Journalist

Park Jayeon
  • Seoul City secures another investment from French quantum firm
    Seoul City secures another investment from French quantum firm SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Seoul City is deepening its ambitions to become a global hub for quantum technology, securing a $57 million investment from Quandela, a French company specializing in photonic quantum computing. The deal, signed Wednesday at Seoul City Hall, marks the city’s second major quantum-related investment agreement in recent months, following a similar deal with Pasqal, also from France. Founded in 2017 near Paris, Quandela has emerged as one of Europe’s leading quantum computing startups. The company develops photon-based quantum computers and currently employs about 150 researchers and engineers worldwide. It has delivered four quantum systems to the EuroHPC initiative, a major European Union program advancing high-performance computing. Quandela’s Seoul branch will focus on research and development, helping the South Korean capital build its credentials in a field expected to transform industries from logistics to pharmaceuticals. The signing ceremony was attended by Seoul Deputy Mayor Kim Tae-kyun, Quandela’s chief executive Niccolo Somaschi, French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, and Kim Yoo-seok, head of Quandela Korea. City officials said the investment aligns with the city’s broader plan to foster a quantum industry ecosystem in Seoul. The initiative includes establishing a joint R&D network, supporting companies specializing in quantum materials and components, and training a new generation of researchers. Future projects include the creation of the Seoul Quantum Campus and a Quantum Technology Convergence Support Center in Hongneung by 2027, followed by the Seoul Quantum Hub in 2030. The city also plans to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to attract additional foreign investment and offer incentives for global tech firms. “Seoul’s investment in Quandela is a strategic choice, given our city’s strengths in talent, infrastructure, and innovation,” Deputy Mayor Kim said in a statement. “We will continue to support global companies that invest in Seoul as we grow our quantum ecosystem.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 11:00:21
  • Seoul city braces for this weeks nationwide university entrance exam
    Seoul city braces for this week's nationwide university entrance exam SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students will take their annual university entrance exam at some 1,300 venues across the country on Thursday, prompting police and relevant officials to brace for safely getting them to their test venues. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday said that more subway trains, buses and taxis will be put into service on the test day, with free transportation and emergency transport vehicles also provided. In Seoul, about 114,158 students will sit for the test at 228 locations. To reduce rush-hour congestion and help students arrive at their test venues on time, the city advised public offices to open one hour late at 10 a.m. The number of subway trains will be increased by 29 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with additional trains on standby in case of disruptions. Additionally, around 646 vehicles will be stationed near subway stations and bus stops to transport students to test venues in case of need. Ye Jang-gwon, a city official, said, "We will provide full support to help students safely arrive at their test venues without any inconveniences and focus on their exams." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 16:35:26
  • French quantum computing firm Pascal to establish research center in Seoul
    French quantum computing firm Pascal to establish research center in Seoul SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday that it had secured a major investment from Pascal, a leading French quantum computing company. Under a memorandum of understanding signed this week, Pascal plans to invest $52.8 million to establish a quantum computing research and development center in Seoul, a project expected to create 51 jobs. The two sides will also collaborate on talent development and support programs for startups and companies engaged in quantum technologies. The signing ceremony was attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Pascal’s co-founder and Chief Strategic Alliance Officer Georges Olivier Reymond, French Ambassador to South Korea Philippe Bertoux, and Roberto Mauro, head of Pascal’s Korean operations. Founded in 2019 by Nobel laureate Alain Aspect and four colleagues, Pascal specializes in quantum computers based on neutral atom technology. Headquartered near Paris, the company employs about 300 people across eight countries. It was the first to commercialize a 200-qubit quantum computer and successfully demonstrated a 1,000-qubit system in 2024. The company is also working on error-tolerant quantum computing and collaborates with major global players such as IBM, Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, and LG Electronics. Pascal’s investment adds momentum to Seoul’s growing quantum ecosystem. Earlier this year, the city attracted U.S. cloud data firm Snowflake and Swiss quantum security semiconductor company Silsc. City officials say the goal is to make Seoul a nexus for quantum computing, hosting training programs, research initiatives, and a dedicated technology support center. “Seoul is proactively building a quantum industry ecosystem to lead future technological change,” Mayor Oh said in a statement. “This agreement reaffirms Seoul’s competitiveness and investment appeal, and we will continue to provide administrative and financial support.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-29 16:21:31
  • Ferry service along Han River to resume next week after monthlong inspection
    Ferry service along Han River to resume next week after monthlong inspection SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A ferry service on the Han River, which was suspended just 10 days after its bombastic launch, will resume next week following a monthlong inspection, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Monday. Starting Nov. 1, the service will begin at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than before, and run until 9:37 p.m., offering 16 daily trips at 90-minute intervals. According to the city, more than 300 trial runs without passengers were conducted to enhance service quality and ensure safety. To prevent any service interruptions due to technical glitches or malfunctions, backup vessels will be on standby. Come spring, when the cold winter season recedes, service will increase to 32 trips a day, including express routes for commuters running every 15 minutes during the morning rush hours from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., connecting seven major stops from Magok in western Seoul, north of the Han River, to Jamsil in southern Seoul. Fares remain unchanged at 3,000 Korean won (about US$ 2.10) for adults, 1,800 won for teenagers, and 1,100 won for children. Alternatively, users can purchase a pre-paid card for an additional 5,000 won, which allows unlimited rides. More detailed information including any changes in schedules and operating hours, seat availability, and weather-related cancellations can be checked on traffic and navigation apps such as Naver Map and Kakao Map. City official Park Jin-young said, "We will continue working to improve service and safety, making it a reliable public transportation option for citizens." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-27 15:27:38
  • Seoul gears up for Halloween with safety measures
    Seoul gears up for Halloween with safety measures SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday that several safety measures have been implemented in about a dozen areas in the capital, ahead of Halloween later this month. Under the measures effective until Nov. 2, district officials, police, and firefighters in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will carry out patrols, inspections, and traffic control in Seoul's entertainment district of Itaewon, trendy alleys around Hongik University, and other popular hip streets in Gangnam and Seongsu-dong. Emergency hotlines, temporary shelters, and other facilities will be set up to ensure safety and respond immediately to any urgent situations or accidents. Medical personnel will be stationed throughout the areas, with ambulances on standby. Starting this weekend, hundreds of safety personnel and other officials will be deployed to manage crowds and monitor density levels to prevent accidents. The latest measures come after the 2022 Halloween stampede tragedy, in which 159 people, mostly young, died in a crowd crush. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-24 16:48:39