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  Dedicated gallery for ancient gilt-bronze masterpiece opens in Buyeo SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - The Buyeo National Museum is set to open a dedicated exhibition hall on Tuesday, exclusively showcasing one of South Korea’s most celebrated artifacts: a gilt-bronze incense burner of the Baekje Kingdom. Unearthed on Dec. 12, 1993, at a temple site in Buyeo, the incense burner is regarded as a pinnacle of ancient craftsmanship. Its intricate design — featuring a dragon base, a phoenix finial, and a body adorned with immortals, exotic animals, December 22, 2025
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  K-Handmade Fair SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest handmade exhibition, K-Handmade Fair 2025, opened on Dec. 18 at COEX B Hall in southern Seoul. Held under the theme “Happy Pages,” the four-day event runs through Dec. 21. The fair features handmade works across a wide range of categories, including crafts, design, art, interior items, fashion, accessories and beauty products, with around 600 booths participating. Visitors can meet creators in person at booths sho December 19, 2025
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  South Korea's priciest land for 23rd year SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A prime commercial plot in Seoul’s iconic Myeong-dong shopping district has been named South Korea’s most expensive piece of land for the 23rd consecutive year. The 169-square-meter site, currently occupied by a Nature Republic flagship store, saw its officially appraised value for 2026 set at 188.4 million won ($145,000) per square meter. This represents a 4.4 percent increase from the 2025 valuation. The plot has held the top spot in the December 19, 2025
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  Korea grand sale kicks off SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The Korea Grand Sale, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, opened on December 17 and will run for 67 days until February 22, 2026. An opening ceremony was held in Myeongdong on December 17, featuring various performances to celebrate the launch. The festival is Korea's flagship promotional event targeting foreign tourists, combining shopping, culture, and tourism. Nationwide discounts and special o December 19, 2025
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  Century-old Buddhist pavilions gain heritage status SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Friday that it will designate three pavilions from the late Joseon Dynasty as "Treasures," while elevating two iconic medieval stone pagodas to the status of "National Treasures." The three newly recognized pavilions include the Chimgyeru Pavilion at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, the Mansaeru Pavilion at Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, and the Cheonboru Pavilion at Yongjusa Temple in Hwase December 19, 2025
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  Salvation army red kettle campaign under way SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Salvation Army red kettle campaigns are under way across the country as the year draws to a close. Active in Korea since 1908, the Salvation Army continues its long-running tradition of collecting donations to support neighbors in need. December 17, 2025
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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