China's foreign minister Wang Yi arrives in Korea via Gimpo Airport Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and China's foreign minister, waves to reporters at Seoul Gimpo Business Center in Seoul, August 19, 2026. August 19, 2026

Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea A screening schedule for Christopher Nolan's Odyssey shows zero remaining seats at a cinema in Seoul on August 18, 2026. August 18, 2026

Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea Moviegoers purchase tickets for Christopher Nolan's Odyssey at a cinema in Seoul on August 18, 2026. AJP August 18, 2026

Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' surpasses 5 million admissions in South Korea A promotional display for Christopher Nolan's film Odyssey is shown at a cinema in Seoul on August 18, 2026. August 18, 2026

August 15, again — at Seodaemun prison SEOUL, Aug. 15 (AJP) — On the afternoon before Liberation Day, visitors made their way through the gates of Seodaemun Prison History Hall in western Seoul. Beyond the red-brick walls, Korean national flags hung in the summer air. People entering through the main gate seemed instinctively to slow their steps. Aug. 15, 1945, was the day Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule. Koreans call it Gwangbokjeol — literally, "the day the light returned." August 15, 2026

Extreme heat drives up vegetable prices A citizen purchases a bundle of spinach for 8,000 (about $5.62) won at Gyeongdong Market in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, August 13, 2026. August 13, 2026

Extreme heat drives up vegetable prices A bundle of spinach sells for 8,000 won (about $5.62) at Gyeongdong Market in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, August 13, 2026. August 13, 2026

Government moves to stabilize seafood supply amid heat wave A citizen purchases seafood at Gyeongdong Market in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, August 13, 2026. August 13, 2026

Sempio marks 80th anniversary with 'Cook Happily' campaign Sempio employees take a commemorative photo during the 'Cook Happily' campaign marking Sempio's 80th anniversary, held on the first floor of the Sempio building in Jung-gu, Seoul, August 12, 2026. August 12, 2026

Sempio marks 80th anniversary with 'Cook Happily' campaign Sempio employees shop for company products to cook at home during the 'Cook Happily' campaign marking Sempio's 80th anniversary, held on the first floor of the Sempio building in Jung-gu, Seoul, August 12, 2026. August 12, 2026