PHOTOS: Small business owners rally demanding freeze on minimum wage

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) - Around 2,000 small business owners gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul's Yeouido to demand a freeze on the minimum wage for 2025 and the implementation of industry-specific rates. The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), the organizer of the rally, argued wage hikes would further worsen conditions for small businesses in food, accommodation and other sectors already suffering from declining sales amid an economic slowdown and increased

June 25, 2024

PHOTOS: Rival regions seek harmony through cultural fest

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) - North Gyeongsang Province and South Jeolla Province are holding a joint festival in Seoul to promote exchanges between the two regions, which have been politically at odds throughout history. The third annual event is underway at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, from Monday to Wednesday. The festival features a dance contest, music concerts, an art exhibition, a tourism fair, media shows and an agricultural market.

June 25, 2024

PHOTOS: Korea hosts international conference on carbon reduction

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) – The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency opened the two-day Global Net Zero Connection 2024 conference in Seoul on Monday to discuss international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About 160 representatives from seven countries, four international organizations, and 60 domestic and foreign companies are participating in the event, which includes forums, inter-government talks and business consul

June 25, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul officials, military leaders discuss anti-drone defense system

SEOUL, June 24 (AJU PRESS) – The Seoul city government hosted a forum on the defense of the capital against drone attacks from North Korea on Monday, involving government officials, military leaders and security experts. The conference took place amid heightened tensions across the border after North Korea recently sent hundreds of balloons carrying garbage to the South, which raised alarms about the potential danger of unmanned flying vehicle attacks from Pyongyang. The forum focuse

June 24, 2024

PHOTOS: Unification Culture Festival opens in central Seoul

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - The Unification Culture Festival opened at Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno, Seoul, on Friday for a two-day run. Organized by the Ministry of Unification, the cultural event aims to raise public interest in national unification. The festival will feature various programs, including performances by North Korean defectors, concerts by indie bands, a water percussion event and magic shows. An awards ceremony, honoring individuals who have contributed to unification ef

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Summer solstice marks longest daylight hours of the year

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - June 21 was this year's summer solstice, marking the longest daylight hours of the year. Following this event, the sun rises higher, increasing daylight hours and leading to hotter weather. The temperature in Seoul reached 34 degrees Celsius that day.

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Art exhibitions held in Gangnam

SEOUL, June 20 (AJU PRESS) - Art Festa Seoul 2024 opened at the SETEC convention center in Gangnam, Seoul on Thursday for a four-day run, featuring around 2,000 artworks from 50 domestic galleries. Visitors can purchase works by emerging artists selected through an open call at affordable prices. The 6th Korea Minhwa Art Fair also opened at SETEC that day. The fair showcases Korean folk paintings and various cultural products. A special booth introduces Indian folk paintings. It will also run u

June 21, 2024

VISUALS: War Memorial opens exhibition hall for Korean War POWs

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - A new exhibition space dedicated to Korean War prisoners of war (POWs) opened Thursday at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul's Yongsan district. The POW zone, spanning 210 square meters, aims to preserve the memories and experiences of POWs from the 1950-53 conflict. The permanent exhibition hall features various artifacts and video interviews with soldiers who returned from captivity. "We hope this exhibition hall will encourage Koreans and people ar

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Everland opens panda family pop-up store

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - Everland is operating the second season of its popular panda family pop-up store at The Hyundai Seoul department store in Yeouido, Seoul. The event, running from June 18 to 30, offers over 150 types of merchandise, ranging from toys and accessories to household items, showcasing the daily lives of the family of beloved Fu Bao. The first giant panda born in Korea was returned to China in April. The animal had lived in Everland, Korea's largest theme park, lo

June 21, 2024

PHOTOS: Smart Tech Korea showcases latest innovations

SEOUL, June 20 (AJU PRESS) - The 13th Smart Tech Korea, one of the nation’s major industrial technology exhibitions, is underway at COEX in Seoul from Wednesday to Friday. A total of 400 companies are participating in the event, showcasing their latest technologies in areas including artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, health, security, digital retail, and smart logistics. Israeli cybersecurity firms are also participating as guest exhibitors.

June 20, 2024