Farewell, volatile 2025. Welcome, year of the Fire Horse SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea passed through a year of sharp political rupture, marked by martial law and impeachment, yet it did not remain suspended in crisis. Gradually, the pulse of society returned. The economy gathered speed from near stillness, and the KOSPI rose with uncommon force, its 76 percent surge reflecting both the promise of artificial intelligence and shifting winds in the global order. Beneath the recovery, divisions linger and the young continue to shoulder uncertainty. Still, as the Year of the Fire Horse approaches — a symbol of strong motion, resolve and renewal — there is a quiet hope that 2026 will carry brighter energy, steadier ground, and a deeper sense of confidence for the people. 2025-12-31 13:39:48

TRAVEL: Snowflower hiking to welcome the new year SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Only a few days remain in 2025. Leaving behind a year of lingering regrets, many people share the desire to welcome the new year with hope. Some travel abroad, while many climb mountains to steady their minds. Snowflower hiking is physically demanding, but it provides an opportunity to face beautiful snowy landscapes and strengthen one's resolve. Snowflowers are formed when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes onto trees, a gift of nature typically found on high mountains over 1,000 meters above sea level in midwinter. Here are some mountains popular for snowflower hiking ahead of the new year. Seoraksan spans Sokcho, Inje, and Yangyang in Gangwon-do. In winter, it presents a spectacle of snowflowers and rime ice along its ridges and rock formations. It is considered one of South Korea's representative winter hiking destinations. Deogyusan spans Muju in Jeonbuk and Geochang and Hamyang in Gyeongnam. Visitors can easily access the area near Hyangjeokbong Peak via gondola. The snowflower tunnels and ridge landscapes make it popular for family hikers.. Gyebangsan is located on the border of Hongcheon and Pyeongchang in Gangwon-do, characterized by gentle slopes and deep forests. Thick snowflowers allow for a quiet winter hike in a calm atmosphere. Seonjaryeong is a ridge-type mountain area between Pyeongchang and Gangneung in Gangwon-do, where open meadows and snowfields continue. The snowflower scenery shaped by the wind creates an exotic atmosphere. Taebaeksan spans Taebaek in Gangwon-do and Bonghwa in Gyeongbuk. It is known for its excellent snowflowers and rime ice, and because the slopes are gentle, even beginners can climb it easily. It is called a "mecca for winter hiking" and is famous for New Year's Day sunrise treks. Untangodo is a highland trekking path connecting Jeongseon, Yeongwol, and Taebaek in Gangwon-do, created using former coal transport roads. It is gaining popularity as a snowflower trekking course due to the low physical burden. Taegisan is located in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do. Wind turbines lined up along the ridge combine with snowflowers to create a unique winter landscape. Many relatively gentle courses make it a good challenge for beginners. Snowflower hiking is the most beautiful gift winter offers. With thorough preparation for the cold and adherence to safety rules, it can be a meaningful hike to open the new year. 2025-12-30 13:45:48

President Lee Jae-myung's first commute to Blue House SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung arrived at the Blue House main building for the first time on Dec. 29, holding a morning tea time with aides and marking the beginning of the Blue House era. President Lee's commute to the Blue House comes about seven months after his inauguration and about three years and seven months after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration moved the presidential office to Yongsan in May 2022. At 12 a.m. on this day, the Phoenix Flag, symbolizing the South Korean head of state, was raised at the Blue House. The official name of the presidential office has been reverted to "Blue House" (Cheong Wa Dae) and the official emblem is also being changed. The presidential office's completion of the return to the Blue House within the year is interpreted as a symbolic expression of the will to break from the Yongsan era, which was stained by the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration and impeachment, and to accelerate a future-oriented approach to state affairs. 2025-12-29 10:40:54

PHOTOS: Seoul art show opens in Coex SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The 2025 Seoul Art Show, an exhibition offering a comprehensive look at the latest trends in contemporary art, opened December 24 at Coex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and runs through December 28. Now in its 14th year, the Seoul Art Show is held annually during the Christmas season and has become a fixture of the city's year-end cultural calendar. The event serves as a barometer for the Korean art market and a primary point of contact between the public and the arts. Reflecting this role, large crowds visited the venue on the December 24 opening day and on Christmas Day, December 25. The exhibition features approximately 150 domestic and international galleries alongside several curated special programs. A special exhibition highlighting the diversity and innovation of Korean art includes works by Kim Whan-ki, Lee Jung-seob, Nam June Paik, Chun Kyung-ja, Kim Ku-lim, and Lee Ufan. Previously unreleased works by Lee Jung-seob are among the pieces on display. A second special exhibition, "60 Years of Korea-Japan Art Exchange," focuses on how artistic dialogue has fostered cultural sensitivity and reduced prejudice by offering insights into the history, tradition, and modern society of both nations. This year's show includes works by Korean artists Lee Ufan, Lee Kun-yong, Lee Jong-sang, Lee Seung-taek, and Lee Il-ho, as well as Japanese artists Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Kenji Takashi. "We will ensure that leading domestic and international galleries and renowned artists participate in this show to establish it as a center of the international art market," said Kim Jong-geun, co-director of the Seoul Art Show. "We intend to play a pivotal role in the growth of the Korean art market." 2025-12-26 13:53:10

Restored incense burners at Gyeongbokgung Palace unveiled on Christmas Eve SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Two lids for incense burners at Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul have recently been restored, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said on Wednesday. The newly-created lids, perfectly restored to fit the burners in front of the palace's main hall, were unveiled to the public on Christmas Eve and will remain permanently on display. The two identical burners are believed to have been made by melting down a large bell in 1866, during the reign of Gojong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty. Each consists of a body with two handles and three legs, topped with a lid shaped like a dragon. The lids were stolen around 60 years ago, sometime between 1961 and 1962. 2025-12-24 11:06:39

TRAVEL: Mt. Maisan's twin horse-ear peaks offer geological wonders JINAN, December 23 (AJP) - Famous for its unique geological and rocky formations, Mt. Maisan in southwestern South Korea has two distinctive twin peaks that resemble a horse's ears, from which the mountain got its name. The higher peak, called Ammaibong, reaches 687 meters, while the slightly lower Sutmaibong stands at 679.9 meters. Located in Jinan, North Jeolla Province, only Ammaibong is open to hikers. What makes the mountain especially striking is its cluster of stone formations and rocky pillars, created from Cretaceous-period conglomerate rock. Pebbles fused within the rock give it a concrete-like texture, while centuries of erosion have carved countless small cavities called tafone, rare formations that added to the mountain's geological value. A five-hour route to the peak begins at Geumdangsa, the area's largest temple, which houses nationally designated treasures, including a 9-meter-long Buddhist painting. Despite its manageable height, the mountain challenges hikers with its steep, demanding trail. But hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views from the summit, where rice paddies spread across the valleys below, flowing like rivers. Hiking in the rain may seem inconvenient at first, but unless it is a heavy downpour, it rarely becomes an obstacle. Once the rain stops, the scenery often appears fresher and clearer than on sunny days. At the foot of the mountain lies Tapsa temple, known for its numerous mysterious stone pagodas. Built over more than 30 years in the late 19th century by a single man, the pagodas have withstood wind and rain without mortar and still stand today. Hikers may not be able to see the full shape of the mountain while climbing, so they should stop by a nearby maze-themed garden, where visitors can check if the mountain's shape truly resembles a horse's ear. A hearty meal made with local black pork would be one of the perfect ways to end a tough day of hiking. 2025-12-23 15:13:12

Dedicated gallery for ancient gilt-bronze masterpiece opens in Buyeo SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - The Buyeo National Museum is set to open a dedicated exhibition hall on Tuesday, exclusively showcasing one of South Korea’s most celebrated artifacts: a gilt-bronze incense burner of the Baekje Kingdom. Unearthed on Dec. 12, 1993, at a temple site in Buyeo, the incense burner is regarded as a pinnacle of ancient craftsmanship. Its intricate design — featuring a dragon base, a phoenix finial, and a body adorned with immortals, exotic animals, and five musicians — serves as a profound distillation of the Baekje Kingdom’s religious ideology and worldview. According to museum officials, the new space aims to offer a more immersive experience for visitors. "While our permanent galleries allow visitors to appreciate the overall elegance and harmony of Baekje culture, this new space is specifically curated to let the public experience the true essence of the incense burner in a focused environment," a museum spokesman said. "The exhibition demonstrates how a single relic can represent the pinnacle of an era's art, technology, and philosophy." 2025-12-22 17:43:18

PHOTOS: Coal briquettes become symbol of solidarity SANGJU, December 22 (AJP) - During South Korea’s rapid industrialization, the yeontan — a cylindrical coal briquette — was the lifeblood of the working class, fueling the stoves that saw families through the harsh winters. While the nation has since transformed into a high-tech powerhouse, these "black diamonds" remain a critical, albeit fading, lifeline for the vulnerable. Though most of the country transitioned to oil boilers in the 1980s and eventually to widespread gas, the briquette has not disappeared. Its affordability makes it the primary heating source for low-income households living in older, marginalized neighborhoods. However, the low price of the coal itself belies the difficulty of its delivery. Each briquette weighs roughly 3.5 kilogram, and because many recipients live in steep, narrow alleyways inaccessible by truck, transportation costs can be prohibitive. This logistical gap has given rise to a unique culture of "Yeontan Volunteering." Central to this effort is the Yeontan Bank, a welfare organization that bridges the gap between donors and those in need. The bank manages monetary donations to purchase the fuel and coordinates legions of volunteers to deliver them by hand. The work is grueling and messy. Volunteers must prepare for a "battle" with anthracite dust, which stains everything it touches. Dressed in black clothing and shrouded in plastic raincoats, masks, and gloves, these "human chains" pass the heavy briquettes one by one up steep hills — ensuring that for the city’s most marginalized, the winter remains bearable. 2025-12-22 14:09:12

Century-old Buddhist pavilions gain heritage status SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Friday that it will designate three pavilions from the late Joseon Dynasty as "Treasures," while elevating two iconic medieval stone pagodas to the status of "National Treasures." The three newly recognized pavilions include the Chimgyeru Pavilion at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, the Mansaeru Pavilion at Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, and the Cheonboru Pavilion at Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong. Typically situated in front of a temple’s main Buddha hall, these pavilions served as essential social and spiritual hubs during the Joseon era, hosting Buddhist rituals, lectures, and community gatherings. The KHS also officially promoted the 5-story stone pagodas of Bowonsa Temple and Gaesimsa Temple to National Treasures. Both structures represent the pinnacle of Goryeo-era (918–1392) masonry and had been classified as "Treasures" since 1963. 2025-12-19 14:30:57

Panmunjeom: The Cold War relic awaiting inter-Korean thaw SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Located within the Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjeom is the historic site where the Korean War armistice agreement was signed in 1953. Today, it remains a unique zone jointly managed by North and South Korea, partitioned by the Military Demarcation Line. While the area currently sits in silence due to strained inter-Korean relations and a total freeze in diplomacy, it remains the primary stage for global attention whenever dialogue resumes on the peninsula. Once an anonymous hamlet consisting of only a few thatched-roof houses, Panmunjeom rose to international prominence when it became the venue for armistice negotiations on Oct. 25, 1951. After nearly two years of talks, the armistice agreement was finally signed here on July 27, 1953. The site also facilitated the exchange of prisoners of war between August and September of that year. The JSA features seven functional buildings situated directly atop the MDL, including those used by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC). Facilities on the southern side include Freedom House and Peace House, while the northern side is home to Panmungak and Panmungwan (formerly known as Tongilgak). Public access to the site has been restricted for over two years. Following the unauthorized crossing of a U.S. soldier into North Korea on July 18, 2023, general tours of Panmunjeom remain indefinitely suspended as of December 2025. 2025-12-18 16:38:42