Concerns over possible nationwide rail disruption grew as unionized workers announced Thursday that they would go on an indefinite general strike on Dec. 5 to demand a wage increase and a bigger workforce. If implemented, the strike is expected to affect the operations of high-speed KTX and other regular train services nationwide, as well as subway services in the capital area, including the operation of Subway Line Nos. 1, 3 and 4 and the Suin-Bundang line. The Korean Railway Workers' Unio

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2024

Disruptive noises from North Korean loudspeakers have caused residents near the inter-Korean border to suffer for months, with some complaining that their health has been compromised, according to local governments on Thursday. Data from a recent mental health assessment in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, has shown that 28 percent of the assessed residents are experiencing significant mental health concerns. Conducted by the city’s mental health welfare center from Aug. 8 to 14, it assessed 102

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2024

South Korea‘s labor groups, including one of the nation’s two major umbrella unions, held a rally Wednesday calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the largest umbrella labor union in the country, and the Korean Peasants League called for Yoon's resignation, claiming he has failed to address the plummeting rice prices and has excessively used low-tariff and duty-free imports, which they argue undermines local agricultural stabi

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2024

South Korea will extend paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth before the 11th week of pregnancy, doubling the current allowance from five to 10 days. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Wednesday that it has announced partial amendments to the related laws, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, Employment Insurance Act, and Labor Standards Act, which will be open for public consultation until Dec. 30. These changes are slated to take effect on Feb. 23,

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2024

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was indicted without detention Tuesday on charges of misappropriating funds when he was the governor of Gyeonggi Province including alleged misuse of corporate cards for personal benefit, the Suwon District Prosecutors Office said. The chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party was indicted, along with his former chief secretary, identified only by his surname Chung and another former Gyeonggi Province official Bae, all on charges of breach of trust. Lee is

Politics Nov. 19, 2024

BARCELONA, Spain — Scholars, industry leaders and government officials gathered in Barcelona earlier this month to pursue a shared vision of sustainable urban development. The annual Smart City Expo World Congress, in its 14th edition, commenced its three-day run on Nov. 5. Hosted by the city of Barcelona and Fira Barcelona, the congress serves as a global hub for urban development that connects people and companies working to build better cities. Under the theme "Live Better," t

Social Affairs Nov. 18, 2024

Korea Herald correspondent BARCELONA, Spain — Amid the burgeoning number of events focusing on urban development and smart cities worldwide, often seen as imitations of Barcelona's pioneering efforts, the annual Smart City Expo World Congress has distinguished itself by hosting its 14th edition as a record-breaking gathering. The 2024 edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress, hosted by the city of Barcelona and Fira Barcelona, marked a success with record-breaking attendance of 25,7

Social Affairs Nov. 18, 2024

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence Friday for allegedly making false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign -- a ruling that, if upheld, could cost him his parliamentary seat and derail his presidential ambitions. Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and a prominent likely contender in South Korea’s 2027 presidential race, announced plans to appeal the ruling, saying the court’s conclusions were “n

Politics Nov. 15, 2024

South Korea's Changwon District Court in South Gyeongsang Province issued arrest warrants early Friday for self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun and former lawmaker Kim Young-sun over alleged fund transfers intended to secure a parliamentary nomination for Myung in the June 2022 by-election. The high-profile scandal has gained attention amid accusations that President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee interfered in the by-election process. Myung, a broker with a background in

Social Affairs Nov. 15, 2024

Lawmakers from rival parties emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation focused on national interests and strategic planning, as they anticipate the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump to have significant impacts on the Korea-US alliance, foreign policy strategy and the broader economic and industrial landscape. "As the saying goes, political strife stops at the border. In matters of diplomacy and security, bipartisan cooperation that prioritizes the national inte

Social Affairs Nov. 14, 2024

The South Korean "4B" movement has gained attention in the United States following President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election. Emerging around 2018, the "4B" movement is a voluntary female celibacy movement, encouraging women to refuse heterosexual marriage, childbirth, dating or sex with men. The term "4B" comes from bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating) and bisekseu (no sex), with "bi," or "B,&quo

Social Affairs Nov. 11, 2024

Dongduk Women's University, one of South Korea’s seven remaining women’s colleges, is weighing a possible shift to coeducation, a move igniting opposition among students who warn it could erode the institution’s mission of championing women’s empowerment and diminish women’s representation in society. According to the student council Naran of Dongduk Women's University on Sunday, the university will soon initiate discussions on becoming a coeducational ins

Social Affairs Nov. 10, 2024

The chief prosecutor of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, who was overseeing the Dior bag scandal involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, has expressed an intent to resign, further deepening the leadership vacuum within the organization. Song Chang-jin, one of the chief prosecutors at the CIO submitted his resignation earlier this week for personal reasons, according to the legal community on Friday. If accepted, the resignation will leave the CIO with just two of its se

Social Affairs Nov. 1, 2024

South Korean police have intensified their investigation into Johnny Somali, a US YouTuber known here for his controversial and disrespectful antics while traveling in Korea. Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is under investigation for obstruction of business and alleged drug use. A travel ban has been imposed to prevent him from leaving the country while the investigation proceeds, according to police. The Seoul Mapo Police Station said Friday that Somali was under investigation

Social Affairs Nov. 1, 2024

The Seoul city government will spend 6.7 trillion won ($4.9 billion) from 2025 to 2026 to financially help residents raise children, city officials said Tuesday. The city government said it was expanding an existing childbirth encouragement project launched in February as part of efforts to increase the country's low birth rate. The earlier version of the project took a comprehensive approach to supporting caregivers by providing financial assistance for infertility treatments across all in

Social Affairs Oct. 29, 2024