Journalist
Han Jun-gu · Yoo-Na hyun
jungu141298@ajupress.com
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Learning to plant green on Arbor Day SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) -Arbor Day may have faded from public attention, but in pockets of Seoul it still lives on — especially for children discovering the simple joy of planting a tree. In Gangnam, that spirit took root along Yangjaecheon on Friday. To mark the 81st Arbor Day on April 5, Gangnam-gu hosted the “Our Neighborhood Green Donation Challenge – Garden Forest of Participation” at Gaepo-dong Neighborhood Park, drawing some 500 participants — from local residents and donors to children, Saemaul members and volunteer gardeners. Together, they transformed a stretch of parkland into a shared green space. Participants planted 94 trees, including kousa dogwoods and maples, alongside some 1,000 shrubs such as azaleas and euonymus. Flower beds were laid out and benches installed, turning the site into a community-built garden. More than a one-day event, the initiative reflects a shift toward participatory urban greening — where residents do not just use public spaces, but help create and care for them. For many of the children, it was also a rare, hands-on reminder of a holiday that once held a firm place in the national calendar — now quietly kept alive, one sapling at a time. 2026-04-03 17:11:13 -
Remembering Jeju April 3 for the 78th time SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) -The Jeju April 3 Incident refers to a period of armed uprising and state suppression on Jeju Island between 1948 and 1954, during which tens of thousands of civilians were killed. The violence began with an uprising on April 3, 1948, rooted in unrest that had been building since March 1, 1947, and continued for years amid a broader ideological conflict in the early Cold War period. Voices of remembrance echoed across the nation on Thursday as South Korea marked the 78th anniversary of the tragedy, paying tribute to victims and renewing calls to uncover the full truth behind one of the country’s darkest chapters. Participants honored the victims through flower offerings, moments of silence and grave cleanings, expressing their condolences with quiet solemnity. 2026-04-03 16:07:44 -
IVE's Jang Won-young turns heads in spring outing SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - Jang Won-young, a member of K-pop sextet IVE, attended a promotional event for fashion brand ROLAROLA in central Seoul on Wednesday. In keeping with the French-inspired casual brand's appeal to young customers, Jang wore a white T-shirt with red embroidery, a cherry-blossom-colored cardigan tied around her waist, and a frilled lace skirt, completing her stylish look with heart-patterned fishnet stockings that awed visitors and other attendees. 2026-04-01 17:19:20 -
Seoul turns pink earlier than usual SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) -Full bloom suddenly arrived after heavy rain earlier this week. Cherry blossoms burst into full bloom around Seokchon Lake, soaking the lakeside in soft waves of pink and marking an early arrival of spring in the city. Petals clung to rain-darkened paths and shimmered on the lake’s surface, while the skyline — anchored by Lotte World Tower — stood framed by a fleeting canopy of blossoms. The city will formally welcome the season with the 2026 Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, set to run for nine days from April 3 through April 11. The '2026 Lake Cherry Blossom Festival' will be held around Seokchon Lake for nine days from April 3 through April 11. The festival has been extended by five days compared to last year. Landscape lighting has been installed along the entire 2.5km lakeside promenade, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossom tunnel even at night. During the festival period, various exhibitions including installation art and media art will be presented. Programs for families, including Fashion Week, bubble shows, circus performances, and magic shows, will also take place. 2026-04-01 16:04:16 -
Tracing humanity in the age of AI; MMCA's Deep Time SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - In an age where artificial intelligence processes information at lightning speed, what makes humans uniquely human? At the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the answer unfolds not through data, but through the patient gaze of a detective — observing, tracking and interpreting over time. The museum on March 31 unveiled its 2026 performing arts program, Deep Time, a yearlong exploration of how humans perceive, question and endure in an era increasingly shaped by machines. The museum announced on March 31 that it will host MMCA Performing Arts 2026 'Deep Time' from April 1 through December 6, exploring humanity's distinctive approach to observation and inquiry in the AI era. The long-term project will unfold over two years. This year's Chapter I, themed 'Observation and Tracking,' explores "deep and slow" time revealed through persistent observation over extended durations. Next year's Chapter II, 'Slow Creep,' will examine how this accumulated deep time transforms both the observer and the observed. At a briefing held on Tuesday, electronic music composer Ryoji Ikeda and contemporary music ensemble Ensemble Modern presented a collaborative work. Detailed programs will be revealed sequentially each month. 2026-03-31 17:08:22 -
Why yacht tour is best way to enjoy Busan's iconic Gwangan Bridge BUSAN, March 31 (AJP) -A yacht tour would be the best way to soak in the beauty of Gwangan Bridge, one of the must-see landmarks in the southern port city of Busan. Several tour programs are available at Haeundae Beach, the city's most famous beach, known for its long sandy shoreline and seaside attractions. Depending on the type of yacht, routes may vary, but some tours take you right under Gwangan Bridge, offering breathtaking views of Busan's coastal scenery. Cruise tours run throughout the day. Daytime tours are perfect for exploring Busan's urban landscape, while nighttime tours offer spectacular views of the bridge lit up against the city skyline. Tours on every Saturday evening are especially popular, coinciding with a weekly drone show that passengers can enjoy against the stunning night sky, with the bridge as a dramatic backdrop. 2026-03-31 16:38:05 -
Drone spectacle lights up Busan's Gwangalli Beach SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - A spectacular drone show lit up the sky above Gwangalli Beach in the southern port city of Busan last Saturday. The 12-minute show featured mythical creatures and legendary guardians including dragons, white tigers, xuanwu (black tortoise), and vermillion birds, painting the night sky with a thousand lights, creating a stunning spectacle. The year-round show, which first began in 2022, takes place every Saturday evening twice per night — at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the winter season (October to February) and at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the summer months (March to September). 2026-03-30 16:57:56 -
Busan's Yeongdo Island offers delight for palate with taste of sea BUSAN, March 30 (AJP) - Yeongdo, a small coastal island in the southern port city of Busan, South Korea, has long been known for its bountiful seafood. As dusk falls and fishing boats return, street-food tents light up one by one, a daily ritual unchanged for generations that reflects the island's life deeply rooted in the sea. Getting off at Nampo Station leads visitors to the island by crossing the city's iconic Yeongdo Bridge, which glows golden at night and connects Busan's mainland to the small town. Near the waterfront, fishing boats sit moored in the harbor as street-food tents and stalls begin to open for the evening. Once dusk settled, colorful plastic chairs lined the waterfront and grills fired up. Jogaetang, a clam soup, is often served first, a steaming pot filled with scallops, clams, and leeks in a milky, briny broth, the shells opening slowly as it bubbles away. Next up is grilled hagfish, coated in a sweet and savory sauce and topped with sesame seeds. Its chewy but tender texture goes perfectly with beer. For the adventurous, raw octopus is a must-try. Sliced and served with cucumber, green chili, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, the still-lively pieces cling to the chopsticks. Its texture is firm and slippery, with a clean, briny flavor that tastes of the sea. Tables are set with a variety of side dishes, often refilled without even being asked. These tents have long been a hangout where locals gather after work, as well as a spot for visitors who want to soak in the town's atmosphere. 2026-03-30 16:39:57 -
Annual sports-themed show awes visitors with cutting-edge technologies SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - The annual sports-themed trade show is taking place at COEX in southern Seoul this week. The Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show (SPOEX), South Korea's largest and one of Asia's biggest exhibitions where sports, technology, and industry converge, kicked off on Thursday and runs until this weekend. This year's event brought together around 300 domestic and international companies, offering a comprehensive platform that goes beyond a simple exhibition. Visitors can explore cutting-edge technologies and industry trends while building networks for new business opportunities. A wide range of products including health and fitness equipment, sports goods, healthcare technologies, and water sports gear, are on display. Advanced services integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based exercise programs and digital fitness measurement solutions are also showcased. At the main stage of the exhibition hall, visitors can enjoy a variety of fun programs including bodybuilding competitions, fitness demonstrations, yoga and Pilates classes, as well as K-pop and hip-hop dance performances. 2026-03-26 17:12:59 -
From "mind the gap" to driver's seat, hands-on experience SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) -From “mind the gap” practice to a glimpse inside the driver’s cabin, elementary students stepped into the world of urban rail operations during a hands-on safety program in Incheon. Students from Gyulhyeon Elementary School explored an electric train during a safety experience program at the Gyulhyeon Depot in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, on March 25. Hosted by Incheon Transit Corporation, the program gave 23 students hands-on exposure to urban railway operations, including a tour of the driver’s cabin and train interiors. They also visited key depot facilities while learning essential rail safety rules and emergency response procedures. The on-site experience offered a close-up look at how the system runs, helping students better understand urban railways and the importance of safety. 2026-03-26 13:49:12