Most Popular
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Contentious grain bill put directly to plenary meeting for vote
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Yoon's approval rating plunges to all-time low
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Will tug-of-war between doctors, government end soon?
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Climate impacts set to cut 2050 global GDP by nearly a fifth
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Trilateral talks acknowledge ‘serious’ slumps of won, yen
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[Graphic News] More Koreans say they plan long-distance trips this year
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[KH Explains] Hyundai's full hybrid edge to pay off amid slow transition to pure EVs
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North Korea removes streetlights along cross-border roads with South
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Russia's denial of entry of S. Korean national unrelated to bilateral ties: Seoul official
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Farming households dip below 1m for first time in 2023
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[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world
Korail-KTX joint railway package to Pohang, Ulleungdo Island Korail and KTX are launching a joint railway package on March 28 which will operate between Seoul, Pohang and Ulleungdo Island. A train will depart from Seoul Station at 6:50 a.m. daily and arrive at Pohang at 9:26 a.m. A clipper will depart from the Pohang harbor at 10:50 a.m., arriving on Ulleungdo Island at 2:10 p.m. A boat returning to Pohang leaves the island at 3:40 p.m. The package will be available at 171,800 won on weekdays a
March 25, 2016
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New Zealand’s hiking trails offer one spectacle after another
The hike had been invigorating — invigorating, as in just this side of grueling. A 6-mile ascent into Mount Aspiring National Park had brought us to an overlook of Routeburn Falls, a thundering multilevel cascade of crystalline water (standard for New Zealand) jumping from the rock face above our heads and rushing into the deep valley below us. There we could see the Routeburn River winding through the high-shouldered Humboldt Mountains on its way to Lake Wakatipu. We were breathless not only b
March 25, 2016
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No thanks for the memories: Taiwan confiscates tourists‘ pebbles
TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan authorities are confiscating pebbles collected as mementos by tourists and returning the rocks to the island's picturesque beaches as they step up moves to preserve the scenic east coast. In the latest geological repatriation, a cache of stones taken from outbound visitors by airport immigration were last week sent back to Taitung county, where rugged seascapes attract tourists, particularly from mainland China. The haul of pebbles, collected over two months at Taipei’s m
March 25, 2016
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Ninja-seeking Japanese region inundated with overseas applications
TOKYO (AFP) - Hundreds of aspiring ninjas from abroad have overwhelmed tourism officials in Japan looking to hire six full-time secret assassins, massively outnumbering local applicants. Central Japan's Aichi prefecture is hiring a troupe of ninjas -- the martial-arts masters and stealth assassins of feudal times immortalized in history books and period dramas -- to promote tourism. In a job ad published earlier this month, the prefecture said candidates of any nationality were welcome. A week l
March 25, 2016
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Reach Korea’s regional cities via bus
An exclusive bus tour program connecting the capital city of Seoul with six regional destinations was launched Friday, as part of governmental efforts to offer unique travel experiences to foreign visitors.Named K-Travel Bus, the program offers overnight travel to various regions in Korea via bus. The list of destinations includes Daegu, Gangwon Province, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang Provinces as well as Busan and Ulsan in southeastern region. The program also carries tourists to Tongyeong,
March 25, 2016
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[Travel Bits] Upcoming festivals in Korea
Chicken and beer in Daegu The 2016 Chimac Festival, featuring Korea’s beloved combination of crispy fried chicken and cold beer, returns to Daegu. The local government has approved selling beer at this year’s festival and fried chicken and beer will be sold in large quantities at booths throughout the festival grounds. Musical performances by K-pop stars will accompany the food and drinks. The festival will take place at Duryu Park in Daegu’s Seongdang-dong from July 27-31. For inquiries, call (
March 18, 2016
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Hidden Korean attractions beckon tourists from home and abroad
Chin Eun-sun, a 27-year-old Korean lecturer at a local college, is like no other Seoulite when it comes to craving a break from the daily grind and taking a few days off to travel.While a rising number of South Koreans, from typical office workers to travel enthusiasts, go abroad to escape from hectic urban life in Asia's fourth-largest economy, Chin, however, says she prefers spending time in quiet provincial areas to standing in long lines at Incheon International Airport."The merit of traveli
March 14, 2016
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[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news
Romantic dining at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City The Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel is offering a romantic dining experience for couples in celebration of “White Day” on March 14 when men give gifts and sweets to their love interests. The hotel’s Lobby Lounge Bar on the 41st floor will be presenting the “White Day Romantic Set” from March 12-14 at 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for the occasion. The set will include a special menu of scallop, mussel, abalone, clam, king crab, roasted salmon, chop steak wi
March 11, 2016
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[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world
Seogwipo Yuchae Flower International Walking Festival Seogwipo Yuchae (Canola) Flower International Walking Festival will take place at Jungmun Resort on Jejudo Island on March 19-20, at the northern park of the International Convention Center Jeju and the surrounding areas of the Seogwipo region. During the festival, participants will be able to enjoy the picturesque springtime views of Korea’s southernmost island by walking along the Seogwipo coastline and through seas of yellow canola flower
March 11, 2016
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Around the hotels
Sheraton Grande Walkerhill offers spring packagesSheraton Grande Walkerhill is offering two types of packages for couples and families.The “Blooming Walkerhill” package, which is offered March 1-May 31, includes an overnight stay, breakfast and a voucher for “Tasty Box.”Tasty Box is an eco-friendly concept cafe built with shipping containers. It uses solar power from panels. The cafe offers a range of light snacks and desserts from handmade sausages to ice cream. The second package called “Bloom
March 4, 2016
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Travel bits
Jeju Fire Festival Jeju Fire Festival, also known as Jeju Field Burning Festival, takes place at Saebyeol Oreum in Jeju Island until March 6. The Fire Festival is a modern version of a farming practice of setting fields on fire during winter, burning away old grass and expunging potentially dangerous insects from the area to prepare the fields for animal grazing. The program features various performances, contests and experiences including a horseback archery performance, walking along the Jeju
March 4, 2016
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Istanbul's venerable Grand Bazaar to get much-needed facelift
ISTANBUL (AFP) - Over 500 years old, surviving fire and earthquakes, it welcomes up to 400,000 people a day and takes pride in being the world's most visited destination -- more popular than the Eiffel Tower. So it’s hardly surprising that Istanbul's venerable Grand Bazaar, built in the mid-15th century, has suffered some wear and tear over the years. The labyrinthine bazaar is now about to undergo a much needed renovation that will last a decade and cost tens of millions of dollars. But the r
March 2, 2016
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Yongpyong to kick off annual ski festival
Under the theme of “Endless Friendship,” this year’s 34th annual Yongpyong International Ski Festival will be kicking off its winter sports festivities from March 4 to 6 at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. An annual winter sports event and competition for foreigners living in Korea, the Yongpyong International Ski Festival was first held in 1983 for the development of the domestic ski culture and takes pride in being the nation’s only international ski festival. A scene fr
March 2, 2016
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[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world
Jeju Hueree Apricot Flower Festival Jeju Hueree Maehwa (apricot flower) Festival is taking place at Hueree National Living Park until March 1. The festival features numerous activities and contests in celebration of the apricot flower bursting into bloom. As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy apricot flower photo contest, face painting, and calligraphy exhibition and contest as well as signature activities of Jejudo including picking tangerine and horseback riding. Visitors who want to par
Feb. 26, 2016
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[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news
Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel to hold graduation celebration promotion The Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel welcomes the graduation season with a complimentary meal worth 69,000 won to 140,000 won for the students graduating or entering an upper level school until March 6. The promotion is for families enjoying a lunch or dinner buffet at Café Elysee or Ultimate Lunch Buffet or Dinner Set Menu at steakhouse Manhattan Grill. A minimum of three people including the alumni must be present and a graduation cer
Feb. 26, 2016
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Bagan ban: Myanmar stops tourists scaling prized pagodas
YANGON (AFP) - Visitors to Myanmar's ancient capital Bagan will no longer be able to climb the venerated pagodas for a view of the country’s most famous archaeological site, following a government edict railing against “disgraceful” tourist behaviour. The ban, which starts March 1, will end the daily ritual that sees hundreds of tourists and local pilgrims scaling the ancient structures to watch the sun set over a vast plain dotted with more than 2,500 Buddhist monuments. Myanmar's Ministry of C
Feb. 24, 2016
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Grand Hyatt Incheon seeks to be hotel for weekend leisure
Four months into his new job as the general manager of Grand Hyatt Incheon, Adam Myott is trying to learn everything he can about Korea -- its language, people, food. Adam Myott, Grand Hyatt Incheon general managerComing to Korea for the first time from Australia, the 51-year-old Hyatt executive said it was always a challenge when relocating to a new place with a different culture, people and business climate.“Although it is challenging to learn about different culture, that’s what makes this jo
Feb. 19, 2016
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[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news
Gremillet named Grand Hyatt Incheon’s pastry chef Grand Hyatt Incheon has appointed Julien Gremillet the hotel’s new executive pastry chef. Gremillet, who has more than 15 years of experience, will oversee the pastry and dessert items for all the hotel’s restaurants and events. Prior to joining Grand Hyatt Incheon, Gremillet was the executive pastry chef at Raffles Praslin in Seychelles. Born in France, Gremillet began his pastry career in 1999, working at a variety of pastry shops and cateri
Feb. 12, 2016
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[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world
K-Smile Campaign to greet foreign tourists Visit Korea Committee conducted K-Smile Campaign at Myeong-dong Theater on Feb. 12 to celebrate Korea Grand Sale held as part of 2016-2018 Visit Korea Year. The campaign aims at building a culture of kindness and raising the level of tourists’ satisfaction by improvements in the tourism sector, including accommodation, transportation, food, and shopping. Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Kim Jong-deok, “Non-summit” members Alberto Mondi and Nikol
Feb. 12, 2016
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K-Travel Bus offers special deal for February
The Visit Korea Committee is offering a special promotion this month for foreign travelers using the K-Travel Bus.The promotion is part of the Korea Grand Sale, a month-long shopping and tourism festival taking place in Seoul and major cities around the country from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29. During the festival, tourists from overseas can take advantage of large discounts in shopping, food, entertainment, Korean cultural experiences, transportation and accommodations.Promotional image for the K-Travel
Feb. 11, 2016