A clean-up and repair program by Korea On the Rocks Initiatives has allowed a natural climbing route to be reopened. The Bueongsae rock climbing area near Miryang, North Gyeongsang Province, had been closed for more than five years.KOTRi founder Bryan Hylenski had gone to climb on Bueongsae with his family when he was told the route was closed. After a bit of persuading, he convinced those running the site to let him climb there anyway. Hylenski was impressed by the beauty of the area and the ra

Foreign students were welcomed into the hearts and homes of local Korean mothers this month as part of an event run by the Korea National Mothers’ Association.Students from Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Mongolia, the U.S., China, Pakistan, Japan and Malaysia were shown around traditional villages and palaces before staying the night at a homestay.Participants tried their hands at archery and pottery, watched acrobatic and martial arts performances, and tasted local cuisine while touring the Suwon Hwaseon

In October 2011, Jeff Ragsdale, a stand-up comedian and actor from New York, found himself unable to cope with devastating loneliness.Having just broken up with his girlfriend, he stood at the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world, feeling completely isolated.“New York City, believe it or not, can be a difficult place to meet people,” Jeff recalled during an interview with BBC. Desperate for human connection, he put up a flyer with a simple message: Call me. “If anyone wants to talk ab

Magician Yu Ho-jin won first prize at the International Federation of Magic Societies World Championship of Magic held July 9-14 in Blackpool, England, beating out magic legend Marco Karvo from Finland. Yu is the first magician from Asia to win the top prize at the competition. The 21-year-old has won a number of local and international awards during his seven-year career. He won second prize at Busan International Magic Festival in 2010, and first place at Club Magic Italiano Grand Prix in 2010

Adventurers Kent Couch and Fareed Lafta lift off Saturda from Couch`s gas station in Bend, Oregon, as they attempt to fly some 360 miles to Montana. (AP-Yonhap News)A lawn chair balloon flight for two men was forced to land early in Oregon due to variable wind, thunderstorms and the loss of 35 helium-filled balloons.Kent Couch and Fareed Lafta hoped to reach Montana by Sunday in their specially bu

LIMA (AFP) ― Archeologists said Friday they have discovered a tomb about 1,200 years old, from the pre-Inca Sican era, in northern Peru.Human remains and jewelry were found July 4 along with the tomb, likely that of a member of the aristocracy of the Sican or Lambayeque elite, head researcher Carlos Wester La Torre told AFP.A gold earflap, a silver-plated crown, and some 120 silver and copper ornaments that served as emblems of power, along with 116 pieces of pottery and seashells were found in

Gadget-fatigued people turn back to vinyl records, film cameras, fountain pensKoreans are often thought of as some of the world’s most tech-savvy people, quick to catch on to the newest digital gadgets.Using their mobile phones or tablets, they listen to music, manage schedules, take pictures and type emails.However, an underground shopping arcade in Hoehyeon-dong, central Seoul seems to resist the tide of digital culture. Vinyl record stores line the passageways, and everything feels slow. If y

With school break just around the corner, museums and art centers have lined up a variety of cultural events. The programs will suit the needs of children and teenagers looking for fun and entertaining events as well as parents seeking to find more educational opportunities. Although the vacation has been made shorter by the five-day school week this year, children and parents can still make the best of it in an enriching cultural atmosphere. Here are some fun yet educational summer programs tha