fell from a year earlier each month through December 2025, while U.S. exports of goods and services rose by $199.8 billion, or 6.2 percent, to a record $3.4 trillion. It also said inflation-adjusted real personal disposable income increased 1.6 percent in 2025.

The USTR wrote it will push the America First trade policy more rigorously in 2026, including securing supply chains for critical minerals and other strategic industries, reviewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, managing trade with China with an emphasis on "reciprocity and balance."

In its 2026 agenda, the USTR laid out six broad priorities: continuing the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) program and tightening enforcement of ARTs, other trade agreements and U.S. trade laws; shoring up supply chains for critical minerals and other strategic industries; revisiting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement; managing trade with China with an emphasis on reciprocity and balance; and promoting U.S. interests in international forums.

On Korea, the annual report included content from a joint fact sheet released on Nov. 13, 2025, reflecting agreements reached at a Korea-U.S. summit.

The USTR wrote that Korea pledged to invest $350 billion to support rebuilding U.S. manufacturing in key sectors, with $150 billion earmarked for the shipbuilding industry. It also listed steps to ease market access for U.S.-made cars in Korea, including abolishing an import quota of "50,000-unit cap on U.S.-originating FMVSS [Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards]-compliant vehicles."

The USTR also mentioned Korea promised to address "the backlog of market access requests for U.S. horticultural products and streamlining the regulatory approval process of U.S. biotechnology products."

The USTR added that Korea pledged to ensure that laws and policies related to digital services — including network usage fees and online competition regulations — do not discriminate against U.S. companies, and to facilitate cross-border data flows.

In its annual National Trade Estimate report, the USTR has repeatedly raised concerns about Korea's online platform regulations, restrictions on location-based data and network usage fees. The Trump administration has continued to pressure Seoul to remove digital nontariff barriers even after the 2025 Korea-U.S. trade deal, citing moves to legislate an online platform law.

In January, U.S. investors in Coupang submitted a petition to the USTR requesting an investigation under Section 301, claiming a sweeping Korean government probe launched after a large-scale personal data breach amounted to discriminatory action against U.S. companies.

Section 301 of U.S. trade law allow...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

Hyundai Mobis is staging a 10-day showcase of next-generation automotive technologies at its winter test center in Sweden from Feb. 28 through Sunday, inviting approximately 100 executives from 10 global client firms across Europe and North America.

New products currently under negotiation or slated for supply, such as advanced braking and steering systems, are installed on demonstration vehicles and subjected to rigorous driving evaluations across snowbound terrain. Clients are invited to take the wheel themselves to assess the cars firsthand.

"European automakers in particular expressed keen interest in its newest braking system, which is scheduled for mass production later this year," said a spokesperson for Hyundai Mobis.

Located in the remote town of Arjeplog, Sweden, and spanning 1.7 million square meters (420 acres), Mobis's winter test center was opened in 2006 and comprises 14 specialized tracks engineered to replicate snow-covered roads and sheets of black ice. The facility is equipped with a fully integrated workshop, which allows engineers to incorporate client feedback into mechanical adjustments in real time and on-site.

Hyundai Mobis operates another winter test center in Heihe, China, where it verifies key components for locally produced models.

This article is by Yoon Seung-jin, Daniela Gonzalez Perez and read by an artificial voice.

Football was never just a game for Colombian striker John Montaño. It was a way out of his family's long history poverty, a reality, he says, many South American players share. Korea, back then, was never really part of the plan. He simply needed to play.

However, when he got an offer while in El Salvador and chose to come to Korea, the move was more than just a transfer. It was proof that it was a path that could carry him further than he had ever imagined.

His impact on the pitch was almost immediate. Montaño finished as one of the top two scorers for Bucheon FC 1995 during the 2024-25 season, helping lift the club to its historic first promotion to the top division of the K League.

"After I received an offer from a Korean scouting team, I started learning about the culture and what life is like here. I learned that Korea is a very safe country, with educated and warm people," Montaño said. "Now, not only have I adapted to the culture, the style of football, the fans and the system — I even think it is not only a good country to live in, but a place where I can envision my future as a footballer."

"With its solid system and passionate fans, and as the K League continues expanding the number of teams and lifting the cap on foreign players, I think Korea could become a very attractive destination for athletes."

The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Montaño to hear more about his journey, the challenges of playing professional football in Korea, and his thoughts on the Korean football landscape and the upcoming World Cup.

Q. How did you end up in Korea? How did you feel when you first considered coming to Korea?

A. While I was playing in El Salvador, a Korean scouting team gave me an offer through my agents. We spoke about my performances, and they told me there was a possibility for me to come here to play football. I got excited almost immediately about the new challenge, not only because of the language and culture but also because of football itself.

I searched a lot about the country on different platforms and looked into the training and working environment. I learned that it is a calm, welcoming and warm country, which I value very much.

So, I decided to come, and later I realized there was even more beyond the lifestyle and education. It turned out to be a really good decision for me as a professional athlete.

Was it hard to adapt to the Korean football training style and Korea's hierarchy as a foreign player?

As for the training and playing style, there is a solid system that helps us prepare not only for the physical demands of Korean football but for any challenge. Korean teams also help players build good habits, maintain discipline and follow a proper diet.

The Korean culture of respecting elders and hierarchy has not been a problem either — because my mother taught me from a young age to respect older people. So, for me, it has been very easy. Some athletes might complain about the hierarchy here, but I see it differently.

I think Korea's hierarchy is something we can learn from. I have played in the United States, visited many countries and met players from around the world. But Korea stands out in this aspect in a positive way.

How has life been here beyond the professional side, especially in terms of interacting with fans, building relationships with fellow players and overcoming language barriers?

The most interesting part of the culture for me is gift-giving. Every time I play a game, fans give me so many presents. I often come home with my hands full of their gifts. They are always giving me sweets, teddy bears and thoughtful presents. I really enjoy that.

I have also been lucky with communication. There is a Japanese teammate who speaks Spanish because he played for a long time in Spain and Europe. We also have other players, so we often communicate in Spanish and Portuguese.

Moreover, the club has hired an in...

This article is by Lee Jae-lim, Park Eun-jee and read by an artificial voice.

Samsung Electronics' plant in Taylor, Texas, will start mass production from early next year, according to multiple sources in the local chip industry, with operations fully ready for pilot production by the end of this year.

"The schedule has continued to shift, and it is now understood that a full-scale ramp-up for a meaningful volume output could be pushed to early next year," a source familiar with developments told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Previously, multiple local news outlets reported that mass production would begin by the end of this year.

Another source at a semiconductor materials firm corroborated the 2027 timeline.

"The plant has begun pilot operations," the source said. "The timeline appears to shift frequently, and there is no clear start-of-production milestone."

The start of pilot production refers to the stage before a full-scale ramp-up to deliver substantial output to clients, when sample chips are produced at the factory.

Both a Samsung spokesperson and an executive at its foundry business maintained that the plant's operational schedule is proceeding as planned.

"The Taylor fab in the United States is under construction as planned, aiming for the timely commencement of operations this year," said Kang Suk-chae, executive vice president of Samsung Foundry, in a January conference call.

A Samsung Electronics spokesperson clarified that references to the plant's 2026 operational readiness refer to the completion of preparations for mass manufacturing by the end of this year.

"The plant will be ready to be operational by then," the spokesperson said.

Samsung also projected on-year growth in 2-nanometer orders of more than 130 percent this year, driven by the production of high-performance computing and AI chips on its second-generation 2-nanometer process in 2026.

The 2-nanometer process is to be developed at both the Taylor site and its Pyeongtaek campus in Gyeonggi, but facilities at the Korean site are still under construction, and those originally planned as a foundry line have since been switched to focus on expanding memory production to meet surging AI-driven demand.

Analysts believe that the large-scale production of Samsung's SF2P will mainly take place at the Taylor site due primarily to better accessibility to major target clients, while the Korean facilities are responsible for sample production in the early stage.

Multiple reports said that Samsung Foundry is in talks to secure major orders from Big Tech firms including Google, AMD and more recently, ByteDance.

Confidence in the 2026 mass production timeline strengthened after the company secured a $16.5 billion contract in July of last year to manufacture AI6 chips for Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk later saying during Tesla's October conference call that the chipmaker would produce a portion of AI5 chips as well.

Musk also previously stated on X that mass production of the AI5 chip is expected around mid-2027.

Samsung has already begun limited activities at the site after acquiring a temporary certificate of occupancy from the city of Taylor covering approximately 88,000 square feet at Fab 1. Trial operations, including tests of its extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment, are reportedly set to begin this month.

First announced in November 2021, the Taylor project has faced multiple delays, prompting the Texan city to add a clause on stricter timeline checkpoints to keep construction on track, setting a goal for Samsung to complete a total of 6 million square feet by 2026, with an additional 1 million square feet to be added by 2028.

Signs of progress are emerging: The company has recently opened 180 job positions at the site, spanning facilities and infrastructure build-out, tool installation and equipment readiness, as well as yield engineering and manufacturing support. Applications for these roles will be accepted through Dec. 31.

A third source told the Kore...