Korean firms to launch all-in-one ID verification app

 　South Korean mobile carriers, smartphone makers and financial firms have joined hands to simplify and decentralize the cumbersome online identity verification process.　The decentralized ID service -- to be launched on a trial basis this year -- named Initial, will essentially verify an individual’s identity without tangible documents like graduation or employment certificates, and enable taking out loans or applying for jobs, through a single mobile app. 　This is the second endeavor

Oct. 21, 2019

SK hynix develops 3rd Gen. 10-nm memory chips

SK hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chip provider, announced Monday it has completed development of the third generation of DDR4 DRAM with the industry’s highest density and power efficiency, along with a plan to start mass production next year. The Korean chipmaker has developed a 16-gigabit DDR4 on 10-nanometer technology process, known as 1Z-nm, with productivity improved from the previous 1Y-nm generation by 27 percent. Considering that 16-gigabit DRAM is the industry&rsq

Oct. 21, 2019

[Video] Using robotics in dementia prevention, care

An orb with a set of ears, blinky eyes and the voice and speech manners of a chatty child is making advances in dementia therapy at a hospital in Seoul. Named Bomy, the robot assists cognitive training for patients in the early stages, or at the risk of developing dementia.Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital’s Robot-assisted Cognitive Training Center opened its doors in April, and is headed by Dr. Kim Geon-ha, a neurologist who has been researching related technologies since 2009. The

Oct. 20, 2019

Samsung to update software to prevent security flaw in Galaxy S10, Note 10

 Samsung Electronics announced late Friday that the tech giant will update its software due to potential security breaches in flagship smartphone models Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, S10 5G and Note 10 next week. The announcement was made in response to recent reports of a case in the United Kingdom in which a user claimed that when her Galaxy S10 screen was covered with a silicon protective case, the device was unlocked with someone else’s fingerprint. The issue involved ultrasonic fing

Oct. 18, 2019

Samsung launches new foundry forum in Silicon Valley

Samsung Electronics said Friday it has launched a new forum in Silicon Valley as part of the efforts to enhance competitiveness of its foundry business. Named as Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem, or SAFE, the forum has been designed to provide an opportunity for Samsung’s partner companies to directly meet with customers and discuss comprehensive design technology infrastructure -- including electronic design automation, intellectual property, cloud, design service, and packaging -- whic

Oct. 18, 2019

Samsung ranks 6th in global brand value

Samsung Electronics was ranked sixth among 100 global corporate brands in terms of their value, according to a consulting firm Thursday.  The brand value of South Korea’s tech giant was estimated at $61.1 billion this year, increasing from $59.9 billion last year, according to the list of 100 Best Global Brands announced by US-based Interbrand. Its brand value surged 250 percent from $17.5 billion in 2009.Samsung first entered the list of top 10 brands in 2012, and has been rising ste

Oct. 17, 2019

[Herald Interview] Twinny to challenge global robotics heavyweights

In the global race for automation in logistics, unmanned mobile robots are playing an important role, largely with the assistance of an underlying system that varies from QR codes on the floor to beacon sensors on walls and wearable devices.South Korean startup Twinny is one company that is moving the other way by weaning its mobile robotic solutions off the system. By becoming independent, its robots can precisely locate themselves, detect a human to follow and execute the order-picking process

Oct. 16, 2019

'League of Legends' to be available on mobile devices

US game developer Riot Games said Wednesday that its massively popular e-sports game "League of Legends" will be available on both mobile devices and consoles.It marks the first time since the game's launch in 2009 that the new version, called "League of Legends: Wild Rift," is coming to platforms other than computers.  The new game will be similar to the original version, although the user interface and buttons will be adjusted for mobile screens, the company said. Play

Oct. 16, 2019

LG Innotek develops first Qualcomm chip-based module for cars

LG Innotek announced Wednesday the company has developed a communications module for automobiles based on Qualcomm’s 5G chip as the first in the world. The 5G communications module, a combination of a communications chip, memory and radio frequency circuit, is a component that enables transmission of data between a vehicle and 5G base station. The module, as small and slim as a credit card, will enable sharing of real-time traffic information, precise location measurement and communication

Oct. 16, 2019

Korea’s largest lithium-ion battery show kicks off

InterBattery, the country’s biggest trade show for lithium-ion battery makers, kicked off Wednesday for a three-day run, drawing around 100 domestic and foreign companies to showcase their newest energy solutions. South Korea’s three leading battery manufacturers LG Chem, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation took part in the show to boast about their technological prowess by installing sizable exhibition booths that displayed a range of products from small batteries for IT devices and autom

Oct. 16, 2019

[Graphic News] No. of seniors suffering mental disorders rising rapidly

　The number of elderly South Koreans with mental health issues has risen sharply in recent years, as the country scrambles to provide better health care for its people, a report showed.　In the report to the National Assembly, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service said that in the 2010-2018 period, the number of people over 80 afflicted with major depression surged 176.5 percent, with the figure for those in their 70s increasing 59.4 percent.　As of last year, roughly 40 percent of th

Oct. 15, 2019

Korean firms embrace cloud computing to be competitive

With cloud computing technology advancing at a rapid pace, South Korean companies are also transforming the way they handle their data and operations.SK Group’s IT service affiliate SK C&C said Monday it plans to convert 80 percent of its parent company’s business operations to a cloud-based system. For this, it has acquired about 20 percent stake in local cloud service provider Glucose. The decision is designed to integrate Glucose’s Microsoft Azure cloud computing service

Oct. 15, 2019

Samsung vs. LG spat continues on YouTube

The spat over TV technology between South Korean tech giants Samsung and LG has continued online, with Samsung hinting at the burn-in problem of LG’s organic light-emitting diode TVs, according to industry sources on Tuesday. Samsung recently posted a 50-second video clip on its YouTube channel, titled “TV Burn-in Checker.” Burn-in, widely known as a major weakness of OLED TVs, refers to the discoloration of pixels caused by displaying static images due to the characteristics o

Oct. 15, 2019

LTE speed gap in Seoul metropolitan area widens: lawmaker

　The fourth-generation Long Term Evolution internet speeds are not consistent and vary across the Seoul metropolitan area, a lawmaker said Monday. 　Citing a 2018 survey conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Rep. Park Gwang-on of the ruling Democratic Party said the LTE speed gap between the fastest and slowest neighborhood was as much as three times.　Of the 85 areas in Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas, residents of Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, experienced the fastest speed of 201

Oct. 14, 2019

SK hynix’s YouTube video hits 12 million views

A YouTube video that chronicles SK hynix’s technological challenges over the years to mass-produce the world’s first 128-layer triple-level cell 4D NAND chip has received over 12 million views in less than two weeks of its release, the company said in a statement Monday.The corporate promotion video titled “Cheongju Jikji,” narrates how the company’s challenging spirit resembles the passion and drive that drove the inventors of the world’s first metal movable

Oct. 14, 2019

Samsung Galaxy Fold available again in Korea, soon in Japan, China

The third batch of Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphones were set to be released in the Korean market Monday, drawing attention to the total volume of available units. Samsung was to begin taking orders for the foldable gadget on its homepage as well as some e-commerce platforms like 11st, eBay and Coupang at midnight on Sunday, according to the tech giant. The exact volume of the third batch has not been revealed, but industry officials estimate around 10,000 units would be rolled out. According to m

Oct. 13, 2019

Samsung Display officially invests W13.1tr in world’s first QD display

Samsung Display on Thursday announced it will invest a total of 13.1 trillion won ($10.9 billion) in establishing the world’s first production line for quantum dot-based display panels over the next five years. The investment plan that has been highly anticipated by industry watchers makes it official that Samsung will switch from the current liquid crystal display-focused display technology to self-emissive quantum dot technology for large-size displays. President Moon Jae-in added weight

Oct. 10, 2019

Tax agency slaps W1b in taxes on 7 YouTube content creators

South Korea's tax agency has slapped a combined 1 billion won ($833,000) in taxes on seven YouTube content creators in the first known crackdown on tax evasion by such people, a ruling party lawmaker said Thursday.Citing monthslong probes by the National Tax Service, Kim Chung-woo, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, said the content creators earned a combined 4.5 billion won, but they did not report their income to the tax agency. It is the first time that the income of highly paid YouTu

Oct. 10, 2019

[Graphic News] Foreign patient arrivals up 18% in 2018

　The number of foreigners visiting South Korea for medical treatment shot up 18 percent last year, government data showed.　In a report to the National Assembly, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute said over 378,900 foreign nationals arrived here for treatment last year, up from around 321,500 in 2017.　The institute said that of them, the number of Japanese who visted for medical purposes surged 56 percent to 42,500 in 2018 from just under 27,300 the previous year. (Yonhap)

Oct. 9, 2019

Naver, Kakao seek to woo consumers with service upgrades

South Korean internet giants Naver and Kakao are seeking to attract more subscribers with service upgrades reflecting the rapid changes in online behavior. The country’s biggest search engine Naver said Tuesday it will overhaul the company’s platform to provide relevant information via social influencers. The “influence search service” is scheduled to be released by December with a trial service for beauty and travel searches. Kakao, operator of the country’s t

Oct. 9, 2019