A group of participants including Second Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran, mountaineer Um Hong-gil and TV personality Fabian Yoon joined forces Tuesday to introduce the previously restricted hiking trails of Cheong Wa Dae and Bugaksan. The event, for which they were joined by some 20 international and domestic college students, was part of efforts by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote trails around the former presidential office, once a tightly restricted area accessible exc

Culture Sept. 6, 2023

The Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have unveiled a "workation" program, spanning 16 regions across the nation, away from the bustling city of Seoul. The pilot initiative is aimed to give people a chance to step away from conventional office settings and experience a change in their work environment, while also potentially stimulating local economies. The ongoing application process, launched Tuesday, will be carried out until Oct. 30., on a first-come, first-served

Travel Sept. 2, 2023

Free plant health care consultation Ample sunlight, regular water and cool breeze are crucial for the growth of most plants and the continued heavy rain and hot weather that we have been having this summer make it difficult for some potted plants to thrive. Home gardeners dealing with sick or withering plants may consider booking a spot this weekend to visit a plant hospital on a weekday. Seoul city's plant general hospital is located inside the Agricultural Technology Center in Seocho-gu i

Culture Sept. 1, 2023

Cultural heritage scholars, experts and public officials convened on Wednesday in Seoul to engage in discussions concerning the past, present and future of Korea's official development assistance (ODA) programs for cultural heritage. Organized by the Foreign Ministry and the Cultural Heritage Administration, the symposium aimed to reflect on the heritage ODA project's 15-year journey since its inception in 2009. It also served as a platform to commemorate a decade of accomplishments fo

Culture Aug. 31, 2023

Korea House in Jung-gu, central Seoul, a cultural center dedicated to promoting Korean traditional culture by holding performances and dining experiences, is to offer fine dining starting October. "We will be introducing higher-quality ingredients, including organic mushrooms and hanwoo beef, to elevate the menu," a Korea House staff told The Korea Herald Monday. Among the new dishes are gujeolpan, a traditional Korean platter featuring nine delicacies, and sinseollo, a hot pot contain

Culture Aug. 29, 2023

In the heart of Korea's culinary landscape, a gradual but steady transformation is taking place—one that extends beyond the palates of the vegan community. The Korean vegan dining scene, once confined to niche corners, is blossoming into a culinary culture. What was once seen as a mere substitute has now evolved into an exciting tasting journey that beckons not only vegans but food enthusiasts from all walks of life. Standing at the vanguard of this paradigm shift is "Jumjumjumju

Food Aug. 26, 2023

Two long swords inscribed with the poems of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), a distinguished naval commander during the Joseon era, have been designated as national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday. The two swords, approximately 2 meters in length and weighing 5 kilograms each, are currently housed within Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. They are assessed to have served ceremonial rather than battlefield purposes. "The dual swords hol

Culture Aug. 25, 2023

Play indoor sports games at Legend Heroes The indoor sports game center Legend Heroes welcomes visitors and shoppers with a diverse array of exciting games. Located on the third floor of the Lotte World Tower shopping center in Songpa-gu, eastern Seoul, Legend Heroes is filled with the cheers of sports enthusiasts. The game arcade offers various screen sports, which users can enjoy without venturing out into the blistering summer heat. Ranging from archery, bowling, basketball and curling to onl

Culture Aug. 25, 2023

Hyoreung of the Seosamneung Royal Tombs in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, will soon welcome the public for the first time, as announced by the Cultural Heritage Administration's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Wednesday. The opening marks an end to restricted access that has been in place. Following the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon era in 2009, the CHA has consistently worked to maintain and preserve the royal tombs. With the Seosamneung's full

Culture Aug. 23, 2023

Unique experiences are the factor most likely to influence the travel decisions of millennials and Gen Zs, according to a recent survey from travel and leisure online platform Klook. The Klook Travel Pulse survey, carried out in July by the market research firm Milieu, encompassed 2,400 participants from 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region, including South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, mainland China and India. The survey ind

Culture Aug. 23, 2023

As the anticipation of the autumn season builds, two of Seoul's royal palaces are gearing up to welcome visitors for their annual nighttime tours. The Cultural Heritage Administration's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center has unveiled the schedule for evening palace expeditions, which will take place throughout September and October. This year, the CHA has transformed the reservation process for guided tours from a first-come, first-served online booking system to a lottery-based approach t

Culture Aug. 22, 2023

Stories of Korean culture and tourism are set to captivate Germany at a major outdoor festival held in Frankfurt this weekend, in commemoration of the 140 years of diplomatic bond between the two nations, the Korea Tourism Organization announced Monday. Kicking off on Friday, the three-day festival will unfold at the Rossmarkt Square in Frankfurt. The festival is held in connection to the renowned Museum Embankment Festival, also known as Museumsufer Fest, an annual celebration of art and cultur

Travel Aug. 21, 2023

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the National Intangible Heritage Center's establishment, the NIHC is hosting the 2023 Intangible Heritage Festival at its site in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Running from Sept. 1 to 10, the festival also is a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage — a UNESCO treaty adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in October 2003. At the opening ceremony on Sept. 1, some 240 individu

Culture Aug. 20, 2023

The scorching summer sun easily leaves us feeling drained, and hesitant to venture outside at all. But during the hot season, the Korean dessert scene undergoes a captivating transformation, with a symphony of fruits boasting sweet and refreshing flavors. Among an array of delightful summer treats, one particular gem stands out for not only its ability to quickly quench thirst, but also for its simple preparation: hwachae. Hwachae is a a rejuvenating drink that is prepared by combining an assort

Food Aug. 12, 2023

진행자: 김혜연, Kevin Lee Selzer 1. Why young people have 'call phobia' and how to manage it 기사 요약: 젊은이들 사이 확산되는 '통화 기피증' [1] A minute away from initiating a phone call with her landlord, Lee Hyun-jung, a 24-year-old college graduate, feels her heart racing and palms getting sweaty. These all-too-familiar symptoms seem to arise when she has to make or receive a phone call, prompting her to avoid speaking on the phone whenever possible. * symptom 증상, 조짐 * prompt to 촉발하다 [2] Phone

Podcast Aug. 10, 2023