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  [K-Pop] IVE to drop new album late this month SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - K-pop girl group IVE will release a new album later this month, their agency Starship Entertainment said Friday. Slated for release on Aug. 25, the album, dubbed "IVE Secret," is expected to feature songs with summer vibes, although no details have been disclosed. To create buzz ahead of its release, a teaser poster was also unveiled, featuring six members holding various props such as a tumbler, an animal-shaped object, and a toy gun, piquing cu August 1, 2025
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  S. Korea moves to legislate 'K-Steel Act' as U.S. tariff hike threatens steel exports SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korean lawmakers are pushing for a new legislative measure known as the "K-Steel Act" to support the domestic steel industry amid rising trade pressure from the United States' high tariffs and a flood of cheap Chinese imports. According to political sources on Friday, Rep. Eoh Ki-gu of the Democratic Party and Rep. Lee Sang-hwi of the People Power Party plan to introduce a bipartisan bill to protect domestic steel production on August 4. August 1, 2025
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  South Korea sees July export volume grow 5.9 percent on strong chip demand SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - South Korea's exports rose 5.9 percent in July from a year earlier to $60.82 billion, marking the second consecutive month of growth despite concerns over impending U.S. tariffs, trade ministry data showed Friday. Semiconductors drove the export surge, posting a 31.6 percent year-on-year increase to $14.71 billion, recording the highest July performance ever, aided by strong demand for high-value memory chips such as high bandwidth memory chips and price August 1, 2025
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  All tours suspended as Cheong Wa Dae undergoes renovation ahead of Lee's move-in SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - Public access to the former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul was halted on Friday as renovation work begins ahead of President Lee Jae-myung's move-in to the compound. Lee, who took office in early June in the wake of the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, was unable to immediately use the compound due to the need to enhance security and overhaul facilities and has been te August 1, 2025
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  [K-Tech] Samsung to launch XR headset and tri-fold phone in second half SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will release extended reality headsets and tri-fold smartphones in the second half of 2025 as part of an aggressive expansion of its Galaxy ecosystem, the tech giant said Friday. The company also plans additional mergers and acquisitions to strengthen new business areas including artificial intelligence, medical technology, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Samsung's Mobile Experience division reported second-qu August 1, 2025
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  President Lee to take five-day summer break starting August 4 SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will take a five-day summer vacation next week but plans to stay updated on key national affairs throughout the break, according to the presidential office. "President Lee will be on summer leave from August 4 to 8," the office said on Saturday. "Starting from the weekend of August 2, he will stay on Jeodo Island in Geoje, where he plans to reflect on the current political landscape and spend time recharg August 1, 2025
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  [K-Tech] S. Korea selects 8 ESS sites totaling 563MW to support renewable energy expansion SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Power Exchange on Thursday confirmed plans to deploy 563 megawatts (MW) of energy storage systems (ESS) nationwide, a move aligned with the government's long-term strategy to bolster renewable energy infrastructure. The announcement followed a bidding committee meeting held on July 31. The centralized bidding system, introduced in 2023, initially covered three pilot sites on Jeju Is August 1, 2025
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  Top diplomats from South Korea, US meet ahead of Lee's upcoming summit with Trump SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday for their first talks since President Lee Jae-myung took office in early June. Stressing the unwavering alliance between the two countries, Cho and Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and expressed concern over the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. They also agreed August 1, 2025
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  [K-Pop]  ILLIT drops new version of hit song 'jellyous' featuring singer-songwriter Sophie Powers SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - K-pop group ILLIT released a new version of its hit track "jellyous" featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Sophie Powers on Thursday, August 1 at 1 p.m. The original version of "jellyous" appeared on ILLIT’s third mini album "BOMB," released in June. With its catchy melody and high-energy choreography, the track has drawn strong attention from fans. The newly unveiled version brings a different texture, combining ILLIT&rs August 1, 2025
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  [K-Pop] LE SSERAFIM sells out Manila concert, drawing rare response in Philippines SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - SEOUL, Jul. 25 (AJP) – South Korean girl group LE SSERAFIM has sold out its upcoming Manila concert in a matter of moments, a rare outcome even in the increasingly active K-pop scene in the Philippines. The five-member group, Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae, is set to perform on Aug. 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of its 2025 "EASY CRAZY HOT" Asia tour. The local promoter Applewood said in a statement, &quo August 1, 2025