Han River pool opens as heat wave arrives early SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) -Seoul's outdoor swimming season has arrived unseasonably early, together with the early arrival of heat wave. The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened the facilities simultaneously on June 19, including swimming pools at Yeouido and Ttukseom and water play areas at Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji and Yanghwa Han River parks. The Han River outdoor pools and water playgrounds are one of Seoul's most popular seasonal attractions. According to June 23, 2026

Fair in Seoul highlights data protection amid rising security concerns SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) - A fair to raise awareness of the protection and security of personal information is currently underway at COEX in southern Seoul. The two-day fair, hosted by the Personal Information Security Fair & CPO Workshop (PIS FAIR) in cooperation with the Personal Information Protection Commission, kicked off on Monday, bringing together some 89 organizations along with around 4,000 privacy-related workers, data protection managers, and information security profess June 23, 2026

Seoul demonstrators demand election fairness SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - Protest placards cover the ticket box area of the Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's Olympic Park during an ongoing demonstration protesting ballot shortages reported in the June 3 local elections, June 22, 2026. June 23, 2026

Protesters rally against ballot shortages in Seoul SEOUL, June 21 (AJP) - Protesters wave South Korean flags outside the Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's Olympic Park during an ongoing demonstration protesting ballot shortages reported in the June 3 local elections, on the evening of June 21, 2026. June 23, 2026

Ballot shortage sparks outcry in Olympic park SEOUL, June 21 (AJP) - Protesters chant slogans outside the Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's Olympic Park during an ongoing demonstration protesting ballot shortages reported in the June 3 local elections, on the evening of June 21, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun June 23, 2026

Botanical gardens become popular summer escapes SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. Yulbom Botanical Garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, has seen a steady stream of visitors seeking respite from the summer heat. Families and couples were spotted posing for photos in front of colorful blooms, while children too June 22, 2026

A self-imposed 'Teach You a Lesson' at Starbucks Korea SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) -For three hours on Monday afternoon, South Korea's busiest coffee shops stopped serving lattes and became temporary classrooms. At 3 p.m., Starbucks Korea simultaneously closed more than 2,160 stores nationwide, marking its first nationwide early closure since opening its first Korean outlet near Ewha Womans University in 1999. The unprecedented shutdown and self-imposed business suspension was not caused by a labor strike, a natural disaster June 22, 2026

Hearts2Hearts dazzles with 'Lemon Tang' showcase SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - Members of K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts perform a new track during a media showcase for their second mini album “Lemon Tang” at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on June 22, 2026. June 22, 2026

Hearts2Hearts unveils 'Lemon Tang' album SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - Members of K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts pose for a photo during a media showcase for their second mini album “Lemon Tang” at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on June 22, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun. June 22, 2026

YE-ON shines at 'Lemon Tang' media showcase SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - YE-ON of K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts speaks during a media showcase for the group’s second mini album “Lemon Tang” at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on June 22, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun. June 22, 2026