Lotte's TV home shopping channel adopts virtual fashion model targeting young consumers

SEOUL -- The home shopping channel of South Korea's conglomerate Lotte has selected virtual model Lucy as the host for a TV show designed to promote popular fashion brands for young consumers. The virtual human with about 171,000 Instagram followers interacts with viewers on Lotte Homeshopping's weekly TV show "Lucy Talk Live" to sell trendy fashion items, such as sweaters and zip-up hoodies. Lucy, created by synthesizing a face with an image of a real per

February 13, 2024

Hyundai and Kia cars top maximum range test for EVs

SEOUL -- Three electric vehicle models released by Hyundai auto group have dominated a range evaluation test conducted by an American online automotive information company. Data released by the automotive website Edmunds on February 12 showed that Hyundai's Ioniq 6 rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model topped the list for the test for maximum electric vehicle range. This EV model recorded a maximum range of 1,396 kilometers (867 miles) with one hour of charging. Kia's EV6 RWD mo

February 13, 2024

SK On partners with US graphite company to prepare for Inflation Reduction Act  

SEOUL -- SK On, the battery-making unit of South Korea's third-largest conglomerate SK Group, has partnered with Westwater Resources, a United States-based graphite producer, to secure natural graphite, one of essential materials for electric vehicle batteries. The two sides' partnership is in response to the U.S. government's Inflation Reduction Act. The inflation reduction act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, offers tax credit

February 12, 2024

S. Korean defense industry secures $42 mln export deal from Middle East through online counseling

SEOUL -- South Korean companies secured an export deal worth about $42 million through online business counseling before presenting their solutions at a major defense exhibition in the Middle East. After the online consultation, the domestic firms took part in the defense event in Saudi Arabia, with more than 700 exhibitors from over 45 nations. According to KOTRA, a state-run trade promotion agency, 15 South Korean companies advised 24 Middle Eastern buyers ahead of the "Wor

February 12, 2024

Eastern cities push to popularize hydrogen vehicles through subsidies for some 30 cars

SEOUL -- Donghae City and Gangneung City, two of South Korea's picturesque seaside locales situated along the East Coast, are set to entice consumers to invest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles through substantial subsidies. Each hydrogen vehicle will be eligible for a generous subsidy of about 34.5 million won ($25,881). In 2019, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in introduced a new energy roadmap aimed at fostering the country's "hydrogen economy," with the o

February 11, 2024

Online apparel shopping mall operator to make foray into offline department stores and shopping complexes

SEOUL -- Musinsa, a leading South Korean online apparel store operator, has announced its expansion into offline retail as part of its strategic growth plans. The move aims to position the company for increased competition in the fashion industry, particularly against other affordable clothing brands, including sub-labels operated by major clothing companies. Established in 2003 as a small online fashion community, Musinsa has since evolved into a popular online shopping mall, gai

February 11, 2024

S. Korea adopts culinary robot for instant noodles Ramyeon on highway rest stop

SEOUL -- South Korea's expressway operator has adopted a robot chef that can cook the country's iconic instant noodles known as Ramyeon at an expressway rest stop. The culinary robot, designed to reduce the burden of human workers and to provide the standardized taste, consistently stirs the noodles while they boil and places them into a bowl afterward. Ramyeon, featured in many South Korean movies including the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," is one of the main d

February 10, 2024

Exports of S. Korea's aircraft surpass $1 billion for first time in 2023

SEOUL -- Exports of South Korean aircraft soared 320.5 percent year-on-year to a record high of some $1 billion in 2023, state data showed. This marks the highest export figure since the development of the Buhwal, the first homemade aircraft crafted during the Korean War in 1953. According to data provided by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on February 10, South Korea's aircraft exports in 2023 totaled $1,010,000,000. Out of this sum, exports to Poland reached

February 10, 2024

70% of smartphone users used mobility service apps at least once: survey data

SEOUL -- A recent survey conducted by a smartphone app analyst firm unveiled that approximately 70% of South Korean smartphone users have utilized a mobility service app at least once. Mobility services, initially introduced in the country around a decade ago, are predominantly associated with taxi-hailing or ride-hailing services among South Korean individuals. One of South Korea's most renowned mobility service platforms is Kakao T, offering a comprehensive range of services

February 9, 2024

Ice and snow vehicle equipment become popular in S. Korea due to frequent snow

SEOUL -- As South Korea experiences colder temperatures and more frequent snowfall compared to previous years, data released by major ecommerce platforms indicates a surge in the popularity of ice and snow equipment for vehicles. December 2023 saw the country's largest snowfall on record, with a maximum accumulation of 12.2 centimeters (4.8 inches), followed by continued snowfall throughout January. While main streets in Seoul are typically cleared of snow promptly to prevent it

February 9, 2024