National News

South Korea's medical trajectory, often celebrated for its innovation and quality, finds itself at a crossroads today. At its core lies a two-fold challenge: the long-stagnated enrollment rate in medical institutions and the waning enthusiasm for specialized medical roles. Historically, the nation's medical schools have maintained an enrollment cap of 3,058, a figure unchanged for an impressive 18 years. However, in a recent government initiative aimed at increasing this number, projections sug

In the aftermath of Hamas's assault on Israel, which resulted in the tragic deaths of over 1,200 individuals across various locations including kibbutzim, towns, and a music festival, the digital landscape has been overwhelmed by graphic imagery and content. However, this stream of information has been tainted by a deluge of misleading and outright false content, clouding genuine evidence of atrocities. Key examples include a months-old paragliding accident in South Korea being misrepresented a

In recent years, cities have morphed into more than just economic powerhouses. They've become amalgamations of cultures, opportunities, and challenges. None exemplify this transformation better than Seoul, South Korea's pulsating capital. The city's allure continues to strengthen, evidenced by its jump from 10th to 9th in ECA International's yearly list of 'Most Expensive Cities for Expatriates', a testament to its growing global appeal. However, as living expenses surge, primarily due to new p

SEOUL - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MLIT) of South Korea, under the leadership of the Yoon Suk Yeol government, announced its accelerated progress on the ambitious project for the construction of Gadeok Island's new international airport. The foundational plan for the project, already under consultation with related agencies, is set to be finalized and officially announced by the end of this year. Following the airport's developmental roadmap revealed by the MLIT in Mar

Today, August 23rd, South Korea carried out a crucial nationwide civil defense drill as a direct response to the mounting threats emanating from North Korea. The 20-minute exercise, which commenced at 2 p.m., is a significant event, being the first drill of this magnitude involving the general public in over six years. Upon initiation, minute-long air-raid sirens echoed across the nation, coupled with the dispatch of public safety alert messages to citizens' mobile phones, highlighting the urge

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - After extended discussions, the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) of South Korea has decided on a 2.5% increase for the minimum wage in 2024, bringing it to KRW 9,860 per hour, up KRW 240 from this year's KRW 9,620. This growth rate is the second lowest in history, excluding the 1.5% increase in 2021. This means that the long-standing goal of labor circles to reach a KRW 10,000 minimum wage remains unfulfilled. The commission, composed of 26 members, including 8 worker represen

As Japan's TEPCO commences trial operations for the release of contaminated wastewater from the demolished Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, anxiety deepens among South Korean consumers and the local fishing industry. Reports from international media outlets such as Fukushima TV and KFB on June 12 stated that TEPCO plans to conduct test runs for around two weeks to check for potential system defects. The trial operation involves blending seawater with uncontaminated water and discharging i

Amid China's escalating control over its domestic and foreign internet activity, Naver, South Korea's largest portal site, has reportedly been blocked locally. This development follows the recent similar restrictions placed on another portal site, Daum. This situation intensifies the ongoing Hallyu Ban, unofficial restrictions by the Chinese government on the distribution of Korean cultural content, which has been in place since 2016. According to sources in Beijing and Shenyang, Liaoning Provi

As the choice of host for the World Expo 2030 draws near, a chorus of notable human rights organizations has lodged an appeal with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), beseeching the Paris-based organization to exclude Saudi Arabia from the list of prospective hosts. They contend that Saudi Arabia's troubling record on human rights stands in stark contrast to the event's ethos, and runs the risk of besmirching the prestige of this globally recognized event. In a letter dispatched to

In a controversial move that has stirred up a maelstrom of debate, President Yoon Suk Yeol exercised his veto power for the second time since assuming office, rejecting the Nursing Act that had been steamrolled through the legislative process by the Democratic Party of Korea last month. Amid vociferous protests from medical professionals, including doctors and nursing assistants, the president's action has been met with both criticism and support, accentuating the deeply divided views on the iss

A study by the National Health and Medical Workers' Union (NHMWU) in South Korea has revealed a startling trend: a large proportion of the country's nurses, primarily in their 20s and 30s, are contemplating leaving the profession due to strenuous work conditions and inadequate compensation. This finding underscores a critical issue within the South Korean healthcare system that may lead to an alarming turnover rate among nursing professionals. The study included responses from 31,672 nurses nat

In a significant development for Korea's cultural heritage, the Gaya Tumuli, a collection of seven tomb clusters from the ancient Gaya confederacy, has been recommended for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The announcement came from the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) on Thursday, following a meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory organization for cultural heritage evaluations under UNESCO. A final decision on the Gaya Tumuli's inc