43% of Koreans aged 20-49 do not plan to have kids: survey

Nearly 43 percent of South Korean nationals between ages 20 and 49 do not plan to have children, though a substantial number of respondents said they would consider changing their minds if government policies and corporate support for it were significantly expanded, a survey showed. The Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future on Sunday revealed the results of its survey of 2,000 Korean nationals, including singles and couples both with and without children. Some 42.6 percent said they h

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2024

[Bills in Focus] Disclosure of EV battery manufacturer info, national power grid expansion

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Commercial Act Proposed by Rep. Park Sang-hyuk (Democratic Party of Korea) ● Although corporate directors have a duty of loyalty toward their company, they have no legal obligations toward their shareholders. Therefore, to protect shareholders from the decisions of directors, this bill imposes a duty of fairness on directors. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Management Act Proposed by Rep. Han Jeoung-ae (Democratic Party of Korea) ●

PoliticsSept. 2, 2024

Mongolia hopes for summit with S. Korea: Mongolian presidential chief of staff

Mongolia hopes for a bilateral summit with South Korea with the leaders of the two countries paving the way to improve ties for the future, according to Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, Chief of Staff to the Mongolian President. During a breakfast meeting at the 2nd Korea-Mongolia Vision Strategy Forum, hosted by Herald Corp. — publisher of The Korea Herald and Herald Business — and the Ahnsei Foundation at the Novotel in Ulaanbaatar on Aug. 27, Zandanshatar stated, "We planned two su

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2024

Health minister seeks to soothe concerns over hospital emergency rooms

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Monday tried to soothe concerns about hospital emergency rooms, as some doctors have warned of a potential disruption of emergency care due to a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors. "Although there are some difficulties, we believe that emergency rooms are capable of maintaining operations," Cho told an SBS radio. "The issues extend beyond emergency rooms to follow-up treatments, which were present even before the walkout by the medical community,

PoliticsSept. 2, 2024

[Graphic News] Kyochon tops brand rankings for chicken franchises

Recent data from the Korea Fair Trade Commission showed that franchises had grown to account for over 70 percent of the local fried chicken market. According to a recent big data analysis by Rankify, Kyochon Chicken claimed the leading position in the brand index rankings for South Korean chicken franchises, earning 20,135 points. Goobne Chicken followed in second place with 11,110 points. BHC Chicken secured third place, with 60Gye Chicken in fourth and Norang Tongdak rounding out the top fiv

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2024

S. Korea, Japan in last-minute arrangements for visit by PM Kishida: presidential office

South Korea and Japan have been in last-minute arrangements for the agenda of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit, a senior official at the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol said Sunday. "Final arrangements on the itinerary and agenda are being discussed," the senior presidential official told reporters, without providing further details. Japan's Kyodo News earlier reported Kishida was considering holding summit talks with Yoon in South Korea in early September befo

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

Yoon not to attend opening ceremony of National Assembly session: presidential office

President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the opening ceremony of the regular session of the National Assembly early this week, a presidential official said Sunday, citing the opposition party's unilateral actions to pass critical bills. The National Assembly is set to begin its regular session on Monday and it is customary for the president to attend the opening event and deliver a speech. "It is appropriate to first normalize the National Assembly, which has been misusing special couns

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

1 dead, 4 injured in apparent arson at game hall

YEONGAM, South Korea -- One person died and four others were injured Sunday in an apparent act of arson at a game hall in the southwestern county of Yeongam, police and fire authorities said. The fire was put out 20 minutes after a report was filed at 1:29 p.m. but a Chinese national was found dead, they said. One of the four employees and visitors who suffered injuries was reportedly in a critical condition. A preliminary probe showed that the Chinese national allegedly started the fire and tha

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

S. Korea announces 'offensive cyber defense' strategy

The South Korean presidential office on Sunday unveiled a comprehensive cybersecurity plan with 100 actionable tasks, including measures for enhanced "offensive cyber defense" strategies to proactively counter and neutralize those with intentions of spreading fake information such as deepfakes in cyberspace. The presidential Office of National Security announced the "National Cybersecurity Basic Plan," a collaborative effort developed by 14 government ministries and organizat

Foreign AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Man chases down thief who stole woman's bag as she was attempting suicide

While a woman was attempting to take her own life by jumping into the Han River in Seoul, a man stole her bag and fled the scene on a bicycle. Amid the chaotic chase that ensued, another man on a motorcycle chased the suspect down to assist the police in catching him. The Seoul police said recently that Mapo Police Station has awarded a man surnamed Lee a certificate of appreciation for his assistance in stopping the suspect from getting away on Aug. 18, after the suspect stole the bag of a woma

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Most EV chargers underground, lack overcharge prevention

Nearly 60 percent of all slow and rapid electric vehicle charging stations in South Korea are installed underground, with the majority being slow chargers lacking overcharge prevention systems -- a major fire risk. According to a report provided by the Environment Ministry to Rep. Lim Lee-ja of the People Power Party, 373,961 EV charging stations were installed nationwide as of July 2024. This marks the first time the ministry has fully assessed the total number of underground EV chargers. The s

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Leaders of rival parties agree to launch 'livelihood' consultative body

People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon and Democratic Party of Korea Chair Rep. Lee Jae-myung on Sunday agreed to launch a special consultative body for livelihood policies, review issues tied to the financial investment tax policy and urge the government to establish an emergency medical system for the upcoming Chuseok holiday. The agreements came as part of a joint statement announced by the ruling and the main opposition parties as the result of the first official talks between Han and Lee. T

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

Ex-President Moon named suspect in bribery probe

Prosecutors have identified former President Moon Jae-in a suspect in a bribery case, alleging that his former son-in-law received preferential treatment in securing a job with an airline in return for arranging a key government appointment for the politician who founded the airline, according to legal sources on Sunday. The Criminal Division 3 of the Jeonju District Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation into Moon's potential involvement, as detailed in a search warrant e

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

'If the flames go out; I die': Woman kills abusive boyfriend with fire

A South Korean court said it has sentenced a woman to a 12-year jail term for killing her boyfriend after being subject to years of physical abuse. The Gunsan Branch of the Jeonju District Court found the 42-year-old defendant guilty of setting fire to a home in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on May 11, resulting in the victim's death. The investigation found that she had been physically abused by the victim repeatedly during their five-year relationship. Allegedly, on the day of the crime

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Police announce crackdown on illegal drugs focused on clubs

The National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency announced Sunday that it has begun a strengthened crackdown on drugs at facilities in entertainment districts such as nightclubs, which will continue until end of the year. Multiple police units have been mobilized to assist existing drug investigation personnel, according to the agency. The Narcotics Investigation Unit will focus on investigating drug distribution activities in entertainment districts. The Mobile Det

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Korea suffers longest streak of tropical nights in history

This year marked the longest streak of tropical nights in South Korea's recorded history, with regions across the country averaging 20.2 tropical nights so far, the state-run weather agency said Sunday. The total number of tropical nights this year surpassed 16.8 in 1994 and 16.7 in 2018 -- years that are infamous among residents for being among the hottest years, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. An average of 11.3 tropical nights was recorded in the month of August, ma

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Leaders of ruling, main opposition parties set to hold 1st official talks

Leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party are set to hold their first official talks Sunday, party officials said. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon is scheduled to meet with Lee Jae-myung, who was reelected as the chief of the DP in August, at the National Assembly at 2 p.m. Sunday for a 90-minute meeting. They are expected to discuss various issues, including a special counsel probe into a young Marine's death and a new investment tax policy. Han and Lee will dis

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

ASF outbreak in Gimpo spurs emergency response ahead of Chuseok

The government said Saturday it has ramped up disinfection efforts and inspections following a confirmed African swine fever outbreak at a pig farm in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, aiming to prevent the disease from spreading as the nation prepares for the upcoming Chuseok holiday. The Central Disaster Management Headquarters convened an emergency meeting to review and implement preventive measures, particularly critical with Chuseok approaching in two weeks. The outbreak, confirmed Saturday, mark

Social AffairsAug. 31, 2024

Ex-baseball player ordered to pay W800m won to Padres' Kim Ha-seong in contract dispute case

A former baseball player has been ordered to pay a substantial penalty to San Diego Padres' shortstop Kim Ha-seong for violating an agreement between the two. The Seoul Central District Court ruled in Kim's favor on Friday in a lawsuit against Lim Hye-dong for breach of contract, mandating the defendant to pay 800 million won ($597,000). The dispute originated from a scuffle between the two at a Seoul bar in February 2021. Lim had demanded a settlement from Kim, who was then completi

Social AffairsAug. 31, 2024

Trump says getting along with Kim Jong-un is 'good thing'

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Friday that "getting along" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a "good thing," after his Democratic rival Kamala Harris vowed not to "cozy up to" dictators like Kim. During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, former President Trump again boasted about his personal ties with the North Korean leader, as he and the vice president are in a tight race with the presidential elec

Foreign AffairsAug. 31, 2024