N. Korean propaganda song praising Kim Jong-un goes viral on TikTok

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - A propaganda song praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has gone viral online. Intrigued by its up-tempo beat and repetitive rhythm, combined with unfamiliar and laughable background scenes, the three-minute clip for "Friendly Father," first uploaded in April, has garnered 880,600 views on TikTok as of this week, with heart emojis next to the portly leader's name. About 155,000 people have clicked on another video introducing the song wit

May 20, 2024

Opinion: History says tariffs rarely work, but Biden's 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs could defy trend

SEOUL, May 20 (AJU PRESS) - In June 2019, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden tweeted: "Trump doesn't get the basics. He thinks his tariffs are being paid by China. Any freshman econ student could tell you that the American people are paying his tariffs." Fast-forward five years to May 2024, and President Biden has announced a hike in tariffs on a variety of Chinese imports, including a 100-percent tariff that would significantly increase the price of Chinese-made

May 20, 2024

PHOTOS: Korean activists rally for LGBTQ rights on key commemoration day

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - Korean civic groups called for the protection of the rights of sexual minorities on Friday during an event marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). A coalition of 78 activist groups, including Rainbow Action against Sexual Minority Discrimination, the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, and HIV/AIDS Human Rights Action, held a news conference outside the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, before staging a pro

May 17, 2024

Imported electric vehicle registrations surge 150% this year

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) – The number of imported electric vehicles (EVs) newly registered in Korea from January to April surged more than 150 percent year-on-year, data showed Friday. The ratio of EVs in newly registered imported cars also nearly tripled from a year before, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). In the first four months of the year, the number of imported EV registrations was 13,863 units, a 155.9 percent

May 17, 2024

Protecting wetlands crucial for migratory birds: New Zealand envoy

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - Dawn Bennet, the New Zealand ambassador to the Republic of Korea, emphasized Thursday that efforts to conserve the natural environment, including insects, will help protect migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometers from countries in the southern hemisphere to Korea and Alaska. During a commemoration event held to mark the World Migratory Bird Day at the New Zealand ambassador's residence near central Seoul, Bennet specifically spoke about

May 17, 2024

Seafood meal kits gain limelight at industry fair as Korean food makers target ready-to-eat market

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - From packaged tuna to frozen shrimp, seafood meal kits took the limelight at the Seoul Seafood Show, Korea's major fisheries industry fair, this week, as Korean food makers ramp up their charge into the rapidly growing ready-to-eat packaged food market. A total of 179 companies from 16 countries showcased seafood and food ingredients at the 19th annual event hosted by the Korea Fisheries Association at COEX in Seoul under the theme "Blue Food-Te

May 17, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul Int'l Garden Show underway at Han River park

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - The Seoul International Garden Show 2024 is underway at Ttukseom Hangang Park from May 16 to October 8 under the theme "Seoul, Green Vibe." The exhibition features 76 gardens created by domestic and foreign experts, citizens, companies, and various organizations. It also offers various programs such as tours, experience activities, and performances.

May 17, 2024

Korean Air Force embraces memes, defying military stereotypes

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - The Korean Air Force has swiftly embraced Internet memes and cultural codes, as part of efforts to depart from stereotyped images of the military. By adopting this new approach, its official YouTube channel has proven to be successful, attracting 180,000 subscribers with over 100 million clicks on uploaded videos as of mid-May this year. The latest hit was a video dubbed "BOMB Yang Gang," which parodies "Bam Yang Gang," a song sung b

May 17, 2024

Korean spicy sauces gain global popularity

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) – Fueled by the popularity of Korean foods like ramen and fried chicken, demand for the country's spicy sauces is rapidly growing overseas. According to data from the Korea Customs Service, exports of sauces this year until April were $130.93 million, a 6 percent increase from the same period last year. The United States was the largest market, accounting for 23 percent, followed by China with 12 percent, Japan with 9 percent, Russia

May 17, 2024

Culture minister advocates for Hangeul signboard for Gwanghwamun

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - Debates over the signboard of Gwanghwamun that leads to the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul have been reignited, coinciding with the birthday celebration of King Sejong the Great, who created Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. During an event Tuesday in the capital to mark the 627th birth anniversary of the king (1397~1450), Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon stressed the importance of replacing the current Chinese-wr

May 17, 2024