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  Mobile carriers unveil joint video ringback tone service for interesting user experience SEOUL -- South Korean mobile carriers unveiled a joint "V Coloring" service. It is a subscription-based video ringback tone service that plays a short-form video selected or created by users while their mobile phone calls are connected. The service was first launched by SK Telecom to create a fun and interesting experience for customers. The joint service by SK Telecom (SKT), KT and LG Uplus (LGU+) will begin on May 27. Customers can download an a 2021-05-26
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  Convenience store chain to open VR store in 3D avatar creator platform ZEPETO SEOUL -- The operator of South Korea's top convenience store chain CU will open a virtual reality convenience store at ZEPETO, a popular smartphone app that allows users to create 3D avatar characters and interact with others while operating a variety of clothing and accessories for decoration. The VR store targets Zoomers (Generation Z) who are familiar with mobile-based new technologies. BGF Retail said it would open a CU store in the form of an open 2021-05-26
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  Researchers develop cheaper production technique for micro LEDs SEOUL -- Through a 16-year development project, South Korea's state research institute has discovered a way for the cheaper production of micro light-emitting diodes (microLEDs) by combining two separate manufacturing processes into a single one. The new technique using laser melding will save time and costs to eventually lower the price of microLED products. A microLED is a microscopic LED that is ideal for the production of high-performance flat-panel display 2021-05-25
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  SK Telecom leads establishment of pilot infrastructure for quantum cryptographic communication SEOUL -- A consortium led by SK Telecom has been selected for a state project to establish and operate a pilot infrastructure for quantum cryptographic communication. The project is to secure the stability of emergency communication networks in key industrial facilities such as nuclear power plants and strengthen the protection of key data and personal information held by public institutions. The consortium involving SK Telecom (SKT), SK Broadband, ID Quant 2021-05-25
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  Naver partners with KAIST to establish hyperscale AI research center SEOUL -- South Korea's biggest web service operator Naver and a state research institute joined hands to establish an artificial intelligence research center that focuses on the application of hyperscale computing. The research center will pump up AI development capabilities and nurture young researchers. Hyperscale computing is massive-scale computing that is normally incorporated in the processing of big data and cloud computing. The technique is ideal for r 2021-05-24
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  ​Internet watchdog to develop anti-ransomware system using AI and big data SEOUL -- South Korea's internet watchdog has revealed a roadmap to develop an anti-ransomware system using artificial intelligence and big data. The system will protect corporates against hackers who demand ransom money after taking hostage of vital information. Ransomware is a type of hacking attack that allows a hacker to take control of target computers or servers by encrypting all files, making them inaccessible without a decryption key. Normally, hackers 2021-05-24
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  Researchers embark on development of security screening technology with terahertz waves SEOUL -- A state research institute in South Korea has embarked on the development of a next-generation security screening technology using terahertz electromagnetic waves that would enable scanning through clothes and skin without the worry of being dosed with radiation. Inspectors at airports can monitor security hazards such as weapons and explosives without emptying out pockets and bags of passengers. Many airports across the world maintain strict security chec 2021-05-20
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  Metaverse solution to be introduced for TV broadcasting of pro golf competition SEOUL -- For the first time in South Korea, artificial intelligence and 3D graphics will be utilized to apply a metaverse solution to the TV broadcasting of golf competitions to increase the level of realism and immersion, through cooperation between SK Telecom and Kakao VX, the provider of an integrated golf service that combines sports and information technology. Metaverse broadcasting will be introduced at the SK Telecom Open, a professional golf tournam 2021-05-20
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  Girl band STAYC selected for SK Telecom project to incorporate metaverse into K-pop SEOUL -- STAYC, a six-member K-pop girl group, has been selected for SK Telecom's project to incorporate metaverse technology into K-pop content, targeting zoomers (Generation Z) who are familiar with mobile-based new technologies. The project presents a new way to enjoy K-pop in the contactless era caused by COVID-19 and provides various mixed reality experiences. SKT released STAYC's digital human content through SKT's augmented reality (AR) a 2021-05-20
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  Public-private alliance launched to cultivate metaverse ecosystem based on XR and media SEOUL -- South Korea launched an alliance involving private companies, research organizations and state bodies to cultivate a metaverse ecosystem based on extended reality and media in a government-sponsored event aimed at supporting the establishment of an open platform so that companies can utilize data and develop new services. The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically per 2021-05-18
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  LG Uplus' quantum-resistant cryptography lines verified by certification body SEOUL -- Quantum-resistant cryptography lines established by LG Uplus in factories and hospitals have been verified by a standardization, testing and certification body in South Korea. The mobile carrier said it would upgrade algorithms to realize the wider use of quantum security infrastructure in various fields in the era of digital transformation, a process of converting analog-based work processes into an automated digital one. LG Uplus (LGU+) has tested a 2021-05-18
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  LG's research lab aims to develop super-giant AI resembling human brain SEOUL -- The artificial intelligence research laboratory of South Korea's LG Group unveiled the goal of developing a super-giant AI platform that resembles a human brain structure and can deduce data and understand images and videos as well as language in a three-year project that would cost more than $100 million. LG AI Research said in an online talks concert on May 17 that it would develop a super-giant AI that can think, learn, judge and act com 2021-05-17
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  ​​S. Korea's military to test low-noise fuel cell-powered drones for surveillance SEOUL -- Through an experimental rapid acquisition program, South Korea's military will adopt and put a low-noise hydrogen fuel cell drone into a test operation. The surveillance and patrol drone can fly longer than its battery-powered brothers and make less noise than gasoline-powered unmanned flying vehicles. Drones are widely used in South Korea in various sectors including military, construction, building maintenance, and wildlife moni 2021-05-17
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  American AR specialist Trigger joins 5G XR alliance led by LG Uplus SEOUL -- Trigger, an augmented reality specialist in the United States, has joined an international 5G extended reality alliance led by LG Uplus, a mobile carrier in South Korea. The alliance works on "Space Explorer: The ISS Experience," an epic four-part immersive series showing a spacewalk shot in real space at a space station. Trigger has become the 11th member of the Global XR Content Telco Alliance which was launched in September 2020. XR enco 2021-05-17
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  Debate rekindled over introduction of central bank digital currency in S. Korea SEOUL -- South Korea's central bank rekindled debate over a possible project to issue a central bank digital currency that uses an electronic record or digital token to represent the virtual form of a fiat currency of a particular nation, two years after it suspended a study on commercialization, citing social and economic costs to be caused by institutional changes. A central bank digital currency CBDC is a high-security digital instrument. Like paper banknote 2021-05-14
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  Samsung allows Galaxy smartphone owners to manage cryptocurrency without hardware wallets SEOUL -- Through a system update, Samsung Electronics has allowed its Galaxy smartphone users to manage and trade cryptocurrencies without hardware wallets used by cryptocurrency traders to prevent hacking. Customers can easily access blockchain and cryptocurrency services anywhere, anytime. Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Etherium can be managed simply by using a web-based trading service. However, such a convenient method is vulnerable to 2021-05-14
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  Woowa's intelligent delivery robot awaits crucial test operation at modern building in central Seoul SEOUL -- An intelligent delivery robot capable of traveling between floors through elevators will make its meaningful debut in June at a 24-story modern commercial and office building stationed by some 4,000 people in central Seoul for a test operation to deliver simple food and drinks from a cafe. A trouble-free operation would open a full-fledged service involving a number of delivery robots and restaurants. The robot developed by Woowa Brothers, the 2021-05-14
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  Naver invests in digital treatment developer startup SEOUL -- D2SF, a startup accelerator operated by South Korea's top web service company Naver, has made an investment into a domestic healthcare startup specialized in the development of digital treatment for degenerative symptoms and diseases. Digital treatment, also called DTx, uses hardware such as artificial intelligence-based voice assistant speakers, virtual reality headsets and smartphones to change the lifestyle and habit of patients. Medical data relea 2021-05-14
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  State project launched to develop mobile medical system based on AI and 5G MEC SEOUL -- South Korea will develop a digital-based mobile medical system based on artificial intelligence and 5G mobile edge computing that enables medical services within 60 minutes in disaster situations or in underserved areas where medical care is vulnerable. The development of a modularized and standardized system will be linked to exports. Based on 5G networks that ensure the fast transmission of data, South Korea is undergoing a major change in its emergency resp 2021-05-14
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  Samsung SDS reveals smart overseas logistics platform for small enterprises SEOUL -- Samsung SDS, the information technology and logistics wing of South Korea's Samsung Group, has unveiled a smart overseas logistics platform to help small and medium-sized enterprises without dedicated logistics services find the fastest and optimized cargo delivery route and track packages in real-time. According to government data, exports by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stood at $10 billion in 2020. While it is easy for large co 2021-05-13