Cheongnyangni 588, a once thriving red-light district in northeastern Seoul, is counting its remaining days. Following the district office’s redevelopment plan, announced in December, the removal of brothels resumed earlier this month. By 2020, four 65-story luxury residential-commercial complexes and a 42-story shopping mall are to be erected in the 41,586 square meters area, just five minutes’ walk from Cheongnyangni Station. The abandoned houses are left with shattered windows and large red l

Social Affairs March 15, 2017

South Koreans considered the level of trust in the country to be worse last year than 10 years ago, but expect things to improve in the next decade, a report showed Wednesday.According to a survey conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, citizens rated their level of social trust at 3.8 points out of 10 in 2016. The survey was conducted on 3,667 adults in June-July last year. People hold a mass rally in downtown Seoul on March 11, a day after the Constitutional Court uphel

Social Affairs March 15, 2017

The sunken Sewol ferry may be brought to the surface of the water in early April, almost three years after it capsized with nearly 300 passengers onboard. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Tuesday that final preparations are currently under way to lift the wreckage of the 6,825-ton passenger ferry, which lies 40 meters down on the sea bed. Work is under way to raise the sunken Sewol ferry near waters off Jindo in South Jeolla Province. (Yonhap)“The salvage operation is making progress to

Social Affairs March 14, 2017

State prosecutors are expected to launch an investigation of former President Park Geun-hye, as the court’s decision Friday to expel her from office effectively cleared a key legal hurdle that had so far hindered their efforts.As a sitting president, Park formerly had immunity to being prosecuted.A special investigation unit, formed within the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, is currently reviewing some 100,000 pages of investigation records handed over to it by independent counsel Pa

Social Affairs March 12, 2017

South Koreans reacted with joy and anger as the nation’s former President Park Geun-hye was officially expelled from office in a historic court ruling Friday. While a majority of the public heaved a sigh of relief and expressed joy at the Constitutional Court’s decision to finalize the impeachment of the disgraced leader, a smaller group of staunch Park supporters vehemently protested. Two died of injuries while protesting. Park supporters shed tears (The Korea Herald)Even before dawn, the tensi

Social Affairs March 10, 2017

Following the Constitutional Court’s decision to confirm her opposition-led parliamentary impeachment, Park Geun-hye was immediately stripped of her status as president of South Korea. Now, she must vacate the Blue House as soon as possible.The court ruling also means no pension or other benefits for Park, the nation’s first president successfully impeached. (Yonhap)Under South Korean law, a former president, after his or her term in office, receives about 95 percent of his or her annual salary

Social Affairs March 10, 2017

One day ahead of the historic impeachment ruling on Park Geun-hye’s presidency, rival groups staged protests in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Thursday, in support of and against her removal. Eight judges including acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi held another round of deliberations on whether Park had violated the Constitution and the law as tension between the two factions reached a climax, with Park supporters continuing their second-day of nonstop protests near the court. A sp

Social Affairs March 9, 2017

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is looking for participants for a two-month program to uncover hidden art in the city’s nooks and corners. Residents of Seoul, regardless of their nationality, are eligible to apply for the “Arts on Seoul’s Streets Found by Citizens” project, which will run from April through June. Participants of last year’s “Arts on Seoul’s streets Found by Citizens” project pose for a photo at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. (The Seoul Metropolitan Government)The selected 1

Social Affairs March 7, 2017

Deaths related to the use of toxic humidifier sterilizers date back to at least 1995, seven years before the first government-acknowledged damage case, an environmental group claimed Monday. According to the Asian Citizen’s Center for Environment and Health, it discovered two deaths of users of the toxic products in 1995 after reviewing 5,432 damage claims made to the government from 2011 to Feb. 9.The victims are a 54-year-old person and a 50-day-old infant. Both used a product manufactured by

Social Affairs March 6, 2017

A single portion of rice burgers contains almost half or more of a whole day’s sodium intake, sending a health warning to students and busy office workers who frequently enjoy such food at economical prices.It consists of rice molded into the shape of buns with meat and other stuffing in between. According to a survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Consumers Korea, some 50 types of rice burgers sold around schools and hagwon (cram schools) in Seoul have an average of 910.7 mi

Social Affairs March 3, 2017

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Thursday denounced President Park Geun-hye’s supporters who had installed tents without approval in front of the Seoul City Hall to stage protests against the impeachment of the embattled leader, adding he may order the forced removal of the tents.“Seoul Plaza, where pro-Park civic groups installed some 40 tents illegally without the city government’s approval, is a public space open for all,” said Mayor Park during a radio interview with CBS.“They have been botherin

Social Affairs March 2, 2017

For those who work in the medical field, the white knee-length coat is a symbol, not only for their authority as professionals but also for the strict hygiene standards they have to abide by. These garments prevent doctor-patient contamination, offer some storage space for items such as pens and small medical instruments, and also allow easy recognition by colleagues and patients. They also underline doctors’ authority.But ironically, these white coats have recently come under fire for posing an

Social Affairs March 1, 2017

The Seongnam City Government has begun the process to remove butchery facilities from South Korea’s largest dog meat market, two months after it decided to ban the slaughter of dogs and display of live dogs in cages there.  Empty cages are lined up to be removed from dog meat shops at Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. (Kim Da-sol/The Korea Herald)Kim Yong-buk, a member of the vendors’ association speaking for 22 dog meat dealers, told reporters Monday that vendors agree with t

Social Affairs Feb. 27, 2017

Sung Jong-tae, 35, a heavy smoker for the past 15 years, has tried almost everything there is to quit smoking, but his efforts have been in vain.“I am well aware, more than anybody else, of the detrimental effects of smoking, having a 3-year-old daughter at home. But still, nothing can physically help me stop smoking,” Sung told The Korea Herald.Even the recently introduced disturbing graphic warnings on cigarette packs have not helped him kick the habit.“These graphics, though quite terrifying

Social Affairs Feb. 26, 2017

Despite Seoul City’s efforts to curb illegal subway rides by charging a fine of 30 times the original fare, such rides are still on the rise, subway operators said Friday.According to Seoul Metro and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit, which respectively operate Subway Lines No. 1-4 and 5-9, more than 42,814 passengers were caught illegally hopping on trains last year, paying almost 1.7 billion won ($1.5 million) in fines. In 2015, the number of fined riders stood at 42,289, paying about 1.5 billi

Social Affairs Feb. 24, 2017