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  TRAVEL: The still lake in the sky: A journey to Baekdu Mountain's Heaven Lake Baekdu Mountain, July 07 (AJP) - Surrounded by steep cliffs streaked with greens and reds, Heaven Lake at the top of Baekdu Mountain appears like a pool painted with deep blue and navy ink. Not a ripple disturbs its surface. From the western and northern slopes, the lake mirrors the jagged ridgelines and the fractured walls that encircle it, an untouched reflection resting in complete silence. In late June, I visited both the North and West Slopes July 8, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Lee's first press conference as president SEOUL, July 03 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung, who took office a month ago, held his first news conference as president on Thursday at the Yeongbingwan, the state guest house of Cheong Wa Dae. The conference offered the public and media a glimpse into his policy priorities and governing style. This is a collection of photographs that captured moments from the conference. July 3, 2025
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  TRAVEL: The royal pines of Samcheok — A legacy etched in wood SAMCHEOK, July 02 (AJP) - In the mountainous reaches of Samcheok, Gangwon Province, lies Jungyongmyo, the tomb of General Yangmu, the father of King Mokjo and a fifth-generation ancestor of Yi Seong-gye, the visionary who founded the Joseon Dynasty. Surrounding this sacred ground is a remarkable forest of Geumgang pine trees, a distinctive species deeply woven into the fabric of Korean history and culture. This dense cluster boasts approximately 140,000 pine trees, many of them July 2, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Beauty of Mount Kumgang in North Korea SEOUL, July 01 (AJP) - North Korea's Foreign Languages Publishing House recently issued a collection of postcards showcasing the natural landscapes of Mount Kumgang, one of the Korean Peninsula's most revered and picturesque mountains. Mount Kumgang, often translated as "Diamond Mountain," is a majestic range in North Korea's Kangwon Province, celebrated for its dramatic granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and serene valleys. Revered in Korean culture for centuries, July 1, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Centuries-old stele earns National Treasure status SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - A remarkable stele from the ancient Silla Dynasty, which chronicles the construction of an embankment and a pond designed to mitigate natural disasters, was designated a National Treasure on June 20. The ancient stone in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, stands beside a reservoir known as Cheongmot, a body of water that has been in continuous use since its creation during the Silla period, more than a millennium ago. Carved on both sides of a single, June 26, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Korean War anniversary SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - June 25 marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, which erupted in 1950. The conflict inflicted profound damage and enduring trauma upon the Korean populace, and its legacies — including the division of the peninsula and the lingering aftereffects of the Cold War — continue to shape the region. Below, we present a collection of photographs from the commemorative events held around this solemn anniversary. June 25, 2025
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  TRAVEL: Cheonggyecheon — Seoul's green heart SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - In the heart of this bustling metropolis, a remarkable scene unfolds along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Citizens dip their bare feet into the cool water, some engrossed in books, others in animated conversations with friends, colleagues, and international visitors. The clear stream teems with life: stately carp glide beneath the surface, while herons, observed with curious delight by passersby, patiently stalk fish. Families of mallards, foraging for susten June 24, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Annual Seoul garden show adds Pokemon charm SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - The 10th Seoul International Garden Show is now open at Boramae Park, offering a vibrant display of horticulture and design through Oct. 20. As in previous years, admission to the exhibition remains free. While Boramae Park itself is accessible into the evening, illuminated by special lighting, dedicated installations and experience booths operate from noon to 7 p.m. This year's show has seen a notable surge in young visitors, a trend largely attribut June 19, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Farmers rush harvest as monsoon looms SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - As summer's full intensity takes hold, farmers across the region are working feverishly to bring in their crops. They aim to complete the harvest before the anticipated arrival of the monsoon season. From sun-baked fields, images emerge of these determined cultivators, their brows beaded with sweat, locked in a daily struggle against the elements. June 19, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Foggy landscapes SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Clouds and fog often conspire to form distinctive landscapes. A photographic collection showcases the unique scenery forged by mist. June 18, 2025