PHOTOS: Sculptures mark 'Year of Red Horse' SEOUL, January 02 (AJP) - To mark the start of 2026, the Year of the Red Horse, World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, has unveiled horse sculptures crafted entirely from silver grass, drawing crowds of local residents and tourists alike. The centerpiece installations, symbolizing the "Red Horse," were constructed using natural silver grass harvested from the park. The eco-friendly displays blend traditional zodiac symbolism with the seasonal beauty of the park’s natural resources. 2026-01-02 14:08:33

A freezing first day of work in 2026 SEOUL, January 02 (AJP) -The first working day of 2026 dawned in an Arctic freeze, sending Seoulites hurrying through Gwanghwamun not so much to resume work as to get out of the cold. Beneath a pale winter sky, commuters crossed the intersection in central Seoul, bundled in heavy coats as icy air settled over the city. A surge of cold air from the northwest had pushed morning temperatures to around minus 12 degrees Celsius, forcing people into thick coats, scarves and gloves as they hurried to offices and subway entrances. The scene — brisk, muted and tightly choreographed — marked the return to routine after the holiday break, as the city eased back into motion under one of the coldest mornings of the season. 2026-01-02 13:50:56

PHOTOS: South Korea greets 2025 with the first sunrise SEOUL, January 1 (AJP) — The Year of Byeongo (the Year of the Red Horse) has begun, marking the start of 2026. On the first day of the new year, most regions across the country are expecting clear skies and weather, which makes watching the sunrise more enjoyable. However, the morning temperature in Seoul is forecast to plunge to minus 11 degrees Celsius, bringing frigid weather. 2026-01-01 10:08:48

PHOTOS: Seoul's DDP prepares for high-octane New Year countdown with media art SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Seoul’s landmark cultural hub, is currently serving as a massive digital canvas for the “Seoul Light: Winter” media art festival. The event, which illuminates the iconic silver curves of the Zaha Hadid-designed structure, is part of the city’s broader “Seoul Winter Festa” celebrations. Running for 14 days from Dec. 18 through Dec. 31, the exhibition uses the building’s 222-meter-long outer facade to project high-tech visuals, transforming the architectural landmark into a vibrant "Christmas Town." The festivities will culminate on New Year’s Eve, with a grand countdown event scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. on Dec. 31. The celebration is set to feature a synchronized media art show, live performances, and a DJ set, alongside a rooftop fireworks display to welcome the start of 2026. 2025-12-31 16:41:47

PHOTOS:KOSPI tops 2025 performance SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s stock market wrapped up the year on a strong note despite a slight pullback on the final trading day. On Monday, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,214.17, down 6.39 points, or 0.15 percent, from the previous session. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ ended at 925.47, down 7.12 points, or 0.76 percent. For the full year, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ jumped roughly 75 percent and 36 percent, respectively, marking significant annual gains. In the afternoon, electronic boards at Hana Bank’s headquarters dealing room in central Seoul displayed the closing figures, capturing the market’s year-end sentiment. At the same time, the Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar. As of 3:30 p.m., the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,439.0 won per dollar, up 9.2 won from the previous session. 2025-12-30 16:48:16

Seoul completes elevator rollout across 338 stations; Protesters flag remaining barriers SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday that all 338 subway stations in the capital are now equipped with elevator access from ground level to the platforms, marking a milestone in the city's efforts to improve public transit accessibility. To commemorate the achievement, city officials held a ceremony at Kkachisan Station on Line 5. The completion of the "one-route" system means that passengers with reduced mobility, including those using wheelchairs, can now navigate from the street to the train platforms entirely via elevators without outside assistance. However, the announcement was met with friction. Members of a group advocating the disabled staged a protest at the ceremony site, challenging the city’s claim of universal accessibility. The advocacy group argued that the city's declaration is misleading, noting that several stations within the broader metropolitan network — specifically those managed by the state-run Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) — still lack necessary elevator installations. Protesters claimed that describing the project as "complete" overlooks the persistent barriers faced by disabled commuters transferring between different jurisdictions. 2025-12-30 16:12:06

PHOTOS: Frontline vigilance — S. Korean troops brave extreme cold at border SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) — Amidst the bone-chilling winter at the North Korean border, South Korean military operations remain in constant motion, maintaining a 24-hour watch despite plummeting temperatures. At the heart of this defense is the General Outpost (GOP), a network of strategic surveillance positions situated approximately 2 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Tasked with monitoring the volatile frontier, GOP units manage a vast expanse of rugged terrain where accessibility is often restricted. The core mission involves relentless patrols and rigorous inspections of the barbed-wire fences that trace the border. To bolster these efforts, the military has integrated quadrupedal robots into its pilot programs. These "robot dogs" provide critical auxiliary surveillance in high-risk zones that are difficult for human soldiers to navigate. The intensity of the mission is underscored by the harsh climate. Pre-dawn patrols are conducted in temperatures averaging -10 degrees Celsius, though biting winds often push the perceived temperature down to -20 degrees Celsius. Despite these extreme conditions, the commitment to frontline security remains unwavering. 2025-12-29 17:56:18

PHOTOS: One year after deadly Jeju Air disaster SEOUL, Dec. 29 (AJP) — South Korea on Monday marked one year since a Jeju Air passenger jet crashed during an emergency landing, killing 179 people in one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 traveling from Bangkok, struck a concrete localizer structure while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province at 9:03 a.m. on Dec. 29 last year. Of the 181 people on board, 179 were killed and two others were injured. On the first anniversary of the tragedy, bereaved families and members of the public left messages of remembrance at a digital memorial space set up at Seoul Station. Temporary memorial altars were also installed by local governments and at airports nationwide, where mourners gathered to pay tribute to the victims. The government and Jeju Air issued statements expressing condolences to the families of those killed and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening aviation safety measures to prevent similar accidents. 2025-12-29 17:41:07

PHOTOS: Merry Christmas, 1,004 Santas spread cheer across Seoul SEOUL, December 25 (AJP) - “Merry Christmas!” Bright and spirited voices rang out as volunteers dressed as Santa Claus gathered in the heart of Seoul. On Tuesday afternoon, volunteers in Santa costumes held a send-off ceremony along Yonsei-ro in Seodaemun District. Marking Christmas Eve, 1,004 Santas set out across the capital to visit underprivileged children, practicing year-end giving and social solidarity. Hosted by Korea Youth Foundation, the “2025 Season 20 Secret Santa Campaign” is a large-scale social contribution event in which 1,004 volunteers personally visit an equal number of underprivileged children’s households to deliver gifts and share the warmth of Christmas. Launched in 2006, the campaign marks its 20th anniversary this year. After the ceremony, participants sat along the street to write handwritten letters to the children they were assigned, before heading out to neighborhoods across Seoul. To take part as a Secret Santa, volunteers donate 20,000 won ($14) toward the children’s gifts and complete pre-event training, becoming “real Santas” for a day. The campaign’s defining feature is that participants combine personal donations with hands-on volunteer service. An official from the foundation said the campaign goes beyond gift-giving. “The Secret Santa Campaign symbolizes social solidarity, as members of the community come together to create Christmas for children,” the official said. “We hope this promise, carried on for 20 years, becomes a day the children will remember for a long time.” The Secret Santa Campaign is held nationwide every year and has established itself as a representative year-end volunteer initiative that promotes a culture of sharing and participation through the spirit of Christmas. 2025-12-25 09:47:05

Children's choir lights candles for Christmas SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - As the year-end Christmas season arrives, choirs across the country are spreading holiday joy and cheer. Among them, a children's choir at Light and Salt Church in northern Seoul lit candles last week, about a week ahead of Christmas. Through their carols, they prayed that small lights might come together to overcome the darkness, and that their small voices could swell into a thunderous chorus, bringing warmth to the cold winter night. 2025-12-24 14:55:32