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  Kpop Demon Hunters makes No. 2 most trending search on Google in 2025 SEOUL, December 06 (AJP) - Google’s Year in Search 2025 revealed a digital world captivated by culture clashes, political shocks and breakout entertainment — and Korea’s cultural engine once again emerged as one of the year’s dominant global forces. While U.S. political turmoil topped America’s trending list, Korean pop culture and gaming IP cemented their global imprint: Netflix’s animated “KPop Demon Hunters” surged to No. 2 in the December 6, 2025
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  Korea draws Mexico, South Africa and European playoff winner, all World Cup games in Mexico SEOUL, December 06 (AJP) - South Korea landed in what many analysts consider a manageable Group A for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, avoiding global powerhouses and setting the stage for Hong Myung-bo’s squad to target its first-ever overseas quarterfinal run. At Friday’s draw held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Taegeuk Warriors were grouped with host nation Mexico, South Africa, and the yet-to-be-determined winner of European Playoff Path D—a December 6, 2025
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  Samsung widens lead in foldable market with latest Galaxy 7 SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics widened its commanding lead in the foldable smartphone segment it pioneered, capturing 64 percent of the global market in the third quarter with its latest Galaxy Z Fold7 despite intensifying competition from Chinese brands, research showed. Global foldable shipments rose 14 percent on-year in the July–September period — the highest quarterly volume to date — with Samsung’s book-type flagship exerting “o December 5, 2025
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  South Korea's LIG Nex1 seeks to localize chips for AESA, SAR radar systems SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 has launched a project to develop key semiconductors for active electronically scanned array (AESA) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems using fully domestic technology. The company said it signed agreements on Nov. 28 with the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute to co-develop X-band common monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and front-end module platforms for AESA radar, as well as December 5, 2025
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  Korea's CJ picks safe site for first U.S. Olive Young store to test offline popularity of K-beauty SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - CJ is taking a measured approach as it prepares to plant the Olive Young flag in the world’s largest beauty market, selecting Pasadena, California, as the location for its first U.S. store — a choice driven by demographic safety, retail compatibility and the growing appeal of Korean skincare across America’s diverse consumer base. “Pasadena is not far from downtown LA, has a relatively high share of high-income residents and a ret December 5, 2025
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  Quiet flight from Coupang after data breach deepens pain for small vendors SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Fallout from Coupang’s massive data breach is widening beyond consumers to tens of thousands of small vendors across South Korea who rely on the e-commerce giant as a primary sales channel and livelihood. The National Assembly Science and ICT Committee has scheduled another hearing on Dec. 17 to examine a growing number of complaints against Coupang, including difficulties in canceling subscriptions or discontinuing platform use. Lawmakers say the sc December 5, 2025
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  Asian stocks mostly gain while Nikkei slips on interest rate concerns SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed mixed on Friday, with most bourses, including South Korea's, posting gains, while Japan slipped amid uncertainty over its benchmark interest rate. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,096.13, up 1.68 percentage points from the previous session. Foreign investors buoyed the market with net purchases of stocks worth 770.7 billion Korean won ($524 million). The inflow appears to be driven by investors seeking other opport December 5, 2025
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  Low pay for AI talent is driving skilled workers overseas, BOK warns SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea offers the lowest wage premiums for artificial intelligence specialists among major advanced economies, placing the country at a disadvantage in the global battle for high-tech talent, the Bank of Korea said in a report released Friday. The analysis, presented at a seminar co-hosted with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for upgrading compensation systems and research environments to meet international standards. Using December 5, 2025
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  OPINION: Massive data breaches expose urgent need for stronger security and accountability SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - In early 2026, a man received a phone call from an unknown caller who appeared to know every detail about him, including his home address, online habits, and shopping patterns. This incident shows how phishing has evolved from random attacks to highly targeted schemes that exploit detailed personal information. Massive data breaches have affected millions in South Korea, involving major companies such as Coupang and SK Telecom. Similar incidents in the pu December 5, 2025
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  SK's battery recycling technology published in international journal SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korea's SK Innovation said Friday its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling technology has been published in the international journal Separation and Purification Technology. The company said conventional recycling processes for LFP batteries have struggled with environmental and cost burdens, including byproduct treatment and wastewater generation. Its newly developed method uses only water, carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide to s December 5, 2025