News

How a 140-year friendship lives on at a museum in Salem, Massachusetts

2025/05/30 17:00

Up next we show you how friendship transcends national boundaries and stands the test of time to allow for rich cultural exchanges as witnessed at a museum in Massachusetts. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin shares this story. Founded in 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. It's also the first American museum to purposefully collect Korean art. This month, the museum reopened its newly expanded and more diverse Korea gallery, named after Yu Kil-chun, a pioneering Korean scholar and politician. "Our relationship with Korea is really based on this diplomatic kind of relationship as well as cultural exchange. We do believe that Yu Kil-chun was the first international student to be in the United States." Yu arrived in America in 1883 as part of Korea's very first diplomatic delegation to the U.S. During his stay in Salem, he developed a close friendship with Edward Sylvester Morse, then director of the Peabody Academy of Science, PEM's predecessor. Yu later donated his personal belongings, and Morse would go on to acquire over 2-hundred Korean items, laying the foundation for what is now PEM's Korea gallery. The gallery focuses on Korean art from the early 19th to the 20th centuries. The development was led by Dr. Jiyeon Kim, who spent two years researching, curating, and designing the gallery. "This is the period that Korea first opened its door to a wider world. It is not just the story of Yu Kil-chun and the elite, also our gallery and our collection contain the lives of so many people who lived that very pivotal period." Nearly one hundred Korean art and everyday objects are on display. Among the highlights are an eight-panel folding screen from the early 1800s depicting a grand royal banquet during the Joseon Dynasty, meticulously conserved in Korea. This is a newly unveiled family picture of Yi Beom-jin, a Korean diplomat in Washington, D.C., who befriended Edwin Vernon Morgan, one of the first American diplomats posted to Korea. These traditional instruments, saenghwang and janggo, were played at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. "What we aim to do at the museum is to create an environment and an experience in which people can become more curious about the larger world, their place in it, seeing what we, what we do share, and really what makes something individual and distinctive." At the same time, the gallery offers visitors a deeper window into Korea. "Give this very valuable opportunity to people who know Korea only through K-pop and popular culture, and give them more insight about the history, where this culture, where this originated from." Some friendships grow stronger over time. The bond between Yu Kil-chun and Edward Sylvester Morse has endured for well over a century, evolving into this one-of-a-kind cultural exchange between their countries. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Pride flag raised to welcome visitors to Washington, D.C. for WorldPride events

2025/05/30 10:00

Finally, in the United States, Washington, D.C. is preparing for its WorldPride 2025 event slated for Saturday, May 31. Before raising the Pride flag to usher in the biennial event, the D.C. Mayor said, "The flag tells a story of pride, perseverance, and progress." This marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the U.S. capital, and the city expects up to 3 million attendees for the celebration. A welcome concert by Shakira will be held at Nationals Park to kick off the event, which will run until the end of June.

Brazil's life-like doll craze goes viral as online videos spark political reaction

2025/05/30 10:00

In Brazil, hyper-realistic "reborn" baby dolls, designed and handcrafted to resemble real infants, are growing in popularity, stirring both fascination and controversy. Videos featuring emotional interactions with these dolls have gone viral, with influencers staging scenarios such as simulated births and public outings. While a bill has been passed honoring reborn doll artisans, a lawmaker proposed banning public healthcare services for the dolls, following a video of a woman taking one to a hospital. Critics argue that the attention given to the reborn doll community distracts from more pressing societal issues. Proponents defend the practice, citing therapeutic benefits.

Crowds overrun GHF aid site and storm WFP warehouse in Gaza

2025/05/29 10:00

Starting in the Middle East, hunger and desperation have led to deadly incidents at aid distribution centers in Gaza. Tell us more. That's right. Humanitarian efforts in Gaza are faced by immense challenges as crowds overwhelmed a food aid center and warehouse. Despite scenes of chaos and conflicting casualty claims, aid distribution by the U.S.-and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation resumed for a second day on Wednesday. The GHF delivered emergency food supplies in southern Gaza, distributing over 14,000 aid boxes across two sites. One of them reopened after delays caused by crowd surges and prior looting. Al Jazeera cited at least nine deaths over two days, while Gaza's health ministry reported one fatality and 48 injured on the first day alone. Meanwhile, World Food Program confirmed that crowds stormed one of its warehouses in central Gaza, leading to two deaths. The GHF plans to continue distributions on Thursday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming support for the mission.

March birth figures increase for first time in 10 years in S. Korea

2025/05/28 20:00

On the demographic front. More babies were born in March and more marriages were noted as well, contributing to a sharp increase in the latest quarterly number of births. Our Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings. The number of newborns in the first quarter of this year recorded its highest in three years, driven by increased marriages and improved perceptions of childbirth. Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that a total of 21-thousand-41 babies were born in March this year, marking a 6-point-8 percent year-on-year increase. This represents the ninth consecutive month of growth and marks the first time in 10 years that March birth figures have increased compared to the previous year. "Last year, people started having babies again, having delayed doing so during the pandemic, and now it seems this is continuing this year. Additionally, we're seeing births from couples who married two years ago and last year being added to this trend." The number of marriages also continued to climb, with 19-thousand-181 couples tying the knot in March , marking an 11-point-5 percent increase from the previous year. This marks the 12th consecutive month of growth—the longest upward streak since record-keeping began—and its highest level in six years. Some experts attribute this increase to changes in individual perceptions of marriage. "Even just five or ten years ago, there were many times when marriage was viewed as something not very 'cool.' There were also many extremely negative perspectives about it. But these days, it's true that those views have softened significantly." Meanwhile, the number of divorces dropped by 3-point-2 percent from a year earlier. The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, also edged up. It came in at point-7-7, up point-0-4 from a year earlier, with gains seen across all age groups, from women aged 24 and under, to those in their 40s and beyond. Despite the rise in births and marriages, the country continues to face a natural population decline. With 31-thousand-141 deaths reported in March, a point-2 percent increase year-on-year, the population contracted by 10-thousand-100 individuals. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

March birth figures increase for first time in 10 years in S. Korea

2025/05/28 17:00

Meanwhile on the demographic front. More babies were born in March and more marriages were noted as well. Our Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings. The number of newborns in the first quarter of this year recorded its highest in three years, driven by increased marriages and improved perceptions of childbirth. Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that a total of 21-thousand-41 babies were born in March this year, marking a 6-point-8 percent year-on-year increase. This represents the ninth consecutive month of growth and marks the first time in 10 years that March birth figures have increased compared to the previous year. "Last year, people started having babies again, having delayed doing so during the pandemic, and now it seems this is continuing this year. Additionally, we're seeing births from couples who married two years ago and last year being added to this trend." The number of marriages also continued to climb, with 19-thousand-181 couples tying the knot in March , marking an 11-point-5 percent increase from the previous year. This marks the 12th consecutive month of growth—the longest upward streak since record-keeping began—and its highest level in six years. Some experts attribute this increase to changes in individual perceptions of marriage. "Even just five or ten years ago, there were many times when marriage was viewed as something not very 'cool.' There were also many extremely negative perspectives about it. But these days, it's true that those views have softened significantly." Meanwhile, the number of divorces dropped by 3-point-2 percent from a year earlier. The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, also edged up. It came in at point-7-7, up point-0-4 from a year earlier, with gains seen across all age groups, from women aged 24 and under, to those in their 40s and beyond. Despite the rise in births and marriages, the country continues to face a natural population decline. With 31-thousand-141 deaths reported in March, a point-2 percent increase year-on-year, the population contracted by 10-thousand-100 individuals. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Korea’s dried seaweed products take the world by storm!

2025/05/28 14:00

Discover Korea’s nutrient-packed dried seaweed varieties that are winning hearts globally.

At least five reported killed in large explosion at China chemical plant

2025/05/28 10:00

In China, at least five people were killed in a huge explosion at a chemical plant in eastern Shandong Province on Tuesday. The explosion occurred at around noon at the Gaomi Youdao Chemical facility in the industrial park of Weifang city. According to reports, 19 people were injured, while six individuals are missing. The blast created an enormous fireball and sent thick black and orange smoke hundreds of meters into the sky. The shockwave shattered windows nearby and was felt by residents as far as seven kilometers from the site. More than 200 emergency workers were dispatched to the scene.

Authorities discover 17 corpses inside a home in Central Mexico

2025/05/28 10:00

Over in Mexico, authorities have found more than a dozen bodies in an abandoned house in central Mexico, during a missing persons investigation, according to a statement released by the state prosecutor's office late Monday. Between May 23 and 24, investigators from the Guanajuato State Prosecutor's Office conducted a search of a deserted property using ground-penetrating radar and detection dogs. 17 bodies were located inside a grave in the abandoned home in Irapuato. Items such as knives and shovels were also discovered at the scene. Five victims have been identified as previously reported missing persons. Guanajuato, a thriving industrial hub, has emerged as Mexico's most violent state, recording over 3,000 homicides in the past year alone.

Seoul buses to run as normal despite failed wage negotiations

2025/05/28 10:00

Seoul's public buses are set to run as normal on Wednesday despite wage negotiations between workers and management falling through. Out of 63 personnel from Seoul's bus workers' union who took part in a vote on the same day, 49 decided to postpone a proposed general strike. Wage negotiations with management began on Tuesday at 3 PM, but with no consensus reached, the union representatives began breaking off at midnight. A union member said a strike would be "meaningless" as it would be unlikely to change the stance of management or Seoul City officials. Unionized bus workers in Seoul are demanding an 8-point-2 percent increase in their base pay.

Prehistoric Ulsan rock art set to become UNESCO World Heritage Site

2025/05/26 20:00

The prehistoric rock art along the Bangucheon Stream in Korea's Ulsan is set to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rock art, or petroglyphs, include the Bangudae rock art, which depicts various animals, as well as humans hunting and cutting up whales. Meanwhile, the Cheonjeon-ri rock art stands out for its geometric symbols. The Korea Heritage Service announced on Monday that ICOMOS, an organization which evaluates cultural properties for UNESCO, has recommended the site for listing. Inclusion on the list is expected in July, making it South Korea's 17th World Heritage site.

S. Korea watching closely as COVID-19 cases rise in Asia

2025/05/26 20:00

Korea is closely watching a recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Asia. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency says it is monitoring the spread, especially in China and Hong Kong. The agency stated that the current situation in Korea is still under control, but it's not time to relax yet. It added that like last year, there could be another COVID-19 wave this summer. The agency stressed that people should follow hygiene rules and advised high-risk groups to get vaccinated.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/26 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korean government is stepping up efforts for the preservation and transmission of intangible heritage worldwide. The National Heritage Service has signed an agreement with UNESCO to contribute to the organization's Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. Under the five-year agreement, Korea will provide an annual contribution of one billion won, or more than 734,000 U.S. dollars, for the development of an online platform that shares the world's best practices in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Korea currently has 23 cultural elements inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, ranking fourth among the 184 convention member states. The '2025 Seoul International Garden Show' has officially opened at Boramae Park, spanning 400,000 square meters. The event showcases 111 gardens, reflecting various themes like ecology, sustainability, and coexistence. New lifestyle programs such as "Garden Weddings" and "Garden Workations" blend leisure and nature, and the newly introduced "Inclusive Garden Tour" offers accessible routes for seniors and people with disabilities, also providing free electric wheelchair rentals. The expo also features pet-friendly zones and educational gardens for children. The largest edition to date will run through October 20. Jeju City announced it will open six popular beaches earlier than usual this year amid forecasts of an early summer heatwave. Hyeopjae, Geumneung, Gwakji, Hamdeok, Iho, and Woljeong (협재, 금능, 곽지, 함덕, 이호, 월정) beaches will open on June 24, welcoming visitors before the usual date. Kimnyeong and Samyang (김녕, 삼양) beaches will open as scheduled on July 1. To ease the burden on visitors, rental fees for beach umbrellas and sunbeds will remain at last year's rates, ensuring affordable and enjoyable beach experiences. Starting this year, the eastern section of Hamdeok Beach has been designated as a pet-friendly area, allowing pet owners and non-pet owners to share the space harmoniously. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Ramyeon is spicing up the world!

2025/05/26 14:00

Exports hit a record US$ 1 billion in 2024 a sizzling 30% jump in just one year! And Ramyeon just keeps turning up the heat New releases are racing for the hottest spice level! What’s fueling the fiery spice showdown? Korea: the land where every dish gets a fiery kick from red pepper paste and chili powder Meals awash in fiery red everywhere! The history of Koreans’ love for spicy food doesn’t go back that far After the Korean War in the 1950s spicy food became the soul-soothing kick to beat stress SPICINESS = ENDORPHIN BOOST Spicy food triggers endorphins that dull pain They’re 100 times more powerful than morphine! A zesty blast that fires you up with feel-good energy Young people are also turning to spicy food to blow off steam! But too much heat can take a toll on your stomach so spice things up responsibly Ramyeon A fiery escape to turn down stress

Southern France power outage disrupts public transport in Cannes

2025/05/26 10:00

Police in southern France are investigating the possibility of "organized arson" after blackouts on Saturday and Sunday, in Cannes and Nice, respectively, disrupted daily life and critical infrastructure. On Saturday, a fire at an electrical substation near Cannes caused a blackout affecting approximately 160,000 households. The outage coincided with the closing day of the Cannes Film Festival, though the event at the main venue ended seamlessly using backup generators. Also, in the early hours of Sunday, a second incident occurred in Nice, where damage to an electrical facility left around 45,000 homes without power. An anonymous group claiming to be anarchists posted a statement online, claiming responsibility for the Cannes outage, asserting they had sabotaged key electrical infrastructure. Authorities have not verified this claim but have launched criminal investigations into both incidents. Nice's mayor condemned the attacks and has ordered an increase in police protection for sensitive electrical installations.

CHANGING PERCEPTION TO TACKLE SOCIAL CONCERNS

2025/05/23 17:30

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Friday May 23rd here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. It's that time of the week during which we address a collection of diverse social stories here on the local front that made international headlines as well. For more I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly it's good to have you here. I also have writer Colin Marshall with us. Colin welcome back. 1) Kelly, a growing number of young Koreans have been found to approve of childbirth outside of wedlock. 2) Colin, population pundits say prejudice against women who have children outside of marriage should be addressed to boost birth rates. 3) Kelly, the article claims there have been subtle shifts in perception regarding the practice of having children outside of marriage here in Korea in recent times. 4) Colin, later this evening, presidential contenders face off in a second live TV debate, this time on social matters. 5) Kelly, staying with presidential pledges by candidates this time around. 6) Kelly, let's now move on to another story about Korea carried by the foreign media. 7) And Colin, concerns continue to mount over the spread of fake news as we count down less than two weeks to the presidential election. 8) Colin, shifting gears now. 9) Kelly, on a light note.

[Short-form] “Seowon,” Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

2025/05/22 14:00

Discover the true value of Korea’s Seowon, a timeless monument and living testament to enduring wisdom.

2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising: Seoul plaza transforms into huge workout playground for everyone

2025/05/21 20:00

For those looking for a place to work out, Capital Seoul may be the right choice for you. Until the end of June, the city offers an outdoor workout event aimed at building a broader culture of fitness. Our Choi Soo-hyung was there. As K-pop star Rosé's song 'APT' plays,.. people start copying the dance moves. This is Seoul Plaza, and right now, it's K-pop dance practice time. Following the dancers' lead, everyone enjoys the moves and gets soaked in sweat. "It's really good. I mean, we were not expecting to come here but I've heard the song a lot." "I've heard it on the radio and stuff so it's nice that we can kind of connect to it too especially because it's in English." Taking place in the evening under the clear spring sky, the event is particularly popular among office workers. "I love it! I usually don't have much time with my baby to have fun because of work, but thanks to this event, we are having a great time." The 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising is held every Thursday and some Tuesdays until June 26th starting at 7 PM. The events offer fun and easy group workout programs for anyone whether they're a complete newbie or they just love to exercise. Each session will feature a different activity such as Zumba, Zumba, yoga class, or cheer-leading, so participants can try something new every time. In one corner of the plaza, visitors can also try sports that are hard to find in everyday life in South Korea, such as lacrosse and padminton, which is similar to badminton, but played with table tennis style paddles. Now in its third year, the event drew around 10-thousand people last year. During the event, a coaching program with fitness experts allows participants to get one-on-one advice on posture correction and diet. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea and France have agreed to significantly expand cultural exchanges between the two countries ahead of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Culture Minister Yu In-chon signed a 'Letter of Intention' with his French counterpart in Paris, pledging to strengthen cooperation across various cultural fields. The two countries agreed to build a cooperation framework for cultural institutions and promote public-private exchange programs in areas such as performances, exhibitions, and visual media. A variety of K-cultural events will be held throughout France next year to mark the 140th anniversary. Amid a wave of cultural exchanges marking 60 years since the normalization of Korea-Japan ties, a special museum in Kyoto is gaining renewed attention. The Korea Museum of Art, now in its 37th year, is attracting many locals and tourists, showcasing a rich collection of Korean cultural heritage that includes Goryeo celadon, Buncheong ware, as well as traditional paintings and crafts. It's a private institution founded on a collection of the late Jeong Jo-mun, a first-generation Korean-Japanese entrepreneur. Described as a place to reconnect with one's roots, the museum hopes to become a space where younger generations can engage in continued cultural exchange between Korea and Japan across various fields. A series of cultural events will be held at Joseon royal tombs in Seoul, offering the public a chance to experience the historical and cultural value of these UNESCO World Heritage sites. A program titled "Great Exploration of the Joseon Royal Tombs" will run from the end of this month through October at eight royal tomb sites across the capital. Highlights include hands-on programs where visitors can create traditional ornaments, try their hand at folk painting, and participate in Joseon-era style quizzes. A musical performance is also scheduled. For more details and reservations, visit the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center's official website. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Features reporter] 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising: Seoul plaza transforms into huge workout playground for everyone

2025/05/21 14:00

Soo-hyung, welcome back, so I hear you've got a story about group exercising outdoors. That sounds really fun to me. Did you go and try it out yourself? Yes, absolutely. With big speakers in the center of the plaza and many people enjoying themselves together, I couldn’t help but join in too. Exercising alone is good, but doing it together makes it feel less hard and sometimes even more fun. Every week, Seoul Plaza transforms into a giant workout playground. I went to there to see it for myself. Let's do take a look. As K-pop star Rosé's song 'APT' plays,.. people start copying the dance moves. This is Seoul Plaza, and right now, it’s K-pop dance practice time. Following the dancers' lead, everyone enjoys the moves and gets soaked in sweat. "It's really good. I mean, we were not expecting to come here but I've heard the song a lot." "I've heard it on the radio and stuff so it's nice that we can kind of connect to it too especially because it's in English." Taking place in the evening under the clear spring sky, the event is particularly popular among office workers. "I love it! I usually don’t have much time with my baby to have fun because of work, but thanks to this event, we are having a great time." The 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising is held every Thursday and some Tuesdays until June 26th starting at 7 PM. The events offer fun and easy group workout programs for anyone whether they're a complete newbie or they just love to exercise. Each session will feature a different activity such as Zumba, yoga class, or cheer-leading, so participants can try something new every time. In one corner of the plaza, visitors can also try sports that are hard to find in everyday life in South Korea, such as lacrosse and padminton, which is similar to badminton, but played with table tennis style paddles. Now in its third year, the event drew around 10-thousand people last year. During the event, a coaching program with fitness experts allows participants to get one-on-one advice on posture correction and diet. I knew it would be fun! I really want to enjoy myself as well, what exactly are the group workouts they’re offering and what’s coming up next? In the official timetable, dynamic activities such as yoga, step aerobic workouts, and trampoline fitness are planned. The sessions in the middle of the plaza are all group workouts, packed with fun and effective exercises way better to do together. The new sports zone in the corner of the plaza offers easy-to-enjoy games like Spikeball and Boloball, along with lacrosse and padminton as we saw earlier. There’s also a flying disc zone where anyone can join in and have fun. I can't wait. How can I join, do I need to register in advance? Yes. I’d love to try it with my family too. Do we need to pay an entrance fee? No, you don't need to pay a penny. There is no participation fee. All events held at Seoul Plaza are free of charge. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the activities. For group exercise sessions, participants may register online in advance or sign up on-site on the day of the event. For the K-pop dance class we just saw, about 80 people had signed up in advance. But when I went yesterday, around 150 people were actually there. For a detailed event schedule, please refer to the official website. I will take a look at the schedule right after the show. Thank you Soo-hyung for sharing the story. Thank you Soo-hyung!