North Korea threatens to permanently cut off border with South Korea

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - North Korea said it would "permanently shut down and block the southern border" as part of a "self-defensive measure," the isolated country's state media reported on Wednesday. The move comes amid strained tensions between the two Koreas, which has worsened since North's summit with the U.S. in Hanoi collapsed in February 2019. Relations have further deteriorated as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the North the "

October 10, 2024

Suspected North Korean hackers stole nuclear reactor info from South Korean firm

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) – Suspected North Korean hackers infiltrated a contractor for the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) in 2020 and 2024, stealing information on nuclear power plants, a Seoul lawmaker said Thursday. The cyberattacks, which took place in September 2020 and June 2024, targeted the contractor’s document centralization system designed to prevent technology leaks and malware infections, according to Choi Min-hee of the opposition Democr

October 10, 2024

OPINION: Google Deepmind founder shares Nobel prize in chemistry for AI that unlocks shape of proteins

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - The 2024 Nobel prize in chemistry has been awarded to three scientists for their work on describing and predicting proteins with the help of computers. One half of the prize goes to David Baker from the University of Washington in the U.S. "for computational protein design," with the other half jointly awarded to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper, both from Google Deepmind, U.K., "for protein structure prediction." Using computers to car

October 10, 2024

Hyundai Mobis to make debut at Paris Motor Show

SEOUL, October 9 (AJP) - Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. said Wednesday that it will participate in the Paris Motor Show for the first time, aiming to accelerate its expansion into the European market. The company, affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, plans to showcase 10 strategic technologies during the Oct. 14-18 event, including next-generation electric vehicle (EV) drive systems and battery system assemblies (BSA). Hyundai Mobis said it will operate a booth for pre

October 9, 2024

Saudi prince visits Naver's futuristic office to explore advanced technologies

SEOUL, October 9 (AJP) - Saudi Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf on Tuesday visited Naver 1784, a futuristic office featuring various advanced technologies owned by Naver, the largest web portal in Korea. The Saudi prince, serving as the mayor of Riyadh Region, explored innovative technologies, including digital twin solutions and a dual-arm robot. Naver plans to establish its digital twin platform for five Saudi cities, laying the foundation for developing essential service

October 9, 2024

PHOTOS: Ottoman-style Mehter band performs at War Memorial of Korea

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - The Ottoman Mehter Band performed at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul on Tuesday. Dressed in traditional Ottoman attire, the ensemble presented a 30-minute show featuring military music and a rendition of "Arirang," accompanied by precise marching formations. These bands, known collectively as mehterân, are considered the world's oldest military marching bands. Historically, they led Ottoman forces into battle to boost morale.

October 8, 2024

Türkiye's iconic military band performs at Seoul's War Memorial

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - The Ottoman Mehter Band, the world’s oldest military marching band, performed at Korea’s National War Memorial in central Seoul on Tuesday. Diplomats, military attachés from various embassies, and a large audience attended the event. Türkiye’s Mehter Band, which dates back to the 13th century, is celebrated as a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, reflecting the unity of its people. The band is known for boosting soldiers' morale

October 8, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul event marks Veterans Week

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs kicked off a two-day event Tuesday to commemorate Veterans Week, which takes place in the second week of October. First observed in 2012, Veterans Week aims to enhance veterans' pride and raise public awareness of their contributions. The event at COEX in Seoul features various programs, including a changing of the guard ceremony with 16 models in military uniforms, presentations on veteran support policies, opport

October 8, 2024

LG Electronics estimates 20% decline in operating profit

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) – LG Electronics estimated on Tuesday that its third-quarter operating profit dropped 20.9 percent year-on-year to 751.1 billion won ($556 million), largely due to soaring shipping costs and increased marketing expenses. In its preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2024, LG reported that sales are expected to reach a record high of 22.18 trillion won, a 10.7 percent increase from the previous year, according to a regulatory filing. Th

October 8, 2024

Ambassador lodges complaint as China lays claim to authentic South Korean dishes

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - The government has expressed concerns to China over its attempts to list traditional South Korean dishes as part of its own intangible cultural heritage. South Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho said he lodged an official complaint on Monday, as such attempts have sparked controversy here. "We are closely monitoring the matter to address any historical distortions preemptively and take appropriate actions," Chung said. He added the embassy is

October 8, 2024