Hyundai Motor, Matrix Renewables sign solar energy deal for EV plant in US

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - Hyundai Motor Group will use solar energy to power its electric vehicle plant currently under construction in Georgia, the Korean conglomerate said Monday. Hyundai has recently signed a 147-megawatt power purchase agreement (PPA) with Matrix Renewables, under which the carmaker will receive electricity generated from the Spanish firm’s 210-megawatt solar power project in Texas, slated to begin operations in October 2025. In the largest renew

April 22, 2024

Korean oil refiners harness pyrolysis technology to recycle plastics

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - Major Korean oil refiners are ramping up projects to utilize pyrolysis technology for recycling plastic products as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In the thermal decomposition process, extreme heat and pressure are used to break down plastics into crude oil or raw polymer material. GS Caltex said on Monday it utilizes crude oil extracted through a pyrolysis recycling process to produce petroleum products at its plant located in the sou

April 22, 2024

Russia pushes back against cancellations of ballet shows in Seoul

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) – Russia has criticized South Korea over the recent cancellations of Russian ballet performances in Seoul amid Moscow's ongoing war against Ukraine. Last week, a Bolshoi Ballet show scheduled for April 16-18 was called off one day before the opening. In March, the performance by Russian star ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, scheduled for April 17-21, was abruptly scrapped at the last minute. In an Instagram post on Friday (local time), the Russ

April 22, 2024

Korea witnesses aging workforce trend in SME labor market

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - Amidst Korea's rapidly aging population and a trend of young individuals steering clear of smaller enterprises, the labor market has seen a rise in the number of older workers in 2023. Data from Statistics Korea revealed on Monday that individuals in their 20s and 30s comprised 30.9 percent of the total small-and-medium-sized enterprise (SME) workforce of 25.3 million. Employees aged 50 and above constituted 47.8 percent of the workforce. The p

April 22, 2024

AI translation service for foreigners gains momentum in Korea

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - The booming tourism industry is driving the adoption of innovative solutions, with AI translation services taking center stage. These services, capable of real-time speech-to-text conversion, are removing language barriers for non-Korean speaking visitors. Leading the charge is Lotte Department Store, a subsidiary of the Lotte Group. Recognizing the influx of foreign customers, particularly at its Jamsil branch, which is receiving roughly 700 daily inqu

April 22, 2024

Opinion: Bitcoin is halving again – what does that mean for cryptocurrency and market?

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - Bitcoin, the largest and most talked about digital asset, has been on a rollercoaster of a ride since its launch in January 2009. With a market capitalization that reached a high of more than US$1.4 trillion (£1.125 trillion) this February and volatile swings since, bitcoin has attracted lots of attention recently. Now a hotly anticipated recurring event that happens roughly every four years is taking place: the bitcoin halving. This could have

April 22, 2024

Opinion: How will US foreign policy affect Joe Biden's chances of re-election in November?

SEOUL, April 22 (AJU PRESS) - When big questions about American foreign policy collide with an election, it's rarely good news for a sitting president. Like many leaders before him, U.S. President Joe Biden has had some of these questions thrust on him, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some have their origins in past administrations, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Most are a mixture of both, such as Israel’s retaliation against Gaza and the role of Iran.

April 22, 2024

Photo shows BTS' V wearing Army antiterrorism unit uniform

SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - A photo of BTS member V wearing the attire of South Korea's Army antiterrorism unit was unveiled on Friday on a Facebook community dedicated to military issues. The 28-year-old is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service in the Special Duty Team stationed in the northeastern city of Chuncheon. SDT members are selected through a screening process involving physical tests — push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-kilometer (0.9 mile) run &m

April 19, 2024

VIDEO: Photojournalism exhibition being held at Gwanghwamun

SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - The 60th Korea Press Photo Exhibition is underway at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, from April 18-22. The annual exhibition showcases scores of outstanding press photos that document significant events in Korea from the past year. The event is organized by the Korea Press Photographers’ Association (KPPA). Also on show are this month’s KPPA awards winners selected from works of more than 500 members in 12 categories, including IT, spot news, general

April 19, 2024

Mysterious cat deaths spark fear among pet lovers in Korea

SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - Pet lovers in Korea have been shocked as nearly 60 cats have died of a mysterious illness since March, which they speculate to be linked to local cat foods. As of Friday, at least 152 cases, including 57 fatalities, have been reported, according to Life, an animal rights activist group. Affected cats showed acute neurological and muscular symptoms, including kidney failure and difficulty standing or moving. Sick cats were found across the country r

April 19, 2024