Journalist
Yoo Na-hyun · Kim Yeon-jae
shooting@ajupress.com
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PHOTOS: Seoul's royal shrine caught in clash between history and modernization SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - On a frigid day in early December, a profound silence settles over the Jongmyo Shrine in the heart of Seoul, broken only by the crunch of footsteps on the stone paths. Though a steady stream of tourists, drawn by its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, still visits, the ancient royal sanctuary has been swept into a very modern controversy: a pitched battle over redevelopment and the city's skyline. The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s proposal to ease height restrictions in the adjacent Sewoon Commercial District has pitted preservationists against developers, making this solemn space for the spirit tablets of Joseon Dynasty royalty the frontline in a debate about South Korea's future. The stakes are immense: is Seoul willing to sacrifice a 600-year-old traditional scenic axis — the view lines stretching to Bugaksan and Namsan — for the sake of urban revitalization? For international visitors, Jongmyo is best known for the Jongmyo Jerye (Royal Ancestral Rite) and Jeryeak (Ritual Music), a performance tradition recognized globally. Yet, the shrine's true weight — its symbolic status in a Confucian-rooted nation — is often underappreciated. Founded in 1395, Jongmyo was not merely a memorial; it was the spiritual anchor of the Joseon royal legitimacy. Protecting this house of spirits was synonymous with guarding the nation's destiny. Its main hall, the Jeongjeon, stands as one of the world's longest single wooden structures, an architectural marvel whose restrained, simple lines perfectly capture the aesthetic principles of Joseon architecture. The entire precinct, with its forests and sacred stone walkways, remains a profound sanctuary. The current flashpoint lies where history and the metropolis converge. Advocates for development argue that relaxing height limits is essential to inject life into the aging Sewoon district. Preservationists counter that new high-rises will irrevocably harm the sanctuary's sightlines, desecrating a vital piece of the nation's heritage. The collision of a rapidly modernizing city and its deep historical roots is a problem unique to Seoul, and it’s now centered on the distance between Jongmyo and the Sewoon district. Despite enduring wars and fires across six centuries, the Jeongjeon architecture and the ancestral rites persist. Even though the dynasty vanished, the Jerye ceremonies continue today, held every May and November. As the colorful spectacle of K-Pop and K-dramas spreads globally, the world's fascination with South Korean culture only deepens. That global interest provides a timely opportunity to turn attention to Jongmyo from which modern Korean identity sprang. Jongmyo is a place of powerful, resonant silence, where the deep current of Joseon’s time still flows, challenging the city to remember its past. 2025-12-05 15:26:38 -
PHOTOS: South Korea enters winter season SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) – South Korea is entering the full winter season, with cold northern air sweeping across the country. Seoul’s morning low stood at 3.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, a drop of 6 degrees from the previous day. Signs of winter have begun to appear across the capital as well. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said a stronger surge of cold air from the north will bring a pronounced cold wave from the middle of the week, with brisk winds further lowering the wind chill. On Wednesday (Dec. 3), rain or snow is forecast for the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions, while Jeju Island is expected to see rain from Wednesday through Thursday morning. Temperatures will bottom out around midweek before gradually returning to near-seasonal levels. 2025-12-01 18:23:48 -
PHOTOS: Korean rice & Liquor festival SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - The “2025 K-Rice Festa,” an event promoting Korean rice-based liquor and processed foods, opened on Friday at Exhibition Hall 1 of KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The festival runs for three days through to Nov. 30. Hosted by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup), the K-Rice Festa features more than 200 varieties of distilled spirits, makgeolli, yakcheongju and other alcoholic beverages made from domestic rice, as well as a wide range of rice-based processed foods and wines made from Korean agricultural products. Award-winning products from the K-Rice Festa Quality Evaluation Program are also on display. NongHyup reviewed about 780 entries submitted by more than 470 companies and selected 28 outstanding products across seven categories. This year’s festival also emphasizes hands-on activities designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Programs include the “K-Rice Demon Hunters” talk concert introducing stories of Korean rice and traditional liquor, along with tasting sessions, ingredient-guessing games, and various prize events. 2025-11-28 17:06:15 -
PHOTOS: Seoul Station marks 100 years of history SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Seoul Station is marking its 100th anniversary this year with a commemorative exhibition that revisits the landmark’s century-long transformation and its role in Korea’s modern history. First opened in 1925 as Gyeongseong Station, the building has borne witness to some of the most significant chapters of the nation’s past — from Japanese colonial rule and the push for modernization to liberation, national division, industrialization and democratization. The old station building was closed in 2004 and later reopened in 2011 as a cultural complex now known as Culture Station Seoul 284. The anniversary exhibition, held inside the historic structure where personal memories and national history converge, runs through Nov. 30. It traces the evolution of the original station over the past century and is organized around three themes: past, present and future. One highlight is the display of an original manuscript of the Great Dictionary of the Korean Language, discovered in a station warehouse shortly after Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945. Curators say the artifact adds historical resonance to the exhibition’s broader look at the station’s enduring legacy. 2025-11-28 10:07:10 -
PHOTOS: Korea Grand Sourcing Fair opens in Seoul, draws global buyers SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) — South Korea’s trade agency is hosting a large-scale sourcing fair in Seoul this week to boost global opportunities for K-beauty and K-food exporters. The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) opened the 2025 Korea Grand Sourcing Fair (KGSF 2025) on Tuesday at COEX, bringing together promising Korean exporters and major global buyers. First launched in 2009, the annual event has become a key platform for connecting domestic suppliers with international retailers. This year’s edition has drawn more than 150 overseas buyers from over 30 countries alongside over 850 Korean companies, aiming to secure new business partnerships. Riding the global wave of Korean culture, K-beauty and K-food companies account for about 70 percent of all participants, many of whom are seeking collaboration with major international retailers such as Walmart in the United States, Marui in Japan, Miniso in China, Malaysia’s Prema group, and Thailand’s Central Department Store. KITA expects more than 2,200 export consultations to take place over the two-day event. Visitors takes part in a business consultation at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam District on Nov. 26, 2025. AJP 2025-11-26 18:01:22 -
PHOTOS: Successful Italian "FORMAGGIAMO!" Event with Masterclass by Chef 'Fabri' SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) – The Italian cheese promotion campaign “FORMAGGIAMO!” wrapped up successfully after running from November 19 to 24 at High Street Italia in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. On the opening day, Chef Fabrizio Ferrari, known as “Fabri,” hosted a masterclass featuring pasta dishes made with four different cheeses and a fusion dish of cheese kimchi fried rice combining Korean and Western flavors. “FORMAGGIAMO!” is part of the domestic program for this year’s 10th anniversary of the “Week of Italian Cuisine in the World,” an event held simultaneously across the globe. In South Korea, the campaign showcased the value and appeal of Italian cuisine through exhibitions, seminars, cooking shows, and tasting events. 2025-11-25 17:43:24 -
PHOTOS: Seokpajeong, Seoul's hidden gem where royal history meets tranquil beauty SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Seokpajeong, an ancient pavilion with detached traditional residence buildings and gardens in central Seoul, is more than just a historical site, as it serves as a hidden oasis offering a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. Located in the tranquil district of Buam-dong on the slopes of Mt. Inwangsan, the pavilion is awash in vibrant autumn leaves at this time of year, welcoming visitors with its seasonal beauty. Once used by Gojong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty, as a secluded royal residence, Seokpajeong, which literally means a "pavilion on a rocky hill," was designated a tangible cultural asset in 1974 and has been preserved as a museum ever since. According to historical records and folklore, Seokpajeong originally belonged to a high-ranking official and the site's breathtaking landscape caught the eye of Heungseon Daewongun, Gojong's father and the period's most powerful political figure. When the official refused to sell, Daewongun devised a cunning plan and arranged for the young king to spend a night at the villa. Under royal protocol, no subject could live in a place once visited by the king, forcing the official to relinquish his cherished retreat. Enchanted by the natural beauty of the rocks and surrounding mountain scenery, Daewongun even adopted his pen name from the pavilion. The Chinese-style pavilion, with its granite floor, exudes a unique and exotic charm, setting it apart from other traditional pavilions. Along the path to the inner garden stands a giant rock shaped like an elephant. Believed to be a site of spiritual energy, it attracts many visitors who come to make wishes. Visitors can also look around the country's traditional roof-tiled houses or hanok, which consist of a main quarter, a guest room, and a separate wing connected by a small gate and stone walls, forming a square-shaped courtyard layout. Another highlight is an old pine tree, protected by the city for its historical significance. Its gnarled branches stand as silent witnesses to the site's centuries of history. 2025-11-25 15:31:33 -
PHOTOS: Christmas scenes across Seoul SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - With Christmas now only a month away, early holiday scenes are appearing throughout central Seoul. Large trees have been set up in major plazas and along busy streets, and rows of ginkgo and pine are wrapped in bright seasonal lights. Visitors pause to take photos against the glowing decorations, enjoying the quiet excitement that settles over the city at the end of the year. 2025-11-24 14:30:33 -
PHOTOS: Tattoos step into the light with inaugural expo SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - An inaugural expo covering everything about tattoos kicked off its three-day run in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province earlier this week. Long gone are the days when tattoos were synonymous with heavyset gangsters, as relevant regulations legalizing the practice were passed at the National Assembly last September. Under the new regulations, tattoos and cosmetic procedures like ombré shading and microblading are now permitted, and not only tattooists but also non-medical practitioners are legally allowed to perform them. The expo, in particular, drew strong interest from overseas participants, who demonstrated scalp micropigmentation (SMP) pigments at their booths. The technique is widely used for hairline enhancement, scar camouflage and other cosmetic purposes. Many of them expressed high expectations for the industry's growth potential in South Korea, where tattoos had long been widely practiced even though they were technically illegal. "After more than three decades in the shadows, tattoos are finally stepping into the light," said Kim Jae-hyeong, head of the expo's organizing committee. "I hope this expo serves as a catalyst for the industry's growth and development." The expo wraps up on Saturday. 2025-11-21 15:41:42 -
PHOTOS: Seoul's Namdaemun Market bustles with early holiday shoppers SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - As the year's most festive season approaches, Namdaemun Market in central Seoul is bustling with steady streams of visitors and shoppers eager to snap up Christmas decorations and other pre-holiday items. The thrill of the year-end is already sweeping through the streets and shops, with Christmas decorations and their glowing lights illuminating every narrow alley of the market. Christmas carols and cheerful melodies are also filling the air, welcoming customers in a holly, jolly festive spirit. The careful and busy hands of merchants arranging ornaments seem to reflect their quiet solemnity as they prepare for the year's end. With giant Christmas trees and New Year's cards filling stores and stalls, every corner of the market is getting ready to turn into a winter wonderland, brimming with the warmth and joy of the season. 2025-11-20 14:47:13