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  Canola flowers in full bloom in Jeju SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - While the mainland is a world of snow and ice with freezing temperatures, a park in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, is blanketed in yellow with canola flowers in full bloom. December 17, 2025
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  Won–dollar exchange rate SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - A screen at Yonhap Infomax in Jongno District, Seoul, displays peak won–dollar exchange rates from 1997 to 2025 on December 16. The monthly average exchange rate this month has exceeded 1,470 won per dollar, marking the highest level on a monthly basis since the Asian financial crisis. The won opened at 1,476.0 per dollar on December 15, up 2.3 won from the previous session. As upward pressure on the currency continues, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister December 16, 2025
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  Qatar National day reception SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - A reception commemorating Qatar National Day was held today at The Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Hosted by H.E. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea, the event celebrated Qatar National Day (December 18), which marks the day when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of the State of Qatar, assumed leadership and unified the nation. The reception served as a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the friendship December 15, 2025
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  2025 ESG Management Awards SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Economic Daily presented its 2025 ESG Management Awards to 13 companies on December 15 at Seoul's Press Center. Award recipients included major financial institutions KEB Hana Bank, Industrial Bank of Korea, Mirae Asset Securities, NH Investment & Securities, Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives, Hanwha Life Insurance, and KB Kookmin Card, as well as leading corporations Samsung Electronics, Hyosung Group, SamKoo INC, BHC, Karrot, a December 15, 2025
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  Snowfall delights winter sports enthusiasts SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed the mountainous regions of Gyeonggi and Gangwon in South Korea over the weekend, drawing crowds of citizens to local ski resorts. Visitors capitalized on the fresh powder, engaging in popular winter sports like skiing and snowboarding to fully embrace the season. December 15, 2025
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  Seoul Metro Union No. 1 reaches agreement, strike averted SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Seoul Metro Union No. 1 and management of Seoul Transportation Corporation, which operates Seoul Subway Lines 1-8, reached a wage and collective bargaining agreement on Friday just before a general strike. This led to the cancellation of the union's planned general strike for that day. The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) also reached a settlement with the Korean Railway Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), lea December 12, 2025
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  Fine dust returns to Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Light rain tapered off early on the morning of December 11, but northwesterly winds carried fine dust back into the city. Viewed from Namsan in central Seoul, the skyline appeared muted and hazy beneath the incoming dust. December 11, 2025
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  Annual charity campaign gets under way SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - With the year-end campaign to help those in need just ahead of Christmas, an installation dubbed the "charity thermometer" in downtown Gwanghwamun has been displaying its progress to encourage passersby to chip in. The thermometer stood at 37.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday, after the launch of the annual campaign by the Community Chest of Korea on the first day of this month. With this year's goal to collect 450 billion Korean won (around U December 11, 2025
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  Monthlong winter festival to illuminate Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Workers were busy preparing light displays at Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul on Thursday, just a day before this year’s winter-themed festival. During the annual festival, which runs until early next month, several tourist spots in downtown Seoul and nearby areas will be turning into a winter wonderland. Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Bosingak Bell Pavilion will welcome visitors with glittering light displays and festive de December 11, 2025
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  Wintry Seoul A woman bundles up against the cold as she waits from the traffic light to change at Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul on Dec. 10, 2025 as the mercury dropped below zero.(AJP/Yoon Na-hyun) December 10, 2025