Seoul is likely to become a “super-aged” city in 2026, according to data released by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.Seoul became an “aged” city last year against the backdrop of a low birthrate and longer life expectancy, with more than 14 percent of its population being 65 or older. South Korea’s capital is expected to become a super-aged city in 2026 at this rate, where more than 1 in 5 of the population is 65 years old or above. The number of those who ar

Social Affairs Sept. 17, 2019

The prosecution’s investigation into corruption allegations surrounding Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s family gathers steam this week with the minister’s wife likely to be called in for questioning sometime soon. 　Here are some key points concerning the probe.　Q. What is being investigated? 　Prosecutors on Monday sought a formal arrest warrant for a relative of Justice Minister Cho Kuk as part of a widening probe into corruption allegations surrounding the minister’s family,

Social Affairs Sept. 16, 2019

At a glance, the daughter of the newly appointed Justice Minister Cho Kuk has led a charmed life. Her wealthy, highly educated parents with powerful and respected jobs have given her an elite background and the privileges that come with it.Cho’s 28-year-old daughter graduated from a prestigious foreign language high school. In her second year in high school, she was improperly listed as a primary author in a paper published in a medical journal. She then gained admission to a prestigious u

Social Affairs Sept. 15, 2019

Four South Korean investigators left for the United States on Thursday for a joint probe with U.S. officials into the capsizing of a cargo ship off the U.S. east coast, Seoul's oceans ministry said Thursday. The investigators will team up with officials from the U.S.Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board to try to find the exact cause of the mishap near the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, the ministry said.The 71,000-ton the Golden Ray carrying about 4,000 cars capsized off the Geo

Social Affairs Sept. 12, 2019

Tension is mounting between the prosecution and Justice Ministry, with embattled Justice Minister Cho Kuk pushing for an overhaul of the powerful law enforcement agency and prosecutors accelerating a probe into corruption allegations involving his family. Controversy surfaced Wednesday after Justice Ministry’s senior officials were reported to have suggested high-ranking officials from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office set up an investigation team excluding Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok

Social Affairs Sept. 11, 2019

Chang Yong-jun, the 19-year-old son of opposition Liberty Korea Party Rep. Chang Je-won, admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol and attempting to pretend someone else was driving the vehicle, according to his lawyer on Tuesday.Chang, a rapper who performs under the name NO:EL, was booked and questioned by the police Monday for allegedly crashing his car into a moving motorcycle while driving under the influence of alcohol. The motorcyclist was reported to have sustained minor injurie

Social Affairs Sept. 10, 2019

The top court on Monday confirmed the 3 1/2-year prison sentence for former South Chungcheong Province Gov. An Hee-jung for raping his female aide, in the country’s highest-profile #MeToo movement case.The Supreme Court acknowledged “invisible power” held by 54-year-old An -- at one time a strong presidential contender in the liberal bloc -- in using his authority and sexually assaulting the victim -- An’s secretary -- upholding an appeal court’s ruling. The la

Social Affairs Sept. 9, 2019

The prosecution on Monday sought an arrest warrant for the operator of a private equity fund in which embattled Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s family had invested, as part of a widening probe into corruption allegations involving Cho and his family. President Moon Jae-in appointed Cho as justice minister, giving him control over the prosecution, on the same day -- even as the prosecution investigates allegations that his family made dubious investments and his daughter received special favors

Social Affairs Sept. 9, 2019

Typhoon Lingling, the fifth-strongest typhoon to hit South Korea, left three people dead and more than 20 injured, caused power outages, disrupted transport services and damaged farmland and properties, with recovery operations underway Sunday.　The typhoon, which made landfall near the southern island of Jeju on Friday night, rapidly swept along the country’s west coast Saturday with strong winds and heavy rain before heading toward North Korea in the afternoon, according to the weather ag

Social Affairs Sept. 8, 2019

Seoul Foreign School is set to hold the first World University Fair in Seoul on Saturday, providing students and the public a platform to explore opportunities for admission into more than 160 universities from 19 countries around the world.  At the one-day Seoul World University Fair, which will open at noon on Saturday at the its campus in western Seoul, students and their parents can meet with representatives from the schools and obtain information. “It is an opportunity not j

Social Affairs Sept. 6, 2019

Beleaguered Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk appears to be sinking further into a quagmire as more allegations concerning his wife and daughter continued to emerge Thursday, with prosecutors accelerating their probe into the allegations. A confirmation hearing for Cho is scheduled Friday. 　Cho’s wife, a professor at Dongyang University, faces allegations that she forged a certificate for their daughter, now 28, under the name of the university’s president without his knowledge in 201

Social Affairs Sept. 5, 2019

Prosecutors on Thursday sought an arrest warrant for the eldest son of CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun over drug charges. 　The Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office took into custody Lee Sun-ho, heir apparent of the leading food and entertainment conglomerate at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday after he voluntarily showed up at around 6:20 p.m. He was caught Sunday at Incheon International Airport attempting to smuggle in liquid marijuana in cartridges, as well as other types of marijuana, from the US. T

Social Affairs Sept. 5, 2019

Fresh allegations continued to surface Wednesday surrounding embattled Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk’s daughter as a confirmation hearing for Cho was scheduled for Friday.  Local reports said Cho’s wife, a professor at Dongyang University, fraudulently issued an award for her daughter under the name of the university’s president without the president’s knowledge. The daughter, now 28, listed the award as one of her achievements on her application to the Pusan Nati

Social Affairs Sept. 4, 2019

An opposition lawmaker came under fire Tuesday after he asked an unmarried female Fair Trade Commission chair nominee to “contribute to the country’s development” by giving birth. At a confirmation hearing for Fair Trade Commission chair nominee Cho Sung-wook, Rep. Jung Kap-yoon of the Liberty Korea Party said Cho would be a perfect candidate for the post if she were married and had a child. “What do you think is the biggest problem in Korean society?” the five

Social Affairs Sept. 3, 2019

The prosecution on Tuesday raided universities, a medical center and other facilities as part of an investigation into a series of allegations involving Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk and his family, less than a week before the parliamentary confirmation hearing on Cho is to be held. 　The Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office conducted search and seizure operations simultaneously at some 20 locations, including five universities -- including Korea University and Pusan National University&rsq

Social Affairs Aug. 27, 2019