Opinion: Social media platforms are blocked in Iran. Candidates in this week's presidential election are embracing them anyway

SEOUL, June 27 (AJU PRESS) - After Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash on May 20, the Iranian government had to schedule an early election to choose a new president. The regime has approved six presidential candidates to run in the election on June 28. The pool includes four hardliners, one centrist and one reformist. The main competition is expected to be between two hardliners and the reformist candidate. One of the hardliners is Saeed Jalili, the s

June 27, 2024

PHOTOS: Expo showcases latest solar energy technologies

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) - A major exhibition showcasing next-generation solar energy industry trends and future prospects is underway at KINTEX in Goyang, west of Seoul. The 2024 World Solar Energy Expo, marking its 15th year, runs from June 25 to 27. This year's expo features a wide range of exhibits, including solar modules, inverters and structural components. Visitors can explore specialized solutions in RE100, building-integrated photovoltaics and solar power for industrial compl

June 26, 2024

Seoul plans virtual replica of Yeouido for urban challenge simulation

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Techtree Innovation has partnered with Seoul City to recreate the island of Yeouido on the Han River in a virtual world for simulating various urban problems, the Korean 3D geospatial map developer announced on Wednesday. Techtree specializes in spatial digital twin technology, which enables high-resolution mapping. This technology allows city officials to develop digital twin infrastructure and conduct simulations for natural disasters like flooding.

June 26, 2024

Virtual artists rise as K-pop embraces AI celebrities

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Rookie singer iaaa has garnered over 137,000 views on YouTube with her debut single "Our Season." In the heartfelt mid-tempo ballad, her warm, delicate voice sings of first love, with her rippling hair, sparkling eyes and gentle movements evoking an innocent springtime romance. However, none of these are real. Composed entirely of pixels, code and a synthetic voice, iaaa is the latest in a throng of virtual artists to emerge in the vibrant Korean

June 26, 2024

Korea's largest int'l book fair kicks off in southern Seoul

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's largest international book fair kicked off its five-day run at COEX in southern Seoul on Wednesday. The annual Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF), now in its 66th year, brings together publishers, authors, and book lovers from Korea and around the world. Hosted by the Korean Publishers Association (KPA) under the sponsorship of the Korean Publishing Foundation, this year's fair offers over 450 programs including lectures and exhibiti

June 26, 2024

Samsung Electro-Mechanics, LG Innotek target AI semiconductor substrate market

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electro-Mechanics and LG Innotek are ramping up their AI-based semiconductor substrates business amid the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. Semiconductor substrates are essential for mounting components on the mainboards of IT devices, facilitating smooth electrical connections, efficient power delivery, and effective heat dissipation for optimal performance and reliable data transfer. Samsung Electro-Mechanics said Wednesday that its Viet

June 26, 2024

Korean Air ranks 11th in global airline survey

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Korean Air Lines secured the 11th position in the World's Top 100 Airlines ranking announced by Skytrax, a British airline consultancy and rating agency, on Monday (local time). Qatar Airways claimed the top spot in the annual survey, which combines both full-service and low-cost carriers. Korean Air ranked 22nd in 2021, 9th in 2022 and 10th in 2023. Asiana Airlines, another major Korean carrier, was placed 37th. Its ranking was 25th in 2021, 3

June 26, 2024

LTechUVC secures green ammonia supply deal in Thailand

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's LTechUVC has signed a supply deal with Thai energy company MA Corporation Oil Co. to supply 200,000 tons of green ammonia annually for 15 years. The green ammonia producer said the two entities held a signing ceremony in Bangkok on Tuesday (local time). A total of 3 million tons of green ammonia, valued at $2.25 billion, will be supplied to MA Corporation Oil over 15 years. MA Corporation Oil specializes in energy trading, supplying oil an

June 26, 2024

Samsung's Bespoke refrigerator sells 300 million units since 2019 launch

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electronics' Bespoke refrigerator has sold 300 million units in South Korea since its 2019 launch, the company said Wednesday. The Bespoke line revolutionized the appliance market by offering customizable product types, materials, and colors. In 2021, it expanded to 360 prismatic color options and introduced a lifetime warranty on its digital inverter compressor. 2022 saw the launch of the Bespoke Infinite Line, focusing on durability and

June 26, 2024

SK On inks lithium supply deal with ExxonMobil

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Korean battery maker SK On has signed a memorandum of understanding with ExxonMobil to secure up to 100,000 tons of lithium from the U.S. oil giant's Arkansas brine field, the company said on Wednesday. The agreement, inked at in Fastmarkets LRBM Conference 2024, the world's largest lithium and battery raw materials conference in Las Vegas on June 24, aims to bolster SK On's supply chain of U.S.-sourced lithium, a critical component in electr

June 26, 2024