Kakao Pay probed for sharing millions of users' data with Alipay

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's financial regulator said Tuesday Kakao Pay, the online payment arm of tech giant Kakao Corp., has been transferring personal credit information of millions of customers to China’s Alipay without consent for over six years. According to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the company has shared data of 40.45 million users, totaling 54.2 billion pieces of personal credit information, with Alipay since April 2018. The regulator i

August 13, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul's Han River Park pools offer night swimming this summer

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Seoul’s popular Han River Park swimming pools are extending their hours for night operations this summer. From July 24 to August 18, the pools at Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamwon, Nanji and Jamsil will remain open until 10 p.m. The five locations along the Han River, which bisects the Korean capital, attract an average of 4,000 visitors daily during the summer months. The initiative aims to provide more recreational options for Seoul’s residents and

August 13, 2024

Cannes-acclaimed director Park Chan-wook to reunite with Lee Byung-hun for new film

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Director Park Chan-wook is set to begin shooting his new film later this week, the film's distributor CJ ENM said on Tuesday. The film, tentatively called "No Other Choice," is based on American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax." Its story revolves around an office worker, played by actor Lee Byung-hun, who struggles to support his family as a breadwinner after suddenly losing his job. The film marks Park's r

August 13, 2024

CJ CheilJedang reports double-digit profit growth on overseas food sales

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Korean food and bio company CJ CheilJedang announced on Tuesday that its second-quarter operating profit rose 14.1 percent year-on-year to 269 billion won ($196 million), marking the third consecutive quarter of profit growth. Sales increased 0.3 percent to 7.239 trillion won, while net income increased 16 percent to 147.8 billion won. The company's overseas food business showed strong performance, with sales in Europe surging 57 percent as it

August 13, 2024

Private equity firm to acquire controlling stake in Chorokbaem Media

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Q Capital Partners, a private equity firm, has signed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Chorokbaem Media, a drama and animation production company. Chorokbaem, known for popular dramas such as "My Mister," "All In" and "The Slave Hunters," said in a regulatory filing Tuesday that Q Capital agreed to purchase about 9.617 million shares for 180 billion won ($137 million). Upon completion of the transaction, expecte

August 13, 2024

Carmakers disclose EV battery suppliers amid growing safety concerns

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., BMW Korea, and Mercedes-Benz Korea have disclosed the battery suppliers for their electric vehicles (EVs) amid growing safety concerns following a recent EV explosion and fire incident. Hyundai Motor, Korea's No. 1 carmaker, became the first company in the nation to disclose such information on Friday. The company revealed the battery suppliers for 13 EV models on its website, stating that all models use batteries from

August 13, 2024

OPINION: New storm is headed for Caribbean: What meteorologists look for in early signs of future hurricane

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - When tropical meteorologists peer at satellite images, they often catch sight of subtle cloud formations hinting at something more ominous brewing. The first signs of a potential hurricane can be detected days before a storm gains its fierce momentum. Wispy cirrus clouds radiating outward, the appearance of curved banding low-level clouds and a drop in atmospheric pressure are all clues. These early clues are crucial for predicting the onset of what

August 13, 2024

Game developer Krafton reports record revenue, profits driven by 'PUBG' success

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - Korean gaming company Krafton on Monday announced record sales and profits for the second quarter, driven by the success of its flagship title, “PUBG: Battlegrounds.” Consolidated operating profit reached 332.1 billion won ($242 million), a 152.6 percent increase year-on-year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Revenue jumped 82.7 percent to 707 billion won, while net profit soared 165.7 percent to 341.4 billion won. Krafton a

August 12, 2024

Upgraded 1,200-ton submarine delivered to Korean Navy

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The South Korean defense procurement agency on Monday delivered an upgraded 1,200-ton submarine to the Navy following a refurbishment that enhanced its combat and detection capabilities. The submarine, ROKS Jung Woon, is the sixth Jang Bogo I-class submarine, commissioned in August 1997. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the submarine was handed over to the Navy in a ceremony at Hanwha Ocean's headquarters on the souther

August 12, 2024

Yoon names new defense minister

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - President Yoon Suk Yeol named Kim Yong-hyun, the 65-year-old chief of the Presidential Security Service, as the new defense minister on Monday. Yoon also nominated the current defense minister, Shin Won-sik, to take on the role of national security adviser. Kim’s nomination is subject to a parliamentary confirmation hearing, but the president can proceed with the appointment regardless of the hearing's outcome. A tough road seems to be ahe

August 12, 2024