Seven years ago, more than 300 lives were lost as the Sewol ferry sank deep into the sea. Most were teenagers attending high school. Seven years after the disaster, the nation still mourns that day as if it were yesterday. People all over the nation observed a moment of silence to remember the victims. At a memorial space in Gwanghwamun Square, a citizen can be seen paying his respects.  The bereaved families grieve their loss as they throw flowers into the sea at a ceremony commemorating

With the by-elections in Seoul and Busan over, workers get busy cleaning up the remains of the election campaigns.  Thousands of campaign banners and posters were installed throughout both cities during the campaign. After the results are announced, public workers get ready to take them down, signaling an end to the by-elections. Two public servants are hard at work removing campaign banners on the streets near Jamsilsaenae Station and Ihwa-dong in Seoul for disposal. By Gha Hee-sun (li

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, located in South Gyeongsang Province, is known as one of the most beautiful places in Korea for its captivating scenery.  Along the trail, the ocean water shines like an emerald and various small islands scattered all around are visible to the naked eye.　 Hikers, relieved to finally reach the top of Mount Geumsan, admire the beauty of the South Sea from afar. Vibrant colors fill the scene as the sun sets, making the landscape look even more like a pai

Spring has finally arrived in South Korea, bringing in a new wave of hope amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. After a gloomy year of the pandemic, the city of Seoul is joining efforts to bring comfort to the people by decorating colorful scenery with flowers all throughout the city.  As the spring weather warms up the nation, workers plant flowers with aspirations for a better, brighter season.  Exhausted from being cooped up inside during strong quarantine measures, residents peek

With the cold winter almost gone, wild flowers bloom bright and yellow, signaling that spring has finally arrived in Korea. As spring nears, frogs, too, make their appearance after a long winter nap. A frog from a research center in Gyeonggi Province rests on flowers. Flowers begin to fill universities after a new semester. Students enjoy the start of spring as they walk around a blooming campus in Daegu.  (Photos: Yonhap) By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com)

As spring nears, tulips, one of the most popular flowers in the nation, are growing on a flower farm in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.  The flower business in the area has been slow due to the cancellation of special events such as graduations amid the pandemic. But laborers are still busy at work. With the upcoming season offering new hope, they are preparing shipments of tulips. By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com)

Chonnam National University, just north of Gwangju, is covered in white after another cold wave gripped the country. A citizen walks down a snowy path on the campus. In subzero weather, pigeons walk on the frozen lake on the campus of Chonnam National University. Jeju Island, one of the warmest areas of South Korea, could not avoid the cold this time. A person walks through a blizzard as white snow falls from the sky.  Yet there are signs of spring -- flowers are beginning to bloom even

The population of Suwon City is 1.23 million, the largest among Gyeonggi Province’s 31 cities and counties, but its number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people is third from last. The achievement was thanks to the dedication of citizens, health center employees, public officials and medical workers, who followed the quarantine rules despite the inconvenience and economic losses. Suwon City took rapid countermeasures whenever there was an outbreak of the new coronavirus. In wh

Ricardo Calderon, the executive director of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), has welcomed the Korean government’s announcements on plans for carbon neutrality by 2050. President Moon Jae-in announced last October that South Korea will seek to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in an effort to transform the country’s fossil-fuel reliant economy into an eco-friendly one. The Korean Forest Service announced its 2050 Carbon Neutral Forestry Sector Strategy this month, w

Yongin, Gyeonggi Province -- a city of some 1 million located about 40 kilometers south of Seoul -- announced the top 10 news items most popular with residents of the city. An online survey to determine the top 10 news stories was conducted from Dec. 10-22. A total 15,392 participants each selected up to five policies out of 20 listed. The number more than doubled from last year’s 7,110, with 1,727 participants (12 percent) from other cities also joining the survey. According to the sur

A vibrant sunset reveals the rich colors of the sky from the tallest observatory in Jamsil, Sky Bridge in Seoul.   Sky Bridge is a short bridge at the roof of Lotte World Tower. It offers a chance for tourists to enjoy a clear view of Seoul from the sky.   A couple waves hello from the Sky Bridge, as they admire the captivating scenery of the sunset. (Photos: Yonhap) By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com)