PHOTOS: China offers visa-free entry to South Korea

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - China will allow visitors from South Korea and eight other countries to enter without visas for up to 15 days, starting Friday and lasting until the end of the year. This marks the first time Beijing has included Seoul in such an arrangement. The temporary program applies to ordinary passport holders from South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia, Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein, traveling for business, tourism, family visits or transit. Those seekin

November 8, 2024

PHOTOS: 'Firefighters' revisits devastating Seoul arson attack

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The cast and crew held a press conference on Friday for the upcoming movie “The Firefighters,” which tells the story of a devastating arson case that shook the nation more than two decades ago. Directed by Kwak Gyeong-taek, the film dramatizes a 2001 residential building fire in Seoul, following a rookie firefighter, played by Joo Won, and his rescue team captain, portrayed by veteran actor Yoo Jae-myung. It opens on Dec. 4. The event was held at CGV Y

November 8, 2024

INTERVIEW: As pet culture evolves, a startup reshapes animal funeral care

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - At Four Paws Hwaseong, rows of small cabinets display photos capturing cherished moments of deceased pets. These once-beloved family members now rest peacefully, surrounded by flowers, toys, snacks and mementos from their lives. Through dignified funerals conducted by professional morticians, Petdoc seeks to support pets throughout their lifetimes, even beyond death, in a manner similar to human services. Founded in late 2016, the company launched its fl

November 8, 2024

Ex-pollster with ties to first couple grilled by prosecutors

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Myeong Tae-kyun, the enigmatic figure at the heart of a widening political scandal engulfing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, appeared before prosecutors on Friday. The 54-year-old former pollster arrived at the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, where he is expected to face questioning regarding his relationships with the first couple. Expressing remorse for his past actions, Myeong stated, "I feel sorry to the peop

November 8, 2024

K-pop band with hearing impairment to showcase AI-powered music at int'l event

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Big Ocean, a Korean boy band whose members have hearing impairments, has been invited to showcase how artificial intelligence can transform lives through music at a major international AI event in Geneva next year. The three-member group, which uses AI-powered voice conversion technology to produce its songs, will perform at the AI for Good Global Summit in July 2025. The meeting, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, brings together AI

November 8, 2024

French, Canadian envoys mark end of WWI with warning on global tensions

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The French and Canadian embassies in Seoul marked the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I (1914- 1918) Friday reflecting on lessons from the Great War for today’s global hostilities. The solemn commemoration at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul drew dozens of attendees, including diplomats, military officials and members of the French and Canadian communities in South Korea. The event included a poetry reading by high school students, a m

November 8, 2024

Nature Republic reports strong growth in Philippines, Mongolia

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Nature Republic reported its California Aloe Sun Stick sales tripled in the Philippines this year while the South Korean cosmetics retailer expanded its premium skincare line in Mongolia. The company, with 31 stores in the Philippines, held successful pop-up events in Manila in June and at Mongolia's Shangri-La Mall in May. It plans to open its 11th Mongolian store in November, featuring premium products including the Ginseng Royal Silk Gold Watery

November 8, 2024

Naver reports record-high Q3 operating profit

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - Korean tech giant Naver reported a record-high operating profit for the third quarter on Friday. The nation's largest internet portal announced that its consolidated revenue for the July to September period reached 2.7 trillion won ($1.9 billion), with an operating profit of 525.3 billion won and a net profit of 530.1 billion won. Compared to the same period in 2023, revenue increased by 11.1 percent. Operating profit and net income grew by 38.2 perc

November 8, 2024

LG hosts global IT competition for youth with disabilities in Manila

SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) - LG Electronics concluded its six-day Global IT Challenge for disabled youth Friday in Manila, drawing 104 participants from 16 countries to compete in six categories, including generative AI skills. Nur Zulzahirah Binti Mohd Anwar, 16, a hearing-impaired contestant from Malaysia, won the overall championship. "This was my first time participating in GITC, and I'm surprised and honored to be selected as a global IT leader," she said. She e

November 8, 2024

PHOTOS: Ipdong signals onset of winter

SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Thursday marked Ipdong, or the onset of winter, according to the traditional farming calendar. This day, the 19th of the 24 seasonal divisions in the traditional lunar calendar, traditionally signals the beginning of "gimjang" season—the annual tradition of making kimchi.

November 7, 2024