BTS' Jin to 'carry Paris Olympic torch'

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Jin of K-pop boy band BTS is expected to serve as one of torchbearers for the upcoming Paris Olympics this summer, industry sources said on Tuesday. Specific details have not been confirmed yet. As a traditional ritual, the Olympic flame was lit from Greece's ancient city of Olympia in April, beginning the torch relay for this year's quadrennial global sporting event. About 11,000 torchbearers have carried the flame through around 400 Fre

July 3, 2024

High school student booked for selling explicit deepfake content

SEOUL, July 03 (AJU PRESS) - A high school student was booked for allegedly creating explicit deepfake images and videos using schoolmates' faces and selling them through social media, police said Wednesday. Deepfake is an artificial intelligence-based technique that alters images or videos, typically by replacing one person's face with another's. Those proficient in this technique can manipulate faces in media content, often using it for criminal purposes to deceive v

July 3, 2024

Driver booked as police investigate possible acceleration in fatal car crash in Seoul

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - The driver of a deadly car crash in central Seoul on Monday has been booked for investigation and police are reportedly seeking an arrest warrant for him. Police have apparently determined that the 68-year-old man had pressed the accelerator pedal of his Genesis luxury sedan at the time of the accident, which resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to seven others. The tragic incident occurred at an intersection near Seoul City Hall around

July 3, 2024

Luxembourg opens embassy in Seoul with Korean War exhibition

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - A special exhibition featuring Luxembourg's participation in the Korean War kicked off its three-month run in Yongsan, Seoul on Tuesday. Hosted by the War Memorial of Korea, the exhibition coincides with the opening of Luxembourg's diplomatic mission in Jongno, central Seoul and aims to further strengthen the bond between the two countries. Over 60 artifacts, including handwritten personal diaries and photo albums, are on display, offeri

July 3, 2024

PHOTOS: People with disabilities gather in protest

SEOUL, July 03 (AJU PRESS) - The Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination staged two-day protests on Monday and Tuesday in Yeouido and at several subway stations in Seoul, calling for improvements in policies and the enactment of special laws regarding people with disabilities.

July 3, 2024

Korean beauty brand Adapt establishes US subsidiary

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's health supplement and beauty products maker, Adapt, has established a subsidiary in Sacramento, California to expand its sales channels in the U.S. market. The Korean firm announced on Tuesday that it had completed the establishment of Adapt US. The company plans to launch an online store in the U.S. and enter multi-brand shops. Adapt is known for its health supplement brand Foodology and men's grooming brand OBgE. The c

July 3, 2024

Korean firms to form new body for small modular reactor business

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Korean companies and public institutions involved in nuclear energy agreed on Wednesday to establish an association to support the small modular reactor (SMR) business, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said. The SMR Alliance, a public-private cooperative body, discussed various measures to accelerate the development of next-generation reactors during a meeting in Seoul marking its first anniversary. The group decided to reorganize itself into

July 3, 2024

LG Electronics acquires Dutch smart home platform to lead AI home era

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - LG Electronics said Wednesday it has recently purchased an 80 percent stake in Athom, a Dutch smart home platform company. The acquisition aims to combine Athom's open smart home ecosystem with LG's artificial intelligence-powered appliances and generative AI to create an "AI Home" experience. LG also signed to acquire the remaining 20 percent within three years. Athom's Homey Pro hub connects over 50,000 appliances and Interne

July 3, 2024

Samsung TV Plus introduces channel on panda family

SEOUL, July 03 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung TV Plus is launching a new Bao Family channel, featuring content from Everland's YouTube series "Talking Zoo Puppa TV." The channel, set to air on Wednesday, will showcase the daily lives of Everland Panda World's mascots: Le Bao, Ai Bao, Fu Bao, Rui Bao, and Hui Bao. Viewers can enjoy programs such as "Grandpop's POV (Point of View)," which focuses on zookeeper Kang Chul-won's interactions with Fu Bao, and

July 3, 2024

Virtual artist Suvi to debut with dance single 'Suncream'

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Suvi, a virtual artist created by Korean tech startup Studio Meta-K, will debut with the single "Suncream" on July 11. In this dance track, the 22-year-old digital being tells the story of a mermaid coming ashore in search of love but falling for summer instead. A teaser music video for the song will be released on Sunday. Suvi is a member of Studio MetaK's virtual artist group "Season." Standing at 170 centimeters (5'7"

July 3, 2024