South Korean, Canadian writers team up for anthology

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - South Korean and Canadian writers gathered to celebrate the publication of their anthology at an event in Seoul on Thursday. The collection of short stories authored by different writers is part of projects to commemorate cultural exchanges between the two countries. The book, written in collaboration with eight writers – Bora Chung, Kim Ae-ran, Kim Mella and Yun Ko-eun from Korea, along with Jordan Scott, Kim Thúy, Lisa Bird-Wils

October 11, 2024

VISUALS: Artist Felice Varini's Exhibition underway in Seoul

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) – Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul is showcasing four new works by French-Swiss artist Felice Varini, known for his geometric, perspective-specific paintings in rooms and other spaces. For the exhibition, titled "Colors Shapes Movements," running from Aug. 29 to March 30, Varini has created a new series specifically tailored to DDP's spiral architecture. The series consists of four pieces that span a 165-meter pathway from the second basement lev

October 11, 2024

BBQ Chicken brings Oktoberfest to Seoul

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) – Genesis BBQ, a major Korean chicken franchise, is hosting its version of Oktoberfest at its Seoul branch, offering the flavors and fun of the famous German beer festival. The BBQ Oktoberfest is currently underway at the BBQ Village restaurant in Songnidan-gil, an emerging youth hotspot in southeastern Seoul, from Sept. 21 to Oct. 31. The event features a variety of traditional Oktoberfest dishes, including Brathendl (roast chicken), Bratwurst (Germ

October 11, 2024

Protesters gather for legalization of same-sex marriages in Seoul

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - People gathered to protest South Korea's current law prohibiting same-sex marriages at a press conference held in Seoul on Thursday. Their protest came just a day before they filed a lawsuit seeking to legalize LGBT marriages. About two dozen protesters from 11 same-sex couples argued for their rights to marry and pursue happiness regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They argued same-sex couples should have the same l

October 11, 2024

LG Chem halts construction of carbon nanotube plant amid EV market slowdown

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) – South Korean petrochemical giant LG Chem has temporarily suspended construction of its fourth carbon nanotube plant, industry sources said, amid a slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) battery market. The facility in Daesan, South Chungcheong Province, was initially scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2025 to supply carbon nanotubes to battery manufacturers, including LG Energy Solution. The plant would be the largest in South K

October 11, 2024

Korea cuts key rate for first time in three years

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) – The Bank of Korea (BOK) cut its key interest rate on Friday for the first time in over three years, marking a shift in monetary policy aimed at boosting the sluggish economy amid easing inflation concerns. The central bank lowered its benchmark seven-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent, the first reduction since August 2021. This move ends a prolonged tightening cycle and signals a pivot toward supporting economic growth. The dec

October 11, 2024

South Korea cuts key rate for first time in three years

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea cut its key interest rate on Friday for the first time in over three years, marking a shift in monetary policy aimed at boosting a sluggish economy amid easing inflation concerns. The central bank lowered its benchmark seven-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent, the first reduction since August 2021. The move ends a prolonged tightening cycle and signals a pivot toward supporting economic growth.

October 11, 2024

OPINION: Innovative South Korean novelist breaks new ground with Nobel Prize win

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - It's often the case that when poets write novels, they deliver arrestingly vivid and nimble prose. Han Kang's "The Vegetarian" (2007) is a case in point, and it is no doubt the work that was most influential in the Swedish Academy's decision to award her the Nobel prize in literature 2024. The committee stated that Han was awarded the prestigious prize because her "poetic and experimental style" has made her "an innovator i

October 11, 2024

Han Kang: A master of lyrical storytelling

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - Announcing South Korean author Han Kang as the recipient of this year's Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy praised her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." Han's work explores the intricate connection between the body and soul, the living and the dead. Through her innovative and poetic style, she has become a leading figure in contemporary literature. Anna-Karin

October 10, 2024

Han Kang becomes first South Korean novelist to win Nobel Prize in Literature

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday, making history as the first South Korean novelist to receive this prestigious honor. The Swedish Academy selected the 53-year-old author for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." The academy praised her "unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead" as well as her "poetic an

October 10, 2024