Opinion: why Kim-Putin deal is coded message aimed at China and how it worries Beijing

SEOUL, June 24 (AJU PRESS) - The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, paid a visit to Pyongyang this week and signed a defense pact with reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as he looks for new allies who can help him increase Russia's supply of munitions for the war in Ukraine. As part of this mutual aid deal, the two leaders promised that each country will come to the defense of the other if attacked. Kim also promised North Korea's full support for Putin's invasi

June 24, 2024

PHOTOS: Unification Culture Festival opens in central Seoul

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - The Unification Culture Festival opened at Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno, Seoul, on Friday for a two-day run. Organized by the Ministry of Unification, the cultural event aims to raise public interest in national unification. The festival will feature various programs, including performances by North Korean defectors, concerts by indie bands, a water percussion event and magic shows. An awards ceremony, honoring individuals who have contributed to unification ef

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Summer solstice marks longest daylight hours of the year

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - June 21 was this year's summer solstice, marking the longest daylight hours of the year. Following this event, the sun rises higher, increasing daylight hours and leading to hotter weather. The temperature in Seoul reached 34 degrees Celsius that day.

June 21, 2024

Emart discounts pork belly amid consumer outrage over price hikes

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - Amid consumer outrage over recent spikes in the prices of samgyeopsal (pork belly), Emart, a leading South Korean retailer, announced a promotion involving a sharp price cut on the meat on Friday. The campaign, running until July 7, offers discounts of up to 40 percent on a total of 500 tons of pork products. From Friday to June 30, domestic refrigerated pork belly and neck meat will be available at 1,000 won ($0.77) less than regular prices, bring

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Art exhibitions held in Gangnam

SEOUL, June 20 (AJU PRESS) - Art Festa Seoul 2024 opened at the SETEC convention center in Gangnam, Seoul on Thursday for a four-day run, featuring around 2,000 artworks from 50 domestic galleries. Visitors can purchase works by emerging artists selected through an open call at affordable prices. The 6th Korea Minhwa Art Fair also opened at SETEC that day. The fair showcases Korean folk paintings and various cultural products. A special booth introduces Indian folk paintings. It will also run u

June 21, 2024

Weak yen draws more Korean travelers to Japan

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - The weak Japanese yen has attracted over 10 million Korean travelers to Japan during the first five months of this year, up about 46 percent compared to the same period last year. According to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Friday, some 10.26 million people traveled to the island country between January and May, up 46.2 percent from last year's 6.95 million. The figure is the highest ever recorded since the m

June 21, 2024

Putin warns S. Korea providing weapons to Ukraine would be 'very big mistake'

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday that South Korea would be making a "very big mistake" if it opted to supply weapons to Ukraine. The warning came after South Korea said it is reviewing its options regarding providing weaponry to Kyiv, hinting a potential shift in its stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine. After Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a defense pact during their summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday, South Kor

June 21, 2024

Game developer vows action against NewJeans character harassment

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - ADOR, the agency behind the K-pop girl group NewJeans, and Krafton, the developer of the video game "PUBG: Battlegrounds," have warned of stern actions in response to incidents of sexual harassment targeting in-game characters based on the band members. Krafton, in collaboration with ADOR, released an update to the popular battle royale game on June 12, featuring NewJeans-themed content and items. While playing the game, some users rece

June 21, 2024

Yeon Sang-ho teams up with acclaimed Mexican director for upcoming Netflix film

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - Filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho is set to team up with Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón for his upcoming project, Netflix said Thursday. The collaboration is already garnering much attention among their fans. Based on Yeon's popular webtoon series, "Revelations" follows the story of a pastor who believes it is God's revelation to punish the perpetrator of a missing case and a detective haunted by visions of his deceased sibling while inves

June 21, 2024

VISUALS: War Memorial opens exhibition hall for Korean War POWs

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - A new exhibition space dedicated to Korean War prisoners of war (POWs) opened Thursday at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul's Yongsan district. The POW zone, spanning 210 square meters, aims to preserve the memories and experiences of POWs from the 1950-53 conflict. The permanent exhibition hall features various artifacts and video interviews with soldiers who returned from captivity. "We hope this exhibition hall will encourage Koreans and people ar

June 21, 2024