[[K-Tech]] Korean scientists develop AI chip that mimics human brain SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - A research team at Dankook University in Seoul has developed a next-generation artificial intelligence semiconductor that mimics the human brain by learning through light, the university announced Wednesday — a potential breakthrough in the emerging field of neuromorphic computing. Led by Professor Choi Jun-hwan of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the team engineered a neuromorphic chip that replicates the structure and function of biological neural networks. Unlike traditional semiconductors, which separate memory and processing units, the new device integrates both into a single chip, drastically reducing power consumption and enabling the simultaneous processing of massive data flows. “This device integrates both memory and synaptic functionalities using optoelectronic mechanisms,” said Professor Choi in a statement. “What’s more, it can be implemented on paper substrates, opening new doors for applications in wearable electronics, AI-based sensors, and security systems.” The chip operates on the principles of synaptic learning, with photonic signals triggering charge storage and processing — a method that mirrors how synapses in the human brain transmit and retain information. Its dual-mode memory transistor is capable of both data retention and adaptive learning in response to external stimuli. The study was conducted in collaboration with Professors Yoo Ho-cheon and Oh Se-yong of Hanyang University. The announcement comes at a time when neuromorphic computing — which aims to replicate the cognitive processes of the brain — is attracting increasing interest from both academia and industry. Analysts project the global market for such technologies could grow from $28.5 million this year to $1.3 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 90 percent. Key drivers include the rise of edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and autonomous systems, all of which require efficient, real-time data processing at low energy costs — areas where neuromorphic devices excel. 2025-08-06 14:30:59

[[K-Film]] Actor Lee Byung-hun among recipients of special award at Toronto film fest SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - Actor Lee Byung-hun will receive an award at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which is scheduled to take place in Canada next month. According to organizers of the annual festival, Lee has been chosen as one of the recipients of the Tribute Award, which honors those who have made "outstanding contributions to cinema," along with Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, versatile Japanese writer and producer Mitsuyo Miyazaki, also known as Hikari, and Hollywood actress Jodie Foster. Hailing Lee as a "global sensation," TIFF said Lee "has achieved massive success across film and television in both South Korea and Hollywood," with global hits like "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" (2009) and "Terminator Genisys" (2015). The award will be presented to Lee at a gala event during this year's TIFF, which kicks off its 10-day run on Sept. 4. 2025-08-06 14:11:05

Ex-first lady faces questioning over multiple allegations SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - Former first lady Kim Keon-hee appeared for questioning over a slew of allegations on Wednesday. The wife of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at the independent prosecutors' office in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul around 10:10 a.m., several minutes later than scheduled, becoming the first ex-first lady in the country's modern history to be publicly summoned on criminal charges. Amid a barrage of questions from reporters, describing herself as a "layman just like me," she sad, "I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the public." She then added, "I will fully cooperate with the investigation." Kim has been accused of accepting bribes including a luxury handbag and jewelry, being involved in a stock manipulation scheme, and interfering in candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections. Some of her charges had previously been dismissed, but fresh evidence uncovered by independent prosecutors has led to the reopening of related probes. Meanwhile, prosecutors are expected to soon make another attempt to forcibly bring Yoon in for questioning, as he has been stalling by citing health issues while being held at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province. 2025-08-06 11:11:38

Coupang posts record revenue, ramps up AI adoption for future growth SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - South Korean e-commerce company Coupang Inc. reported record quarterly revenue in the second quarter of 2025, buoyed by a broader product lineup and strong international performance, particularly in Taiwan. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Tuesday (local time), Coupang said revenue rose 19.3 percent year-over-year to 11.98 trillion won, or approximately $8.52 billion. The company surpassed its previous record of 11.49 trillion won set the previous quarter. Operating profit reached 209.3 billion won ($149 million), while net income stood at 43.5 billion won ($31 million), marking a return to profitability for the Seoul-based company. Coupang credited the robust results to continued expansion in its core Product Commerce division — which includes Rocket Delivery, Rocket Fresh, Rocket Growth and Marketplace — as well as strong momentum overseas. The number of active customers in the division climbed 10 percent from a year earlier to 23.9 million, while revenue per active customer increased 6 percent to 431,340 won (roughly $307). International operations played a critical role in the company’s record-setting quarter. Coupang’s global and emerging businesses — including its Taiwan subsidiary, luxury fashion platform Farfetch, and food delivery app Coupang Eats — generated 1.67 trillion won ($1.19 billion) in revenue, up 33 percent from the same period last year. Taiwan led the international surge, with Rocket Delivery sales jumping 54 percent quarter-over-quarter and contributing to triple-digit growth in the market, Coupang said. Chairman and founder Bom Kim emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence in the company’s operations during an earnings call on Wednesday. “AI-powered automation and the strengthening of humanoid robotics will transform Coupang’s operations,” Kim said. “We see this as a long-term engine for both revenue growth and margin expansion.” 2025-08-06 10:46:39

[[K-Tech]] LG CNS will build Indonesia's largest AI data center SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - LG CNS said Wednesday it had secured a contract to build Indonesia’s largest artificial intelligence data center, marking the first time a Korean firm will construct such a facility abroad. The project, located in Jakarta, involves the development of an 11-story hyperscale AI data center with a power capacity of 30 megawatts and a total floor space of roughly 46,000 square meters. Construction is slated for completion by the end of 2026. Once operational, the facility will house more than 100,000 servers and is estimated to cost around 100 billion won, or about $75 million. The company said it sees the project as a strategic foothold for entering key regional markets such as Singapore and Malaysia, where demand for AI infrastructure is rapidly accelerating. LG CNS signed the construction deal on Monday through its joint venture, LG Sinarmas Technology Solutions, with Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group — the country’s third-largest conglomerate. The client, Kuningan Mas Gemilang (KMG), is a joint venture between Sinar Mas and Korea Investment Real Asset Management. The company plans to increase the facility’s power capacity to 220 megawatts in later development phases. KMG tapped LG CNS as its construction partner after the Korean firm completed consulting and design services for the project in 2024. To accommodate the demands of AI workloads, the facility will employ a hybrid cooling system that combines conventional air-based cooling with advanced liquid cooling technologies — necessary for handling the extreme heat produced by high-performance GPUs. The data center will also support high-density racks with power demands of up to 130 kilowatts each — more than 20 times that of typical racks — and will be equipped with dual power systems to ensure uninterrupted operations. Cooling solutions will be supplied by LG Electronics, and energy storage systems will come from LG Energy Solution. “This project demonstrates our ambition to be a global leader in AI data infrastructure,” said Hyun Shin-gyoon, chief executive of LG CNS. “We will leverage our expertise to deliver a next-generation AI data center that creates exceptional value for our client and expands our presence across Southeast Asia.” 2025-08-06 10:37:35

[[K-Pop]] Jimin earns first solo MTV VMA nomination for 'Who' SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - BTS member Jimin has earned his first solo nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards, marking a new milestone in his career apart from the group's global dominance. MTV officially announced Wednesday through its X (formerly Twitter) account that Jimin's solo track "Who" is nominated for Best K-Pop at this year's awards ceremony. The nomination places him among a formidable lineup of K-pop stars, including aespa, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Stray Kids, and Rosé. While BTS has taken home multiple VMAs in past years, this is Jimin's first time contending for the trophy as a solo artist. The MTV Video Music Awards, launched in 1984, have long been considered one of the most influential music award shows in the world. Often regarded as the pop music industry's answer to the Oscars, the VMAs have hosted some of the most iconic performances and career-defining moments in modern music history. The addition of the Best K-Pop category in 2019 reflected the genre’s growing presence on the global stage and recognized the rising influence of South Korean artists in mainstream pop. "Who," released last year, has been praised for showcasing Jimin’s distinct vocal tone and emotional depth. The song charted well globally and has contributed to his growing recognition as a standalone performer. With the nomination, Jimin joins the ranks of other K-pop idols making strong individual statements beyond their group identities. Fan voting for the 2025 VMAs is currently open on MTV's website. The awards ceremony will take place on September 7. 2025-08-06 09:19:25

[[K-Beauty]] CJ Olive Young courts American consumers at K-pop festival in LA SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - CJ Olive Young, South Korea’s leading beauty retailer, drew a crowd of 36,000 visitors over three days at KCON LA 2025 with its largest K-beauty booth to date, the company said Tuesday. The immersive 430-square-meter installation spotlighted 164 products from 66 Korean brands, aiming to deepen engagement with U.S. consumers at the annual K-pop and culture festival held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. At the center of the experience was a skincare zone, where attendees sampled over 40 products ranging from essences and serums to suncare, sheet masks, and moisturizing creams — all curated to reflect Korean skincare rituals. A UV protection testing device allowed visitors to measure sunscreen efficacy on the spot, while a newly introduced skin scanning service provided personalized skincare recommendations based on facial analysis. To further entice attendees, Olive Young offered complimentary skincare starter kits featuring products from six popular brands. Long lines formed throughout the event as visitors waited to participate in the interactive skincare sessions, the company said. The booth also served as a platform for promoting smaller Korean beauty labels. A dedicated section highlighted 34 products from 30 small and mid-sized enterprises chosen through government-backed programs supporting global market entry. Meanwhile, Olive Young’s own private-label brands — Bio Heal BOH, Bring Green, and COLORGRAM — were prominently featured in stand-alone installations. 2025-08-05 17:29:31

Lee invites former presidents to large-scale inauguration celebration next week SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - Ex-presidents will be among attendees to a large-scale event in celebration of the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, to be held in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul next week, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on Tuesday. Coinciding the 80th anniversary of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day, the event comes about two months after Lee took office with a low-key ceremony on June 4. Lee had no time to spare for a full transition period as he was elected through a snap election to replace former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol who was impeached over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year. During a press briefing, Kang said, "Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho is set to deliver invitation letters to guests including former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, as well as former first lady Kwon Yang-sook, the widow of the late President Roh Moo-hyun." Invitations will also be sent to other former presidents and their widows, but Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee were excluded as they are currently under investigation over a slew of allegations. The move is part of Lee's efforts to promote national unity through "respect for former presidents and their spouses," according to Kang. Roughly 10,000 citizens including independence fighters against Japanese colonial rule, patriots, war veterans, and residents of the northernmost border town of Goseong in Gangwon Province, will also be invited to the event. 2025-08-05 16:35:26

[[K-Tech]] Samsung's Galaxy S25 hits 3 million sales in Korea — fastest pace yet for 5G Galaxy phone SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its Galaxy S25 smartphone series has surpassed 3 million domestic sales, achieving the milestone faster than any previous 5G Galaxy S device. Launched in February 2025, the Galaxy S25 lineup reached the 3 million mark two months earlier than its predecessor, while maintaining steady momentum throughout the first half of the year. Pre-launch anticipation was particularly high, with Samsung recording 1.3 million pre-orders — the highest in the Galaxy S series’ history. Much of the enthusiasm was driven by upgrades in performance and the debut of Galaxy AI features, including the personalized “Now Brief” function. Samsung cited widespread use of new on-device AI tools such as generative photo editing, automatic slow-motion rendering, and audio eraser features as key factors in sustaining sales after the launch period. The company’s Galaxy AI subscription club, which offers a 50 percent residual value guarantee after one year, also proved popular — accounting for 30 percent of purchases made through Samsung’s direct sales channels. The company’s success extended into the second half of the year with the recent launch of its foldable flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, on July 25. The duo generated a record 1.04 million pre-orders — surpassing all previous foldable Galaxy models — fueled by a slimmer design and the foldable-optimized ONE UI 8 interface. Samsung credited the strong showing to its continued integration of advanced AI and hardware innovation across its product lineup. 2025-08-05 16:29:33

[[K-Tech]] S. Korean firm lands $79 million deal for Singapore power grid expansion SEOUL, August 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s Taihan Cable & Solution has secured a major contract with Singapore’s state-run electricity provider to deliver and install a 400-kilovolt underground power network as part of a regional initiative to expand clean energy transmission. The deal, announced Tuesday, was signed with SP PowerAssets Limited and is valued at approximately 110 billion won, or $79.2 million. The project will form a critical piece of Singapore’s energy infrastructure as the city-state prepares to import renewable electricity from Indonesia. Under a turnkey model, Taihan will oversee the full construction of the high-voltage system — from initial design and cable manufacturing to underground installation, connection, and testing — delivering a fully operational network to SP PowerAssets. The new transmission line will feed power to a substation on Singapore’s West Jurong Island, a key industrial hub. The contract comes as Singapore's electricity demand surges, fueled by a growing number of data centers and AI-driven infrastructure. The cross-border grid project is part of a broader push by Southeast Asian nations to decarbonize energy systems and enhance regional connectivity. “This contract once again proves Taihan’s competitive edge in Singapore’s ultra-high voltage power grid market,” the company said in a statement. “As a key supplier in the region, we plan to accelerate our push into high-value markets by leveraging our technological leadership in strategic products such as HVDC and subsea cable systems.” 2025-08-05 16:22:30