Spending on private tutoring breaks record again

SEOUL -- South Korean families are shelling out more than ever for private tutoring, with costs exceeding 27 trillion won ($20.5 billion) in 2023. This marks a 4.5 percent increase from the previous year and the third consecutive year of record-breaking spending. High school students are the main drivers of this growth, according to the Ministry of Education and Statistics Korea. Their private education costs surged by 8.2 percent. The high cost of private education is a majo

March 14, 2024

LG joins global accord to prevent deceptive AI content from interfering with elections

SEOUL -- LG AI Research, the artificial intelligence technology wing of South Korea's LG Group, has joined the ranks of global tech companies that formed an accord to prevent the use of deceptive AI content from interfering with elections across the world in 2024. While various types of AI technologies are utilized globally to make people's lives better, some are used to deceive and create chaos in societies by spreading false or misleading information. Malicious AI conten

March 14, 2024

Seoul to expand AI-based translation service for foreign subway passengers

SEOUL -- Seoul's subway operator will expand its artificial intelligence-based translation service that can help non-Korean-speaking foreigners communicate with subway workers. The real-time translation service uses a transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display which shows spoken words translated and converted into text. The AI-based service that provides 13 languages including English, Chinese, and Japanese, will be installed at 11 stations in the capital city.

March 14, 2024

Virtual artist 'iaaa' performs debut song 'Our Season' at SXSW event in Texas

SEOUL -- iaaa, a virtual artist created by South Korean content startup Studio Meta-K, was showcased at the South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin. The virtual human performed her debut song titled "Our Season" at the event designed to celebrate the fusion of various fields, including technology, film, music, and education. iaaa is a member of Studio Meta-K's virtual artist group "Season." She made her debut in February 2024 as a special host on "R

March 13, 2024

KIMCHEERS opens offline premium kimchi store targeting savvy domestic and foreign consumers

SEOUL -- KIMCHEERS, an innovative kimchi maker, has opened its first premium offline store to attract young consumers and foreign tourists with creatively designed bottles containing kimchi that retains the authentic flavors of traditional Korean pickled vegetables, reminiscent of recipes passed down by seasoned kimchi masters. Kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish, is typically crafted by fermenting cabbage or radish with a blend of red chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Its glob

March 13, 2024

Webtoon app service Kakao Piccoma ranked world's 35th highest-grossing app publisher

SEOUL -- Data released by a global web service market analyst firm revealed that Kakao Piccoma, the Japanese webtoon subsidiary of South Korea's web service giant Kakao, secured the 35th spot among the world's highest-grossing app publishers. Webtoons, initially known as webcomics, are digital comic books optimized for viewing on smartphones and other digital devices like tablets. Originating in South Korea in the mid-2000s on web portals like Daum (operated by Kakao) and

March 13, 2024

Defense contractor LIG Nex 1 accelerates first missile supply deal with US government

SEOUL -- LIG Nex 1, a prominent South Korean defense contractor, is expediting discussions with the United States government to finalize an export deal for the "Bigung" 70mm laser-guided anti-ship rocket system. While South Korean companies have previously supplied weapon parts and components to the U.S. government, the adoption of Bigung would mark the first time a South Korean full weaponry system is integrated into Washington's arsenal. The impetus for this develo

March 13, 2024

S. Korea's iconic football stadium becomes main stage for K-pop concerts

SEOUL -- Seoul World Cup Stadium, an iconic football stadium in western Seoul, has become the primary stage for K-pop artists following the remodeling project on Jamsil Sports Complex in southern Seoul. With a capacity of about 45,000 people, this World Cup stadium is regarded as a "dream stage" among South Korean artists, requiring substantial ticket sales potential and immense popularity to host concerts. Seoul World Cup Stadium, constructed in the western district of

March 13, 2024

AI startup Upstage partners with legal tech firm to develop AI-based legal advisor

SEOUL -- South Korean artificial intelligence technology developer Upstage will work with domestic legal tech firm Law & Company to create an AI-driven legal advisor that can analyze complicated legal precedents. Upstage's large language model-based solution called "Solar" will be upgraded into the AI legal assistant after studying legal data provided by Law & Company. Solar is a deep-learning-based AI platform capable of understanding and generating content.

March 12, 2024

Brazilian aircraft company Embraer kickstarts student incubation program in North Gyeongsang Province

SEOUL -- Brazilian aircraft company Embraer has launched a student incubation program in North Gyeongsang Province, aiming to nurture aspiring aircraft engineers and aviation specialists. The world's third-largest commercial aircraft maker became South Korea's crucial partner in December 2023 when South Korea's defense ministry selected Embraer's C-390, a large-sized plane, as the country's next-generation military cargo flyer. C-390's maximum distributed p

March 12, 2024