South Korea to tweak visa policies and welcome more foreigners

South Korea plans to change parts of its visa policy to allow more skilled foreigners into the country, in a bid to tackle its declining population and aging society. The plans were unveiled Wednesday at a regular briefing held by the Ministry of Justice. According to the ministry, the government plans to lower qualifications to obtain long-term residency, or a F-2 visa, for talented foreigners in “promising industries” that require support on a “national level.” Exac

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

Moon, Dutch PM vow to bolster partnership on chips

President Moon Jae-in and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday pledged to further bolster cooperation on semiconductor production, a crucial partnership in the global supply chain for the most cutting-edge chips. Their virtual summit came as the two nations celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties this year. It is the third summit between the two leaders, following their two in-person talks held on the occasions of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and a G-20 summit, both in 2018

Foreign AffairsJuly 7, 2021

US wants partnership with S. Korea based on 'shared values' amid China challenge: congressman

The United States wants to work with like-minded countries, including South Korea, based on the shared values of democracy and freedom that are being challenged by an assertive China, a US congressman said Wednesday. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) made the remark during a media event in Seoul, noting that standing by those values could be a path for South Korea to take, rather than the frame of having to "choose" either the US or China amid their intensifying rivalry. "We never expect thi

Foreign AffairsJuly 7, 2021

[Newsmaker] Opposition talks about scrapping Ministry of Gender Equality

Presidential hopefuls and the leader of the main opposition party have begun talking about scrapping the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, saying all it does is carry out campaigns and make gender conflicts worse. The ministry, launched in 2001, has often been slammed for underperforming, making divisive statements, and responding passively to sexual harassment by the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. “Fifteen to 20 years of trial and error is enough for campaigns based on se

PoliticsJuly 7, 2021

19 USFK-affiliated individuals test positive for COVID-19

Seventeen American service members and two family members have tested positive for the new coronavirus, US Forces Korea (USFK) said Wednesday, amid a massive spike in virus infections across South Korea. Nine service members and a dependent are from Camp Casey in Dongducheon, 40 kilometers north of Seoul, while five soldiers and a family member are from K-17 Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul. They all tested positive after direct contact with infected people, according to USFK. In addition,

DefenseJuly 7, 2021

Newly enlisted soldiers can receive Pfizer starting next week: KDCA

South Koreans set to join the military between July and September will be eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday. The shots will be administered at regional inoculation centers starting next Monday to conscripted individuals and professional soldiers set to begin their service. The KDCA recommends that people apply for the program only if they can complete the two-dose regimen before joining the military, since vaccination

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

Korea officially in COVID-19 fourth wave

The fourth wave of COVID-19 has hit Korea, the country’s top health officials said Wednesday. In the 24 hours ending Tuesday at midnight, Korea logged 1,212 new cases of COVID-19 -- the second highest figure seen in a day since the pandemic began. The highest one-day rise was recorded Dec. 25 last year with 1,241 cases at the height of the country’s devastating third wave. Koreans head into summer with prospects of ever harsher social distancing instead of more freedom earlier p

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

Justice ministry pushes to grant long-term stay permit to foreign talent

The government is pushing to grant the long-term residency F-2 visa to high-skilled foreigners as a way to tackle the shrinking population and retain talented workers, the justice ministry said Wednesday. The Ministry of Justice announced the plan during a briefing on the result of a government meeting on the economy. The ministry came up with the idea, together with 12 other ministries, in order to retain foreign professionals with specialties in an array of industrial sectors, which, the min

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

UNC temporarily suspends tours to Panmunjom over COVID-19 concerns

The United Nations Command said Wednesday it is temporarily suspending tours to the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom, or the Joint Security Area (JSA), after two of its members came into contact with a coronavirus patient. "Once we are certain that there is no additional risk to our force or the ROK population, we will resume JSA orientations," the US-led command said in a Facebook post. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. The suspension comes a

DefenseJuly 7, 2021

Seoul to reduce public transport, expand testing as COVID-19 cases reach new high

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Wednesday the city will reduce bus and subway schedules and expand COVID-19 testing to fight the recent resurgence of the virus amid a record high number of cases. At a press briefing, Oh said bus schedules will be scaled back starting Thursday and subway schedules starting Friday. For both buses and the subway, schedules will be reduced by 20 percent after 10 p.m. Oh ordered the owners and employees of private cram schools, restaurants, cafes, karaoke establishment

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

Civil servant fined for lying about visits to COVID-19-hit facilities

A civil servant was fined heavily Wednesday for failing to disclose his visits to COVID-19 clusters before testing positive for the coronavirus. The 24-year-old official, whose identity was withheld, was sentenced to a fine of 20 million won ($17,600) by the Daejeon District Court in the central city of Daejeon for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Twenty million won is the maximum amount of fine stipulated by the infectious disease control law for obstructing epidem

PoliticsJuly 7, 2021

Special counsel for Park Geun-hye case resigns amid bribery allegations

Special Counsel Park Young-soo, who has led an investigation into a corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye, resigned Wednesday amid allegations he accepted a Porsche car from a fishery businessman. Park said in a statement to reporters that he submitted his letter of resignation in the belief that it became "difficult" for him to carry out his duties as special counsel. "I feel a strong moral responsibility for such things as introducing a controversial figu

PoliticsJuly 7, 2021

S. Korea's intelligence agency dismisses rumors over NK leader's health as 'groundless'

South Korea's main intelligence agency said Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to be handling state affairs "normally," rejecting rumors that he fell unconscious due to health problems. Earlier in the day, rumors spread that Kim remains unconscious after suffering cerebral hemorrhage and that a coup led by his uncle Kim Pyong-il has forced him from power. "We determine that the speculation about Kim's health is groundless," the National Intelligence

North KoreaJuly 7, 2021

[Seoul Struggles 10] A hostile city for eco-friendly cars

Owning and driving an electric car, as everyone likes to say these days, is a thoughtful choice for an environment-conscious citizen. Many in Seoul have followed the advice of officials promoting environment-friendly vehicles, and more electric cars than ever can be seen on the city’s streets. As of January, a total of 23,441 electric vehicles were registered for use in Seoul, a sharp contrast with the 1,498 cars registered at the end of 2016. More electric car options have become avail

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021

[Herald Interview] Uncovering ‘true picture’ of Japan’s colonial rule of Korea

The four decades between 1905 and 1945, starting when Korea was forced to sign the Eulsa Treaty, which made it a protectorate of Japan, is largely considered a lost period in the history of the country’s foreign policy. 　 As a result of the 1905 treaty -- which laid the foundation for the country’s subsequent annexation in 1910 -- Korea was stripped of its diplomatic sovereignty, losing its voice and representation on the international stage until its liberation in 1945. 　 With Ja

Foreign AffairsJuly 7, 2021

Critics dismiss ruling party’s olive branch to North Korea

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is desperately seeking to carry on President Moon Jae-in’s legacy and revitalize inter-Korean ties, but with North Korea still unwilling to engage, its last-minute attempt at diplomacy stands little chance, critics say. Recently, the party has said it will seek parliamentary approval of the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration -- the first of Moon’s two peace deals with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- to rekindle talks. At the 2018 summits, Moon and Kim

PoliticsJuly 7, 2021

Former top auditor expresses will to join politics

Choe Jae-hyeong, former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), on Wednesday officially expressed his intent to enter politics. The former BAI chairman told Yonhap News Agency that he "has determined to participate in politics" but added that he will need more time to streamline his future plans, possibly including whether to run in next year's presidential race. Choe resigned in late June in a move widely viewed as a prelude to joining the presidential election race. The re

PoliticsJuly 7, 2021

N. Korea in 'tug of war' with US over policy direction: defense ministry

North Korea appears to have begun a "tug of war" with the United States over its policy on Pyongyang while focusing on strengthening internal unity and economic development, the defense ministry said Wednesday. The assessment was made during a meeting of top military commanders, including Defense Minister Suh Wook and Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Won In-choul, which was meant to check the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss the policy direction for the

North KoreaJuly 7, 2021

Romania and the Republic of Korea: A strategic partnership that will grow stronger in the post-pandemic era

  Romania and the Republic of Korea: A strategic partnership that will grow stronger in the post-pandemic era The relationship between Romania and South Korea is strong and dynamic, beginning with the first contacts between the two peoples, which started to discover each other even before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations. Since culture and sport are usually the best ambassadors, the foundation of the Romanian language department by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in

Foreign AffairsJuly 7, 2021

More than half of population expected to be over 50 in next decade

People aged 50 or older are expected to account for half of the South Korean population in the next decade, government data showed Wednesday. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s population statistics, based on the resident registration system as of June 30, people in their 50s accounted for the largest percentage of the total population at 16.6 percent or 8.6 million people. The second-largest group was the 40-somethings, who made up 15.6 percent of the total. Analyz

Social AffairsJuly 7, 2021