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  Badminton ace An Se-young wins gold in women's singles at Paris Olympics SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - Badminton player An Se-young won gold in the women's singles, at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France on Monday. The world's top-ranked player dominated the final match against He Bingjiao of China to win her first Olympic gold medal. An's 2-0 victory (21-13, 21-16) also ended Korea's 28-year gold medal drought in the sport's singles event, since Bang Soo-hyun's gold in 1996. A day earlier, Spanish favorite Carolina Mar&iac August 5, 2024
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  VISUALS: Krafton opens PUBG-themed pop-up store in Seoul SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - Krafton, the company behind the popular battle royale game "PUBG: Battlegrounds," launched a pop-up store, called PUBG Seongsu, in Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong last Thursday. The store, open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays until August 18, features a jungle-themed space inspired by the game's Sanhok map. Visitors can experience various activities, including a surfing simulation, arcade games based on in-game items, an August 5, 2024
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  PHOTOS: COEX Starfield Library crowded amid sweltering heatwave SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - The COEX Starfield Library was crowded with people seeking refuge from the heat last Friday as the nation was hit by sweltering weather, which prompted the weather agency to issue heat wave advisories for many parts of the country. August 5, 2024
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  N. Korea deploys hundreds of missile launchers to frontline units SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - North Korea said it has deployed 250 new mobile launchers for ballistic missiles to frontline military units, the reclusive country said Monday. Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended a ceremony the previous day to commemorate the transfer of the new launchers. It quoted Kim as saying, "If the U.S. ignores our repeated warnings and continues to attempt to undermine the security of the region, it will have di August 5, 2024
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  VISUALS: Chrome balloon spectacles at Mega Boopoo exhibition SEOUL, August 05 (AJU PRESS) - The Mega Boopoo exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) showroom in Seoul runs from July 10 to August 25. Featuring a giant inflatable character made of thousands of chrome balloons and a 5-meter centerpiece, the event offers hourly dynamic displays with special effects, including powerful fans and lighting. August 5, 2024
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  Korean beauty brand Amuse aims to triple US revenue after Shinsegae acquisition SEOUL, August 05 (AJU PRESS) - Amuse, a Korean beauty brand known for its official model Jang Won-young of the K-pop girl band IVE, aims to boost its U.S. revenue by 200 percent by 2025 by leveraging the marketing network and expertise of Shinsegae International, which is set to become its parent company. Shinsegae International said Friday that it will acquire 100 percent of the shares in Amuse for 71.3 billion won ($51.9 million). Currently, Amuse's largest shareholder is Snow August 5, 2024
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  Korean coffee franchises expand overseas amid K-food popularity SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - As "K-food" gains global traction, domestic coffee chains are accelerating their international expansion, leveraging diverse menus and localized offerings to capture new markets. In May, Hollys opened its first overseas store in Osaka, Japan, targeting the country's youth with Korean-style cafes and desserts. The shop features unique items like Yakgwa Cream Latte, which has become a bestseller. Ediya Coffee launched its first franchise August 5, 2024
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  Seoul stocks plunge the most in 16 years amid US recession fears SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's benchmark KOSPI index plummeted 8.77 percent, marking the largest single-day drop in 16 years, on Monday amid growing fears of a U.S. economic recession. The KOSPI closed at 2,441.55, down 234.64 points from the previous trading day. It was the largest percentage drop since Oct. 24, 2008, when the index fell 10.57 percent amid the global financial crisis. The point drop was the biggest in history, surpassing the previous record of 133. August 5, 2024
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  Koreans advised to evacuate Israel, Lebanon amid escalating tensions in Middle East SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Korean residents and visitors in Lebanon and Israel to leave the countries immediately on Sunday. The measure came after a meeting chaired by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun on the same day. Amid heightened tensions in the region after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader in Tehran last week, the region is bracing for a possible re August 5, 2024
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  Korean kimchi exports hit record high in the first half SEOUL, August 5 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's kimchi exports reached a record high in the first half of 2024, led by the United States and other Western markets, according to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT). Industry experts attribute the surge to the growing popularity of Korean pop culture and increased awareness of kimchi as a health food following the COVID-19 pandemic. Kimchi exports totaled 23,900 tons from January to June, marking a 4.8 percent i August 5, 2024