Korea's first AI-dedicated channel ABC kicks off ...with the help of robot SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) -Artificial intelligence was not just the subject. It was the host. A humanoid robot shared the stage with an ABC news anchor Wedneday as Aju Media Group officially launched ABC (AI Business Channel), South Korea's first television network dedicated to artificial intelligence. The robot co-hosted the ceremony, exchanged remarks with its human counterpart and capped its appearance with a kung fu demonstration, turning the laun July 8, 2026

Korean won falls below 1,500 vs USD first time since late May SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - The South Korean won strengthened below 1,500 to the dollar on Wednesday for the first time in some 27 trading days, supported by dollar-selling linked to SK hynix's planned American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) listing. The won stood at 1,498 per dollar as of 3:30 p.m., moving into the 1,400 range for the first time since May 29. The move marked a sharp reversal in just three days of trading since South Korea launched 24-hour onshore dollar-won spot tradi July 8, 2026

AI peak fears hammer Asia, KOSPI for second straight session SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - A wave of panic selling triggered by fears that the AI chip boom may have peaked swept through Asia's technology-heavy markets on Wednesday, sending the KOSPI sharply lower for a second straight session and triggering sell-side sidecars on both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ as escalating Middle East tensions compounded the rout. The benchmark KOSPI tumbled 5.35 percent to 7,246.79, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slumped 5.56 percent to 785.00. The KOSPI opened 2. July 8, 2026

Asian soccer officials face 'fallout' after poor World Cup performance SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - Disappointing results by Asian teams at this year's World Cup in North America have sparked criticism and calls for accountability across the region's soccer community, including in South Korea and Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Monday. "The fallout in Asian football continues as the continent comes to terms with an underwhelming World Cup performance," the AP said, adding that the criticism has gone beyond the res July 8, 2026

Ants deserting the KOSDAQ nest for chip harvest SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) — The KOSDAQ has long been the playground of Korea's "ants," the moniker in Korea for retail investors, who dominate the country's junior stock market. Now the colony is on the move. The tech-heavy junior market, which recently turned 30, has retreated more than 10 percent so far this year, ranking among the world's weakest performers, while the benchmark KOSPI has surged more than 82 percent. Its sluggish performance owes mu July 8, 2026

Aju Media launches AI-focused business channel as Korea pushes AI ambitions SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - South Korean media company Aju Media Group launched what it described as the country's first television channel dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence on Wednesday, seeking to establish a platform covering AI policy, business, investment and technology as competition in the sector intensifies. The company officially launched ABC (AI Business Channel) at an opening ceremony in Seoul, kicking off a two-day series of events bringing together July 8, 2026

Firefighters undergo training to respond to summer emergencies SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - Firefighters underwent intensive water survival training at a facility in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday to enhance their rescue capabilities as more people head to beaches during the hot summer months. They practiced escaping from a submerged helicopter simulator by unbuckling their safety belts and exiting the cabin safely. The training was intended to help firefighters respond effectively in case of an emergency water landing. July 8, 2026

Musinsa establishes Taiwan unit to expand direct presence overseas SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - Musinsa has established a Taiwan subsidiary to spearhead its expansion in the local market, marking the company's latest overseas growth initiative, the company said Tuesday. The Taiwan unit was established on July 7 and will oversee the company's local operations and market expansion efforts. Musinsa said it plans to build a dedicated local team and expand its offline presence with a focus on its private-label casual apparel brand, Musinsa Standard. July 8, 2026

BTS-themed exhibition showcases Korean heritage at British Museum SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - An exhibition featuring K-pop supergroup BTS and their fifth studio album "ARIRANG" opened in London this week in collaboration with The British Museum, their management agency HYBE said on Wednesday. The exhibition, which runs from Monday through July 23 at the museum's Korea Foundation Gallery, also offers a self-guided trail that takes roughly 20 minutes to complete. It is part of "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG-LONDON," a citywide program r July 8, 2026

Netflix says viewer engagement matters more than ad exposure SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - Global streaming giant Netflix told roughly 600 advertisers and marketing officials in Seoul that viewer engagement matters more than simple ad exposure, as it seeks to attract more advertising spending to its platform. The company laid out the case Tuesday at "Behind The Streams," an event held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. Citing its own 2025 survey, Netflix said 74 percent of viewers who saw ads on the platform later took a related July 8, 2026