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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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  PHOTOS: Annual winter festa lights up night of Seoul SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The 2025 Seoul Winter Festa officially commenced on Dec. 12, marking the start of a city-wide celebration of light and culture. Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and organized by the Seoul Tourism Organization, the festival aims to bridge the gap between local residents and international visitors. The event features a diverse lineup of programming that blends live performances and interactive experiences with the global appeal of K-culture. December 17, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Incheon's Inspire entertainment resort filled with Christmas SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Stepping into the rotunda, the view inside the resort’s grand circular hall drew an instinctive pause. The space, transformed into a “Winter Storybook Gift Factory,” felt like a page lifted from a Christmas tale — as if one had wandered into Santa’s workshop itself. Animatronic bears, brought to life through advanced technology, busied themselves with making and wrapping gifts, their small 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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  TRAVEL: Pohang, perfect place to catch New Year's first sunrise along with winter delicacy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korea's southeastern port city of Pohang is known as an industrial hub, but it also boasts scenic spots that attracts attract hordes of visitors at this time of year to witness the country's earliest and most stunning sunrises. About a 40-minute journey from the industrial city's KTX bullet train station takes visitors to Homigot at the easternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. Famous for its iconic hand-shaped sculpture, the site draws December 16, 2025
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  PHOTOS:$1 burger, Korea University honors priceless legacy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Korea University students still stop by their favorite burger shop — even though its friendly owner is no longer there. Instead of ordering food, they leave flowers and handwritten thank-you notes, mourning Lee Young-chul (1968~2025), the beloved owner of Young Chul Burger, who passed away last week at the age of 57. For more than two decades, Lee sold 1,000-won burgers to hungry students near the university’s Anam camp December 16, 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
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  Snowfall delights winter sports enthusiasts SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed the mountainous regions of Gyeonggi and Gangwon in South Korea over the weekend, drawing crowds of citizens to local ski resorts. Visitors capitalized on the fresh powder, engaging in popular winter sports like skiing and snowboarding to fully embrace the season. December 15, 2025