Indian cultural festival kicks off with traditional dance performance

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - The "Sarang Festival," a nine-day Indian cultural event hosted by the Indian Embassy to Korea, began on Tuesday with a traditional Kuchipudi dance performance by artists from the Avanthika Space for Dance, a renowned arts institute based in Kerala, Southern India. Kuchipudi, a classical dance form from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is known for its graceful movements, expressive storytelling, and combination of dance, drama, and music. The da

October 2, 2024

Hanwha Q Cells sells solar project in Washington state

SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Korea's solar energy solutions provider Hanwha Q Cells has sold a 142-megawatt solar power project in Washington state to Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the largest utility company in the region, the company said on Wednesday. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hanwha said it will continue to supply equipment and provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of

October 2, 2024

Seoul court backs Korea Zinc share buyback amid control battle

SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - A Seoul court on Wednesday allowed Korea Zinc Inc. to continue acquiring its own shares to defend against what it calls a hostile takeover bid by its largest shareholder, Young Poong, and the private equity firm MBK Partners. Young Poong and MBK are seeking to secure management control of the world's largest zinc smelter by acquiring an additional 7 to 14.6 percent stake through a tender offer from Sept. 13 to Oct. 4. They filed an injunction with th

October 2, 2024

Busan film fest to open with Korean historical drama

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - The annual Busan International Film Festival is set to kick off with an outdoor red carpet event in the southern port city on Wednesday, featuring some 224 films from 63 countries. Netflix's Korean historical drama "Uprising" opens this year's festival, which marks its 29th year. The film, starring Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, explores the complex relationship between two close friends from different social classes. The much-anticipate

October 2, 2024

LG Chem develops new material to prevent battery fires

SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - South Korea's leading chemical company LG Chem said Tuesday it has developed a new material that could significantly reduce the risk of fires in electric vehicle batteries. Its research team created a temperature-responsive safety-enhancing functional layer that acts like a fuse, cutting off electrical flow when temperatures rise abnormally. The ultra-thin layer, about 1 micrometer thick, is placed between the diodes and the current collector in the

October 2, 2024

OPINION: Iran's strikes on Israel are latest sign that conflict in Middle East is spiraling, presenting rising global security threats

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - Iran fired at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Oct. 1, 2024, amplifying tensions in the Middle East that are increasingly marked by "escalation after escalation," as United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it. Iran's attacks – which Israel largely deterred with its Iron Dome missile defense system, along with help from nearby U.S. naval destroyers – followed Israel's killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the longti

October 2, 2024

AI robot Hyodol selected for state elderly care project

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Hyodol, a Korean robot maker, said Monday that its artificial intelligence-powered companion robot has been selected for a government pilot program providing long-term care benefits for the elderly. The initiative, carried out by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service, aims to support daily living and physical activities for home-based long-term care recipients. Beneficiaries can purchase or rent devices within an ann

September 30, 2024

SME body promotes Korean food, beauty products at US event

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) has promoted Korean food and beauty products at a major Korean cultural event in the United States. The LA Korean Festival, with around 400,000 annual attendees, is one of the largest multicultural festivals in the western U.S. It features traditional cuisine, beauty products, and K-pop entertainment. This year, the festival took place at the Seoul International Park in Los Angeles over four days, starting on Thursday.

September 30, 2024

Diet sensation Queen Wasabi named face of health supplement company Foodology

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Korean rapper Queen Wasabi, who gained attention for her recent drastic weight loss, has become the brand ambassador for local health supplement company Foodology. Queen Wasabi, whose real name is Kim So-hee, lost 16 kilograms over 2 1/2 months before performing at the Waterbomb music festival in early July. The rapper, who debuted in 2019, is known for her unique style and confident performances. Her weight loss regimen included diet, exercise and con

September 30, 2024

War Memorial of Korea chief reflects on sacrifice of war veterans in celebration of Armed Forces Day

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - "We will never forget war heroes who gave their lives during the Korean War about seven decades ago," the War Memorial of Korea's chief stressed in his exclusive interview with AJP last month. "We will ensure their dedication and sacrifices remain honored and remembered throughout history, preserving the legacy of the fallen to inspire future generations with the values of peace and freedom as well as the importance of national defense,

September 30, 2024