U.S. surpasses Japan as top market for Korean food exports

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) – The United States has overtaken Japan as the top market of Korean food exports this year, as shipments of ramen, kimchi and rice products soared, buoyed by the growing popularity of Korean pop culture. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea exported $479 million (650 billion won) worth of food to the U.S. until April, surpassing Japan’s $452 million and China’s $440 million. During

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - Burdened by rising dining costs and service charges, Korean consumers are increasingly turning to all-you-can-eat buffets as an alternative to traditional restaurants where food is priced per dish, recent statistics show. According to data released by Statistics Korea early this month, dining costs increased by 3 percent in April, compared to the same period of last year, outpacing the average consumer price hike of 2.9 percent. The surge in dining costs

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - Samsung Electronics has retained its top position in the European microwave oven market for the ninth consecutive year in 2022. Samsung captured a 15.3 percent market share, continuing its leadership since 2015, the Korean company said Sunday, citing market research firm Euromonitor’s data based on a survey of 19 European markets. The company attributed the success to its strategic approach in catering to European customers’ interest in kit

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - AJU PRESS covered the closing performances held in front of Jogyesa Temple, Sunday, to celebrate the May 15 Buddha's Birthday. Comedian Yoon Sung-ho, well known by his stage name "NewJeanSunim," acted as the DJ for an electronic dance music party at the end, transforming the templeyard into a big outdoor club.

May 13, 2024

GWACHEON, May 13 (AJU PRESS) -- Korean food maker Ottogi Corp. held the Sweet Home Family Cooking Festival in Seoul Land, a family park in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, Saturday. A total of 100 teams participated in the competition, creating various curry-based dishes. Marking the 55th anniversary of the company’s foundation, the 27th annual festival was themed around its founding product, Ottogi Curry.  

May 13, 2024

Opinion: Paris 2024 Olympics: How the Games are being used to marginalize the most vulnerable

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - Athletes from around the world are gearing up for the 2024 Summer Olympics that are being held in Paris this year. While the Games are often billed as a beacon of global unity, they have historically marginalized the most vulnerable communities in host cities. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) routinely makes grandiose claims about its commitment to humanity. Looking over the Olympic Charter and the IOC's guiding philosophy of "Olympism

May 13, 2024

VISUALS : Viet Nam's legendary founders remembered in Korea

SEOUL, May 11 (AJU PRESS) - Every year on the 10th day of the third lunar month, Vietnam commemorates Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the nation. This year, the Vietnamese community and its Korean friends organized an event to mark the day for the first time in Korea, showcasing the deep cultural ties between the two countries. The event featured a reenactment of the Hung Kings memorial ritual, honoring the Vietnamese people's ancestors. It was followed by a collaborative fashion

May 11, 2024

Korea exports first batch of Samgyetang to Europe

SEOUL, May 10 (AJU PRESS) - Samgyetang or chicken soup with ginseng is now making its way into the European market amid the growing global popularity of Korean cuisine. The first batch of the ready-to-eat packages, totaling approximately 8.4 tons, was exported to Germany from the southern port city of Busan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday. After nearly three decades of negotiations with European authorities began in 1996, the export of Korea&#

May 10, 2024

VISUALS: Africa Culture Festival begins at Gwanghwamun

SEOUL, May 10 (AJU PRESS) - The 2024 Africa Culture Festival began Friday for a three-day run at Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The event was organized to promote understanding of Africa culture among Koreans ahead of the Korea-Africa Summit, scheduled for June 4-5 at KINTEX in ilsan, northwest of Seoul.

May 10, 2024

Southern port city to be transformed into Korea's coffee business incubator

SEOUL, May 10 (AJU PRESS) - The southern port city of Busan will be transformed into Korea's incubator for coffee-related businesses, city officials said during a press event on Thursday. This initiative under the slogan "Coffee City Busan" aims to serve as a growth engine for the country's second-largest city. Busan which serves as Korea's main maritime gateway, boasts a diverse culture. Notably, an annual average of about 92 percent of imported coffee produ

May 10, 2024