WASHINGTON (AP) ― The same U.S. government scientist who recently found forgotten samples of smallpox at a federal lab also uncovered over 300 additional vials, many bearing the names of highly contagious viruses and bacteria. The new revelations raise serious concerns about the government’s ability to secure its collections of potentially deadly pathogens.Food and Drug Administration officials said Wednesday the undocumented collection contained 327 carefully packaged vials, listing pathogens l

Technology July 17, 2014

In June, the police forcibly removed camps of elderly locals in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, who were involved in a long-term protest against the construction of a high-voltage power line in the region.The project, which is to deliver 765,000 volts of electricity from two nuclear power plants in Ulsan to an electrical substation in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, has been fiercely protested against by the locals since the government approved it in 2007. The conflict between the go

Social Affairs July 16, 2014

Some 30,000 seniors who own expensive vehicles or memberships to golf clubs and resorts won’t benefit from the newly introduced pension program taking effect next week. The revised basic pension program is to benefit the poorest 70 percent of Koreans aged 65 and older by giving them a monthly allowance from 100,000 won ($97) to 200,000 won depending on their income level. Some 4.13 million people have benefitted from the former old-age pension program, which paid a monthly allowance of 97,000 wo

Social Affairs July 15, 2014

The Ministry of Education plans to create a set of new guidelines aimed at preventing plagiarism in response to public criticism over the alleged misconduct of minister nominee Kim Myung-soo.The guidelines, which were last updated back in 2007, only define plagiarism as “using the ideas and research findings of another person without citing them.” The ministry is to introduce a more detailed definition of plagiarism and how to avoid it.The code, however, will only apply to research projects that

Social Affairs July 13, 2014

The average number of years that a Korean can expect to live in “full health” is 70.74, according to a state-run health research institute.According to a research paper released by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Koreans born in 2011 are expected to live 81.20 years on average, while their healthy life expectancy is 70.74 years.In other words, Koreans born in 2011 will likely spend an average of 10.46 years in less than full health due to diseases or injuries throughout their

Social Affairs July 13, 2014

Heat wave warnings were issued for some 30 cities nationwide on Thursday, including Seoul and Daegu, following the passing of Typhoon Neoguri.The warning is issued if the temperature is expected to remain above 33 degrees Celsius.The Korea Meteorological Administration said Typhoon Neoguri brought heat and humidity to the Korean Peninsula, which eventually generated a post-typhoon heat wave across the country. The agency issued the year’s first heat wave warning for Seoul on Wednesday. The tempe

Social Affairs July 10, 2014

Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering special discount coupons from this week for Korean nationals who plan on visiting four Asian cities ― Tokyo, Delhi, Jakarta and Taipei.The coupon, dubbed the “One Asia Pass,” offers discount rates ranging from 5 to 50 percent to the cities’ various tourist attractions and accommodations, such as restaurants, tour buses, airfares and museums. The coupon, which can be downloaded for free at the website of Seoul Metropolitan government, can be used in all o

Travel July 7, 2014

South Korea’s public health insurance institution is expected to see a deficit by 2016 should it maintain the current yearly 1.35 percent rate increase in insurance premiums.The National Health Insurance Service predicts that its budget deficit will be some 2 trillion won ($1.97 billion) by 2018, if it does not raise premiums while implementing Park Geun-hye’s pledges on health care.Behind the expected deficit is one of the Park administration’s key pledges, which involves the national insurance

Social Affairs July 7, 2014