Farewell, volatile 2025. Welcome, year of the Fire Horse

SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea passed through a year of sharp political rupture, marked by martial law and impeachment, yet it did not remain suspended in crisis. Gradually, the pulse of society returned. The economy gathered speed from near stillness, and the KOSPI rose with uncommon force, its 76 percent surge reflecting both the promise of artificial intelligence and shifting winds in the global order. Beneath the recovery, divisions linger and the young continue to shoulder un

December 31, 2025

Public bike stations close ahead of New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government will temporarily close 16 public bike rental stations near Bosingak Pavilion from 7 p.m. on December 30 to 8 a.m. on January 1 in preparation for large crowds expected at the New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony. The measure aims to ensure public safety and prevent accidents as thousands gather for the traditional event. The bell-ringing ceremony, held at midnight on January 1, marks the end of the year and welcomes

December 30, 2025

PHOTOS:KOSPI tops 2025 performance

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s stock market wrapped up the year on a strong note despite a slight pullback on the final trading day. On Monday, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,214.17, down 6.39 points, or 0.15 percent, from the previous session. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ ended at 925.47, down 7.12 points, or 0.76 percent. For the full year, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ jumped roughly 75 percent and 36 percent, respectively, marking significant annual gains. In the afterno

December 30, 2025

Seoul completes elevator rollout across 338 stations; Protesters flag remaining barriers

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday that all 338 subway stations in the capital are now equipped with elevator access from ground level to the platforms, marking a milestone in the city's efforts to improve public transit accessibility. To commemorate the achievement, city officials held a ceremony at Kkachisan Station on Line 5. The completion of the "one-route" system means that passengers with reduced mobility,

December 30, 2025

Avatar 3 maintains box office lead for 13th consecutive day

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - "Avatar: Fire and Ash" continued its box office dominance for the 13th straight day, showing strong momentum in its third week of release. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network on December 30, the film attracted 139,110 viewers on December 29 alone, bringing its total audience to 4.175 million. Directed by James Cameron and released in South Korea on December 17 ahead of its global premiere, the film topped the

December 30, 2025

TRAVEL: Snowflower hiking to welcome the new year

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Only a few days remain in 2025. Leaving behind a year of lingering regrets, many people share the desire to welcome the new year with hope. Some travel abroad, while many climb mountains to steady their minds. Snowflower hiking is physically demanding, but it provides an opportunity to face beautiful snowy landscapes and strengthen one's resolve. Snowflowers are formed when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes onto trees, a gift of nature typically foun

December 30, 2025

PHOTOS: Frontline vigilance — S. Korean troops brave extreme cold at border

SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) — Amidst the bone-chilling winter at the North Korean border, South Korean military operations remain in constant motion, maintaining a 24-hour watch despite plummeting temperatures. At the heart of this defense is the General Outpost (GOP), a network of strategic surveillance positions situated approximately 2 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Tasked with monitoring the volatile frontier, GOP units manage a vast expanse of rug

December 29, 2025

PHOTOS: One year after deadly Jeju Air disaster

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (AJP) — South Korea on Monday marked one year since a Jeju Air passenger jet crashed during an emergency landing, killing 179 people in one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 traveling from Bangkok, struck a concrete localizer structure while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province at 9:03 a.m. on Dec. 29 last year. Of the 181 people on board, 179 were killed and two

December 29, 2025

Job security demands shadow S. Korean president's return to Blue House

SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - As South Korean President Lee Jae Myung officially commenced duties at Cheong Wa Dae, the celebratory atmosphere was met with immediate domestic pressure as non-regular presidential staff launched a labor protest through the heart of the capital. On Monday morning, members of the Seoul Regional Public Services Branch — a chapter under the powerful Korean Confederation of Trade Unions — convened at Gwanghwamun Square to demand permanent job se

December 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Seoul Illustration Fair highlights growing 'character culture'

SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s premier celebration of visual storytelling, the Seoul Illustration Fair, concluded its 11th-anniversary edition on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands to the COEX convention center in Gangnam. The four-day event, which ran from Dec. 25 to 28, featured over 900 artists and more than 1,000 booths. This year’s iteration saw a significant global presence, with approximately 50 international teams joining a diverse roster of domestic c

December 29, 2025