Journalist

Yoo Na-hyun · Kim Yeon-jae
  • PHOTOS: Annual lantern festival lights up Seoul
    PHOTOS: Annual lantern festival lights up Seoul SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Seoul's annual lantern festival has arrived at the perfect time, illuminating the city for the holy, jolly holiday season. Now in its 17th year, the festival runs until the first week of the coming year, featuring around 500 lanterns, along with illuminating displays and other festive decorations. Visitors can explore various installations along the Cheonggye Stream, stretching from Gwanghwamun in central Seoul to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and parts of northern Seoul, under four different themes, showcasing the city's past, present and future. Among the highlights is a 73-meter-long installation featuring Magikarp, a piscine Pokémon with reddish-orange scales. A 15-meter-high, moon-themed installation can also be seen from bridges above the stream, accompanied by numerous structures and decorations inspired by animated characters. The nighttime festival, which kicked off on Dec. 12, runs until Jan. 4, transforming the capital into a magical winter wonderland with glittering lights and seasonal glows. 2025-12-19 14:24:10
  • PHOTOS: Annual winter festa lights up night of Seoul
    PHOTOS: Annual winter festa lights up night of Seoul SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The 2025 Seoul Winter Festa officially commenced on Dec. 12, marking the start of a city-wide celebration of light and culture. Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and organized by the Seoul Tourism Organization, the festival aims to bridge the gap between local residents and international visitors. The event features a diverse lineup of programming that blends live performances and interactive experiences with the global appeal of K-culture. The festivities are spread across Seoul’s most iconic landmarks, including Gwanghwamun Square, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Uicheon Stream, and the Seoul Plaza Skating Rink. Visitors can expect a rotating schedule of media art shows and cultural performances designed to showcase the city's modern aesthetic. The Seoul Winter Festa is scheduled to run through early next year, positioning the capital as a premier winter destination. 2025-12-17 16:43:29
  • PHOTOS:$1 burger, Korea University honors priceless legacy
    PHOTOS:$1 burger, Korea University honors priceless legacy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Korea University students still stop by their favorite burger shop — even though its friendly owner is no longer there. Instead of ordering food, they leave flowers and handwritten thank-you notes, mourning Lee Young-chul (1968~2025), the beloved owner of Young Chul Burger, who passed away last week at the age of 57. For more than two decades, Lee sold 1,000-won burgers to hungry students near the university’s Anam campus. To many, he was not just a shopkeeper but an uncle-like mentor who quietly fed generations through hard times. Online condolence boards filled quickly, with more than 1,300 messages posted. Alumni — including graduates from the classes of 2005 and 2009 — returned to leave tributes. Around 40 mourners sent funeral wreaths, a rare sight for a small neighborhood eatery. Born in 1968 in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Lee lost his father in elementary school and moved to Seoul to survive on odd jobs — from working at Chinese restaurants to day labor. Crushed by debt, he began selling burgers from a handcart in front of Korea University in 2000. His signature “street burger” — made with a hot-dog bun, grilled meat, cabbage and sauce — quickly gained a reputation for its taste and generosity. Even when ingredient prices rose and profits disappeared, Lee refused to raise the price. Beginning in 2004, he donated 20 million won annually to Korea University for scholarships, contributing more than 100 million won in total. When financial difficulties forced him to close the shop in 2015, students raised 68 million won to help him reopen. Lee died on December 13 after battling lung cancer. “Lee showed great kindness and love to Korea University students for decades,” said Kim Dong-one, president of Korea University, during a visit to the funeral parlor. “He fed students during difficult times with his 1,000-won burgers and gave back through scholarships year after year.” To honor his legacy, Korea University will establish a scholarship in his name and cover his funeral expenses. At the storefront where students once lined up for a warm, affordable meal, silence has replaced the sizzle — but gratitude remains, handwritten and laid gently at the door. 2025-12-16 11:09:47
  • Won–dollar exchange rate
    Won–dollar exchange rate SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - A screen at Yonhap Infomax in Jongno District, Seoul, displays peak won–dollar exchange rates from 1997 to 2025 on December 16. The monthly average exchange rate this month has exceeded 1,470 won per dollar, marking the highest level on a monthly basis since the Asian financial crisis. The won opened at 1,476.0 per dollar on December 15, up 2.3 won from the previous session. As upward pressure on the currency continues, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol convened an emergency meeting of economic ministers on December 14 to review domestic and global financial and foreign exchange market conditions and discuss response measures. 2025-12-16 09:18:18
  • PHOTOS: Pet fair underway in Seoul
    PHOTOS: Pet fair underway in Seoul SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The three-day "Christmas Seoul Pet Show" opened in Seoul on Dec. 12, showcasing a rapidly expanding companion animal market driven by the trend of "pet humanization" in South Korea. The event, which runs through Dec. 14, aims to promote the respect of companion animals, emphasizing their growing status as full-fledged family members in the country. This shift in perception — where pets are increasingly treated like human children — is accelerating demand across the pet care economy. The fair features a comprehensive range of products and technologies from across the pet-related industry, including premium feed and treats, essential household goods, furniture, fashion, and various services. Many attendees brought their pets to the venue. Visitors were seen testing specialized feeds and treats to match their pets' specific preferences and trying on bespoke clothing and accessories. Interactive areas, including experience zones and event spaces for photo opportunities with pets, were also a highlight for the pet-owning families. 2025-12-12 17:26:21
  • Fine dust returns to Seoul
    Fine dust returns to Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Light rain tapered off early on the morning of December 11, but northwesterly winds carried fine dust back into the city. Viewed from Namsan in central Seoul, the skyline appeared muted and hazy beneath the incoming dust. 2025-12-11 17:38:14
  • Annual charity campaign gets under way
    Annual charity campaign gets under way SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - With the year-end campaign to help those in need just ahead of Christmas, an installation dubbed the "charity thermometer" in downtown Gwanghwamun has been displaying its progress to encourage passersby to chip in. The thermometer stood at 37.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday, after the launch of the annual campaign by the Community Chest of Korea on the first day of this month. With this year's goal to collect 450 billion Korean won (around US$306 million), its temperature rises by one degree for every 1 percent of the fundraising target. 2025-12-11 17:37:38
  • Monthlong winter festival to illuminate Seoul
    Monthlong winter festival to illuminate Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Workers were busy preparing light displays at Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul on Thursday, just a day before this year’s winter-themed festival. During the annual festival, which runs until early next month, several tourist spots in downtown Seoul and nearby areas will be turning into a winter wonderland. Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Bosingak Bell Pavilion will welcome visitors with glittering light displays and festive decorations. 2025-12-11 17:13:10
  • Wintry Seoul
    Wintry Seoul A woman bundles up against the cold as she waits from the traffic light to change at Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul on Dec. 10, 2025 as the mercury dropped below zero.(AJP/Yoon Na-hyun) 2025-12-10 17:08:45
  • Seoul replays K-Pop Demon Hunters in pop-up
    Seoul replays K-Pop Demon Hunters in pop-up Colorful displays at the Netflix K-Pop Demon Hunters pop-up store in Seoul’s Seongdong District on December 10, 2025. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2025-12-10 16:11:02