Unification Ministry snubs North Korea's warnings over alleged South Korean drones

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - The Ministry of Unification here on Monday strongly condemned North Korea's recent threats of "catastrophic consequences" over South Korean drones allegedly flying over Pyongyang. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a warning over the weekend, threatening that Seoul would face "terrible consequences" if drones from South Korea were detected in North Korea's airspace again. The latest threats came

October 14, 2024

Korea Zinc takeover battle reaches crucial deadline

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - A monthlong battle for control of Korea Zinc, the world's largest zinc smelter, reaches a critical juncture on Monday as a tender offer from a consortium led by its largest shareholder expires. Young Poong Corp. and private equity firm MBK Partners have offered 830,000 won ($612.30) per share for up to 14.61 percent of Korea Zinc's stock. The offer, which has been raised twice, concludes at 3:30 p.m. local time. In response, Korea Zinc Chairman C

October 14, 2024

Korean researchers develop ultra-cold gas storage technology

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - Korean scientists have developed a cryogenic turbo expander capable of cooling gases below minus 183 degrees Celsius, potentially revolutionizing alternative energy storage. Researchers at the government-backed Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) created the technology, which could reduce dependence on foreign imports in the global cryogenic cooling system market. The new expander uses a zero global warming potential refrigerant and an oi

October 14, 2024

Swedish minister observes Hyodol's AI-based elderly care robot

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) – Sweden's Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje recently visited a community welfare center in Seoul to observe an artificial intelligence-based care robot developed by Hyodol. Her visit aimed to understand Korea's approach to AI technology in elderly care as the country prepares for an aging society, the company said. During the event at the Gungdong Community Welfare Center on Sept. 30, Hyodol's CEO, Kim Ji-hee, expl

October 14, 2024

Hyundai Mobis, Zeiss to develop holographic windshield display for vehicles

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) – South Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. has signed a partnership with German optics firm Carl Zeiss A.G. to develop holographic windshield display technology for vehicles, with the aim of starting production by 2027. The technology will transform the entire windshield into a transparent display, showing driving information and entertainment content. It represents a significant advancement over existing heads-up displays (HUDs), which typically

October 14, 2024

OPINION: AI was central to two of 2024's Nobel prize categories. It's sign of things to come

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - The 2024 Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry have given us a glimpse of the future of science. Artificial intelligence (AI) was central to the discoveries honored by both awards. You have to wonder what Alfred Nobel, who founded the prizes, would think of it all. We are certain to see many more Nobel medals handed to researchers who made use of AI tools. As this happens, we may find the scientific methods honored by the Nobel committee depart from straigh

October 14, 2024

North Korea warns of 'catastrophe' over alleged South Korean drone flights

SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) -- Tensions spiked on the Korean Peninsula over the weekend as North Korea accused the South of multiple drone incursions, threatening immediate retaliation for any future occurrences. Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned Saturday of "terrible consequences" if South Korean drones are detected again over Pyongyang. "The moment a drone from the Republic of Korea is found again in the skies over ou

October 13, 2024

VISUALS: Han Kang's Nobel win sparks book-buying frenzy amid celebrative mood

SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - Bookstores across Seoul saw a surge in customers on Saturday following Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature win. Many of the 53-year-old's works, including her internationally acclaimed novel "The Vegetarian," were sold out at major bookstores. Yonsei University, Han's alma mater, hung congratulatory banners on campus to celebrate their distinguished alumna's achievement.

October 12, 2024

Biden proposes trilateral summit with Yoon, Ishiba

SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed holding a trilateral summit with the leaders of South Korea and Japan later this year, a South Korean presidential official said Saturday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed the proposal to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a state dinner on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos on Thursday, according to the official. Yoon responded positively, sayin

October 12, 2024

Nobel laureate Han Kang shuns celebrations, citing global crises

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - South Korean novelist Han Kang, the first woman from Asia to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, expressed her deep gratitude on Friday for the outpouring of congratulatory messages following her award. In a statement released by her publishers, Han said she was "overwhelmed" by the warm reception to the news. "I was surprised when I first received the call," she said. "After hanging up, the reality and emotion slowly sank in.&quo

October 11, 2024