Underdog Korean high school in Kyoto reaches baseball championship final

SEOUL, August 22 (AJU PRESS) - A small school in the historic town of Kyoto, Japan advanced to the final of Koshien, the island country's annual high school baseball tournament. Kyoto International Junior and Senior High School defeated Aomori Yamada Junior and Senior High School in the semifinals held in Hyogo, western Japan on Wednesday. Only 49 baseball teams from about 4,000 Japanese high schools qualify to compete in the prestigious baseball tournament held every summer.

August 22, 2024

BTS member's DUI arrest sparks push for harsher electric scooter penalties

SEOUL, August 22 (AJU PRESS) - Lawmakers have proposed stricter penalties for drunk-driving and unlicensed operation of electric scooters and kickboards following a recent incident involving BTS member Suga. Suga, who is currently serving his mandatory military service, was arrested earlier this month after falling off his electric scooter while intoxicated in Seoul's Yongsan district. The incident sparked public concern over the safety of these personal mobility devices (PMs

August 22, 2024

Türkiye's Presidential Symphony Orchestra to collaborate with Korean pianist for concert in Chuncheon

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Türkiye's Presidential Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with pianist Kim Hong-gi, who is widely recognized in Europe for his musical talent, for an annual concert held in the eastern province of Gangwon this fall, the Turkish Embassy to Korea said on Wednesday. The Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra, established in 1826, is one of the world's oldest symphony orchestras, renowned for its rich history and role in promoting both Tur

August 21, 2024

American R&B star Ne-Yo to hold concert in Seoul this fall

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - American singer-songwriter and singer Ne-Yo will visit Korea for the first time in nine years for a gig in Seoul this fall, concert organizers said on Tuesday. The concert, scheduled for Oct. 16, is part of his tour promoting his eighth album "Self Explanatory," which was released in 2022. The R&B star has already met fans in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America, and South America. Initially gaining recognition for songs he co

August 21, 2024

New pilot program to offer classes in rural areas to reduce spending on private crammers

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Various supplementary classes will be offered to help students alleviate their parents' burden of expenses for private crammers, the Ministry of Education said Wednesday. The new pilot program, run by schools in partnership with local governments, will soon be available in about a dozen provincial cities and other rural areas. According to Statistics Korea, families spent an average of 434,000 won ($325) per student each month on private educatio

August 21, 2024

Embracing more foreigners can be solution to aging society: presidential aide

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - To address Korea's rapidly aging population and super-low fertility rates, Korea needs to consider embracing more foreign workers, an official from the Presidential Office said on Wednesday. Presidential aide You Hye-mi said in a radio interview, "Utilizing more foreign workers could be an option to counter the country's rapidly shrinking working-age population." "We should establish long-term strategies for the influx of more

August 21, 2024

Number of workers at mom-and-pop businesses rises as young people abandon job searches

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - The number of workers at their own mom-and-pop businesses continues to surge, as a growing number of young people abandon job searches altogether amid a tough job market, Statistics Korea said Wednesday. The number of unpaid family workers in their 20s reached 37,749 last month, up 9,743 or an increase of 34.8 percent from the same month last year. This upward trend reflects a significant shift in the labor market. An unpaid family worker is defined

August 21, 2024

Safety warning issued for vacationers seeking Instagram-worthy photos in Jeju

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - The pursuit of Instagrammable photos is leading vacationers into perilous situations on Korea's southern resort island, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province warned Tuesday. Jeju, known for its volcanic landscapes and picturesque scenery, draws a large number of vacationers and tourists. Many are attracted to the island's numerous photo-worthy spots, often unaware of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water's surface -- sharp rocks a

August 20, 2024

Korea's Olympic shooting star signs with talent agency

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Shooter Kim Ye-ji, who earned global fame during the Summer Olympics in Paris early this month, has signed a contract with a talent agency. Plfil, which specializes mainly in managing actors and actresses, said on Monday it will support the Olympic star to ensure that she "will shine brightly on various stages." Kim is reportedly considering several endorsement deals including one with the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The 31-year

August 20, 2024

Typhoon Jongdari to hit southern Korea

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Korea is expected to come under the full influence of Typhoon Jongdari as it is moving towards the southern resort island of Jeju, bringing heavy rains, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Tuesday. Formed southwest of Okinawa, Japan, this year's ninth typhoon is expected to pass through Jeju and reach Mokpo before dissipating in the southern coastal region on Wednesday, according to the KMA. It will be the first typhoon to direc

August 20, 2024