Self-driving bus in Seoul's satellite city garners passengers' love

SEOUL -- Two self-driving buses demonstrated in Pangyo, a town district in a satellite city south of Seoul, has carried more than 10,000 passengers since its launch on July 17, 2023. The autonomous bus called "PanTa-G Bus" travels through a 5.9 kilometer (3.7 mile)-route in Pangyo Techno Valley, a high-tech industrial complex where traffic is heavily congested during commuting hours. In April 2021, Pangyo was designated as a demonstration zone for autonomous vehicle techno

November 23, 2023

S. Korea's annual whisky import volume to exceed 30,000 tons for first time

SEOUL -- The popularity of whisky among young South Korean consumers was reflected in the volume of whisky that was imported between January and October 2023. According to South Korea's customs office, the total annual whisky import volume in 2023 will reach 30,000 tons. Whisky, which is more expensive compared to beer and Soju, traditional Korean liquor, was regarded as luxury goods in South Korea. The foreign spirit was normally served to important guests or was mainly consu

November 23, 2023

Number of overseas stores operated by S. Korean convenience store chain CU surpasses 500

SEOUL -- The number of overseas stores run by the operator of South Korea's major convenience store franchise CU exceeded 500. The franchise operator "BGF Retail" currently has 370 stores in Mongolia and 140 in Malaysia. The company will launch its first shop in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2024. According to data released by BGF Retail, there is a high demand for Korean food at its overseas stores. At its Malaysian stores, Korean ready-to-cook food items including

November 23, 2023

N. Korea vows to make S. Korea 'dearly pay' for suspending 2018 inter-Korean military accord

SEOUL -- North Korea has sent out a strong warning towards South Korea, claiming that Seoul "must dearly pay for its "irresponsible and grave political and military provocations." The announcement was made to show Pyongyang's anger towards South Korea partially suspending the September 19th Pyongyang Declaration to scrap the no-fly zone established around the Military Demarcation Line, about 17 hours after North Korea successfully launched a military spy satellite in

November 23, 2023

BLACIPINK receives prestigious British order from King Charles III

SEOUL -- King Charles III has awarded K-pop girl band BLACKPINK for its significant contributions to raising awareness about global climate change. The four-member band served as the ambassador for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, a global summit chaired by Britain to address and tackle environmental challenges. BLACKPINK received the prestigious award on November 22 during South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United Kingdom (UK). All four

November 23, 2023

[OPINION] Thanksgiving and Lincoln's Legacy

KENOSHA -- Thanksgiving means actual, not contrived, inclusiveness. President Abraham Lincoln profoundly demonstrates this fundamental point. On October 3, 1863, the White Ho

November 22, 2023

[OPINION] Alberta steps forward as natural resources partner for Korean companies 

SEOUL -- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier this month between POSCO and Invest Alberta marks the beginning of what could evolve into a substantial and enduring partnership between Korea and the resource-rich Canadian province. Amidst global uncertainty fueled by climate change, international conflicts, and other factors affecting supply chains and food security, the timing of t

November 22, 2023

HD Hyundai Heavy to provide two 3600-ton class corvettes to Philippine Navy

SEOUL -- South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will provide two 3600-ton class corvettes for the Philippines' maritime forces by 2025. These two ships will be equipped with various weapon systems, including vertical launchers and active electronically scanned array radars that can detect a target object and collect information such as distance and speed to the target area. Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars allow radar beams to move around electronically.

November 22, 2023

Singer G-Dragon vows to take legal actions against malicious rumors about illegal drug use

SEOUL -- Singer G-Dragon has declared war against cyberbullies who maliciously defame the 35-year-old former BIGBANG member by spreading groundless rumors about a drug scandal. G-Dragon's warning was sent out about a week after police found no evidence of illegal use of drugs on the singer's hair and nail samples. The singer and actor Lee Sun-kyun, who became globally popular after his appearance in the academy-winning film "Parasite," directed by Bong Jun-ho, were

November 22, 2023

S. Korea to demonstrate smart delivery service in southern Seoul

SEOUL -- South Korea's transport ministry will start the demonstration of urban smart parcel delivery services using a micro fulfillment center, a small-sized logistic center, located in southern Seoul. The automated logistics center will become the base for quick-delivery services using six robots that sort and carry parcels inside the building. Fulfillment centers are small-sized buildings that have a storage area and a loading bay. Sometimes the small logistics centers have

November 22, 2023