KOSPI hits record high as Samsung and SK hynix fly SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Seoul's benchmark KOSPI closed Tuesday, just shy of 6,000 milestone, less than a month after the break above 5,000. Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also hit historic heights - 200,000 won, up 7,000 won from the previous close and 1,005,000 won, up 54,000 won respectively February 24, 2026

Lee-Lula summit: a warm embrace and strategic partnership SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) -Cordiality defined the meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during Lula’s three-day state visit to Seoul — his first in 21 years since 2005. Lula was the first state guest welcomed by Lee since the presidential office returned to Cheong Wa Dae in December last year, adding symbolic weight to the visit. The two leaders held formal talks at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 23, fo February 24, 2026

South Korea ends 17-day campaign across ice and snow as Winter Olympics close SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - The 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics concluded Sunday (KST), bringing down the curtain on a 17-day celebration of winter sports across northern Italy. The Games officially ended with a closing ceremony held at the Verona Arena early Sunday morning Korea time. South Korea, which sent a 130-member delegation including 71 athletes, collected a total of 10 medals — three gold, four silver and three bronze — to finish 13th ove February 23, 2026

Caps, flowers, and farewells in February commencement SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) -Commencement season has returned. On Sunday, a degree conferment ceremony for February 2026 graduates was held at the open-air amphitheater on the Sinchon campus of Yonsei University. A total of 5,597 students received degrees, including 2,839 undergraduates, 2,252 master’s students and 506 doctoral candidates. Wearing academic gowns and caps, graduates gathered under clear winter skies, marking the formal end of their academic journey. Family memb February 23, 2026

Spring waits indoors at Gwangmyeong flower complex SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) -Cold mornings and sharp winds still signal the tail end of winter. Frost lingers on sidewalks, and heavy coats remain necessary outdoors. Inside the garden shops at the Gwangmyeong flower complex, however, the season looks different. Rows of flowers are already in full bloom under controlled temperatures and lighting. Brightly colored blossoms line shelves and tables, while potted plants are arranged neatly along narrow aisles. Wholesale owners are pre February 23, 2026

Taegeukgi in full bloom ahead of March 1 Independence Movement Da SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) -A line of Taegeukgi stretches quietly through the trees at Hyochang Park, marking the 107th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement. From Hyochang Park Station to the park’s main entrance, a 510-meter walkway has been transformed into a corridor of national symbols. More than 300 Korean flags are attached to tree trunks and branches, creating a continuous display that follows the natural curve of the path. Installed from Feb. 21 to March February 23, 2026

New firefighters ready to serve communities in Incheon SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Some 116 new firefighters graduated from the Incheon Fire Academy in Ganghwa, Incheon on Friday. The new graduates, the academy's 27th class, pledged to protect the lives and property of citizens. Over 24 weeks since enrolling in September last year, the graduates completed rigorous training as part of the academy's mission to nurture elite firefighting personnel ready for the field. They will be assigned to about a dozen fire stations across In February 20, 2026

BTS Comeback D-29: Why Gwanghwamun is the ideal stage SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -Snow has melted on Mount Bugak, revealing dark rocks and early greenery above the skyline. Below, the statue of King Sejong the Great stands at the mouth of Gwanghwamun Gate, gazing over an avenue quietly preparing for a moment it was never designed to imagine — the return of BTS. The historic corridor, where royal processions once passed and modern protests later gathered, is being transformed into an open-air stage. As spring settles over central February 20, 2026

Robot royal guard patrol around Seoul palace through pilot operation SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - South Korea is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in heritage protection, as a patrol robot began a pilot operation at Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul on Friday. The robot, named “Sunra-bot,” conducted a demonstration patrol near Yeonghwajeong Pavilion inside the UNESCO-listed palace complex. The name “Sunra” comes from the Joseon Dynasty-era sunragun, royal patrol guards who monitored the palace and surrounding ar February 20, 2026

Lingering chill gives way to spring SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Morning temperatures still remained low across most parts of the country on Thursday, which marks "Woosoo" on the lunar calendar, a seasonal term that literally means the time when snow melts and turns to rain. Despite the lingering winter chill, the first harbingers of spring have begun to appear on the southern resort island of Jeju, with canola flowers coming into bloom. The sweeping fields of canola in Seogwipo are heralding the arrival of February 19, 2026