National cemeteries see surge of visitors as South Korea commemorates Korean War SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - Visitors have been flocking to national cemeteries across the country to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and war heroes, as June is observed as the month commemorating the Korean War (1950~1953). Many visitors paid tribute with flowers and moments of silence at the Seoul National Cemetery in southern Seoul, where soldiers and others who died for the nation are laid to rest. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Af June 1, 2026

In South Korea, campaigns move indoors SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) -The streets used to shake. Candidate trucks blaring jingles, jackets every color of the rainbow, rallies spilling across every intersection. Growing up, elections were the noisiest thing Korea did. You knew one was coming before you checked the calendar — you could hear it. That was then. Now, with 4,227 seats on the line — governors, mayors, district chiefs, council seats, education offices — and a clutch of May 29, 2026

New York–inspired fashion brand opens flagship store in Seoul's Yeonnam-dong SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Contemporary designer brand CARLYN held the grand opening of its new flagship store in Seoul's trendy neighborhood of Yeonnam-dong on Friday. Known for its New York–inspired modern aesthetic, CARLYN has built a following among young consumers in South Korea and across Asia for its handbags and accessories. The new four-story store features an exterior inspired by the brand's signature quilting design, with spaces divided i May 29, 2026

Nexon's 'MapleStory' brings fantasy world to life in southern Seoul SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Game developer Nexon's iconic game "MapleStory" has taken over southern Seoul with giant monster installations and themed attractions as part of a large-scale event marking its 23rd anniversary. The monthlong event, in collaboration with the Lotte Group, runs until June 21 around Lotte World Tower and Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, bringing the world of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) to life. At the May 29, 2026

Early voting begins nationwide for June 3 local elections SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Voters on Friday began casting ballots in early voting for the June 3 local elections at 3,571 polling stations across the country. Eligible voters may cast their ballots at any polling station nationwide from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, regardless of their registered address. A valid photo ID, such as a resident registration card, passport or driver's license, is required to cast a ballot. The elections nex May 29, 2026

Campus dips into May festival mood SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Students and visitors filled the campus of Yonsei University in western Seoul on Wednesday as university festival season continued across South Korea. Club band performances and student-run booths took place throughout the Sinchon campus near central Seoul, while students wearing school uniforms and varsity jackets moved between food stalls and performance areas, enjoying the festive atmosphere. International students were also seen joining the celebrations a May 28, 2026

K-pop girl band aespa showcase new album SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - K-pop girl band aespa showcased a new album at a hotel in southern Seoul on Thursday. Their second full-length album, "LEMONADE," which comes about two years after their first full-length album in May 2024, contains 10 songs including pre-released tracks such as "SHAKIN" and "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" featuring G-Dragon. The album's title track of the same name is an electronic dance tune driven by bold, tre May 28, 2026

KOSPI 8,000 mark under threat in first week on rate hike warning SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) -Foreign and institutional investors rattled by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and the Bank of Korea’s strongest-yet signal of aggressive tightening hammered South Korean equities Thursday, threatening to drag the KOSPI back below the 8,000 mark first breached earlier this week. The benchmark index plunged as low as 7,841 before paring losses to close at 8,114.01, as retail investors rushed in late to scoop up semiconductor heavyweights dumped by instituti May 28, 2026

Be aware of hazardous substances in children's products sold online SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - A slew of children's products purchased online from overseas websites have been found to pose safety concerns, according to a recent inspection. The Seoul Metropolitan Government inspected some 32 children's products including umbrellas, raincoats, clothing, and toys purchased from overseas online platforms such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein, and found that 10 of them failed to meet safety guidelines set by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resourc May 28, 2026

Love affair with Chanel goes both ways for South Korea SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - South Koreans love Chanel, and the fashion house loses Korean right back. For a few hours on Tuesday, the streets of Yeouido in western Seoul felt less like a business district and more like the center of the global fashion world. Long before the show began, the venue for Chanel’s 2026 Métiers d’Art Collection in Seoul was already overflowing with cameras, flashing lights and tightly packed photographers lining the photo wall. Every new ar May 27, 2026