Chinese comprise 90% of foreign investors granted resident visas: data

Nearly 9 in 10 foreign nationals who secured long-term residency in South Korea via financial investments over the past five years are Chinese nationals, according to data. Data from the Ministry of Justice, obtained and released Monday by the Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Jeon Hyun-heui, shows that of 116 foreign investors granted an F-2 residency permit between 2019 and 2023, 89.7 percent, or 104 individuals, were Chinese nationals. Of these Chinese investors, 79.2 percent, or 92, were base

Oct. 14, 2024

Lyme disease cases on rise in Korea

The number of Lyme disease cases has increased in South Korea, raising concerns that the tick that carries the virus might have already become endemic. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Monday said there were 45 reported cases of Lyme disease in the country last year, including 36 cases in which people were infected domestically, eight cases in which people were infected overseas and one with an unknown transmission route. Lyme disease, an illness caused by borrelia bacteria, is

Oct. 14, 2024

Minister ensures med school quality despite quota hike

Amid uncertainties in the landscape of medical education in South Korea following the government's plan to hike the admissions quota, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho on Sunday vowed to ensure the quality of medical education while pleading with medical students now in their ninth month of a strike against the plan to return. In a Korean-language interview with Yonhap News Agency, Lee said he "emphasizes as the education minister" that the level of medical education will remain high,

Oct. 13, 2024

2 Filipinas who left pilot program cite overwork, excessive surveillance

Two Filipinas from Seoul city's foreign caregivers pilot program who disappeared from their accommodations in Gangnam-gu on Sept. 15 after starting work in Seoul were later found in Busan after being reemployed as cleaners, according to the Philippine government’s Department of Migrant Workers. In an interview on Oct. 9 with the Philippines' 24 Oras, Bernard Olalia, undersecretary for licensing and adjudication of the DMW, said that the two caregivers claimed to have had difficul

Oct. 13, 2024

Mothers of 13 kids honored by government

The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently gave awards to two Korean mothers who gave birth to 13 children, including the mother of actress Nam Bo-ra, who is well-known for being the oldest of her 13 siblings. Eom Gye-suk, 60, was given the Seongnyu Medal, the fifth grade of the Order of Civil Merit given to those to recognize contributions to the country and welfare of the people with their outstanding accomplishments in the field of politics, economics, society, education or academics. She ga

Oct. 13, 2024

Govt fines journalists who revealed names of Itaewon tragedy victims

A government report showed Sunday that a local group of citizen-journalists has been fined in connection with its decision to publish the names of those who lost their lives in the October 2022 crowd crush in Itaewon without getting consent from the victims' bereaved families. Mindle News, an independent media outlet founded in 2022, was fined 3 million won ($2,200) in late July by the Personal Information Protection Commission for violating the Personal Information Act, according to PIPC

Oct. 13, 2024

Employee fired for taking gift mugs ruled unfair dismissal

A local court said Sunday it ruled against a company that fired an employee for taking without permission five mugs and one calendar intended as promotional gifts for customers. Seoul Administrative Court has ruled against Porsche Korea's official dealer, Autostadt, who challenged the National Labor Relations Commission's ruling on its firing of the employee. The company had dismissed the employee -- who had worked there nine years -- in February last year, arguing that he had taken th

Oct. 13, 2024

[From the Scene] SLW program explores tech integration for better, happier urban lives

An exhibition program hosted by the Seoul city government last week explored innovative ideas for urban challenges in areas such as transportation, environment and safety, with private companies showcasing tailored solutions to global cities from 18 countries. The Presentation for Your City program was the centerpiece of Seoul Smart Life Week, held from Thursday to Saturday at Coex in southern Seoul, as it conveyed fresh urban solutions that can be applied not only to Seoul, but other metropolit

Oct. 13, 2024

Man is injured rescuing a driver from burning car

Local rescue authorities said passengers of a bus managed to rescue a person from a burning car, with one sustaining an injury in the process. According to the Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters, a sedan caught fire after colliding with a truck while backing up at the Goryeong junction in Goryeong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway at around 9:13 a.m. on Oct.10. Passengers on a passing tour bus came over and pulled the driver out of the burning car, and one passenge

Oct. 13, 2024

[EYE] He left his heart in Africa

In 2008, as a 25-year-old university student, Steven Heo boarded a plane bound for Tanzania, seeking an extraordinary experience before graduation. However, what was meant to be a one-year stay turned into a life-changing journey that reshaped the path of the philosophy and psychology major. Now in his early 40s, Heo leads Africa Insight, a Seoul-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and combating stereotypes, while fostering cultural exchange between Korea and Africa. In

Oct. 12, 2024

More homeroom teachers asking to be replaced amid teachers rights dispute

As South Korea struggles with increasing reports of abuse against teachers, government data showed that a growing number of homeroom teachers are requesting to be replaced. In 2023, 124 homeroom teachers were replaced at their own request, which is more than double compared the 54 who were in 2020, according to Ministry of Education data submitted to Rep. Jeong Sung-kook of the ruling People Power Party. The figure has been rising for three years. It was 90 in 2021 and 118 in 2022, and 55 have

Oct. 12, 2024

Aunt sentenced to 15 years for throwing 11-month-old nephew from high-rise apartment

A woman in her 40s was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing her 11-month-old nephew by throwing him from a 24th floor apartment. The Daegu District Court’s western branch on Thursday found the woman guilty of murdering the baby and ordered the 15-year sentence as well as five years of probation. Delivering the verdict, the court said “the victim died in pain, unable to express himself and the mother will live in pain with emotional scars.” She was convicted of killing

Oct. 11, 2024

Warehouse manager arrested for stealing W6.8b in cash from storage

A warehouse manager in his 40s was arrested for allegedly stealing 6.8 billion won ($5.04 million) in cash from a storage facility he oversaw, police said Friday. The Songpa Police said it handed the case over to the prosecution, with the man facing charges, including theft, obstruction of business and property damage. The suspect exited the police station at 7:37 a.m. Friday, wearing a gray hat and mask, repeatedly saying “I am sorry.” According to police, the man stole the cash fro

Oct. 11, 2024

Kakao founder seeks bail after arrest over suspected stock manipulation

Kim Beom-su, founder of tech giant Kakao Corp., has filed for bail two months after being arrested over suspected stock manipulation related to the firm's takeover of a K-pop agency last year, sources said Friday. Kim, now chairman of Kakao's Management Innovation Committee, filed for bail with the Seoul Southern District Court the previous day, legal sources said. Since his arrest on Aug. 8, Kim has been facing trial in detention, charged with involvement in the suspected stock manipu

Oct. 11, 2024

South Korean same-sex couples make push for marriage equality

Eleven gay and lesbian couples will attempt to register their marriages in South Korea on Friday, expecting to launch a legal process they hope will get the country to recognize marriage equality. The couples expect the local authorities will decline to register their marriages because South Korea does not currently recognize same-sex unions. They plan to file a lawsuit if they cannot register and, eventually, to force the constitutional court to give a ruling. One of the women planning to regis

Oct. 10, 2024

Global voices celebrate Hangeul at 1st Sejong Hangeul Olympiad

SEJONG -- Two events kicked off a new campaign this week to celebrate and elevate Hangeul, the Korean writing system and cornerstone of the nation’s culture, by cultivating legions of Hangeul ambassadors around the world. On Tuesday, the day before Hangeul Day, the inaugural Sejong Hangeul Olympiad brought together 105 contestants from 24 countries to showcase their Korean language skills. Designed to encourage Korean learning and reward exceptional learners, the competition, held in the

Oct. 10, 2024

Gyeonggi starts temperament tests on 'dangerous' dogs for ownership

Gyeonggi Province has initiated temperament tests for dogs with aggressive traits on Thursday, as part of the new ownership approval process aimed at enhancing public safety and promoting responsible ownership. According to provincial government officials, the province's initial evaluation Thursday includes only three dogs, but a total of 549 registered dangerous dogs must be assessed within the next two weeks, as the six-month deadline for obtaining ownership permission approaches on Oct

Oct. 10, 2024

Seoul unveils new perks for pregnant women

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday rolled out a package of benefits for pregnant women, a move to provide support for expectant mothers amid the city's record-low fertility rate. Effective immediately, pregnant women in the capital will enjoy priority access and discounts at various municipal facilities. The Gocheok Sky Dome and Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool are offering a 50-percent discount on usage fees and sports lessons. The Seoul World Cup Stadium is waiving entrance fees fo

Oct. 10, 2024

‘Speak with confidence. Nobody laughs at your mistakes’

A trio of young language enthusiasts from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Morocco who met through a chat group, triumphed at the first Sejong Hangeul Olympiad on Tuesday where they demonstrated their exceptional Korean language skills. United as the team "Stars of Sejong," they won the grand prize in a competition that brought together 105 participants from 24 countries to celebrate Hangeul ahead of Hangeul Day. A total of 35 teams, each comprising three members, participated in the Hange

Oct. 10, 2024

Korean proficiency test to expand to more countries

The Ministry of Education on Thursday announced plans to double the number of internet-based sessions for the Test of Proficiency in Korean next year. Starting in 2025, 15 TOPIK sessions will be held annually. The new schedule will include six internet-based tests and six paper-based tests focusing on the listening, reading and writing sections, while the speaking section will be administered through three additional internet-based tests. This marks a significant increase in the frequency of int

Oct. 10, 2024