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  INTERVIEW: As pet culture evolves, a startup reshapes animal funeral care SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - At Four Paws Hwaseong, rows of small cabinets display photos capturing cherished moments of deceased pets. These once-beloved family members now rest peacefully, surrounded by flowers, toys, snacks and mementos from their lives. Through dignified funerals conducted by professional morticians, Petdoc seeks to support pets throughout their lifetimes, even beyond death, in a manner similar to human services. Founded in late 2016, the company launched its fl November 8, 2024
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  Ex-pollster with ties to first couple grilled by prosecutors SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Myeong Tae-kyun, the enigmatic figure at the heart of a widening political scandal engulfing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, appeared before prosecutors on Friday. The 54-year-old former pollster arrived at the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, where he is expected to face questioning regarding his relationships with the first couple. Expressing remorse for his past actions, Myeong stated, "I feel sorry to the peop November 8, 2024
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  K-pop band with hearing impairment to showcase AI-powered music at int'l event SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Big Ocean, a Korean boy band whose members have hearing impairments, has been invited to showcase how artificial intelligence can transform lives through music at a major international AI event in Geneva next year. The three-member group, which uses AI-powered voice conversion technology to produce its songs, will perform at the AI for Good Global Summit in July 2025. The meeting, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, brings together AI November 8, 2024
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  French, Canadian envoys mark end of WWI with warning on global tensions SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The French and Canadian embassies in Seoul marked the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I (1914- 1918) Friday reflecting on lessons from the Great War for today’s global hostilities. The solemn commemoration at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul drew dozens of attendees, including diplomats, military officials and members of the French and Canadian communities in South Korea. The event included a poetry reading by high school students, a m November 8, 2024
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  Nature Republic reports strong growth in Philippines, Mongolia SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Nature Republic reported its California Aloe Sun Stick sales tripled in the Philippines this year while the South Korean cosmetics retailer expanded its premium skincare line in Mongolia. The company, with 31 stores in the Philippines, held successful pop-up events in Manila in June and at Mongolia's Shangri-La Mall in May. It plans to open its 11th Mongolian store in November, featuring premium products including the Ginseng Royal Silk Gold Watery November 8, 2024
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  Naver reports record-high Q3 operating profit SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Korean tech giant Naver reported a record-high operating profit for the third quarter on Friday. The nation's largest internet portal announced that its consolidated revenue for the July to September period reached 2.7 trillion won ($1.9 billion), with an operating profit of 525.3 billion won and a net profit of 530.1 billion won. Compared to the same period in 2023, revenue increased by 11.1 percent. Operating profit and net income grew by 38.2 perc November 8, 2024
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  LG hosts global IT competition for youth with disabilities in Manila SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) - LG Electronics concluded its six-day Global IT Challenge for disabled youth Friday in Manila, drawing 104 participants from 16 countries to compete in six categories, including generative AI skills. Nur Zulzahirah Binti Mohd Anwar, 16, a hearing-impaired contestant from Malaysia, won the overall championship. "This was my first time participating in GITC, and I'm surprised and honored to be selected as a global IT leader," she said. She e November 8, 2024
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  PHOTOS: Ipdong signals onset of winter SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Thursday marked Ipdong, or the onset of winter, according to the traditional farming calendar. This day, the 19th of the 24 seasonal divisions in the traditional lunar calendar, traditionally signals the beginning of "gimjang" season—the annual tradition of making kimchi. November 7, 2024
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  PHOTOS: Seoul to lift greenbelt restrictions for new housing project SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - The Korean government plans to lift greenbelt restrictions in certain areas of Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province as part of efforts to build 50,000 new homes by 2031. The plan, announced Tuesday, includes about 2.2 million square meters in Seoul's Seoripul area, where 20,000 housing units will be created. It will mark the first time in 12 years that greenbelt protection has been removed in Seoul. November 7, 2024
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  Conference highlights deepening Korea-ASEAN ties SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - South Korea's relationships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were highlighted at a conference in Seoul on Thursday, focusing on enhanced collaboration and partnership across various sectors. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Secretariat, the conference, under the slogan of "Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Future," brought together hundreds of government officials, diplomats and other participant November 7, 2024