With the #MeToo movement spreading across the nation, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Tuesday launched a probe into allegations that a middle school teacher sexually harassed students. Officials at the Office of Education received reports of sexual misconduct allegedly committed by the teacher through posts from a “#School-Me Too” Facebook account, where students and parents openly share personal experiences of sexual misconduct. The teacher is accused of sexually harassing a victi

Social Affairs March 14, 2018

Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 20s were found dead Tuesday in a holiday home in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. A police station in the region alleges that the victims died of gas poisoning and suspect the victims killed themselves. The victims’ bodies were found on the second floor of the pension.  This photo is not related to the article. (Yonhap)The owner of the pension had called the police after making several attempts to open the entrance door, which did not budge.Police officers dis

Social Affairs March 14, 2018

The Korea Post designated Monday 15 post offices in areas with a high number of foreign residents, offering overseas money transfer options via MoneyGram.Officials of the national postal service have announced that so far Seoul’s Itaewon Post Office, Uijeongbu Post Office in Gyeonggi Province and 13 other places will operate as “special MoneyGram post offices” to meet the high demand of money transfers in those specific areas. MoneyGram lets customers send money for cash pick-u

Market March 13, 2018

A woman in her 70s died after being attacked by one of the animals at her dog farm in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Police said the victim’s son was at home eating lunch when he heard his mother scream for help. He immediately went outside and saw that Lee was suffering from pain after being bitten on the chest and hands by one of the dogs she was feeding.The dog was a tosa, a rare breed of Japanese origin. It was originally bred in tosa, or present-day kochi, as a fighting dog. (Yo

Social Affairs March 13, 2018

South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has partnered with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation to present Paralympic athletes with traditional winter wearable goods, specifically “bolkki.” Bolkki is made through the process of folding a piece of leather filled with fur or cotton. Its design provides warm cover over the head, ears and cheeks. The wearable product has been utilized by Koreans during the cold winter season since the Joseon era (1392-1910).  (Korea Craft and Design F

Olympic Games March 12, 2018

A 43-year-old mother and her 4-year-old daughter fell to their death at 2:42 p.m. Sunday from the 30th floor of their apartment block in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. A neighbor, who witnessed the fall, immediately called the police. Police officers found them on the apartment‘s flowerbed upon arrival. This photo is not related to the article. (Yonhap)According to police findings, the mother had been undergoing a divorce lawsuit. Police said they will talk to witnesses to figure out the exact route

Social Affairs March 12, 2018

The Jeonnam Yeosu Coast Guard on Monday arrested six Vietnamese men on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering another Vietnamese citizen over an unpaid gambling debt. Maritime police officers said the 31-year-old victim was beaten to death after being kidnapped and taken to Balpo Beach, South Jeolla Province, at 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. (Yonhap)The victim had borrowed 17 million won ($16,000) from one of the suspects to bet on sports nearly a year ago, but fled to a fish farm in Goheung county three

Social Affairs March 12, 2018

With the Paralympics kicking off Friday, visitors to South Korea can participate in a number of activities related to the Paralympics in Seoul, the Korea Tourism Organization said Friday. Located near the tourist spot Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, the KTO’s Seoul Center consists of five floors. Each floor offers unique activities, ranging from donning Korean traditional costumes, or hanbok, to creating delicious Korean cuisine. Foreigners can also experience K-pop at the center. A photo booth featuri

Olympic Games March 9, 2018

With temperatures slowly rising, the number of Koreans in long, padded jackets is dwindling.Coming on March 21 this year, the official start of spring is a traditional time for cleaning. And younger Koreans are going digital by opting for mobile apps to find veteran cleaners. Victor Ching, CEO of Miso, noticed the potential of a mobile-based cleaning service here and launched a cleaning app of the same name in August 2015 with a dream to create an “Uber” in cleaning.  Victor Ching, CEO of Miso (

Technology March 9, 2018

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach received an honorary doctorate degree in politics from Dankook University at its Jukjeon Campus’ Nanpa Concert Hall at 10 a.m. Friday. Dankook University’s head board of trustee Chang Choong-sik, President Jang Ho-sung, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Korean Sport and Olympic Committee President Lee Ki-heung and other officials attended the ceremony to congratulate Bach. IOC President Bach’s relentless efforts in supporting North Kor

People March 9, 2018

South Korea approved 130 million won ($121,370) in government funding to support North Koreans’ participation in the PyeongChang Paralympics, the Unification Ministry said Friday. A state-run agency in charge of inter-Korean relations finalized its decision to extend its funding to North Korea on Thursday, following its massive financial support for the Winter Games.  North Korean sit skier Kim Jong-hyon (Yonhap)South Korea tapped into the state budget to pay 2.86 billion won to cover the Olympi

North Korea March 9, 2018

Following the recent resignation of a victim of sexual assault, Seoul National University Hospital doctors have called on the hospital to investigate the alleged crimes committed by one of their colleagues on Thursday. Amid the growing #MeToo movement, doctors have come forward to support the victim, reporting the alleged crime on her behalf. The accused doctor, however, has denied all allegations, describing the sexual encounters as “consensual.” He plans to take legal action against his accuse

Social Affairs March 8, 2018

A South Korean video streamer in her 30s died by suicide during a live broadcast in Busan on Monday, leaving her fans stunned.Fans said that the creator was in a live broadcast at 2 p.m. Monday, when she suddenly jumped out of her eighth floor apartment window. Witnesses immediately called the emergency services for help. The streamer was taken to a nearby hospital, but died an hour later.  (Yonhap)During Monday’s broadcast, the victim reportedly complained of a splitting headache due to an ongo

Social Affairs March 7, 2018

South Korea’s National Police Agency launched a national task force to fight against cyber sex crimes on Tuesday. Police officers gathered Tuesday to commemorate the launching of the new team at the Human Rights Center in Yongsan District Police Agency. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs, the Korea Communications Commission and civic groups also attended the ceremony. The team is in charge of battling online sex crimes, including what is called “revenge pornography,” as well as c

Social Affairs March 6, 2018

In a rare move, North Korea’s state media outlets extensively reported on the historical meeting between South Korea’s special envoys and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday. (Yonhap) (Yonhap)The Rodong Sinmun, the North’s state-run newspaper, dedicated plenty of space to the unprecedented meeting. Kim appeared all smiles as he shook hands with South Korea’s top security adviser Chung Eui-yong. Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju hosted the South Korean envoys and reportedly enjoyed a satisfactory

North Korea March 6, 2018