The conviction of Samsung Group’s heir apparent Lee Jae-yong bodes ill for former President Park Geun-hye, who is on trial for receiving bribes from Lee, observers said Monday. The trial of the impeached president and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who are at the center of the corruption scandal that removed Park from office in March and landed Lee in jail for a five-year term last week, is ongoing. The ruling is expected in October. In Friday’s ruling for Lee, the Seoul Central District

Social Affairs Aug. 28, 2017

A Seoul court on Friday sentenced Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong to five years in jail on charges connected to the corruption scandal that led to former President Park Geun-hye’s ouster.  　The Seoul Central District Court convicted Samsung’s de facto heir of bribing former President Park Geun-hye and her close friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the government’s help in tightening his control over Samsung Group, saying he was in position to benefit most from the bribery scheme. 　“

Social Affairs Aug. 25, 2017

Thousands of women plan to file a class action suit against a South Korean firm after civic groups found harmful chemicals in sanitary pads and a growing number of women reported health problems after using them. 　As of Thursday afternoon, more than 15,000 expressed their intention to join the legal action, claiming that they have suffered negative effects, such as reduced menstrual bleeding, skin rashes and painful cramps after using Lilian brand pads produced by Klean Nara. A local law firm, w

Social Affairs Aug. 24, 2017

Animal rights groups on Monday called for measures to reform the livestock industry, saying that factory farming is behind the egg contamination scandal. 　The pesticide-tainted egg crisis is only a prelude to bigger threats to the food safety and public health unless the practice of cramming chickens into battery cages to maximize profits is stopped, they said. 　“It is a consequence of industrialized livestock production and it poses a threat to our food security,” said Jeon Jin-kyung, executive

Social Affairs Aug. 21, 2017

South Korea’s top prosecutor apologized Tuesday for the prosecution’s failure to abide by the law and protect human rights in investigating political cases in the past, vowing to make the law enforcement body politically neutral and transparent. At the press briefing held at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il issued the apology for prosecutors’ past wrongdoings for the first time as an incumbent chief prosecutor and laid out plans to reform the prosecution. “I apolog

Social Affairs Aug. 8, 2017

The prosecution on Monday asked a Seoul court to sentence Samsung Group’s heir apparent Lee Jae-yong to 12 years in jail for alleged bribery in connection with the corruption scandal that led to former President Park Geun-hye’s ouster. The court will rule on Aug. 25.　At the final hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court, Special Counsel Park Young-soo said that the Samsung Electronics vice chairman was a direct beneficiary and final decision maker in the bribery scheme.　“Samsung Group vo

Social Affairs Aug. 7, 2017

The slogan “Men, stop killing women” blared from a speaker outside Gangnam Station on Sunday afternoon, surrounded by some 150 people. Women call for tougher measures against misogynic crimes in South Korea during a rally near exit 10 of Gangnam Station in southen Seoul, Sunday. (Yonhap)The location of the protest has become symbolic of the fight against misogyny since a young woman was murdered in a public toilet in May 2016. The murderer had no connection to the victim, and chose to kill her j

Social Affairs Aug. 6, 2017

Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Group’s heir apparent on trial over an alleged money-for-political favors deal with former President Park Geun-hye, said Thursday that he was scolded by Park for not offering enough support for equestrian sports during a one-on-one meeting in 2015. During his trial at a Seoul court Thursday, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee denied the bribery charges, saying he had never expected or asked for favors from the Park administration in return for donations to foundations co

Social Affairs Aug. 3, 2017

Lee Jae-yong, widely perceived as the de facto chief of the Samsung Group, on Wednesday denied his part in the top conglomerate’s key decisions, in his defense against bribery charges. During his trial at a Seoul court, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee shifted responsibility for controversial decisions -- ranging from a merger of the group’s two affiliates to an alleged donations-for-favors deal with former President Park Geun-hye -- to Choi Gee-sung, former vice chairman of Samsung Group a

Social Affairs Aug. 2, 2017

A search operation is underway into the salvaged Sewol ferry at the port of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. (Yonhap)Operators the Sewol ferry continued to run services on the vessel even after they became aware of a critical engine failure, which could have contributed to the ship’s capsizing in April 2014, a news report said Tuesday. An engine failure was detected in the ferry at least six months before the accident and its operator Chonghaejin Marine Co. was aware of the associated safety risks,

Social Affairs Aug. 1, 2017

In the United States, South Korea’s first plus-size model Kim Gee-yang was not even considered plus-sized. But in South Korea, people just see her as a “fat woman” unfit to be a fashion model. 　“In Korean society, there are categories for only ‘normal’ or ‘average’ people. The rest don’t belong anywhere, and fat people are just mocked. They consider being fat as lazy, disgusting and unhealthy,” Kim told The Korea Herald. 　“It is not true and it is none of others’ business,” said Kim, 31, who is

Social Affairs July 27, 2017

Nearly 7 in 10 migrant workers at construction sites did not receive compensation from the government for work-related accidents, the nation’s human rights watchdog said Wednesday. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said that foreign workers in the construction sector are exposed to poor working conditions and work accidents, setting out recommendations for the Labor Ministry to improve the situation.According to a study on 337 foreign construction workers by IOM Migration Research &

Social Affairs July 26, 2017

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and police said Tuesday they would intensively crack down on sex crimes targeting vacationers at the country’s major beaches over the next three weeks. Counseling booths will be set up until Aug. 11 at makeshift police stations near the beaches, including Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung and Haeundae Beach in Busan, to receive reports and provide support to victims. They also plan to distribute leaflets to raise awareness that clandestine photos of others is

Social Affairs July 25, 2017