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  EV fire in Korea sparks safety concerns, prompts industry, government action SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - A devastating electric vehicle (EV) fire has sparked safety concerns among Korean consumers, prompting the government and industry to strive to minimize the impact on an already sluggish market for green mobility. The incident took place in the underground parking garage of an apartment complex in Incheon, south of Seoul, on Aug. 1. The blaze started in an unplugged Mercedes-Benz electric car and took eight hours to extinguish. More than 20 people September 2, 2024
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  Yoon's approval rating stuck in doldrums, plummeting below 30% SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating fell below 30 percent, according to a survey released on Monday. Pollster Realmeter surveyed 2,513 people aged 18 and older across the country last week and found that some 29.6 percent feel Yoon is doing a good job, a decline of 0.4 percentage points from the previous week and is the second-lowest level since he took office in May 2022. It also marked the first time in nearly two years that his approval rat September 2, 2024
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  Health Ministry official tries to alleviate concerns over emergency room crisis SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Korea's intensive care units (ICUs), are not on the brink of a breakdown, despite complaints that many hospitals are struggling to operate emergency rooms properly, a Health Ministry official claimed on Monday. The claims came amid walkouts by trainee doctors protesting the government's radical reform plans over the admission quotas of medical school students. Some 2,645 ambulances were turned away from emergency rooms due to manpower shortages and September 2, 2024
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  Naver's map service sees surge among foreign travelers, outpacing Google Maps SEOUL, September 2 (AJP) - Usage of Naver's map service has increased significantly among foreign travelers. The number of daily active users of the service in foreign languages rose by approximately 30.8 percent to an estimated 6.89 million last month, compared to the same period last year, Korea's largest portal said on Sunday. A survey of about 1,200 foreign travelers to Korea, jointly conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organiza September 2, 2024
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  President Yoon refuses to attend Assembly opening ceremony SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - The 22nd National Assembly officially kicked off with a ceremony on Monday, but President Yoon Suk Yeol chose not to attend. This marked the first time since 1987 that a president has skipped such a ceremony. His absence comes amid ongoing disputes with rival and other opposition parties. Although the new Assembly was convened on May 30, the official event to inaugurate the Assembly was indefinitely delayed for about 95 days — the longest since 1987 &mda September 2, 2024
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  SM Entertainment to debut AI-powered virtual artist next week SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) – SM Entertainment, a major Korean talent agency, will debut its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual artist nævis with a digital single, "Done," on Sept. 10. On Thursday, SM Entertainment signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Uplus, a telecom operator, to produce various types of content, including music videos and short-form videos, for the digital human using LG Uplus' generative AI technology, "ixi-GEN." September 2, 2024
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  LG Electronics establishes heat pump research consortium in China SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - LG Electronics has established a heat pump research consortium in Harbin, China, as part of its efforts to expand its presence in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market, which is crucial for AI and high-capacity data centers. The launch of the Chinese Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research (CCAHR) marks the completion of LG's global research and development triangle for HVAC, following similar initiatives in Alaska, U.S., and Oslo September 2, 2024
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  Samsung Medison acquires French AI startup Sonio SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Samsung Medison, a Korean manufacturer of diagnostic ultrasound systems, said Monday that it has finalized the acquisition of Sonio, a French startup specializing in ultrasound diagnostic reporting and AI-assisted diagnosis. With this acquisition, the company aims to accelerate innovation in ultrasound imaging and reduce global healthcare disparities by expanding its AI solution portfolio. Sonio's FDA 510(k)-approved AI solution, "Detect," eva September 2, 2024
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  Korea's kimchi imports hit record high amid cabbage price surge SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Korea's kimchi imports have reached a record high in the first seven months of this year, rising nearly 7 percent compared to the same period last year, customs data showed on Monday. From January to July, kimchi imports totaled around 130 billion won ($98.47 million), up 6.9 percent year-on-year, according to the Korea Customs Service. The import volume increased by 6 percent to 173,329 tons during the same period, breaking the previous record of 172, September 2, 2024
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  Korean defense firms participate in major industry show in Poland SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Korea's leading defense companies are set to showcase their products at an industry fair in Poland this week, aiming to expand their footprint in the European market. The 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), one of Europe's largest defense exhibitions, will be held in central Poland from Tuesday to Friday. About 800 companies from 35 countries are expected to participate in the event in Targi Kielce, an exhibition and congress center. September 2, 2024