Journalist

한준구
AJU PRESS Visuals Team
  • PHOTOS: Inside high-speed delivery culture of Dongdaemun fashion district
    PHOTOS: Inside high-speed delivery culture of Dongdaemun fashion district SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - In the warren-like alleys of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, Seoul’s sprawling wholesale fashion hub, a unique culture built on speed has quietly defined the rhythm of commerce for decades. Here, the hum of motorcycles and the shuffle of small delivery trucks are as much a part of the landscape as bolts of fabric and sequins glinting in warehouse light. For more than 40 years, Dongdaemun has operated not just as a wholesale marketplace, but as a vital artery in South Korea’s fashion industry, where retailers, manufacturers and online sellers rely on its famed quick delivery service — a vast, hyper-efficient system designed to meet the demands of a city where traffic is relentless and time is money. Navigating congested roads, drivers — often on scooters or compact trucks — deliver goods ranging from textiles and zippers to trousseau items and garment accessories. Speed is essential. A rider may balance towering parcels of fabric on a scooter, the bulky loads held together with netting or straps. The demographic of these drivers is shifting. Once dominated by men in their 40s and older, the scene changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As food delivery apps surged in popularity, young riders in their 20s and 30s entered the labor market. When that boom faded post-pandemic, many pivoted into quick delivery work, bringing new energy to a system showing signs of strain. Despite the influx of younger drivers, the marketplace they serve is shrinking. Over the past five years, the number of wholesale and retail workers in Dongdaemun has steadily declined, as has the volume of consumers utilizing its services. These days, even in the early afternoon — traditionally the peak period for dispatch — idle motorcycles sit lined up in tight rows, their riders staring at smartphones, waiting for the next job to appear. The nature of the work leaves little room for leisure. Sit-down restaurants are scarce near the motorcycle lots. Instead, riders grab meals from food stalls or convenience stores, favoring items that can be eaten quickly: spicy tteokbokki, fish cakes skewered in broth, or pre-packaged hamburgers. Roadside coffee and beverage stands once offered a brief reprieve — but like the business itself, they too are beginning to disappear. 2025-05-22 15:17:59
  • PHOTOS: Steam, spice and history in Namdaemun Markets Galchi Golmok
    PHOTOS: Steam, spice and history in Namdaemun Market's Galchi Golmok SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - On a warm weekday afternoon in late spring, the labyrinthine corridors of Namdaemun Market remain as lively as ever. Tucked amid its maze of narrow passageways and densely packed storefronts lies a culinary enclave devoted to a single dish: braised hairtail fish. The cluster of small restaurants is devoted entirely to the preparation of spicy hairtail stew. The roots of Galchi Golmok (Hairtail Alley) stretch back to the late 1980s, when a handful of merchants began offering the stew at modest prices. Word of its bold flavors — and its generous portions — spread quickly, bolstered by glowing features on local television. By the early 1990s, the alley had become a destination in its own right. Visitors arriving from the market entrance near Namdaemun Gate are greeted by a yellow sign bearing the image of a smiling, chef-hatted hairtail — the unofficial mascot of the alley. Just beyond, a dim corridor opens up, barely lit save for a string of overhead fixtures and the soft glow of restaurant signs. The scent of the place announces itself before anything else: rich, red broth simmering with chili and garlic, the smoky aroma of grilled fish, and the comforting smell of steamed eggs. Many of the restaurants station their cooking operations outside, creating a kind of open-air kitchen effect that pulls passersby in. Inside, tables are closely set and meals arrive bubbling hot. There is little ceremony — just the hum of conversation, clinking of spoons, and the occasional hiss from a stew pot. In a city where new food trends surface by the week, this alley stands as a quiet reminder of enduring tastes — and the power of tradition to draw a crowd, even on an ordinary afternoon. 2025-05-15 17:04:17
  • PHOTOS: Royal ancestral Jongmyo Daeje ritual resumes after six-year pause
    PHOTOS: Royal ancestral Jongmyo Daeje ritual resumes after six-year pause SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - On May 4, the royal ancestral rite known as Jongmyo Daeje was held at Jongmyo Shrine in central Seoul. Recognized as the most significant and solemn ritual of its kind, Jongmyo Daeje was conducted for the first time in six years and unfolded in grand fashion beneath clear skies. Built in 1394 by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, Jongmyo is the official royal shrine where the spirits of past kings and queens are enshrined. Spanning 200,545 square meters, the complex consists of the Main Hall (Jeongjeon), Yeongnyeongjeon, Jeonsacheong, and Hyangdaecheong. More than a sacred space for rites, Jongmyo served as a powerful symbol of the Joseon dynasty’s religious and political identity. Today, 27 former kings are honored there. Jongmyo Daeje is a comprehensive ritual that fuses courtly elegance with traditional dance and music. Its cultural significance earned it a place on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001. While the rite was historically performed five times a year—in spring, summer, fall, winter, and at year’s end—it is now held twice annually: on the first Sunday of May and the first Saturday of November. The Main Hall, where the ceremony is held, is accessed via two sets of stone steps. Upon ascending the first stairway and passing through the entrance, visitors are met with a vast ceremonial courtyard that evokes reverence and awe as they face the ancestral spirits of past monarchs. At the heart of the ritual is Jongmyo Jeryeak, a blend of instrumental music, song, and dance performed during the ceremony. Designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 1964, the performance on this day featured a visually striking ensemble: 64 dancers dressed in red performed the solemn Ilmu, accompanied by 80 court musicians and 320 ceremonial officials, making up a total of 464 participants. 2025-05-07 14:57:50
  • PHOTOS: Virus, a tale of infection and irresistible love, set for May 7 release
    PHOTOS: 'Virus,' a tale of infection and irresistible love, set for May 7 release SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - The cast and crew of the upcoming film "Virus" convened for a press screening and conference on April 28 at CGV Yongsan ahead of its May 7 release. Director Kang Yi-kwan appeared alongside stars Bae Doo-na, Kim Yun-seok and Chang Ki-ha to discuss the film, which explores the unsettling spread of the fictional “Toxo Virus” — a pathogen that causes its victims to fall into irrational, fatal love. Virus centers on the journey of a protagonist who, after becoming infected, is swept into an unlikely alliance with three men: a novice researcher, a long-lost classmate, and a lone scientist with the expertise to develop a cure. Together, they navigate a harrowing path shaped by urgency, emotion and the specter of certain death. 2025-04-30 10:08:03
  • VISUALS: Lanterns, festivities herald Buddhas Birthday
    VISUALS: Lanterns, festivities herald Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Jogyesa Temple, a prominent Buddhist center in the heart of Seoul, is abuzz with preparations for Buddha’s Birthday on May 5, 2025. The temple grounds are currently festooned with a multitude of colorful lanterns, each inscribed with the names of devotees, creating a vibrant canopy overhead. This spectacle has drawn an increased number of visitors and tourists, who come to offer prayers or simply find respite in the dappled shade cast by the illuminated decorations. A series of events commemorating Buddha’s birth is scheduled to take place from April 26 through May 5, encompassing lantern parades, traditional cultural performances, and solemn Buddhist rituals. Jogyesa Temple in Jongno, Seoul, May 4, 2025/ AJP Han Jun-gu 2025-04-24 14:32:51
  • PHOTOS: Cherry blossoms at Seouls Seokchon Lake
    PHOTOS: Cherry blossoms at Seoul's Seokchon Lake SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - A frothy canopy of pale pink and white has enveloped the walking paths encircling Seokchon Lake, transforming the popular Jamsil district into a springtime idyll. The full bloom of cherry blossoms has arrived, casting a delicate beauty over the waters and drawing throngs of visitors to the renowned scenic spot. 2025-04-15 14:44:19
  • PHOTOS: Tug-of-war ritual in Dangjin seeks unity, blessings
    PHOTOS: Tug-of-war ritual in Dangjin seeks unity, blessings SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - From April 10 to 13, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province reverberated with the rhythmic chants and straining muscles of thousands gathered for the annual Gijisi tug-of-war festival, a vibrant tradition that transcends mere sport. Designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015, the Gijisi tug-of-war is deeply rooted in agricultural ritual, a communal prayer for a bountiful harvest and protection against calamities. The scale of the Gijisi event is its most striking feature. Two immense ropes, each stretching 100 meters, are conjoined to create a 200-meter behemoth with a diameter exceeding one meter. So vast are these central cords that an adult seated atop would find their feet dangling above the ground. Numerous smaller ropes, like thick vines, sprout from the main cables, providing handholds for the throngs of participants representing different villages. Before the spirited contest commences on a broad expanse of open ground, a solemn rope ritual known as "Julgosa" unfolds. Ceremonial tables laden with offerings are arranged at the head of the massive rope. Here, prayers are offered for a safe and successful event. In a distinctive element of the ceremony, alcohol is reverently presented to the tug-of-war rope itself. Following the ritual, the coiled thinner ropes are unfurled and meticulously reattached to the main cable. Then, in a lively procession called "Gilnori," locals and visitors unite to transport the weighty rope from its place of creation to the competition grounds. Leaders, perched atop the colossal cords, wave flags and sound signaling devices, their calls of "euiyeocha" echoing through the crowd. The tug-of-war itself is more than a test of strength; it fosters a profound sense of unity and camaraderie, nurturing hometown pride and embodying both recreational joy and deep spiritual aspirations. An enduring belief associated with the Gijisi tug-of-war holds that the victor’s side foretells national peace, while the opposing triumph promises a prosperous harvest and abundance for all. The festival stands as a testament to the cooperative spirit and solidarity of traditional rural Korean society, seamlessly blending elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and shamanism into a unique folk religious event. The Gijisi tug-of-war, with the enthusiastic participation of entire villages, is a living cultural heritage that vividly illustrates the enduring community spirit of Korea’s agricultural past. 2025-04-15 14:36:46
  • PHOTOS: Crime thriller Yadang: The Snitch to hit theaters next week
    PHOTOS: Crime thriller 'Yadang: The Snitch' to hit theaters next week SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) - The press screening and media conference for the upcoming crime action film Yadang: The Snitch took place on April 7 at Megabox COEX. Yadang: The Snitch delves into South Korea’s underground drug trade, weaving a tense narrative around three central figures: Yadang, a cunning broker who architects the nation’s illicit drug market; a driven prosecutor eager to climb the professional ladder; and a relentless detective who has devoted his career to dismantling the narcotics underworld. The film, which promises a gritty portrayal of ambition, betrayal, and justice, is slated to hit theaters nationwide on April 16. 2025-04-09 14:05:18
  • PHOTOS: Seoul locks down key areas ahead of Yoon Suk Yeol verdict
    PHOTOS: Seoul locks down key areas ahead of Yoon Suk Yeol verdict SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - One day before the Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, authorities in the capital have significantly expanded security measures, sealing off key areas and restricting public access. Police have widened the so-called “vacuum zone” around the court to a 150-meter radius, erecting large barriers and using buses to block roads and sidewalks leading to the court. The heightened restrictions are aimed at managing potential mass gatherings and ensuring public order. In anticipation of large crowds, city officials are also removing public bicycle stands near the court to prevent accidents. Bicycle rental services will be temporarily suspended in key government districts, including areas surrounding the Constitutional Court, the National Assembly, and the presidential residence. Businesses near the court have been advised to take precautionary measures, including removing outdoor signage on the day of the decision. Meanwhile, municipal authorities have fenced off flower beds around City Hall for safety and removed trash bins from major gathering sites to prevent potential misuse. Public transportation services will also be affected. Seoul Metro has announced the closure of Anguk Station, which is near the court, on the day of the ruling. Authorities are also considering shutting down Hangangjin Station near the presidential residence. Train services may bypass several major stations, including City Hall (Lines 1 and 2), Anguk and Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), as well as Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and Yeouinaru (Line 5), depending on crowd conditions. Educational institutions in the vicinity are taking precautions as well, with some schools opting for shortened schedules or temporary closures to minimize disruptions. Bicycles removed from stands near the Constitutional Court are securely parked in Seoul, April 3, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu Flower beds in front of the City Hall are fenced off as part of security measures, April 3, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu 2025-04-03 13:52:14
  • PHOTOS: After the flames, nation rallies to aid wildfire victims
    PHOTOS: After the flames, nation rallies to aid wildfire victims SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - The devastating wildfires that tore through South Korea’s southeastern region have finally been extinguished, authorities confirmed. Firefighters and military personnel worked around the clock to contain the flames, while civilian volunteers stepped in to provide critical support, offering medical care and meals to those impacted by the disaster. As the nation rallies to aid affected communities, fundraising efforts are gaining momentum. Donations are pouring in to supply essential goods such as dust masks, food, and other daily necessities to displaced residents. 2025-03-31 16:58:43