The Korea Herald

Over 100,000 Chinese tourists to visit Korea next week

About 100,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit South Korea next week for their national holiday, a state-run body said Thursday. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, they are anticipated to travel to Korea during the long holiday from April 30 to May 4. This is about a 20 percent increase compared to the same period last year, it said.The number of Chinese tourists has been growing steadily this year. In March, more than 500,000 Chinese came to Seoul, a 22 percent increase from the

Social Affairs April 23, 2015

Seoul to decide in May on Lotte tower reopening

Seoul City said Wednesday it will decide next month whether to reopen facilities at Lotte’s controversial skyscraper amid public concerns over the safety of the building and surrounding areas.Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would consider lifting the operating suspension of a theater and aquarium in Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, southern Seoul. The Ministry of Public Safety and Security recently confirmed that all safety countermeasures were properly taken at the facilities.The aquarium and

Social Affairs April 22, 2015

At least 1 in 6 dies early from fine dust: study

About 1 in 6 Koreans over age 30 have their lives cut short by air pollution, a study found Monday, raising concerns over public health. About 15,000 adults aged 30 or older in Seoul City and Gyeonggi Province die earlier than they otherwise would each year because of air pollution, especially fine dust, the report said. This accounts for about 16 percent of the yearly death toll of those aged over 30 in the two regions. The report was jointly authored by occupational and environmental medicine

Social Affairs April 20, 2015

Labor market shuns disabled

A 22-year-old man surnamed Yoon with a mild intellectual disability has been looking for a job for more than a year. He would not have minded a simple job, such as one carrying luggage. Even finding a job like that has proved to be a hard task, as most of the employers that he encountered were reluctant to hire him, even though he was able to communicate and work with others.“There are limited workplaces I can apply for. Some have offered a job but the monthly wage they offered was less than 500

Social Affairs April 19, 2015

[Herald Interview] ‘Disability does not mean lower work capacity’

As the machines hum in the background, drowning out the occasional chatter, workers cut fabric, sew and iron it at a suit factory in Guro-gu, western Seoul, a scene like any other manufacturing workshop in the industrial neighborhood. The difference here is that nearly half of the roughly 200 employees are disabled. While the employment choice may be unconventional, the work efficiency of his company is similar to the competitors, the owner of the menswear manufacturer said in an interview with

Social Affairs April 19, 2015

[Herald Interview] ‘Disability does not mean lower work capacity’

Seoul to hike transport fares

Seoul City will raise the public transportation fare as part of its efforts to reduce its budget deficit and improve services, officials said Thursday. Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would increase the subway fare by 250 won ($0.20) to 1,300 won and bus fares by 150 won to 1,200 won. This is the first hike in 3 1/2 years.The new fares are expected to go into effect from late June after the city council reviews the proposal. As an alternative plan, the city has proposed a 200-won hike only

Social Affairs April 16, 2015

[Herald Interview] ‘To resolve water shortage, go back to basics’

Despite the government’s efforts to improve water management through advanced technology, South Korea faces severe water shortage problems.The U.S.-based Population Action International lists Korea as a water-stressed country, with water availability per capita at 1,472 cubic meters in 1995, and projected to be 1,327 cubic meters by 2025. Countries with a yearly water supply of 1,000 to 2,000 cubic meters per person are considered water-stressed.Amid concerns over Korea’s water resources, the he

Social Affairs April 13, 2015

[Herald Interview] ‘To resolve water shortage, go back to basics’

World mayors call for prompt action to fight climate change

The world’s largest network of municipalities on Friday adopted an action plan aimed at taking prompt measures against climate change at a congress held in Seoul.The Seoul Action Plan was released by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon to gather more global support at the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress.The plan, a follow-up to the Seoul Declaration adopted a day before, urged tight cooperation between cities through three major global municipality networks ― ICLEI

Social Affairs April 10, 2015

Mayors united on emissions cut

The world’s largest municipality network on Thursday pledged stronger efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a sustainable future at a congress held in Seoul.More than 200 city representatives adopted the Seoul Declaration to outline the priorities for sustainable urban development at the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress. With two main principles ― cutting carbon emissions and pursuing sustainable urban development ― the cities vowed to make eco-fr

Social Affairs April 9, 2015

Seoul City pushes ahead with renewable energy drive

The capital of South Korea is getting greener amid the city government’s continuous efforts for a sustainable future with its three flagship projects. Seoul Metropolitan Government has run the campaign “One Less Nuclear Power Plant” since 2012 to reduce the energy dependence on nuclear power by developing renewable energy sources.Having few options for alternative sources, South Korea depends on nuclear power for 31 percent of its energy needs, according to government statistics. The capital’s e

Social Affairs April 9, 2015

Seoul City pushes ahead with renewable energy drive

ICLEI World Congress starts in Seoul

The ICLEI World Congress 2015 kicked off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in eastern Seoul on Wednesday, with 203 city representatives from 87 countries around the world gathering to discuss sustainable solutions to fight climate change. Themed “Sustainable Solutions for an Urban Future,” the triennial event will examine cities’ roles in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting cooperation for tackling climate change.Earlier in the day, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was appointed president of the In

Social Affairs April 8, 2015

Global cities vow stronger climate change efforts

Representatives of more than 200 cities from around the world are gathering to pledge stronger efforts against climate change at a global environment assembly to be held in Seoul from Wednesday. Seoul City is hosting the five-day International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress 2015 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, eastern Seoul, in an aim to urge better cooperation for a sustainable future. It is the first time a Korean city has held the ICLEI’s flagship assembly.ICLEI, the w

Social Affairs April 7, 2015

Global cities vow stronger climate change efforts

Seoul to host ICLEI World Congress

Seoul City will host an environment assembly of the world’s largest municipality network this week in an aim to support inter-city ties and boost better cooperation for a sustainable future, officials said Sunday.The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress 2015 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, eastern Seoul, from Wednesday. It is the first time a Korean city will host the ICLEI’s flagship assembly. A total of 203 city repres

Social Affairs April 5, 2015

[Weekender] City assists bonding between dads, kids

Seven pairs of fathers and children pile up colorful sand in glass bottles at a public child care center on a Saturday in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul. Laughter fills the room as the dads help the kids finish their masterpieces. Clutching the sand-filled bottle in one hand as a souvenir, and holding the father’s hand in the other, the children return home beaming.This simple activity class is a part of the district’s program designed to encourage bonding between fathers and children. It is a precio

Social Affairs April 3, 2015

[Weekender] City assists bonding between dads, kids

Seoul City to build first upcycling center

The country’s first-ever upcycling center will be opened in Seoul in 2017 in an aim to boost green industries, officials said Thursday. Seoul Metropolitan Government broke ground for the Seoul Upcycling Plaza (tentative name) in Janganpyeong, eastern Seoul, as part of the project to stimulate the culture of reusing, recycling and upcycling. In contrast to reusing and recycling, upcycling uses waste materials to convert them into new products. It has been a rising global trend, especially in the

Social Affairs April 2, 2015

Articles by Lee Hyun-jeong