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  Kimchi refrigerator maker develops portable ultra-low temperature freezer for vaccines SEOUL -- Winia Dimchae, the leading maker of refrigerators specially designed to store Kimchi, a traditional fermented vegetable dish, has developed a portable ultra-low temperature freezer capable of keeping COVID-19 vaccine doses for up to 18,000 people. Winia Dimchae's refrigerator is a simple but complicated home appliance that should delicately control temperatures to manage the taste of Kimchi and match the fastidious appetite of customers. K 2021-01-27
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  KT launches trial service for 5G commercial network based on standlone stardards SEOUL -- KT, a major telecom company in South Korea, launched a trial service for 5G standalone following the establishment of an integrated core network that can accommodate standalone technology without installing new equipment. Standalone services can be realized only by upgrading software for non-standalone core equipment. South Korea has pushed hard for the rollout of a 5G network that can improve efficiency in massive data traffic and enable ultra-low latency 2021-01-27
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  LG Uplus joins project to upgrade 5G-based user location tracking system SEOUL -- LG Uplus, a mobile carrier in South Korea, will participate in a joint project to upgrade a tracking system that can precisely track user locations even indoors. Combined with a 5G network, it can respond to various situations such as the location tracking of emergency patients and quarantined people for infectious disease. LG Uplus (LGU+) said it has tied up with the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIPA) to cooperate in 5G-based ICT virtual convergenc 2021-01-27
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  SK C&C partners with domestic blockchain company to interlink services SEOUL -- SK C&C, the information technology wing of South Korea's SK Group, partnered with a domestic blockchain company to interlink services and develop new blockchain models for businesses. The partnership will strengthen their foothold in South Korea's blockchain scene where competition is getting fierce. Blockchain is a virtual ledger service that is virtually unhackable. It is ideal for managing important corporate information or personal data tha 2021-01-27
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  Researchers use AI to localize technology for face recognition system SEOUL -- A South Korean research team has developed a face recognition and entrance management system that used artificial intelligence to achieve a recognition rate of up to 99 percent. With localized technologies, the team aims to roll out a perfect system targeting foreign clients through additional research into algorithms. The government-funded Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) said that its research 2021-01-26
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  Researchers develop anti-cancer material with striped beakfish's genetic information SEOUL -- South Korea's state research body claimed to have developed an anti-cancer material candidate called "CDP-A2" by decoding the entire dielectric of striped beakfish. An evaluation of anti-cancer activity showed that the material acted selectively on colon cancer cells, inducing the death of cancer cells or suppressing growth. The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) said that CDP-A2, a small molecule protein, was found to have supp 2021-01-26
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  Samsung's low-power OLED technology applied to new flagship smartphon SEOUL -- The largest model of Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S21 family was equipped with a new low-power organic light-emitting diode display to improve the efficiency of light emitting and smartphone usage time in the 5G era that requires big screens, high-speed driving, and high resolution. Samsung Display said the new OLED panel can lower consumption power by more than 16 percent by applying new organic materials that improved the speed of electro 2021-01-26
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  Digital supermodel Shudu to collaborate with virtual social media influencer in S. Korea SEOUL -- Shudu, a digital supermodel created by a former British fashion photographer, will collaborate with Rozy, a virtual social media influencer in South Korea. An image showing them together was released on Rozy's Instagram account, heralding their joint work. Sidus Studio X, a virtual influencer business subsidiary of Locus, a major content creator in South Korea, said on January 25 that Rozy and Shudu would work together for their first collaborati 2021-01-25
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  Hyundai tests autonomous robot assistant in Seoul showroom SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has deployed an autonomous four-wheeled robot at a showroom in Seoul for a one-month test to see if it can be used for customer services. The robot will guide visitors, evade obstacles and show information about cars on the showroom's large displays. Hyundai said in a statement on January 25 that the robot named "DAL-e" was introduced as part of a non-face-to-face marketing approach. It ca 2021-01-25
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  KT unveils app for collecting COVID-19 research data SEOUL -- KT, a top telecom company in South Korea, has unveiled an app for collecting research data that is needed for the development of a prediction model on infectious diseases such as COVID-19 by using mobile communication data, artificial intelligence and information and communications technology. The app called "Study of Health Information for Next Epidemic (SHINE)" has been developed as part of a joint research project financed by the Bill & Me 2021-01-25
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  Sampyo adopts full smart factory system for construction material production SEOUL -- South Korea's leading construction material manufacturer Sampyo Group has upgraded its manufacturing process by adopting a full smart factory system that will kick into operation in late January to help workers easily and safely manage facilities. A smart factory system is an effective digital transformation method that enhances work efficiency and reduces operating costs. Sampyo Group said in a statement on January 20 that the company has adop 2021-01-21
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  State researchers develop heavy-duty rescue machine equipped with robot arms SEOUL -- A state research institute has developed a heavy-duty rescue machine equipped with a pair of robot arms that can lift objects of up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) and easily cut down steel bars. The machine can be deployed to disaster sites struck by an earthquake or a hurricane to search and rescue survivors trapped under debris. The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) said in a statement on January 20 that it has joined hands with Hanyang 2021-01-20
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  Hyundai Pharm partners with AI-based drug development company SEOUL -- South Korea's medicine maker Hyundai Pharma has forged a partnership with an artificial intelligence-based drug development company, to jointly research and develop new innovative medicines. AI-based drug development does not require many human researchers and can save time and costs. Hyundai Pharm said in a statement on January 20 that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Pharminogen, an AI-based biopharmaceutical company. Pharminogen uses AI 2021-01-20
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  S. Korea to develop technologies for efficient recycling of discarded batteries SEOUL -- Through a four-year project, South Korea will develop technologies including battery management systems to efficiently recycle discarded batteries and reduce waste containing heavy metal. Because the lifespan of batteries that are used in electric vehicles is about 10 years, the government predicts that about 67,200 EV batteries will be discarded annually in 2030. The number will skyrocket to 2,450,000 in 2040. State data showed that discarded batteries 2021-01-18
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  Samsung to release Galaxy SmartTag tracker for keys and pets SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics will release a novel tracker to help users easily locate lost keys, pets, or any other objects using smartphones. The guitar pick-sized device will beep when it loses Bluetooth connection with its host. Samsung Electronics said in a statement uploaded onto its news blog that it will release "Galaxy SmartTag" on January 19. Using Bluetooth low energy technology, the smart tracker can be attached to non-connected 2021-01-18
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  Samsung showcases new Galaxy S21 smartphone models SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics has unveiled three new models of its iconic flagship smartphone series that offer an upgraded processor, cameras, and artificial intelligence features than previous models. The new phones will hit the global market in late January. Three models -- Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra -- were unveiled during Samsung's online showcase event on January 15. S21, the standard version, comes with a 6.2-inch display 2021-01-15
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  Southern city launches joint research project to develop heavy-duty flying taxi drone SEOUL -- A southern city in South Korea has embarked on a joint research project to develop and commercialize a heavy-duty drone that is capable of lifting some 200 kilograms (440 pounds). The drone can be used in many sectors such as urban aerial mobility, military, logistics, and monitoring. Gwangju some 270 kilometers (167 miles) south of Seoul said in a statement on January 14 that the city has signed cooperation agreements with South Korean defense contractor 2021-01-14
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  Coastguard establishes new dedicated department for operation of drones SEOUL -- To nurture skilled drone operators and manage unmanned aerial vehicles, South Korea's coastguard has established a dedicated department for the operation and management of drones. The department would also play a vital role in the standardization and deployment of drones for administrative purposes. Coast Guard said in a statement on January 14 that a new department has been set up to help law enforcers professionally operate drones and u 2021-01-14
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  Seoul district adopts AI-based recycling robot to sort cans and plastic bottles SEOUL -- A southern Seoul district has adopted an artificial intelligence-based recycling robot that is capable of sorting cans and plastic bottles from the garbage. The robot was designed to increase the district's recycling rate. In South Korea, recyclable materials are normally sorted by categories such as plastic, metal and paper before being thrown out of homes and offices. However, they get easily mixed up when cleaners pick up recyclable gar 2021-01-14
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  [CES 2021] AI-based healthcare solution developed by S. Korean startup wins CES innovation award SEOUL -- A virtual eyesight healthcare solution developed by a South Korean startup won an innovation award at this year's Consumer Electronics Show that is being held online. The prestigious electronics exhibition went fully online this year with no offline events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The online show will end on January 14. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said in a statement on January 13 that "Virtual Reality Ophthal Room Eye Doctor" (VR 2021-01-13