Korea Times Politics & City Reporter
Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
A notice announcing increased bus fare is posted at a bus stop in Seoul, Sunday, a day after the Seoul Metropolitan Government raised the basic bus fare in Seoul from 1,200 won to 1,500 won. Along with this change, the city also hiked up the fares for intercity buses by 700 won and for nighttime buses by 350 won, bringing them to 3,000 won and 2,500 won, respectively. Yonhap
Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin, left, shakes hands with his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta during a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, Saturday. Marking the first visit in a decade by a Korean foreign minister to the African country, Park signed a memorandum of understanding with Rwanda, focusing on strengthening strategic dialogue between the two nations. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto, second from left, poses with Hyundai's IONIQ 5 Batik edition during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, Thursday. Courtesy of Embassy of Indonesia in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooIndonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto unveiled Hyundai's IONIQ 5 Batik edition electronic vehicle (EV), during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, Thursday, signaling a new chapter in the collaboration between Korea's automotive industry and Indonesia's creative economy.The IONIQ 5 Batik Indonesia, conceived by Ambassador Sulistiyanto, serves as a symbolic bridge connecting Korea and Indonesia, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship.“For Koreans, Hyundai represents a go-to brand when they look for not only safe and comfortable vehicles but also the ones that are environmentally friendly. In 2022, the IONIQ 5 electric car won the World Car Awards. The innovation and technology of electric vehicles will reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable future," Sulistiyanto said during the largest auto s
"Qhapaq Nan: The Great Inca Road" exhibition is held at Gallery Banditrazos in northeastern Seoul's Seongbuk District until Aug. 19 to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Peru. Courtesy of Embassy of Peru in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooThe Inca Road, also known as Qhapaq Nan, represents the extensive communication, trade and defense network that once stretched over 30,000 kilometers connecting various parts of the Inca Empire.The Embassy of Peru in Korea is holding a photo exhibition titled "Qhapaq Nan: The Great Inca Road," showcasing the majesty of the spine of the Inca Empire at Gallery Banditrazos in northeastern Seoul's Seongbuk District until Aug. 19, celebrating the cultural ties between Korea and Peru as the two countries commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations as well as the 202nd anniversary of Peru's independence. Peruvian Ambassador to Korea Paul Duclos emphasized the importance of the Qhapaq Nan in understanding Peruvian history."To know this extensive network of communications, in the difficult Peruvian geography crossed by the Andes, is to under
Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Ovind, left, poses with Kim Miy-he after presenting Kim with the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for translation of all Henrik Ibsen's plays into Korean at the ambassadorial residence in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Embassy of Norway in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooKim Miy-He, professor emeritus of Hanyang University's Theatre & Film Department, has been awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for her contribution to the translation of Henrik Ibsen's entire catalogue of plays into Korean. This honor, conferred by King Harald V of Norway, underscores the recognition of her effort to introduce Ibsen's work to Korean readers as Kim translated all 23 of Ibsen's plays into Korean over 15 years.Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Ovind presented Kim with the diploma and insignia of the order during a ceremony at her residence in Seoul, Thursday.Ambassador Ovind noted how Kim contributed to strengthening the cultural bonds between Korea and Norway, marking a historic moment as she is the first Korean recipient of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in
Poster for the 12th Arab Film Festival / Courtesy of Korea-Arab SocietyBy Kwon Mee-yooEncompassing a variety of genres including action, adventure, thriller, comedy, drama and documentary, the 12th Arab Film Festival showcases the richness of Arabic cinema in Seoul at Arthouse Momo, running until Aug. 6.Organized by the Korea-Arab Society, the festival is one of the largest events promoting Arab culture and the only film festival in Korea featuring films from Arabic-speaking nations.This year, films from nine Arab countries ― Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ― are shown under the theme of "Joy of Arabic Movies.""Held annually, the Arab Film Festival is a much-anticipated event by Arabic cinema enthusiasts. It serves as a window to the often unfamiliar Arab culture, providing a platform for audiences to gain insight into the Arab world," the Korea-Arab Society said in a statement. "It also plays an important role in providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the Arab world by highlighting the present and past of
Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF) President Lyeo Woon-Ki, right, poses with Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Wamkele Mene during a meeting in Korea, July 26. Mene visited Korea on the invitation of the foundation from July 24 to 28 to promote partnership with Korea and met Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Korea Customs Service chief Ko Kwang-hyo, Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Korea International Trade Association Chairman Koo Ja-yeol. Courtesy of Korea-Africa Foundation
Argentine winery Catena Zapata's La Piramide vineyard is located in Mendoza, Argentina. Catena Zapata was named the top winery in the World's Best Vineyards 2023. Courtesy of Catena Zapata By Kwon Mee-yooHailing from Mendoza, Argentina, Catena Zapata was named the top winery in the World's Best Vineyards 2023. This list is renowned for spotlighting the cream of the crop of global wine tourism, offering more than just fine wines, showcasing destinations that deliver a comprehensive wine travel experience combining exceptional wine-tasting opportunities with quality accommodation.Established in 1902, Catena Zapata holds the distinction of being the oldest Argentine family winery still managed by the founding family. The winery is renowned for its pioneering role in reinventing Malbec, with a record-breaking number of 100-point wine ratings in South America. Particularly notable is its Adrianna Vineyard, located at an elevation of 5,000 feet, often recognized as the "G
State Secretary Ingrid Brockova of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic delivers a speech during a Slovak-Korean business forum at a hotel in Bratislava, Slovakia, May 30. Courtesy of Embassy of Slovakia in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooIn an era when strategic international alliances are crucial, the Embassy of Slovakia in Korea is setting the stage for enhanced cooperation and shared growth between Korea and Slovakia, especially in the field of technological innovation.The embassy invited a Korean delegation, including representatives from Korean companies Doosan Robotics, Hanwha Aerospace, Neuromeka, Daliworks, Curexo, Brils, RIFA Asset Management, Vrillar and Yonsei University, to Slovakia from May 29 to June 2 to explore bilateral collaboration and investment opportunities.The mission began with presentations at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU) and continued with visits to governmental offices, the GLOBSEC Forum and business briefings on the Danube Tech Valley Initiative. The Korean delegation also paid visits to Slovak companies such
Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, first row center, takes a look around an exhibition at Busan Museum of Art, July 27. Kiro toured the museum's exhibitions and Space Lee Ufan, the museum's annex dedicated to Korean artist Lee Ufan, during her trip to Busan to lead a delegation representing countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Courtesy of Busan Museum of Art