British Princess Anne highlights longstanding bilateral ties at Seoul reception SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - Britain's Princess Anne, who is on a three-day visit to South Korea, stressed the strong and enduring partnership between the U.K. and South Korea during a reception hosted by the British Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday. The reception, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul, brought together government officials, diplomats, business leaders, academics, cultural figures and youth representatives to celebrate the longstanding ties between the two countr July 15, 2026

Korea's dog meat restaurants face their final summer before ban SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - The alley of dog meat restaurants in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was quiet on Tuesday lunchtime, one day before Chobok — the first of the three hottest days in the traditional Korean lunar calendar. A few years ago, the street would have been packed with diners around this time of year. This is the last summer South Koreans can legally eat dog meat. Under the Act on the Ending of Dog Meat Consumption, the breeding, distribution, and sale of dogs for food July 14, 2026

Summer rainy season starts in Korea SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Heavy rain fell across the Seoul metropolitan area and other parts of central South Korea on Wednesday as the country entered a period of so-called "monsoon heat," in which the rainy season overlaps with extreme summer temperatures. This year's monsoon arrived later than usual, causing the rainy season and heat wave to coincide. High humidity from persistent rainfall, followed by intense sunshine after the rain clears, is expected to drive the July 9, 2026

Korea's first AI-dedicated channel ABC kicks off ...with the help of robot SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) -Artificial intelligence was not just the subject. It was the host. A humanoid robot shared the stage with an ABC news anchor Wedneday as Aju Media Group officially launched ABC (AI Business Channel), South Korea's first television network dedicated to artificial intelligence. The robot co-hosted the ceremony, exchanged remarks with its human counterpart and capped its appearance with a kung fu demonstration, turning the laun July 8, 2026

Firefighters undergo training to respond to summer emergencies SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - Firefighters underwent intensive water survival training at a facility in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday to enhance their rescue capabilities as more people head to beaches during the hot summer months. They practiced escaping from a submerged helicopter simulator by unbuckling their safety belts and exiting the cabin safely. The training was intended to help firefighters respond effectively in case of an emergency water landing. July 8, 2026

Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller 'Hope' to hit theaters next week SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - Director Na Hong-jin's latest film "Hope" is set to hit theaters next week, about two months after the sci-fi thriller made its world premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival in May. Set for release on July 15, the 160-minute film starring veteran actor Hwang Jung-min along with Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon revolves around a story set in a demilitarized border village where unidentified objects suddenly appear. July 7, 2026

Volunteers serve Samgyetang to help vulnerable residents beat summer heat SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - Workers and volunteers from the Korean Red Cross shared a traditional meal with underprivileged residents at an event in Seoul on Tuesday. The event coincided with Chobok, the first of the three summer days along with Jungbok and Malbok, which come every 10 days apart and are collectively called Sambok, when Koreans traditionally eat samgyetang or chicken soup with ginseng, to beat the summer heat. More than 50 employees and volunteers July 7, 2026

Pump prices drop below 2,000 won amid easing tensions in Middle East SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Pump prices fell to below 2000 won (about US$1.3) this week as international crude oil prices declined amid ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding late last month to end the months-long conflict in the Middle East. According to the Korea National Oil Corporation's website Opinet on Monday, the average retail price of gasoline at gas stations nationwide stood at 1,952.1 won per liter i July 6, 2026

South Korea's parliament opens under opposition boycott SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - Ruling-majority National Assembly of South Korea on Monday opened for extraordinary session under the boycott of the main opposition People Power Party. The session was called after 161 Democratic Party lawmakers, led by acting party leader and floor leader Han Byeong-do, submitted a formal request for the extraordinary session on July 3. The National Assembly duly announced the opening of the session in accordance with the request. People Po July 6, 2026

Tech expo in Seoul showcases cutting-edge quantum technologies SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - A tech expo dubbed "Quantum Korea" kicked off its three-day run at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul on Thursday. Under the theme "Quantum in Action, Grand Challenges for Innovation," the expo, now in its fourth year, runs until Saturday, bringing together about 56 companies and research institutions from 12 countries to showcase the latest advances in quantum technologies. Booths from South Korean institu July 2, 2026