Record tourist arrivals bring rising complaints in South Korea SEOUL, October 19 (AJP) -Tourism complaints in South Korea have surged alongside record foreign arrivals, with persistent overcharging adding to concerns about the country’s welcome for overseas visitors. The Korea Tourism Organization received 1,753 tourism complaints from January through July, already surpassing the 1,744 filed during all of last year. Foreign nationals submitted 84.3 percent of the total. South Korea welcomed 15.05 million foreign visitors in the first October 19, 2026

Miss Gee Collection brings a vintage glow to timeless elegance SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — The Seoul Arts Center added color offstage as Miss Gee Collection brought a softly faded vision of spring to its autumn grounds, reaffirming the enduring appeal of one of South Korea’s longest-running designer labels. For spring/summer 2027, founder Gee Chun-hee stayed close to the classical, feminine grace that has defined her work. The freshness came through color, texture and movement — familiar silhouettes seen in a gentler light. P October 15, 2026

Korea launches AI content alliance SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea launched a 214-member alliance Thursday to identify artificial intelligence technologies for the content industry and feed them into future government R&D programs. The alliance brings together experts from 190 companies and institutions, along with individual creators, across four areas. Starting with games, video and media, music and performance, and story based content. Its recommendations will help shape new R&D projects planned fo October 15, 2026

Korean drivers' blinker blind spot prompts nationwide crackdown SEOUL, October 13 (AJP)— It should be a habit for drivers to signal before turning or changing lanes. Or is it? South Korean police are not convinced and launched a nationwide crackdown. Nearly one in four drivers failed to signal when turning left at intersections in 2025, according to a survey by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. At 75.7 percent, compliance lagged behind the rates for obeying traffic signals, at 96.7 percent, and wearing seat belts, at 85.4 percent. October 13, 2026

Hanwha brings space-based solar power vision to film SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) - A new film project unveiled at the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents & Film Market will explore space-based solar power, with Hanwha Group joining as its first brand partner. The project will use space-based solar power as its main theme, with Hanwha seeking to present its vision for a sustainable future through cinematic storytelling rather than conventional corporate advertising. Hanwha said the films will be set in a future w October 13, 2026

Korea's business dynasties put overseas study on the family syllabus SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics expects to have achieved what no other technology company has managed over the last three months, earning more than $80 billion in operating profit. SK hynix's $26.5 billion issue in July was the largest foreign ADR debut in U.S. history and Hyundai cars have long become a familiar presence on roads around the world. Beyond their Korean origins, these corporate giants share another defining feature. Founding families re October 8, 2026

Dating shows seek a new spark as romance alone loses its pull SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) — South Korea’s latest dating show does not begin in a villa, on an island or over a candlelit dinner. It begins in the outfield. On streaming platform TVING, “Love at First Hit” pairs fans of rival baseball teams for dates at live Korea Baseball Organization games. Mutual choices lead to romance, while a one-sided choice earns the person chosen a season ticket. Contestants may leave with love, baseball tickets or neither. The October 8, 2026

K-drama, K-pop — and now Hangeul joins the K-wave SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - A decade ago, learning Korean was a way to catch the nuances of K-drama dialogue and song lyrics. Today, foreigners are learning it to enter universities, build careers and make a life in Korea. Few can dispute the global ascent of Korean pop culture as K-everything fills social media feeds. All three seasons of Netflix’s “Squid Game” occupy the top three spots on the platform’s all-time ranking of non-English television series. October 7, 2026

Busan's 'Bukangi' confirmed as 3-meter female dusky shark SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - A shark that has drawn more than 1 million visitors to Busan's North Port has been identified as a roughly 3-meter female dusky shark, a species classified as endangered on the global conservation list, fisheries authorities said Tuesday. The National Institute of Fisheries Science confirmed the species after examining close-up footage of the shark, nicknamed "Bukangi," and finding a ridge between its two dorsal fins, a feature that distingu October 7, 2026

Discover Seoul takes a new dimension with sound journey with Park Bo-gum SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) -Discovering Seoul took on a new dimension as 100 foreign visitors from more than 20 countries explored the city through its everyday sounds alongside actor Park Bo-gum, the Korea Tourism Organization said Tuesday. The “Korea Sound Journey” took place Friday at Changgyeonggung Palace and Hwigyeomjae, a nearby traditional Korean house, where participants recorded and listened to the sounds surrounding the historic sites. The event expanded on &q October 6, 2026