Articles by Choi Jae-hee
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Choi Jae-hee
cjh@heraldcorp.com-
How will unvaccinated cope with vaccine pass mandate at big stores?
From Monday, Korea’s vaccine pass regime is expanded to department stores and big supermarkets measuring 3,000 square meters or more. Following a weeklong grace period, people will be asked to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result before entering the retail outlets. The recent expansion of the vaccine pass mandate to those stores, announced Dec. 31, 2021, is part of the government’s tougher social distancing rules to contain the recent virus resurgence.
National Jan. 7, 2022
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Youth vaccine passes: How do they work around the world?
The South Korean government’s vaccine mandate on youths attending cram schools is facing strong backlash from parents and private academies. The vaccine pass system for people aged 12-18 using cram schools, reading rooms, study cafes and other private educational facilities faces a delay, after a local court issued an injunction on the controversial measure. Its introduction had already been postponed by one month to March. The government plans to appeal, but it is likely tha
Social Affairs Jan. 6, 2022
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‘Hocance’ boom spurs trade of secondhand hotel amenities
With overseas travel virtually decimated by the pandemic, many Koreans are choosing to splurge on a one or two- night staycation at a luxury hotel. While trying to enjoy their hotel experiences to the fullest, from complimentary drinks at a lounge to access to an indoor pool or gym, some are even trying to recoup part of their spending by re-selling bathroom amenities. Yoon, a 33-year-old office worker in Seoul, recently spent a night at Josun Palace, a newly-opened, top-notch hotel in Se
Social Affairs Jan. 5, 2022
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[Eye Plus] Glittering farewell to 2021
Trees and plants adorn twinkling light displays at the Herb Island in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, inviting visitors to a winter fiesta. Flowers may not be in abundance due to the winter weather, the botanic garden is full of spectacular lights and holiday cheer at night, making it a perfect spot to celebrate the Yuletide season. Fairy-tale houses, which are surrounded by a vast field of herbs, are decked out in lights, creating romantic photo spots. The bright, rainbow-colored displays a
Travel Jan. 1, 2022
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Decade-old gaming curfew ends at midnight Friday
At the turn of the year, South Korea’s 10-year-old gaming curfew on minors under the age of 16 will be lifted. From midnight Friday, Koreans can play through the night as the anti-addiction system, introduced in 2011, is abolished, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on Friday. Previously, those aged 16 or younger were banned from playing online computer games between midnight and 6 a.m. The National Assembly in November passed a revision to the You
Social Affairs Dec. 31, 2021
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USFK sees surge in COVID-19 cases
A total of 467 people affiliated with the US Forces Korea tested positive for the new coronavirus in the week ending Dec. 27, according to data from the US Forces Korea released Thursday. The US military counted 457 cases among service members at its Osan base and Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, and 10 from overseas arrivals. The weekly figure marks a steep rise from 75 cases reported in the previous week of Dec. 14-20. It was also the highest since Nov. 9.&
Social Affairs Dec. 30, 2021
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Company poses as University of Oxford’s agency under police investigation
Seoul police are investigating a local firm for falsely advertising itself as the University of Oxford’s affiliate in charge of admissions. “The University of Oxford has promoted countermeasures against the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It launched the ‘Oxford Graduate School Management Center’ in South Korea in charge of helping international students, especially from Asian countries with their preparation for graduate school admission,” the company introduce
Social Affairs Dec. 29, 2021
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[Feature] Coal-reliant families lack warmth this winter
This winter has been colder to Yang Jae-sook, a 57-year-old woman living in a shanty town near the Naksan Mountain Trail in northern Seoul. “I need about nine coal briquettes (a day) to keep the house warm, but these days I’m trying to burn less because donations have decreased recently amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Yang said. “Also, the price of the fuel has become quite burdensome, making me want to wait for volunteers to arrive with briquettes,” said the w
Social Affairs Dec. 29, 2021
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Online-only banks not accessible for non-Koreans
For Hiram Piskitel, a 49-year-old American IT project manager at an international company in Seoul, the launch of South Korea’s third internet-only lender Toss Bank in October signaled a change in his personal finance routine. The online bank, operated by Viva Republica, had vowed to offer non-face-to-face banking services to foreign residents. If realized, it would be the first accessible online bank for the roughly 2 million non-Koreans residing in Korea. Hiram’s hopes, h
Market Dec. 27, 2021
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Do not wear earphones while walking alone: crime expert
Wearing earphones while walking alone at night could make you a target for crime, warned a leading Korean crime expert. “It’s important to be alert at all times. I never park my car in dark areas and wear earphones in alleys,” said Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University, during an episode of MBC TV’s “Radio Star” that aired on Wednesday. “Always be aware of your surroundings.” Lee’s advice against the us
Social Affairs Dec. 23, 2021
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Vaccine pass challenged by increasing fraud, rejection
South Korea’s tightened vaccine pass regime has spawned fierce backlash from individuals remaining unvaccinated, with some attempting to get around the rules with fake certificates. On neighborhood-based secondhand marketplace Carrot Market, a now-deleted posting offered to pay 50,000 won ($42) to fully vaccinated people lending their Naver ID and password earlier this week. Naver, the country’s No. 1 web portal, is linked to the government’s vaccination record
Social Affairs Dec. 21, 2021
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3 foreign chefs give thumbs-up to ‘small, but tasty’ Korean chicken
Korean-style fried chicken has made a name for itself in the global food scene with its crisp texture and various seasoning sauces. On its home turf, it has become the subject of a debate among local foodies after a famous food critic Hwang Kyo-ik slammed chefs who make the dish for using small chickens and relying too much on sauce. “Korean chicken is not tasty because the chicken is small. The dish sold at local restaurants uses a broiler weighing about 1.5 kilograms. It i
Food Dec. 20, 2021
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[Weekender] Working remotely? Why not from Jeju?
JEJU ISLAND -- When Hong’s company, a marketing consultancy based in Seoul, announced a return to remote working early December, the 31-year-old decided to escape the confines of his studio apartment. After getting permission from his boss, he packed up and left for Jeju, with his laptop in tow. “I had Zoom meetings and phone calls with my boss and other business partners whenever necessary,” Hong told The Korea Herald at a beachside vacation home on the western coastal vil
Culture Dec. 18, 2021
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Among Seoul’s subway lines, No. 1 has worst fine dust in air: data
Seoul’s Subway Line No. 1 posted the highest concentration of fine dust among all eight lines operated by Seoul Metro this year, data showed Thursday. Subway Line No. 1 recorded an annual average of 74 micrograms per cubic meter of dust particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, or PM10. The reading was higher than last year’s 66.6 micrograms, data from the operator of the eight subway lines in the Seoul metropolitan area showed. Line No. 4 came next at 70.
Social Affairs Dec. 17, 2021
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Discrimination or not? Museum denies foreigners access to programs citing language barrier
A tea museum operated by South Korean cosmetics giant Amorepacific is found to have a rather controversial policy: It says no foreigners are allowed in its guided tours or tea classes because no interpretation services are provided. Even if the foreigner is OK with not having an interpreter or has a native Korean speaker to help, the museum is apparently reluctant to accept the guest, warning, “The translation (by another guest) may be restricted if it disturbs other participants of
Social Affairs Dec. 13, 2021
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