The smoking rate among South Korean men has dropped by 5.8 percentage points, partly because of the 80 percent hike in cigarette prices which took effect in January, government data said. According to the study, which surveyed 1,262 Korean men aged 19 or older from May to June, 78 of them said they had quit smoking within the past year. Among them, 48 of them said they had quit because of the price increase. Currently, 35 percent of Korean men are smoking, the study said.However, as this was the

Social Affairs July 16, 2015

Lee Myung-sunSouth Korea’s Women’s Week, which is held in the first week of July, has been an annual celebration to celebrate the importance of women’s progress, and to enhance the culture of gender equality through a variety of events. The basis for this progress was the Framework Act on Women’s Development, first enacted in 1995. The complete revision of the act passed the National Assembly on May 2, 2014, with the name changed to the Framework Act on Gender Equality. The revised act took effe

Social Affairs July 5, 2015

The Seoul government on Friday held its first meeting with the families of victims of a bus crash that killed 10 Koreans in northeastern China to discuss the measures and compensation, while uninjured members from the same trip returned home.The bus, which was carrying 26 Korean government employees, plunged off a highway bridge into a river in Jian, China, on Wednesday, killing 10 Korean public servants and a Chinese driver. The vehicle was en route from Jian to Dandong, a city that borders Nor

Social Affairs July 3, 2015

One of the most common eye conditions in the summertime is pterygium, a growth of fleshy tissue on the white of the eye ― usually caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. In other countries, it is better known as surfer’s eye, as it often affects surfers in the summer.In South Korea, about 80 percent of all patients who sought medical help for the condition from 2010-2014 were aged 50 or older. In 2014 alone, some 83,000 Koreans were treated for pterygium, spending 99 billion won ($8.8 million).

Technology July 2, 2015

Located in Banpo, southern Seoul, Pure Skin Green Clinic is known for its quality services and specialized treatments for various skin conditions, including acne, hair loss, dark spots and scars.Founded by Dr. Kim Youn-jin, a board-certified dermatologist, the clinic is also popular among South Korea’s celebrities, including actress Sung Yu-ri, K-pop girl group Sistar member Soyou and boy band B2ST member Lee Gi-gwang. Dr. Kim Youn-jinThe clinic offers treatment solutions for almost all mild ski

Mobility June 25, 2015

Founded in 2009, Ewha Womans University Health Promotion Center in Seoul established itself as the go-to place for female patients at home and abroad.The institution, a special unit of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, is known for its medical examination services for female patients, especially its screening tests for female-specific cancers. The facility also offers services for its male patients at a separate location. The institution was the first in the world to offer medical examina

Technology June 25, 2015

South Korea reported four more cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome Wednesday, while announcing that it has placed 298 more people under quarantine to prevent possible infection. The Health Ministry also reported the nation’s first MERS case that occurred outside of hospitals, which may be a sign that community transmissions of the disease have taken place in the country.A hospital in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, has been closed amid MERS concerns. (Yonhap)As of Wednesday afternoon, the vir

Social Affairs June 24, 2015

South Korea confirmed three more Middle East respiratory syndrome cases and two more deaths Monday, raising the nation’s MERS cases to 172 and the disease’s fertility rate to 15.7 percent. As of Monday afternoon, the virus has killed 27 people in Korea.Meanwhile, the number of hospitalized MERS patients decreased to 95 from 101 the day before. Seven more individuals have been discharged from medical facilities, raising the number of recovered patients to 50. The number of people in quarantine ha

Social Affairs June 22, 2015

Almost a month after the first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome was confirmed in South Korea, the outbreak is showing signs of losing steam, the nation’s health officials announced Friday.　Korea marked the lowest daily increase of confirmed MERS cases Friday since June 3. The number of those quarantined also dropped significantly, to 5,930 from 6,729 the day before.　The Health Ministry confirmed only one new case Friday, as well as one MERS death, which raised the death toll to 24. The f

Social Affairs June 19, 2015

The number of hospitalized Middle East respiratory syndrome patients has declined, with the tally decreasing to 118 on Thursday from 124 the day before, the Health Ministry said, raising cautious hope that the worst may be over.With the number decreasing, Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization, assured on the same day that the outbreak of MERS in South Korea can be stopped, though “it may take longer than anyone would want.” She also confirmed that the WHO found

Social Affairs June 18, 2015

A medical residential facility for senior citizens with fragile health conditions may have been affected by Middle East respiratory syndrome, the Health Ministry said Tuesday. This has raised questions about the government’s lack of safety measures for those who are most vulnerable to the virus, especially the elderly with pre-existing health conditions such as lung or kidney disease. As of Tuesday afternoon, the virus had killed seven people, infected 95 ― including a pregnant woman and a teena

Social Affairs June 9, 2015

Seoul confirmed five more MERS-affected hospitals, one death and 23 more cases Monday, bringing the nation’s total number of cases to 87 and the death toll to six. Among the newly confirmed patients was a 16-year-old, the first Korean teenager to be diagnosed.The number of cases in Korea is the second most in the world, after only Saudi Arabia, which has reported more than 1,400 cases and 428 deaths since it confirmed the first-ever case in 2012. Following Saudi Arabia and Korea is the United Ar

Technology June 8, 2015

The Korean government on Friday named the hospital in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where 71 percent of all confirmed Middle East respiratory syndrome cases in Korea have occurred since May 20, backtracking on its previous stance to withhold a list of affected facilities.Visitors to the facility ― now identified as Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital ― from May 15-29 have been urged to report themselves to the authorities.As of Friday afternoon, the virus had killed four people, infected 42 and push

Technology June 5, 2015

Seoul confirmed on Friday the fourth death from Middle East respiratory syndrome, while five more have been diagnosed with MERS in the country. One of the newly confirmed patients is an air force officer.As of Friday morning, the virus has killed four people, infected 41 and pushed public health officials to quarantine more than 1,600 others. The numbers are expected to rise as the Seoul municipal government said Thursday that the 35th confirmed patient, a medical doctor, may have exposed 1,500

Technology June 5, 2015

Fears of the deadly virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome only expanded Thursday as Seoul confirmed third death, five more cases, as well as a potential outbreak in the military. Health authorities Thursday confirmed that an 82-year-old man, who shared a hospital room with the 16th confirmed MERS case patient last month and died of multiple organ failure on Wednesday, has been posthumously diagnosed with MERS. The deceased patient had been tested three times prior to his death. He t

Technology June 4, 2015