SouthKorea

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  Government agency develops nickel-free plating procedure to reduce skin disorders caused by jewelry SEOUL -- A government agency that leads national standards and technical evaluation in South Korea developed a plating technique that uses alternative chemical elements to replace nickel, a heavy metal used to improve the gloss and corrosion resistance of metal accessories. The amount of nickel used in the plating process was regulated as it causes various skin problems such as contact dermatitis, allergies and edema. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) said the n 2022-11-01
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  Poland favors S. Korean reactor for civilian project to build nuclear power plant SEOUL -- Poland has favored South Korea as a crucial partner in pushing for a costly energy project to build a nuclear power plant after the NATO member sharing the border with Ukraine signed a series of arms deals with South Korean defense firms to purchase light attack fighters, tanks, howitzers and multiple rocket launch systems. At a ceremony in Seoul on October 31, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the state-run operator of nuclear power plants, signed a letter of intent 2022-11-01
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  Zepeto operator to eradicate child sexual exploitation materials in virtual world using INHOPE's public hotline SEOUL -- In an effort to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the virtual space, the operator of Zepeto, a metaverse platform created by South Korea's web service giant Naver, partnered with INHOPE, a global network against online child sexual abuse materials. Using INHOPE's public hotline, Zepeto will enable users to anonymously report such inappropriate activities. According to data released by the National Police Agency, cybersex crime cases increased to 4,349 i 2022-11-01
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  At least 149 killed in stampede during Halloween night festival near central Seoul SEOUL -- At least 149 people have been killed and 76 others injured during a deadly stampede in Itaewon, a district near central Seoul, when more than 100,000 people flocked to the party district late at night to celebrate Halloween. Firefighters estimated that the majority of the victims were teenagers and in their 20s. The tragic accident took place on a Saturday night at about 10:20 p.m. (1320 GMT) when partygoers were flocking to the area near a subway station in Itaewon. Huge 2022-10-30
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  Finland and S. Korea hold policy consultations on disposal of radioactive waste SEOUL -- South Korea held policy consultations with Finland to see if the Northern European nation could become a reliever in the delayed construction of a permanent underground storage site for high-level radioactive waste such as spent fuel, which has piled up to the neck of temporary storage facilities at nuclear power plants due to a hard-shell attitude of nearby residents and environmental activists. At a meeting on October 28, policymakers from South Korea's Ministry of Tr 2022-10-28
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  Seoul uses incineration ash and sewage sludge as alternative materials for cement production SEOUL -- Seoul has launched a project to produce eco-friendly cement using incineration ashes and sewage sludge as alternative materials. Through the commercialization of technologies, the capital city with a population of 9.5 million aims to produce 150,000 tons of cement annually with recycled materials. Seoul hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling 160,000 tons of incineration ashes and sewage sludge annually. The amount of incineration ashes generated in 2021 in Se 2022-10-19
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  Researchers prove effectiveness of herbal medicine grapple plant in spinal stenosis SEOUL -- The roots of harpagophytum procumbens known as grapple plants or as Devil's Claw, native to southern Africa, are used in folk medicine as a traditional treatment for a variety of illnesses, including fevers, skin complaints, arthritis and diseases of the digestive tract as well as an appetite stimulant. Although there is no accepted clinical evidence of its efficacy and bioavailability, limited effects were noted for treating lower back pain and osteoarthritis. Through 2022-10-18
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  More than 80% of Seoulites feel positive about installing renewable energy generators at homes: survey SEOUL -- More than 80 percent of people living in Seoul showed an affirmative attitude about installing renewable energy generators such as solar power panels at their homes to tackle climate change, a survey showed. There are currently some 120,000 personal solar panels installed in houses including the balconies of apartments. In 2014, Seoul rolled out an eco-friendly project to distribute solar panels for homes. The 325-watt-class solar generator capable of producing some 1,300 2022-10-17
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  Researchers develop semi-solid batteries with improved safety against fire and explosion SEOUL -- Researchers have developed manufacturing technology for semi-solid batteries with improved safety against fire and explosion that showed the same performance as existing batteries using electronic wires. Conventional batteries contain liquid electrolytes, but flammable liquid electrolytes can leak out, causing significant damage in case of fire. Electron beams cause chemical reactions at room temperature. Due to their high penetrating power, they can reach the inside 2022-10-13
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  S. Korea's coastguard considers adopting non-lethal handgun with high accuracy in windy waters SEOUL -- To efficiently overpower smugglers and illegal Chinese fishermen without using excessive force, South Korea's coastguard is considering the adoption of a "smart" revolver capable of firing non-lethal bullets which are less affected by strong winds. It is more effective than tasers or gas guns, which are difficult to use at sea. The non-lethal handgun brand-named "STRV-9" was developed by SNT Motiv, a leading firearms manufacturer in South Korea. STRV 2022-09-29
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  Passenger boarding notification devices installed at 103 bus stops in western port city SEOUL -- To prevent drivers from accidentally passing by a city bus stop without recognizing the presence of passengers, South Korea's western port city of Incheon will operate a notification system that informs whether there are any passengers waiting through a light-emitting diode display. The device displays a notification phrase using solar power as its energy source. Incheon said that solar power-based LED devices have been installed at 103 bus stops. Once a passenger pres 2022-09-26
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  Majority of S. Koreans support BTS' substitute service in lieu of tough military conscription SEOUL -- BTS members fall into an awkward situation whenever a social debate erupts over their military service. It has been an extremely sensitive social issue with military officials reluctant to give them special treatment for fear of a backlash from young men in the run-up to military duty in South Korea still technically at war with North Korea. So far, discussions have focused on whether BTS members should be exempted from compulsory military service. In South Korea, all able 2022-09-16
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  Research center succeeds in vertical cultivation method for watermelons SEOUL -- A state-run agricultural research center in South Korea has vertically cultivated watermelon, a prostrate vegetable that grows horizontally allowing vines to crawl on the ground, using supports and ropes to raise vines upward. Vertical growing allows farmers to effectively prevent pests as it is advantageous for ventilation and lighting between watermelon leaves. The Chungcheongbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Service (CBARES) has tested its vertical watermelon c 2022-09-14
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  Guzzi allowed to go ahead with rare fashion event at S. Korea's royal palace in November SEOUL -- Gucci, a high-end luxury fashion house in Italy, will not miss a rare opportunity to hold a fashion show at South Korea's tradition royal palace with the consent of a hesitant government agency charged with preserving cultural heritages and escaped falling victim to a public uproar triggered by Vogue Korea's photo shoot. The green light came from the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), which has scratched its head over whether to approve Gucci's Cosmogonie 2022-09-08
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  Number of foreign tourists to S. Korea in July surpasses 263,000, up 218% on-year SEOUL -- The number of foreign tourists in South Korea soared 218 percent on-year in July 2022 thanks to the eased quarantine regulations. South Korea lifted quarantine measures for all foreign tourists who tested negative for COVID-19 at the airport regardless of vaccination status in June 2022. According to data released by the Korea Tourism Organization on August 31, the number of foreign tourists in July reached 263,986, up 218 percent from 83,000 in July 2021. American tourist 2022-08-31
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  Popular food delivery service Baedal Minjok to test-use reusable food containers SEOUL -- South Korea's top food delivery service Baedal Minjok will test-use reusable food containers in Gangnam District, Seoul's heart of finance and fashion, as part of the capital city's project to reduce the use of disposable containers. Seoul said about 54 million disposable containers were used for delivery per month in 2021. Data released by the Korea Consumer Agency on February 2022 showed that an average consumer who often eats delivered food generates about 1 2022-08-29
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  [FOCUS] S. Korea's nuclear power industry regards Russia-Ukraine war as rare opportunity to bounce back from path of decline SEOUL -- South Korea's nuclear power industry regards a war between Russia and Ukraine as a rare opportunity to bounce back from the path of decline, buoyed by a crucial deal to join the construction of Egypt's first nuclear power plant at the hands of a Russian state company without being bounded by U.S.-led international sanctions. The paradoxical twist was cautiously put forward by policymakers when Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the operator of 24 nuclear pow 2022-08-26
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  Eerie contest of staring into void regains popularity after being suspended by COVID-19 SEOUL -- A reception desk for applicants to participate in a river-side "space out" contest in South Korea was forced to shut down early due to high competition. The fun event has been almost forgotten for two years since it was suspended due to a COVID-19 pandemic. The contest to be held on September 4 in a park near a bridge over the Han river that flows across the center of Seoul is designed to break the stereotype that doing nothing is worthless. Indeed, it can help im 2022-08-25
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  Researchers discover moisturizing effect of agar partially hydrolyzed with enzyme SEOUL -- Hyaluronic acid is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. As a chief component of the extracellular matrix, it contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration. The amount of hyaluronic acid decreases with aging. Hyaluronic acid is decomposed by an enzyme called hyaluronidase. By inhibiting the activity of hyaluronidase, skin moisturization can be maintained along with the effect of p 2022-08-24
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  Researchers develop eco-friendly method to slow down embankment collapse caused by unexpected flood SEOUL -- Due to climate change, unexpected torrential rains are more frequent than before, heightening the risk of floods. To slow down or prevent the collapse of river and stream embankments, South Korean researchers have developed a technology to reinforce the surface of embankments by mixing aggregates and eco-friendly biopolymers extracted from plants. Biopolymers act as an adhesive and coating agent to secure strength and prevent soil loss even at high water pressure and fast 2022-08-23