Nearly 2,000 separated family members die this year only in South Korea

SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Nearly 2,000 separated family members in South Korea died during the first eight months of this year without reuniting with loved ones in North Korea, according to government data released Sunday. A total of 1,961 applicants for government-arranged reunions passed away between January and August, raising the total number of such deaths to 96,352. As of late August, around 134,160 people had registered with the unification ministry for family reunion ev

September 15, 2024

PHOTOS: Shoppers throng Seoul's Gyeongdong Market ahead of Chuseok holiday

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Gyeongdong Market, one of the nation’s largest traditional markets located in eastern Seoul, bustled with shoppers on Friday, one day before the five-day Chuseok fall harvest holiday begins. People flocked to the market to purchase items for ancestral rites and family feasts, like fruits, meats and rice cakes. Gyeongdong Market opened in 1960, specializing in herbal medicine and ginseng.

September 13, 2024

Indian Embassy's annual festival next month to feature classical dance and cinema

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - An annual event promoting Indian culture to Korea is returning early next month, the Indian Ambassador to Korea said on Thursday. "Since its inception in 2015, the Sarang Festival has blossomed into a flagship cultural event of the embassy that introduces the rich and diverse heritage of India to our friends in Korea," Amit Kumar said. The festival's name, "Sarang," which means "love" in Korean, refers to "colorfu

September 13, 2024

Nuclear energy projects top agenda for Yoon's visit to Czech Republic next week

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to prioritize expanding economic cooperation during his trip to the Czech Republic next week. According to the presidential office, Yoon will visit Prague from Sept. 19 to 22, where he will sit for talks with Czech President Petr Pavel to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation with a particular focus on nuclear energy. One of the key topics on Yoon's agenda is likely to be seeking support for Korea

September 13, 2024

PHOTOS: Parade marks 74th anniversary of Incheon Landing

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - A military parade took place along a street in the western port city of Incheon on Wednesday to commemorate the historic Incheon Landing Operation during the Korean War (1950-53). The 1.4-kilometer procession featured 1,800 Korean and U.S. military personnel and veterans, along with 30 military vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers. The parade was part of the events marking the 74th anniversary of the amphibious landing, which occurred on Sept. 1

September 13, 2024

Telegram: A hotbed for narcotics, digital sex crimes

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - It took this reporter just a few minutes to find a dozen channels selling illicit narcotics on Telegram. A simple search for "weed" in Korean on X (formerly Twitter) yielded several keywords and invitation links for Telegram chat groups. To maintain discretion, these groups used jargon like "ice" and "herbs" to refer to methamphetamine and marijuana, respectively. "MDMA, also known as ecstasy ... induces soft, warm, and

September 13, 2024

North Korea discloses uranium enrichment facility

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a facility for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials including enriched uranium, Pyongyang's state-run Rodong Sinmun reported on Friday. During his "on-site guidance," Kim called for producing more nuclear weapons for "self-defense." Emphasizing the need to expand the number of centrifuges and their individual capacity, Kim expressed his great satisfaction with the facility. "Ju

September 13, 2024

JobKorea's foreign recruitment platform surpasses 1,000 job postings

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) – The number of job postings registered on JobKorea’s international service, KLiK (Kickstart Life in Korea), has surpassed 1,000, the online recruiting company said. KLiK, launched in July, provides job information in Korea for foreign nationals in 28 languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, and Dutch. JobKorea aims to solidify its position as the largest international recruitment platform in Korea by offering more effective and

September 13, 2024

OPINION: How the west is foiling Russia's attempts to use the Arctic in Ukraine war

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Things are not exactly going to plan for Moscow in the Arctic – an area that is a strategic military region for Russia and has significant economic potential that could help Russia in propping up its war economy. Yet, a combination of Ukrainian military capabilities, western pushback and the pressure of international sanctions have put a dent into Russian hopes to use the Arctic to its advantage in the war against Ukraine. As tensions with the west

September 13, 2024

Changdeokgung Palace offers autumnal nighttime tours

SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the romantic autumnal atmosphere of Seoul's royal palace. Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul is running three-month moonlight tours until November, offering a rare opportunity to experience the enchanting beauty of the palace at night, which served as the quarters for ancient kings and queens hundreds of years ago. The well-preserved historical palace was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in

September 12, 2024