Meta in talks to acquire Korean AI chip startup Furiosa AI

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Meta Platforms Inc. is engaged in discussions to acquire South Korean artificial intelligence chip startup Furiosa AI, potentially strengthening its semiconductor capabilities amid the global AI competition, sources familiar with the deal said Wednesday. Founded in 2017 by former Samsung Electronics and AMD engineer June Paik, Furiosa AI specializes in developing AI inference processors for data center servers. The Seoul-based company debuted its first

February 12, 2025

PHOTOS: A graduation in hanbok

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - On Feb. 11, graduates of Dongmyeong Girls’ High School in Seoul marked their commencement in traditional fashion, donning hanbok for the ceremony. The event also included a coming-of-age ritual.

February 12, 2025

Man sentenced to 7.5 years for fatal car crash in central Seoul

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - The Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday sentenced a man to seven and a half years in prison without forced labor for killing nine people and injuring six others after ramming his car into a pedestrian road in central Seoul last July. The 68-year-old man, surnamed Cha, caused the deadly incident by driving his vehicle in the wrong direction on a one-way, four-lane street. After colliding with two oncoming vehicles, he suddenly accelerated and plowed i

February 12, 2025

Seoul unveils ambitious makeover plan for Dongdaemun areas

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday announced an ambitious master plan to rejuvenate the areas surrounding the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a former stronghold of South Korea’s fashion industry that has struggled in recent years. The initiative, set to begin next month and slated for completion by late 2026, aims to breathe new life into the aging commercial hub through a series of urban renewal projects and infrastructure upgrades. T

February 12, 2025

G-Dragon to embark on world tour with gig in Goyang next month

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - G-Dragon, a member of K-pop boy band Big Bang, will embark on a world tour with a concert here next month, the concert's organizer Coupang Play said on Wednesday. The concert, part of his tour, is slated for March 29 and 30 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, but specific details about his upcoming tour remain under wraps. Expectations are already building among his fans, as it will be his first solo concert since his world tour in 2017, when he drew over

February 12, 2025

South Korea eases travel advisory for parts of Israel

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea lowered its travel advisory for parts of Israel starting Wednesday, according to the Foreign Ministry. With the adjustment, which came about a year after improved security conditions following last year's Middle East escalation, residents and other South Korean expats in Israel are no longer advised to leave the country. However, travelers are still recommended to refrain from visiting the region. Travel bans also remain in place for Gaz

February 12, 2025

South Korea launches tax probe into wedding studios, postnatal centers

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - The National Tax Service has opened investigations into 46 businesses suspected of tax evasion, including 24 wedding service providers, 12 postnatal care centers, and 10 English-language kindergartens, the office said Tuesday. The probe targets businesses that allegedly concealed income by directing customers to make additional payments beyond basic contract fees through multiple accounts held under borrowed names. One prominent photo studio was found to

February 12, 2025

South Korea-Cuba diplomatic relations mark one year, but trade remains stagnant

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Nearly a year after establishing diplomatic relations, South Korea and Cuba have yet to see a significant expansion in trade, with annual commerce hovering around $20 million. The primary hurdle remains the longstanding U.S. sanctions on Cuba, which continue to constrain the Caribbean nation’s access to global markets. Trade volumes between South Korea and Cuba have shown little improvement since they formalized ties on Feb. 14 last year. The econ

February 12, 2025

LocknLock showcases innovative products at trade fair in Germany

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Utensil maker LocknLock showcased its key products at Ambiente, a weeklong trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, which kicked off last Friday. The world's largest fair for consumer goods annually attracts participants from 176 countries, serving as a global stage for emerging industry trends. LocknLock's booth featured its latest trendy products including airtight containers, fridge organizers, lunchboxes, and drinkware such as tumblers and coffee m

February 12, 2025

Yoon's former close aide denies allegations in botched martial law debacle

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min broke his silence to side with President Yoon Suk Yeol during a hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday. Lee, a close aide to Yoon, had previously refused to answer, citing his right to remain silent over Yoon's botched martial law debacle last December. But Lee, who appeared at the hearing as a witness, changed his stance this time, giving detailed explanations

February 11, 2025