Faced with a rapidly growing population of seniors, many countries in the West have opted for a significant delay in, or an outright abolishment of, compulsory retirement based on age.Calls are growing here that Korea should follow suit to ensure a soft landing from the retirement of 7.12 million ba

Social Affairs Aug. 16, 2011

Experts advise retirement reform, efforts to create jobs for seniorsTo mark the 58th anniversary of its establishment on Aug. 15, The Korea Herald has published a series of articles on the looming retirement of Korean baby boomers and its socioeconomic impact on the nation. The following is the last

Social Affairs Aug. 16, 2011

After decades of confusion, Korea has ditched its traditional address system and adopted one based on named streets and consecutively-numbered buildings.But many residents are less than happy, saying a cultural legacy has been abandoned in the name of logic.From July 29 all the country’s 5.68 millio

Social Affairs Aug. 15, 2011

Politicians, citizens call for stronger action on Japan’s territorial claimsThe leader of Korea’s ruling Grand National Party said Sunday that he has asked the government to station Marines on Dokdo to strengthen the country’s sovereignty of the set of rokcy islets claimed by Japan. Rep. Hong Joon-p

Politics Aug. 14, 2011

 Groups strive to support children abandoned by Korean fathers in PhilippinesIn Cebu, a Philippine resort island visited by tens of thousands of Koreans every year, an increasing number of Kopino children grow up in poverty and prejudice after being abandoned by their Korean fathers.Many of the

Social Affairs Aug. 14, 2011

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon hinted Thursday that he may put his mayorship on the line in the upcoming plebiscite on a free school meal program. “It is projected that if I put my mayorship on the line, the voter turnout will go up by 5 percentage points. I am tempted,” Oh said in an interview with local m

Politics Aug. 11, 2011

Former president opens mouth about illicit political fundraising, a safe at Blue House Former President Roh Tae-woo claims to have given billions of won in political funds to Kim Young-sam, then a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party and his eventual successor, to help his presi

Politics Aug. 10, 2011

Government opposes plan to compensate depositors beyond statutory limitLawmakers from rival political parties are pushing to fully compensate the financial losses of depositors at nine savings banks that collapsed this year, stirring another round of controversy over populism. Representatives of the

Politics Aug. 9, 2011

Head of retirees’ associationstresses new approach to retirementAs 7.1 million baby boomers in Korea near retirement, the whole nation seems to be growing nervous. But retirement itself is not a social problem. It is a celebrated phase in one’s life and should be more so for the Korean boomers, who

Social Affairs Aug. 8, 2011

Iconic generation behind Korea’s growth set to exit workforce unpreparedTo mark the 58th anniversary of its establishment on Aug. 15, The Korea Herald is publishing a series of articles on the looming retirement of Korean baby boomers and its socioeconomic impact on the nation. The following is the

Social Affairs Aug. 7, 2011