S. Korean government's decision to increase medical school admissions sparks mass resignation of doctors

SEOUL -- To oppose the South Korean government's decision to increase the admission capacity of medical school students to around five thousand, from the current three thousand, residents at major hospitals are joining a mass resignation movement. The resident doctors' mass rally will cause chaotic situations at major hospitals, resulting in delayed or postponed surgeries and treatments. A similar chaotic situation occurred in early 2020 when former President Moon Jae-in p

February 20, 2024

'MWC' to become showcase venue for 165 S. Korean tech companies

SEOUL -- A total of 165 companies from South Korea will participate in the Mobile World Congress, an annual mobile device exhibition held in Barcelona from February 26 to February 29. Alongside conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, KT, and SK Telecom, small and medium-sized enterprises and startups will showcase high-tech solutions at the annual event. According to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Industry Association (KICTA), 165 South Korean companies will

February 19, 2024

S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market

SEOUL -- South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50. Diehl Defence led the IRIS-T development project which involves members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This advanced missile boasts a maximum spee

February 19, 2024

S. Korea's election governing body warns of AI-based 'Deepfake' content surge

SEOUL -- South Korea's state-operated election governing body has sent out a strong warning against Deepfake, artificial intelligence-generated content using facial and physical images of real-life people. Deepfake is an AI-based technique used to create fake videos or images that look incredibly real. It works by taking a real-life person's face and superimposing it onto another person's body in a video or picture. This can make it seem like a famous person is saying

February 19, 2024

S. Korean presidential office anticipates supply chain cooperation with Cuba for EV batteries

SEOUL -- South Korea's presidential office aspires to cooperate in the mineral supply chain sector following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba. The Latin American country, well-known for its socialist and communist roots, is the world's fifth-largest producer of nickel, a critical material for secondary batteries, rechargeable batteries that are mainly used for the operation of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Along with manganese and cobalt,

February 19, 2024

BTS' J-Hope writes heartfelt letter to fans to commemorate birthday

SEOUL -- BTS member Jeong Ho-seok, known by his stage name J-Hope, has written a heartfelt letter to fans awaiting the discharge of the 30-year-old dancer from the military. Like any other ordinary South Korean man, Jeong is serving his country as a conscripted soldier. J-Hope began his mandatory military service in April 2023. He was the second BTS member to enlist after Jin, who joined the Army in December 2022. Due to South Korea's technical state of war with North Korea, a

February 19, 2024

S. Koreans express fury towards national football association head over coach Klinsmann's dismissal

SEOUL -- South Korean football fans are expressing outrage towards Chung Mong-gyu, the head of the country's football association who notified Jurgen Klinsmann, the former head coach of the national men's football team, of his dismissal. Although the German coach was sacked amid controversies over his insufficient leadership, football fans claim the football federation's president bears greater responsibility. The 59-year-old German coach was fired by the Korea Footbal

February 16, 2024

Number of working S. Korean elderly reaches 5.7 mln in January 2024, up 6 percent year-on-year

SEOUL -- Recent data released by South Korea's state statistical information service has shown that the number of working South Koreans aged 60 and older reached 5,404,000 as of January 2024, up six percent compared to the same period last year. However, employed South Koreans in their 20s decreased by 1.3 percent year-on-year. South Korea is facing rapid aging, with estimates indicating that by 2073, about 30 percent of the population will be aged 75 years and older. This dem

February 16, 2024

Robot maker Robotis provides autonomous delivery robot to Japanese hospital

SEOUL -- GAEMI, an autonomous delivery robot created by South Korea's robot developer Robotis, has been deployed at a general hospital run by Japan's major medical group Tokushukai. Depending on the result of the test run, the Japanese hospital will adopt the self-driving robot, which can travel between floors using an elevator. Robotis said in a statement Shonan Kamakura General Hospital would demonstrate GAEMI by February 22. The medical facility is located in Kanagawa,

February 16, 2024

BLACKPINK agency to seek new K-pop artists through audition in Japan

SEOUL -- Girl band BLACKPINK's agency YG Entertainment will collaborate with Japan's entertainment agency Avex to hold an audition in Japan. Regardless of nationality and gender, anyone born between 2003 and 2013 can apply for the audition, which seeks talented K-pop artists. YG Entertainment said the "YG x Avex Audition 2024" will take place in seven cities in Japan in April, starting in Sapporo on April 7. The other six cities include Nagoya, Fukuoka, Osaka, a

February 16, 2024