Kakao fined record 15.1 billion won for user information leak

SEOUL, May 23 (AJU PRESS) – Korea's personal data watchdog on Thursday imposed a record 15.1 billion won ($11.1 million) fine on Kakao Corp., which runs the nation's largest mobile messaging app, after a major data breach exposed more than 65,000 user records. The Personal Information Protection Commission made the decision the previous day after finding Kakao failed to properly encrypt user IDs for its open chat rooms, allowing hackers to access linked account num

May 23, 2024

Researchers develop stretchable electronic skin with telecommunication capabilities for first time

SEOUL, May 23 (AJU PRESS) - Korean and U.S. researchers have developed a highly elastic electronic material that mimics the movements of skin and maintains its radio frequency properties even when stretched, marking a significant advancement in the development of wearable devices. Electronic skin with sensing and telecommunication capabilities is recognized as the next-generation wearable device, ideal for tracking the body signals of the wearer. However, current devices like skin

May 23, 2024

Actress Cha Ye-ryun to promote International Day of Yoga in Korea

SEOUL, May 23 (AJU PRESS) - Actress Cha Ye-ryun was appointed as a promotional ambassador for an event to raise awareness of the benefits of yoga to be held in Seoul next month. Organizers for the 10th United Nations International Day of Yoga in Korea announced the appointment of the actress to promote the spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The announcement was made about a month ahead of the event, at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, attended by the Ind

May 23, 2024

Dangerous levels of heavy metals found in children's products from Chinese e-commerce platforms

SEOUL, May 23 (AJU PRESS) - Alarming levels of hazardous heavy metals have been detected in children's products sold on popular Chinese online platforms AliExpress and Shein. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that a recent safety inspection of seven children's items from Chinese e-commerce sites found high levels of lead, chromium and nickel in two products. A children's watch sold on Shein was found to have lead levels 278 times higher than the

May 23, 2024

Opinion: U.K. election called for 4 July – what happens next?

SEOUL, May 23 (AJU PRESS) - On a rainy afternoon in London, an increasingly damp Rishi Sunak confirmed what many had been speculating for most of the day in a speech outside 10 Downing Street – that the U.K. is heading for an election earlier than anticipated. Here's what to expect in the weeks ahead. When is the U.K. having an election? Election day has been confirmed for 4 July – in just over six weeks' time. The U.K. has to have an election at least every

May 23, 2024

Hyundai Rotem signs deal to supply wheeled armored vehicles to Peruvian Army

SEOUL, May 22 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea's Hyundai Rotem has signed a contract with the Peruvian Army to provide wheeled armored vehicles, the South Korean Embassy in Peru said Wednesday. Hyundai Rotem has secured a $60 million contract to supply 30 K808 IFVs, called Baekho (white tiger), through the Seoul-based STX trading company by 2025. The deal could be expanded to cover 90 more units. The deal was completed about three weeks after the company, affiliated with Hyundai Mot

May 22, 2024

Lunit acquires New Zealand's medical AI firm specializing in breast cancer

SEOUL, May 22 (AJU PRESS) - Lunit, a Korean medical artificial intelligence firm, has finalized its acquisition of Volpara Health Technologies, a New Zealand-based AI solution developer specializing in the detection of breast cancer, the two companies announced on Wednesday. Volpara is known for its AI solution capable of quantifying breast tissue density to aid in breast cancer risk assessment. The company also possesses about 100 million mammogram images and currently provides bre

May 22, 2024

Che Guevara's daughter visits Seoul to attend forum

SEOUL, May 22 (AJU PRESS) - Aleida Guevara, the eldest daughter of Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara, is set to share her outlook on relations between South Korea and Cuba at the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul. The daughter of the iconic figure of the Cuban Revolution is attending the two-day event, which commenced on Wednesday. Hosted by a newspaper company, the conference aims to address major issues in Asia and the world. She will offer a lecture laying out her per

May 22, 2024

Leaders affirm commitment to AI safety, innovation, inclusivity at Seoul summit

SEOUL, May 22 (AJU PRESS) - Global leaders have affirmed their commitment to the safety, innovation and inclusivity of artificial intelligence utilization at the AI Seoul Summit. The two-day virtual meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, builds upon the inaugural AI Safety Summit held in November 2023 at Bletchley Park, Britain. The leaders adopted a joint statement outlining their agreements to collaborate on establishing AI safety research institutes and enhancing cooperation am

May 22, 2024

Opinion: Why Chile has a Palestinian football team – the bigger history

SEOUL, May 22 (AJU PRESS) - Club Deportivo Palestino, a football team, play in a uniform of white, green and red. Their stadium flies Palestinian flags and their social sports club boasts an open-air pool in the shape of pre-1948 Palestine. But this football team does not play in Palestine, or even the Middle East. Better known as Palestino, they actually play in Chile's top football league, the Primera División de Chile. Chile is home to the largest population of Pales

May 22, 2024