PHOTOS: 'Virus,' a tale of infection and irresistible love, set for May 7 release

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - The cast and crew of the upcoming film "Virus" convened for a press screening and conference on April 28 at CGV Yongsan ahead of its May 7 release. Director Kang Yi-kwan appeared alongside stars Bae Doo-na, Kim Yun-seok and Chang Ki-ha to discuss the film, which explores the unsettling spread of the fictional “Toxo Virus” — a pathogen that causes its victims to fall into irrational, fatal love. Virus centers on the journey of a protagonis

April 30, 2025

From stadiums to stores, baseball fever grips South Korea

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - After a long day at work, Kim Jong-chul, 54, makes a ritual stop — not at a stadium, but at the bakery section of his neighborhood convenience store. The lifelong LG Twins fan isn’t there for the pastries. "It's not really the bread I'm after," Kim said with a grin, tearing into a blueberry jam-filled pastry to retrieve a coveted sticker featuring one of his team's players. "I'm determined to collect all 21 stickers

April 29, 2025

PPP's two finalists to compete in runoff for presidential election

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (left) and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), pose for a photo at the PPP's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul on April 29, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Presidential candidates for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) were narrowed down to two on Tuesday ahead of the snap presidential election scheduled for early June. Among four candidates -- IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, former party lead

April 29, 2025

Consumer agency warns against 'free' family photo schemes

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - The Korea Consumer Agency issued a warning on Tuesday against deceptive photography promotions that lure customers with promises of free family photo sessions, only to charge high fees for albums, frames, or access to original image files. The agency urged heightened vigilance during May, designated "Family Month" in South Korea, when demand for commemorative photographs traditionally surges. Consumer complaints tied to photography services hav

April 29, 2025

Korea to launch two low-orbit communication satellites by 2030

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - South Korea will invest 320 billion won, or about $230 million, by 2030 to develop low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems, a critical technology for the next generation of mobile networks. The Ministry of Science and ICT, working alongside the newly established Aerospace Agency, said it had selected three organizations to spearhead the project. The goal is to develop domestic payload and core technologies and to launch two indigenous LEO sate

April 29, 2025

Filmmaker Hong Song-soo invited to Cannes's jury

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Director Hong Sang-soo has been invited to serve as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival, slated to be held in the Mediterranean resort city next month. Hong, famous for his mostly improvised micro-budget films, will join eight other filmmakers including Italy's most sought-after actress Alba Rohrwacher, American actress Halle Berry and Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia. Together, the jury, led by French actress Juliette Binoche, will

April 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Everyday life inside royal palaces

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - A unique performance unfolded at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on April 28, offering a glimpse into the daily routines of the Joseon Dynasty's royal court as part of the "Spring Royal Culture Festival." This festival, a prominent showcase of South Korea's cultural heritage, continues until May 4, presenting a diverse array of traditional cultural programs across the five Joseon-era palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksug

April 29, 2025

Subway fares in Seoul to rise in late June

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Subway fares in Seoul are set to rise in June. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday that the base subway fare for a single ride will increase by 150 won to 1,550 won (US$1.08). The impending hike, set to take effect on June 28, comes less than two years after the fare was raised from 1,250 won to the current 1,400 won in October 2023. Fares for teens and children under 13 will rise by 100 won to 900 won and by 50 won to 550 won, respectively.

April 29, 2025

INTERVIEW: Pastor calls for dialogue and compassion toward LGBTQ community

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Even when minds do not change, Pastor Lee Dong-hwan believes dialogue can move hearts. “If we can at least open a conversation and listen to each other, even without changing our opinions, that itself is meaningful,” he said during an interview with AJP at his office in central Seoul. Lee recalled a three-hour phone call he had with a conservative media figure. “We didn’t end up changing each other’s minds, but we respected

April 29, 2025

HD Korea Shipbuilding secures $1.86 billion in container ship orders

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said Tuesday it has secured contracts for 22 container ships, valued at more than 2.53 trillion won, or about $1.86 billion, over a four-day span. The orders come amid a notable shift away from Chinese shipyards following new U.S. port fee announcements targeting Chinese-built vessels. The Korean shipbuilder signed contracts with a shipping company based in Oceania for four 8,400 TEU (twenty-foot equivalen

April 29, 2025