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  PHOTOS: Korean-born diplomat represents Ghana SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Ghana's newly appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Kojo Choi, officially commenced his diplomatic mission on Dec. 11, presenting his credentials to President Lee Jae Myung. Ambassador Choi, whose birth name is reported as Choi Seung Eub, is a naturalized Ghanaian citizen and a successful businessman, marking a significant first as the first Korean-born diplomat to serve as an African nation's ambassador to South Korea. The ambassado December 15, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Get early taste of Lunar New Year holiday at COEX SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Festive Gift Fair opened on December 10 at COEX in Seoul, running through December 13. Organized by Messe E&D and Korea Food Service News, the fair features diverse gift sets including health products, agricultural and marine products, household goods, and food and beverages. Visitors can purchase items directly at the event, and various sampling opportunities make the experience particularly engaging for attendees. This year's fa December 12, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Pet fair underway in Seoul SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The three-day "Christmas Seoul Pet Show" opened in Seoul on Dec. 12, showcasing a rapidly expanding companion animal market driven by the trend of "pet humanization" in South Korea. The event, which runs through Dec. 14, aims to promote the respect of companion animals, emphasizing their growing status as full-fledged family members in the country. This shift in perception — where pets are increasingly treated like human childre December 12, 2025
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  Seoul Metro Union No. 1 reaches agreement, strike averted SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Seoul Metro Union No. 1 and management of Seoul Transportation Corporation, which operates Seoul Subway Lines 1-8, reached a wage and collective bargaining agreement on Friday just before a general strike. This led to the cancellation of the union's planned general strike for that day. The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) also reached a settlement with the Korean Railway Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), lea December 12, 2025
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  PHOTOS: 400 bowls of warmth SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Volunteers tied to the Korean Red Cross held a charity event on Dec. 11 in Daegu, serving 400 servings of patjuk (red bean porridge) to local elderly residents. The event precedes the traditional Korean observance of Dongji, marking the year's longest night, which falls on Dec. 22 this year. A widespread custom in Korea dictates the consumption of patjuk around this date, rooted in the ancient belief that the red color of the beans effectively wards December 12, 2025
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  Fine dust returns to Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Light rain tapered off early on the morning of December 11, but northwesterly winds carried fine dust back into the city. Viewed from Namsan in central Seoul, the skyline appeared muted and hazy beneath the incoming dust. December 11, 2025
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  Annual charity campaign gets under way SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - With the year-end campaign to help those in need just ahead of Christmas, an installation dubbed the "charity thermometer" in downtown Gwanghwamun has been displaying its progress to encourage passersby to chip in. The thermometer stood at 37.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday, after the launch of the annual campaign by the Community Chest of Korea on the first day of this month. With this year's goal to collect 450 billion Korean won (around U December 11, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Experience the Beauty of Contemporary Crafts at COEX SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The 2025 Craft Trend Fair opened December 11 at COEX Hall A in Seoul, marking the event's 20th anniversary since its launch as the International Craft Fair in 2006. The four-day fair, running through December 14, is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Craft and Design Foundation. It features individual craft artists, small studios, companies, domestic and international institutions, and galler December 11, 2025
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  Monthlong winter festival to illuminate Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Workers were busy preparing light displays at Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul on Thursday, just a day before this year’s winter-themed festival. During the annual festival, which runs until early next month, several tourist spots in downtown Seoul and nearby areas will be turning into a winter wonderland. Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Bosingak Bell Pavilion will welcome visitors with glittering light displays and festive de December 11, 2025
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  PHOTOS: National Museum of Korea sets all-time visitor record SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea's annual visitor count has surpassed 6 million for the first time in its history. The achievement underscores the growing interest in Korean history and culture both domestically and internationally, the museum said. The museum held a commemorative ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the record-breaking achievement, which was attended by Yu Hong-jun, the Director of the National Museum of Korea. This year’s reco December 11, 2025