K-lifestyle at display at THE MAISON 2026 SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Premium living trends on display as THE MAISON 2026 opens at COEX THE MAISON 2026, a premium lifestyle exhibition, is being held at Hall C of COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, from June 25 to 28. Brands across home living, interior design, home décor, kitchen and tableware, and lifestyle categories are showcasing the latest trends in residential and commercial spaces. THE MAISON is a premium living trade fair launched by the June 26, 2026

Cheers turn into groans at Gwanghwamun after World Cup defeat SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) -Disbelief, disappointment and frustration filled the air at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where thousands gathered at the much-loved open space for the make-or-break Group A match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday morning, Korean time. All 11,000 seats prepared for the official public viewing were filled before 10 a.m., prompting Seoul city officials to block a traffic lane to accommodate the sprawling cheering squad. June 25, 2026

Seoul turns to water-spraying drones as lovebug season returns SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - Strange insects known as lovebugs have started swarming park pathways and hiking trails, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to deploy water-spraying drones ahead of their expected mass appearance this summer. City officials on Thursday tested the drones in areas around Mt. Bulamsan in northwestern Seoul on Thursday, where large numbers of lovebugs have been spotted, before deploying them in heavily infested areas. Complaints have surged in recent y June 25, 2026

On June 25, the forgotten war is remembered SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) -A forgotten war, they say. Perhaps it has become so even at home, among postwar generations who have grown up with the division of the Korean Peninsula as an accepted fact of life. Yet on this day, as most of the country is glued to South Korea's 2026 FIFA World Cup match against South Africa for a place in the Round of 32, some footsteps lead elsewhere — to places of remembrance and gratitude. Just over seventy years ago, this land was reduced t June 25, 2026

The luxury of reading in the AI age SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - In an age of short-form videos and instant answers, reading a book may gradually become a rarity — and perhaps even a luxury, something admired and increasingly envied. That may explain the crowds. The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair opened on June 24 for its 68th edition, bringing together 538 publishers, literary agencies and publishing-related organizations from 18 countries. As in recent years, tickets sold out in advance an June 24, 2026

Han River pool opens as heat wave arrives early SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) -Seoul's outdoor swimming season has arrived unseasonably early, together with the early arrival of heat wave. The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened the facilities simultaneously on June 19, including swimming pools at Yeouido and Ttukseom and water play areas at Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji and Yanghwa Han River parks. The Han River outdoor pools and water playgrounds are one of Seoul's most popular seasonal attractions. According to June 23, 2026

Fair in Seoul highlights data protection amid rising security concerns SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) - A fair to raise awareness of the protection and security of personal information is currently underway at COEX in southern Seoul. The two-day fair, hosted by the Personal Information Security Fair & CPO Workshop (PIS FAIR) in cooperation with the Personal Information Protection Commission, kicked off on Monday, bringing together some 89 organizations along with around 4,000 privacy-related workers, data protection managers, and information security profess June 23, 2026

Botanical gardens become popular summer escapes SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. As South Korea's flower season peaks, visitors are flocking to botanical gardens and parks across the country. Yulbom Botanical Garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, has seen a steady stream of visitors seeking respite from the summer heat. Families and couples were spotted posing for photos in front of colorful blooms, while children too June 22, 2026

A self-imposed 'Teach You a Lesson' at Starbucks Korea SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) -For three hours on Monday afternoon, South Korea's busiest coffee shops stopped serving lattes and became temporary classrooms. At 3 p.m., Starbucks Korea simultaneously closed more than 2,160 stores nationwide, marking its first nationwide early closure since opening its first Korean outlet near Ewha Womans University in 1999. The unprecedented shutdown and self-imposed business suspension was not caused by a labor strike, a natural disaster June 22, 2026

World Cup 26: Wave of red and faces of hope and disbelief SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) -— At Gwanghwamun Square, the familiar wave of Korean red was joined by a new shade of lavender purple — matching Team Korea's away uniform — and occasional splashes of daring Mexican green. Together, they painted an emotional portrait that shifted every few minutes. By late morning, all 11,000 prepared seats had been filled, forcing authorities to open nearby roads as more spectators poured into the square. Under June 19, 2026