PHOTOS: From lavender hues to golden canola, country enjoys floral flourish

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Across South Korea, flower fields are bursting into vibrant bloom, drawing visitors eager to soak in the seasonal beauty. In Donghae, a coastal gem in Gangwon Province, the annual lavender festival has just commenced, painting vast stretches of land in hues of purple. The festival will continue through July 22, offering a fragrant escape from urban life. Further south, in Suwon, a farm has become an unexpected early spectacle, with cosmos flowers — typically a

June 16, 2025

PHOTOS: A season of harvest

SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - Even as June's warmth turns to oppressive heat, the fields are bustling with harvest activity. Below, a series of photographs documents the sweat and effort of early summer.

June 13, 2025

PHOTOS: A season of new life in the wild

SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - For the natural world, spring ushers in a period of profound renewal, marking the birth of countless fragile lives. From hidden dens to sun-dappled nests, this season witnesses the arrival of a new generation. We've gathered a collection of images showcasing these freshly arrived animal offspring.

June 12, 2025

PHOTOS: BTS members discharged from military

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The final members of the global sensation BTS have completed their mandatory military service, with Jimin and Jungkook concluding their duties on Tuesday, following RM and V who were discharged on Monday. Suga is expected to be the last to return, with his discharge slated for June 21. Their returns follow those of Jin, who was discharged last June, and J-Hope, who completed his service in October. In recognition of the members' return, HYBE, BTS'

June 11, 2025

PHOTOS: Global rhythms converge in Busan for dance festival

BUSAN, June 10 (AJP) - The 21st Busan International Dance Festival (BIDF) recently concluded, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of global dance from June 4 to 8. Performances captivated audiences at the Busan Cinema Center Theatre, a specially erected stage on Haeundae Beach, and other venues. This year's festival drew a diverse array of talent, featuring 30 dance companies from nine countries, including South Korea, Hungary, France, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Argenti

June 10, 2025

PHOTOS: Fire at historic Seoul temple extinguished

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - A fire that broke out Tuesday within the revered Jogyesa Temple compound in central Seoul was extinguished without any reported casualties, authorities said. The blaze originated in the international conference hall on the second floor of the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall, a building adjacent to the main temple. Firefighters brought the flames under control approximately 90 minutes after they began. Around 142 personnel and 35 fire veh

June 10, 2025

PHOTOS: Namdaemun's hidden alley serving up noodles, hospitality — and history

SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - In a market as vast and bustling as Namdaemun, one of Seoul’s oldest and busiest commercial hubs, the true culinary treasures are often hidden in plain sight. Tucked into narrow passageways and behind unmarked corners are food alleys that many visitors — and even seasoned locals — walk past without noticing. One such enclave is Kalguksu Alley, a humble yet vibrant corridor that feels worlds away from the souvenir stalls and wholesale clo

June 5, 2025

PHOTOS: Korea's dance heritage

SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - On May 23, the Hanyoungsuk Dance Preservation Society, an organization dedicated to upholding the rich legacy of traditional Korean dance, staged a special performance at the Korea House in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The society honors Han Young-suk, a revered master of Korean dance. Han inherited a repertoire of traditional forms, including Seungmu, Hakchum, Salpuri, and Taepyeongmu, from her grandfather, Han Seong-jun. A pivotal figure in the art form, she meticulously

June 5, 2025

PHOTOS: President Lee Jae-myung's five-year term begins

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - The National Election Commission officially confirmed Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea as South Korea's new president early Wednesday in accordance with the results of the 21st presidential election. Lee's five-year term officially began at 6:21 a.m. Lee secured the presidency with a final vote share of 49.42 percent.

June 4, 2025

PHOTOS: People visit poll booths to vote for new president

SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - The day has come for South Koreans to choose a new leader to steer the nation through crisis. Voting for the 21st presidential election began at 6 a.m. on Jun. 3 at 14,295 polling stations nationwide. The incoming president will face the daunting task of navigating economic and security challenges both at home and abroad, while also addressing a deepening crisis in democracy and growing social divisions that followed the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the impeachmen

June 3, 2025