Articles by Jo He-rim
Jo He-rim
herim@heraldcorp.com-
Justice Ministry proposes reinforcement measures to amend refugee act
The government on Friday proposed to amend the refugee law and provide legal measures to prevent the system from being abused by migrants entering or staying illegally. With the sudden influx of Yemenis on Jeju Island, the Ministry of Justice held a working-level meeting to discuss the situation with 15 concerned government institutions, including the Jeju Self-governing Provincial Government. (Yonhap)“South Korea holds international responsibility to protect refugees as a signatory to the 1951
Social Affairs June 29, 2018
-
[Weekender] The rise of gummies
Among mouthwatering sweets, the jelly candies industry is thriving. The surging popularity has led to diverse forms of the chewy sweets, delighting Korean consumers not only with their taste but also low calories. “In this harsh world, soft jelly candies are a streak of light in my life,” said Hwangbo Kyung-sun, an office worker in Seoul. Soft and chewy jelly products that were once perceived as treats for young children have now become one of the most favored types of sweets among adults. Gumm
Food June 29, 2018
-
[Best Brand] Jay’s Uhak Review guides young Korean students advance to US universities
For students in South Korea wishing to advance to universities in the US, Jay’s Uhak Review seeks to help them achieve the best results though teamwork. Jay’s Uhak Review is an education consulting institute that assists students with the admission process, targeting US Ivy League and medical and dental universities. (Jay's Uhak Review)Established in 2000, the institute runs detailed admission programs for high school students, supervising their school records and offering special opportunities
Social Affairs June 26, 2018
-
[Photo News] US soldier’s photographs of Korea in 1950s
Monday marks the 68th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-1953 Korean War on June 25. In commemoration, the National Assembly and ROK Army Headquarters host a two-day photo exhibition of 239 photographs taken by late US Army sergeant Thomas B. Hutton, who fought in the Korean War. His grandson Col. Brandon D. Newton, currently stationed in South Korea, donated the pictures to the ROK Army Headquarters. The photographs show not only of the livelihoods of Koreans at the time, but also historic
Social Affairs June 25, 2018
-
[From the Scene] Yemeni asylum seekers in Jeju hope to reduce prejudices
JEJU -- When the in-flight announcement said that the plane was landing on South Korea’s Jeju Island, Hane felt a sense of relief for the first time since he fled his warring home country, Yemen, in May 2016. Hane, who was formerly a journalist with Yemen’s biggest daily, was subjected to excruciating torture and narrowly escaped death before fleeing to Egypt, and then to Malaysia and finally to Jeju.Hane, formerly a journalist in Yemen, wears a rubber bracelet of his country’s flag. (Jo He-rim/
Social Affairs June 25, 2018
-
[Eye Plus] ‘Red Devils’ spill out to the streets for World Cup
World Cup 2018 kicked off last week in Russia. As for South Korea, the first group match against Sweden on Monday revived the tens of thousands of “Red Devils” to take to the streets to cheer for the national team once again.In front of Gwanghwamun Square in the center of Seoul, 25,000 people wearing the iconic red uniforms and head bands resembling a devil’s horns became the Red Devils, while 5,000 also watched Korea’s first match via large outdoor screens installed at Seoul Square in front of
Soccer June 22, 2018
-
Supreme Court expected to make ruling on conscientious objectors
The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on conscientious objectors who refuse mandatory military service, amid increasing acquittals made by lower courts. According to the Supreme Court on Monday, two cases of conscientious objectors, which two panels of its judges have been reviewing, have been transferred to an “en banc session,” in which all justices of the top court participate in the cases. It has also scheduled a public hearing for the cases on Aug. 30. (Yonhap)All able-bodied Sout
Social Affairs June 19, 2018
-
Presidential office says it may review introducing moratorium on death penalty
The presidential office said Tuesday it will review a moratorium on the nation’s death penalty system if the state human rights watchdog officially makes a request. The National Human Rights Commission on Monday revealed plans for the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, including a proposal that President Moon Jae-in should announce a moratorium on the death penalty. (Yonhap)Regarding the watchdog’s plan, the presidential office said the matter has
Social Affairs June 19, 2018
-
[News Focus] Small political parties struggle to get their voices heard
While this year’s June 13 local elections ended in a landslide victory for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, small, extra-parliamentary parties made some eye-catching progress.Seoul mayoral candidate Shin Ji-ye of the Green Party Korea, which is an extra-parliamentary party, came fourth in the run against major negotiating blocs, winning an unexpected 82,874 votes, or 1.7 percent of total ballots cast. She even placed ahead of Kim Jong-min from the far-left opposition Justice Party, which ho
Politics June 18, 2018
-
Police to look into Gyeonggi governor-elect’s alleged extramarital affair
Police have started an investigation into a scandal involving Gyeonggi Gov.-elect Lee Jae-myung who allegedly had an extramarital affair with an actress, after receiving the case from the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office on Saturday. During the local elections campaign period, a lawmaker from the center-right minor opposition Bareunmirae Party raised the allegation that Lee, a former Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor candidate, had an affair with actress Kim Bu-seon for nine months. Lee Ja
Politics June 17, 2018
-
Incheon citizens to file class action suit against lawmaker for disparaging remark
Rep. Chung Tae-ok, a former spokesman for the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, may soon face a class action suit from a group of citizens against his remarks defaming two cities, Incheon and Bucheon.The Incheon headquarters of the far-left Justice Party previously said it would file a damage lawsuit of 613 million won ($557,700) against Chung, and has been gathering 613 people to join the class action suit. The number matches the date of the local elections, which was held on June 13. Accord
Politics June 17, 2018
-
[News Analysis] Conservative leaders resign after election debacle
Chairman Hong Joon-pyo of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Yoo Seong-min, co-chairman of the center-right minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, resigned from their positions Thursday, taking responsibility for their crushing defeat in the local elections and parliamentary by-elections. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea garnered sweeping victories in most regions, winning 14 out of the 17 mayoral and gubernatorial posts. The Liberty Korea Party only managed to grab two posts, in the c
Politics June 14, 2018
-
[2018 Local Elections] Turnout rate records second highest at 60.2 percent
The tentative voter turnout at this year’s local and gubernatorial elections is 60.2 percent, recording the second highest figure ever for local elections, the election watchdog said on Wednesday. As of 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, about 22.7 percent of the ballots were counted. If the figure surpasses 60 percent, it will be the first time the turnout rate has passed the 60 percent mark in 23 years. The highest turnout rate was recorded in the very first local and gubernatorial election in 1995, at
Politics June 13, 2018
-
[2018 Local Elections] A numerical look at local elections
In the quadrennial local and gubernatorial elections and by-elections this year, South Korea is electing 4,028 local administrative, legislative and educational officials, and 9,363 candidates made their bids for the positions, according to the National Election Commission. According to the NEC, this year’s budget for the elections was 1.7 trillion won ($1.58 billion), of which 511 billion won was used for voting facilities, staff and necessary materials. As by-elections for parliamentary repres
Politics June 13, 2018
-
[Newsmaker] South Koreans hope Trump-Kim meeting brings lasting peace
With the world watching US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hold a historic summit in Singapore on Tuesday, the eyes and ears of South Koreans were fixed to the live TV footage.Watching a summit thought unimaginable just months ago, South Koreans raised both hope and concerns for future relations with the “brethren” North, which has been separated from the South since the 1950-53 Korean War.At Seoul Station in the morning, busy passers-by stopped to watch the two leader
North Korea June 12, 2018
Most Popular
-
1
[Behind the K-pop Scene] 'K-pop is all about money'
-
2
Seoul to mull more Ukraine support based on Pyongyang’s level of involvement: official
-
3
[Oddities] What's in a name? How Koreans faked their way to Kim, Lee and Park
-
4
Seoul unveils plan to move 68km of railways underground
-
5
Russian, N. Korean flags displayed together on Ukraine battlefield
-
6
Kakao’s AI service Kanana aims for ‘next KakaoTalk’
-
7
[ASEAN Plus Korea] 'Restrictive immigration may dampen Southeast Asian interest in Korea'
-
8
[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jennie, Rose set career-highs
-
9
[Hello India] Hyundai Motor makes landmark stock debut in India
-
10
No. of foreign nationals on old-age pension crosses 10,000