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  Billboard, Kakao Entertainment join hands to promote K-pop SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - The Billboard magazine has partnered with South Korea's Kakao Entertainment to boost the global presence of K-pop, the U.S. magazine said Friday. Billboard's President Mike Ven and Kakao Entertainment's co-CEO Joseph Chang have recently signed a partnership agreement on cooperation in Korean music-related content and promotion of K-pop artists' global activities. The two sides will also come up with a new K-pop-related business model. April 19, 2024
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  Paraguay to adopt Korean as second foreign language subject SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) – Paraguay will adopt Korean as a second foreign language for middle and high school students starting in August, Seoul officials said Friday. The education ministries of Korea and Paraguay have recently signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in providing Korean education in the South American country. Under the agreement, Paraguay will include Korean as a regular second foreign language option that can be taught in secondary-level April 19, 2024
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  Iran attack on Israel provokes new crisis KENOSHA, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - The direct attack by Iran on the territory of Israel may lead to an escalation of war in the fraught region of the Middle East. The encouraging news is that Israel in cooperation with Britain, the United States and – rather surprisingly – Jordan did an outstanding job of destroying the approximately 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran. This is dramatic testimony to the effectiveness of defensive anti-missile systems. On the other April 19, 2024
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  Opinion: Oman serves as crucial back channel between Iran and US as tensions flare in the Middle East SEOUL, April 19 (AJU PRESS) - Prior to launching a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel last week, Iran reportedly got word to Washington that its response to an earlier strike on its embassy compound in Syria would seek to avoid major escalation. The message was conveyed via the Gulf Arab state of Oman. The current crisis in the Middle East is one that officials in Oman have spent years trying to avoid. Located across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, and with close defense and April 19, 2024
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  Panda Cup essay contest to promote exchanges between Korean, Chinese youths SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - The annual essay contest aimed at promoting mutual understanding between Korean and Chinese youths began Thursday in Seoul. The Panda Cup competition is jointly hosted by Aju News Corporation and China International Communications Group. April 18, 2024
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  LS Materials breaks ground for EV aluminum parts factory in southern city SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - LS Materials, the materials-processing wing of Korea's LS Group, has broken the ground for an electric vehicle battery case component. Aluminum parts produced at the factory will provide protection for EV batteries that are vulnerable to external impacts. High-performance lithium-ion batteries, mainly used in EVs, can contain high levels of energy but they can easily combust when the battery casing is breached and internal components are damaged. April 18, 2024
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  Samsung to implement six-day workweek for executives  SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - Amid the sluggish global market, Samsung Group will implement its six-day workweek initiative for its executives. All executive personnel of Samsung's affiliates, except those in financial service units, will be required to work six days. This initiative aims to motivate executive management during crises, particularly considering the underperformance of major affiliates. In 2023, Samsung Electronics reported an operating loss of 15 trillion won ( April 18, 2024
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  Opinion: Will global oil supply be at risk if Iran and Israel pull the Middle East into war? SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following Iran's weekend missile and drone attacks on Israel, heightening concerns of a wider conflict. As with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, further conflict has the potential to destabilize oil prices and disrupt supply chains. In Australia, already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, the ripple effects could soon be felt. Rising oil prices lead to increased inflation, first affecting fuel April 18, 2024
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  Tech firms present AI solutions at 'World IT Show 2024' in Seoul SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - The "World IT Show 2024," the largest ever information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition in South Korea featuring 445 exhibitors from 10 countries, kicked off in Seoul on Wednesday for a three-day run. Hosted by the country's science ministry, the show embraces the theme "Innovation in Everyday Life, Created by AI." South Korean conglomerates are at the forefront, showcasing a variety of high-tech AI-powered soluti April 18, 2024
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  Opinion: Ukraine is losing the war and the west faces a stark choice: help now or face a resurgent and aggressive Russia SEOUL, April 18 (AJU PRESS) - Ukraine is now experiencing a level of existential threat comparable only to the situation immediately after the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. But in contrast to then, improvements are unlikely – at least not soon. Not only have conditions along the frontline significantly worsened, according to the Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, but the very possibility of a Ukrainian defeat is now discussed in public by people April 18, 2024