Campaign season kicks off ahead of June local elections SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Ahead of South Korea’s ninth nationwide local elections on June 3, the country’s election authority rolled out a public voting campaign installation in central Seoul on Wednesday, turning a busy downtown plaza into a civic awareness site. The sculpture, installed by the National Election Commission in front of the Korea Press Center in Seoul’s Jung District, features the commission’s mascot character “Cham Cham” alongside t May 13, 2026

Gyeongbokgung Palace opens historic royal library to public through fall SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Seoul's historic Gyeongbokgung Palace has opened its doors to a hidden gem, Jibokjae, a former royal library that was once off-limits to the public. Starting Wednesday, visitors can explore the storied space as part of a special program running through the end of October. Used by King Gojong as his study and office, Jibokjae also served as a reception space for foreign envoys during the Joseon Dynasty. Since 2016, Jibokjae has opened seasonally as a smal May 13, 2026

Clean protest rolls through Seoul as climate activists bicycle to National Assembly SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Civic group members staged a bicycle protest on Tuesday urging the National Assembly to promptly revise the Carbon Neutrality Act. The Climate Constitutional Petition Group held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul announcing a 'Climate Bicycle March from the Constitutional Court to the National Assembly' before beginning the march. In August 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Carbon Neutrality Ac May 13, 2026

A rollercoaster day for KOSPI before testing new 8,000 peak SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) -South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI swung violently on May 12 after briefly nearing the symbolic 8,000-point threshold before tumbling into its first decline in six sessions, underscoring the heightened volatility gripping one of the world’s hottest equity rallies. The KOSPI opened at a record 7,953.41, up 1.68 percent from the previous session, and climbed as high as 7,999.67 in early trading — just shy of the historic 8,000 level — before a May 12, 2026

Another round of cash vouchers for lower-income households to begin next week SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Another round of cash handouts to help ease the burden on households hit hardest by soaring fuel prices is set to be available to those in the bottom 70 percent of the income bracket starting next week. Those eligible can sign up for cash vouchers from May 18 to July 3 through mobile apps or by visiting banks or local community centers, and will receive between 100,000 won (US$70) and 250,000 won, with larger households and those in certain rural and provincial May 12, 2026

Seoul opens Korean War memorial garden honoring wartime support from allies SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - A memorial garden dedicated to soldiers who died in the Korean War was unveiled at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul at a ceremony on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended by war veterans and ambassadors from 22 countries that sent troops and provided support during the 1950–53 Korean War. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the "Garden of Gratitude" consists of a ground-level space with rifle-shaped installations symbolizing the s May 12, 2026

Following the tracks, following the taste: Jeonju in cinematic experience *Editors’ Note: This is part of AJP’s photo essay series exploring railway journeys across South Korea in search of local food and regional culture. This installment travels to Jeonju during the Jeonju International Film Festival, where cinema, traditional streets and local cuisine came together beneath the spring sky. SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - The 27th edition of the Jeonju International Film Festival transformed Jeonju into more than a destination for cinema. Under the May 12, 2026

Arnault family tours Seoul luxury landmarks as Korea cements status as key LVMH market SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) -Bernard Arnault, chairman of luxury conglomerate LVMH, toured South Korea’s leading department stores Monday in his first visit to the country in three years, underscoring Korea’s growing importance to the global luxury industry even as demand slows elsewhere. The billionaire chairman began his Seoul itinerary at Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch, where he briefly spoke with executives and Louis Vuitton officials before entering “The Res May 12, 2026

Rain brings relief to Seoul after weeks of early summer heat SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Rain began to fall in Seoul on Monday afternoon, bringing some relief from the early summer heat of recent weeks. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), rain that began earlier in the day in central regions has spread nationwide and is expected to continue through Tuesday. Up to 20 mm of rainfall is forecast for Seoul, while up to 40 mm is expected in Gyeonggi Province and other southern regions. The KMA warned of strong gusts, thunde May 11, 2026

Seoul prepares for Buddha's birthday celebrations SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Colorful lanterns light up along Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul on Monday as Buddha's birthday approaches, with preparations underway for the annual lotus lantern festival, known as Yeondeunghoe. Large traditional installations and rows of glowing lotus lanterns have been set up around the stream and nearby walking paths, drawing attention from both locals and foreign tourists. Large traditional decorations and glowing lotus installations have been se May 11, 2026