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  Restored incense burners at Gyeongbokgung Palace unveiled on Christmas Eve SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Two lids for incense burners at Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul have recently been restored, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said on Wednesday. The newly-created lids, perfectly restored to fit the burners in front of the palace's main hall, were unveiled to the public on Christmas Eve and will remain permanently on display. The two identical burners are believed to have been made by melting down a large bell in 1866, during the reign of Gojo December 24, 2025
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  A Christmas story from Seoul: in many shapes – and beyond SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - In Seoul, Christmas does not arrive in a single shape. It appears instead in layers — some rooted in history, others carried forward by habit, and still others projected in light. The city’s winter traditions do not replace one another. They accumulate. The season often begins, quietly, with a tree. Few people realize that the Christmas tree itself, as celebrated across Western societies, traces its botanical origin to Korea. December 24, 2025
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  Lotus transforms Seoul showroom into immersive art gallery SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Lotus Cars Korea finished its art collaboration event at its flagship showroom in Seoul's upscale Gangnam district on Wednesday, merging contemporary Japanese art with high-end automotive design. The event, held from Dec. 21, drew guests from fashion, design, automotive and lifestyle sectors. London and Seoul-based creative directing teams Nazferatu and Aube Arte orchestrated the showcase. Japanese contemporary artist Ryota Daimon headlined the even December 24, 2025
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  Korean won rises 1.3% after strong verbal intervention SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The Korean won surged more than 1 percent against the U.S. dollar in early trading Wednesday in Seoul, as suspected dollar-selling flows followed a strong verbal warning from authorities, amplifying a broader retreat in the greenback across major currencies. The dollar fell 22.8 won to 1,459.2 won as of 10 a.m., outperforming the dollar index’s 0.34 percent decline to 97.61. In a joint message issued before the market opened, senior officials at t December 24, 2025
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  North Korea spurs rural development ahead of key party congress SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - North Korea has been holding a series of opening ceremonies for new factories in provincial areas, state media reported Wednesday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, a completion ceremony of a factory in Kilju, North Hamgyong Province was held the previous day with key party officials in attendance. Kilju is known for its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests. In a speech at the December 24, 2025
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  Fuel tax cuts extended until February SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The government decided to extend a fuel tax cut for another two months as it expires later this month. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said on Wednesday that the fuel tax cut will remain until the end of February next year to support people affected by volatile gas prices amid a rising cost of living. With the extension, the current tax reductions - 7 percent on gasoline and 10 percent on diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - will remain in pla December 24, 2025
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  Fire at apartment complex in Seoul leaves two in critical condition, dozens evacuated SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - A fire broke out at an apartment complex in Songpa, southern Seoul, early Wednesday morning, leaving two people in cardiac arrest and dozens evacuated. According to fire authorities, the blaze started at around 5:36 a.m. on the fifth floor of the Olympic Athletes' Village, which was built just ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics to house athletes and journalists and was later converted into a residential complex. Rescue officials said a man and a wom December 24, 2025
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  Korean debt issues tumble in Nov on concerns of borrowing rates going higher SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) -Equity offerings thrived while debt issuance shrank in South Korea in November, cutting direct financing by nearly 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) and underscoring an unfavorable borrowing environment for Korean companies, data showed Wednesday. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, funds raised through stock and corporate bond issuance totaled 21.89 trillion won in November 2025, down 1.81 trillion won, or 7.6 percent, from the previous month. December 24, 2025
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  Millennials in Korea: No longer young, but unable to step into adulthood SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - In South Korea, millennials are no longer young — yet many remain unable to move into what society defines as adulthood. Grouped together with Gen Z under the shorthand "MZ generation," millennials are aging out of youth by any demographic measure. The youngest, born in 1996, will turn 30 next year; the oldest will be 45. But for a large share of this cohort, milestones traditionally associated with adulthood — stable employment, marr December 23, 2025
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  South Korea celebrates record 18.5 million tourists SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) -Sharmaine Lee from Singapore became the 18.5 millionth foreign visitor to South Korea this year on Tuesday, greeted with fanfare at Incheon International Airport as the country’s inbound arrivals surpassed the pre-pandemic peak of 17.5 million recorded in 2019. Buoyed by the milestone, the government has moved up its long-term tourism ambition, setting a target of attracting 30 million foreign visitors by 2030. According to the Korea Tourism Orga December 23, 2025