Most Popular
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Hyundai Motor eyes 80,000 jobs, W68tr investment at home by 2026
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Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
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Korea enters full election mode
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Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
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Dialogue hopes fade as doctors pick hard-liner as new head
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Coupang pledges W3tr to expand Rocket Delivery nationwide by 2027
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[Election Battlefield] Political novice to face off star politician in ‘swing district’
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Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
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[Herald Interview] Son Suk-ku chooses to be swayed by others in navigating life
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Seoul’s bus union prepares for strike
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Police vow to probe doctors’ joint action
The police will investigate doctors who undertake joint action in protest of the government’s plan to increase the annual student enrollment quota at medical schools from 2025, Yoon Hee-keun, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency told reporters Monday. Yoon said that the police would investigate any joint action taken by doctors that were reported to law enforcement agencies, adding that arrest warrants would be issued for individual doctors who are “clearly in vi
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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First lady resumes duties after 2-month hiatus
Kim Keon Hee appeared to have resumed her engagements as South Korea's first lady, albeit unofficially, for the first time in over two months. Kim reportedly joined a lunch meeting with Netflix Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos and "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae, who had been received by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday at the presidential residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The initial statement from the presidential office about the meeting did not indicate that Kim was presen
PoliticsFeb. 19, 2024
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More universities gear up for bigger tuition hikes
Four-year universities in South Korea are gearing up to raise tuition fees, going away from the so-called "half-price" tuition policy that encouraged them to freeze the price since 2012. Out of 137 universities that have set the amount of their tuition fees, 19 have decided to raise the expenditure. Keimyung University raised its tuition fee for the first time in 16 years, while Chosun University and Dong-Eui University raised them for the first time in 15 and 13 years, respectively.
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Decade after UN report, NK human rights 'worst in world': Turner
The human rights situation in North Korea has remained the worst in the world, even 10 years after the UN released its first report unveiling systematic human rights abuses and violations by the North Korean regime, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights said Monday. One defector, however, asserted that North Korean people have started to adopt the notion of "human rights violations," attributing this shift to the international community's concerted efforts to shed lig
North KoreaFeb. 19, 2024
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[Bills in Focus] Stock investment promotion, wind power distribution
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation Proposed by Rep. Park Dae-chul (People Power Party) ● In consideration of the high interest rates and rising number of stock investors in the current economic landscape, this amendment proposes to cancel the upcoming implementation of the financial income tax system and maintain the current capital gains tax system. This bill is in line with President Yoon Suk Yeol's push to abolish the finan
Foreign AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Korea had over 100 quakes above magnitude 2.0 in 2023: KMA
More than 100 earthquakes with a magnitude above 2.0 were recorded on the Korean Peninsula in 2023, marking a slight increase compared to previous years, according to a report by the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday. Through its annual report on earthquake occurrences, the KMA noted that a total of 106 earthquakes above magnitude 2.0 were recorded on the peninsula last year, more than the annual average of 70.8. This figure is calculated based on the number of earthquake occurrences
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Election watchdog busts political deepfakes ahead of April general election
The South Korean constitutional agency overseeing election administration said Monday it formed a task force aimed at fighting artificial intelligence-generated deceitful content related to the general election in April. The National Election Commission said in a release that it busted a total of 129 deepfakes that were deemed to violate the laws on elections of public officials between Jan. 29 and Feb. 16. The “politically motivated” deepfakes were caught by the watchdog through a s
PoliticsFeb. 19, 2024
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Democratic Party recruits ex-official suspected in 2019 forced return of North Koreans
South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party of Korea recruited a former National Intelligence Service official who was suspected of alleged wrongdoing in the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors in 2019, when former President Moon Jae-in was in office. Kim Joon-hwan was Moon’s deputy director at the NIS at the time the Democratic Party administration decided to return the two North Korean fishers forcibly. Several at the NIS, including then-director Suh Hoon, and the Moon
PoliticsFeb. 19, 2024
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Patients on edge as doctors prepare for hospital walkout
Medical institutions were in a frantic dash Monday morning as junior doctors at Seoul’s “Big Five” hospitals moved to tender their resignation letters en masse Monday and walk out of their jobs on Tuesday at 6 a.m. in protest against the government’s planned hike in medical school enrollment quota. With a face full of worry, a woman in her 60s grabbed onto medical personnel at the main lobby of Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul, asking if she would be able
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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[Election 2024] The 'big tent' trial: Will S. Korea's third party coalition succeed?
As South Korea heads into the general election scheduled for April 10, a group of recently launched parties have formed a coalition, a so-called “big tent” that has managed to make waves in the polls, despite the differences in approach and ideology of its constituent parts. The New Reform Party, launched by former ruling party leader Lee Jun-seok last month, is at the forefront of the coalition. Recently having absorbed four other distinct minor parties, the majority of its lawmaker
PoliticsFeb. 19, 2024
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S. Korea asks older drivers to give up their licenses
Regional governments across South Korea have been expanding benefits for senior citizens who forfeit their driving privileges, as the number of car accidents across the country involving older drivers has been on the rise. Jisan-gun in Busan said earlier this month that it has implemented a policy of giving 100,000 won ($75) in gift certificates to be used in traditional markets for anyone aged 65 and above who gives up their driver's license. The district became the first to introduce bene
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Online post urges trainee doctors to 'delete hospital files'
South Korean police on Monday commenced an investigation into an anonymous online post urging trainee doctors to delete hospital files before resigning, as part of collective action by local physicians in protest of the government plan to increase the enrollment quota for medical schools. Seoul Gangnam Police Station said it was trying to track down the person who wrote the post, based on a tip-off it received around 1:30 a.m. this morning. The post is believed to have first been uploaded on Med
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Preserving Cultural Heritage: Korea and Aboriginal Australia
Imagine France without baguettes. It is not surprising that baguettes were recognized as World Cultural Heritage, considering how French they are. Every community holds a distinctive cultural heritage akin to a big treasure trove of unique things passed down to future generations. Both Korean and Aboriginal Australians are striving to protect and advance their cultural heritage. Before Hangeul, Koreans had to use complex Chinese characters. Under King Sejong's reign, a revolutionary writing
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Legacy and Evolution: Uniting Past and Present in Cultural Preservation
Both South Korea and Australia share a commitment to safeguarding their cultural heritage, a commitment rooted in making these treasures accessible and inclusive. This dedication fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of their histories and identities among individuals and communities worldwide. In South Korea, the preservation of Hangeul and Hanbok stands out as a testament to this commitment. Hangeul, the unique Korean alphabet, is celebrated annually on Hangeul Day (Oc. 9). This d
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Collaborative endeavors between South Korea and Australia build security, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region
The alliance between South Korea and Australia has flourished since its initiation during the Korean War, with its roots tracing back to the military aid Australia provided during Korea’s darkest times. Additionally, Australia was a signatory state of the Korean War Armistice on July 27, 1953, which not only brought an end to the war but also ushered in an era of prosperity for South Korea. Australia, standing firm as a member of the Military Armistice Commission, continues to be a steadfa
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Korea’s Hangeul and Hanbok, Australia’s Aboriginal Custodians: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
South Korea and Australia are actively preserving and promoting their cultural and historical heritage in various ways. In Korea, Hangeul, Hanbok, traditional architecture, pottery, and books stand as iconic cultural treasures, while Australia boasts world-famous gems like Kakadu National Park, Uluru, the largest monolith on Earth, and the Great Barrier Reef, the planet’s largest coral reef system. How are the two countries working to preserve and enhance their cultural and historical heri
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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'4-day workweek, great opportunity for Gangwon': governor
Gangwon Province is making moves to implement a four-day workweek, as Governor Kim Jin-tae aims to prepare relevant policy alternatives. "The recently discussed four-day workweek will be a significant opportunity for the state," said Kim at the plenary session of the Gangwon State Council last Wednesday. "With a four-day workweek in the future, the state will garner the attention and interest of the entire nation," Kim added. Major companies such as Samsung Electronics, Posco
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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Treasuring Korean, Aboriginal Australian Cultural Heritage
Every two weeks, a language fades into silence, erasing with it a unique cultural identity and heritage. Many people have lost their connection to their ancestral roots, and have adopted the mainstream culture of their society. The loss of ancestral roots leads to a loss of identity, as well as a loss of cultural heritage and knowledge. Thankfully, many countries are actively seeking to regain their roots and take back their forgotten culture. Australia and South Korea are two of the few countri
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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The Matildas’ Incredible World Cup
In 2023, for the first time ever, the Australian women’s national soccer team placed fourth at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Matildas’ highest finish ever was an astonishing achievement, especially considering their history. During the first two decades of their existence, the Australian women’s national soccer team received little to no support from their national soccer federation. The Matildas did not have official uniforms at the time and were forced to wear kits that
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024
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1 in 4 over-70s still working in S. Korea
About 1.55 million people aged 70 and above were still in work as of January 2024, accounting for 24.5 percent of South Koreans in that age group. The number of over-70s working rose by 11.4 percent compared to the 1.39 million the year before, according to the Korean Statistical Information Service operated by Statistics Korea. The group made up 5.6 percent of the overall working population of the country this year, up from 5.1 percent in January of 2023. Roughly half of those who still work be
Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024