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

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

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

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

[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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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

Health ministry orders all trainee doctors to keep providing medical treatment

The health ministry on Monday ordered all trainee doctors to keep providing medical treatment, as they moved to submit their letters of collective resignation in protest against the government's plan to boost the number of medical students. "From now on, the government issues an order for the provision of medical treatment to be maintained by the trainee doctors at all 221 training hospitals nationwide," Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told reporters. Park strongly criticized

Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024

N. Korea touts sole leadership system on key anniversary

North Korea called Monday for loyalty to its leader Kim Jong-un and touted the monolithic leadership system as it marked the 50th anniversary of the announcement of the country's key guiding principle. In an editorial piece, the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, highlighted late leader Kim Jong-il's announcement in 1974 of the monolithic ideological principle of "Kimilsungism." "The sole leadership system bolsters our revolution and is also the dignity and

North KoreaFeb. 19, 2024

Govt. to fully allow telemedicine services in case of doctors' collective action: PM

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Monday that the government will fully expand telemedicine services if doctors walk off their jobs in protest of the government's plan to increase medical school admissions. Thousands of trainee doctors, such as residents at Seoul's five major general hospitals, were poised to submit their resignations en masse later Monday, raising concerns it would cripple hospital operations and patient care. The envisioned collective action is part of a protest again

Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024

Trainee doctors set to resign en masse in protest of plan to increase medical student enrollment

Trainee doctors at major general hospitals in Seoul were set to submit their letters of collective resignation Monday, in an escalation of their protest against the government's plan to boost the number of medical students. Concerns have been brewing as doctors warn of a large-scale strike and other responses in opposition to the government's decision to add 2,000 to the country's medical school enrollment quota next year, marking a sharp rise from the current 3,058 seats. The trainee doctors at

Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024

[Graphic News] Cigarette sales fall for 1st time in 4 years in 2023

Sales of cigarettes in South Korea inched down in 2023 for the first time in four years, but demand for electronic cigarettes logged a marked growth, the Finance Ministry said. South Koreans purchased 3.61 billion 20-cigarette packs last year, down 0.6 percent from the previous year’s 3.63 billion packs, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It was the first on-year fall since 2019, when sales lost 0.7 percent on-year. But sales of duty-free cigarettes surged 60.7 percent on-ye

Social AffairsFeb. 19, 2024