Journalist
Han Jun-gu, Park Sae-jin
jungu141298@ajupress.com
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Gwangyang wildfire fully contained after 13-hour operation SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Authorities have contained a major wildfire in Gwangyang, South Jeollanam Province, that triggered Level 1 emergency response measures due to rapid spread driven by strong winds. The blaze, which broke out at 3:31 PM on the 21st in the hills of Mukbaek-ri, Okgok-myeon, Gwangyang, reached 100 percent containment as of 10:00 AM today, 13 hours and 37 minutes after ignition. Forest authorities activated nighttime firefighting operations at sunset, deploying Surion helicopters and thermal imaging-equipped drones for fire line monitoring to develop suppression strategies. Specialized wildfire units and high-performance fire trucks were mobilized throughout the night to prevent further spread. The overnight operation involved 997 firefighting personnel and 108 fire trucks. The affected area is estimated to span 49 hectares. The wildfire originated from sparks that spread from a nearby factory fire and rapidly expanded in the strong wind conditions. 2026-01-22 17:32:30 -
BTS's V holds photo book exhibition SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - BTS member V is holding an exhibition to commemorate the release of his photo book from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1 at Frieze Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. The exhibition, titled "V TYPE 非: ON-SITE IN SEOUL," features three-dimensional displays of photos from the book along with previously unreleased photos and videos available only at the venue. Meanwhile, V and BTS are set to make a comeback on March 20 with their fifth full-length album "ARIRANG." The album marks the group's first new release in three years and nine months since their anthology album "Proof" in June 2022. It will contain a total of 14 tracks. According to their agency, BTS has captured the group's identity as a Korean act along with themes of longing and deep love in this album. The title "ARIRANG" represents Korea's signature folk song and symbolically embodies the emotions the members wish to express. Additionally, BTS is planning a comeback stage at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul in late March. 2026-01-22 17:32:08 -
Busan's Gwabeop elementary school holds graduation event SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Gwabeop Elementary School in Sasang-gu, Busan, held its 44th and final graduation ceremony on Jan. 20. The event included a graduation for eight last graduates followed by a farewell ceremony, marking the end of the school's long history. According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Gwabeop Elementary opened on March 5, 1982, with 28 classes and 1,261 students. Student enrollment declined sharply in recent years—6 new students in 2022, 12 in 2023, 6 in 2024, and 9 in 2025—leaving the school with just 52 total students. The consolidation with nearby Gamjeon Elementary was finalized last August. Gwabeop Elementary is one of three elementary schools in Busan closing this year due to declining school-age population. 2026-01-21 15:38:54 -
Bupyeong fire station conducts winter water rescue training 2026-01-21 15:36:59 -
'Dancing, Dreaming, Enlightening' showcases Korean fashion art SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) The Seoul Museum of Craft Art is holding a special donation exhibition, "Dancing, Dreaming, Enlightening," showcasing the artistic world of Geum Key-sook, a pioneer of Korean fashion art, through March 15. The exhibition traces the creative journey of artist Geum Key-sook, who has built a unique domain of "fashion art" over 40 years by crossing boundaries between fashion and fine art, tradition and contemporary practice. Geum is recognized as a figure who established the concept of fashion art in Korea and spread it internationally by reinterpreting the concept of "art clothing" in a Korean context in the early 1990s. Geum also served as costume director for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, garnering attention for designing the "snow fairy" costumes worn by placcard bearers during the opening ceremony. The artist has built a distinctive body of work utilizing unconventional materials such as wire, beads, nobang (ramie fabric), sequins, and recycled materials. She is particularly credited with expanding the horizons of fashion art by extending clothing into both "Art to Wear" and sculptural art that composes space. The exhibited works present themes of artistic expansion, coexistence, and enlightenment in various formats, ranging from individual garments to large-scale spatial installations. Through this exhibition, artist Geum Key-sook has donated a total of 55 items (56 pieces) worth approximately 1.31 billion won(about 887,413 dollars) to the Seoul Museum of Craft Art. The donation includes early fashion art experimental works, signature wire dresses and hanbok sculptural pieces, recent upcycling projects, and archival materials. 2026-01-20 16:57:19 -
Snow sledding available along Seoul's Han River SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Kids and other visitors have been enjoying snow sledding at parks along the Han River, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government offers seasonal programs for winter sports fun. Facilities for the programs, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., are available at three location - Ttukseom, Jamwon, and Yeouido - for 6,000 Korean won (about US$4) and will remain open until mid-February. Visitors can enjoy sledding on slopes of varying heights as well as a low-level play area. 2026-01-19 18:12:13 -
Thousands brave winter swim at Haeundae beach SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - About 2,000 people braved chilly winter weather to plunge into the icy waters of Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday for the southern port city's annual swimming festival. Under this year's "colorful" theme for the Haeundae Polar Bear Festival (HPBF), the beach was filled with swimmers in vibrant colors. Before plunging into the water, participants painted themselves with colorful powder symbolizing hope, love, and happiness. They splashed and played like children, completely absorbed in the moment. Fortunately, the temperature at the beach was around 10 degrees Celsius, making it feel bearable, almost like early spring. Now in its 39th year, the festival has remained popular, bringing together swimming enthusiasts, local residents, and tourists. 2026-01-19 16:18:36 -
Giant rice cake prepared by locals ahead of Lunar New Year SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Merchants and other participants gathered to make giant rice cakes at an event held at an open-air market in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, about a month ahead of the Lunar New Year's Day. The charity event was arranged to distribute the chewy rice cakes to those in need. South Koreans traditionally start the New Year by eating a soup made with these rice cakes, known as "tteokguk," to wish for health and longevity. 2026-01-16 17:59:19 -
Thousands of sculptures on display at annual art fair in Seoul SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - The annual Seoul International Sculpture Festa kicked off its monthlong run at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul on Thursday. Now in its 15th year, the event is solely dedicated to exhibiting sculptures, drawing numerous art enthusiasts every year. This year's exhibition features around 2,000 works from approximately 480 artists. 2026-01-15 16:48:59 -
PHOTOS:Crowds flock to ice festival in Hwacheon Hwacheon, January 14 (AJP) - On a white canvas of snow-covered ice, hundreds of people hunched over holes drilled into the frozen river, their fishing lines disappearing into the dark waters below. Despite temperatures plunging to -14 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall, crowds gathered from early morning last Monday, just days after the annual mountain trout-themed Sancheoneo Ice Festival kicked off last weekend. Around 10 a.m., parking lots near the entrance to the festival site were already packed. Visitors from all over the country, armed with thermos flasks and hand warmers stuffed into bags and bundled in heavy winter gear, took their spots on the ice. The sprawling fishing area, covering about 30,000 square meters, features more than 20,000 fishing holes drilled through ice more than 30 centimeters thick. People clutched fishing rods in one hand while holding plastic bags for their catch in the other. Around noon, large snowflakes began to fall, and visibility dropped suddenly, but many of the visitors endured it, with their eyes fixed on their fishing lines. Another fishing area for bare-hand fishing also greeted visitors. Inside a circular pool filled with water, sancheoneo swam in circles. Participants changed into short-sleeved shirts and shorts provided by festival organizers, then waited for their turn. The sight of people lined up in summer clothing in -15-degree weather was enough to make onlookers shiver. Without hesitation, they plunged into the icy water, thrusting their arms deep as they chased the quick-moving fish. Minutes later, shivering but triumphant, they hurried to nearby foot baths, sinking their frozen feet into the hot water and feeling relief wash over them. Various other amusements like sledding also await visitors. They can look at massive ice sculptures while participating in hands-on activities like making traditional snacks. There are also food stalls offering various preparations of sancheoneo - grilled, raw, or fried, providing savory delights for weary visitors after a long day of fishing. As the sun set, most visitors packed up and left, but hundreds of others arrived late, eager to compete for gold prizes awarded to those with the largest catch. Unlike the family-friendly atmosphere of the morning and afternoon fishing hours, the competition, which kicked off at 7 p.m., attracted what seemed to be seasoned anglers equipped with specialized rods, lighting, and various professional gear. The festival, now in its 21st year, runs until the first day of February and continues to attract hundreds of visitors each year. 2026-01-14 18:05:59