Journalist
Han Jun-gu
jungu141298@ajupress.com
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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 -
PHOTOS: Get early taste of Lunar New Year holiday at COEX SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Festive Gift Fair opened on December 10 at COEX in Seoul, running through December 13. Organized by Messe E&D and Korea Food Service News, the fair features diverse gift sets including health products, agricultural and marine products, household goods, and food and beverages. Visitors can purchase items directly at the event, and various sampling opportunities make the experience particularly engaging for attendees. This year's fair emphasizes value-for-money products in response to prolonged inflation. NH Nonghyup Hanaro Mart participated with premium fruit, Korean beef, seafood, and food gift sets, with many exhibitors offering special discounts up to 67% off. Admission is 10,000 won, with free entry for advance registration. Operating hours are 11:00-18:00 daily, closing at 17:00 on the final day. 2025-12-12 17:27:58 -
Seoul Metro Union No. 1 reaches agreement, strike averted SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Seoul Metro Union No. 1 and management of Seoul Transportation Corporation, which operates Seoul Subway Lines 1-8, reached a wage and collective bargaining agreement on Friday just before a general strike. This led to the cancellation of the union's planned general strike for that day. The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) also reached a settlement with the Korean Railway Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), leading the railway union to suspend its strike. All subway lines are currently operating normally. 2025-12-12 13:19:17 -
PHOTOS: Experience the Beauty of Contemporary Crafts at COEX SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The 2025 Craft Trend Fair opened December 11 at COEX Hall A in Seoul, marking the event's 20th anniversary since its launch as the International Craft Fair in 2006. The four-day fair, running through December 14, is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Craft and Design Foundation. It features individual craft artists, small studios, companies, domestic and international institutions, and galleries. Visitors can explore diverse craft items including tableware, kitchenware, furniture, lighting, decorative objects, vases, bags, clothing, and accessories. The fair aims to promote the popularization and industrialization of craft culture while presenting the expandability of crafts and proposing the future of craft culture. Admission is 10,000 won, with operating hours from 10:00-19:00 on December 11-13 and 10:00-18:00 on December 14. 2025-12-11 17:36:17 -
COMEUP 2025 COMEUP 2025, South Korea's largest annual startup festival, opened Dec. 10 for a three-day run at COEX in Seoul, drawing hundreds of founders, investors, and corporate leaders from around the world for three days of conferences, exhibitions, and business matching sessions. The event features startups from 46 countries and more than 270 companies presenting products and technologies across deep tech, AI, climate technology, gaming, mobile services and other sectors. Seven countries, including Saudi Arabia and India, have set up national pavilions to highlight their startup ecosystems. (AJP/Han Jun-gu) 2025-12-10 16:51:59 -
PHOTOS: South Korean Navy launches new high-speed patrol vessels SEOUL, December 09 (AJP) -The Republic of Korea Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held an integrated launching ceremony on December 8, 2025, for four new high-speed patrol vessels (Patrol Killer Medium, Rocket – PKMR Batch-II). These vessels, named Chamsuri-231, 232, 233, and 235, represent a significant upgrade to South Korea's naval capabilities, designed to bolster coastal defense and rapidly respond to maritime threats. 2025-12-09 13:41:38 -
PHOTOS: Yeongjong tidal flats busy with oyster harvesting SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - 2025-12-08 17:28:18 -
PHOTOS: Strolling through Jeju's Yakcheonsa temple SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Yakcheonsa Temple gets its name from a spring that flows from spring to fall and a pond with medicinal water that runs year-round. The temple boasts the largest dharma hall in East Asia. Currently, it is beloved for its extensive temple grounds walks and temple stay programs. 2025-12-08 17:27:48