Advance train tickets for Lunar New Year now on sale

SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Sales of advance train tickets for the Lunar New Year break began this week. According to railway operator KORAIL, tickets are available online for about a week starting Thursday, about a month in advance, for trains running during the weeklong holiday from Feb. 13 to 18. The first two days of pre-booking will be reserved for senior citizens aged 65 and older, people with disabilities, and recipients of national merit honors. Ordinary citizens can book

January 16, 2026

Pictures from Nara

SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -Drumbeats, temple corridors and carefully choreographed cultural gestures took center stage during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s brief two-day visit to Nara Prefecture, a trip that emphasized symbolism and atmosphere over contentious diplomatic files. Lee visited Nara at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, wrapping up his fifth overseas trip since taking office and his second summit with the Japanese leader before depa

January 15, 2026

Thousands of sculptures on display at annual art fair in Seoul

SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - The annual Seoul International Sculpture Festa kicked off its monthlong run at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul on Thursday. Now in its 15th year, the event is solely dedicated to exhibiting sculptures, drawing numerous art enthusiasts every year. This year's exhibition features around 2,000 works from approximately 480 artists.

January 15, 2026

Buses back running in Seoul after strike ends

SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -After two days of disruption, Seoul commuters were relieved to find buses back in service Thursday morning following an overnight wage deal. The Seoul City Bus Labor Union and the Seoul City Bus Transport Operators Association accepted a mediation proposal at around 11:50 p.m. during a second post-adjustment meeting hosted by the Seoul Labor Relations Commission. Under the agreement, wages for 2025 will rise by 2.9 percent, while the retirement age wil

January 15, 2026

Boot camp becomes winter break

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) -What was once synonymous with hardship is increasingly being reimagined as a winter challenge experience. The 1st Marine Division on Jan. 12 opened the “2026 Winter Marine Corps Camp” at its training center in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, drawing participants eager to sample life inside Korea’s elite fighting force. About 230 people — including middle and high school students, university students and adults from across the

January 14, 2026

Ice fishing at day and light festival at dark at Hwacheon

SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -A small borderland county of some 20,000 residents readies itself each winter for a global influx of visitors, as Hwacheon opens its doors to the world-famous Ice Fishing Festival. The first glow appears on Seondeung Street, the gateway to Hwacheon-gun in Gangwon Province. Lined with some 27,000 handcrafted mountain-trout lanterns and LED lights, the street becomes a river of light at dusk. Each lantern is made of hanji, traditional Korean paper, painte

January 13, 2026

Frozen commute in Seoul amid bus strike

SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) -Buses across Seoul ground to a halt at 4 a.m. on Jan. 13 after labor and management failed to reach an agreement on wages and collective bargaining, triggering an indefinite strike and plunging the morning commute into chaos. With bus services fully suspended from the first scheduled departures, commuters crowded subway platforms, huddled at deserted bus stops and waited for hours for taxis that never came. Many learned of the strike only after stepping in

January 13, 2026

As ramyeon turns into a global comfort food, exports boil to record high

SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) -Steam rose higher than ever from Korea’s export kitchens last year. Food shipments hit a record, powered by an unstoppable wave of instant noodles that now travel farther than most K-pop tours. Provisional data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows K-Food Plus exports climbing 5.1 percent to $13.62 billion, with instant noodle sales jumping nearly 22 percent to $1.52 billion — the first time they’ve crossed the $1.5 billion line. From supe

January 12, 2026

Snowy Seoul

SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) -Snow fell quietly across Seoul on Monday afternoon, drawing tourists and residents alike to pause and capture the softened cityscape. Light snowfall blanketed streets, rooftops and palace grounds, muting the usual rush of the capital and turning familiar landmarks into scenes of winter stillness. Visitors lingered with cameras and phones as flakes drifted down, framing Seoul in a rare moment of calm. The snowfall came amid sharp temperature swings, with mo

January 12, 2026

The seasonal magic of birch forest in Inje

SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - The celebrated birch forest of Inje, nestled in the mountains of Gangwon Province, has been transformed into a pristine white landscape following a recent heavy snowfall. The Wondae-ri Birch Forest is a testament to decades of careful reforestation. Between 1974 and 1995, approximately 690,000 birch trees were planted across 138 hectares, evolving from a dedicated man-made plantation into one of the region's most iconic natural retreats. Today, the

January 12, 2026