PHOTOS: Record number of students sit for annual university entrance exam

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students take the annual university entrance exam at around 1,300 test venues nationwide on Thursday. The number of test-takers increased by about 6 percent or 31,504 students, compared to last year, the highest in seven years since 2019, when 594,924 students took the exam. This is attributed to those born in 2007, known as the auspicious "Year of the Golden Pig," taking the exam, which is anticipated to make university admi

November 13, 2025

PHOTOS: Ancient ginkgo trees enduring centuries

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - In Jangsu-dong, Incheon, and Banggye-ri, Gangwon Province, two ancient ginkgo trees stand as witnesses to time. Their vast canopies cast golden shadows across the ground, glowing under the thin autumn light. The ginkgo in Jangsu-dong grows in the middle of the city. An overpass runs beside it, yet the tree holds its ground as if untouched by concrete and steel. The bark is coarse and timeworn, its surface cracked and uneven. Wooden pillars n

November 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Korean rivers, coasts teem with seasonal life

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - As the Korean Peninsula transitions into the late days of autumn, a familiar drama has begun to unfold along its coasts and waterways, offering a stark tableau of seasonal migration and feeding rituals. In the south, the rare spoonbill has once again been sighted along the shores of Jeju Island. Concurrently, farther north in Gangneung, photographers have gathered at Namdaecheon Stream, staking out positions to capture images of the magnificent osprey as i

November 11, 2025

PHOTOS: Celebrating India – weaving tradition and modernity through fabric and culture

SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - The vibrant colors of India’s northeast came to life on the evening of November 7 at the Textile Center in Seoul’s Gangnam District, where Celebrating India showcased the region’s cultural and fashion heritage. Organized by the North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) in Guwahati, Assam, the event was held in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Seoul, the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), and the Indian C

November 10, 2025

PHOTOS: Fall festivals for international students

SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - South Korean universities are rolling out diverse cultural events this fall to integrate a growing international student body, which surpassed 200,000 in 2024. As the number of foreign students continues to rise, universities across the country are hosting festivals aimed at fostering cultural exchange and community. In Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Ajou University hosted its annual "Ajou International Day," showcasing the diverse cultures of its s

November 7, 2025

PHOTOS: Enjoy autumnal foliage before winter sets in

SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - Mild, warm weather is expected with daytime highs hovering above 20 degrees across the country on Friday, a day known as Ipdong or the beginning of winter in the lunar calendar. As unseasonably warm temperatures persisted through September and October, with fickle weather bringing occasional cold chills, this year's autumn arrived late and is likely to recede soon before people can fully enjoy the season. With many trees and leaves yet to turn into thei

November 7, 2025

TRAVEL: Finding solace at temple high on mountain

BONGHWA, November 06 (AJP) - I recently undertook a stay at Cheongnyangsa Temple in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province. The experience was an immersion in a landscape and a tradition that demands both effort and reward. While Cheongnyangsan Mountain may not be among Korea’s highest peaks, its rugged, sheer cliffs and dramatic stone pinnacles deliver an astonishingly grand and theatrical scene. Cheongnyangsa is strategically built halfway up the mountain, meaning your jour

November 6, 2025

PHOTOS: Architectural biennale in Seoul draws visitors with eye-catching installations

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - The biannual architectural biennale in central Seoul has attracted over 500,000 visitors since its opening in late September. Marking its fifth year, this year's event, directed by renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick and hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is taking place near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul and runs until Nov. 18. Under the theme "Radically More Human," which reflects Heatherwick

November 6, 2025

PHOTOS: Dried persimmons from Sangju — taste of centuries

SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - Late autumn transforms Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province into a spectacle of vivid orange. This is the season when the autumn sun-kissed persimmons are harvested and processed into the region’s renowned specialty: Gotgam, or dried persimmons. Sangju is traditionally famed for persimmons, rice and silk. While modern crops like grapes and cucumbers have joined its list of specialties, it is the gotgam that defines the region. Sangju's dried per

November 5, 2025

PHOTOS: 2025 Small Business Convention opens with craftsmanship and passion on display

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - The 2025 Korea Small Business Convention opened on October 31 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Now in its 20th year, the convention is South Korea’s largest annual event dedicated to small business owners, aimed at elevating their social and economic standing while fostering communication and unity within the community. Held under the theme "Small Businesses Opening Today, Connecting Tomorrow’s Korea," this year’s event ce

November 3, 2025