Overseas Koreans to be allowed to access digital services without local phone numbers

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) announced on Thursday that Korean citizens living abroad will soon be able to access domestic digital services, including banking, without maintaining a Korean mobile phone subscription. KISA has signed an agreement with five major financial institutions and government bodies to allow overseas Koreans to use electronic signature authentication issued by these entities. The pilot service, set to launch by year

July 18, 2024

K-pop impresario aims to captivate global fans with 200-member mega band

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - A unique scene unfolded last month when a unit of rookie K-pop girl band BlingOne consisting entirely of non-Koreans, held their debut showcase in central Seoul. While foreign members in Korea's music scene are common, they are the first-ever K-pop girl band from South America incubated in Korea, aiming for global audiences. The three Peruvian members – Abigali, Kenny and Ruby -- were selected from dozens of contestants who participated in the

July 18, 2024

Samsung Electronics acquires British knowledge graph startup

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electronics has acquired Oxford Semantic Technologies, a British startup specializing in knowledge graph technology. With the purchase, signed on Tuesday, Samsung expects to secure world-class expertise in storing and processing data in a manner similar to human knowledge recall. Founded in 2017 by three Oxford University professors, the startup has successfully commercialized advanced knowledge graph technology, enabling optimized data proce

July 18, 2024

PHOTOS: Exhibition explores enigmatic world of cats in human history

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The exhibition "Cat-ch Me If You Can" is being held at the National Folk Museum from May 3 to August 18, exploring the connection and coexistence between humans and cats through over 60 historical and contemporary artifacts, including literature, paintings, photographs, and interviews related to cats. "The exhibition aims to showcase how cats, which have interacted with humans since ancient times, have become even more integrated into our lives in m

July 18, 2024

CJ CheilJedang promotes Korean food with Times Square ad

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - CJ CheilJedang, a leading Korean food company, announced its large-scale 3D advertisement for its Bibigo brand in New York's Times Square on Thursday, aiming to boost global recognition of Korean cuisine. The advertisement, which began on July 1 and will run for eight weeks until August 25, features a 3D media art display showcasing Bibigo's new logo, brand slogan 'Live Delicious,' and popular products such as dumplings and chicken. It wi

July 18, 2024

Carcinogens found in underwear sold on e-commerce site Shein

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - Korean authorities have discovered a carcinogenic substance in women's underwear sold on Shein, a popular Chinese e-commerce platform. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday that the underwear contained arylamine, a known carcinogen, at levels nearly three times higher than the Korean safety standard. The investigation, conducted from June 11 to July 11, examined 330 items including clothing, cosmetics, food containers and hygiene pr

July 18, 2024

Korea's KHNP selected as preferred bidder for Czech nuclear plant project

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) – A Korean consortium led by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has been selected as the preferred bidder to construct nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic, estimated to be worth 400 billion koruna ($17.3 billion). The Czech government announced on Wednesday that KHNP was chosen over French electric utility firm Électricité de France to build at least two nuclear reactors in Dukovany. The deal would mark a sig

July 18, 2024

SK Innovation, SK E&S boards approve mega-merger plan

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The boards of SK Group's two energy subsidiaries, SK Innovation and SK E&S, have approved a plan to merge on Nov. 1, which will result in the creation of Asia's largest energy company with assets worth 106 trillion won ($76.8 billion). As part of a large-scale business restructuring effort, SK Group has been pushing for a merger between SK Innovation, the energy holding company, and SK E&S, an unlisted affiliate. Under the plan passed

July 18, 2024

Opinion: Conspiracy theories on Trump assassination attempt are spreading like wildfire – on both sides of politics

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - As the sound of gunshots interrupted Donald Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, the former U.S. president clutched his right ear before squatting to the ground. Members of the Secret Service quickly surrounded Trump, who fiercely pumped his fist towards the crowd. It was during this moment an instantly iconic photo was taken as Trump stood, fist raised, in front of the U.S. flag – blood running from his ear to his cheek. Almos

July 18, 2024

VISUALS: Defectors discuss arts, education in North Korea

SEOUL, July 17 (AJU PRESS) - "Talk Concert with North Korean Defector Artists - North Korean Culture and Arts" was held at the National Folk Museum of Korea in central Seoul on Wednesday. Professor Jeon Young-sun of Konkuk University gave a lecture on the changes in North Korean culture and arts, followed by a talk concert with famous North Korean defector artists Jung Yu-na, a broadcaster, and Park Yu-sung, a filmmaker. They shared interesting stories about cultural education in

July 17, 2024