Nursing home workers in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, wait in line at the Heungkuk Gymnasium for the first round of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination on Friday. Booths set up around the gymnasium are where medical workers administer the vaccinations. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young’s “Special City Operation” was a success. Yeom’s quest to make Suwon a designated “special city” began when he was the first of 226 local government leaders to be elected as the supreme council member of the ruling Democratic Party last year. As a supreme council member, it placed Yeom in a position to reflect the small voices of local governments across the country, and they were attentively listened to by Korea’s political

The Seoul Institute of the Arts livestreamed a dance workshop with Italian choreographer Nicola Galli on Tuesday through the school’s official YouTube channel. The workshop, streamed at 5 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m., is part of the “Crossing the Sea” project undertaken with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Its purpose is to connect the arts scenes in Italy, Asia and the Middle East. Italian choreographer Jacopo Jenna began the workshops in 2019, an

Ricardo Calderon, as the recently appointed executive director of the Seoul-based Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), faces new challenges while working towards prospective goals he has for the forestry community. On a personal level, Calderon -- who is from the Philippines -- is simply facing difficulties being away from home and adjusting to the new environment in Seoul, as his family, friends, relatives and colleagues are also struggling to adjust to the new climate, atmosphere an

Seongnam Mayor Eun Soo-mi is famous for her fight against COVID-19. The Seongnam Citizens Medical Center has saved hundreds of COVID-19 patients. “Two years ago, I was chosen by a million citizens to become mayor,” Eun said. “I put in full effort and achieved abundant results. This is all thanks to the citizens.”　 Since her election, Eun has ranked No. 1 two consecutive years in the National Local Government Evaluation among the 16 cities with populations of more than 5

Baek Kun-ki, the mayor of Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and a retired four-star Army general, is a strategist. He also served as a member of the 19th National Assembly from March 2014 to December 2015. As soon as he was elected mayor in 2018, he drew up his “big picture” plan for Yongin. He promised to enhance services to improve on the housing shortage and transportation environments tainted by reckless development, and pledged to create a clean and amiable living environment for res

Arctic cold waves froze the water surrounding Jeongok Port and Gungpyeong Port in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday morning, as winter temperatures continued below zero. The boats appear to be frozen in place near Jeongok Port as they remained still, scattered across the water. People walked across on the solid ice, which once was a body of flowing water. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

Heavy snowfall overnight covers Seoul and its surrounding areas in white on Thursday morning. People struggle to commute to work as the cold weather and slippery roads disrupt travel. A snowman can be seen in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. The main palace Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul has transformed into a dazzling, winter wonderland, with its main throne hall, Geunjeongjeon, and gate Heungnyemun cloaked in a blanket of white. Sejong residents rush to work thro

The last sunrise of 2020 shines brightly on a beach at Gangneung of Gangwon Province on Thursday morning. An orange hue covers the horizon while ocean waves crash along the shore. The city of Gangneung banned entry to beaches along with nearby parking lots at 10 a.m. on Thursday to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by abiding by social distancing rules (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com).

The cold winter air swipes through central Seoul on Thursday morning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Puffs of warm breath can be seen swirling out from behind people’s masks in the frigid and windy weather. The weather remains in subfreezing temperatures as winter approaches its peak deeping into December. People walk through a park with hot drinks in their hands to keep warm during the day. Photos: (Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

By bidding to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan, South Korea is striving for an opportunity that will enhance its national competitiveness and the city’s global brand status. As the nation’s second-largest city, Busan will be the first city in Korea to hold a World Expo if the bid succeeds. It is Korea’s first attempt to host a World Expo after 137 years of taking part in such events, starting with the Chicago Expo in 1893. A World Expo is one of the world’s three &ldquo

Leaves remain in vibrant red and orange colors on Thursday, as the cold hits Galsan Park in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. People take walks along the waterside with the clear winter sky painted across the background. The air looks to be free of fine dust, with buildings afar easily visible. Mulsorigil is covered in long reeds with hints of white snow covering the tips. Mallards fly through the sky, with some swiftly dipping into the water. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldco

The royal folding screen, Haehakbandodo, is to be displayed in a public exhibition in Korea for the first time in about 90 years after having been kept in the US. The National Palace Museum of Korea holds the exhibition slated for Friday and will run until Jan. 2021. The Haehakbandodo illustrates symbols of the sea, cranes and peaches, which represent prosperity and desire for longevity. Necessary restorations for its rare gold plated designs have been completed for display. Visitors will be g

Rev. Park Ock-soo, the founder of International Youth Fellowship (IYF), is seeking to build an education program for young people. Park shares his prospective ideas and outlook on possible alternatives to the program and for the youth amid the COVID-19 crisis. Park has developed “mind education,” which seeks to create a mindset that enables students to overcome difficulties, fulfill responsibilities and help prevent things such as abuse, cruelty and suicide. And he has promoted this

Students line up to get tested for COVID-19 on Thursday morning after a new case was reported at a middle school in Seo-gu in Gwangju. The infected student is said to have come into contact with another infected student from a different school and with family members as well. Medical workers in protective gear are preparing for COVID-19 testing at the school. COVID-19 cases are spreading in schools despite stricter social distancing levels. There are rising concerns over student COVID-19 cases

Leaves are painted with vibrant colors on Wednesday around Gaesimsa in Unsan, Seosan Province. The oranges, reds and yellows are becoming visible among patches of green leaves. The temple‘s colors and the surrounding flowers create a breathtakingly beautiful view amid the cold weather. People often visit the temple in the fall to enjoy walks around the temple to talk in the dazzling hues. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

The US presidential election battle between incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was especially fierce in six battleground states on Election Day. Supporters of respective candidates in the US gathered both outdoors and indoors for celebrations after voting, in anticipation of the results. Voters concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic wore masks to such events to prevent further spread of the virus. By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

Just ahead of the crucial presidential election, US President Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Joe Biden pushed through the country for a final day of campaigning. Supporters gathered at respective rallies to make a final push for votes. Voting through mail ballots was available amid the COVID-19 pandemic to help people vote while social distancing. In the last days of campaigning, Trump participated in five rallies across the nation while Biden focused mainly on Pennsylvania. By

Autumn arrives in South Korea as the colorful leaves cover the ground Wednesday at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. People breathe in the crisp air while strolling along the path carpeted with red leaves, with some of a yellow hue. The leaves flutter in the wind before collecting into a vibrant walkway for pedestrians. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

The sunny sky has a bright blue hue in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, near the East Sea on Thursday morning. White clouds are painted across the morning sky as the contrasting colors of the silver grass below bring out its vivid blue. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)