Korea Central News Net

Must Read News Updates from Korea You May Have Not Heard Before

  • Oppadak launches new menu item ‘Agent Black K-Chibap,’ a fresh take on chicken and rice.

    Promotional poster for Oppadak’s new menu item, “Agent Black K-Chibap” | Image provided by ETANG

    Oppadak, a premium Korean chicken franchise operated by ETANG, will release its new menu item, “Agent Black K-Chibap,” on July 16. The dish offers a creative reinterpretation of the classic Korean chicken-and-rice combo, catering to a wide range of customers—from spice-loving 20–and 30-somethings to those seeking a hearty meal.

    “Agent Black K-Chibap” is the brand’s first-ever chicken and rice combo, designed with a narrative that transcends traditional naming conventions. According to the concept, a secret agent—assigned the mission of finding the world’s best chicken and rice—discovers the dish at an Oppadak store in Korea and tries to acquire its secret recipe, adding a playful and unique brand narrative.

    Unlike traditional spicy chicken dishes that rely on gochujang (Korean red chili paste), this new offering features a savory soy-based spicy black chicken topped with a blend of cheeses, enhancing the flavor and umami. Rather than being overwhelmingly spicy, it delivers a deep, addictive heat that keeps diners coming back for more.

    The rice component is also noteworthy. While most chicken brands rely on instant rice, Oppadak’s version uses a chef-created “corn and egg butter rice,” with rich butter flavor and the popping texture of corn kernels, creating a rich and satisfying base that pairs well with the spicy chicken.

    Presented on a sleek black plate, the colorful combination of cheese and sauce makes for a visually appealing dish, perfect for sharing on social media. From the aromatic butter when the plate is served to the spicy kick of the first bite, the dish offers a multi-sensory dining experience.

    Moon Hyuk-ki, Executive Director at Oppadak, stated, “Whenever we develop a new menu, our top priority is delivering a new and satisfying experience through fresh ideas. Agent Black K-Chibap addresses common shortcomings in competitors’ similar offerings while also providing foreign visitors—whose numbers at our stores have surged by over 180% year-on-year—with an opportunity to experience Korea’s spicy chicken and rice together.”

    All of Oppadak’s chicken is made from 100% domestically sourced poultry certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s HACCP program. The chicken is cooked using a patented method that avoids deep frying, resulting in a distinctive and healthier flavor.

    “Agent Black K-Chibap” will be available starting July 16 at Oppadak locations nationwide, as well as through delivery apps.

  • Hyundai Motor launches the 2026 ST1 in Korea

    Hyundai Motor 2026 ST1 (Cargo) | Photo provided by Hyundai Motor

    Hyundai Motor launched the updated 2026 ST1 on July 16, enhancing the electric business platform’s features and introducing a new budget trim.

    The ST1, first released last year, is equipped with a 76.1 kWh battery, offering a driving range of 317 km for the Cargo model and 298 km for the Cargo Freezer version on a single charge. It supports ultra-fast charging at up to 350kW, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

    Reflecting feedback from existing customers, Hyundai added several convenience features to the Smart trim of the 2026 ST1, including a sun visor mirror for the first row, a passenger-side assist handle, and a floor mat for the passenger seat. The company also enhanced the existing ‘Convenience’ package by adding heated and ventilated seats for the passenger side.

    To reduce the financial burden on customers, Hyundai introduced a new budget ‘Style’ trim for the ST1 Cargo model.

    Despite being priced 1.06 million KRW lower than the Smart trim, the Style trim includes popular features such as a 12.3-inch cluster display, 10.25-inch navigation system, electronic parking brake with auto hold, front and rear parking sensors, and an interior V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) system, ensuring a comfortable driving environment.

    The ST1 comes equipped with an infotainment system based on the Android operating system, offering scalability to tailor work environments to user needs.

    Hyundai has also newly integrated the logistics app “Sendy” into the 2026 ST1 to further improve business convenience.

    Sendy’s driver program uses AI technology to minimize empty vehicle mileage and optimize delivery routes, helping users enhance both work efficiency and profitability.

    The 2026 ST1 is priced as follows (before eco-friendly vehicle subsidies):


    Cargo–Style: 58.74 million KRW / Smart: 60.4 million KRW / Premium: 64.18 million KRW


    Cargo Freezer – Smart: 68.75 million KRW / Premium: 72.53 million KRW

    
Chassis Cab – Smart: 56.55 million KRW
High-top – Smart: 58 million KRW.

    Based on the Style trim for the Cargo model, customers in Korea can expect to receive government and municipal subsidies ranging from at least 15.1 million to as much as 24.57 million KRW, in addition to 3.6 million KRW in support for small business owners and 5.34 million KRW in VAT refunds for commercial vehicles. While varying by regions, these benefits are expected to significantly reduce the actual purchase cost.

    To mark the launch of the 2026 ST1, Hyundai is holding a special promotion offering a discount of 500,000 KRW for owners of small commercial vehicles and 300,000 KRW for owners of other old cars that are over seven years old.

    Hyundai stated that the ST1, as an electric business platform, continues to earn positive reviews for its advanced features and competitive total cost of ownership. The company added that the improved 2026 ST1, developed with close attention to customer feedback, is expected to enhance operational efficiency for its users further.

  • SolidVue and Lumotive sign partnership to co-develop next-generation LiDAR

    From left: Jung-Hoon Chun, Co-CEO of SolidVue; Sam Heidari, CEO of Lumotive; and Jaehyuk Choi, Co-CEO of SolidVue, pose for a photo to commemorate the signing of a joint development agreement for next-generation LiDAR systems | Photo provided by SolidVue

    SolidVue, a leading developer of SPAD sensor ICs, has entered into a strategic partnership with U.S.-based programmable photonics company Lumotive to co-develop next-generation LiDAR systems. The two companies plan to set new standards in the 3D sensing industry by leveraging their respective core technologies.

    At the heart of the collaboration is the integration of SolidVue’s high-performance dTOF SPAD sensor—responsible for light detection—with Lumotive’s Light Control Metasurface (LCM™) beam steering technology, which handles light projection. The goal is to jointly develop a reference design that can become the standard for next-generation LiDAR systems. This integrated approach is expected to enable high-resolution, high-precision, and energy-efficient LiDAR solutions applicable to autonomous driving, industrial automation, and smart devices.

    The partnership reflects the shared vision of both companies to accelerate the adoption of compact, cost-effective, high-performance LiDAR solutions across key markets such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and smart consumer electronics.

    “We aim to expand the potential of LiDAR systems by combining our high-performance SPAD technology with Lumotive’s innovative beam steering technology,” said Jung-Hoon Chun, Co-CEO of SolidVue. “This collaboration is a major milestone toward realizing SolidVue’s vision of delivering high-resolution and highly reliable LiDAR sensor ICs to the global market.”

    “By combining SolidVue’s cutting-edge sensor technology with our LCM™ technology, we’re setting a new benchmark in LiDAR performance and opening doors for next-generation applications,” said Sam Heidari, CEO of Lumotive. “This partnership, where our visions and technologies align, is expected to have a profound impact across multiple industries.”

    SolidVue and Lumotive will continue their collaboration to introduce a new class of LiDAR solutions to the market that offer high performance, scalability, and design flexibility, each building on their respective technological strengths.

    SolidVue is a technology company specializing in the development of advanced LiDAR sensor ICs. It leads in CMOS SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) technology, which enables high-precision 3D imaging. The company develops compact, energy-efficient LiDAR sensor solutions applicable to autonomous driving, AR/VR, and smart devices, while maintaining cost-efficiency.