TRAVEL: 'Gyeomjae Jeong Seon' exhibition at Ho-Am Art Museum SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Gyeomjae Jeong Seon (1676–1759) is considered one of the greatest painters of the Joseon Dynasty. A trailblazer of true-view landscape painting (Jingyeong Sansuhwa), he helped usher in the golden age of 18th-century Korean art by portraying Korea’s natural scenery with a uniquely Korean perspective. Jeong was a master across multiple genres, including landscapes, portraits, and bird-and-flower paintings. From April 2 to June 29, the Ho-Am Art Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is presenting a major retrospective titled Gyeomjae Jeong Seon. Marking the 60th anniversary of the Samsung Foundation of Culture, the exhibition is co-hosted with the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation and features loans from 18 museums including the National Museum of Korea, as well as private collections. Thanks to this unprecedented collaboration, eight of Jeong’s 12 officially designated National Treasures and Treasures (2 National Treasures, and 6 Treasures) are being shown together for the first time. In total, 165 works are on display—making this the most comprehensive Jeong Seon exhibition to date. Greeting visitors at the entrance are the two National Treasures: Clearing After Rain on Mt. Inwang from the Lee Kun-hee Collection (housed at the National Museum of Korea), and Panoramic View of Mt. Geumgang from the Leeum Museum of Art. Alongside these are Jeong’s iconic true-view landscapes, his earlier conceptual works, figure paintings depicting ancient sages and scholars, and exquisite bird-and-flower compositions that span both levels of the museum. Gyeomjae Jeong Seon also reveals lesser-known aspects of the artist. Though widely remembered for his ink landscapes, this exhibition shows his brilliance with color. It also offers glimpses into the life and worldview that shaped his art. Comparing works painted at the same locations across different years adds a fascinating layer—revealing Jeong’s evolving style and artistic maturity. This ambitious retrospective is being praised for showcasing how far South Korea’s antique art exhibitions have come. For the first time, an exhibition maps a master’s artistic journey across his entire lifetime, presenting it as a coherent, living narrative. The three years of preparation and dedication by the curatorial team deserve recognition. The Ho-Am Art Museum is especially stunning in spring. Winding mountain roads lead to the museum, framed by cherry blossom trees that wrap around the mountain like a folding screen. It's no wonder this site is considered one of the Seoul metropolitan area’s best cherry blossom destinations. Visitors can also explore the serene Ho-Am Reservoir and the traditional Korean garden Heewon, offering a tranquil immersion into the kind of natural beauty Jeong Seon captured in his work. During the exhibition, a free shuttle bus runs twice daily between Leeum Museum in Hannam-dong and Ho-Am Art Museum. Gathering in a Mountain Pavilion, featured on the 1,000-won bill. AJP Cho Bo-hee Falls of Baksaeng. AJP Cho Bo-hee Suseong-dong, from the Album of the Eight Scenic Views of Jangdong. AJP Cho Bo-hee A Cicada Among Pine Trees. AJP Cho Bo-hee Jangan Temple, from the 1721 Album of Mt. Geumgang. AJP Cho Bo-hee 2025-04-11 17:50:16

PHOTOS: Yoon Suk Yeol ouster leads to spike in Cheong Wa Dae visitors SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Cheong Wa Dae, once the presidential office which opened to the public in May 2022 after the inauguration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is experiencing a sharp increase in visitors following the Constitutional Court's verdict to oust Yoon from office. The surge is attributed to two main factors. The impeachment protests that had gripped nearby areas like Gwanghwamun have ceased. Additionally, there is growing speculation that public access to the compound will again be restricted if the presidential office, currently located in Yongsan, is moved back to Cheong Wa Dae after the upcoming snap presidential election. Cheong Wa Dae/ Yonhap Main building of Cheong Wa Dae/ Yonhap 2025-04-10 15:27:32

PHOTOS: Planting season SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - The arrival of spring has ushered in a period of intense activity in the countryside as farmers ready the land for planting. This collection of images offers a glimpse into their springtime labors. A farmer plows a chili pepper field with an ox in Danyang-gun, North Chungcheong Province, April 8, 2025. Courtesy of Danyang-gun Office A farmer plows a chili pepper field with an ox in Danyang-gun, North Chungcheong Province, April 8, 2025. Courtesy of Danyang-gun Office 2025-04-08 16:57:17

TRAVEL: At royal tomb, symbolic reeds-cutting ceremony connects past and present SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - On April 5, a tradition linking South Korea’s imperial past to its present unfolded at the serene Donggureung Royal Tombs. Under a steady spring drizzle, the “Cheongwan Yecho” ceremony took place, a ritual centered on the trimming of reeds that blanket the burial mound of Geonwolleung, the final resting place of Yi Seong-gye, who established the Joseon Dynasty. The term “Cheongwan” refers to reeds, while “Yecho” signifies the act of cutting grass. Donggureung is a significant historical site, encompassing nine royal tombs from the Joseon era. It represents the largest concentration of these burial sites among the 40 Joseon royal tombs in South Korea recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. In total, 42 such tombs exist, with the remaining two located in Kaesong, North Korea. The rain-soaked reeds of Geonwolleung densely cover the tomb, creating an appearance reminiscent of a traditional thatched roof. The surrounding woodland, shrouded in a soft mist, lent the scene a quiet solemnity. Unlike the other royal tombs within the complex, which are covered in manicured lawns, the reeds of Geonwolleung carry a poignant historical narrative. Yi Seong-gye, the dynasty’s founder, held deep animosity towards his son, Yi Bang-won, who was responsible for the deaths of the two sons born to his second queen, Sindeok. Before his passing, Yi Seong-gye expressed a desire to be buried in his ancestral home of Hamheung. However, Yi Bang-won considered it inappropriate to inter the kingdom’s founder in a remote province. As a compromise, he chose a burial site near the capital, Hanyang (now Seoul), and, in a symbolic gesture to honor his father’s wishes, had soil brought from Hamheung to cover the burial mound, planting reeds from the same northern region. The “Cheongwan Yecho” ceremony unfolds in a precise sequence. First, five laborers, wielding traditional sickles, undertake the “Yechoui,” the physical act of cutting the reeds. This distinctive scene often draws a crowd of onlookers. The significant size and steep incline of the burial mound demand careful attention from the workers. After approximately an hour, the mound is cleared of the season’s growth, presenting a neatly trimmed appearance. Following the cutting, the “Goyuje,” a ritualistic notification to the ancestral spirits that the reeds have been cleared, was conducted. Despite the persistent rain, the ceremony proceeded with solemnity, observed by attending citizens. The unbroken tradition of these ancestral rites is widely considered a significant factor in the UNESCO's recognition of the Joseon royal tombs. Officials participating in the ritual knelt on the damp earth, carrying out the proceedings with reverence for over an hour. The ceremony culminated in the “Eumbokrye,” the sharing of the ritual food with members of the public who attended the event. South Korea currently has 73 tombs of members of the Joseon royal family, including kings and queens, as well as the emperors and empresses of the subsequent Korean Empire. While the Joseon Dynasty produced 27 monarchs, the tombs of the deposed rulers Yeonsangun and Gwanghaegun are not included within the official registry of royal tombs. ​​​​​​ The Goyuje ceremony/ AJP Cho Bo-hee Ritual dishes prepared for the Goyuje ceremony/ AJP Cho Bo-hee Unlike Geonwolleung's reeds, the burial mound of Munjo''s tomb is covered in grass. AJP Cho Bo-hee 2025-04-08 16:01:34

PHOTOS: Korean instant noodles going global SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - The "2025 Korea Ramyeon Fair" took place at the COEX convention center in Magok, Seoul, from April 4-6, showcasing the enduring popularity and growing international reach of South Korean instant noodles. This year's exhibition featured 150 companies, presenting a wide array of products, from the noodles themselves to raw ingredients, cooking equipment, and manufacturing supplies. According to recent figures, exports of South Korean instant noodles reached $344 million in the first quarter of this year, marking a substantial 27.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. 2025-04-07 10:35:47

PHOTOS: Moments of historic ruling SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - In a unanimous decision, the Constitutional Court, Friday, removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, effective immediately. Constitutional Court justice Moon Hyung-bae reads the ruling of the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol, April 4, 2025. Yonhap Constitutional Court justices attend the ruling of President Yoon Suk Yeol, April 4, 2025. From top left, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, Lee Mi-sun, Kim Hyung-doo, Jung Hyung-sik, Cho Han-chang, Jung Jung-mi, Kim Bok-hyung and Jung Kye-sun. Yonhap The Constitutional Court delivers its verdict in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, April 4, 2025. Yonhap 2025-04-04 14:18:43

PHOTOS: Big day for South Korea's democracy SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday upheld the National Assembly’s impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol, ordering his immediate removal from office. The ruling, delivered at 11:22 a.m., came 111 days after the impeachment case was formally lodged with the court on Dec. 14, ending Yoon’s presidency after just two years and 11 months, a tenure marked by intense partisan conflict and public protests. People rejoice at the news of the Constitutional Court's decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office in Anguk-dong, Seoul, April 4, 2025. Yonhap A supporter of Yoon Suk Yeol reacts with dismay near the presidential residence in Yongsan, Seoul, after the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon's impeachment, April 4, 2025. Yonhap 2025-04-04 12:09:15

PHOTOS: Constitutional Court unanimously removes President Yoon Suk Yeol from office SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - 2025-04-04 11:32:00

PHOTOS: Security tightens around Constitutional Court and National Assembly ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - On Friday, the day of the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol, security has been significantly heightened around key government buildings. The areas surrounding the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly are sealed off with police bus barricades, reflecting the growing tension. Police bus barricades block access to the front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, on April 4. YONHAP 2025-04-04 10:33:04

PHOTOS: Korea's largest auto show opens at KINTEX SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - The 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, the premier automotive exhibition in South Korea, commenced this week at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The event began with a media preview on Wednesday, followed by an official opening ceremony on Thursday, and is scheduled to run through April 13. The show has attracted approximately 460 companies from across the globe, eager to display their latest innovations. Among the highlights are anticipated debuts from Hyundai Motor Company and China's burgeoning electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, both set to unveil new models for the Korean market. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year's exhibition has broadened its scope beyond traditional automobiles to encompass the wider landscape of mobility technologies. Under the theme "Mobility, Everywhere," organizers aim to underscore the increasing prevalence of mobility solutions across various domains – land, sea, and air – and their integration into everyday life. Organizers said the exhibition also features cutting-edge advancements in areas such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, robotics, and urban air mobility (UAM), reflecting the evolving trajectory of the transportation industry. Hyundai Motor's "X Gran Convertible" concept car at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show/ Yonhap Hyundai Motor's "X Gran Coupe" and "X Gran Convertible" concept cars/ Yonhap 2025-04-03 16:18:19