Daegu Photo Biennale to bring together 200 photographers from over 30 countries SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - The Daegu Photo Biennale will be "the best yet," Daegu Arts Center director Kim Hee-chul said Wednesday. The 10th Daegu Photo Biennale, hosted by the city of Daegu, begins next Thursday and runs for two months. This year’s theme is "Life," with about 200 photographers from more than 30 countries taking part and roughly 700 works, including photographs, videos and installations. Kim and this year’s artistic director, September 11, 2025

South Korea bets on return of Chinese visitors to fuel tourism boom SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - South Korea is riding a banner year in tourism, fueled by the surging global popularity of K-pop, and expects further momentum from a visa-waiver program for Chinese travelers set to begin at the end of this month. As part of efforts to boost the tourism industry, the program will take effect on Sept 29, allowing short-term visa-free entry for Chinese travelers until June next year, following China's similar move in November last year, coinciding with September 10, 2025

New presidential committee's appointment of K-pop impresario expected to boost tourism, drive economic benefits SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - With the surging popularity of K-pop and other megahit series of South Korean dramas and shows, the country has been experiencing a cultural renaissance lately, with expectations that it will expand further into global markets. To capitalize on the resurgence of the Korean Wave including the latest global hit like Netflix’s South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters," the government has launched a new presidential committee to further promote September 10, 2025

South Korea maintains top spot in higher education among OECD countries SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - More than half of South Koreans hold college or higher degrees, according to a report released by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. About 56.2 percent of adults aged 25 to 64 in the country had completed higher education, maintaining the top spot for 17 consecutive years among the 38 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose average stood at 41.9 percent. The gap becomes even more pronounced among th September 9, 2025

South Koreans detained in US immigration crackdown to be flown home Thursday SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - A charter plane is expected to depart for the United States as early as Wednesday to fly home more than 300 South Koreans who were detained at a battery plant construction site in Georgia, according to officials and industry sources. Korean Air will deploy a B747-8i charter flight from Incheon International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with a potential departure time of Wednesday morning, the sources said. The large ai September 9, 2025

Pilot program for hiring foreign domestic helpers suspended amid weak demand SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - A pilot program allowing families to directly hire foreign domestic helpers has been terminated, according to the Ministry of Justice. The program was launched in March this year with the aim of addressing the country's extremely low birthrates by helping couples juggle childcare and housework, enabling them to work with fewer worries. However, it soon drew criticism, as some households could afford the service while some foreign workers were not en September 8, 2025

Lee meets with ruling and opposition leaders SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung said Monday that national unity would be his top priority, as he met with the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. The luncheon meeting came for the first time several weeks after Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Jang Dong-hyuk of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) were elected party leaders last month. Lee, who again wore his signature red September 8, 2025

South Korea to allow visa-free travel for Chinese visitors starting this month SEOUL, September 07 (AJP) -South Korea announced Sunday that it would temporarily allow visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups of three or more people, in a move aimed at revitalizing its tourism sector. The new policy, which takes effect on Sept. 29, permits these groups to travel across the country for up to 15 days. China has already been allowing visa-free travel for South Korean nationals since November of last year. Under the new policy, which will run until June 30 o September 7, 2025

South Korea, Italy reaffirm economic ties as 'complementary commons' SEOUL, September 5 (AJP) - South Korea and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation at the first business forum in Seoul on Friday, with a focus on advanced technology as both countries face resource constraints and aging populations. The forum, co-hosted by the Italian Embassy in South Korea, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), September 5, 2025

68 countries to join Seoul Defense Dialogue next week SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) - The defense ministry will host the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in central Seoul from Monday to Wednesday, bringing together senior officials from around the world. Launched in 2012, the annual forum is designed to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen regional security cooperation. This year, more than 1,000 participants from 68 countries and international organizations are expected to attend, according to the ministry. Defe September 5, 2025