Journalist
Yoo Na-hyun and Joonha Yoo
shooting@ajupress.com
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AMCHAM invites former White House acting chief of staff Mulvaney SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea hosted a special luncheon seminar at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday, inviting former White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to discuss the future direction of U.S. policy under a possible second Donald Trump administration. The event, titled “The Return of America First: What Trump 2.0 Means for Business and Geopolitics,” focused on shifting U.S. policy priorities, global trade realignment and the broader implications for international business and South Korea-U.S. economic relations. During the luncheon session, Mulvaney shared insights into policymaking processes inside the Trump administration and discussed strategic priorities expected to shape the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. The discussion also explored potential impacts of “America First” policies on global supply chains, trade and investment, and the changing regulatory environment affecting multinational businesses. 2026-05-21 14:33:28 -
South Korea Prepares for Local Election Campaign Season as Posters Fill Seoul Streets SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) -Stacks of campaign posters wait to be sorted as election officials inspect candidate materials at the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission in Seoul on May 20, on the eve of South Korea’s official campaign season for the June 3 local elections. Beginning May 21, the country’s streets, subway exits and neighborhood intersections will transform into a sea of banners, loudspeakers and campaign trucks as candidates fan out nationwide for 13 days of rallies and public speeches. Election posters will begin appearing at designated sites across Seoul and other cities by May 22, while households are set to receive campaign booklets introducing candidates and policy pledges by May 24. Under election rules, candidates may campaign in public from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., though amplified broadcasts are restricted after 9 p.m. Social media, text messaging and online campaigning remain permitted throughout the election period, reflecting how digital platforms have become as central to Korean elections as street corners and traditional stump speeches. The National Election Commission also warned against the spread of AI-generated deepfake videos and false online information, both prohibited under election law ahead of the vote. 2026-05-21 09:01:33 -
Rain drenches Seoul and cools off unseasonable heat wave SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Rain drenched Seoul and surrounding areas on Wednesday, offering some relief from the unseasonable heat wave in May. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the rain that began overnight in central and southern regions is forecast to spread across most parts of the country, with up to 80 millimeters of rainfall expected in Seoul, Incheon and other areas of Gyeonggi Province. The much-needed rain to end a late-spring drought sharply lowered temperatures, with morning lows ranging from 15 to 19 degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, easing recent unseasonably hot weather. Strong winds are also forecast across many regions later in the day, with the KMA urging caution over facility safety and outdoor activities. 2026-05-20 14:37:36 -
Months-long exhibition in Seoul showcases over 170 works by abstract art pioneer SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - A retrospective exhibition honoring Yoo Youngkuk, a pioneer of South Korea's experimental abstract art, opened in Seoul on Tuesday, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate his works over his six-decade career. Marking the 110th anniversary of Yoo's birth, the exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art in central Seoul runs until late October as part of the museum's first series featuring major South Korean modern artists. The exhibition features more than 170 works including 115 oil paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs, spanning Yoo's life from 1916 to 2002. Fifteen previously unreleased works are also on display. It traces Yoo's artistic journey from his early study of abstract art in Japan in 1937 to his final paintings in 1999. It includes his bold geometric works from the 1960s through the 1980s as well as his later pieces, where sharp angles give way to softer, more lyrical interpretations of nature. Widely regarded as the country's pioneer of abstract painting, Yoo drew inspiration from the mountains and other natural landscapes of his hometown of Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province. Using vivid colors and bold, simplified geometric forms, he developed a distinctive visual language rooted in nature. In particular, mountains became a major theme in Yoo's work, but he never painted them as they appeared. Instead, he used abstract shapes and colors to convey the feeling and energy of the natural landscape. The exhibition, which runs until Oct. 25, also includes works reportedly collected by RM, the leader of K-pop group BTS. 2026-05-19 16:15:48 -
Glowing lanterns greet Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - On an early summer night, thousands of colorful lanterns lit up the streets of Seoul as small lights gathered into a massive procession. The glowing lanterns reflected not only a long-standing tradition, but also a sense of community and shared hope. Ahead of Buddha's Birthday, the annual Yeondeunghoe took place on May 16 across central Seoul. Citizens and foreign visitors gathered along the route stretching from Heunginjimun Gate through Jongno to Jogyesa Temple, where the lantern parade slowly moved through the city under the night sky. As lanterns filled the streets with vivid colors, many spectators paused to photograph the scene with their phones, capturing one of Seoul’s most iconic spring traditions. Yeondeunghoe, also known as the Lotus Lantern Festival, is held to celebrate the birth of Buddha. The tradition of lighting lanterns ahead of Buddha’s Birthday has evolved over centuries into one of Korea’s best-known cultural festivals. In Buddhism, lanterns symbolize wisdom and compassion that illuminate darkness, while the act of lighting them represents prayers for peace, hope and the well-being of others. Korea’s lantern tradition dates back more than a thousand years. Historical records in the Samguk Sagi mention Silla kings viewing lantern displays at Hwangnyongsa Temple, while during the Goryeo Dynasty, the lantern festival developed into a nationwide state event with lanterns decorating palaces and streets alike. Even after the Joseon Dynasty, the custom survived as a folk tradition and continues today. Recognized for its historical and communal value, Yeondeunghoe was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. Today, the festival has expanded beyond a religious ceremony into a large-scale public cultural event. Programs featuring child monk characters, traditional cultural performances and interactive street festivals encouraged both citizens and tourists to participate rather than simply observe. The lantern parade began at 7 p.m. near Heunginjimun Gate and continued for about three hours through downtown Seoul. About 50,000 participants from Buddhist temples and organizations across the country carried nearly 100,000 handmade lanterns through Jongno, sharing what organizers described as the light of wisdom and compassion with the public. The streets featured a wide range of lanterns, from traditional lotus-shaped lanterns to giant dragon and child monk displays. Foreign tourists, children and Buddhist monks walked side by side beneath the glowing lights as the lanterns swayed between the neon signs of Jongno. This year’s festival also drew attention for the participation of a robot monk and North Korean defectors, highlighting the festival’s message of inclusion beyond religion, nationality and generation. Jinwoo, head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said during the lantern ceremony, “May our minds find peace, and may the world find harmony,” emphasizing the importance of lighting “lanterns of unity” to overcome division and hardship. Even after the procession ended, lantern lights continued to glow across Jongno late into the night. Swaying gently in the warm breeze, the small lights quietly illuminated the fast-moving city around them. 2026-05-19 16:11:19 -
Young adults mark Coming-of-Age Day with campus festivities SEOUL, May 18 (AJP) - Coming-of-Age Day celebrations were held across the country on Monday, with universities marking the occasion for students turning 19 this year. Observed every third Monday of May, the day encourages young adults to embrace their new responsibilities as members of society. It has long been a tradition to give roses and perfume to those reaching adulthood, while universities and local communities have increasingly hosted events celebrating young people entering a new stage of life. 2026-05-18 15:43:59 -
Seoul sizzles as early summer heat pushes temperatures above 30C SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) -An unusually early summer heat spell swept across South Korea on Friday as temperatures in Seoul climbed above 30 degrees Celsius, driving citizens and foreign tourists toward fountains and shaded public spaces to escape the scorching weather. At Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, visitors crowded around fountain facilities and water features as children splashed through streams of water under clear blue skies. The scene reflected the growing popularity of outdoor urban cooling spots during Korea’s increasingly hotter and longer warm seasons. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, daytime highs nationwide were forecast to range between 22C and 32C, significantly above seasonal averages for mid-May. Morning lows ranged from 10C to 17C. Meteorologists said the hot and dry conditions arrived earlier than usual this year, fueled by warm southwesterly winds and strong daytime sunshine. Air quality across most regions was expected to remain at “good” to “moderate” levels, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities and tourism despite the heat. Authorities also issued maritime visibility warnings as fog developed over parts of the West Sea and East Sea. Some island areas were expected to see visibility drop below 200 meters alongside light drizzle, raising concerns over maritime safety and ferry operations. Wave heights were forecast at 0.5 to 1 meter along the eastern and southern coasts, while offshore waves in parts of the South Sea could rise to around 2 meters. 2026-05-15 16:48:13 -
S. Korea celebrates birthday of Hangeul inventor King Sejong the Great SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - South Korea has celebrated the 629th birthday of King Sejong the Great, the creator of the Korean alphabet Hangeul, with cultural programs and hands-on experiences at Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on May 15. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said commemorative events took place at Heungnyemun Square inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, offering visitors a chance to experience the Korean language and traditional culture through interactive programs. Visitors participated in activities including ink-rubbing prints of the Hunminjeongeum preface, making the traditional Korean sundial “Angbuilgu,” multimedia Hangeul experiences, and crafting the traditional Korean bamboo flute “danso.” King Sejong, one of Korea’s most respected historical figures, created Hangeul in the 15th century to improve literacy among ordinary people. Hangeul is widely recognized for its scientific and easy-to-learn writing system and remains a key symbol of Korean cultural identity. Traditional performances including the royal military music “Daechwita” and court music piece “Yeominrak” will also be held later in the day. 2026-05-15 16:09:22 -
Firefighters flex for burn victims in Seoul charity bodybuilding contest SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - Muscles, rescue gear and stage lights filled a Seoul fire academy on Thursday as firefighters stepped briefly away from emergency calls to compete for a place in one of the city’s most unusual charity campaigns. The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters held its 15th annual “Bodybuilder Firefighter Contest” at the Seoul Fire Academy in northwestern Seoul, where 29 firefighters — including 25 men and four women — competed in mandatory posing and freestyle performance rounds. The competition serves a purpose beyond fitness and trophies. Winners are selected as models for the annual “Bodybuilder Firefighter Hope Sharing Calendar,” a charity project that raises funds for severely burned patients struggling with medical expenses. Contestants were judged on muscular balance, conditioning and stage presentation, while freestyle performances incorporated firefighting helmets, hoses and rescue equipment to reflect the realities of emergency work. Lee Sung-woo of the Special Rescue Team won the grand prize and received the Seoul mayor’s award, while Park Sung-hyuk of Jongno Fire Station took the top excellence award. Twelve firefighters in total were selected for this year’s calendar project. The chosen participants will take part in an official photo shoot on May 15, ahead of the calendar’s release on Nov. 9. Proceeds from sales and donations will go toward treatment costs for burn victims. According to Seoul fire authorities, the charity calendar campaign has continued since 2015 and has become one of the department’s signature public outreach projects. Over the past 12 years, it has raised about 1.25 billion won ($900,000) and helped support 302 severely burned patients facing financial hardship. 2026-05-14 19:08:50 -
Annual rose festival set to open in Seoul this week SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - A flower festival featuring roses in full bloom is set to open in Seoul's northeastern district of Jungnang this week. According to district officials, the annual rose festival, famous for its 5.45-kilometer flower tunnel, will begin with a walking event on Friday taking a strool along riverside trails and run through May 23. This year's event, now in its 18th year, features some 320,000 roses across 232 varieties, lining walking trails along the Jungnangcheon Stream, one of Seoul's most popular seasonal photo spots. The festival also offers a parade, street performances, flea markets, food booths, and hands-on activities for all ages, with newly-added programs for this year specially tailored to children, youngsters, and older visitors. Rose trails and paths lit up at night are also expected to draw visitors with stunning evening scenery. 2026-05-14 18:36:49