JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Less than two hours' KTX ride from Seoul's Yongsan Station, Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is a beloved destination for travelers due to its picturesque hanok village. In 2020, the Culture Ministry designated Jeonju as a "Tourism Hub City," along with Busan, Gangneung, Andong and Mokpo. Since then, the Korea Tourism Organization has been working to boost international tourism to the designated cities. In 2021, the city rebranded itself as the

Travel Oct. 28, 2023

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday against a Korean Buddhist temple's ownership claim to a 14th-century Bodhisattva statue that it argues was plundered by Japanese pirates in the late Goryeo era. The highest court ruled that the statue, stolen from a Japanese temple by a Korean theft group, rightfully belongs to Japan. The final ruling was based on Japan's Kannonji Temple's "acquisitive prescription" of the statue, the court said. The law governing the ownership of the sta

Culture Oct. 26, 2023

Masks from Korea, Japan and China are being shown at a special exhibition titled "Everyday Use of Masks, the Ideal of Masked Play," which opened Tuesday at the National Folk Museum of Korea. On display are 195 masks -- 102 from Korea, 48 from Japan and 45 from China -- each with its own unique story and cultural significance. Some rare Korean masks dating back to the 1920s and 1930s are on view. At the time, masks were often discarded after a single use, making these masks special. &qu

Culture Oct. 25, 2023

Korean railroad history is vividly displayed in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, often referred to as the "city of rail." Run by Korail, the national railway operator, the Korea Railroad Museum is an hour's drive from central Seoul. Uiwang's railway history goes back to 1944, with the opening of Bugok Station. During the process of redistributing the functions of the original railway hub at Seoul's Yongsan Station, an official residence for railway personnel was also establish

Culture Oct. 24, 2023

The Humboldt Forum in Berlin has removed pieces from its special exhibition of Korean artifacts in response to reports of inaccuracies in the displayed information, the National Museum of Korea said Monday. The exhibition, titled "Ari-Arirang," was aimed to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany and to introduce Korean traditions and culture. Opened on Oct. 12, the exhibition is scheduled to run until April 21, 2024. About 120 items fr

Culture Oct. 23, 2023

When it comes to Korean street food, few dishes are as beloved and iconic as tteokbokki. This spicy treat is a must-try for anyone seeking an authentic Korean culinary experience. Tteokbokki is a popular Korean snack of chewy cylindrical rice cakes slathered in a spicy sauce made primarily with red pepper paste. Fish cakes and other vegetables are often added. The dish is spicy, sweet, chewy and addictive. Tteoksan, a tteokbokki eatery, located in Seoul's Bukchon neighborhood, just a few

Food Oct. 21, 2023

JEONGSEON, Gangwon Province -- Nestled in the pristine landscape of Gangwon Province, Kangwon Land is an enticing oasis for those seeking an adventure-filled escape from city life. Set in the rugged mountains and lush valleys and offering a plethora of recreational activities, the resort is an unforgettable experience. Established in 1998 with the objective of repurposing abandoned mines into family-friendly entertainment hubs, Kangwon Land is a large-scale integrated resort with a casino, a gol

Travel Oct. 21, 2023

Additional Korean tidal flats in regions of South Jeolla Province and nine sites of the Busan wartime capital have been incorporated into UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage sites, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Friday. The submission of the two clusters of sites to UNESCO took place in May this year. UNESCO's tentative lists serve as inventories of sites significant in a state party's cultural or natural heritage, possessing strong potential for future

Culture Oct. 20, 2023

Geonwonneung, the royal tomb of King Taejo (1335-1408), the founder of the Joseon Kingdom, will be accessible to the public for a limited period this autumn, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Friday. Situated in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, the tomb is renowned for having a silver grass-covered mound, a unique feature among royal tombs from the Joseon era. Historical records suggest that this distinction arises from the relocation of silver grass from Hamheung, S

Culture Oct. 20, 2023

A shipwreck discovered in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, has been identified as dating from the Goryeo era (918–1392), according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday. The underwater excavation of the wreck, found around Songho Beach, was conducted by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage over a four-month period from June to September. A total of 15 artifacts, including pottery, tiles, whetstones and an anchor stone were recovered. Radiocarbon dating

Culture Oct. 19, 2023

The Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Railroad Corporation have prepared a weekend travel package available from October to February. The package is designed for Korail passengers and covers travels on Oct. 29 and the final weekend, Friday to Sunday, in the months of November, December, January and February, the KTO said Tuesday. Each month features different-themed travel packages. "Fall Travels" packages offered on Oct. 29 feature an itinerary that highlights the autumnal ambi

Travel Oct. 19, 2023

While exploring Seoul, travelers often encounter the well-known Bukchon Hanok Village, situated in the heart of the metropolis. Tucked away in the northwestern part of Seoul is another enclave of hanok, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, a hidden gem less frequented by tourists. Nestled at the foot of Bukhansan, the village has close to 100 hanok, each showcasing the beauty of traditional Korean architecture. Established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2013, Eunpyeong Hanok Village quickly evolved

Culture Oct. 17, 2023

A grand platform, called "woldae," in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung in Seoul, opened to the public Sunday with a series of events, marking the restoration of the space that had been covered over to form a major traffic artery for about a century. The event, marking the restoration of woldae and the new signboard on Gwanghwamun, took place at Gwanghwamun Square Sunday evening, attended by Culture Minister Yoo In-chon, Cultural Heritage Administration Head Choi Eun

Culture Oct. 15, 2023

ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province -- Two hours from Seoul’s Cheongnyangni Station by KTX, the high-speed rail service, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, is a city known for its longstanding traditions and beautiful landscape. The Culture Ministry, in 2020, named Andong a "Tourism Hub City" along with Busan, Gangneung, Jeonju and Mokpo and Korea Tourism Organization been working to bolster international tourism in the designated cities. Andong has a rich history associated with t

Travel Oct. 14, 2023

The National Museum of Korea has designated six museums in five countries for the Overseas Korean Galleries Support Program, the NMK announced Thursday. The program aims to promote Korean art and culture by supporting Korean galleries in museums abroad. The museums that will receive support next year include the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art; Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at California State University, San Bernardino; the National Museum of Denmark; Rijksmuseum

Culture Oct. 12, 2023