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  South Korea enforces world's first comprehensive AI law as industry braces for compliance SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea on Thursday became the first country to enforce a comprehensive artificial intelligence law, a landmark move that establishes sweeping transparency and safety obligations while industry players scramble to navigate its sprawling requirements. The Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of a Foundation for Trustworthiness, or the AI Basic Act, which took effect a year after its promulgation, governs everythin January 22, 2026
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  New catalyst design boosts hydrogen efficiency while cutting costs SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Researchers in South Korea have developed a new structure for catalysts that significantly reduces the amount of expensive precious metals required for hydrogen production and fuel cells. A team led by Professor Cho Eun-ae from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on January 21 that they have successfully created ultra-thin nanosheets that outperform traditional par January 21, 2026
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  Hyundai Mobis to develop 5G telematics system for autonomous, software-defined vehicles SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Hyundai Mobis said Wednesday it is developing an integrated 5G wireless telematics system aimed at next-generation connected vehicles, as automakers worldwide race to upgrade in-car communication technologies. The South Korean auto parts supplier plans to complete development of its multi-function telematics control unit by the first half of this year. The technology enables high-definition map services, remote autonomous driving control and ultra-HD stream January 21, 2026
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  The birth of humanoid robots (1) Robo Sapiens: EVs with brains Editor's Note: This is the first installment in AJP's series on humanoid robotics, examining the anatomy, technologies and economic logic behind one of the most hyped industries of the decade. SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Humanoid robots have become a buzzword at CES and beyond, captivating both technology and stock markets as artificial intelligence converges with China's formidable manufacturing power. This emerging breed of "robo sapiens" joining humanity &m January 20, 2026
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  Blockchain operator Sign estimates 2026 to be turning point for institutional asset tokenization SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Sign, a blockchain infrastructure provider, released a market analysis Tuesday projecting that 2026 will serve as a pivotal year for Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization, forecasting a shift from experimental pilots to full-scale institutional integration. The company stated that the digital asset sector is currently undergoing a structural transition. While recent years have focused on technical proof-of-concepts, Sign’s outlook suggests the coming January 20, 2026
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  SURVEY: 78% of S. Korean workers fear AI will worsen inequality SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - An overwhelming majority of South Korean office workers are worried that the spread of artificial intelligence will deepen inequality and widen the wealth gap. Gapjil 119, a civic group campaigning against workplace abuse, released the results Sunday of a survey conducted on 1,000 office workers nationwide. The poll, carried out by Global Research last October, highlights a stark level of anxiety regarding the impact of AI on the labor market. Accordin January 18, 2026
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  KAIST proposes global 'bridge' alliance to break US-China grip on AI SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - A consortium of international researchers has called for a new alliance of mid-sized nations to challenge the overwhelming dominance of the United States and China in artificial intelligence. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) released a policy report Sunday titled "A Blueprint for Multinational Advanced AI Development." The document, co-authored with scholars from the University of Oxford, Canada's Mila institu January 18, 2026
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  Kookmin University researchers turn cancer's hunger against itself to treat drug-resistant tumors SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Researchers at Kookmin University have developed a drug delivery platform that bypasses the defenses of hard-to-treat colorectal cancer by exploiting the tumor's own aggressive metabolism. Kookmin University announced on January 15 that the team, led by Professor Kim Ha-rin of the Department of Biopharmaceutical Science, successfully treated KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer in animal models using the new system. The findings were published in the January January 16, 2026
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  Researchers use laser light to sharpen radio telescope images of black holes SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - A joint research team led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a technology to significantly improve the resolution of radio telescopes using laser optics. By applying an "optical frequency comb" directly to telescope receivers, the researchers aim to capture sharper images of black holes and enhance precision in deep space exploration. KAIST announced on January 15 that the team, led by Professor Kim J January 16, 2026
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  LG, SK, Upstage shortlisted for Korea's sovereign AI model SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage have passed the first evaluation round of South Korea’s competition-style national project to select two homogeneous artificial intelligence foundation models by the end of the year. According to results announced Thursday by the Ministry of Science and ICT, three of the five contenders — Naver Cloud, NC AI, Upstage, SK Telecom and LG AI Research — advanced directly based on aggregate scores, while on January 15, 2026