PHOTOS: As Christmas arrives, trees light up a fractured world SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - As Christmas Day arrives, trees are lit across the world. It is a season that calls, however quietly, for peace and harmony — regardless of heartbreak, loss, grievance or conflict — as people mark the birth of Christ in their own idiosyncratic ways. In Rockefeller Center, the annual tree lighting took place on Dec. 3, as it does every year. Thousands of LED lights pierced the Manhattan night, drawing cheers from gathered crowds. But the ritual is far from uniquely American. On Red Square, in front of the historic GUM department store, a lavishly decorated tree stands tall. Russia marks Christmas on Jan. 7 under the Orthodox Julian calendar, yet the festive mood is already in full swing ahead of New Year's Eve on Dec. 31. In downtown Kyiv, an illuminated tree also rises — this year for the third consecutive winter of war following Russia's invasion. 2025 marks another cold season under fire. Yet this year, Ukraine has chosen to officially celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, aligning with the Western calendar. Even amid sirens and uncertainty, people gathered beneath the lights. Across Europe, similar scenes unfolded. In Old Town Square, visitors browsed Christmas markets on the fourth Sunday of Advent. In Skopje's main square in North Macedonia, families watched a New Year's — and Christmas — tree lighting ceremony. For those observing the Orthodox calendar, the tree remains a symbol of community and continuity. In Lebanon's northern town of Zgharta, a 22-meter-high tree wrapped in 4,500 meters of lights was unveiled on Dec. 6, accompanied by fireworks. Amid tensions across the Middle East, people still came together to switch on the lights. Similar scenes appeared in Krakow's Main Market Square, Vilnius, and Athens' Syntagma Square. Germany's city of Dortmund erected a 45-meter-high tree — one of the tallest in the world. In Nantes, France, crowds gathered around a carousel-shaped tree. Across the Atlantic, Mexico City's Zócalo hosted a sprawling light festival that transformed the historic square. The year 2025 has not been an easy one. Conflicts endured, economies strained, and many lives were weighed down by hardship. Yet when Christmas came, trees went up — in city squares and town centers, across cultures, calendars and borders. Beneath the branches, faces softened into smiles. Under warm lights, even on the coldest winter nights, people stood together. As 2026 approaches, the glow of Christmas trees offers a quiet wish: for more light than darkness, more warmth than fear, and more peace than division. May conflicts find resolution, burdens ease, and laughter return more often. At this moment, in cities across the world, the glowing trees cast their magical spell of hope. 2025-12-24 15:55:22

Santa buses return to Busan streets SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Santa-themed buses, once a beloved winter tradition in Busan but suspended due to fire and safety concerns, are making a comeback. The Busan Bus Transport Business Association announced Sunday that 10 Santa buses will operate from December 22 through mid-January 2026, reviving the popular seasonal service that had captured citizens' hearts. 2025-12-23 17:20:56

President returns to Blue House SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - The era of the Yongsan presidential office has come to an end after just 3 years and 7 months, with the president returning to the Blue House. President Lee Jae Myung is expected to begin official work at the presidential office around December 28. However, the presidential residence will not be ready until early next year due to ongoing construction work. 2025-12-23 17:20:01

South Korea's priciest land for 23rd year SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A prime commercial plot in Seoul’s iconic Myeong-dong shopping district has been named South Korea’s most expensive piece of land for the 23rd consecutive year. The 169-square-meter site, currently occupied by a Nature Republic flagship store, saw its officially appraised value for 2026 set at 188.4 million won ($145,000) per square meter. This represents a 4.4 percent increase from the 2025 valuation. The plot has held the top spot in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's annual rankings since 2004. Trailing closely behind the Nature Republic site is a 392-square-meter plot occupied by Woori Bank’s Myeong-dong branch, which ranked second with a 2026 valuation of 187.6 million won per square meter. 2025-12-19 16:20:28

Korea grand sale kicks off SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The Korea Grand Sale, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, opened on December 17 and will run for 67 days until February 22, 2026. An opening ceremony was held in Myeongdong on December 17, featuring various performances to celebrate the launch. The festival is Korea's flagship promotional event targeting foreign tourists, combining shopping, culture, and tourism. Nationwide discounts and special offers are available across various sectors, including airlines and transportation, shopping, accommodation, food and beverage, beauty, healthcare, experiences, and convenience services. The event features diverse programs, including K-content experiences that allow international visitors to directly immerse themselves in Korean culture, with strong positive responses expected from foreign tourists. 2025-12-19 16:19:33

PHOTOS: Japan's imperial court at the heart of Seoul SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) -Inside the exhibition hall, order and formality define the presentation of Japanese court culture. Through the Long Ages of Time: Japanese Court Culture, currently on view at the National Palace Museum of Korea, traces the formation and development of Japan’s court traditions across historical periods. The exhibition was organized to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Palace Museum of Korea and the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. A total of 39 artifacts from the Tokyo National Museum are being shown in Korea for the first time, including paintings, craft works, court attire, and materials related to court rituals. The exhibition focuses on the overall structure and characteristics of court culture. The exhibition introduces the court as a space where politics, daily life, and ritual functioned together. Records depicting court life, decorative objects, court clothing, and ceremonial materials illustrate how rank, role, and order were expressed within the court system. The exhibition gains additional context from its setting within the National Palace Museum of Korea, where permanent displays of Joseon royal culture are housed. Running from December 18, 2025, to February 22, 2026, the exhibition marks the first comprehensive introduction of Japanese court culture in Korea. 2025-12-19 16:12:59

Salvation army red kettle campaign under way SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Salvation Army red kettle campaigns are under way across the country as the year draws to a close. Active in Korea since 1908, the Salvation Army continues its long-running tradition of collecting donations to support neighbors in need. 2025-12-17 17:13:53

PHOTOS: Incheon's Inspire entertainment resort filled with Christmas SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Stepping into the rotunda, the view inside the resort’s grand circular hall drew an instinctive pause. The space, transformed into a “Winter Storybook Gift Factory,” felt like a page lifted from a Christmas tale — as if one had wandered into Santa’s workshop itself. Animatronic bears, brought to life through advanced technology, busied themselves with making and wrapping gifts, their small movements both charming and oddly lifelike. Visitors moved through six themed zones — a gift registration desk, baking station, toy workshop, wrapping area and more — watching brightly colored boxes glide along conveyor belts. Children and adults alike raised their phones, eager to capture the scene unfolding before them.​​​​​​​ Photo zones placed throughout the hall offered another simple pleasure. In front of oversized gift boxes or beside glittering Christmas trees, visitors stopped to frame their own holiday moments. Families were especially prominent, and the sound of children’s laughter echoed across the open space of the resort.​​​​​​​ From there, the walk continued to “Aurora,” a 150-meter digital entertainment street. The scale was immediately striking. Massive LED screens stretched across ceilings and walls, filling the corridor with a continuous panorama of snow-covered winter villages. Santa’s village and aurora-themed visuals played in rotation, and at the top of every hour, a special two- to three-minute sequence began.​​​​​​​ In those moments, Santa appeared gliding across the sky in a sleigh pulled by Rudolph, tracing golden arcs through the air. The scene unfolded with a dreamlike quality, closer to cinema than decoration. According to resort officials, additional events are planned from December 20 to 25. A Nutcracker parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. and again at 8 p.m., along with opportunities for visitors to take photos with Santa. Mini carol concerts and other interactive programs are also scheduled, offering more reasons to return as Christmas draws near.​​​​​​​ 2025-12-17 15:32:44

Qatar National day reception SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - A reception commemorating Qatar National Day was held today at The Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Hosted by H.E. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea, the event celebrated Qatar National Day (December 18), which marks the day when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of the State of Qatar, assumed leadership and unified the nation. The reception served as a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the friendship and cooperation between Korea and Qatar. 2025-12-15 21:40:43

2025 ESG Management Awards SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Economic Daily presented its 2025 ESG Management Awards to 13 companies on December 15 at Seoul's Press Center. Award recipients included major financial institutions KEB Hana Bank, Industrial Bank of Korea, Mirae Asset Securities, NH Investment & Securities, Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, Hanwha Life Insurance, and KB Kookmin Card, as well as leading corporations Samsung Electronics, Hyosung Group, SamKoo INC, BHC, Karrot, and Kakao. The awards recognize companies driving sustainable growth and contributing to Korea's economic development through exemplary ESG management practices. 2025-12-15 21:39:05