UAE Embassy in Seoul offers AI-assisted consular service

SEOUL, June 4 (AJU PRESS) - The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Seoul has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) for visa issuance and other consular services, becoming the world's first embassy to do so. The embassy said last week that the AI-assisted services using facial recognition and hologram technologies will allow UAE nationals or other applicants to easily apply for visas and submit required documents through an AI-powered platform. The services are part of the UAE

June 4, 2024

LS Cable to invest 100 billion won in Donghae submarine cable factory expansion

SEOUL, June 4 (AJU PRESS) - LS Cable & System plans to invest about 100 billion won ($75 million) to expand its submarine cable factory in the eastern city of Donghae, Gangwon Province. The company signed an investment agreement with local authorities on Monday to fund the construction of a fifth submarine cable building, covering an area of 19,451 square meters (209,387 square feet). Upon completion in the second half of next year, the facility will quadruple LS Cable's

June 4, 2024

Seoul Tourism Organization launches new app for foreigners' travel pass

SEOUL, June 4 (AJU PRESS) - The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) announced on Wednesday the launch of a new mobile application for its Discover Seoul Pass, a tourist pass designed to provide foreign visitors with access to various attractions and facilities in Seoul at discounted rates or for free. According to the STO, the updated app aims to improve user convenience by offering a more mobile-friendly interface compared to the previous web view format. The app also introduces new f

June 4, 2024

Opinion: Mexico has elected its first female president. Claudia Sheinbaum inherits a country ravaged by violence – and searching for hope

SEOUL, June 4 (AJU PRESS) - On Oct. 17, 1953, constitutional reform granted women the right to vote in Mexico, and two years later, women cast ballots for the first time in a federal election. Now, nearly 70 years later, Mexico has elected a woman president for the first time, according to an official quick count. Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City with a PhD in energy engineering, is also the first Jewish person to lead Mexico, where 70 percent of the populatio

June 4, 2024

PHOTOS: Lawyers protest police probe

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) - The Korean Bar Association held a rally in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno, Seoul, on Monday, protesting the police investigation into lawyers who provided legal consultations to the Korean Medical Association. Police have recently summoned and questioned some lawyers who have been serving the doctors’ lobby, which is at odds with President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration over the government's plan to increase medical school enr

June 3, 2024

PHOTOS: Exhibition marks 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) - A special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty is being held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from April 13 to Aug. 13. The exhibition, based on the history of Sanrio, the creator of Hello Kitty, showcases the birth of Hello Kitty, various concept arts, vintage exhibits and related video materials. Alongside Hello Kitty, other popular characters such as My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin are also on display.

June 3, 2024

BTS leader RM's another solo album debuts at 5th on Billboard 200

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) — RM, the leader of Korean boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with his second solo album, the American music chart said last week. With the latest feat of his album "Right Place, Wrong Person" released late last month, RM became the first K-pop solo artist to have two consecutive top-5 hits on the chart including his first solo album "Indigo" in 2022 which debuted a

June 3, 2024

Hyodol provides AI robots to care for elderly people

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) - Korean robot maker Hyodol has provided its artificial intelligence-based robots, designed to care for elderly people, to 1,100 households in the southern province of South Jeolla. The provincial government has adopted its companion robots, also named Hyodol, as part of measures to address the challenges of an aging society, the company said Monday. The robots monitor and communicate with elderly people, reminding them to take medication and go for stro

June 3, 2024

PHOTOS: Inhale the Fragrant Blossoms at 2024 Rose Hour Festa

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) - The 2024 Rose Hour Festa is taking place at Rose Plaza in Olympic Park in eastern Seoul from May 18 to June 6. This open-air garden festival offers a wealth of sights and activities. The Rose Plaza, which opened in June 2010, is a relaxing space adorned with 18,500 roses of 165 varieties. The festival is held twice a year, in May and October, featuring various programs and events centered around the fragrant roses.

June 3, 2024

Seocho district in Seoul spearheads reform of large store regulations

SEOUL, June 3 (AJU PRESS) - Seoul's affluent Seocho district is poised to drastically loosen restrictions on the operating hours of large retail markets despite opposition from small vendors, a move that could have repercussions for other local authorities facing growing calls to overhaul the much-disputed regulations. On May 27, the ward office in southern Seoul announced a plan to reduce the night curfew for big-box stores and so-called super-supermarkets within the district

June 3, 2024