Joint research team develops high-performance electrode for EV and smartphone batteries

SEOUL -- A joint team of researchers has developed a high-performance electrode for lithium-ion batteries that are commonly used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The newly-developed anode, which is the positively-charged electrode, can significantly increase the performance of devices and the lifespan of batteries. Normally, lithium-ion batteries are produced by shaping the battery by coating and drying a mixture of active materials that chemically react to gene

January 31, 2023

US utility company AEP to receive $86 mln worth of transformers from Hyundai Electric

SEOUL -- Hyundai Electric, a domestic electrical equipment manufacturer and energy solution provider, has clinched an order worth 106.2 billion won ($86 million) to supply transformers to American Electric Power (AEP), a U.S.-based electricity utility company that oversees power distribution in 11 states. A total of 3,500 transformers crucial in power grids for residential areas will be provided to the U.S. company with some 5 million customers. Data cited by Hyundai Electric showe

January 31, 2023

IMF slashes South Korea's 2023 economic outlook to 1.7 percent

SEOUL -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its 2023 growth projection for South Korea to 1.7 percent from its earlier figure of 2 percent. The fund made the 0.3 percentage-point downward revision in a quarterly update to its World Economic Outlook report released in Singapore on January 31. It also revised down its 2024 outlook for Korea to 2.6 percent from the previous prediction of 2.7 percent. The lowered projection is in contrast to the IMF’s upward revi

January 31, 2023

[OPINION] Vietnam War: anniversary and legacies

KENOSHA, Wisconsin -- The Vietnam War ended officially on January 27, 1973, with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. The governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States, plus the revolutionary National Liberation Front (NLF, which included the military Viet Cong) were par

January 31, 2023

Researchers develop non-EMP anti-drone technology ideal for urban environments

SEOUL -- A team of researchers from a prominent state research institute has developed an anti-drone technology that can neutralize drones in mid-air without using electromagnetic pulse waves that can also damage nearby electronic devices. The technology can also be used for pinpointing enemy drones without risks of damaging ally unmanned aerial vehicles. Drones in urban areas can be really tricky to shoot down. Currently, the most effective way to take down a flying drone is to us

January 31, 2023

KT Skylife releases lightweight electric wheelchair for vulnerable road users

SEOUL -- KT Skylife, a satellite broadcasting provider affiliated with South Korea's major telecom company KT, rolled out a lightweight electric wheelchair that would help reduce the inconvenience of people with mobility problems. The smart wheelchair can travel up to 45 kilometers (27.9 miles) on a single charge and can be loaded into a small passenger car's trunk. The electric wheelchair weighing 30 kilograms (66.1 pounds) is called Auto Wheel. Using a Bluetooth-based con

January 31, 2023

Industrial output falls 1.6% in December amid economic slowdown

SEOUL -- Industrial production in South Korea decreased 1.6 percent in December 2022 from a month earlier as the manufacturing sector took the brunt of an economic downturn, according to data released by Statistics Korea on January 31. The fall was the steepest since industrial production declined 1.8 percent month-on-month in April 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came after industrial production increased 0.4 percent in November. Industrial productio

January 31, 2023

Marine ministry to invest $295.1 mln to accelerate distribution of eco-friendly vessels

SEOUL -- South Korea's marine ministry will inject 362.3 billion won ($295.1 million) into the private and public sectors in 2023 to accelerate the development and deployment of eco-friendly vessels that use liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, or electricity as their main source of fuel in a bid to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by 50 percent in 2050, compared to the total amount (11.8 million tons) emitted by ships in 2017. Through a 30-year roadmap to go drastically red

January 30, 2023

Domestic service industry suffers cumulative trade deficit of $252 billion

SEOUL -- The domestic services industry needs to take measures to reduce its snowballing trade deficit, the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) said in a report on January 29. The KEF estimated the services sector’s cumulative trade shortfall at $252.9 billion (321.3 trillion won) between 2000 and 2021. The figure was in contrast to an average surplus of $727.3 billion for G-7 industrialized countries. South Korea’s loss was less than Germany’s shortfall of $

January 30, 2023

Nongshim's Shin Ramyun pop-up store captivates young spicy instant noodle lovers

SEOUL -- Dressed in casual jackets and coats, young spicy food lovers flocked to an offline pop-up store filled with various games and products related to Shin Ramyun, a top South Korean brand of instant noodles well known for its spicy flavor. Despite the cold and rainy weather, some 50 people holding an umbrella visited the store where various items such as pop sockets and keyboard protectors with Shin Ramyun's brandmark engraved greeted them. Some of them took selfies with a sta

January 30, 2023