Gwanghwamun square erupts with World Cup cheers SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Fans fill Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul as they cheer for South Korea during its Group A match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2026. June 25, 2026

Red devils rally at Gwanghwamun square SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Supporters, including members of the Red Devils, South Korea's official football supporters' group, watch the second half of the Group A match between South Korea and South Africa during a public viewing event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 25, 2026. June 25, 2026

Sunglasses reflect World Cup fever in Seoul SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - A World Cup match is reflected in the sunglasses of a spectator during the Group A match between South Korea and South Africa at a public viewing event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 25, 2026. June 25, 2026

Cheers turn into groans at Gwanghwamun after World Cup defeat SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) -Disbelief, disappointment and frustration filled the air at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where thousands gathered at the much-loved open space for the make-or-break Group A match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday morning, Korean time. All 11,000 seats prepared for the official public viewing were filled before 10 a.m., prompting Seoul city officials to block a traffic lane to accommodate the sprawling cheering squad. June 25, 2026

Seoul turns to water-spraying drones as lovebug season returns SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Strange insects known as lovebugs have started swarming park pathways and hiking trails, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to deploy water-spraying drones ahead of their expected mass appearance this summer. City officials on Thursday tested the drones in areas around Mt. Bulamsan in northwestern Seoul on Thursday, where large numbers of lovebugs have been spotted, before deploying them in heavily infested areas. Complaints have surged in recent y June 25, 2026

Shin Hae-sun at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange photo call SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - Actress Shin Hae-sun poses at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange launch photo call. June 24, 2026

Jihyo at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange photo call SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - TWICE member Jihyo poses at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange launch photo call. June 24, 2026

Wi Ha-joon at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange photo call SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - Actor Wi Ha-jun poses at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange launch photo call. June 24, 2026

Lee Soo-hyuk at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange photo call SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - Actor Lee Soo-hyuk poses at the Tom Ford Beauty Taormina Orange launch photo call. June 24, 2026

The luxury of reading in the AI age SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - In an age of short-form videos and instant answers, reading a book may gradually become a rarity — and perhaps even a luxury, something admired and increasingly envied. That may explain the crowds. The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair opened on June 24 for its 68th edition, bringing together 538 publishers, literary agencies and publishing-related organizations from 18 countries. As in recent years, tickets sold out in advance an June 24, 2026