PHOTOS: Spring in Seoul SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - As temperatures climb, Seoul is visibly ushering in spring, with vibrant blooms now adorning the flowerbeds at City Hall. Flowers in front of Seoul City Hall/ AJP Cho Bo-hee Flowers in front of Seoul City Hall/ AJP Cho Bo-hee 2025-03-20 14:15:47

PHOTOS: Spring flowers laden with late snow SEOUL, March 19 (AJP) - The country witnessed a spring snow on March 18, transforming newly emerged flowers into a striking tableau of winter and spring. Red plum blossoms are laden with snow in Imsil-gun, North Jeolla Province. Courtesy of Imsil-gun Office​​​ 2025-03-19 11:09:03

PHOTOS: Late-season snow blankets Korea SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - A sudden, unseasonable snowfall gripped South Korea on Tuesday, with Seoul experiencing its latest-ever heavy snow advisory. The unexpected blizzard, arriving on the cusp of spring, caused widespread disruption. Here, images from across the country depicted scenes of snow-laden landscapes, a stark contrast to the budding signs of spring. 2025-03-18 15:28:18

PHOTOS: Nighttime strolls at Changgyeonggung Palace SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Changgyeonggung Palace, a verdant oasis in the heart of Seoul, presents a captivating spectacle across the seasons. Its diverse arboreal landscape, rich in species, renders it a premier destination for leisurely strolls and photographic pursuits. The palace structures, while more intimate than their counterparts, exude a refined elegance. Evenings bring a heightened allure, as the intricate dancheong and latticework are accentuated by illumination. Recently, this reporter visited Changgyeonggung to experience an after-dark program that runs through Dec. 31. The initiative melds the palace's natural beauty with contemporary media art, deploying light and advanced video technology to create an immersive experience. Originally featured during last year’s Royal Culture Festival, the program has become a regular fixture, operating nightly, save for Mondays, from 7 p.m. Beginning April 7, three new media art installations, leveraging state-of-the-art video techniques, will depict Changgyeonggung’s nocturnal vistas and natural environs. A luminous display unfolds around Chundangji Pond, where illuminated trees line the approach and the pond's island pines cast striking reflections. Near the Grand Greenhouse, Korea’s inaugural Western-style conservatory, “Harmony of Light” creates an ethereal ambiance. Commissioned in 1483 by King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty for three royal dowagers, Changgyeonggung is unique among Seoul’s palaces for its eastward orientation. Though ravaged during the 1592 Japanese invasions and subsequently rebuilt, it served as a pivotal royal residence until the restoration of Gyeongbokgung. However, the palace’s character was compromised in 1909 with the introduction of a zoo and botanical garden, and in 1911, its name was altered to Changgyeongwon by the Japanese colonial authorities. Following Korea’s liberation, the site remained a tourist attraction until restoration efforts commenced in 1983, restoring its original name. From 1984 to 1986, the zoo and botanical garden were dismantled, Japanese-style structures were removed, and native flora replaced the imported cherry trees, reinstating a traditional Korean garden. The displaced fauna and flora were relocated to Seoul Grand Park, while the cherry trees were transplanted to Yeouido’s Yunjungro. In 2022, a passage connecting Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo, severed by the Japanese, was re-established and opened to the public. 2025-03-18 15:06:40

PHOTOS: Traditional welcome ceremony for Sungkyunkwan freshmen SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - Sungkyunkwan University, tracing its lineage to the Joseon Dynasty's national academy, revived a traditional welcome ceremony for its incoming class, Feb. 16. Freshmen gathered at Myeongnyundang, the university’s historic hall in Seoul’s Jongno district, to participate in "Shinbangrye," a ritual echoing the formal induction of Confucian scholars of centuries past. Freshmen at Sungkyunkwan University/ Yonhap 2025-03-17 14:09:15

TRAVEL: Seoul Public Bicycle Ttareungi SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - I have been commuting to work using 'Ttareungi,' Seoul's unmanned public bicycle system operated by the Seoul Facilities Corporation, for over two years. I have been riding bicycles since my middle and high school years, commuting for six years. A few years ago, after a late-night gathering, I found myself without public transportation and unable to get a taxi. I spotted a Ttareungi bike nearby, rented it, and rode home. What would have taken over two hours on foot took just 40 minutes. That experience left a lasting impression, and since then, I have regularly used Ttareungi, regardless of the weather. Using Ttareungi is more convenient than owning a personal bicycle. First, there is no need to worry about maintenance. Second, if I get tired on a long ride, I can return the bike and switch to public transport. Third, I can avoid heavy traffic during rush hour. Lastly, the rental fee is significantly cheaper than other public transportation options. Seoul Facilities Corporation, which operates the service, announced that as of late 2023, there are 45,000 bicycles and 2,762 rental stations across the city. Ttareungi is available in two models: the standard Ttareungi for adults and the Saessak Ttareungi, which is smaller and lighter, designed for users aged 13 and older. Both can be used by adults. The rental fee for a single-use pass is 1,000 KRW for one hour and 2,000 KRW for two hours. Users can return and re-rent bikes multiple times within a 24-hour period. Foreign visitors can also rent Ttareungi. There are dedicated bike lanes in parts of downtown Seoul, making it a convenient choice for short-distance travel. For safe riding, a few preparations are recommended. Wearing a helmet is advisable, though not mandatory. A high-visibility vest helps improve visibility, especially at night. Bringing a strong elastic cord is useful for securing items, as some bikes may be missing the original basket strap. During cold weather, a hat, gloves, earmuffs, a neck gaiter, sunglasses, and warm clothing help protect against the wind. The left brake controls the front wheel, and the right brake controls the rear wheel. It is safest to use both brakes together to prevent accidents. Using only one brake increases the risk of falling. Turning the handlebars suddenly on wet pavement, manhole covers, or slopes is dangerous and should be avoided. The bikes have three gears, which can be adjusted depending on the terrain. On rainy days, water from the tires can splash onto the rider's back, so it is best to be prepared. 2025-03-14 17:50:55

PHOTOS: Authorities ramp up wildfire prevention efforts SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Springtime often sees a surge in wildfires, as dry conditions and parched vegetation create ideal circumstances. Authorities are responding with heightened preparedness, including public education campaigns, increased monitoring, and rigorous firefighting exercises. 2025-03-14 16:21:33

PHOTOS: Plum blossoms at Tongdosa Temple SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - Amid warm temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius in South Gyeongsang Province on Feb. 12, vibrant red plum blossoms have emerged at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan. The early bloom drew crowds of visitors and photographers seeking a glimpse of spring’s nascent arrival. The early bloom offered a seasonal respite for those seeking to document the transition from winter, with many capturing images of the blossoms against the temple’s tranquil landscape. Red plum blossoms at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, March 12, 2025/ Yonhap 2025-03-13 13:56:18

PHOTOS: Arrival of spring SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The warmth of spring has arrived, bringing life to rural fields and urban parks. Here's a glimpse of how people are celebrating the season. Workers prepare flowers to be transplanted into city flower beds and parks in Gyeyang, Incheon, March 10. Yonhap 2025-03-12 14:09:54

PHOTOS: 19th-century Korean folding screen, ceremonial robe restored SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - A centuries-old Korean folding screen, along with a ceremonial robe of the Joseon Dynasty, have been meticulously restored after a lengthy conservation effort, officials announced Tuesday. The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Samsung Foundation of Culture, completed the restoration of the eight-panel screen, "Welcoming Ceremony for the Newly Appointed Governor of Pyeongan Province," held at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The restoration, which spanned 16 months, was conducted at the Leeum Museum of Art's conservation laboratory in Seoul, addressing significant damage to the screen, a documentary painting that extends over five meters when fully unfolded. Separately, a hwal-ot, an ornate bridal robe from the Joseon Dynasty, also housed at the Peabody Essex Museum, underwent restoration by Korean specialists. The hwal-ot, a symbol of high-ranking women's ceremonial dress, was brought back to its original grandeur. 2025-03-11 15:54:19