Journalist

Yoon Ju-hye
  • Buddhist Temple-Style King Dumplings Go on Sale Online and at E-Mart
    Buddhist Temple-Style King Dumplings Go on Sale Online and at E-Mart DobanHC Co., the business holding company of South Korea’s Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, has partnered with food maker CJ CheilJedang to release a limited run of “temple-style king dumplings.” DobanHC said on Feb. 4 that the dumplings are filled only with selected plant-based ingredients — including cabbage, Korean zucchini and mung bean sprouts — to boost texture and deliver a clean, nutty flavor from the ingredients themselves. The company said it strictly followed traditional Buddhist monastic dietary principles, using no meat and none of the “five pungent vegetables” — garlic, green onion, chives, wild chives and asafoetida. It said the product is aimed at consumers tired of strongly seasoned foods, offering what it described as a more comfortable dining option. The dumplings were released as part of a recent CJ CheilJedang chef collection collaboration. The product comes in a 1.05-kilogram large-size package for home use. It will be sold at all E-Mart stores and E-Mart Everyday locations, and will also be available nationwide through DobanHC’s online store, Seungso Mall, and CJ CheilJedang’s online store, CJ The Market. Temple-food specialist Park Seong Hui, a professor at Hyejeon College, will host a “temple-style king dumplings tasting demonstration” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Seungso on the first floor of the Jogye Order’s Dharma Propagation Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Park will present cooking methods intended to bring out the dumplings’ mild flavor and lead a live cooking and tasting session so attendees can experience the appeal of “K-temple food” with all five senses. 2026-02-04 09:33:00
  • National Library of Korea to Expand AI Training Data and Public Access
    National Library of Korea to Expand AI Training Data and Public Access The National Library of Korea said Tuesday it has released its “2026 key work plan” to modernize national knowledge and information services using artificial intelligence and to move toward a next-generation library model. A central task is building and opening high-quality training data that underpin the AI industry. The library said it will continue compiling AI training text data, focusing on materials whose copyright has expired or been cleared, and provide them to the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “independent AI foundation model project.” The project refers to a general-purpose AI model trained and operated directly using domestic technology and resources. The library also plans to open a “Shared Bookshelf” section on its website to make the data available to the public, aiming to support AI technology development and innovation in the K-content industry. To strengthen the foundation for South Korea’s knowledge growth, the library set a goal of comprehensively collecting about 330,000 print items, including books and nonbook materials, and about 400,000 digital items, including e-books and K-content. It said it will use tools such as crowdfunding platforms to survey independent publications and actively identify unstructured publications such as conference materials from international events. To expand overseas Korea-related holdings, the library said it will broaden the countries targeted for rare-book investigations to include the United Kingdom and Germany, and plans to secure about 88,000 pages of Korea-related records held by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The library also said it will significantly expand AI literacy education so more people can benefit from AI. It plans to increase AI-related offerings from seven courses held 25 times to 10 courses held 32 times, and to subdivide programs into step-by-step tailored training and AI-based creative education. For children and teenagers, it plans hands-on programs that combine new technology and reading, including creative programs using AI platforms, an AI digital ethics experience center with interactive content to build digital ethics awareness, and expanded augmented reality musical content. For academic researchers, the library said it will run training programs on using AI models and data. It also said a research support program for K-content creators, piloted last year, will be launched in earnest this year, aiming to create a virtuous cycle in which the library’s knowledge resources and AI technology become sources for new creative works. The library said it will also host a “National Librarians Meeting” in connection with the “2026 World Library and Information Congress,” set to be held in Busan in August 2026. It said the international meeting, expected to bring together heads of national libraries from about 100 countries, will help lead global discussions on libraries’ roles and vision in the AI era and raise the profile of South Korean libraries. Kim Hee Seop, director of the National Library of Korea, said the library will “faithfully serve as a repository of national knowledge and information” while becoming “an innovative institution leading the era of AI transformation,” so that all people can fully enjoy knowledge and culture.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 09:18:00
  • South Korea to Hold Sixth Korean Sign Language Day Ceremony
    South Korea to Hold Sixth Korean Sign Language Day Ceremony The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will hold a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Modu Art Theater to mark Korean Sign Language Day and promote the value and importance of Korean Sign Language.  The sixth annual event will be held under the theme, “Today Connected by Language, Tomorrow Continued Through Culture!” The ministry said it was planned to highlight Korean Sign Language not only as the first language of Deaf people but also as a valuable linguistic and cultural asset for South Korean society as a whole. During the ceremony, the ministry will present the culture minister’s commendations to people and groups recognized for expanding and developing Korean Sign Language. Honorees include Pyo Min Ae, head of the Dangjin branch of the Chungnam Association of the Deaf, cited for work including early-childhood sign language education and efforts to strengthen Deaf people’s right to know and language rights for Deaf people without formal schooling. The ministry will also honor “Sueo Mindulle,” described as the country’s only organization specializing in sign language literature. An awards ceremony will also be held for the Korean Sign Language Day sign language design contest, launched for the first time to mark the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Korean Sign Language Act. Organizers reviewed 65 teams and selected 11 winners: one grand prize, two top excellence awards, three excellence awards and five encouragement awards. Winners will receive the Korea Association of the Deaf president’s award and prize money. The grand prize design will be used for event souvenirs.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-03 11:12:27
  • Modern interpretation of ancestral ritual dance wins award in New York
    Modern interpretation of ancestral ritual dance wins award in New York SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - "One Dance," a contemporary interpretation of South Korea's royal ancestral ritual presented by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, won an award in New York on Tuesday. It won the New York Dance and Performance Awards, also known as the Bessie Awards, which annually honor outstanding achievements by independent dance artists. Choreographers Jung Hye-jin, Kim Seong-hun, and Kim Jae-deok, who collaborated on the modern adaptation of a ceremonial dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, shared the honor with three other winners selected from 12 nominees. The work was praised for its "visually captivating" choreography, striking a perfect balance of stillness and movement. Jung said, "'One Dance' reflects the spirit of people who endured together with one heart toward a single goal," adding that the award was the result of the time and effort that many people devoted to the project. 2026-01-21 15:06:10
  • K-webtoon exhibition to open in Tokyo to court Japanese readers
    K-webtoon exhibition to open in Tokyo to court Japanese readers SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) will -co-host a K-webtoon exhibition in Tokyo aimed at promoting Korean digital comics to Japanese audiences. The event will run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 28 at Gallery MI inside the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo, the organizers said on Tuesday. The exhibition will feature around 20 major webtoon titles, including 11 winners from the World Webtoon Awards 2025. Globally recognized works such as “Hell,” “Yumi’s Cells” and “If I Don’t Debut, I’ll Die” will be on display. The exhibition is designed to help Japanese visitors better understand the webtoon format by highlighting storytelling structures, character design and directing techniques unique to vertically read digital comics. A dedicated section for World Webtoon Awards 2025 winners will be set up, alongside key milestones and records that have drawn attention to K-webtoons in global markets. An opening-day program on Jan. 30 will feature a talk by webtoon creator Choi Kyu-seok, known for works such as “Hell” and “Awl.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-20 15:38:10
  • South Korean violinist in wheelchair wins top prize at US competition
    South Korean violinist in wheelchair wins top prize at US competition SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Violinist Lim Hyun-jae won the triennial Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition (EOIVC) in Boca Raton, Florida last weekend. At last Sunday's finals at Lynn University Conservatory of Music, Lim, 28, performed Jean Sibelius' "Violin Concerto in D minor" while seated in a wheelchair and won the top prize among four finalists. She also won two special prizes awarded to the best performers of the EOIVC's commissioned work. Lim received US$30,000 in prize money and an additional $20,000 for special awards, along with the opportunity to perform more than 30 times over the next three years on international stages including Boston and New York, as well as Cremona, Italy. The graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia began playing the violin at the age of seven. She returned to Seoul during the coronavirus pandemic while studying in the U.S., but a traffic accident in May 2020 forced her to stop performing for more than four years. After undergoing surgery six times and a lengthy rehabilitation, she returned to the stage in June 2024. Founded in 2017 by American violinist and winner of Moscow's prestigious Tchaikovsky International Competition Elmar Oliveira, the EOIVC aims to help young musicians build independent careers. The competition is held every three years for those aged 18 to 30. 2026-01-20 14:40:26
  • Seouls National Folk Museum draws record number of foreign visitors
    Seoul's National Folk Museum draws record number of foreign visitors SEOUL, January 5 (AJP) - Over a million foreign tourists visited the National Folk Museum in central Seoul last year. According to tallies compiled by the museum and released on Monday, out of 2.28 million total visitors, about 1.35 million were foreigners, the highest among museums in South Korea. Overall admissions rose about 58.3 percent from 1.44 million in 2024, while foreign visitors increased by 103 percent. The country's largest museum showcases everyday life and culture including historical and traditional rituals, seasonal customs, and folklore, attracting many foreign visitors as it sits at the heart of Seoul near Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the top attractions for international travelers. Based on its survey conducted last year, the museum said foreign respondents cited informative displays and exhibitions as the top reason for their visit, followed by various hands-on programs and a tour package with Gyeongbokgung Palace. "As the museum marks its 80th anniversary this year, we will make efforts to enhance visitors' experiences by offering more programs and revamping shops and other facilities,” said the museum's director Jang Sang-hun. Meanwhile, the museum held a New Year's Day event, giving a welcome gift to its first visitor, who came from Ho Chi Minh City, visiting with her family. 2026-01-05 17:30:20
  • Nearly 90% of South Koreans use streaming services
    Nearly 90% of South Koreans use streaming services SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Nearly 90 percent of South Koreans use online streaming services and platforms, with an average of 2.1 subscriptions per person, according to a survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency. The survey, based on face-to-face interviews with 6,554 people conducted over three months starting in July, found that 54.2 percent of subscribers were paid users. YouTube led with 85.4 percent of users, followed by Netflix at 47.6 percent, Coupang Play at 18.9 percent, and TVING at 13.1 percent. Smartphones were the most popular devices for accessing the services (91.7 percent), followed by TVs (31.5 percent) and PCs (10.6 percent). Average viewing times were 101 minutes on weekdays and 128 minutes on weekends. Users spent an average of 10,909 Korean won (about US$7.60) per month on paid services and were willing to pay up to 14,076 won. But their preferred subscription price was 7,939 won, reflecting a cost-saving trend, with 64.7 percent of users taking advantage of discount offers. Among Netflix and TVING users, 34.8 percent said they could tolerate ad-supported options in exchange for lower subscription fees, and 87.3 percent of them were willing to continue using such plans. But users of YouTube Premium for ad-free viewing rose to 20.6 percent, up 6 percentage points from a year earlier. About 58.6 percent of respondents said they watch shorts and other brief videos because they don't take up much time and allow them to focus on the most engaging parts. Among these viewers, 33.3 percent clicked on in-video shopping links, and 31.4 percent went on to make purchases. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 11:05:41
  • UNESCO official expresses regret over redevelopment project near Jongmyo Shrine
    UNESCO official expresses regret over redevelopment project near Jongmyo Shrine SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Lazare Eloundou Assomo, head of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, reiterated the need for a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) amid controversy over a redevelopment project near Jongmyo Shrine. During a meeting in Paris, France on Wednesday with Huh Min, head of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), Assomo expressed strong regret over the project. The controversy began after the Seoul Metropolitan Government abruptly decided late last month to raise the height limit for the area, which is slated for redevelopment into an urban complex. The KHS worries that raising the height limit from 71.9 meters to 145 meters could diminish the historical and cultural value of the UNESCO World Heritage site, designated in 1995 for its unique architectural landscape and historical significance as a royal ancestral ritual space. Assomo had previously sent a letter on Nov. 15, urging the South Korean government to conduct a survey to assess potential impacts on the values of the World Heritage site before proceeding with the project. Huh explained the country's efforts and commitment to preserving the ancient shrine’s values in line with UNESCO's recommendations. Huh also met with Khaled El-Enany, the new UNESCO Secretary-General the previous day, to discuss preparations for next year's World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan, outlining the plans and seeking UNESCO's support. Promising his attendance at the meeting, El-Enany praised South Korea's efforts to preserve its national heritage and cultural assets and pledged UNESCO's full support. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 11:10:16
  • National Museum of Korea set to open new gallery showcasing Islamic art
    National Museum of Korea set to open new gallery showcasing Islamic art SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea is set to open a new gallery featuring Islamic-themed art on its third floor starting Saturday. The exhibition is divided into three themes: religious art, cultural expansion, and court culture and manuscripts, covering Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century. The first section showcases the essence of Islamic calligraphy, from early Quran manuscripts on parchment to large manuscripts from the Timurid Empire. Architectural elements like mihrab panels, mosque lamps, and prayer carpets are adorned with arabesque and geometric patterns, creating a sacred atmosphere. The gallery's dome and octagonal design are expected to enhance the immersive experience. The second section features astrolabes and celestial globes, highlighting Islamic curiosity about new worlds. Glass, ceramics, and metalwork crafted by Islamic artisans demonstrate the fusion of diverse artistic traditions. The third section focuses on the artistic and scholarly achievements of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. Luxurious carpets, textiles, and jewelry reflect imperial authority and sophistication. Manuscripts, supported by royal patronage, are celebrated as comprehensive cultural heritage, blending religion, literature, history, and science. An online preview of the gallery, led by curator Kwon Hye-eun, is scheduled for streaming on the museum's YouTube channel Friday evening. On Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Dr. Munia Sheikhab Abudaya, assistant curator at the museum will give a lecture on Islamic art. Visitors can attend on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations are necessary. Yoo Hong-jun, director of the museum, expressed hope that visitors will gain a deeper understanding of Islamic culture and appreciate the diversity and coexistence of human cultures. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 13:55:08