News

WHO members adopt global pandemic accord

2025/05/21 10:00

The World Health Organization adopted its first international pandemic agreement during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday, to bolster global cooperation in preventing and responding to future pandemics. The agreement outlines measures to enhance surveillance and ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatments following the uncoordinated global response to COVID-19. 124 countries voted in favor while 11 abstained. The accord was touted as a "gift to the world" by the WHO Director General. Notably, the United States did not participate in the treaty, having withdrawn from the WHO under the Trump administration, criticizing the body as "moribund."

Actor Park Jeong-min becomes publisher of audio book for visually impaired redears

2025/05/20 20:00

Although Han Kang's Nobel Literature Prize win may have sparked a reading craze, it was difficult for visually impaired people to enjoy it. To help those people, one actor, who is also a publisher began converting audiobooks into audioplays. Cha Yun-kyung has the story. "My First Summer, Wanju," written by novelist Kim Keumhee, is the first work from the "audiobook project" run by actor Park Jeong-min. Park began this project to find a way to give a book as a gift to his father, who had lost his sight. He released the audioplay first before publishing the book in paperback, targeting the visually impaired as the first "readers." "I thought visually impaired readers might not receive books as a gift firsthand. So, I wanted to give books as a gift for visually impaired readers firsthand." Park's audioplays are different from standard audiobooks. They add more details and descriptions than the original audiobook released after the source book's publication. Starting with actress Go Minsi, many famous actors participated in the project with voice acting to make a great piece of radio drama. "While I was working on the piece, all the characters were speaking to me with my voice, although they were all different figures. Now, I can hear the perfect voice for each character." This is great news for the visually impaired who may have limits on listening to standard audiobooks, or reading braille books. There are not enough books in braille for the blind, and it is also hard to access institutions that possess them, so demand for audiobooks is growing. Visually impaired readers cannot find the books they want easily. Also, they have to listen to audiobooks with an unnatural text-to-single-voice service. "I think this is a new type of genre like a movie for the visually impaired, which makes me feel like a visual handicap is not a handicap anymore." The paperback version of "My First Summer, Wanju" will be published for the non-disabled on May 8th. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

[Short-form] The Evolution of Gwanghwamun Square

2025/05/20 14:00

Discover how Gwanghwamun Square has transformed over time into an iconic landmark of Korea!

From Laos to S. Korea: Global help cultivates local fields

2025/05/20 10:00

In other news. May is an especially busy month for farmers here and seasonal workers from neighboring countries are offering much-needed assistance. Our Park Kun-woo tells us more. A vast area of crop fields stretches across Cheongyang-gun County in Chungcheongnam-do Province – a countryside region where farming is central. It's easy to find land and vinyl greenhouses here, but much harder to find people to farm them, especially in May, Korea's peak farming season. That's a sharp contrast to the past, when entire villages in rural regions worked side by side in the traditional "dure" system during busy times. But with Korea's aging population and younger people moving to cities, rural labor shortages have become a growing challenge. That's where new helping hands are stepping in – foreign "seasonal workers" employed legally under Korea's E-8 visa program from 2017. Dressed in farming gear, those workers began their work early, braving the heat and humidity. On this day, they cleared frost-protection plastic from the soil and carried heavy metal pipes used to support crops, all while wading through muddy fields. "I've only been working alongside them in this pepper field for a few minutes, and I'm already starting to sweat. But it's these foreign workers who help local farmers do this every single day." Though language can be a barrier, many see this as a chance to learn. "Working here isn't too hard, especially knowing I can send money home to my family. Communication can be difficult at times, but I'm learning a lot, using farming machines and new techniques that I hope to take back and use on my own farm someday." And farmers describe their help as vital. "They're like lifelines for us. Without this workforce, farming in our rural community simply couldn't continue. Without their help, my wife and I could only manage a much smaller piece of land." Due to its popularity, the number of these workers is growing, with nearly 70-thousand foreign seasonal workers coming to Korea this year alone, thousands more than the year before. Local governments are expanding agreements with other cities abroad and even considering longer-term visas. While the spring remains busy in the countryside, the shoulders of local farmers bearing the weight of our food supply are now a little lighter, thanks to help from afar. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Cheongyang.

From Laos to S. Korea: Global help cultivates local fields

2025/05/19 17:00

May is a busy month for farmers here and seasonal workers from neighboring countries are offering much-needed assistance. Our Park Kun-woo files this report. A vast area of crop fields stretches across Cheongyang-gun County in Chungcheongnam-do Province – a countryside region where farming is central. It's easy to find land and vinyl greenhouses here, but much harder to find people to farm them, especially in May, Korea's peak farming season. That's a sharp contrast to the past, when entire villages in rural regions worked side by side in the traditional "dure" system during busy times. But with Korea's aging population and younger people moving to cities, rural labor shortages have become a growing challenge. That's where new helping hands are stepping in – foreign "seasonal workers" employed legally under Korea's E-8 visa program from 2017. Dressed in farming gear, those workers began their work early, braving the heat and humidity. On this day, they cleared frost-protection plastic from the soil and carried heavy metal pipes used to support crops, all while wading through muddy fields. "I've only been working alongside them in this pepper field for a few minutes, and I'm already starting to sweat. But it's these foreign workers who help local farmers do this every single day." Though language can be a barrier, many see this as a chance to learn. "Working here isn't too hard, especially knowing I can send money home to my family. Communication can be difficult at times, but I'm learning a lot, using farming machines and new techniques that I hope to take back and use on my own farm someday." And farmers describe their help as vital. "They're like lifelines for us. Without this workforce, farming in our rural community simply couldn't continue. Without their help, my wife and I could only manage a much smaller piece of land." Due to its popularity, the number of these workers is growing, with nearly 70-thousand foreign seasonal workers coming to Korea this year alone, thousands more than the year before. Local governments are expanding agreements with other cities abroad and even considering longer-term visas. While the spring remains busy in the countryside, the shoulders of local farmers bearing the weight of our food supply are now a little lighter, thanks to help from afar. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Cheongyang.

Korean temple food recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

2025/05/19 17:00

Korean temple food has been designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Korea Heritage Service announced the designation earlier on this Monday underscoring the food's focus on core Buddhist values including that of life as it excludes meat and fish. Temple food has also been applauded for its cultural value as it continues to be passed down in monastic communities embracing both tradition and creative reinterpretation.

Mexican Navy tall ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge, killing 2

2025/05/19 10:00

In the United States, two people died and 22 others were injured when a Mexican Navy training vessel crashed into New York City's Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening. The ARM Cuauhtemoc, a tall ship of the Mexican Navy, was departing New York City as part of its global goodwill tour when it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge after the vessel lost steering control, causing it to drift. The ship was carrying 277 individuals and was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries over a 254-day voyage. No rescue operations were required, as no one fell into the water as a result of the incident.

King Sejong and Hangeul go global: First National Day in his honor

2025/05/16 20:00

Yesterday that was May 15th, Korea marked Teachers' Day and among teachers celebrated was King Sejong who created Hangul . Our Choi Soo-young has details. People press a seal engraved with Korean letters, Hangeul. They also try printing Hangeul, made up of consonants and vowels, by themselves. This is Hunminjeongeum, the original Hangeul created in 1443. "We just came to look around and then we just witnessed it and we started to do Hangul and it was really nice actually it was so fun to do." "I think if you want to try it out you can learn it easy." "She learned Korean like for three months now. So Hangul was really easy." "Yeah, and it was for me at least it was easy." Born on May 15, 1397, King Sejong the Great is regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in Korean history. He made important contributions to Korean culture, including in science, the arts and agriculture. Among his contributions is Hangeul, the Korean letters. "May 15th is National Teachers' Day. Last year, the government also designated it as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of King Sejong, the "teacher" of the Korean nation, and honor his achievements." The first official celebration of the newly designated day was held at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Thursday. Many events were held to revive the significance of Hangeul's creation and his legacy. Modern Hangeul, made up of 24 letters, is easy to learn and has a unique design. As Korean culture spreads around the world, more people are interested in learning it. "Thanks to the global popularity of K-content, Hangeul is gaining attention worldwide. Its simple shapes and small number of characters make it easy to learn, so many people want to study it. But Hangeul is more than just a writing system, its unique design is also admired globally as a form of visual art." More than six centuries since his birth, King Sejong's legacy spreads across the world through Hangeul. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Exploring Korea Week at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai

2025/05/16 17:00

In other news. The latest global showcase of ideas innovations and inventions is underway in Osaka Japan and this week the spotlight is on South Korea. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin was there. Every five years, the world comes together for the World Expo, a global stage for ideas, innovation, and cultural exchanges. This is where revolutionary inventions like the elevator, telephone, and electric car were first introduced. Now, 55 years after hosting Asia's first-ever World Expo, this global event has returned to Osaka, Japan. Each World Expo centers on a main theme. Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai's is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," with three subthemes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. Among the more than 1-hundred-50 participating countries is South Korea, showcasing its culture, technology, and vision for tomorrow. "This three-story building is the Korea Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo, which will be open until October 13th." The Korea Pavilion's theme, "With Hearts," embodies a message of harmony and human connection. "We wanted to create a space that connects Korea with the world, the past with the present and future, blending tradition, culture, and cutting-edge technology." Visitors to the Korea Pavilion go through three exhibition halls, with up to 1-hundred people allowed in at a time. At the entrance, guests are asked what they value most in life. Their responses are turned into music using AI and played in a room surrounded by synchronized lights, creating a symphony of shared values. In the next hall, you get to engage with green hydrogen technology. By blowing into a pipe, oxygen combines with hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, visibly demonstrated through falling bubbles. The final space is an immersive, three-sided cinema. Set in the year 2040, it follows a high school student using future tech to complete a musical score left by her grandfather in 2025. "It's been a month since we opened, and we're averaging 12-thousand visitors per day. With a target of 1-point-2 million, we expect to surpass that easily. Among all the country pavilions, Korea's is consistently ranking among the most popular." While pavilions will stay open throughout the expo, each country also has a dedicated National Day to take the spotlight. South Korea marked May 13th as its National Day and launched a five-day Korea Week. The celebration began with a recreation of the Joseon Tongsinsa, diplomatic envoys who traveled to Japan centuries ago to build peace and take part in cultural exchanges. A hanbok fashion show followed, introducing traditional and modern Korean dresses inspired by spring flowers. "In both Korea and Japan, spring is the time to enjoy flowers. We thought, why not express that excitement through hanbok? I've felt a strong eco-friendly spirit here. Hanbok, too, is created with sustainability in mind, so there's a meaningful connection between our clothes and the values of this Expo." Korean singer K.Will performed in the 'K-LIVE' concert, and the 'K-BEAUTY' show introduced the latest trends and tips in makeup. "Many women worry about smile lines or areas where hair touches the face. For those spots, I recommend using finishing powder to help makeup stay in place longer." And to further foster goodwill, the Culture Ministry and Korea Tourism Organization appointed Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi as this year's Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism. "At first, I wasn't sure I was the right person. But after working on Korean dramas and projects, I realized I might be able to contribute in my own way. Even with cultural or language differences, I'd be honored to serve as a bridge between our two countries." Just like this, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is a stage where the international community can connect and shape a shared future. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, Osaka.

King Sejong and Hangeul go global: First National Day in his honor

2025/05/16 17:00

Yesterday that was May 15th Korea marked Teachers' Day and among teachers celebrated was King Sejong who created Hangul . Our Choi Soo-young has details. People press a seal engraved with Korean letters, Hangeul. They also try printing Hangeul, made up of consonants and vowels, by themselves. This is Hunminjeongeum, the original Hangeul created in 1443. "We just came to look around and then we just witnessed it and we started to do Hangul and it was really nice actually it was so fun to do." "I think if you want to try it out you can learn it easy." "She learned Korean like for three months now. So Hangul was really easy." "Yeah, and it was for me at least it was easy." Born on May 15, 1397, King Sejong the Great is regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in Korean history. He made important contributions to Korean culture, including in science, the arts and agriculture. Among his contributions is Hangeul, the Korean letters. "May 15th is National Teachers' Day. Last year, the government also designated it as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of King Sejong, the "teacher" of the Korean nation, and honor his achievements." The first official celebration of the newly designated day was held at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Thursday. Many events were held to revive the significance of Hangeul's creation and his legacy. Modern Hangeul, made up of 24 letters, is easy to learn and has a unique design. As Korean culture spreads around the world, more people are interested in learning it. "Thanks to the global popularity of K-content, Hangeul is gaining attention worldwide. Its simple shapes and small number of characters make it easy to learn, so many people want to study it. But Hangeul is more than just a writing system, its unique design is also admired globally as a form of visual art." More than six centuries since his birth, King Sejong's legacy spreads across the world through Hangeul. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/16 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The government will send a delegation led by Culture Minister Yu In-chon to Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass set for Sunday in the Vatican. Minister Yu will be accompanied by Oh Hyun-joo, the Korean ambassador to the Holy See. Yu previously headed the official delegation sent to offer condolences following the passing of Pope Francis last month. The inauguration will see Pope Leo XIV presented with symbolic items in front of royalty, world leaders, and religious figures marking the official start of the new pontiff's papacy. An exhibition that embraces individuals with diverse physical conditions has kicked off at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibition, "Looking After Each Other," reimagines how museums can engage with different bodies through works of painting, sculpture, architecture, and performance by Korean and international artists. Organized around three thematic sections, Inclining Bodies, Odd Communities, and When Different Bodies Meet, the exhibition presents 40 works that celebrate body diversity and vulnerability as a form of connection and strength. It runs through July 20. The '2025 Haeundae Sand Festival,' Korea's largest sand-themed event, opened today for a four-day run along the shores of Haeundae Beach in Busan. Under the theme "K-Culture Meets Sand," this year's event celebrates the festival's 20th anniversary, showcasing more than 20 large-scale sand sculptures inspired by K-elements such as 'Hangeul'과 K-pop. Fourteen acclaimed artists from Korea and abroad have been invited to create works that reinterpret traditional and contemporary aspects of Korean culture through sand. Launched in 2005, the Haeundae Sand Festival has grown into one of the country's leading eco-friendly cultural festivals, drawing more than one million visitors last year. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Features reporter] King Sejong and Hangeul go global: First National Day in his honor

2025/05/16 14:00

Soo-hyung, as we all know May 15th, yesterday was Teachers' Day here in South Korea. But I heard that from now on, it will also be celebrated together with King Sejong's birthday? That’s right. As you mentioned, starting this year, for the first time, Teachers' Day is also being marked as King Sejong's Birthday, or Sejongdaewang nashin nal in Korean. I went to the very first celebration event yesterday, and many people enjoyed experiencing one of his greatest achievements, the creation of Hangeul the Korean letter. Let's do take a look. People press a seal engraved with Korean letters, Hangeul. They also try printing Hangeul, made up of consonants and vowels, by themselves. This is Hunminjeongeum, the original Hangeul created in 1443. "We just came to look around and then we just witnessed it and we started to do Hangul and it was really nice actually it was so fun to do." "I think if you want to try it out you can learn it easy." "She learned Korean like for three months now. So Hangul was really easy." "Yeah, and it was for me at least it was easy." Born on May 15, 1397, King Sejong the Great is regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in Korean history. He made important contributions to Korean culture, including in science, the arts and agriculture. Among his contributions is Hangeul, the Korean letters. "May 15th is National Teachers' Day. Last November, the government also designated it as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of King Sejong, the “teacher” of the Korean nation, and honor his achievements." The first official celebration of the newly designated day was held at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Thursday. Many events were held to revive the significance of Hangeul’s creation and his legacy. Modern Hangeul, made up of 24 letters, is easy to learn and has a unique design. As Korean culture spreads around the world, more people are interested in learning it. "Thanks to the global popularity of K-content, Hangeul is gaining attention worldwide. Its simple shapes and small number of characters make it easy to learn, so many people want to study it. But Hangeul is more than just a writing system, its unique design is also admired globally as a form of visual art." More than six centuries since his birth, King Sejong’s legacy spreads across the world through Hangeul. Wow the venue looked so interesting. Then, why was May 15 chosen as the official commemorative day for the birth of King Sejong? Right, we already have Hangeul Day on October 9th, as a national holiday. When people think of King Sejong, they usually remember him as the creator of Hangeul. But actually, he made remarkable achievements across nearly every field. He focused on making life better for his people. This includes many scientific tools for use in agriculture so that farmers could work more efficiently, and improved laws and policies to protect the common people from injustice. That's why the government designated King Sejong’s birthday as the National Day, celebrating the cultural pride he helped build. Right, Soo-hyung, let's hear more details about the Korean letters, Hangeul, a little more, Yes. Cause we know how beautiful and creative Hangeul is but for others who still haven't discovered this yet. Yes, the original version of Hangeul, called Hunminjeongeum, means “the right sounds to teach the people.” At first, it had 28 letters, but over about 600 years, four letters disappeared, and now we use 24 letters. The beauty of Hangeul is that it's a writing system where we know exactly who made it, when, where, why, and how that’s pretty rare. People say Hangeul is easy to learn, but you might not really believe it until you try. Like those two sisters from Germany we met earlier, they told me they took only couple hours to memorize all 24 letters, it was actually pretty easy for them. That's exciting to hear. I always look up to King Sejong, but after this, I admire him even more. Thank you Soo-hyung for interesting report. Yes thank you Soo-hyung for the story.

Sao Paulo's lake and wildlife dyed blue in accidental spill, authorities investigate impacts

2025/05/16 10:00

In Brazil, a dye spill accident occurred on Tuesday in Sao Paulo's Jardim das Tulipas neighborhood, approximately 75 kilometers from the central city. According to authorities, some 5,000 liters of chemical dye spilled after a transport truck crashed, contaminating local streets and entering a nearby creek through a manhole. The blue dye changed the colors of the waters and ducks in the area, and some fish were found dead in a lake. Cleanup operations began immediately. However, investigations have begun to assess the environmental impact of the incident.

N. Korean-background students mark Teachers’ Day at unique school in South

2025/05/15 20:00

Today, May 15th, is Teachers' Day here in South Korea and at one special school, students from a North Korean background whose guardians went to great lengths to offer them a new lease on life are sharing their own gratitude. Our Kim Jung-sil has the story. At first glance, it looks like any other Teachers' Day celebration in South Korea— students handing over carnations, writing thank-you notes, and singing songs for their teachers. But at this school, those small gestures carry a different weight. Hangyeore Middle & High in Gyeonggi-do Province is the only school in South Korea dedicated to students from North Korean backgrounds, whether they arrived themselves, or were born to defectors, sometimes even in third countries along the way. "Here at Hangyeore School, where all the students come from North Korean backgrounds, Teachers' Day may seem like any other, but it also reflects how they are adjusting to life here in the South." "It wouldn't be fun if they knew, so we planned it all in secret. That made it way better." "These teachers honestly feel like lifesavers to me. I don't usually get to thank them, so this was my chance." It's more than a surprise event, it's a milestone in their journey of adapting to a new culture and life. "I hope this stays with them as a good memory—and maybe one day, they'll pass it on to their own students." With 115 students enrolled, 31 in the middle school, Hangyeore offers more than academics. Teachers here often step in as mentors and guardians, helping students bridge two very different worlds. "We follow the national curriculum, but also help students adjust: socially, emotionally, and for the future. Some still speak with a North Korean accent, but they're finding their place here with confidence." Named after the word for "one people," Hangyeore is more than just a school. It's a place where students with North Korean backgrounds begin to shape new lives. For them, this is one of many moments helping to build that life in the South. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

N. Korean-background students mark Teachers’ Day at unique school in South

2025/05/15 17:00

Today that is May 15th is Teachers' Day here in South Korea and at one special school students whose guardians went to great lengths to offer them a new lease on life are sharing their own gratitude to their teachers. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil files this report. At first glance, it looks like any other Teachers' Day celebration in South Korea— students handing over carnations, writing thank-you notes, and singing songs for their teachers. But at this school, those small gestures carry a different weight. Hangyeore Middle & High in Gyeonggi-do Province is the only school in South Korea dedicated to students from North Korean backgrounds, whether they arrived themselves, or were born to defectors, sometimes even in third countries along the way. "Here at Hangyeore School, where all the students come from North Korean backgrounds, Teachers' Day may seem like any other, but it also reflects how they are adjusting to life here in the South." "It wouldn't be fun if they knew, so we planned it all in secret. That made it way better." "These teachers honestly feel like lifesavers to me. I don't usually get to thank them, so this was my chance." It's more than a surprise event, it's a milestone in their journey of adapting to a new culture and life. "I hope this stays with them as a good memory—and maybe one day, they'll pass it on to their own students." With 115 students enrolled, 31 in the middle school, Hangyeore offers more than academics. Teachers here often step in as mentors and guardians, helping students bridge two very different worlds. "We follow the national curriculum, but also help students adjust: socially, emotionally, and for the future. Some still speak with a North Korean accent, but they're finding their place here with confidence." Named after the word for "one people," Hangyeore is more than just a school. It's a place where students with North Korean backgrounds begin to shape new lives. For them, this is one of many moments helping to build that life in the South. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Vienna Zoo welcomes two new pandas

2025/05/15 10:00

In Austria, two new giant pandas from China, female Lan Yuan and male He Feng, found new homes in Vienna's Schonbrunn Zoo on Wednesday. The five-year-old pandas' arrival follows the return of the zoo's previous panda pair to China in late 2024 and is part of a new round of a 10-year conservation cooperation between Austria and China, which began in 2003. The China Wildlife Conservation Association and Schonbrunn Zoo have prepared and made every effort to ensure the safe and smooth arrival of the young pandas to the zoo, after they underwent a quarantine period since their initial arrival in Vienna in April. The pandas can now be seen by the public in their newly renovated enclosure at the zoo.

Man in jail for nearly four decades for murder acquitted by London court

2025/05/14 10:00

Finally, in London, the Court of Appeal nullified the 1987 murder conviction of Peter Sullivan on Tuesday. Sullivan, aged 68, spent 38 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Sullivan was convicted for the rape and murder of a 21-year-old victim; however, recent DNA testing revealed that biological evidence from the crime scene did not match him. The Criminal Cases Review Commission, an institute investigating potential miscarriages of justice, reopened the case in 2021. After the court overturned the conviction, Sullivan wept but expressed no bitterness, saying, "The truth shall set you free." The case is considered the longest-known miscarriage of justice in British history.

Icheon warehouse fire under control after 6 hours, no fatalities reported

2025/05/13 20:00

In other news. A massive fire broke out this morning at a logistics warehouse in Icheon city, Gyeonggi-do Province, and was brought under control by 4 PM. Authorities say the blaze, which started on the third floor, did not spread to lower levels. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, and all 178 people inside the building were evacuated. The 80-thousand square meter warehouse stored various items, including paper products and lithium-ion batteries, which made firefighting efforts more challenging. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

DMZ Peace Trail opening gives opportunity to experience history and nature

2025/05/13 17:00

And for those of you interested scenic tours of the treks in South Korea's northernmost border regions are open again. Cha Yun-kyung reports. Horogoru Embankment in Yeoncheon was a strategic location during the Three Kingdoms period. One course on the trail here connects the embankment to an infiltration point where a North Korean guerrilla force came to the south to blow up the Blue House, where the presidential office was located in 1968. Gyeonggi-do province opened sections of the DMZ Peace Trail last week in Yeoncheon, Gimpo, Goyang and Paju. "I am a bit nervous since the area is close to North Korea, but it has beautiful scenery and lots to see making it quite meaningful for me to walk here." The trail courses provide places to visit, pointing to their history and natural resources. The North Korean border town of Kaesong can be seen from Dora Observatory in Paju. Also, the Han River Estuary and the North Korean town can be viewed from Gimpo. Visitors can experience undisturbed nature at Janghang wetlands in Goyang. "Since the DMZ is a very rare and special place where foreigners from all over the world want to visit, I encourage everyone to feel the special atmosphere here." Tours can be reserved through the website of the DMZ Peace Trail. Twenty people can participate per tour, and they must carry an identification card since visitors pass through the military's Civilian Control Line. Participation costs 10-thousand Korean won. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

KSIF holds Korean language class to commemorate King Sejong's birthday

2025/05/12 17:00

Meanwhile back here in South Korea. The King Sejong Institute Foundation hosted a special Korean class at Gyeongbokgung Palace this past Saturday to commemorate the birth of King Sejong who created Hangul. He was born on May 15th 1397. Foreigners here in the country were invited to partake in Hangul calligraphy and Hanbok fitting against the backdrop of the Joseon palace's architecture and treasures.