PHOTOS: Nighttime strolls at Changgyeonggung Palace

SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Changgyeonggung Palace, a verdant oasis in the heart of Seoul, presents a captivating spectacle across the seasons. Its diverse arboreal landscape, rich in species, renders it a premier destination for leisurely strolls and photographic pursuits. The palace structures, while more intimate than their counterparts, exude a refined elegance. Evenings bring a heightened allure, as the intricate dancheong and latticework are accentuated by illumination.

March 18, 2025

PHOTOS: Traditional welcome ceremony for Sungkyunkwan freshmen

SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - Sungkyunkwan University, tracing its lineage to the Joseon Dynasty's national academy, revived a traditional welcome ceremony for its incoming class, Feb. 16. Freshmen gathered at Myeongnyundang, the university’s historic hall in Seoul’s Jongno district, to participate in "Shinbangrye," a ritual echoing the formal induction of Confucian scholars of centuries past.

March 17, 2025

TRAVEL: Seoul Public Bicycle Ttareungi

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - I have been commuting to work using 'Ttareungi,' Seoul's unmanned public bicycle system operated by the Seoul Facilities Corporation, for over two years. I have been riding bicycles since my middle and high school years, commuting for six years. A few years ago, after a late-night gathering, I found myself without public transportation and unable to get a taxi. I spotted a Ttareungi bike nearby, rented it, and rode home. What would have taken o

March 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Authorities ramp up wildfire prevention efforts

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Springtime often sees a surge in wildfires, as dry conditions and parched vegetation create ideal circumstances. Authorities are responding with heightened preparedness, including public education campaigns, increased monitoring, and rigorous firefighting exercises.

March 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Plum blossoms at Tongdosa Temple

SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - Amid warm temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius in South Gyeongsang Province on Feb. 12, vibrant red plum blossoms have emerged at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan. The early bloom drew crowds of visitors and photographers seeking a glimpse of spring’s nascent arrival. The early bloom offered a seasonal respite for those seeking to document the transition from winter, with many capturing images of the blossoms against the temple’s tranquil landscape.

March 13, 2025

PHOTOS: Arrival of spring

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The warmth of spring has arrived, bringing life to rural fields and urban parks. Here's a glimpse of how people are celebrating the season.

March 12, 2025

PHOTOS: 19th-century Korean folding screen, ceremonial robe restored

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - A centuries-old Korean folding screen, along with a ceremonial robe of the Joseon Dynasty, have been meticulously restored after a lengthy conservation effort, officials announced Tuesday. The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Samsung Foundation of Culture, completed the restoration of the eight-panel screen, "Welcoming Ceremony for the Newly Appointed Governor of Pyeongan Province," held at the Peabody Essex Museum in Sale

March 11, 2025

PHOTOS: World's highest outdoor bridge open to public in Seoul

SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Lotte World Tower, located in the Songpa-gu, Seoul, is offering its "Sky Bridge" experience program until November 30. The attraction features a bridge-like structure connecting the building's 117th and 118th floors. At 541 meters above ground, the Sky Bridge is billed as the world's highest outdoor tower bridge. The experience includes access to the tower's observatory, a guided tour across the bridge, and professional photography. The program is

March 10, 2025

PHOTOS: A taste of Korean tradition

SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - The traditional Korean practice of "jang" making, encompassing the fermentation of soybean paste and soy sauce, was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 3, 2024. The process, deeply rooted in Korean culinary tradition, involves boiling soybeans to form "meju," or soybean blocks, which are then dried. Around the lunar new year, these blocks are submerged in salt water and fermented in earthenware vessels for severa

March 7, 2025

PHOTOS: Heartwarming home-style meals of Jeonju Baekban in Kyungdong Market

Editor's Note: This photo story marks the first in a series exploring Korea’s must-visit traditional restaurants for international visitors. SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - Beneath the clamor of Kyungdong Market, in the basement's labyrinthine corridors, Jeonju Baekban hums with a quiet, persistent energy. Here, amid the sacks of herbs and the cries of vendors, a singular culinary experience unfolds, one that transcends the simple act of eating. At lunchtime, the kitchen of Jeonju Ba

March 7, 2025