Latest News

• 
  Hanwha Techwin to release camera-based solution with anti-COVID-19 functions SEOUL -- Hanwha Techwin, a surveillance and optoelectronics company in South Korea, will release a camera-based solution with various functions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing AI technology. AI cameras can measure the distance between people in real-time and automatically inform them when they get closer than the reference distance, Hanwha Techwin said. If the reference distance is violated, alarm devices will work with speakers and monit 2021-04-14
• 
  POSCO completes preparation for commercial production of lithium for EV battery SEOUL -- South Korea's steel group POSCO has completed preparations for the commercial production of lithium hydroxide, an inorganic compound used for electric vehicle batteries. A dedicated factory will be built in the southern industrial port city of Gwangyang by 2023. In partnership with the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, POSCO has launched a project to acquire lithium extraction technology. By running a test facility in Gwangyang 2021-04-14
• 
  Bulgaris fermented milk causes debate over anti-virus effect SEOUL -- Bulgaris, a fermented milk brand produced by South Korea's major dairy food producer Namyang Dairy Products, was at the center of talk among stock market investors, scientists and health officials after sponsored researchers claimed to have verified the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of influenza and COVID-19 viruses in laboratory experiments. Bulgaris has maintained its top position in the domestic fermented milk market since Namyang released it i 2021-04-14
• 
  Researchers develop fabric muscle technology for wearable robots SEOUL -- A state research institute has developed a fabric muscle technology that can be applied to wearable robots or exoskeletons that help humans lift heavy objects. Because the fabric muscle is light, it can be attached to body parts to enhance the strength of wearers in daily tasks such as nursing, construction and rehabilitation. Wearable robots come in various sizes and types. The most common one is an exoskeleton type made of metal and polymer materials. An 2021-04-14
• 
  Samsung shipyard demonstrates next-generation LNG regasfication system SEOUL -- For the first time in the world, Samsung Heavy Industries, a major shipbuilder in South Korea, has successfully demonstrated a next-generation regasification system that links power generation utilizing liquefied natural gas cold energy. It is a new eco-friendly technology that can dramatically lower the cost of generating electricity. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs to be gasified before supplied to users. The process releases a co 2021-04-14
• 
  ​Online shopping mall 11STREET partners with postal service to launch overnight delivery service SEOUL -- Using an established network run by a state postal service, a major online shopping mall operator has launched an overnight delivery service to catch up with Coupang, the South Korean counterpart of Amazon, which has cemented its leading position in the market. Overnight delivery services became popular in South Korea in 2020 when people shopped online instead of visiting crowded shopping malls to prevent COVID-19 infection. To save time and costs, ove 2021-04-14
• 
  Provincial government turns telephone booths into battery-sharing stations for electric motorcycles SEOUL -- In a country known for its high smartphone penetration rate, public telephone booths will be turned into battery-sharing stations for electric motorcycles in a provincial government project. Solar charging facilities and convenience facilities will be installed gradually to increase utilization. South Chungcheong Province will work with South Korea's leading telecom company KT and its public phone arm, KT Linkus, to build a battery-sharing network aime 2021-04-13
• 
  Uber partners with Hyundai auto group to beef up EV mobility service in Europe SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has forged a strategic partnership with Uber, an American car-hailing service operator, to beef up mobility services using electric vehicles in Europe. The goal is to increase the adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure in major European cities, Hyundai said in a statement on April 12. Uber drivers will be given discounted access to electric vehicle models in European countrie 2021-04-13
• 
  Hyundai's multi-purpose vehicle Staria makes debut thru world premiere SEOUL -- Staria, a new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) designed by South Korea's Hyundai auto group, made its debut. The vehicle will go on sale in select markets starting from the second half of 2021. Hyundai said that Staria's debut through a digital world premiere furthers its transformation as a smart mobility solution provider and embodies its "inside-out" design methodology that emphasizes interior spaciousness and usability. Evok 2021-04-13
• 
  Researchers develop new technology to recycle low-level radioactive waste SEOUL -- South Korea's state research institute has developed an innovative technology to recycle low-level radioactive waste. If commercialized, the technology can reduce the cost of disposing of radioactive waste or purchasing expensive neutron absorbers. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) said its research team has converted low-level radioactive waste into boron carbide to prevent a chain of fission i 2021-04-13
• 
  ​Researchers find keratin 8's role in reducing oxidative stress damage to mitochondria SEOUL -- A university research team has found that mitochondria, simply explained as "the powerhouse of the cell," react with keratin 8, a keratin protein, to dispose of mitochondria damages by oxidative stress. It can be utilized to develop medicines for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cystic fibrosis. Keratin 8 (KRT8) is a protein that forms the cytoskeleton, a structural network of filaments and tubules, that extends through th 2021-04-13
• 
  Donepezil dementia patch awaits state approval for commercialization in S. Korea SEOUL -- Donepezil is a generic medication widely used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is commonly taken by mouth. A Donepezil patch awaits state approval for commercialization in South Korea. Compared to an oral medication taken once a day, the patch featuring improved drug compliance and convenience can be attached twice a week. Celltrion, a leading biotech company in South Korea, signed a domestic joint copyright contract with Icure Pharm 2021-04-13
• 
  SK Bioscience ready for domestic release of Novavax vaccine in June SEOUL -- SK Bioscience will start producing a protein-based vaccine developed by Novavax for domestic use in June under a technology transfer deal with the American vaccine development company, which has promised to provide doses for 20 million people in South Korea. SK Bioscience, a partner for South Korea's state project to develop COVID-19 vaccines, agreed to produce the antigen of the Novavax vaccine and maintains a production partnership with AstraZeneca PLC, 2021-04-12
• 
  ​KHNP to build 20MW-class hydrogen fuel cell power plant SEOUL -- Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the operator of nuclear power plants, will build and operate a 20 megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell power plant in Gyeongju some 270 kilometers (167 miles) southeast of Seoul. The power plant will be capable of powering about 43,000 households. Hydrogen fuel cell power plants use hydrogen separated from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generators. When electricity is generated, it is stored in an energ 2021-04-12
• 
  New Seoul mayor pushes for introduction of COVID-19 self-testing at home SEOUL -- The newly elected mayor of Seoul who won a landslide victory in a by-election in April as an opposition party candidate rekindled debate over whether South Korea should introduce COVID-19 diagnostic kits for self-testing at home to acquire rapid results. There is no officially licensed method for easy and quick sampling. At a high-level COVID-19 conference that sets the direction of anti-epidemic policies, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon made a strong proposal fo 2021-04-12
• 
  President Moon welcomes last-minute compromise between S. Korean battery makers SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in welcomed a last-minute compromise to end a prolonged legal dispute between two major battery makers in South Korea, saying it would serve the national interests and long-term interests of each company at a time when the stability of a supply chain is becoming more important. "It is fortunate that LG and SK, which have grown to be the world's leading players in secondary batteries, have decided to end all legal disputes," Moo 2021-04-12
• 
  SK E&C ties up with KHNP for overseas expansion of SOFC convergence business SEOUL -- SK Engineering and Construction joined hands with the operator of nuclear power plants in South Korea to push for the overseas expansion of convergence business based on solid oxide fuel cells, which are now emerging as a fast-growing fuel cell segment thanks to energy diversification and the employment of alternative energy sources. SK E&C, a builder affiliated with South Korea's third-largest conglomerate SK Group, signed a memorandum of 2021-04-12
• 
  Hyper-local secondhand item trading service 'Daangn' garners more monthly active users SEOUL -- South Korea's mobile secondhand item trading service app platform "Daangn Market" has solidified its leading position in the domestic market with 15 million monthly active users in March, up 127 percent from 6.6 million a year ago. The runner-up is Bunjang with about 5.3 million users. Daangn attributed its success to matching local customers who are nearby through a "hyper-local" service that links customers within the limited g 2021-04-12
• 
  President Moon hails rollout of home-made fighter jet as 'historic milestone' SEOUL -- After nearly two decades of strenuous work to shake off doubtful or sometimes depreciatory eyes from top-class foreign aircraft makers, South Korea finally rolled out the first prototype of its home-made fighter jet which was hailed by President Moon Jae-in as a "historic milestone" in independent aircraft development. The jet fighter was christened "KF-21 Boramae (Young Hawk)" in a ceremony chaired by Moon at the base of Korea Aerospace In 2021-04-09
• 
  Researchers develop tiny wearable metasurface gas sensor for holographic visual alarms SEOUL -- Researchers have developed a tiny wearable metasurface sensor capable of detecting harmful gases and biochemical substances in real-time. The sensor can be utilized in medical, military, industrial, and environmental sectors. Because it is tiny and flexible, the sensor can adhere to safety goggles. Detecting biological and chemical substances in real-time is vital for the safety of people in every environment. It is particularly important for public h 2021-04-09