Korea swiftly secures COVID-19 treatments amid rising cases

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, Korea has swiftly secured some 177,000 doses of treatments, according to health authorities. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said earlier this week that shipments totaling 262,000 doses have been arriving in phases since mid-August, with approximately 5,000 doses being administered daily. The number of COVID-19 cases has surged recently, increasing from 226 in the thir

August 27, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul intensifies traffic enforcement in school zones as new semester begins

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched intensive traffic enforcement and guidance activities in school zones across the city on Monday. In collaboration with the police and 25 district offices, the authorities are conducting a special crackdown on traffic violations in 1,684 child protection zones, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4, coinciding with the start of the new school semester. The effort targets parking violations, helmetless motorcyclists, and vehicles exceedin

August 27, 2024

Hyundai Mobis steps up efforts to develop sustainable automotive materials

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co., a key supplier to Hyundai Motor Group, is ramping up efforts to develop sustainable and innovative materials for mobility applications, the company announced on Tuesday. The firm is focusing on three key strategies: creating sustainable materials to meet global environmental regulations, developing innovative materials to lead the mobility sector, and implementing digital material technologies for virtual verificati

August 27, 2024

Shareholders approve merger between SK Innovation, SK E&S

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Shareholders of SK Innovation and SK E&S on Tuesday approved a plan to merge the two SK Group units, creating Asia's largest energy company by November. SK Innovation, the group’s energy holding company, announced that 85.76 percent of attending shareholders voted in favor of the merger at an extraordinary general meeting. SK E&S, a highly profitable and unlisted affiliate, also held a shareholders' meeting and approved the proposal.

August 27, 2024

About 80 Korean athletes gear up for Paris Paralympics

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - This year's Summer Paralympics in Paris are set to begin with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, about two weeks after the Olympics in the French capital. The ceremony is taking place on the Champs-Élysées, near the Triumphal Arch, where the Paralympic symbol, known as the Agitos, is already proudly displayed for the quadrennial global sporting event. About 4,400 physically-challenged athletes from 184 countries will compete in some 23 di

August 27, 2024

Burger chains in Korea spice up menus with local flavors

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Hamburgers, a staple of American fast food, are creatively evolving in Korea with traditional condiments and authentic local ingredients. Last month, Korean burger franchises Lotteria and No Brand Burger added new menus along with varied versions of their previous offerings, featuring bulgogi (Korean-style marinated beef) and kimchi (Korea's traditional fermented cabbage), either blended into the patty or used as toppings. "Intrigued by its hefty

August 27, 2024

80% of Korean Gen Z workers turn to AI as primary work resource: study

SEOUL, August 27 (AJU PRESS) - A recent study found 80 percent of South Korean Generation Z workers use artificial intelligence as their primary resource for work challenges. This figure is 19 to 25 percentage points higher than in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The "2024 AI-Preneur Effect" study, conducted by Samsung Electronics across the five countries, also found that 80 percent of South Korean Gen Z workers believe AI can improve work metho

August 27, 2024

Westinghouse appeals against Czechia's selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear for reactor construction

SEOUL, August 27 (AJU PRESS) - U.S. firm Westinghouse Electric Co. has filed an appeal with the Czech government against its selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder to build new nuclear reactors, accusing the Korean firm of using its proprietary technology without permission. In July, the Czech government announced that KHNP had been chosen over French electric utility firm Électricité de France (EDF) for the project to construct at

August 27, 2024

U.S. to reassess environmental permit for Hyundai's Georgia EV plant: report

SEOUL, August 27 (AJU PRESS) - The U.S. federal agency Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to reevaluate the environmental permit for Hyundai Motor's 10 trillion won ($7.6 billion) electric vehicle (EV) plant in Georgia, following concerns raised by environmental activists, AP News reported on Monday. The decision comes after the Army Corps initially deemed the plant's water usage impact as "negligible." The reassessment was prompted by a proposal from Georgia envi

August 27, 2024

OPINION: How US military planning has shifted away from fighting terrorism to readying for tensions and conflict with China and Russia

SEOUL, August 27 (AJU PRESS) - President Joe Biden's recent approval of a major shift in U.S. nuclear weapons strategy highlights the attention the country's national security officials are paying to Chinese ambitions for influence in the world. As changes emerge in the types of threats facing the U.S., the American military adjusts its strategic focus, budgets and planning. For instance, after 9/11, the U.S. military refocused away from its Cold War emphasis on preparing fo

August 27, 2024