S. Korean socks brand Banana Sisters opens first store in Philippines

SEOUL -- South Korea's socks brand Banana Sisters has opened its first store in the Philippines. The store located in Manila provides more than 300 types of socks including premium fashion socks, sports socks, and products designed for adults and children. According to data released by global market research firm Statista, the socks market in the Philippines which stood at $39.8 million in 2024 is projected to reach $44.5 million in 2027. Banana Sisters CEO Jung Yong-ju said he

January 16, 2024

BTS' leader RM completes basic training at army boot camp as elite soldier

SEOUL -- BTS' leader RM has completed five weeks of basic training at South Korea's largest army boot camp. The 29-year-old started his mandatory military service with V, a 28-year-old member of the seven-member band on December 11, 2023. In South Korea, males aged 18 and above are obligated to fulfill their military service unless exempted for valid reasons. Those enlisted in the army serve for about 18 months. RM and V joined the boot camp in Nonsan some 154 kilometers (

January 16, 2024

S. Korean ecommerce operators join cutthroat race to check Chinese giant Alibaba and Pinduoduo

SEOUL -- South Korean ecommerce operators including Tmon and Wemakeprice have joined a dangerous cutthroat race to check against Chinese online shopping giants Aliexpress, the business-to-customer wing of Alibaba Group, and Temu, the counterpart of Chinese online retail giant Pinduoduo. Aliexpress became the ecommerce app that gained the largest number of new users in South Korea in 2023, according to data released by Wiseapp, a smartphone app market research firm. Aliexpress garn

January 16, 2024

[INTERVIEW] S. Korean atomic force microscope developer hopes for ecosystem for novel technologies

SEOUL -- Ultra-precision microscope developer Park Systems hopes for South Korea to create an infrastructure where talented scientists can receive support for creating novel technologies. The company, specializing in devices capable of measuring and detecting in nanometer levels, has secured the top position in the global market for atomic force microscopy, overtaking competitors like United States-based Bruker and Oxford Instruments based in Britain. The atomic force microscope (

January 16, 2024

S. Korea sets record with 30,586 tons of whisky imports in 2023

SEOUL -- Customs data reveals that South Korea has set a new record for whisky imports in 2023, thanks to a growing number of foreign liquor enthusiasts. A total of 30,586 tons of whisky were imported, marking a significant 13.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. This record-breaking change in consumption trend comes in a country where traditional spirits such as "Soju" and beer have long been the preferred choices among drinkers. According to Eatup Trend, a

January 16, 2024

Samsung Electronics to integrate Lunit's AI solutions into X-ray devices  

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics will adopt "Lunit INSIGHT CXR," an artificial intelligence-based chest X-ray analysis solution developed by South Korea's medical artificial intelligence company Lunit. After integrating Lunit INSIGHT CXR into X-ray devices, the tech giant will export them to medical facilities in North America and Europe. The AI solution can compare and analyze X-rays and medical images to distinguish between patients with chest diseases and those who ar

January 16, 2024

Dual-armed robot 'ARMstrong' to carry out dangerous tasks at construction sites

SEOUL -- South Korea's state nuclear research center has transferred technology for "Accident Response Manipulator," a tracked robot with two arms, to a domestic smart construction solution provider called IT-1. The robot that can move heavy objects and turn off a valve will be used to help human workers at high-risk construction sites. Accident Response Manipulator (ARMstrong) was originally developed to handle hazardous tasks at nuclear plants. The smart robot can

January 15, 2024

[CES2024] S. Korean companies focus on AI-based smart vehicle platforms at CES 2024

SEOUL -- South Korean companies have presented a variety of technologies related to software-defined vehicles at the Consumer Electronics Show, the world's biggest annual electronics exhibition held in Las Vegas. Visitors could explore solutions for next-generation vehicles such as autonomous vehicle technologies and advanced driver assistance systems. A software-defined vehicle (SDV) is a futuristic car that consistently adapts to stay modern. New vehicle functions can be add

January 15, 2024

Harvard Business School highlights S. Korean food maker's overseas marketing achievements

SEOUL -- CJ Cheiljedang, a key subsidiary of South Korea's food and entertainment conglomerate CJ Group, was highlighted in the Harvard Business School's textbook for its successful expansion of the Korean cuisine brand "Bibigo" overseas. Through a case study, the global research institute featured the South Korean company's strategies and achievements through the iconic Korean food brand. CJ Cheiljedang is the first South Korean company to exceed 10 trillion

January 15, 2024

Pyongyang claims successful test launch of solid propellant hypersonic ballistic missile

SEOUL -- North Korea has claimed that a solid propellant hypersonic ballistic missile, launched from a facility near Pyongyang on January 14, successfully achieved its target goal of verifying the maneuverability of the ultra-fast rocket. An "intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile" (IRBM) is a new type of intermediate-range missile that covers distances from 1,000 to 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles). The missile, which uses solid fuel, is known for quicker launch

January 15, 2024