New compound may block coronavirus entry into cells

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Korean scientists have discovered a compound that could potentially block the entry of coronaviruses and other viruses into human cells. The compound, named UNI418, regulates genome homeostasis and maintains a stable immune system to inhibit virus infiltration, according to the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) on Wednesday. The findings were published online in the Nature Publishing Group's journal Experimental & Mol

August 7, 2024

GI Innovation shifts focus to obesity drug development

SEOUL, August 6 (AJU PRESS) - Korean biotechnology company GI Innovation announced on Tuesday its plans to develop a new obesity treatment, GI-213, as its next flagship pipeline product. The company has completed a patent application for the dual-fusion protein compound, which promotes fat breakdown, increases energy expenditure and enhances muscle mass. In preclinical trials, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with GI-213 showed a 36.1 percent reduction in body weight after six w

August 6, 2024

Korea's electric vehicle registrations surpasses 600,000

SEOUL, August 1 (AJU PRESS) — Korea's cumulative electric vehicle (EV) registrations have surpassed 600,000 units for the first time in the first half of this year, data showed Thursday. According to the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA), EV registrations reached 606,610 by the end of June, a 24-fold increase since official EV statistics began in 2017. The adoption of EVs has accelerated rapidly since 2020, when registrations first exceeded 100,000 un

August 1, 2024

Korean researchers discover dark state of electrons in solid matter

SEOUL, July 30 (AJU PRESS) - A team of Korean scientists has identified the existence of a dark state of electrons in solid matter for the first time, potentially advancing the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity. The research, led by Professor Kim Keun-su of Yonsei University, was published in the international journal Nature Physics on Monday. Dark-state electrons, which neither absorb nor emit light, have previously been observed in atoms and molecules. However, t

July 30, 2024

HD Hyundai Oilbank selected to develop clean energy complex at western port

SEOUL, July 30 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Tuesday HD Hyundai Oilbank has been selected to develop a clean energy complex at Daesan Port on the western coast. The project, part of Korea's national carbon neutrality policy, aims to establish production, storage and distribution facilities for eco-friendly energy sources such as green hydrogen and ammonia. Construction is slated to begin in the first half of 2025, with completion expected b

July 30, 2024

LIG Nex1 acquires majority stake in U.S. robotics firm Ghost Robotics

SEOUL, July 29 (AJU PRESS) - Korean defense company LIG Nex1 has completed the acquisition of a 60 percent stake in Ghost Robotics, a U.S.-based quadruped robot specialist, for about 332 billion won ($240 million). The deal, finalized on Friday after receiving approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), marks LIG Nex1's strategic entry into the global robotics market. Ghost Robotics, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Philadelphia, is known

July 29, 2024

Robot chefs debut at Korea's Kangwon Land casino resort

SEOUL, July 29 (AJU PRESS) – Kangwon Land Inc., a casino resort in Jeongseon, eastern Korea, has introduced robotic chefs at its High1 Grand Hotel. In its “smart table” system, customers can place orders via kiosks, after which robot chefs prepare the meals and deliver them to the tables, the company said. The system aims to maintain consistent food quality while mitigating risks associated with handling hot oil in cooking processes. It features 52 seats and op

July 29, 2024

Korean cable maker Taihan launches offshore wind installation vessel

SEOUL, July 24 (AJU PRESS) - Taihan Cable & Solution on Wednesday launched Korea's first cable laying vessel (CLV) dedicated to offshore wind power projects. The 6,200-ton vessel, named Palos, was unveiled at a ceremony held at the Kodae-Port in the central city of Asan. The Palos, capable of carrying up to 4,400 tons of submarine cable, is equipped with advanced features including a dynamic positioning system. Taihan said the vessel significantly enhances its capabilit

July 24, 2024

Qatar adopts Lunit's AI solution for breast cancer screening project

SEOUL, July 22 (AJU PRESS) – Lunit, a Korean artificial intelligence software developer, said Monday its AI-based diagnosis system has been adopted by Qatar’s national breast cancer screening program. The AI solution, called "Lunit Insight MMG," compares and analyzes medical images of breast cancer patients and healthy individuals. When the solution detects an anomaly, human supervisors are notified, and the patient undergoes additional tests to confirm the

July 22, 2024

Overseas Koreans to be allowed to access digital services without local phone numbers

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) announced on Thursday that Korean citizens living abroad will soon be able to access domestic digital services, including banking, without maintaining a Korean mobile phone subscription. KISA has signed an agreement with five major financial institutions and government bodies to allow overseas Koreans to use electronic signature authentication issued by these entities. The pilot service, set to launch by year

July 18, 2024