Spike in violence in Korea reflects growing political polarization and social divisions

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - Random attacks and other extreme forms of protest against political figures and opposing groups are on the rise and becoming increasingly violent in recent years. These incidents often stem from individuals who resort to violence to express their discontent or opposition, often targeting those they perceive as enemies. The rise in such incidents is a disturbing trend, reflecting heightened political polarization, factionalism and broader social divisio

August 12, 2024

PHOTOS: Asian athletes' memorable moments from Paris Olympics

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - This year's Summer Olympics in Paris, France wrapped up two and a half weeks of competitions with a spectacular closing ceremony on Sunday. The quadrennial sporting event, the first in a century in the French capital, presented many impressive moments with various iconic buildings and monuments serving as backdrops and venues for medal-winning feats. In particular, Asia's sporting stars and athletes stole the show with their extraordinary feats. AJU P

August 12, 2024

Korea offers financial support for foreign-founded startups

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is seeking applications for a program to support foreign-founded startups in the country. Applications will be accepted Aug. 12-Sept. 6 and eligible startups include those in planning or early stages. Selected companies can receive up to 60 million won ($43,956) to support business model innovation and product development, the ministry said. The Global Startup Center will manage the process. GSC serves as a compreh

August 12, 2024

PHOTOS: Tradition meets innovation at Hanbok Expo in DDP

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The Hanbok Market, Korea's premier trade show for hanbok—traditional Korean dress—takes place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul from Friday to Monday. This event features 112 companies showcasing both traditional and modernized hanbok. It offers hanbok exhibitions and sales and traditional lifestyle experiences. Highlights include displays of award-winning designs from the 2024 Hanbok Design Project Contest and a fashion show illustrat

August 12, 2024

Opinion: Have Paris Olympics cracked code of circular economy?

SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - As the planet faces ever more pressing environmental challenges including fast dwindling natural resources, the idea of a circular economy is often put forward as a promising alternative. Sport organizations are no strangers to this trend. In France, a number of them are working hard to slash their events' carbon footprints. Ecotrail, for example, which organizes annual running contests in the suburbs of Paris, gifts public transport tickets to the

August 12, 2024

PHOTOS: Korean athletes give their all on final days of Paris Olympics

SEOUL, August 11 (AJU PRESS) - Table tennis trio Jeon Ji-hee, Lee Eun-hye and Shin Yu-bin won bronze in the women's team event at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France on Saturday, after defeating their German opponents. Saturday's victory ended the Korea's 16-year drought in the event since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was also the country's first Olympic medal in both the women's singles and team events. Shin, who won bronze medal in the mixed doubles with Lim Jong-h

August 11, 2024

Korea finishes Paris Olympics with 32 medals, one shy of record

SEOUL, August 11 (AJU PRESS) - Park Hye-jeong won the silver medal in the women’s +81-kilogram weightlifting competition Sunday, securing South Korea’s final medal of the Paris Olympics. The 21-year-old lifted a combined 299 kilograms — 131 kilograms in the snatch and 168 in the clean and jerk — to finish second behind China’s Li Wenwen, who successfully defended her Olympic title. Both the snatch and total weight were new South Korean national

August 11, 2024

South Korea tops Germany for table tennis bronze

SEOUL, August 10 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea captured the bronze medal in the women’s table tennis team event at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, defeating Germany 3-0. Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee and Lee Eun-hye won two singles matches and the doubles to claim South Korea’s second bronze in the event since its 2008 debut. Shin, 20, added the bronze to the one she won in mixed doubles. She credited her teammates for the victory. “I am so thankful for my two team

August 10, 2024

PHOTOS: Chungmuro Printing Alley faces transfomation

SEOUL, August 10 (AJU PRESS) - Chungmuro Printing Alley, a 1.5-kilometer stretch in central Seoul, houses Korea's largest concentration of publishing and printing companies. The area accounts for about 70 percent of the country's printing businesses, producing items ranging from stickers and business cards to wedding invitations, pamphlets, theses, and calendars. Once thriving until the 1990s, the alley has since experienced decline amid technological changes. It was previously tar

August 10, 2024

Indian high school student collaborates with Korean child welfare facility to hold photo exhibition

SEOUL, August 09 (AJU PRESS) - Aditi Kumar, a 17-year-old high school student from India, has partnered with a child welfare facility in Seoul to teach elementary and middle school girls the art of photography. Over an eight-week project, Aditi worked closely with the girls, culminating in a photo exhibition at India House, the residence of the Indian Ambassador to South Korea, near central Seoul on Friday. The exhibition featured the girls' photos, reflecting their l

August 9, 2024