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Protests in South Korea Highlight Revival of Older Smartphones with DMB Functionality

Protests in South Korea Highlight Revival of Older Smartphones with DMB Functionality

SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Amid disruptions to mobile networks during large-scale protests calling for the impeachment of the president, older smartphones equipped with terrestrial DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) technology have become unexpectedly essential. The technology, which allows users to watch live broadcasts without relying on mobile networks, is gaining renewed attention for its [...]

South Korean Government Backs Bill to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools

South Korean Government Backs Bill to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant move to address digital addiction concerns among youth, South Korea’s ruling party has proposed legislation to restrict smartphone use in schools, garnering support from the government and education officials.  The initiative gained momentum after the National Human Rights Commission of Korea recently ruled that the collective confiscation [...]

North Korea’s Smartphone Boom: Millions Embrace Technology Despite Restrictions

North Korea’s Smartphone Boom: Millions Embrace Technology Despite Restrictions

SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – North Korea has experienced a rapid surge in smartphone adoption since easing pandemic-related lockdowns two years ago, with a recent analysis suggesting that the number of smartphone users in the country may have reached up to 7 million. Martin Williams, a researcher at the U.S. think tank Crimson Center, published [...]

North Korean Olympic Athletes Receiving Samsung Smartphones Could Violate U.N. Sanctions: Seoul

North Korean Olympic Athletes Receiving Samsung Smartphones Could Violate U.N. Sanctions: Seoul

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The unification ministry said Thursday North Korean Olympic athletes receiving Samsung Electronics Co.’s smartphones could be in violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions against Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs. Samsung Electronics, an Olympic partner, has distributed the Olympic edition of its latest Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones to [...]

Study Finds Smartphone Addiction Passes from Parents to Children

Study Finds Smartphone Addiction Passes from Parents to Children

SEOUL, Jul. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study has confirmed that smartphone addiction can be transmitted from parents to their children. The research revealed that when parents exhibit high smartphone dependence, nearly 80% of their children also show signs of excessive smartphone use, leading to disruptions in daily life or anxiety when separated from their [...]

Brand Loyalty Tightens Grip on South Korean Smartphone Market, Survey Shows

Brand Loyalty Tightens Grip on South Korean Smartphone Market, Survey Shows

SEOUL, Jul. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that 9 out of 10 consumers in South Korea intend to stick with their current smartphone brand, indicating a strengthening “lock-in effect” in the mobile device market. The study also found that smartphone usage among seniors over 70 has surpassed 90% for both men and [...]

Samsung Electronics Expected to Unveil New AI-enabled Smartphones Next Month

Samsung Electronics Expected to Unveil New AI-enabled Smartphones Next Month

SEOUL, Jun. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to unveil new Galaxy series smartphones with artificial intelligence (AI) features next month. The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 will take place in Paris on July 10 (local time), just about two weeks before the opening of the Paris Summer Olympics, Samsung said Wednesday. Samsung [...]

South Korea Tops Global Ranks for Highest Smartphone Prices, Study Finds

South Korea Tops Global Ranks for Highest Smartphone Prices, Study Finds

SEOUL, Apr. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent report from the market research firm TechInsight has revealed that South Korea leads the world in having the highest average selling prices for smartphones, surpassing 87 other countries surveyed. After initially overtaking Japan in 2021, South Korea has now held the top spot for two consecutive years in [...]

Smartphone Makers Expand ‘Right to Repair’ for Consumers

Smartphone Makers Expand ‘Right to Repair’ for Consumers

SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Major smartphone manufacturers are taking steps to grant consumers greater “right to repair” their devices amidst growing demands.  On April 11, Apple announced that certain iPhone models can now be repaired using recycled components. Previously, iPhone users had to undergo “part pairing” when self-repairing their devices, only allowing parts that [...]

Excessive Smartphone Use Linked to Increased Health Issues in Adolescents, Study Finds

Excessive Smartphone Use Linked to Increased Health Issues in Adolescents, Study Finds

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – Adolescents who use smartphones for more than four hours a day are at a higher risk of experiencing health-related issues such as stress, suicidal thoughts, and substance use compared to those who use them less, according to a study conducted by a team of researchers led by professor Moon Jin-hwa [...]