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  KAIST researchers solve solar cell dilemma by achieving 25% efficiency and long-term stability SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have addressed a long-standing trade-off in solar technology where increasing energy efficiency often leads to a shorter lifespan. The team succeeded in developing a high-efficiency perovskite solar cell that maintains performance over time by precisely controlling the internal structure of a protective surface layer. KAIST announced Tuesday that a joint research team led by Disti March 24, 2026
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  High schoolers sit for nationwide test to gauge their academic levels SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Over a million high school students nationwide took a test to assess their levels of academic achievement. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, some 1.22 million students from 1,948 high schools across 17 metropolitan and provincial cities sat for the test on Tuesday. The nationwide test is conducted several times a year in a format similar to the annual university entrance exam later in the year, often considered a life-deciding te March 24, 2026
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  Samsung Electronics showcases joint HVAC solutions with newly acquired FläktGroup at MCE 2026 SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions jointly with FläktGroup at the MCE 2026 exhibition in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday. The event marks the first joint showcase since Samsung's acquisition of the climate control firm in November. Samsung is displaying a centralized HVAC system that connects FläktGroup's five indoor units with its own outdoor units, such as the DVM S2+, managed March 24, 2026
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  DAY6's Wonpil to release solo EP "Unfiltered" on March 30 SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - K-pop band DAY6 member Wonpil has treated fans on Tuesday by offering an unexpected gift, a glimpse at this upcoming solo album scheduled to be released on March 30. The track preview for the 31-year-old's new album called "Unfiltered" was released through a video uploaded through the group’s official social media channels. The teasers featured snippets of all seven songs on the album, including the title track "Love Ward." March 24, 2026
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  Gov't mulls export restrictions on naphtha amid supply disruptions SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The government is considering imposing restrictions on exports of naphtha amid supply shortages as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East drags on. At a press briefing at the government complex in the administrative city of Sejong on Tuesday, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "We are discussing with relevant ministries steps to take, which would include restrictions on exports and a ban on hoarding." Naphtha, a primary raw materia March 24, 2026
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  Korea braces for fertilizer crunch on top of energy crisis in Gulf fallout SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - As the Middle East war drags into its third week, the extensive closure of Strait of Hormuz is no longer just an energy story. Beneath the surface, it is beginning to choke the fertilizer supply chain that underpins global food production — a shift that could soon translate into higher food prices for import-dependent economies like South Korea. About 40 percent of South Korea's urea and ammonia — key inputs for nitrogen fertilizers — mo March 24, 2026
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  'Baby Shark' creator Pinkfong garners more than 210 billion views, 300mln subscribers SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The Pinkfong Company, the creator of global children's hit "Baby Shark" song, has surpassed 210 billion cumulative views and 300 million subscribers, highlighting the global popularity of the online content that united children across the globe for more than a decade, the company said Tuesday. Baby Shark gained global popularity through a combination of simple repetition, an easily recognizable melody, and strong visual synchronization, making March 24, 2026
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  Beyond HBM: The next AI memory race is already underway DAEJEON, March 24 (AJP) - High bandwidth memory (HBM) is what enabled the current artificial intelligence boom, giving chips the speed needed to train large-scale models. But as AI shifts from training to real-world deployment, the industry is running into a different constraint — not speed, but scale. That shift is beginning to redefine the competitive landscape. The next phase of the AI chip race may hinge not on HBM itself, but on what comes after it: high bandwidth flas March 24, 2026
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  Seoul gains traction as fine-dining destination SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Seoul is rapidly emerging as a destination for global gourmets, with interest in the city's fine dining rising sharply recently. According to an analysis by Singapore-based online travel agency Trip.com, searches for fine dining restaurants in Seoul are on the rise. The biggest increase came from Singapore at 22.2 percent from a year ago, followed by Japan at 21.7 percent, Thailand at 17.9 percent and Hong Kong at 15.7 percent. Among South Kore March 24, 2026
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  KITA launches Korea-India Exchange Committee to boost business cooperation SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced Tuesday that it has launched the Korea-India Exchange Committee in Seoul to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. The committee will operate through two groups: an India committee within KITA comprising 28 Korean companies either operating in or seeking entry into India, and a Korea committee under the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), made up of Indian companies interested in expanding int March 24, 2026