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  UN-backed first glaciers preservation forum held in Dushanbe SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - A three-day international conference on glacier preservation concluded in Tajikistan’s capital on Saturday, drawing over 2,600 participants from 90 countries. The first high-level international conference on glacier preservation, held from Thursday to Saturday last week, brought together government officials, UN representatives, scientists, and civil society leaders to share strategies for protecting glaciers and water resources. The conferen June 5, 2025
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  Kazakhstan hosts event in Seoul to boost bilateral tourism SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - An event promoting tourism to Kazakhstan was held at a hotel in central Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the state-run Kazakh Tourism National Company, the event brought together around 150 participants from the travel and aviation sectors including major tour agencies and airlines here. Kazakh officials from the Almaty Tourism Board, Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and other leading resort and travel agencies also attended. Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Seoul June 5, 2025
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  Event promotes tourism to Georgia amid growing interest among South Korean travelers SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - An event promoting tours to Georgia was held at a hotel in central Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together tourism officials, representatives from travel agencies and other participants. Riding the wave of increasing number of visitors to the South Caucasus country in Eastern Europe, the event, hosted by the Georgian Embassy in Seoul, offered them an opportunity to learn about the country's historic and cultural heritage, tourist attractions, and authentic cu June 5, 2025
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  National Assembly passes bills for independent probes into ex-president and former first lady SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - A series of bills proposing independent prosecutors to investigate former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee over several allegations were passed at the National Assembly on Thursday. The bills proposed by the ruling Democratic Party (DP) called for investigations into about a dozen charges related to Yoon's botched Dec. 3 martial law debacle last year, as well as other allegations involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who has been embr June 5, 2025
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  Korean economy shrinks in early 2025 SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025, ending two consecutive quarters of modest growth. This reflects ongoing weakness in domestic demand and construction investment, according to revised figures released Thursday by the Bank of Korea. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent from the previous quarter, matching preliminary estimates. The decline followed 0.1 percent expansions in both the third and fourth quarters of 2024. June 5, 2025
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  Korea's ETF market surges past 200 trillion won milestone SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - South Korea’s exchange-traded fund market surged past a major milestone this week, with total net assets reaching a record 201.28 trillion won (approximately $150 billion) on Thursday, according to data released by the Korea Exchange. This marks the first time the fast-growing sector has crossed the 200 trillion won threshold. The achievement underscores the ETF market’s rapid ascent in the country. Net assets have nearly doubled since June 2023 June 5, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Namdaemun's hidden alley serving up noodles, hospitality — and history SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - In a market as vast and bustling as Namdaemun, one of Seoul’s oldest and busiest commercial hubs, the true culinary treasures are often hidden in plain sight. Tucked into narrow passageways and behind unmarked corners are food alleys that many visitors — and even seasoned locals — walk past without noticing. One such enclave is Kalguksu Alley, a humble yet vibrant corridor that feels worlds away from the souvenir stalls and wholesale clo June 5, 2025
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  S. Korea finalizes $17 billion Czech nuclear deal SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - The state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has finalized a landmark agreement to construct two next-generation nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic — marking the country’s first overseas nuclear project in 16 years. The agreement, signed June 4, paves the way for the construction of two reactors at the Dukovany site in southern Czechia. Valued at approximately 26 trillion won (around $17 billion), the deal is South Korea’s first June 5, 2025
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  North Korea issues terse coverage of South Korean presidential election SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - North Korea's state media on Thursday reported the result of this year's South Korean presidential election, which took place here earlier this week. The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper devoted just two sentences to it, saying that Lee Jae-myung was elected as the next president in the South's June 3 election, "just two months after [former President Yoon Suk Yeol' was impeached" over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law las June 5, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Korea's dance heritage SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - On May 23, the Hanyoungsuk Dance Preservation Society, an organization dedicated to upholding the rich legacy of traditional Korean dance, staged a special performance at the Korea House in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The society honors Han Young-suk, a revered master of Korean dance. Han inherited a repertoire of traditional forms, including Seungmu, Hakchum, Salpuri, and Taepyeongmu, from her grandfather, Han Seong-jun. A pivotal figure in the art form, she meticulously June 5, 2025