China extends lead in global shipbuilding as South Korea focuses on high-value vessels SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - China maintained its dominance in the global shipbuilding market in the first half of this year, accounting for 72 percent of global orders. South Korean shipbuilders held just 19 percent, as they focused instead on high-value ships like liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. According to data released by London-based Clarkson Research Services on Monday, cumulative global ship orders in the first six months of this year reached 42.95 million compensated gross t July 6, 2026

Korean researchers build future-predicting AI SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence that can see through a window, judge how light bounces off a surface, and think a step ahead before acting, arrived this week from a Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology research team. The four new technologies, unveiled together, push AI systems beyond recognizing what is in an image and toward understanding and reacting to the physical world the way a person does, a shift researchers call "physical AI." The w July 6, 2026

ATEEZ's new album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - K-pop boy group ATEEZ's latest album debuted atop the Billboard's main albums chart this week, the American music chart said on Sunday. ATEEZ's 14th mini-album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5," which was released on June 26, climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the week ending on July 11, marking the group's third chart-topper after "THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL" in 2023 and "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2" in 2024. Accordin July 6, 2026

Sookmyung scientists find bone benefit in ginseng SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Mice with weakened bones got stronger after being fed particles extracted from red ginseng, according to a new study out of Sookmyung Women's University. The finding is early, but it gives South Korean researchers a concrete lead on turning the country's best-known health root into an actual osteoporosis drug. The particles are called red ginseng-derived nanovesicles, or RGNVs. Think of them as microscopic delivery pouches, roughly 200 nanome July 6, 2026

South Korea's parliament opens under opposition boycott SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Ruling-majority National Assembly of South Korea on Monday opened for extraordinary session under the boycott of the main opposition People Power Party. The session was called after 161 Democratic Party lawmakers, led by acting party leader and floor leader Han Byeong-do, submitted a formal request for the extraordinary session on July 3. The National Assembly duly announced the opening of the session in accordance with the request. People Po July 6, 2026

Red Velvet out to steal summer with EP 'Velvet Summer' SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Kpop girl group Red Velvet, known for its strig of summer hits, will release a new summer EP, "Velvet Summer," on Aug. 3, agency SM Entertainment said Monday. The release will be Red Velvet's first full-group album in just over two years, following "Cosmic" in June 2024. The five-track EP is led by the title song "Surfin' Boy" and will be available on streaming platforms at 6 p.m. as well as in physical format the sa July 6, 2026

Asia markets mostly lower ahead of big news related to Korean chip giants SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) — Asian equities opened the week cautiously Monday, with investors awaiting a string of major developments for South Korea's semiconductor sector, including Samsung Electronics' earnings guidance and SK hynix's landmark U.S. listing. As of 10:50 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.58 percent to 8,033.76, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ tumbled 3.60 percent to 837.32. Retail investors were the market's only net buyers, purchasing 1 trillion July 6, 2026

Hyundai, Kia take wearable robot from factory floors to farms and Le Mans SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor and Kia are expanding the use of their wearable robot beyond auto plants, testing the device in settings ranging from peach farms to one of the world's toughest endurance races. The companies released a video Sunday showing Choi Hye-rang, a young peach farmer in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, using the X-ble Shoulder wearable robot during farm work. Choi is the first recipient of the device through a support program run by the Non July 6, 2026

North Korea tests cruise missile from new 5,000-ton destroyer SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised weapons tests from a new 5,000-ton destroyer that had been repaired after a failed launch ceremony last year, state media said Sunday, as he pushed to expand the country's naval combat capabilities. The official Korean Central News Agency said the destroyer Kang Kon conducted a test-fire of "strategic cruise missiles" last Friday, along with tests of "major weapon systems such as naval artill July 6, 2026

Hyundai's Atlas robot steals show at World Cup halftime SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor has showcased its next-generation humanoid robot Atlas, developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, at this year's World Cup, reflecting the automaker's robotics ambitions. The automaker said Atlas successfully took part in a halftime performance during a round-of-16 match at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, delivering the match ball to the referee. Just before the second half kicked off, Atlas delighted the crowd b July 6, 2026