Trailers unveiled for dramas featuring virtual artist Suvi

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) – Korean tech startup Studio Meta-K teased two dramas featuring its virtual artist Suvi at a content industry fair this week. The two trailers were showcased at Broadcast Worldwide (BCWW) 2024, Asia's largest content industry show, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday. Studio Meta-K said Suvi appears in two generative AI-powered historical dramas, "Competition for the Queen's Throne"

August 30, 2024

Unification Ministry to boost North Koreans' exposure to outside world through radio broadcasts

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The Unification Ministry here said Friday that it plans to support civic groups' efforts to increase North Koreans' access to outside information, particularly through radio broadcasts. The move follows President Yoon Suk Yeol's vision for reunification between the two Koreas, which he outlined during his Liberation Day speech earlier this month. Yoon’s vision emphasizes expanding North Koreans' exposure to international information

August 30, 2024

Second season of 'Pachinko' off to good start

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The second season of "Pachinko," Apple TV+' Korean series, got off to a good start with its first episode released last week. The drama series, which returned two years after its first season, debuted among the top 10 on this week's chart in over 100 countries, according to FlixPatrol, which tracks streaming rankings worldwide. The positive reception from both viewers and critics sets high expectations for the rest of the season. Based

August 30, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul's new transit hub set to open

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - A new metropolitan transit hub designed to ease traffic congestion and improve public transportation connections is set to open in Seoul on August 31. The Dangsan Metropolitan Transfer Center, located at Dangsan Station in western Seoul, aims to streamline commuters' transit process between intercity buses and urban subway systems while reducing the number of long-distance buses entering the city center. Seoul city officials conducted a media tour of the facili

August 30, 2024

Hanwha Ocean wins U.S. Navy vessel maintenance contract

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean has become the first Korean shipyard to win a contract for the U.S. Navy's vessel maintenance business. The Korean shipbuilder said Thursday that it has secured a deal for overhauling a 40,000-ton U.S. Navy logistics support ship. This contract involves the regular overhaul of large naval vessels and can only be carried out by companies certified under a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA). The MSRA is a prerequisite agreement required by

August 30, 2024

Macklemore cancels Dubai show to protest UAE's alleged role in Sudan conflict

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - American rapper Macklemore has decided to cancel his October concert in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), due to the country's alleged involvement in the conflict in Sudan. He explained that for months, people had been urging him to cancel the show as a gesture of solidarity with the Sudanese people and to boycott the UAE for its alleged role in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in the region. Macklemore specifically pointed to reports of the

August 30, 2024

Nippon Steel boosts investment in U.S. Steel acquisition bid

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Japan's largest steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. announced on Thursday an additional investment of over 188 billion yen ($1.3 billion) in United States Steel Corp., bolstering its efforts to acquire the iconic American company. This move comes amid opposition from the United Steelworkers union and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The fresh capital injection will target two U.S. Steel plants, supplementing the about 200 billion yen investment Nippon Steel

August 30, 2024

Chinese-Made C919 jet delivered to two major airlines

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) -Air China and China Southern Airlines each received their inaugural C919 aircraft in Shanghai on Wednesday, marking a crucial step as China's first domestically manufactured large passenger plane expands its operational reach to multiple carriers. Air China has chosen an extended-range C919 variant, featuring a two-class configuration with 158 seats: 8 in business and 150 in economy. China Southern Airlines opted for the standard-range model, offering a t

August 30, 2024

Israel agrees to humanitarian pauses in Gaza for polio vaccinations

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Israel has agreed to implement "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza to allow for the vaccination of children against polio, as announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). This initiative will target around 640,000 children across the Gaza Strip and will begin on Sunday, according to senior WHO official Rik Peeperkorn. The vaccination campaign will be carried out in three phases, covering the central, southern, and northern parts of Gaza. During each

August 30, 2024

Xi urges US to adopt rational perspective on China's development

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) -Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday, in Beijing for high-level strategic discussions. This meeting marks the latest round of communication between the world's two largest economies, with future engagements planned in commerce and climate sectors. Experts suggest that both nations are seeking to prevent further escalation of existing tensions and aim to introduce practical elements to their relatio

August 30, 2024