A court on Thursday took the side of a Korean retailer who filed a damages suit against Burberry Korea after being accused of importing counterfeit clothing. Seoul Central District Court ordered the Korean branch of the British company to compensate the plaintiff with 10 million won ($9,475) for both mental and pecuniary damages derived from the allegation.The retailer in 2010 requested an import declaration for 5,700 scarves from China worth 40 million won.Korea Customs Service, which received

Social Affairs Oct. 24, 2013

The composition of Seoul households is diversifying, data showed on Tuesday. According to statistics released by Seoul City, the number of households composed of a couple with no kids quadrupled over three decades to about 420,000. The number of single-occupant households rose 10-fold to 850,000.The city and Seoul Foundation of Women & Family conducted a survey on 3.6 million households from July on family issues and perceptions of marriage as part of efforts to improve family policy. The number

Social Affairs Oct. 22, 2013

Seoul City will host an international energy conference on Nov. 13 as part of efforts to discuss the city’s responsibility for climate change and energy conservation, city officials said Sunday. Themed “Energy Transition towards a Sustainable City ― Challenges and Opportunities for Seoul,” the event will hold three sessions to discuss strategies for energy change, financing tools for policies and share case studies with 10 experts from around the world. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Amor

Social Affairs Oct. 20, 2013

Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, will host the eighth Silk Road Mayors Forum next week as part of efforts to enhance the cooperation between cities situated along the Silk Road, officials said.The Silk Road is a series of ancient trade routes that extended from China to the Mediterranean.About 300 officials including 70 mayors from 30 countries and representatives from the U.N. and other international organizations will participate in the event from Monday to Thursday. Under the theme “Harmony of G

Social Affairs Oct. 17, 2013

Seoul will launch a Hangang River helicopter tour program Wednesday to offer tourists a bird’s eye view of the city, officials said. Four helicopter routes will be available, all departing from Jamsil heliport in southeast Seoul. The Jamsil and Korea World Trade Center route will offer views of the Gangnam area, while the Yeuido and Gwangnaru courses will give opportunities to see the city center and eastern areas, respectively. The rides will take around 5 to 15 minutes and prices will vary fro

Social Affairs Oct. 15, 2013

Seoul City promised massive infrastructure investment as an incentive for Incheon to allow the capital to continue to use landfills inside the port city.The two municipal governments signed an agreement Monday under which Seoul would inject 120.5 billion won ($95.5 million) by 2016 in improving a road and the environment surrounding the waste management facilities.Two outdoor garbage dumps in Incheon have served Seoul, one already full and the other to be closed in 2016.Seoul is asking Incheon t

Social Affairs Oct. 14, 2013

Seoul City is pushing for measures to help North Korean defectors, including the establishment of a new support center and increased recruitment. The city said Thursday it would open Hana Plaza in January to provide consulting and support in employment, residence, education, legal affairs, mental health and other welfare issues. It will be established in unused space at the Gangnam branch of Seoul Medical Center. The site was provided by the city and funded by the central government.A cultural c

Social Affairs Oct. 13, 2013

The Ministry of Justice said Thursday it would tighten the marriage immigrant visa regulations as part of efforts to prevent international marriage fraud. The ministry will screen visa applicants’ elementary level of Korean language but will exempt them from the test if they are able to communicate with their spouses. It will also check the Korean spouse’s level of income and residence status to ensure stability. The ministry will limit an individual’s allowed number of marriage invitations to o

Social Affairs Oct. 11, 2013

Seoul City and Hyundai Motor’s Chung Mong-koo Foundation, a charity group, will host a festival for multicultural families at Seoul Square on Sunday.The annual Seoul Multicultural Festival will offer photo exhibitions, performances, concerts and other events. Korean idol singers IU, T-ara and BTOB will perform. Participants will also have opportunities to try out traditional food, costumes and instruments of other countries.(rene@heraldcorp.com)

Social Affairs Oct. 10, 2013

Seoul City is expected to expand its public security guard service for women returning home at night that has attracted more than 11,000 users since it started in June. Once a woman requests the service via the 120 public call center or local district office 30 minutes before she arrives at the subway or bus station near her home, two “public security agents” arrive to accompany her. The service operates between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on weekdays. Having started in 15 Seoul districts on a trial basi

Social Affairs Oct. 8, 2013