7 dead, 12 injured in hotel fire in Bucheon

SEOUL, August 23 (AJU PRESS) - Seven people were killed and a dozen others injured in a fire at a hotel in Bucheon, west of Seoul on Thursday. According to authorities, the fire began around 7:39 p.m. (1039 GMT) on the eighth floor of the nine-story building and quickly spread to the upper floor, generating thick smoke. The blaze was fully extinguished at 10:26 p.m., nearly three hours later. Toxic fumes were attributed to the main cause of the casualties. Initial investigations

August 23, 2024

Three Korean skiers dead after car crash in New Zealand

SEOUL, August 22 (AJU PRESS) - Three members of Korea's national ski team were killed in a head-on collision near Geraldine in New Zealand's Canterbury region on Wednesday, according to The Herald. The accident occurred when the vehicle carrying them, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with a sports utility vehicle (SUV). The identities of the victims and the cause of the crash remain unclear. Among the deceased are a national team coach and two alpine ski ra

August 22, 2024

Seoul residents eat less fruit and veg, study reveals

Boxes of grapes are displayed at a supermarket chain in Seoul on Aug. 11, 2024. Yonhap SEOUL, August 22 (AJU PRESS) - Rising prices of fruit and vegetables have taken a toll on the dietary habits of Koreans, a survey reveals. According to a report released by the Seoul Institute on Thursday, based on a long-term analysis of nearly 13,000 residents in Seoul between 2012 and 2021, their average daily fruit consumption decreased by 33.2 percent from 182.4 grams to 121.8 over the decade.

August 22, 2024

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