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

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

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

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

  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

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

Korean fried chicken is expanding its global reach, captivating the paletes of many abroad. On its home turf, however, debate is roiling over its size, taste and even a lack of supposed “Koreanness” of the beloved dish. Local food critic Hwang Kyo-ik sparked debate when he complained of the size of Korean chickens, which he said is the reason for Korean fried chicken relying too much on sauce, instead of the meat itself.  Korea is the only place in the world where broiler ch

National Dec. 3, 2021

“You look stunning! Your dress looks so much prettier than the pictures you showed me,” I told the glowing bride as I walked into a wedding chapel waiting room covered in white flowers. “The other girls are on their way.” She smiled, thanked me for being there and gave me a hug which was surprisingly natural given that it was the first time we had met.  At 15,000 won ($12.60) for an hour and a half, I was hired to be her friend for her wedding day. My first job as

Culture Dec. 2, 2021

Daniel, a 33-year old Canadian working as a university professor in Seoul, had no other option but to spend 10 days alone at home in July after returning from a three-month trip to Canada. “I went to Canada in April to attend my grandmother’s funeral and spent much time with relatives and friends, while receiving both shots of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine there. The thing is, when I was getting ready to return to Korea, I was told by the Korean Embassy in Toronto that I wasn’t elig

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2021

주한 EU∙이탈리아 대사가 해외 백신 접종자에 대한 정부의 ‘방역 패스’ 적용에 한국인과 외국인 간 차별이 있다며 우려를 제기했다.  마리아 카스티요 페르난데즈 주한 유럽연합 대사는 25일 본지와의 인터뷰에서 “(백신 패스 적용에 있어) 한국인과 외국인 거주자가 구별되는 것은 안타까운 일이다. 국내 거주 외국인들이 해외에서 백신을 완전히 맞았음에도 불구하고 인정을 못 받아 일상에 불편을 겪고 있다”며 “외국인에게 까다롭게 적용해야만 하는 의학적 등의 이유는 없어 보인다. 주한 EU 대표부는 (해당 지침)에 차별적 성격이 있다고 보고 있다”고 밝혔다. 정부는 1일 단계적 일상 회복 조치에 따라 실내 체육시설 등 감염 다발 시설이나 고위험 시설에 대해 방역 패스를 도입했다. 방역 패스 적용 시설에 들어가려면 쿠브(COOV·전자예방접종증명)앱이나 쿠브에 연동된 카카오, 네이버 등 전자출입 명부 플랫폼

한국어판 Nov. 25, 2021

EU Ambassador to South Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez on Thursday criticized the Korean government’s “vaccine pass” system, saying it discriminates against foreigners working and residing here who have been vaccinated overseas. Under the country’s “living with COVID-19” policy, in effect since Nov. 1, those who wish to enter high-risk public places such as gyms, karaoke establishments, public bathhouses and buffets must present proof of vaccination or n

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 25, 2021

  Most taxpayers will not be subject to the comprehensive real estate holding tax, which was earlier raised to prevent speculative property purchases, the government said Friday in a bid to ease growing public concerns as this year’s payment period approaches.  “Criticism has risen that a large number of ordinary people will be charged with higher rate taxes. As for such exaggerated concerns, I would say bills of comprehensive real estate holding taxes will not be delivere

Economy Nov. 19, 2021

  Real estate investment firm D&C Mineun has signed a business partnership with Shanghai-based Wanfeng Property to take part in the company’s development project in the Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone in Laos, supported by the Laotian government, officials said Wednesday.  Chairmen of the two companies held the signing ceremony with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, president of the Lao Front for National Construction, who also serves as a politburo member of the Central Com

Market Nov. 17, 2021

Kang, an office worker in his 20s, recently became a co-owner of a commercial building located in Seoul’s Gangnam district worth 10 billion won ($8.47 million) with a capital of only 5,000 won. “Earlier in December last year, I participated in a joint investment project led by a local fintech firm to buy a building named Yeoksam London Vill, a recently built eight-story commercial property in Gangnam. I invested 5,000 won and received 38 won as dividends in July, acquiring one sha

Market Nov. 16, 2021

Shinhan Investment said Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with PharmaVentures, a UK-based leading advisory firm providing whose main clients are health care life science companies, to diverse its investment banking services.  Under the partnership agreement, the two companies will boost cooperation in supporting South Korean biotech and pharmaceutical companies to advance to the global stage, while arranging international firms’ investments in the domestic health car

Market Nov. 15, 2021