Korea supports smaller firms' transition to smart factory systems

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) is accepting applications from companies eager to participate in this year's smart factory establishment support project. The application period runs from June 1 to 17. In collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and steelmaker POSCO, KBIZ aims to enhance the manufacturing capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the integration of advanced digital technologies. The project has

June 10, 2024

Yoon embarks on trip to Central Asia

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked on his weeklong trip to Central Asia on Monday. He will begin his trip with a summit with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow in the afternoon and attend a business forum the following day where Yoon will deliver a keynote speech. Then he will move to Kazakhstan, where he will meet ethic Koreans before having a summit with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday. As the last leg of his itinerary,

June 10, 2024

Girl band aespa to meet fans in metaverse K-pop fan community

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Girl band aespa will interact with global fans at a virtual K-pop hotel created on "Ifland," a metaverse platform developed by SK Telecom (SKT), starting on Monday. The Korean telecom operator announced the launch of the metaverse fan community titled "K-pop Hotel." This virtual fan community incorporates the unique features of K-pop artists using three-dimensional (3D) and extended reality (XR) technologies. The hotel spans 99 flo

June 10, 2024

Samsung offers smartphone translation service at department stores

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electronics Co. said on Monday it will offer an artificial intelligence-powered translation service for non-Korean speakers using its Galaxy S24 smartphones at Lotte Department Store branches. The service will be available from June 11 to July 10 at three department store branches and three outlets in Seoul, Busan, and Euwang, south of the capital. The Galaxy S24 series supports translation in 16 languages, including English, Chinese, Japane

June 10, 2024

AI reshaping newsrooms as publishers race to adapt

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) issued its annual report “Innovation in News Media World Report 2024-25" in late May, highlighting major challenges faced by the global news industry. The following is the first in a four-part series summarizing key insights from the report. This first installment focuses on AI-powered newsrooms. – Ed. SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Newsrooms around the world are being upended by artificial intelligence (AI) at

June 10, 2024

Inter-Korean tensions rise as S. Korea resumes propaganda broadcasts

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Inter-Korean tensions are escalating as South Korea resumed propaganda broadcasts near the border with North Korea on Sunday in a tit-for-tat action after North Korea re-launched balloons carrying trash and garbage southwards. As Pyongyang has shown histrionics toward the propaganda broadcasts, some have warned of potential local skirmishes or clashes in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the broadcasts went

June 10, 2024

Opinion: Chinese journalist who raised alarm over COVID is in hiding: is the world noticing?

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - China has finally "freed" citizen journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed in 2020 for filming and writing about the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. The charity Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which had campaigned for her release, said it continued to be concerned by her situation, as she remains under strict surveillance by the authorities. RSF added that "partial freedom is not freedom at all." It called for diplomatic intervention &q

June 10, 2024

PHOTOS: Last remaining shantytown in Seoul set for major redevelopment

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - In the shadows of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district sits Guryong Village, the last remaining shantytown in the Korean capital and a stark reminder of the economic inequalities that persist despite the city's wealth. The makeshift slum settlement at the foot of Mt. Daemo was formed by displaced residents forced from their homes during redevelopment projects for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Olympics. While luxury apartments tower just across the street, Gury

June 7, 2024

PHOTOS: Cheonggyecheon turns into outdoor library

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - The beloved Cheonggyecheon stream that winds through downtown Seoul is transformed into a huge outdoor library every Friday and Saturday from April 18 to Nov. 10 as part of the city's efforts to promote reading and foster a literary culture. During the Seoul Outdoor Library event organized by Seoul Metropolitan Library, visitors can enjoy reading while listening to the sound of water and music. It features around 2,000 diverse books, including picture books

June 7, 2024

LG Uplus, GIST to establish AI-powered metaverse platform

SEOUL, June 07 (AJU PRESS) - LG Uplus, a telecom operator, has partnered with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to establish an artificial intelligence-based metaverse platform for tech-savvy young students. The two sides recently signed a cooperation agreement designed to enhance the educational experience for students adept at remote learning by providing an immersive virtual world, the company said. The artificial intelligence capabilities of GIST, locate

June 7, 2024