VISUALS: Lanterns, festivities herald Buddha's Birthday

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Jogyesa Temple, a prominent Buddhist center in the heart of Seoul, is abuzz with preparations for Buddha’s Birthday on May 5, 2025. The temple grounds are currently festooned with a multitude of colorful lanterns, each inscribed with the names of devotees, creating a vibrant canopy overhead. This spectacle has drawn an increased number of visitors and tourists, who come to offer prayers or simply find respite in the dappled shade cast by the illuminated decora

April 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Jeju Island's famed native horses

SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - More than a hundred Jeju horses, designated national treasures, thundered across the verdant expanse of the Mabangmokji pasture near Mount Halla on April 19 and 20, marking a vibrant festival celebrating the island's equine heritage. The event showcased "ipmok," a time-honored Jeju tradition that ritually ushers livestock into new grazing lands or signals the commencement of spring pasturing. The festival aimed to underscore the profound cultural and hist

April 23, 2025

PHOTOS: Jongmyo Shrine's central hall reopens after 5-year restoration work

SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Jongmyo Jeongjeon, the principal building within the Joseon Dynasty's ancestral shrine, was unveiled on April 20 by the Cultural Heritage Administration after nearly five years of repairs. The extensive undertaking became necessary due to the structure's age, which had led to the deterioration of key components, including major structural elements, roof tiles, and portions of its elevated platform, raising safety concerns. The central hall, whic

April 21, 2025

PHOTOS: Spring on Jeju Island

SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Jeju Island, South Korea's idyllic getaway, transforms into a vibrant hub as peak tourist season kicks off in April.

April 18, 2025

PHOTOS: Kyrgyzstan's special performance 'Color of Asia'

SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - To commemorate the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Republic of Korea and Kyrgyzstan (Ambassador Aida Ismailova), a large-scale classical concert titled Color of Asia was held on the evening of Wednesday, Apr. 16, at Lotte Concert Hall in Jamsil, Seoul. The concert was designed to express Asia’s artistic diversity and harmony through performance. It was produced by ABC Corporation, a company specializing in classical production, and d

April 17, 2025

PHOTOS: Cheong Wa Dae

SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Cheong Wa Dae served as the presidential office and official residence from Aug.15, 1948, to May 9, 2022. With the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who relocated the presidential office to Yongsan, there is growing interest in whether Cheong Wa Dae will be used as the presidential office again. Here are some photos of Cheong Wa Dae.

April 16, 2025

PHOTOS: Cherry blossoms at Seoul's Seokchon Lake

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - A frothy canopy of pale pink and white has enveloped the walking paths encircling Seokchon Lake, transforming the popular Jamsil district into a springtime idyll. The full bloom of cherry blossoms has arrived, casting a delicate beauty over the waters and drawing throngs of visitors to the renowned scenic spot.

April 15, 2025

PHOTOS: Tug-of-war ritual in Dangjin seeks unity, blessings

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - From April 10 to 13, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province reverberated with the rhythmic chants and straining muscles of thousands gathered for the annual Gijisi tug-of-war festival, a vibrant tradition that transcends mere sport. Designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015, the Gijisi tug-of-war is deeply rooted in agricultural ritual, a communal prayer for a bountiful harvest and protection against calamities. The scale of the Gijisi eve

April 15, 2025

PHOTOS: Exhibition of traditional Korean fans

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - An exhibition of traditional Korean fans has opened at the Kansong Art Museum in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The exhibition, which began on April 9, revisits a custom cherished by Koreans who exchanged calendars in winter and fans during the summer months. Beyond their practical function of offering respite from the heat, fans, particularly during the late Joseon Dynasty, evolved into a popular artistic medium. Calligraphy and intricate paintings adorned these objects, tr

April 14, 2025

TRAVEL: 'Gyeomjae Jeong Seon' exhibition at Ho-Am Art Museum

SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Gyeomjae Jeong Seon (1676–1759) is considered one of the greatest painters of the Joseon Dynasty. A trailblazer of true-view landscape painting (Jingyeong Sansuhwa), he helped usher in the golden age of 18th-century Korean art by portraying Korea’s natural scenery with a uniquely Korean perspective. Jeong was a master across multiple genres, including landscapes, portraits, and bird-and-flower paintings. From April 2 to June 29, the Ho-Am Art M

April 11, 2025