Tesla leads South Korea's imported-car market SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla claimed the top spot in South Korea's imported-car market last month, boosted by brisk sales of its revamped Model Y, the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said on Thursday. Some 27,190 imported vehicles were newly registered last month, up 29.7 percent from 20,960 units the previous month and 34.6 percent higher than a year earlier. The cumulative number of registrations for the first two months of this year stood at 48,150 units, up 35.9 percent from 35,428 during the same period last year. By make, Tesla ranked No. 1 with 7,868 registrations, followed by BMW with 6,313 and Mercedes-Benz with 5,322. Next were Lexus with 1,113, Volvo with 1,095, Audi with 991, BYD with 957, and Toyota with 793. Over the past month, 7,000 units of Tesla's Model Y were sold, with 1,740 of them being the Long Range version. By type of fuel, hybrids accounted for 50.5 percent of registrations, followed by electric, gasoline, and diesel vehicles. European imports made up most of the registrations with 16,107 units (59.2 percent), followed by American (30.1 percent), Japanese (7.1 percent), and Chinese (3.5 percent) vehicles. 2026-03-05 10:53:14

Internet Press Ethics Panel Launches Fair Election Coverage Support Ahead of June 3 Local Vote The Internet Newspaper Ethics Commission and the Internet Election News Deliberation Commission said Thursday they will jointly launch the “2026 9th Nationwide Local Elections Fair Election Coverage Support Project” to help online news outlets provide fair and responsible coverage ahead of the June 3 vote. Marking 90 days before election day, the two bodies began distributing the first installment of a “Fair Election Coverage Practice Guide,” providing training on fair election reporting for employees of outlets that have pledged to participate in the ethics panel, and opening a special online bulletin board for election-coverage consultations. With more reporting expected on opinion polls, allegations and quoted claims during the campaign, the project aims to build a prevention-focused support system that can be used in newsrooms. It will center on standards for publishing election poll results and precautions in reporting, practical guidance for election newsgathering and writing, and considerations for coverage involving deepfakes and AI tools. The two organizations plan to jointly distribute the guide four times, timed to D-90, D-60, D-40 and D-20. The ethics commission will produce and distribute practice-oriented materials by adding examples from actual deliberation decisions, while the election news deliberation commission will provide standards-focused content, including revised review rules, major types of violations and time-specific precautions. Also Thursday, the ethics commission will hold an online video lecture for employees of participating outlets. The session will cover standards for reporting election polls, practical election reporting and major deliberation cases, focusing on points journalists should watch for in the reporting process. To respond quickly to newsroom-level questions that arise during election coverage, the ethics commission opened a “Fair Election Coverage Consultation” bulletin board on its website, which the two bodies will jointly operate through election day. The two organizations have continued joint efforts to foster a fair election reporting environment for online media since signing a cooperation agreement in 2018. The ethics commission said it has used accumulated deliberation cases and operating experience as the only self-regulatory body for internet newspapers to help check and prevent potential fairness and objectivity issues in election coverage. They said they plan to strengthen cooperation through the joint project to raise the voluntary accountability of online media and help establish a culture of fair election reporting.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 10:36:17

Peugeot Launches All-New 5008 Smart Hybrid Test-Drive Events Across South Korea Peugeot said Wednesday it will hold test-drive events at 13 showrooms nationwide to mark the launch of the all-new 5008 Smart Hybrid. The event runs for 17 days starting March 6 and is designed as a participatory program for showroom visitors and their companions, the company said. Peugeot will also run a guaranteed-win promotion to celebrate the all-new 3008 Smart Hybrid winning two awards in the 2026 Design category. Test-drive participants will receive a scratch card offering prizes including a 29-inch travel suitcase, the “Peugeot Voyage Luggage,” co-produced by Peugeot and French premium luggage brand Delsey, as well as French premium wine and a wine-glass set, coffee coupons and other gifts. Peugeot said it expanded its seven-seat family SUV lineup with last month’s launch of the all-new 5008 Smart Hybrid, building a core lineup that includes the 308, 408, 3008 and 5008. Bang Sil, chief executive of Stellantis Korea, said she hopes the event will give families, couples and friends time to visit showrooms and discover new preferences.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 10:27:35

LG CNS launches modular AI data center deployable in six months SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - LG CNS unveiled a container-based AI data center called "AI Box" that can be built in about six months, aiming to capture growing demand for rapid AI infrastructure deployment. The modular system shown Thursday houses up to 576 graphics processing units in a single container with 1.2 megawatts of server power capacity. Traditional data centers typically require about two years to construct, making the shortened timeline a potential advantage for enterprise customers seeking quick expansion of AI computing capabilities. The company said the standardized design allows customers to start with a single container and scale up to hyperscale capacity by combining dozens of units. AI Box integrates technologies from multiple LG Group affiliates, including cooling distribution units and air conditioning systems from LG Electronics and battery systems for uninterruptible power supplies from LG Energy Solution. "AI Box, which provides integrated AI servers, power, cooling and operations, will lead a new paradigm in the data center business," said Cho Heon-hyeock, Datacenter Business Unit Vice President at LG CNS. "We will expand the business to global markets including Southeast Asia and North America based on successful cases in the domestic market." The company plans to deploy its first AI Box at its Busan Global Cloud Data Center site and eventually build a campus of about 50 units on the 27,179-square-meter property to serve domestic AI infrastructure demand. 2026-03-05 10:24:33

Hana Bank Launches Revamped Open API Platform, Hana API On Hana Bank said Thursday it has launched Hana API On, a comprehensive revamp of its open API platform, a system that lets outside companies connect to and use banking functions. The bank said the overhaul aims to improve API service quality and strengthen user convenience. Its API services are used more than 56 million times a month on average, it said. Hana API On provides the bank’s key financial services and data in API form, designed to help fintech startups and other companies more easily integrate banking features into their own services. Beyond offering APIs, the platform focuses on usability for development and operations. It also adds a testbed that allows pre-verification under conditions similar to a live environment to improve service stability. The platform’s UI and UX were redesigned to make steps from API search to application, authentication and guide review more intuitive, and it supports mobile web use. For partners, it offers core APIs including: 24-hour real-time exchange rates for 58 currencies; non-login credit loan limit inquiries; and instant account opening through partner platform channels. Hana Bank said the revamp is intended to expand access to financial services and support partner companies in creating new business opportunities. “Hana API On is a platform that connects finance and industry based on openness and connectivity in the digital era,” a Hana Bank official said. “We will continue to expand collaboration with startups and partner companies.” 2026-03-05 10:15:01

Tesla Tops South Korea’s Imported-Car Market in February as Model Y Sales Near 7,000 Tesla led South Korea’s imported-car market last month, driven by strong sales of the Model Y.  The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said Thursday that new registrations of imported passenger cars in February rose 34.6% from a year earlier to 27,190. That was up 29.7% from January’s 20,960. Cumulative registrations for January and February totaled 48,150, a 35.9% increase from 35,428 a year earlier. By brand, Tesla ranked first with 7,868 registrations, followed by BMW with 6,313 and Mercedes-Benz with 5,322. Lexus recorded 1,113, Volvo 1,095, Audi 991, BYD 957 and Toyota 793. The Tesla Model Y sold about 7,000 units over the month. The Model Y posted 5,275 registrations and the Model Y Long Range 1,740. Over the same period, the BMW 520 recorded 1,067 registrations. By engine displacement, vehicles under 2,000cc accounted for 9,763 registrations, or 35.9% of the total. Models from 2,000cc to under 3,000cc totaled 5,835 (21.5%), 3,000cc to under 4,000cc 421 (1.5%), and 4,000cc and above 352 (1.3%). Other vehicles, including electric cars, totaled 10,819 (39.8%). By origin, Europe accounted for 16,107 registrations (59.2%), followed by the United States with 8,197 (30.1%), Japan with 1,929 (7.1%) and China with 957 (3.5%). By fuel type, hybrids led with 13,721 registrations (50.5%), followed by electric vehicles with 10,819 (39.8%), gasoline with 2,484 (9.1%) and diesel with 166 (0.6%). 2026-03-05 10:12:21

World-OKTA to host K-pop charity concert marking 45th anniversary SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA) will hold a K-pop charity concert on April 1 at KBS Arena Hall in Seoul to mark its 45th anniversary, the organization said. The event, titled "OK Live Concert," represents the trade group's first official cultural project since its founding in 1981. World-OKTA operates about 140 chapters across 70 countries and has focused primarily on supporting Korean businesses abroad and fostering next-generation business leaders. "K-pop has become a global cultural language that connects young people around the world," an event organizer said. "We aim to present a new international exchange platform that combines economy and culture on the occasion of our 45th anniversary." The concert will feature performers spanning multiple genres, including trot singer Song Ga-in, K-pop vocalist Hyolyn, and hip-hop duo Dynamic Duo. World-OKTA said the lineup reflects its goal of bridging senior business leaders with younger generations through cultural engagement. The organization has positioned the event as a hybrid platform combining live performances with networking programs and brand partnership opportunities. The trade group said it is exploring the possibility of expanding the concert into a global tour in major cities. Sponsorship and partnership models are also under consideration. World-OKTA was founded in 1981 to build economic networks among overseas Korean entrepreneurs and support Korean small and medium-sized enterprises seeking international expansion. 2026-03-05 10:06:08

SK chief to attend at Nvidia's annual AI conference in San Jose SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won will attend Nvidia's annual GTC conference for the first time slated to be held in the U.S. later this month, according to industry officials. Chey is expected to meet Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the conference to be held from March 16 to 19 in San Jose, where industry leaders, developers, and researchers convene to discuss the latest technological trends. Chey is likely to discuss broader cooperation on AI infrastructure and relevant issues with Huang, with their meeting coming about a month after their "chicken-and-beer" dinner in the U.S. GTC, held annually, focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and computing, while also covering innovations in robotics and autonomous driving. Industry attention is especially high for this year's gathering, with anticipation for Nvidia's unveiling of its next-generation AI accelerator platform, "Vera Rubin." The accelerator is expected to use sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4), which is expected to foster partnerships with memory-chip makers including SK hynix. Nvidia is reportedly to have allocated over 60 percent of its HBM4 production for Vera Rubin to SK hynix, with the South Korean memory giant slated to present AI memory technologies and solutions it is developing with Nvidia. 2026-03-05 10:05:27

ChungjuMan’s Kim Seon-tae launches personal YouTube channel, draws ad buzz in comments Online posts have highlighted a wave of promotional comments tied to the launch of a personal YouTube channel by Kim Seon-tae, known as “ChungjuMan” for running the official YouTube channel of Chungju city in North Chungcheong province. On March 5, multiple online communities circulated posts pointing to comments that appeared to show companies and public institutions boosting the new channel. The posts listed comments from more than 50 companies, including Kyobo Life Insurance, Kia, Lotte Wellfood, Binggrae, Samsung SDS, Samil Pharmaceutical, Speak and YouTube Korea. They also cited participation from more than 20 institutions, including the National Agricultural Museum, the National Institute of Ecology, the National Health Insurance Service, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Republic of Korea Army. In the comments, some wrote, “You said you want to make money, so we came. We’re here to plant a money tree to celebrate your YouTube opening,” and “Looks like there will be a long line of advertisers — should we line up on CatchTable?” Others added, “We heard you want to make money. We’re ready,” “We’ll make sure there are no tax issues all the way to the Blue House,” and “We’ll get in line first. Can we send a transfer?” Kim previously addressed his plans in a video posted March 3 titled “I’m Kim Seon-tae,” saying he “wanted to make more money.” His channel drew attention after surpassing 900,000 subscribers within three days of opening, and many companies have been sending advertising inquiries, according to the report. Some commenters reacting to the posts speculated about potential ad revenue, writing, “How much would the ad fees be if he takes all of that?” and “If you assume 20 to 30 million won per deal, just filming those would come to about 2 billion won in ad pay.” Others wrote, “Even just leaving a comment becomes viral in communities,” and “He quit being a public official to make money — the path is already laid out from the first try.” A separate post on Blind, an anonymous workplace community, showed criticism of Kim’s move. On March 5, a public official posted under the title “Chungju’s Kim Seon-tae is kind of cold,” arguing, “If you’re making a new promotional YouTube, you should bring the people from the same team with you.” The writer added, “With 800,000 subscribers, it becomes a company, and you need staff,” and said that because they were on the same team and appeared in videos together, “there’s some bond, but he’s going out alone.” Another public official responded, “There are a lot of gloomy public officials. They have no ability, but they’re the best at criticizing others.” Kim earned the nickname “ChungjuMan” while handling production and operations for Chungju’s promotional YouTube content, the report said. It also said he submitted a resignation letter to the personnel department on the 13th and then began a long leave. At the time, Kim said, “After 10 years in public service and seven years living as ChungjuMan, I’m now going to say goodbye.” He added, “The fact that someone as lacking as me was lucky enough to succeed was thanks to subscribers’ support.” He also said, “I want to thank the citizens of Chungju who supported me and my colleagues at Chungju City Hall who always showed consideration. The seven years I spent with you were the happiest time of my life. I hope you will continue to love Chungju.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 09:58:02

South Korean researchers develop wireless electronic patch for real-time blood flow monitoring SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Researchers at South Korea's Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a wireless wearable electronic patch capable of measuring blood flow in real time. The device uses deep learning and multilayer thermal sensing to monitor cardiovascular health without invasive procedures. This technology provides a potential tool for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases and continuous monitoring of patients in clinical settings. Blood flow serves as a critical indicator of cardiovascular health, with fluctuations often signaling conditions such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, or even physical shock. While Doppler ultrasound is currently the clinical standard for measuring blood flow, its reliance on bulky equipment and trained medical professionals limits its use for continuous daily monitoring. Existing wearable thermal sensors have struggled with accuracy because the depth of blood vessels varies between individuals, distorting the thermal signals used to calculate flow speed. The research team, led by Professor Kwon Kyung-ha of the School of Electrical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), addressed this limitation by creating a multilayer thermal gradient sensing structure. The device features temperature sensors placed at different depths to analyze the three-dimensional movement of heat generated by flowing blood. By integrating a deep learning algorithm, the system can distinguish between the depth of the blood vessel and the actual speed of the blood flow simultaneously. Experimental results showed that the patch can measure blood flow speeds between 1 and 10 millimeters per second with an error margin of less than 0.12 millimeters per second. It also determined blood vessel depths between 1 and 2 millimeters with an accuracy within 0.07 millimeters. When integrated with photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors commonly found in smartwatches, the system reduced blood pressure estimation errors by up to 72.6 percent compared to using PPG sensors alone. This improvement was particularly evident during the Valsalva maneuver, a breathing technique that causes rapid changes in blood pressure. The platform was tested on human subjects through various physiological interventions, including breath-holding, external vascular compression, and cycling. In all scenarios, the blood flow measurements remained consistent with clinical perfusion index standards. The entire system is implemented as a wearable patch with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities, allowing for wireless transmission of biometric data to external devices for real-time analysis. "This technology provides a fundamental platform for more accurate measurement of blood flow and blood pressure," said Professor Kwon Kyung-ha. "By combining this with smartwatches, we can significantly improve the quality of daily health monitoring." The study, led by first author Sim Young-min, a student in the integrated master's and doctoral program, was supported by institutional funding and published in the journal Science Advances on February 6. (Paper information) Journal: Science Advances Title: Deep learning–integrated multilayer thermal gradient sensing platform for real-time blood flow monitoring DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aea8902 2026-03-05 09:53:12