Trump signals massive hike for USFK upkeep if reelected

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has implied the possibility of increasing South Korea's contribution for maintaining U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, if he wins a second U.S. presidency. Speaking at an interview with the Economic Club of Chicago and Bloomberg News on Tuesday, he claimed that South Korea would be paying US$10 billion annually for the upkeep of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) if he were still in offic

October 16, 2024

PHOTOS: National Assembly Library honors Nobel laureate Han Kang

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The National Assembly Library in Seoul is hosting a special exhibition celebrating Han Kang, Korea's first Nobel laureate in literature, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 13. The exhibition, held in the library's central hall, showcases about 100 items related to Han's work, including original Korean editions, translations in 28 languages, audiobooks and video materials. Featured works include Han's internationally acclaimed novels "The Vegetarian," &

October 16, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul votes for new education superintendent

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Seoul residents voted Wednesday to elect a new education superintendent in a by-election triggered by the disqualification of former Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon. The race features a tight contest between conservative ex-lawmaker Cho Jun-hyuk and progressive Seoul National University professor Jung Keun-sik. Voting took place at 2,250 locations across the city.

October 16, 2024

Korea unveils 8.8 trillion won package to support chip industry

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) – The South Korean government announced on Wednesday that about 8.8 trillion won (US$6.4 billion) will be injected into the semiconductor ecosystem by 2025. The comprehensive support package, unveiled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, includes low-interest loans, fund investments and support for infrastructure and manpower development. Of the total investment, 4.7 trillion won will be provided through financial support programs, including 4.25

October 16, 2024

E-commerce surge drives sharp growth in Korea's delivery industry

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - South Korea's parcel delivery industry has seen a 52.9 percent increase in volume over the past three years, with the average person receiving more than 100 packages annually in 2023, according to a report released Wednesday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The report attributes this growth to "4C" factors: China-commerce, Competition, Consumer benefit and Cost down. The influx of ultra-low-priced products from Chines

October 16, 2024

LG CNS unveils AI-based marketing platform for U.S. market

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Korea's IT solutions provider LG CNS has introduced its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered marketing platform, LG Optapex, to the U.S. advertising market. The company said Wednesday it showcased the platform at Amazon's unBoxed 2024 event in Austin, Texas, Monday. LG Optapex, an enhanced global version of LG CNS's marketing optimization platform (MOP), uses AI and mathematical optimization to streamline digital marketing efforts. The pl

October 16, 2024

Brazilian artist merges AI and traditional art in Seoul exhibition

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - At the Brazilian Embassy in Seoul, Patricia Abbot Tuesday unveiled her exhibition "Beyond Recollection," featuring surreal oil paintings that blur the line between familiarity and abstract. The showcased works include depictions of birds, landscapes, and ambiguous forms that evoke a sense of recognition without clarity. Abbot, a 37-year-old Brazilian artist, draws inspiration from artificial intelligence, generating digital images through AI promp

October 16, 2024

Hyundai Mobis to build electric vehicle parts plant in Slovakia

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - South Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. said on Wednesday it will invest about 350 billion won (US$256 million) to construct a new electric vehicle (EV) components factory in Slovakia. The plant, to be built in Novaky, will produce power electric (PE) systems, which integrate electric motors, inverters and gear heads. It marks the company's first PE system production base in Europe, with construction scheduled to be finished in the second half o

October 16, 2024

Intriguing drama to lure moviegoers with complex moral themes this fall

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Filmmaker Heo Jin-ho's latest film "A Normal Family" is set to attract many moviegoers this fall with its enthralling story about ethical quandaries. The family-centric drama, released on Wednesday, revolves around two wealthy parents struggling to cope with a crime committed by their teenage kids. Based on the Dutch novel "The Dinner" by Herman Koch, the Korean adaption was first unveiled at the Toronto International Film Festiva

October 16, 2024

VISUALS: South Chungcheong holds cultural festival in Seoul

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The South Chungcheong Province government and the Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation held the Wow Festival at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul on Tuesday to promote the region's culture and tourism. The event featured experience zones and promotional booths from cities and counties within the province, showcasing local specialties. The festival also included character exhibitions and various Korean traditional performances.

October 16, 2024