OPINION: Why North Korea may find South's new vision for reunification provocative

SEOUL, August 22 (AJU PRESS) - Every year, on Aug. 15, there is a public holiday in South Korea to commemorate the day the Korean Peninsula was liberated from Japanese colonial rule. On this day, there is a longstanding tradition whereby South Korean presidents outline their vision for Korean reunification – Korea has been divided between the North and South since 1945. But the country's current president, Yoon Suk Yeol, proposed a new approach this year. Rather than empha

August 22, 2024

PHOTOS: Riot Games' Valorant Champions finals coming to Korea

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Riot Games, a U.S. esports powerhouse, held a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, two days before the Valorant Champions 2024 finals. "Our Champions Seoul has been one of our most successful events ever," said John Needham, president of publishing and esports. The final matches are scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday at Inspire Arena in Incheon, west of Seoul. Following an hour-long Q&A session, Julie and Natty from the multination

August 21, 2024

OPINION:  Korea Exercises Highlight Japan, South Korea and U.S.

KENOSHA, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea and the United States on August 19 began regular annual military exercises, including operations geared toward North Korea, but this year there is a difference. Japan is a more visible defense partner in the Pacific and beyond This follows directly from a Camp David summit last year hosted by President Biden that included the prime ministers of both Japan and South Korea. The resulting agreement greatly changes the dynamics of the balance

August 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Finance Job Fair draws crowds in Seoul

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - The Finance Job Fair 2024 opened on Wednesday for a two-day run at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. It is the largest recruitment event in the financial sector in the nation. The eighth annual event features 77 companies, 13 more than last year's edition.

August 21, 2024

Türkiye's Presidential Symphony Orchestra to collaborate with Korean pianist for concert in Chuncheon

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Türkiye's Presidential Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with pianist Kim Hong-gi, who is widely recognized in Europe for his musical talent, for an annual concert held in the eastern province of Gangwon this fall, the Turkish Embassy to Korea said on Wednesday. The Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra, established in 1826, is one of the world's oldest symphony orchestras, renowned for its rich history and role in promoting both Tur

August 21, 2024

American R&B star Ne-Yo to hold concert in Seoul this fall

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - American singer-songwriter and singer Ne-Yo will visit Korea for the first time in nine years for a gig in Seoul this fall, concert organizers said on Tuesday. The concert, scheduled for Oct. 16, is part of his tour promoting his eighth album "Self Explanatory," which was released in 2022. The R&B star has already met fans in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America, and South America. Initially gaining recognition for songs he co

August 21, 2024

CJ to launch Bibigo dumplings at New Zealand supermarkets

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - CJ CheilJedang will launch its Bibigo brand dumplings at New Zealand’s two major supermarket chains, the Korean food company said Wednesday. Its Bibigo Homestyle Mandu Pork Dumplings and Pork & Kimchi Flavored Dumplings will be available in New World and Pak'nSave stores, starting with Auckland in early September. These two products, already available in ethnic markets across Australia and New Zealand, will gradually expand to stores n

August 21, 2024

New pilot program to offer classes in rural areas to reduce spending on private crammers

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Various supplementary classes will be offered to help students alleviate their parents' burden of expenses for private crammers, the Ministry of Education said Wednesday. The new pilot program, run by schools in partnership with local governments, will soon be available in about a dozen provincial cities and other rural areas. According to Statistics Korea, families spent an average of 434,000 won ($325) per student each month on private educatio

August 21, 2024

Robot makes pizza, coffee at high-tech convenience store

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - A new high-tech convenience store operated by G25 is pushing the boundaries of retail automation with robots that make pizza, coffee and ice cream. The 220-square-meter store, called "GroundBlue49," recently opened in Insa-dong, Seoul’s center of traditional culture and arts, the leading convenience store chain said Wednesday. The company plans to use the location as a testbed for commercializing new retail technologies. The store

August 21, 2024

Embracing more foreigners can be solution to aging society: presidential aide

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - To address Korea's rapidly aging population and super-low fertility rates, Korea needs to consider embracing more foreign workers, an official from the Presidential Office said on Wednesday. Presidential aide You Hye-mi said in a radio interview, "Utilizing more foreign workers could be an option to counter the country's rapidly shrinking working-age population." "We should establish long-term strategies for the influx of more

August 21, 2024