Two public parks in Jongno -- Jongmyo and Tapgol -- will turn into special zones for the elderly by offering a variety of welfare facilities and cultural activities, Seoul City said Monday. The two parks are frequented by senior citizens to rest, meet friends and have a meal at a soup kitchen in the neighborhood.The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would inject 60 million won ($51,000) over the next four months to build more facilities and programs for the senior citizens. Public and privat

Social Affairs June 15, 2016

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced its plan to gradually reduce the number of taxi stands in the city.The SMG said Sunday that it would cut 30 taxi stands each year over the next five years -- downsizing about one-third of the current 419 taxi stands installed throughout Seoul. YonhapA city official said the plan is intended to save on maintenance costs. The low level of income from advertising at taxi stands is another reason, the official added.Amid the increasing popularity of mobile

Social Affairs June 15, 2016

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday that it has launched the salvage operation of the sunken Sewol ferry, which has remained underwater off Jindo Island in South Jeolla Province the past two years and three months.The ministry said it aims to complete the operation of lifting the bow of the ferry by Wednesday. The operation was previously postponed in May due to technical problems. The lifting of the bow section is considered the most challenging part of the operation. If the liftin

Social Affairs June 13, 2016

For many Seoulites, a visit to Daerim-dong or Yeonnam-dong would mean a stop in the district’s Chinatown for exotic menus featuring lamb skewers or bubble tea. It is also in such ethnic zones that Chinese immigrants tend to search for an affordable home in their new country.These tight-knit foreign communities are also found in other areas of the city, including the Vietnamese town in Wangsimni, Nepalese town in Changsin-dong and Mongolian town in Gwanghui-dong. In Itaewon is an Islamic town str

Social Affairs June 12, 2016

The Environment Ministry signed memorandums of understanding Wednesday with 59 household goods firms here to review the safety of biocides in their products amid a growing nationwide “chemical-phobia” following a humidifier disinfectant tragedy, which allegedly claimed more than 200 lives since 2011.In a group briefing Wednesday attended by representatives of manufacturers, distributors and importers, the ministry said that it will first review products like deodorants and spray items of these c

Social Affairs June 8, 2016

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is on the hot seat amid escalating criticism over his governing ability with regard to the recent deadly safety accident and prolonged conflicts with civic activists concerning city affairs. Park has 1 1/2 years left in his second term.During a press briefing Tuesday, Park said that safety measures discussed in the past had mostly not considered the real conditions at work sites and had been “empty talk.”He added, “I will stop blaming the past and continue to think abou

Social Affairs June 7, 2016

The South Korean government will propose a revision bill to ensure the safety of subcontract workers and enforce stronger preventive measures for industrial accidents, a ministry said Monday. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said they are preparing to propose a revision to the current Industrial Safety and Health Act to better protect subcontract workers from safety accidents. Members of a union group for part-time workers protest near Guui Station in Seoul on Saturday, calling for workers’

Social Affairs June 6, 2016

The government announced Friday that it would provide toxic humidifier disinfectant victims with monthly living costs and nursing fees, starting from next month.According to the Environment Ministry, victims will be given between 310,000 won ($262) and 940,000 won per month for living costs, depending on the severity of their symptoms.Those with lung related diseases and classified as category one and two according to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act will be the biggest recipie

Social Affairs June 3, 2016

 South Korea’s first shamanism museum, located at Geumseongdang Shrine, opened its doors in Eunpyeong-gu, northwestern Seoul last week. The shrine, close in style to the traditional Korean house, or hanok, was founded to appease the spirit of Prince Geumseong (1426-1457), who was ordered a lethal dose of poison upon charges of trying to reinstate the deposed King Danjong. Shamans and a Korean traditional percussion band celebrate the opening of the Shamanism Museum in Eunpyeong-gu in northwester

Social Affairs June 1, 2016

An old, narrow alley located in central Seoul’s Muhak-dong, Jongno-gu, known as Okbaraji Golmok or Inn Alley, is now 80 percent demolished, with very few buildings left to be knocked down in the area designated as a redevelopment zone in 2006.As is often the case with redevelopment plans, residents are split on its urban renewal. The alley was approved for redevelopment by Seoul Metropolitan Government in July 2015, citing it as “suitable for redevelopment considering the area’s poor infrastruct

Social Affairs June 1, 2016

Seoul Subway operator Seoul Metro apologized for the fatal accident on Saturday admitting that it was due to lax safety standards and flawed management system, vowing to implement preventive measures.“It was Seoul Metro’s fault for the loss of 19-year-old employee Kim, who was just like one of our sons and brothers,” said Jeong Su-young, head of Seoul Metro’s Infrastructure Management department during a press conference Wednesday at subway line No. 2 Guui Station. Kim worked for a company that

Social Affairs June 1, 2016