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'Welcome Dream Glasses' help blind finish marathon without guide

Han Dong-ho, left in front row, wearing the Welcome Dream Glasses, competes in the half-marathon race for people with physical disabilities in Seoul, Sept. 21. The wearable devices enable Han, who is visually impaired, to run without an aid of a guide runner. Courtesy of Welcome Savings BankHigh-tech wearable glasses to be Han's eyes at Athens Marathon By Jun Ji-hyeHan Dong-ho had dreamed of becoming an oriental medicine doctor, but had to change his plans as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy caused him to go almost completely blind when he was studying at an oriental medical school.The 33-year-old, however, did not let it defeat him. He decided to become an athlete, and finally managed to become a swimmer who represented Korea in various sporting events for people with physical disabilities, including the 2016 Summer Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro.He has since kept challenging himself to compete in other events such as cycling and triathlon.Now, he is ready for the fresh challenge of finishing a full marathon at the Athens Classic Marathon which will be held Nov. 10. Han will ru

Oct 30, 2019
'Welcome Dream Glasses' help blind finish marathon without guide

Novaerus launches 'plasma' air purifier in Korea

Kevin Devlin, right, CEO of Novaerus, poses with company officials and the company's air purifiers during a press conference at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun hotel, Tuesday. / Courtesy of NovaerusBy Baek Byung-yeulIrish air purifier maker Novaerus rolled out two products that uses plasma technology to capitalize on the fast-growing air filtration market, the company said Tuesday.Established in 2012, Novaerus has been selling its air purifiers to organizations in 40 countries. Their products are sold in the business-to-business market such as to hospitals, ambulances, hospices, schools and casinos.Novaerus said its products use plasma technology that discharges electrons and ions which can destroy airborne fine dust as well as germs. Recognized for their superior air filtration features, Novaerus products have been widely used in more than a thousand ambulances and about 450 hospitals in Korea.An air purifier of Novaerus / Courtesy of NovaerusThe company, which was looking at entering the business-to-consumer market, chose Korea to launch its first products for general consu

Oct 29, 2019By Baek Byung-yeul
Novaerus launches 'plasma' air purifier in Korea

Prosecutors hit for indicting Tada execs

An 11-seat Carnival minivan used in VCNC's Tada ride-hailing service is parked on the street in Seoul. / Korea Times fileBy Baek Byung-yeulLee Jae-woong, CEO of SoCar, a parent company of VCNCConcerns are growing over the prosecution's latest indictment of the head of van-hailing service Tada as it deals a blow to Korea's ongoing efforts to find and nurture new growth engines amid the decline of manufacturing and other traditional industries, according to industry analysts Tuesday.They said multiple regulatory setbacks and resistance from traditional industry sectors will eventually hinder the development of new businesses.Lee Sang-jin, a professor at Korea University's Graduate School of Information Security, said the move will hinder the Moon Jae-in administration's move to actively adopt what is referred to in Korea as a “negative regulatory system.”“The indictment of CEOs of SoCar and VCNC could be a sign of backpedaling of the government's move to encourage companies to be more creative because such legal restrictions will hold back the development of the count

Oct 29, 2019By Baek Byung-yeul
Prosecutors hit for indicting Tada execs

South Korea to make smartphones go-to device for personal data, certificates

Science and ICT Minister Choi Ki-young, left, speaks during a press briefing to unveil the government's digital initiatives in public services at the Government Complex in Seoul, Tuesday. Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young stands next to Choi in this photo. / YonhapMinistry announces plans to digitize public servicesBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe government will spend 725 billion won ($622 million) by 2022 on digital innovation in the public sector, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Science and ICT announced Tuesday.As part of this, the administration will foster a plan allowing individuals and organizations to store their identification credentials, including resident registration numbers, on smartphones for ease of use when necessary. This system will no longer require the involvement of intermediaries ― mostly government-certified or publicly run entities that manage personal data ― according to the ministries. “With the move, the government hopes to lead an AI-based digital transformation and provide high-quality public services,” Interior Minister

Oct 29, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
South Korea to make smartphones go-to device for personal data, certificates

Parts suppliers fear about Samsung's phone production outsourcing to China

Seen above are Samsung Electronics' Galaxy A6s smartphones, which are the first Samsung smartphones produced by an original design manufacturer. Korea Times fileBy Nam Hyun-wooSmall- and medium-sized enterprises supplying smartphone parts to Samsung Electronics are increasingly concerned about the firm's accelerating moves to hire Chinese manufacturers to produce its phones, according to industry officials Monday.Outsourcing the production of 60 million phones to Chinese makers is seen as a move to lower productions costs and more effectively compete with Chinese smartphone makers in emerging markets, they said.According to industry sources, Samsung Electronics will outsource the manufacturing of more than 60 million Galaxy M and Galaxy A series smartphones to Chinese original design manufacturers (ODMs) next year. This will account for 20 percent of the company's annual smartphone delivery of 300 million. ODM refers to a company that designs and manufactures a product, to be rebranded and sold by another company. Unlike original equipment manufacturers, which manufacture products b

Oct 28, 2019By Nam Hyun-woo
Parts suppliers fear about Samsung's phone production outsourcing to China

KT worker seeks better world through volunteering

Pyun Sung-soon, left, senior manager at KT, poses with her colleague while providing a meal service at a senior welfare center. / Courtesy of Pyun Sung-soonBy Baek Byung-yeulIt is not always easy to help someone in need, especially when you are going through a hard time.However, Pyun Sung-soon, senior manager at telecom company KT, is someone who has been committed to helping her neighbors through volunteer services.Pyun, who lives with her husband and two children in Daegu, has been the only breadwinner of her family for more than a decade since her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006.Even though Pyun is busy working and raising a family, she has been actively involved in volunteering for people in need.She has been supporting children who suffer from poverty and hunger in other countries through non-profit relief organization Korea Food for the Hungry International since 2009. In addition to this she is serving as a mentor of Red Meal Truck, a volunteer group providing free meal services and growing out her hair to donate to children with leukemia.“When my husban

Oct 28, 2019By Baek Byung-yeul
KT worker seeks better world through volunteering

SKT, Kakao boost partnership through equity swap

SK Telecom Vice President Ryu Young-sang, left, shakes hands with Kakao CEO Yeo Min-soo after signing a strategic partnership via a stock swap at the company's headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of SK TelecomBy Kwak Yeon-sooSK Telecom and Kakao will bolster strategic partnership in reshaping the nation's ICT ecosystem through a share-swapping deal, the two companies said Monday.Under the deal, SKT will sell its company shares worth 300 billion won ($257 million) to Kakao, and the mobile messenger app operator will issue new stocks to the mobile carrier accordingly. As a result, SK Telecom will own a 2.5 percent stake in Kakao, while the mobile messenger app operator will hold a 1.6 percent stake in the telecom company. The stock acquisition is scheduled for Nov. 5, according to them.The two companies said the latest partnership is significant, as it involves a stock swap and encompasses not only business and services but also research and development (R&D) activities.Together, they will develop services that utilize 5G networks for telecommunication, e-commerce, digital cont

Oct 28, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
SKT, Kakao boost partnership through equity swap

SK Telecom to deploy 5G service in the Philippines

Shim Sang-soo, center, head of infrastructure business at SK Telecom, poses with Thomas Aquino, left, chairman of NOW Corporation, and Mel V. Velarde, chairman of NOW Telecom, after signing an MOU to launch 5G service in the Philippines in Manila, Oct. 24. / Courtesy of SK TelecomBy Baek Byung-yeulSK Telecom will cooperate with a Philippine mobile carrier to launch a commercial fifth-generation (5G) network service in the Philippines, the company said Sunday.The telecommunications arm of SK Group said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippines' NOW Corporation and its affiliate NOW Telecom Thursday to establish a 5G network and various services using the super-fast network in Manila.Based in Manila, Now Corporation has been providing high-speed internet, IPTV, software and business-to-business services in the Philippines and its affiliate Now Telecom plans to expand its business portfolio into the next-generation mobile network service. Taking advantage of SK Telecom's cutting-edge 5G technologies, SK will provide 5G-related technological consulting and supply

Oct 27, 2019By Baek Byung-yeul
SK Telecom to deploy 5G service in the Philippines

Naver to set up 2nd data center in Sejong

Naver's data center in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. / Courtesy of NaverBy Baek Byung-yeulNaver has chosen Sejong City as preferred bidder for its second data center, which will specialize in cloud computing.The internet company announced late Friday that it selected the city after a comprehensive review, about four months after abandoning its initial plan to establish the data center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, due to strong opposition from residents there.“Based on opinions of consultants, the management and employees of the company, we chose the location where Sejong City as preferred bidder, and will discuss the establishment of our data center with the city,” Naver said.If the two reach an agreement, Naver will begin building the center during the first half of 2020. The target completion date is the first quarter of 2022.Naver, which operates its first data center called GAK in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, wanted to build another data center in Yongin in a bid to capitalize on the country's fast-growing cloud computing market.Since its plan was scrapped in June, th

Oct 27, 2019By Baek Byung-yeul
Naver to set up 2nd data center in Sejong
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