Korea Zinc's high-nickel precursor designated as 'national core technology'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The South Korean government designated Korea Zinc's high-nickel precursor technology as a "national core technology" on Monday amid the ongoing management dispute between the world's largest smelter and its major shareholders, Young Poong and MBK Partners. National core technologies are crucial to a nation's economic and security interests. They are subject to strict government oversight to prevent their export and potential misuse

November 18, 2024

Exhibition in Seoul takes visitors into Italy's mosaic art

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - An exhibition showcasing Italy's mosaic art kicked off in central Seoul last Friday, allowing visitors to explore a diverse range of mosaics for both decorative and functional pieces. Hosted by the Italian Embassy to Seoul along with the Korea Foundation and the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, the exhibition features the Mediterranean country's artistic heritage and timeless beauty through mosaics displayed on multimedia screens, as the origin

November 18, 2024

Korea, Peru sign deals to strengthen defense ties

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The governments of Korea and Peru signed a series of memorandums of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation in the land, sea, and air sectors during the summit of their leaders at the Peruvian presidential palace. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signed a joint declaration during their summit on Saturday, held alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima. Defense Acquisition Program Administrat

November 18, 2024

Naver signs joint venture deal with Saudi housing agency

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Korean tech firm Naver signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia's National Housing Company (NHC) to establish a joint venture, the company said on Monday. The agreement, signed during the Cityscape Global 2024 event in Riyadh, will focus on operating digital twin platforms within Saudi Arabia. The National Housing Company (NHC), which handles 70 percent of Saudi Arabia's real estate transactions, will partner with Naver to

November 18, 2024

North Korea vows to expand nuclear forces 'without limitation'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the importance of enhancing the country's military capabilities and strengthening war preparations, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday. "We will strengthen our self-defense power, centered on nuclear forces, without limitation," KCNA reported quoting Kim as saying. In a two-day gathering of battalion commanders and other military leaders in Pyongyang last wee

November 18, 2024

LG Display plans $1 billion additional investment in OLED plant in Viet Nam

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - LG Display received approval from Viet Nam's Haiphong city authorities on Thursday to invest an additional 1.39 trillion won ($1 billion) over the next five years in its OLED module factory, bringing the company's total investment in Viet Nam to 7.88 trillion won ($5.65 billion). The investment aims to stabilize OLED production operations at the company's Haiphong facility, which was completed in 2017, and strengthen its OLED business competi

November 18, 2024

LG Energy Solution to supply batteries to Silicon Valley-based robot company

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - South Korea's LG Energy Solution will supply cylindrical batteries to Bear Robotics, a Silicon Valley-based AI-powered service robot company. LG Energy Solution announced on Monday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bear Robotics regarding a battery cell supply agreement and technological collaboration. Starting in 2025, LG Energy Solution will be the sole supplier of cylindrical "2170" lithium-ion batteries, com

November 18, 2024

Pope calls for genocide investigation over Gaza attacks

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Pope Francis has called for an investigation if Israel's attacks in Gaza qualify as genocide, according to excerpts from an upcoming book released on Sunday ahead of the pontiff's jubilee year. This is the first time the Pope has openly addressed allegations of genocide related to Israel's military campaign. He previously described Israel's attacks in Gaza and Lebanon as "immoral" and disproportionate, arguing they exceed the rule

November 18, 2024

South Korea's business chamber sends delegation to COP29 climate talks

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - South Korea's business lobby Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced on Monday it has dispatched a delegation to the United Nations climate conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The delegation includes representatives from major South Korean conglomerates SK Group, LG Group, and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., who will participate in discussions through Nov. 23 at the conference attended by about 40,000 participa

November 18, 2024

Super typhoon Mayi strikes Philippines, marking sixth storm in a month

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Super typhoon Mayi hit the Philippines' eastern province of Catanduanes before moving to Luzon island on Sunday, bringing winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour, with over 750,000 residents evacuated from vulnerable areas, civil defense authorities reported. Roberto Monterola, a disaster response official in Catanduanes, described the rain as light but said the winds were powerful, producing an eerie howling sound. Monterola also noted that storm sur

November 18, 2024