Emart24, Bithumb partner in Bitcoin lunch box campaign

SEOUL, May 14 (AJU PRESS) - Emart24, a leading convenience store chain in Korea, is selling Bitcoin-themed lunch boxes in partnership with Bithumb, a cryptocurrency exchange, in a campaign to promote digital currencies. The Bitcoin Lunch Box, launched on May 7, contains a coupon that can be exchanged for 10,000 won worth of Bitcoin. Customers need to access the Bithumb app via a QR code on the coupon and enter the coupon number. Users can receive an additional 20,000 won worth of

May 14, 2024

Enhyphen's new album tops iTunes charts in nine countries one day after release

SEOUL, May 14 (AJU PRESS) -- "Memorabilia," the latest album by K-pop boy band Enhyphen, topped iTunes album charts in nine countries Tuesday, just one day after its release, its agency said. The six-track album was dropped on Monday and debuted at the top position in the Philippines, India, Brazil and other countries as of 9:00 a.m., according to Belift Lab. It also made the top 10 list in 21 countries. The album's title track, "Fatal Trouble," was includ

May 14, 2024

Hospitals required to check patients' IDs to curb health insurance abuse

SEOUL, May 14 (AJU PRESS) - Starting next week, patients will be required to present their valid IDs to receive medical treatment at hospitals and clinics in Korea, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) said Tuesday. The stricter ID checks are part of measures to prevent foreigners or others from abusing the state health insurance coverage, amid concerns about the lavish use of medical insurance by some foreigners who exploit health benefits using aliases or forged identities

May 14, 2024

PHOTOS: Riverside park ablaze with yellow: The Hangang Seoraeseom Flower Festival

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - The vibrant Hangang Seoraeseom Flower Festival is in full swing, transforming Seorae Island within Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul, into a sea of yellow from May 10 to 19. This popular spring celebration, established in 2004, takes place on the artificial island. Beyond the sprawling fields of rapeseed flowers, the festival offers a variety of attractions for all ages. Visitors can capture memories at nine themed photo zones, including one featuring the giant air ballo

May 14, 2024

PHOTOS: Overtourism at Bukchon Hanok Village

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - Bukchon Hanok Village, nestled in the heart of Seoul, is a major tourist draw. This historic neighborhood, lined with traditional Korean houses (hanoks), offers visitors a glimpse into the country's past. However, while it thrives as a cultural destination, Bukchon remains a residential area. With the approaching summer picnic season, concerns are rising over the impact of increased tourism. Influxes of foreign visitors and student field trips have brought nois

May 14, 2024

Opinion: International Booker prize 2024: six expert reviews of shortlisted books

SEOUL, May 14 (AJU PRESS) - From a longlist of 12, six novels have been shortlisted for the 2023 International Booker prize. Our academics review the finalists ahead of the announcement of the winner on May 21. Not a River by Selva Almada, translated by Annie McDermott In Not a River, the final instalment in Selva Almada's "trilogy of men," past and present collide in a nightmarish sleepwalk towards inevitable violence. Two men take Tilo, the son of their friend E

May 14, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - SK Leaveo, an eco-friendly materials company backed by SKC, has begun construction of a plant to produce materials for biodegradable plastics in Viet Nam. The joint venture between SKC, a materials maker, and Daesang Corp., a food maker, both from Korea, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant in the northeastern city of Hai Phong on Saturday (local time). The company will invest $100 million in the plant, which will occupy a 22,389-square-mete

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - CJ CheilJedang has introduced the beloved Korean dish gimbap to Woolworths Supermarkets in Australia, the leading Korean food company said. This marks the first time Korean seaweed rice rolls have been available in major Australian retail outlets. CJ CheilJedang released tuna mayo gimbap and bulgogi (Korean-style BBQ beef) gimbap at over 1,000 stores of Woolworths, the largest supermarket chain in Australia. Both were highly successful in Japan

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - Korean webtoons garnered massive attention at Italy's biggest comic book fair which wrapped up in Naples last month. Dubbed COMICON Napoli 2024, the fair was held in the coastal city for three days from April 28 and this year's fair featured a separate booth dedicated to Korean comics for the first time to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy. Popular Korean webtoons such as romantic comedy "Full Hou

May 13, 2024

SEOUL, May 13 (AJU PRESS) - A man who is allegedly involved in the murder of a Korean tourist in Thailand has been arrested in Korea, police said Monday. Authorities are also tracing the whereabouts of two other accomplices. The victim, a man in his mid-30s, was found dead on May 11 in a plastic barrel which had been dumped in a reservoir in Pattaya. He entered Thailand late last month and went missing. The incident was reported on May 7 when his mother received a threatening phon

May 13, 2024