South Korea's planned leap into the era of artificial intelligence-powered learning has hit resistance, primarily due to parents' concerns about potential digital overload. In a petition posted on the National Assembly’s online platform in May, one such voice requested that the planned introduction of AI digital textbooks in schools starting next year be shelved. Citing the "numerous negative effects of smart devices," the petition called for scientific research to ensu

Hashtag Korea July 17, 2024

SEOUL, South Korea, July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd AUTISM EXPO 2024 concluded on a high note, featuring a wide range of exhibits and diverse events that attracted enthusiastic participation from individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and related organizations. 3rd AUTISM EXPO Concludes Successfully with Celebration and Unity Co-hosted by SurplusGLOBAL and the Smile Together Foundation, and co-organized by the Smile Together Foundation, the Autism Soc

PR Newswire July 16, 2024

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Two days after surviving an attempted assassination, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns. Republican Party delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.

World News July 16, 2024

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Labor Ministry announced on Tuesday that applications from families interested in hiring caregivers from the Philippines are to open Wednesday, marking a step forward in implementing a government-facilitated foreign nanny program for the first time. Families eligible for the pilot program are those with children under 12 years old, single-parent households, households with multiple children and dual-income families. Applications are to be accepted via design

Social Affairs July 16, 2024

A Filipino child with congenital heart disease successfully underwent surgery in Korea with support from JYP Entertainment. The 7-year-old child named Kim Abibg Rosello recovered from surgery and treatment at Severance Hospital in Seoul, the hospital announced Tuesday. He was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition characterized by severe heart defects that can cause cyanoderma and brain damage in the most serious cases. The child had not been treated properly because of fina

Social Affairs July 16, 2024

A Busan court on Tuesday held a hearing for a teacher at a private academy who was accused of sexually harassing a 5-year-old girl in May, with the defendant saying he had been drunk at the time. The defendant, identified only as a US citizen in his 30s, told the Busan District Court that he drank seven bottles of soju before making the unwanted physical contact on the child during a class at a hagwon in Dongnae-gu, Busan, on May 22. His lawyer told the court that his client was admitting the

Social Affairs July 16, 2024

Six decades after the age when most people do, I’ve become obsessed with Lego. My gateway drug was a set reminiscent of an ice cream truck. Like many parents, I was trying something new as a way to connect with one of my kids. Unlike many parents, in my case, the kid in question was an adult, and I was building a set that he had designed. My three boys were infatuated with building blocks as children, and my husband would play with them, teaching the concept of a “stable base.”

Viewpoints July 16, 2024

One year after the mistreatment of teachers and the protection of their rights became a major social issue in the wake of the death of a young teacher in July last year, waves of tributes to the deceased have risen across South Korea this week, with many coming from other education workers. The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, one of the country's two major teachers' unions, set Monday to July 23 as a period of remembrance, bringing together online and offline spaces t

Social Affairs July 15, 2024

QINGDAO, China, July 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During the EURO 2024 tournament, the global home appliance and consumer electronics brand Hisense and the UEFA Foundation jointly launched "Faith In Young Champions," a public welfare initiative. Innovative robots powered by Hisense enabled hospitalized children from 22 countries to virtually connect with 23 EURO 2024 matches, fulfilling their dreams of attending the event despite physical limitations. During these periods,

PR Newswire July 15, 2024

South Korea has been taking pride in its high digital literacy, but such technological advancements in recent years have enabled perpetrators to exploit sexually explicit content on the dark web. A report on Korea’s safety published by Statistics Korea showed that 10,605 digital sex crimes were reported in 2022, double the 5,079 reported just a year earlier, thanks to improvements in protections for victims who report them. A total of 243,855 illegally produced and distributed sexual photo

Social Affairs July 14, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged Sunday to provide financial incentives to South Korean companies hiring North Korean defectors, as the conservative leader commemorated North Korean Defectors' Day designated for the first time. In its inaugural ceremony in Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, formerly used as the presidential office, Yoon promised to tackle the problem of unemployment among North Korean defectors who often struggle to land a proper job here. Tax credits or government subsidies could be p

Politics July 14, 2024

Kakao Bank announced Friday that it is donating 1 billion won ($726,000) to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to aid in tackling the global climate crisis and supporting future generations. The internet-only bank and the Korean Committee for UNICEF conducted a ceremony Thursday to deliver the donation. Kakao Bank CEO Yun Ho-young and Cho Mi-jin, Secretary General of the Korean Committee for UNICEF, attended the event. The donation will fund programs to address and a

Industry July 12, 2024

Popular South Korean YouTuber Chimchakman released a statement concerning a recent online threat made against his 11-year-old daughter, saying he will not tolerate any foul play against his family. Officials from the Dongdaemun Police Station in Seoul said Thursday that they have launched an investigation into a threat against the daughter of the YouTuber, whose real name is Lee Byeong-geon. The unidentified individual, who posted the threat on an online community at around 9:34 p.m. on Tuesda

Social Affairs July 12, 2024

Legoland Korea Resort presents Chuncheon tour package Legoland Korea Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, offers a new promotion “Chuncheon Discovery” to enjoy a hotel stay at the theme park and take a closer look at the beautiful city. The package, available until Sept. 11, includes a one-night stay, free breakfast for two adults, three children and three tickets for Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car, where tourists can enjoy the country’s longest cable car course crossing Ch

Travel July 12, 2024

A native of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Bang Se-hwan took the office of Gwangju mayor in 2022. Asked about the characteristics of the city, Bang, who has lived in the city his whole life, stressed its history. “Gwangju has a very beautiful nature that has been maintained throughout its 1,000-year history. The city was named ‘Gwangju’ in 940 by King Taejo of Goryeo (918-1392),” Bang said during an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday at the city hall. Gwangju in Gyeon

Culture July 10, 2024

Actor Song Joong-ki is expecting his second child, following the birth of his first child a year ago, according to his agency. According to Song's agency, HighZium Studio, on Monday afternoon, Song's wife, British model and actor Katy Louise Saunders, is expecting their second child. The agency did not disclose specific details about the second child, including the gender or the due date. The news of Saunders expecting their second child arrives a year after the couple announced the bi

Culture July 9, 2024

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and other local governments have opened free water attractions for youngsters to beat the summer heat without traveling far from home. Jungnang-gu, a district in eastern Seoul, opened the Jungnang Water Park, Sinnae Park water playground and a water attraction at Bongsudae Park in early July. Set to operate through Aug. 18, the water play areas are open to children under the age of 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday. For safety reasons, they are closed

Travel July 8, 2024

“Your Lie in April,” a musical based on Japanese manga series of the same title and an original score by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, opened in Seoul last week, winning over younger audiences with the story of a piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear the piano after his mother's death and his experiences after he meets violinist Kaori Miyazono. The story written by Naoshi Arakawa delves into themes of trauma, healing, and the power of music. The Korean version, produce

Culture July 8, 2024

Amid growing concerns over digital sex crimes in South Korea, 3.9 percent of middle and high school students nationwide have experienced being asked to send or share sexual images, a state survey showed. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the results of the 2023 survey on awareness and experience of child and youth concerning sexual exploitation on Thursday. The survey is conducted every three years in accordance with Article 53 of the Youth Sexual Protection Act. Conducted wit

Social Affairs July 6, 2024