Bitter divide over history marks Korea's Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 15 (AJU PRESS) - Descendants of independence fighters and opposition lawmakers boycotted the government’s Liberation Day ceremony Thursday, protesting the appointment of a new head of the National Independence Museum. The Heritage of Korean Independence, a state-funded group of independence fighters’ descendants, led the protest. They accused Kim Hyoung-suk, the newly appointed museum president, of holding pro-Japanese views and threatening to distort Ko

August 15, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol outlines unification strategy during Liberation Day speech

SEOUL, August 15 (AJU PRESS) - At the 79th Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a three-stage strategy for Korean unification, highlighting the need for a unified Korean Peninsula founded on freedom and democracy. His speech comes amid rising tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang, following the rapid deterioration of inter-Korean relations since Yoon assumed office in 2022. The Yoon administ

August 15, 2024

Century-old Dilkusha House overlooks Seoul as Korea celebrates Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - High on a hill in Jongno District, overlooking central Seoul, stands Dilkusha, a two-story Western-style brick house with a storied past. Over the past century, this house -- whose name means "Heart's Delight" in Persian -- has been called many names, including the "Western people's home," the "red brick house," and the "ghost house." Throughout its existence, Dilkusha has borne witness to Korea's libe

August 14, 2024

Scholars begin one-person protest to demand Hangeul signage at Gwanghwamun

SEOUL, August 14 (AJU PRESS) - In commemoration of Liberation Day which falls on Thursday, the Korean Language Society has started a one-person rally at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, starting with its chairman Kim Ju-won since Monday. The rally, which continues through the week, is part of the society's efforts to replace the current signage at Gwanghwamun Gate, which is written in Chinese characters, with the Korean alphabet. Lee Dae-ro, an activist promoting Han

August 14, 2024

Controversy deepen over qualifications of new chief of Independence Hall of Korea

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - Controversy continues to mount over the qualifications of Kim Hyung-seok, the newly-appointed chief of the Independence Hall of Korea. Led by the main opposition Democratic Party, various civic groups including the Liberation Association are raising questions over his alleged pro-Japanese stance and distorted views on historical facts. The Independence Hall of Korea, located in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, is a memorial museum dedicated to c

August 13, 2024

Two dozen descendants of independence fighters granted Korean nationality ahead of Liberation Day

SEOUL, August 13 (AJU PRESS) - About two dozen of descendants of Korean independence fighters were granted Korean nationality, according to the Ministry of Justice. In commemoration of the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day which falls on Thursday, the ministry held a ceremony to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for Korea's independence during Japanese rule (1910~1945). Of the 27 descendants granted Korean nationality, 14 are from Russia, 11 from China, one each from

August 13, 2024

Yoon names new defense minister

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - President Yoon Suk Yeol named Kim Yong-hyun, the 65-year-old chief of the Presidential Security Service, as the new defense minister on Monday. Yoon also nominated the current defense minister, Shin Won-sik, to take on the role of national security adviser. Kim’s nomination is subject to a parliamentary confirmation hearing, but the president can proceed with the appointment regardless of the hearing's outcome. A tough road seems to be ahe

August 12, 2024

Foreign students return to Korea as pandemic ends

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The number of foreign students in Korea surpassed 200,000 for the first time in the first six months of this year, according to data published by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) on Monday. Some 204,000 foreigners visited Korea for educational purposes in the first half of the year, up 50.6 percent from the same period last year, setting a new record high. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the number of foreign students was steadily rising, reach

August 12, 2024

Sports ministry launches probe into Korea's badminton association

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that it has launched a probe into possible irregularities within the Badminton Korea Association following complaints raised by badminton ace An Se-young during the Summer Olympics in Paris last week. In the probe, conducted by a team of independent sports officials, the ministry will scrutinize the fairness of the national team selection process and assess the association's support and trai

August 12, 2024

Spike in violence in Korea reflects growing political polarization and social divisions

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - Random attacks and other extreme forms of protest against political figures and opposing groups are on the rise and becoming increasingly violent in recent years. These incidents often stem from individuals who resort to violence to express their discontent or opposition, often targeting those they perceive as enemies. The rise in such incidents is a disturbing trend, reflecting heightened political polarization, factionalism and broader social divisio

August 12, 2024