PHOTOS: Authorities ramp up wildfire prevention efforts

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Springtime often sees a surge in wildfires, as dry conditions and parched vegetation create ideal circumstances. Authorities are responding with heightened preparedness, including public education campaigns, increased monitoring, and rigorous firefighting exercises.

March 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Plum blossoms at Tongdosa Temple

SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - Amid warm temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius in South Gyeongsang Province on Feb. 12, vibrant red plum blossoms have emerged at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan. The early bloom drew crowds of visitors and photographers seeking a glimpse of spring’s nascent arrival. The early bloom offered a seasonal respite for those seeking to document the transition from winter, with many capturing images of the blossoms against the temple’s tranquil landscape.

March 13, 2025

PHOTOS: Arrival of spring

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The warmth of spring has arrived, bringing life to rural fields and urban parks. Here's a glimpse of how people are celebrating the season.

March 12, 2025

PHOTOS: 19th-century Korean folding screen, ceremonial robe restored

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - A centuries-old Korean folding screen, along with a ceremonial robe of the Joseon Dynasty, have been meticulously restored after a lengthy conservation effort, officials announced Tuesday. The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Samsung Foundation of Culture, completed the restoration of the eight-panel screen, "Welcoming Ceremony for the Newly Appointed Governor of Pyeongan Province," held at the Peabody Essex Museum in Sale

March 11, 2025

PHOTOS: World's highest outdoor bridge open to public in Seoul

SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Lotte World Tower, located in the Songpa-gu, Seoul, is offering its "Sky Bridge" experience program until November 30. The attraction features a bridge-like structure connecting the building's 117th and 118th floors. At 541 meters above ground, the Sky Bridge is billed as the world's highest outdoor tower bridge. The experience includes access to the tower's observatory, a guided tour across the bridge, and professional photography. The program is

March 10, 2025

PHOTOS: A taste of Korean tradition

SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - The traditional Korean practice of "jang" making, encompassing the fermentation of soybean paste and soy sauce, was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 3, 2024. The process, deeply rooted in Korean culinary tradition, involves boiling soybeans to form "meju," or soybean blocks, which are then dried. Around the lunar new year, these blocks are submerged in salt water and fermented in earthenware vessels for severa

March 7, 2025

PHOTOS: Heartwarming home-style meals of Jeonju Baekban in Kyungdong Market

Editor's Note: This photo story marks the first in a series exploring Korea’s must-visit traditional restaurants for international visitors. SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - Beneath the clamor of Kyungdong Market, in the basement's labyrinthine corridors, Jeonju Baekban hums with a quiet, persistent energy. Here, amid the sacks of herbs and the cries of vendors, a singular culinary experience unfolds, one that transcends the simple act of eating. At lunchtime, the kitchen of Jeonju Ba

March 7, 2025

PHOTOS: Elementary school in Seoul welcomes fresh students as spring semester begins

SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - Many elementary schools in South Korea welcomed first-graders as this year's spring semester began across the country this week. The one in Seoul's western district of Mapo was among them, holding an entrance ceremony for about 105 new students amid heavy snow last Tuesday. The school's gate was adorned with colorful balloons as teachers greeted excited yet nervous children arriving with their parents, who sent them o

March 6, 2025

PHOTOS: Korean music legend Lee Mi-ja to retire with farewell concerts in April

SEOUL, March 06 (AJP) - Lee Mi-ja, the revered "Queen of Elegy" in Korean popular music, has announced her retirement after a 66-year career, culminating in farewell concerts next month. The singer, known for her emotive ballads, will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on April 26 and 27. The concerts will feature Lee alongside younger vocalists, a gesture intended to highlight the continuity of the Korean trot. Lee, who has been a fixture in th

March 6, 2025

PHOTOS: Winter's lingering grip

SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed the nation on March 4, prompting widespread snow removal efforts. Across the country, crews worked to clear roads and pathways.

March 5, 2025