Articles by Choi Jeong-yoon
Choi Jeong-yoon
jychoi@heraldcorp.com-
Debate grows over charging foreign day laborers health insurance premiums
Debate on whether to charge health insurance to day laborers of foreign nationality was sparked on Monday as local media reported that the government is reviewing such a plan as a new funding source for the national health insurance system amid Korea's low birth rate. The government is developing strategies to bolster its health insurance funding as Korea rapidly becomes a super-aged society, according to local reports. According to reports, this plan concerns expanding the income categorie
Social Affairs Nov. 4, 2024
-
TechCamp Korea 2024 promotes safe, ethical AI use
The US Embassy in Seoul said it hosted “TechCamp Korea 2024,” a three-day event focused on fostering the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence. Held from October 31 to November 3 at the Kyowon Vision Center in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the camp was part of the US Department of State’s global tech leadership initiative and marked the first time the program has been held in Korea. Aimed at strengthening ties among Korea’s next generation of AI leaders, the camp
Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2024
-
Will South Korea go back to banning phones in classrooms?
South Korea is mulling banning smartphones in schools, as the government weighs in on a bill proposed by the ruling party that would prohibit students from using personal digital devices during class. According to the National Assembly and education circles on Sunday, Rep. Cho Jung-hun of People Power Party introduced a bill in August to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to restrict the use of smartphones in schools, adding Article 20.3 on guidance on the student's use of cel
Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2024
-
Why one man's move is shaking Korea: Child rapist’s relocation sparks controversy, fear
Cho Doo-soon, notorious for one of the most shocking crimes in South Korean history, has once again sparked public outrage and concern after his recent move to a new residence. Cho, who was released from prison in December 2020 after serving 12 years for raping an 8-year-old girl, has relocated from his previous home in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to a nearby neighborhood. His move to a new residence, located just 2 kilometers away from his previous home, has stoked fears and controversy among nea
Social Affairs Oct. 30, 2024
-
Flexibility granted to medical schools on student leave
In response to pressing demands from national medical schools, the government has decided to allow universities to individually authorize leaves of absence for medical students, reversing its previous stance. The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday afternoon that the government and presidents of 40 medical universities reached a consensus that students return by the 2025 academic year at the latest. In order to pave the way to accelerate the return of students and normalize studies in medica
Social Affairs Oct. 29, 2024
-
Government mulls over allowing unis to approve medical students' leave
In response to increasing demands from national medical schools, the government is reportedly reconsidering its stance on granting universities the autonomy to approve medical students' leave of absence requests. This comes as a potential solution to the monthslong standoff over medical school enrollments following protests against the government's plan to expand the medical school quota. Sources within the education sector revealed Tuesday that the presidents of national universities
Social Affairs Oct. 29, 2024
-
36-week abortion an apparent murder: police
Doctors accused of performing a late-term abortion at 36 weeks could face murder charges, police said Monday, concluding in their investigation that the fetus was delivered alive. The case, which has drawn significant attention, involves a YouTuber in her 20s who sought pregnancy termination and later shared her experience online. “If a fetus is born alive, the case is subject to the crime of murder. After delivery, it is a living person," said Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Off
Social Affairs Oct. 28, 2024
-
Empowering women is vital to long-lasting peace: UN military adviser
What Tyson Nicholas of the Royal Australian Navy experienced in South Sudan in 2015 as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission changed the course of his career and solidified his commitment to advancing gender equality in armed conflicts. In South Sudan, Nicholas witnessed firsthand the ways conflict disproportionately affects women and girls. “It was a moral injury,” he recalls, describing the emotional and ethical burden of seeing widespread sexual violence exploited during
Social Affairs Oct. 25, 2024
-
Man arrested for vandalism at National Assembly
Police detained a man in his 60s Friday morning after he allegedly smashed a glass door in an apparent attempt to break into the National Assembly’s main building in Seoul. According to Yeongdeungpo Police Station, the man was arrested for alleged intrusion and destruction of property with dangerous objects. The incident occurred at around 5:15 a.m. when the suspect reportedly threw a fire extinguisher at the glass door of the National Assembly. Police identified the suspect as he fled the
Social Affairs Oct. 25, 2024
-
Censorship of Nobel winner Han Kang's book stirs debate
Amid nationwide elation over South Korean novelist Han Kang being awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature, one of her works has stirred debate for being "deemed harmful to youths." The controversy ignited after Han's "The Vegetarian" was found to be among the 2,528 books removed from some 2,490 elementary, middle and high school libraries in Gyeonggi Province last year for being detrimental to students. Among them were not only Han Kang's book, but also "Bl
Social Affairs Oct. 21, 2024
-
Religious school activities violate freedom: Seoul Education Office
The Seoul education office concluded Sunday that mandatory religious activities at general high schools, such as class worship services and choir competitions, could infringe on students' religious freedom. This conclusion follows an investigation prompted by a student complaint at a private high school in Seoul, alleging that such compulsory extracurricular activities related to religion violated their rights under the city's Student Rights Ordinance. The complaint, submitted by a stu
Social Affairs Oct. 20, 2024
-
Seoul Cyber University, CSU San Bernardino form dual degree program
Seoul Cyber University has signed a dual degree agreement with California State University, San Bernardino, the US school's first such deal with an online educational institution. The primary focus of the agreement is the creation of a dual degree program between Seoul Cyber University and CSUSB. Under this program, students will spend two years studying at Seoul Cyber University's School of Business and two years at CSUSB, earning degrees from both institutions. Notably, this is the f
Social Affairs Oct. 20, 2024
-
Seoul's new education chief likely to inherit progressive policies
Jung Geun-sik, the newly elected liberal superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, officially took office on Thursday. With his inauguration, the city’s progressive approach to education, which has been in place for the past decade under his predecessor, Cho Hee-yeon, is expected to continue. Jung secured 50.17 percent of the vote in Wednesday's by-election, defeating his conservative rival, Cho Jun-hyuk, by a margin of 4.15 percentage points. His win surpassed the
Social Affairs Oct. 17, 2024
-
National-level AI, digital education to be launched for adults over 30
To enhance the nation's digital skills and competitiveness, South Korea is rolling out a new initiative aimed at improving digital capabilities among adults aged 30 and older. The government will invest over 110 billion won ($80 million) to build a comprehensive digital lifelong learning ecosystem, the Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday. The initiative, dubbed the "AI-Digital (AID) 30+ Project," seeks to provide extensive retraining opportunities and digital education to
Social Affairs Oct. 16, 2024
-
Rival parties clash over allegations involving first lady, Moon's daughter
The rival parties engaged in heated exchanges over two high-profile incidents involving President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, and Moon Da-hye, daughter of former President Moon Jae-in, during a parliamentary audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police on Thursday. The Democratic Party of Korea and other opposition lawmakers have raised concerns over first lady Kim Keon Hee's visit to Mapo Bridge on Sept. 10, an area notorious for frequent suicide attempts. The visit, made
Politics Oct. 15, 2024
Most Popular
-
1
Harris, Trump face off as North Korea tests US on Election Day
-
2
Trump wins US election, foreshadows policy shift
-
3
[Out of the Shadows] Seoul room clubs offer drugs to compete for clientele
-
4
Changing K-pop stars: idols begin to speak out
-
5
Yoon congratulates Trump
-
6
Seoul eyes expanding foreign caregiver pilot program
-
7
North Korean leader may seek another summit with Trump, but chances for deal seen as slimmer
-
8
South Korean won tumbles after Trump wins US presidential election
-
9
‘Jang-making’ likely to get UNESCO recognition
-
10
From Bush to Biden: How North Korea sees US elections