AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Yoo Na-hyun
Yoo Na-hyun유나현
PhotographerGeopolitics, Culture, History, People & Photo Journalist
Photojournalist, AJU PRESS (AJP) Covering news, culture and society in South Korea through an Asian perspective. "Every moment is worth documenting."
Latest by Yoo Na-hyun
  • World Cup 26: Koreans ride emotional journey during the first match
    World Cup 26: Koreans ride emotional journey during the first match SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) -The thrill before kickoff Thousands of supporters dressed in red packed Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Friday morning, creating a sea of national flags and cheering sticks as South Korea opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against the Czechia. Office workers on leave, families with children and foreign visitors gathered beneath giant screens, united by anticipation and hope. The nail-biting first half As the match settled into a tense, scoreless opening half, emotions fluctuated with every attack. Fans leaned forward in expectation, erupting at every glimpse of a scoring chance before sinking back into anxious silence. The square held its breath as opportunities came and went, with tension building under the summer sun. Shock The mood changed instantly when the Czechia broke the deadlock early in the second half. Groans rippled through the crowd. Some supporters covered their faces in disbelief while others stared silently at the screens, struggling to process the setback. Relief Hope returned eight minutes later when Hwang In-beom calmly slotted home the equalizer. The square erupted in applause and cheers as supporters jumped from their seats, celebrating the goal that breathed new life into South Korea's World Cup opener. Joy The atmosphere intensified as South Korea pushed forward in search of a winner. Chants from the Red Devils echoed across the square, and supporters waved flags with renewed confidence as momentum swung decisively in the Taegeuk Warriors' favor. Euphoria When Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winning goal to complete South Korea's 2-1 comeback, Gwanghwamun Square exploded in celebration. Strangers embraced, families danced and friends exchanged high-fives as a wave of pure joy swept through the crowd. Long after the final whistle, supporters remained in the square taking photos and reliving a memorable victory — South Korea's first World Cup opening-match win since 2010. Some headed back the office and luckier ones went straight to pubs for the World Cup chimaek – chicken and beer mix. One team, one moment For a brief moment, everyone at Gwanghwamun Square became part of the same team. Beneath a sea of red shirts and fluttering flags, thousands of supporters shared the exhilaration of a comeback victory that will be remembered as one of the defining scenes of South Korea's 2026 World Cup journey. 2026-06-12 17:30:52
  • Cargo-handling robot wows at Seoul tech event
    Cargo-handling robot wows at Seoul tech event SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - A robot demonstrates cargo-handling capabilities during Smart Tech Korea 2026 at COEX in Seoul on June 11, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-06-12 08:24:34
  • Human-Like robotic hand unveiled in Seoul
    Human-Like robotic hand unveiled in Seoul SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - A robotic hand designed to mimic human hand movements is demonstrated during Smart Tech Korea 2026 at COEX in Seoul on June 11, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-06-12 08:23:54
  • Dancing robots dazzle at COEX in Seoul
    Dancing robots dazzle at COEX in Seoul SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Robots perform a dance demonstration at the AGIBOT booth during Smart Tech Korea 2026 at COEX in Seoul on June 11, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-06-12 08:23:38
  • A shipwreck, a gift and 140 Years of friendship between Korea and France
    A shipwreck, a gift and 140 Years of friendship between Korea and France SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The story of how Korea and France first encountered each other began far from Paris — on a remote island off Korea's southwestern coast. In the spring of 1851, the French whaling ship Narval ran aground near Bigeumdo. Stranded sailors found unexpected refuge among local Joseon officials who offered food, shelter and assistance despite sharing no common language. When French consul Charles de Montigny arrived from Shanghai to retrieve the crew, he reportedly found not hardship but hospitality. At a farewell banquet, French champagne and wine sat alongside Korean makgeolli. Before departing, Montigny received a simple earthenware wine bottle as a gift. A small object. A quiet gesture. It would become one of the earliest surviving traces of contact between Korea and France — 35 years before the two countries formally established diplomatic relations through the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in 1886. Today, that story unfolds across two exhibitions in Seoul marking the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic ties. At the National Palace Museum of Korea, Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korea-France Friendship brings together diplomatic documents, letters and state gifts that trace the relationship from the late Joseon Dynasty to the present. Among the exhibition's most significant pieces are the original treaty documents and ratification records preserved separately in Korea and France, displayed together for the first time. Nearby are royal gifts exchanged between King Gojong and French President Sadi Carnot — reminders that diplomacy was often conducted not only through signatures and seals, but also through carefully chosen objects. At Deoksugung Palace's Dondeokjeon Hall, another exhibition focuses on a single gift. Banhwa: Auspicious Wishes centers on a royal decorative arrangement sent by King Gojong to the French president after diplomatic relations were established. Set upon a lotus-shaped stand, the work combines peonies, orchids, pine trees and arborvitae — each carrying a wish from the Joseon court. Prosperity. Longevity. Integrity. Renewal. The original remains in Paris at the Guimet Museum. For this exhibition, a painstakingly restored replica created by National Intangible Cultural Heritage holder Kim Young-hee returns the royal gift to Korean audiences for the first time. What connects both exhibitions is a simple idea. History is often remembered through treaties and dates. Yet relationships between nations are also built through objects that survive long after the people who exchanged them are gone. An earthenware bottle carried from Bigeumdo. A royal flower arrangement sent across continents. Letters, gifts and records exchanged over generations. Together they tell a quieter story of Korea and France — one measured not only in diplomacy, but in gestures of goodwill. As Korean culture enjoys growing popularity in France and French art, cuisine and fashion remain beloved in Korea, these exhibitions offer a reminder that cultural exchange did not begin with K-pop or tourism. It began with a shipwreck, a shared meal and a gift. 2026-06-12 08:04:59
  • Over 500 companies showcase latest technologies at expo in southern Seoul
    Over 500 companies showcase latest technologies at expo in southern Seoul SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - South Korea's largest annual tech expo in southern Seoul has been drawing visitors since its opening this week, bringing tech professionals and others together to explore the latest innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and extended reality (XR). Under the theme "The Tech Nexus," the annual "Smart Tech Korea" expo, which kicked off at COEX in southern Seoul on Wednesday, runs until Friday, showcasing a wide range of emerging technologies such as generative AI, on-device AI, industrial robots, digital healthcare, quantum technology and AR/XR smart glasses, with more than 500 companies and institutions from over 40 countries taking part. The expo also features several sideline events, offering visitors and industry professionals a look at digital transformation technologies shaping the manufacturing, logistics, and retail sectors. 2026-06-11 18:26:20
  • Seoul braces for this summers heatwave with air-conditioned shelters
    Seoul braces for this summer's heatwave with air-conditioned shelters SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - More than a dozen makeshift shelters have been installed in public areas, including Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, as another record-breaking summer season approaches, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Thursday. These shelters are equipped with air conditioners, fans, tables and chairs, allowing Seoul residents to rest comfortably and find temporary relief from high temperatures. They will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Aug. 11. The city also plans to expand rest areas with sunshades, cooling and misting fans, and other facilities to help protect residents from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. 2026-06-11 14:12:09
  • Kakao workers stage first-ever strike amid pay disputes
    Kakao workers stage first-ever strike amid pay disputes SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Unionized workers at mobile messaging giant Kakao staged a rally on Wednesday, their first-ever strike since the company's founding in 2006. They gathered in front of their office in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province at around 10 a.m. before marching for about an hour in a partial strike, chanting slogans demanding job security and management's resignation. They claimed about 1,000 Kakao employees as well as 1,500 workers across its affiliated companies participated in the strike. The strike came amid disputes over bonuses and compensation, but also appears partly fueled by comparisons with Samsung, whose workers secured hefty pay increases and benefits in recent labor negotiations after the semiconductor giant posted massive revenues from an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chip boom. 2026-06-10 16:59:54
  • Healthcare-themed event kicks off in central Seoul
    Healthcare-themed event kicks off in central Seoul SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - A healthcare-themed event kicked off in central Seoul on Tuesday, bringing together industry workers and health-conscious visitors. Now in its fourth year, the three-day event at Seoul Plaza showcases the latest trends in health-related industries and displays of medical devices, wellness equipment, and other smart technologies. The event also offers a wide range of health-related programs, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, allowing visitors to explore various healthcare products and services, as well as take part in health checkups and workouts. Highlights of the opening day included various programs such as a jazz concert and jump rope activities, while a special session on Thursday will provide information on diabetes and other topics related to disease prevention and health management. 2026-06-09 16:57:48
  • Chip sell-off sends KOSPI below 8,000
    Chip sell-off sends KOSPI below 8,000 SEOUL, June 8 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed at 7,484.41, down 676.18 points, or 8.29 percent, from the previous session, falling below the 8,000-point level According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI opened at 8,048.09, down 112.50 points, or 1.38 percent, from the previous close, before extending its losses throughout the session. The index fell as low as 7,442.73 during intraday trading. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also declined sharply, ending the day at 911.39, down 91.05 points, or 9.08 percent. Amid the sharp market sell-off, circuit breakers were triggered on both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets. Sell-side sidecars, which temporarily suspend program-driven sell orders, were also activated in both markets. 2026-06-08 17:17:53