PHOTOS: President Lee Jae-myung's five-year term begins

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - The National Election Commission officially confirmed Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea as South Korea's new president early Wednesday in accordance with the results of the 21st presidential election. Lee's five-year term officially began at 6:21 a.m. Lee secured the presidency with a final vote share of 49.42 percent.

June 4, 2025

PHOTOS: People visit poll booths to vote for new president

SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - The day has come for South Koreans to choose a new leader to steer the nation through crisis. Voting for the 21st presidential election began at 6 a.m. on Jun. 3 at 14,295 polling stations nationwide. The incoming president will face the daunting task of navigating economic and security challenges both at home and abroad, while also addressing a deepening crisis in democracy and growing social divisions that followed the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the impeachmen

June 3, 2025

PHOTOS: Decision Day

SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - South Korea is poised for the presidential election June 3, with polls opening at 6 a.m. across 14,295 voting stations nationwide. Voting will continue until 8 p.m., after which the process of counting ballots will commence. Political observers anticipate that results will become clear as early as midnight. The next president will immediately take office for a five-year term.

June 2, 2025

PHOTOS: Second day of early voting underway after previous day's record turnout

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - The second day of early voting for next week's presidential election is underway at some 3,568 polling stations nationwide on Friday, following a record turnout of 20.41 percent the previous day. Since it was first introduced on a nationwide basis in 2014, early voting has allowed eligible voters who cannot vote on election day to cast their ballots in advance. Some 44.39 million voters aged 18 and above can cast their ballots at any polling station across the cou

May 30, 2025

PHOTOS: Hidden treasures of Mount Daedeok highlands

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - On a May morning, under an overcast sky, I began an ascent toward Bunburyeong Peak on Mount Daedeok in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. The air at Dumundongjae, my starting point, felt sharply cold, reminiscent of late autumn. Layering a windbreaker over my rain gear provided a necessary warmth. As the trail commenced, bright yellow wild celandine emerged, blanketing the ground. While the trees above were still tentatively unfurling lime-green shoots, the

May 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Panda twins at Everland

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Panda World in the Everland amusement park is currently home to a charming septet of ursine residents: four giant pandas and three red pandas. Among the star attractions are the giant panda twins, Ruibao and Huibao. Born in July 2023, these playful siblings have quickly become the zoo's undeniable darlings, drawing crowds with their endearing antics and undeniable cuteness.

May 28, 2025

PHOTOS: New Zealand's 'Kapa Haka' brings vibrant tradition to Korea

SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - The plaza of the National Museum of Korea buzzed with energy on May 26 as the museum, in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul, presented a vibrant "Maori Kapa Haka" performance. The event, held at 3 p.m., offered a dynamic glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand's indigenous Maori people. Kapa Haka, a comprehensive performing art form that intertwines song, instrumental music and dance, serves as a powerful expre

May 27, 2025

PHOTOS: Hands-on K-food experience

SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - Students from the University of Georgia recently got a taste of Korean cuisine, literally, participating in a hands-on cooking program at Sempio's headquarters in central Seoul. On May 22, the students delved into making popular dishes like Geotjeori, a fresh kimchi, and Bulgogi, the classic marinated beef. Sempio, a Korean food company, organized the event to introduce the visitors to the country's rich food culture and provide them with a direct experience of c

May 23, 2025

PHOTOS: Inside high-speed delivery culture of Dongdaemun fashion district

SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - In the warren-like alleys of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, Seoul’s sprawling wholesale fashion hub, a unique culture built on speed has quietly defined the rhythm of commerce for decades. Here, the hum of motorcycles and the shuffle of small delivery trucks are as much a part of the landscape as bolts of fabric and sequins glinting in warehouse light. For more than 40 years, Dongdaemun has operated not just as a wholesale marketplace, but as a vital a

May 22, 2025

PHOTOS: Traditional way of rice planting

SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - The staple food for Koreans is rice, a grain deeply interwoven with the nation's history and culture. Each May, the paddies across the country come alive as farmers begin the arduous process of cultivating this essential crop. Traditionally, this involved flooding the fields, meticulously preparing the soil, and hand-planting delicate rice seedlings, known as "mo." While modern machinery now dominates most of these tasks, allowing for efficient preparati

May 22, 2025