PHOTOS: Farmers rally in Seoul, demanding urgent agricultural reforms

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Hundreds of farmers rallied in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday, demanding urgent reforms to agricultural policies. Led by the Korean Succession Advanced Farmers Federation (KSAFF), protesters called for greater attention to the agricultural industry, along with a range of support measures, particularly for young farmers, to tackle the challenges posed by Korea's declining rural population. They complained that rising farming and production

November 13, 2024

Pinkfong animation tops Netflix kids' charts in 9 countries

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - "Pinkfong Little Dino School," a children's animation created by The Pinkfong Company, has taken the top spot in the kids' category on Netflix in nine countries, the South Korean entertainment company announced Tuesday. Since its release on Nov. 4, the show has climbed to number one in markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It also made it into Netflix's Top 10 in 12 count

November 12, 2024

PHOTOS: New waterfront space opens in southern Seoul, offering recreational and eco-friendly amenities

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - A new waterfront space in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam opened to the public on Monday. Segokcheon, a new multi-purpose complex, developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, features a waterfront park along with facilities for performances, eco-friendly terraces, and a hillside playground for climbing and other outdoor activities. As part of the city government's broader initiative to transform 76 streams spanning 342 kilometers into leisure and

November 11, 2024

PHOTOS: Parents pray for children's success on college entrance exam

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Parents flocked to Jogyesa Temple in Seoul Monday to pray for their children's success on Thursday's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).

November 11, 2024

PHOTOS: China offers visa-free entry to South Korea

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - China will allow visitors from South Korea and eight other countries to enter without visas for up to 15 days, starting Friday and lasting until the end of the year. This marks the first time Beijing has included Seoul in such an arrangement. The temporary program applies to ordinary passport holders from South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia, Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein, traveling for business, tourism, family visits or transit. Those seekin

November 8, 2024

PHOTOS: 'Firefighters' revisits devastating Seoul arson attack

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - The cast and crew held a press conference on Friday for the upcoming movie “The Firefighters,” which tells the story of a devastating arson case that shook the nation more than two decades ago. Directed by Kwak Gyeong-taek, the film dramatizes a 2001 residential building fire in Seoul, following a rookie firefighter, played by Joo Won, and his rescue team captain, portrayed by veteran actor Yoo Jae-myung. It opens on Dec. 4. The event was held at CGV Y

November 8, 2024

PHOTOS: Ipdong signals onset of winter

SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Thursday marked Ipdong, or the onset of winter, according to the traditional farming calendar. This day, the 19th of the 24 seasonal divisions in the traditional lunar calendar, traditionally signals the beginning of "gimjang" season—the annual tradition of making kimchi.

November 7, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul to lift greenbelt restrictions for new housing project

SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - The Korean government plans to lift greenbelt restrictions in certain areas of Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province as part of efforts to build 50,000 new homes by 2031. The plan, announced Tuesday, includes about 2.2 million square meters in Seoul's Seoripul area, where 20,000 housing units will be created. It will mark the first time in 12 years that greenbelt protection has been removed in Seoul.

November 7, 2024

VISUALS: Seoul's blind ritual chanting preserved through generations

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - A rare performance of Seoul Blind Chanting, an ancient Korean ceremony recognized as part of Seoul's cultural heritage, took place Tuesday at Miari Pass Art Theater in Seoul on Wednesday. The ritual, which dates back to the Joseon dynasty (1392- 1910), held a unique status as one of the few religious ceremonies permitted within Seoul's city walls during an era when most other rituals were prohibited. The traditional practice, featuring chanters reciting an

November 6, 2024

PHOTOS: Cafe industry show opens in Seoul

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Cafe Show Seoul, a major coffee and food service exhibition, opened Wednesday at COEX convention center in Seoul, bringing together industry professionals and vendors showcasing products. The four-day trade show, features exhibits of coffee, tea, bakery products, desserts and ice cream. The show is jointly organized by the-cup, a digital platform specializing in cafe management resources, and exhibition planner Exporum.

November 6, 2024