LG Chem starts mass production of single-crystal cathodes for first time

SEOUL -- South Korean battery maker LG Chem has started the mass production of single-crystal cathodes for high-performance batteries for the first time. The electrode made with high-nickel material can increase the lifespan of batteries by up to 30 percent, according to the battery maker. Normally, electrodes used in batteries consist of multiple crystal structures of metallic materials. When a battery undergoes the charge and discharge process repeatedly, cracks inside the crysta

June 26, 2023

Hyundai garners more than 10 mln global connected car service subscribers in less than 2 yrs

SEOUL -- Hyundai auto group said that its affiliated brands -- Hyundai Motor and Kia -- have garnered more than 10 million global subscribers to its connected car services, about 12 years after the carmaker globally introduced the wirelessly connected car management program. Hyundai and Kia cars offer connected services to help customers manage various features of their cars remotely. Drivers can use a smartphone app to remotely control the charging rate of their electric vehicles,

June 26, 2023

BTS' lead rapper Suga completes solo world tour

SEOUL -- BTS' lead rapper Suga has completed his solo world tour that began in April 2023. The 30-year-old artist has attracted some 290,000 fans through 25 concerts in ten cities including Los Angeles, Auckland, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kanagawa, and Seoul. "Thank you so much for letting me know that world tour is so fun," Suga said during his last concert which took place in Seoul on July 20. Some 15,000 people attended his two-day concert at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in

June 26, 2023

Whisky continues to attract young S. Korean consumers thanks to DIY cocktail culture: data

SEOUL -- Customs data showed that whisky is continuing to maintain its place as the favorite alcoholic drink among young consumers in their 20s and 30s thanks to various make-your-own cocktail recipes that are shared through social media platforms. Among simple cocktails, a highball is one of the most popular cocktails enjoyed by young consumers. Highball, a Japanese-style alcoholic cocktail that is based on an alcoholic spirit and a larger proportion of non-alcoholic base ingredie

June 26, 2023

Ateez ranks second on Billboard's top 200 popular album chart with 'The World EP.2: Outlaw'

SEOUL -- K-pop boy band Ateez is garnering explosive popularity through its ninth mini album titled "The World EP.2: Outlaw." The album, released on June 12, was ranked second on Billboard's top 200 popular album chart. "ATEEZ scores its highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 as The World EP.2: Outlaw bows at No. 2 with 105,500 equivalent album units earned — the Korean pop act’s best week by units," Billboard said in a statement on June 25.

June 26, 2023

S. Korea to carry out localization program for home-made ground laser target designators

SEOUL -- South Korea's arms procurement agency has partnered with Hancom Lifecare, a safety equipment-making wing of South Korea's Hancom Group, to jointly carry out a localization program for South Korean ground laser target designators. Ground laser target designators (GLTDs) are pointing devices that are used to designate a target like an armored vehicle or military facility using a laser. When a target is designated, laser-guided weapons such as bombs and missiles will

June 23, 2023

[SUMMIT] S. Korea to cooperate with Viet Nam to achieve trade amount of $150 bln by 2030

SEOUL -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has vowed to enhance economic cooperation with Viet Nam to achieve a trade amount of $150 billion by 2030. At a summit meeting held in Hanoi, Yoon promised his country would provide $4 billion worth of low-interest-rate loans to Viet Nam by 2030. The South Korean leader also reached a consensus with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong to increase coordination in counteraction against North Korea's nuclear weapon and missile program.

June 23, 2023

State-run trade promotion agency holds K-industry showcase event in Viet Nam

SEOUL -- To draw the attention of Viet Nam's business industry during South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol's state visit to Hanoi, KOTRA, a state-run trade promotion agency, held a showcase event to introduce various K-industry products including components, infrastructure, technologies, and agricultural products. Some 100 South Korean companies participated and engaged in a daily average of 540 consulting sessions with Vietnamese buyers. South Korea and Viet Nam are each ot

June 23, 2023

Hyundai auto group launches car-sharing service at Japan's cultural hub 'T-Site'

SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has launched a car-sharing service at T-Site, a cultural complex in Daikanyama, a trendy district of Tokyo with a high-end bookstore, fancy eateries, and coffee shops. The carmaker will work with Culture Convenience Club, a Japanese content developer that operates T-Site, to capture the heart of Japanese consumers through various types of businesses using its green vehicles. It's been difficult for foreign carmakers to expand thei

June 23, 2023

[OPINION] Is the dollar losing relevance?

KARACHI --This month Pakistan has adopted a major departure from its long-standing reliance on the US dollar for export payments, as it utilized Chinese currency yuan to pay for its inaugural government-to-government purchase

June 23, 2023