Girl band aespa to meet fans in metaverse K-pop fan community

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Girl band aespa will interact with global fans at a virtual K-pop hotel created on "Ifland," a metaverse platform developed by SK Telecom (SKT), starting on Monday. The Korean telecom operator announced the launch of the metaverse fan community titled "K-pop Hotel." This virtual fan community incorporates the unique features of K-pop artists using three-dimensional (3D) and extended reality (XR) technologies. The hotel spans 99 flo

June 10, 2024

Samsung offers smartphone translation service at department stores

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electronics Co. said on Monday it will offer an artificial intelligence-powered translation service for non-Korean speakers using its Galaxy S24 smartphones at Lotte Department Store branches. The service will be available from June 11 to July 10 at three department store branches and three outlets in Seoul, Busan, and Euwang, south of the capital. The Galaxy S24 series supports translation in 16 languages, including English, Chinese, Japane

June 10, 2024

AI reshaping newsrooms as publishers race to adapt

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) issued its annual report “Innovation in News Media World Report 2024-25" in late May, highlighting major challenges faced by the global news industry. The following is the first in a four-part series summarizing key insights from the report. This first installment focuses on AI-powered newsrooms. – Ed. SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Newsrooms around the world are being upended by artificial intelligence (AI) at

June 10, 2024

Inter-Korean tensions rise as S. Korea resumes propaganda broadcasts

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - Inter-Korean tensions are escalating as South Korea resumed propaganda broadcasts near the border with North Korea on Sunday in a tit-for-tat action after North Korea re-launched balloons carrying trash and garbage southwards. As Pyongyang has shown histrionics toward the propaganda broadcasts, some have warned of potential local skirmishes or clashes in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the broadcasts went

June 10, 2024

Opinion: Chinese journalist who raised alarm over COVID is in hiding: is the world noticing?

SEOUL, June 10 (AJU PRESS) - China has finally "freed" citizen journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed in 2020 for filming and writing about the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. The charity Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which had campaigned for her release, said it continued to be concerned by her situation, as she remains under strict surveillance by the authorities. RSF added that "partial freedom is not freedom at all." It called for diplomatic intervention &q

June 10, 2024

PHOTOS: Last remaining shantytown in Seoul set for major redevelopment

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - In the shadows of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district sits Guryong Village, the last remaining shantytown in the Korean capital and a stark reminder of the economic inequalities that persist despite the city's wealth. The makeshift slum settlement at the foot of Mt. Daemo was formed by displaced residents forced from their homes during redevelopment projects for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Olympics. While luxury apartments tower just across the street, Gury

June 7, 2024

PHOTOS: Cheonggyecheon turns into outdoor library

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - The beloved Cheonggyecheon stream that winds through downtown Seoul is transformed into a huge outdoor library every Friday and Saturday from April 18 to Nov. 10 as part of the city's efforts to promote reading and foster a literary culture. During the Seoul Outdoor Library event organized by Seoul Metropolitan Library, visitors can enjoy reading while listening to the sound of water and music. It features around 2,000 diverse books, including picture books

June 7, 2024

LG Uplus, GIST to establish AI-powered metaverse platform

SEOUL, June 07 (AJU PRESS) - LG Uplus, a telecom operator, has partnered with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to establish an artificial intelligence-based metaverse platform for tech-savvy young students. The two sides recently signed a cooperation agreement designed to enhance the educational experience for students adept at remote learning by providing an immersive virtual world, the company said. The artificial intelligence capabilities of GIST, locate

June 7, 2024

PHOTOS: Faker Temple honors esports legend

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - Faker Temple, which honors esports legend Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker, of T1, has been established at the HiKR Ground in central Seoul. Celebrating the first professional player inducted into the League of Legends Hall of Fame, the event will run from May 29 to June 16. Visitors can experience the Faker Exam, a Worship Faker zone, and various other programs, activities, and merchandise.

June 7, 2024

U.S. expert defends projection of huge oil, gas reserves off Korean coast

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - A U.S. geological expert on Friday reasserted his projection of potentially vast oil and gas reserves off Korea's eastern coast as the government strives to address doubts following this week's announcement of an exploratory drilling plan. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday announced the discovery of the prospects based on U.S. geoscience consulting firm ACT-Geo's projection that as much as 14 billion barrels-equivalent of gas and oil may be bu

June 7, 2024