Russian Embassy in Seoul celebrates Maslenitsa with traditional performances

SEOUL, March 02 (AJP) - The Russian Embassy in the Republic of Korea hosted a Maslenitsa celebration on February 28, bringing together students, diplomats, and guests for a day of cultural festivities. The event was attended by about 100 guests, including Russian embassy officials and their families, as well as representatives from other foreign embassies. Students from the Russian school at the embassy performed traditional songs and dances, showcasing

March 2, 2025

South Korea tax revenue growth slows in January

SEOUL, March 1 (AJP) - South Korea's tax revenue rose at a significantly slower pace in January compared to a year earlier, sparking concerns about potential fiscal shortfalls as the economy shows signs of cooling. January tax collections increased by 1.5 percent year-on-year to 46.6 trillion won (US$31.8 billion), a sharp deceleration from the 7.1 percent growth recorded in the same month last year, according to data released by Statistics Korea on Friday. The revenue progre

March 1, 2025

North Jeolla province edges out Seoul in bid to host 2036 Summer Olympics

SEOUL, March 1 (AJP) - North Jeolla province secured the right to represent South Korea in the bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics, delivering a stunning upset over the capital Seoul in a national vote that showcased growing support for regional development. The southwestern province garnered 49 votes to Seoul's 11 in Friday's secret ballot held by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), shattering expectations and positioning a regional contender to potentially host S

March 1, 2025

Korean industry minister forges ties with Trump administration officials

SEOUL, March 1 (AJP) - South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ahn Duk-geun, has conducted a series of high-level meetings with senior Trump administration officials in Washington D.C., marking the first major trade discussions between the two nations since President Trump's second inauguration. The meetings, which took place from Feb. 26 to 28, included talks with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and U.S. Trade Repre

March 1, 2025

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul to implement nighttime curfew for tourists amid overtourism concerns

Tourists take a photo at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul on Jan. 9, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - Tourists will be banned from sightseeing in Bukchon, a district known for its characteristic alleys filled with traditional Korean homes in central Seoul, during certain hours. With the tourist curfew starting from Saturday, visiting hours for Bukchon Hanok Village will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and violators will face a fine of 100,000 Korean won (US$75). The village attracts

February 28, 2025

Nearly 60 percent support Yoon's impeachment over martial law debacle, survey shows

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - Nearly 60 percent of South Koreans favor impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle last year, a poll suggests. According to the survey of 1,000 adults conducted by Pollster Gallup Korea earlier this week, about 50 percent of respondents supported impeachment and 35 percent were against it. The rest were undecided. By political inclination, nearly all or 97 percent of supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) w

February 28, 2025

South Korea slips in global democracy rankings amid political turmoil

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - South Korea's democracy has been mired in political turmoil caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last year. In the latest report released on Thursday by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a think tank affiliated with the U.K. magazine, the country's democracy index ranked 39th among 167 countries in the world, down ten spots from a year ago. Since 2006, the EIU has evaluated countries in five categories

February 28, 2025

Canadian Embassy hosts media-gathering event in Seoul

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - The Embassy of Canada in Seoul hosted a special event at its official residence on Thursday, inviting journalists to strengthen media ties and discuss future collaboration. The event opened with a performance by the Vancouver Youth Choir, whose energetic renditions of songs from the "Lion King" soundtrack as well as the South Korean folk song "The Maiden Picking Herbs" captivated the attendees and guests. "Your inte

February 28, 2025

Korea to open anti-dumping probe into Chinese, Japanese steel

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s trade commission will launch an investigation into alleged dumping of hot-rolled steel products from China and Japan, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Friday. The Korea Trade Commission is set to formally begin its probe after publishing a notice in the government gazette on March 4. The investigation will unfold in two phases: an initial inquiry lasting up to five months, with preliminary findings expected as early

February 28, 2025

PHOTOS: Spring is in the air in Gangneung

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is experiencing a surge of seasonal activity amid signs of spring, including the planting of potatoes, the catching of mullet, and the harvesting of seaweed.

February 28, 2025