PHOTOS: Ancient historic city of Gyeongju lights up ahead of APEC summit SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit just around the corner, rehearsals and other preparations are underway in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju. One project involved a 15 billion Korean won investment to enhance nighttime scenery around an artificial lake in Bomun, a popular tourist destination in the historic city. At a pre-event called the "Festival of Light" held on Wednesday ahead of the summit to be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, the exterior of Yukbuchon, a traditional Korean house or hanok with tiled roofs and wooden-and-clay structures, was adorned with an illuminated façade, showing the history of Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla that flourished for over 1,000 years. Other dazzling light and media art displays also promoted the summit, showcasing symbols and installations, including a 15-meter-tall egg-shaped structure inspired by the myth of the kingdom's first king, who is believed to have been born from an egg, according to folklore. Governor of North Gyeongsang Province Lee Cheol-woo said, "The festival brings together the city's past, present, and future in a modern style," adding that it is not merely a temporary spectacle limited to the APEC period. Additionally, various events and performances is expected to amaze visitors before and after the summit near a slew of national heritage sites there including Daereungwon, a complex of Silla-era tombs. 2025-10-16 11:28:34

PHOTOS: Why Seoul is hiker's paradise SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Seoul, a dazzling metropolis, holds a secret weapon for escaping the urban bustle: its surrounding peaks. Unlike most megacities, Seoul’s mountains are easily accessible via its subway system, offering hikers a quick dose of nature, sweeping city views, and a deep dive into Korean history. Even on a busy weekday, a nature escape is just a short trip away. Mountains like Naksan, Inwangsan, Namsan, and Baegaksan — often integral parts of the ancient Seoul Fortress Wall — are perfect for a quick hike. These trails are generally less strenuous and can be easily tackled during a half-day outing. For a more substantial climb, the grand mountains ringing the capital are a popular weekend destination for locals. Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan, Buramsan, and Gwanaksan typically require two to four hours of hiking and proper gear. The reward for your effort? A truly spectacular perspective on one of Asia's most dynamic cities. Autumn is an especially magical time, as the crisp, clear air offers the most breathtaking, unobstructed views of the landscape. The crown jewel of Seoul's hiking scene is Bukhansan National Park, an astonishing natural preserve that exists within the borders of a massive metropolitan area — a rarity globally. Its unique geology features a granite base that has eroded over millennia, creating dramatic, sheer rocky peaks interspersed with beautiful, flowing valleys. Bukhansan is not just a natural wonder; it's a historical hub. The park is home to the remains of the Bukhansanseong Fortress, numerous historical and cultural relics, and over a hundred Buddhist temples and hermitages, making every trail a walk through history. You can easily access the park by getting off at a Seoul Subway Line 3 station like Gupabal Station or Bulgwang Station and taking a short bus or walking to the trail entrance. One of the park’s most historic spots is Bibong Peak (560m above sea level). This peak is the original location of an ancient monument set up during the era of King Jinheung of Silla, a designated National Treasure. Erected around 555, it marked King Jinheung’s visit to the newly conquered Han River basin. While the original stele is preserved at the National Museum of Korea, a replica stands on Bibong Peak, offering a stunning panoramic vista of the city below. If you're looking for an easier hike with a high payoff, head to Achasan Mountain, which straddles Seoul’s Gwangjin-gu and Guri City. At a modest 296m above sea level, it’s a relatively easy climb that boasts an incredible vantage point over the Han River and the city's modern skyline. From the summit, you can gaze upon the winding Han River, the towering Lotte World Tower, and the sprawling districts of Gangnam and Hanam City. On a clear day, the views extend across the city, capturing the figures of Namsan and the distant ridgelines of Bukhansan. For any international visitor to Seoul, allocating a few hours to climb one of these accessible mountains is highly recommended. It’s an easy, rewarding, and truly unforgettable experience that shows a side of the city few ever see. 2025-10-16 10:09:51

PHOTOS: Parade marks National Foundation Day SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - On Oct. 3, Kukhakwon members held a commemorative parade from Anguk-dong Rotary to Jonggak in Seoul’s Jongno District, followed by a ceremony to mark National Foundation Day. The holiday, known as “the day the sky opened,” commemorates the founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean state established by Dangun Wanggeom, and celebrates the beginning of Korean history. 2025-10-03 17:12:07

PHOTOS: Kindergarteners show off skills at jump rope competition SUWON, October 02 (AJP) - Over 1,500 young students from private kindergartens across Suwon participated in a jump rope competition, Thursday. The event, hosted by the Suwon Kindergarten Association, took place at the Suwon Sports Complex Gymnasium. The competition served as a platform for the children to showcase the jump rope skills they had been practicing. Enthusiastic parents and family members filled the stands, providing loud cheers for the young athletes. Jump rope is widely recognized for its health benefits for children. It is known to significantly aid in physical development and height growth during a child’s formative years. "Our friends, who at first found it difficult to jump rope even just once or twice, practiced hard and were able to have this competition," said Park Jeong-soon, president of the Suwon Kindergarten Association. "We are grateful to the adults who came and cheered them on." 2025-10-02 16:25:23

PHOTOS: October brings burst of color to Korea's landscapes SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - The Korean Peninsula is undergoing a dramatic seasonal transition, as October ushers in the full splendor of autumn. Across South Korea, the landscapes are beginning to transform, with mountains and fields now donning the brilliant, kaleidoscopic hues of fall foliage and late-season flowers. This annual display of natural beauty coincides with a palpable sense of anticipation among the public. Excitement is building nationwide as people prepare for the long Chuseok holiday. For many Koreans, the vibrant shift in the scenery provides a picturesque backdrop for the approaching festive break, marking a time for reflection, travel, and traditional gatherings. 2025-10-01 16:48:52

PHOTOS: Hometown bonds revitalize local market SANGJU, September 30 (AJP) - The platform at Sangju Station is usually quiet, with a sparse handful of travelers passing through. But on a recent Saturday morning on Sept. 27, the scene was one of jubilant chaos. At 11 a.m., a dedicated train rolled in, and 600 passengers — Sangju natives now living in the bustling Seoul metropolitan area — poured out, instantly filling the normally tranquil space. Their mission was simple, yet profound: a collective shopping trip to the local market, timed to coincide with a traditional Sangju market day, all in an effort to breathe economic life into the fading agricultural city they still call home. Sangju City, located in the heartland of North Gyeongsang Province, is a quintessential Korean farming hub, famous for specialties like rice, gotgam (dried persimmons), cucumbers, grapes, and hanwoo (Korean beef). Like many of the country's regional centers, however, Sangju has been hit hard by population decline, leading to a noticeable contraction in local business and community vigor. To combat this trend, the Seoul-based Sangju Natives' Association (hyangwoohoe) chartered a special Saemaul-ho train ahead of the major Chuseok holiday. As the hundreds of former residents descended on the Sangju Jungang Market, the atmosphere was instantly revitalized. Merchants who brought out their locally grown produce were quickly selling out, their faces bright with satisfaction. “I have never seen so many customers at once,” marveled Kim, 67, a local merchant. “It was more than just shopping; you could feel the sincere love for their hometown. It was genuinely moving.” For the participants, the sentiment was equally powerful. Park Soon-yi, 59, proudly showed off her haul of dried persimmons and various fruits. "I feel so proud that I can help my hometown in this way," she said. "We got our Chuseok shopping done and supported the local community at the same time." A field trip down memory lane This train journey was the second such event organized by the Sangju Natives' Association in Seoul in the last two years. It was an exercise in civic duty mixed with nostalgia, with the experience likened to a school field trip from their youth. Inside the train cars, passengers were grouped by their original neighborhood and elementary school, turning the journey into an impromptu reunion. Many were seated alongside former classmates and village friends, sharing food they had packed and swapping old stories — a tradition of association that remains strong in Korean culture. While large hometown and alumni groups often struggle to attract participation from busy professionals in their 30s and 40s, these movements typically gain momentum among the 50-plus demographic, who have the stability and time to reconnect with their roots. Such enduring bonds are often rooted in shared regional or educational background — relationships built on common ground rather than professional necessity. The trip also offered members a chance to participate in a timely local event, the World Hat Festival, which was concurrently being held in Sangju. Kim Young-geun, president of the Sangju Natives' Association in Seoul, stressed that the mission extends beyond a single event. “Love for one’s hometown is not just about words; it requires action,” he stated. “We will work to ensure this visit is not a one-off event but leads to a sustainable, win-win model that benefits both the community here and the former residents.” 2025-09-30 16:00:33

PHOTOS: In memory of Japan's forced mobilization victims SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - South Korea held simultaneous memorial services in Seoul and Busan to honor Koreans who were conscripted into forced labor under Japanese colonial rule. At the ceremonies, religious leaders from Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestant Christianity offered rites of comfort to the victims and their families. Officials, civic leaders and ordinary citizens laid flowers and burned incense, while a student choir and traditional musician Oh Jung-hae performed commemorative pieces. Historians estimate that some 7.8 million Koreans were mobilized — many sent to mines, factories and battlefields in Japan and across the empire from 1938 to 1945. Others were forced into military service or compelled to serve as “comfort women” in wartime brothels. Conditions were harsh, and countless workers never returned home. It was not until 2005 that the South Korean government began a formal investigation into the scale of forced mobilization. Since then, Seoul has launched support programs for surviving victims and their families, along with annual commemorations. This year’s memorials carried particular weight, taking place on the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation in 1945. 2025-09-29 17:34:31

PHOTOS: Highland harvest in full swing SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - The hills of Daegwallyeong, South Korea's largest production base for prized highland vegetables, are typically a scene of bustling harvest activity as the nation prepares for the major fall holiday, Chuseok. The annual harvest of goraengji baechu (highland cabbage) and goraengji mu (highland radish) is in full swing. These vegetables are distinct because they are exclusively grown in regions situated 1,000 meters or more above sea level, giving them a unique texture and flavor highly sought after for traditional meals. For the farmers in this high-altitude region, the current harvest season is proving to be a difficult one. Crews are working tirelessly to gather the crops, but the yields are noticeably down, hit by a severe drought and a heatwave this year. 2025-09-25 16:39:24

PHOTOS: At 105, philosopher Kim Hyung-seok defines a life well-lived SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - He arrived not in a wheelchair, but on his own two feet. At 105 years old, Professor Kim Hyung-seok, a living icon of South Korean philosophy, took the stage at a Seoul auditorium this week to a standing ovation, ready to share his blueprint for a meaningful life. Professor Kim, born in 1920, is more than a centenarian; he is a testament to the power of a disciplined mind and a well-nourished soul. With a clarity that defies his age, he captivated the audience by reflecting on a life that has spanned Korea’s colonial era, its devastating war, and its meteoric rise as a global power. His most surprising revelation? He considers his "golden age" to have been between 65 and 75. It was a period, he explained, when financial stability met professional mastery, allowing him the freedom to pursue work he truly loved. This, he argued, is when a person can transition from being an "economic slave" to finding genuine happiness in the value of their labor. While acknowledging the physical decline that comes after 75 and the loneliness that can settle in after 85 as friends pass on, he delivered a powerful message of perseverance: "Happiness can continue as long as you can do your own work." To that end, he offered three essential lessons for a fulfilling "second life" starting in one's 60s: study, cultivate a hobby, and stay active. He singled out reading as the key to personal growth, declaring that "only reading can cultivate you and allow you to live a rewarding and happy life." Professor Kim’s wisdom isn't just theory. It's born from a life of experience, from studying alongside Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan to pioneering philosophical education at Yonsei University. He has long credited his vitality to a simple, consistent diet of half a glass of milk, a soft-boiled egg, and steamed potatoes, a breakfast he has eaten for 40 years. As he continues to write and lecture, his message resonates deeply with a society grappling with an aging population. Professor Kim stands as a living reminder that age is not an end, but a new beginning — a time to discover, create, and find purpose beyond the pursuit of wealth. 2025-09-24 14:54:11

PHOTOS: Chuseok holiday is approaching SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - As South Korea moves into autumn, families are beginning preparations for Chuseok, one of the nation’s two most significant holidays alongside Seollal (Lunar New Year). Often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving," the holiday is a time for family reunions, expressing gratitude to ancestors, and celebrating the year's harvest. Chuseok, which literally means "autumn evening," falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the full moon is at its brightest. Its origins are rooted in Korea's agricultural history, and it has long been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. In the days leading up to the holiday, a common sight across the country are families making trips to ancestral graves. This practice, known as beolcho, involves clearing away weeds and tidying up the burial sites, a sign of respect and devotion. Many will also perform seongmyo, an ancestral memorial rite, at the grave itself. These rituals are a way to honor those who came before and to ensure their spirits are at peace. 2025-09-24 14:08:50