Journalist
Han Jun-gu한준구
jungu141298@ajupress.com
PhotographerGeopolitics, Culture, History, People & Photo Journalist
Photojournalist, AJU PRESS (AJP)
Covering Asia's defining stories — from pressing issues and politics to culture and society — through a distinctly Asian lens. "I point the camera at what's there. That's the job."
Covering Asia's defining stories — from pressing issues and politics to culture and society — through a distinctly Asian lens. "I point the camera at what's there. That's the job."
Latest by Han Jun-gu
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Fair in Seoul highlights data protection amid rising security concerns SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) - A fair to raise awareness of the protection and security of personal information is currently underway at COEX in southern Seoul. The two-day fair, hosted by the Personal Information Security Fair & CPO Workshop (PIS FAIR) in cooperation with the Personal Information Protection Commission, kicked off on Monday, bringing together some 89 organizations along with around 4,000 privacy-related workers, data protection managers, and information security professionals from public institutions and private companies. The fair comes amid growing public concern over data security, from e-commerce giant Coupang's massive leak of personal data affecting around 35 million users revealed late last year, to recent data breaches involving streaming platform Tving and BGF Networks, the operator of CU convenience stores' parcel delivery services, along with numerous other cases. Participating companies are showcasing the latest trends in cybersecurity and data protection solutions. The annual fair, now in its 15th year, comes just months before a revision to relevant regulations, which significantly increases penalties for those responsible in the event of data breaches, is set to take effect in early September. 2026-06-23 16:56:46 -
Botanical gardens become popular summer escapes SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. Yulbom Botanical Garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, has seen a steady stream of visitors seeking respite from the summer heat. Families and couples were spotted posing for photos in front of colorful blooms, while children took part in hands-on feeding experiences with rabbits and goats. Hydrangea festivals are also drawing crowds nationwide. The Choan-san Hydrangea Festival in Nowon-gu, Seoul, ran June 20 and 21, drawing visitors to a garden of some 10,000 hydrangea plants across 17 varieties. The Yugudong Colorful Hydrangea Garden Festival in Yugú-eup, Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, and the Gangjin Hydrangea Road Festival, which lines an 8-kilometer forest trail in South Jeolla Province, are both set to open June 26 through 28. In South Gyeongsang Province, the Gangju Sunflower Festival is currently underway in Gangju Village, Haman, running from June 18 to July 2. Now in its 14th year, the festival draws visitors to a 42,500-square-meter sunflower field where hundreds of thousands of blooms are in full flower. 2026-06-22 17:58:24 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Children pose for photos in front of a World Cup model and South Korean national team uniforms at Play Place in Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:31:31 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - 2026-06-19 16:27:18 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korean football fans cheer while watching the Group A match between South Korea and Mexico at a public viewing event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:25:49 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korean football fans cheer while watching the Group A match between South Korea and Mexico at a public viewing event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:24:57 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korean football fans cheer while watching the Group A match between South Korea and Mexico at a public viewing event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:23:52 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Mexican nationals cheer after the match at Play Place in Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:21:08 -
Nation rallies as South Korea faces Mexico in 2026 World Cup SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korean football fans cheer while watching the Group A match between South Korea and Mexico at a public viewing event at Hangang Play Place in Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seoul on June 19, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-19 16:18:39 -
Uzbek expats celebrate historic World Cup debut in Seoul SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - On the morning of June 18, the underground floors of S Tower in Seongsu-dong—Seoul’s renowned hipster district—were transformed into a cauldron of Central Asian football passion. Roughly about 200 Uzbekistan expatriates, international students, and workers living in South Korea gathered to witness a monumental milestone: the Uzbekistan national football team’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match against Colombia. Highlighting the importance of the day, Uzbekistan Ambassador to South Korea, Alisher Abdusalomov, personally joined his countrymen in Seoul to passionately support the national team. The ambassador stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd, sharing in the collective pride and emotional weight of the historic debut. The watch party also served as a beautiful display of regional solidarity, with embassy representatives from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan attending to support their Central Asian neighbor. Although the match ended in a 3-1 victory for Colombia, the atmosphere in Seongsu was nothing short of a festival. Strangers became instant friends, united by the beautiful game. Every screen was packed with deeply focused fans, and a unique highlight of the morning was hearing the spontaneous, passionate reactions to goals and near-misses shouted in a lively mix of both Korean and Uzbek. For the fans in attendance, the result on the pitch was completely secondary to the overwhelming emotion of finally seeing their country on the world's biggest sporting stage. Here are the verbatim voices of the attendees who shared this unforgettable morning: Shokboz, a 27-year-old, explained that expats from all parts of South Korea have gathered in Seongsu to show support for their national team. "Today is a very historic, unforgettable, and special day for us. The reason is that the Uzbekistan national football team is playing its first match in the World Cup finals," he said, adding: "It is a great joy to spend such a meaningful day with our compatriots, cheering and enjoying the game. Moreover, this event goes beyond simply watching a match; it was organized so that people who love the same homeland can share a sense of community as one mind and one nation, and unite even more." Ulugbek, a 30-year-old university student who traveled from the southern city of Daegu, also shared his excitement. "I feel so great. I have been living in Daegu, attending university, and I came all the way to Seongsu just for the football match. There are Uzbek people in Daegu, too, but this is the first time people have gathered in a massive group like this. It's nice to gather with Uzbek people after a long time." 2026-06-18 16:43:50