Korea

Saemaul Geumgo Bank, also known as Saemaul Mutual Savings Bank or Saemaul Savings Bank, is facing scrutiny over its real estate project financing (PF) program due to the potential for non-performing loans. Established in 1973 as part of the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement), the bank has provided large-scale loans totaling 56 trillion won, but the delinquency rate in the 9% range is causing concern for asset safety. According to information provided to a Democratic Party lawmaker's office b

Korean independence fighter Hwang Ki-hwan, who inspired the hit South Korean TV series "Mr. Sunshine," has finally returned to his homeland after a century-long wait. Hwang, who died alone in New York in 1923, had been buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, and his remains were repatriated to South Korea after a 15-hour flight. Honor guards carried Hwang’s casket, draped with the South Korean national flag, during the repatriation ceremony at Incheon Airport. The patriot was interred in the national c

The South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has announced the approval of the first basic plan for policies aimed at supporting single-parent families. The first basic plan for policies supporting single-parent families has been developed to fulfill the national goal of building a society where no one is left behind, and everyone participates together. The plan includes strategies and objectives to actively respond to the difficult realities and changing social environments faced b

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) has announced a crackdown on a large-scale operation that reproduces and distributes illegal PDF copies of over 3,000 publications. As the usage of digital devices has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice of scanning and reproducing copyrighted material for commercial purposes has become more prevalent, particularly in online communities associated with universities. This trend has caused significant harm to the publishing indus

New System and Smart Agriculture Promotion Act to Overcome Land-use Restrictions and Boost Sustainable Agriculture In an ambitious move to increase the smart agriculture penetration rate to 30% of agricultural production by 2027, the Korean government plans to establish a system that enables the installation of vertical smart farms within agricultural promotion zones. This initiative will require overcoming the current land-use restrictions that typically limit development and construction proj

Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's recent veto of the Grain Management Law, passed by the Democratic Party of Korea, has drawn concern from the country's farming community. The legislation would require the government to buy surplus rice from farmers when market prices fall below a certain threshold or when surplus production surpasses a specified limit. The Grain Management Law has its roots in South Korea's history of agricultural policy, dating back to the 1960s and 1970s when the country focu

Seoul, South Korea - A recent report by the Government Ethics Committee revealed that the average property of 2,037 South Korean public officials increased by KRW 29.81 million (approximately USD 24,500) this year. The disclosure comes amid a surge in real estate prices in the country, significantly impacting the wealth of public officials and raising concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. According to the report, the average property value for public officials subject

South Korea's National Assembly Special Committee on Population Crisis, created in November last year to address the country's aging population, low birthrate, and regional depopulation, is finally set to begin its work on March 31st after a four-month delay. However, the committee faces criticism for its lack of urgency in addressing the pressing population crisis, which is impacting the country's pediatric sector. With a declining number of pediatricians and pediatric practices shutting down,

In 2023, the Korean shipbuilding industry is experiencing a surge in orders for the first time in a decade. However, a severe labor shortage has become a critical issue. Despite the demand for workers, the industry struggles to attract and retain talent, particularly among the younger MZ generation. The three major Korean shipbuilders, Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, have seen a significant increase in orders. The

South Korean workers' average debt reached a new high in 2021, exceeding KRW 50 million ($41,400) for the first time, according to a recent report by Statistics Korea. Although the growth rate of debt slowed compared to the previous year, it was still the largest increase since the agency began tracking wage earners' debt in 2017. In December 2021, the average loan for wage earners was KRW 52.2 million ($43,200), up 7.0% or KRW 3.4 million ($2,800) from 2020. The debt growth rate has slowed sin

The Ministry of Justice in South Korea announced on Tuesday that it will be issuing a new type of identification card for foreigners staying in the country for more than 90 days, beginning this Saturday. This marks the first redesign of the Residence Card, previously known as the Alien Registration Card, in 12 years. The updated Residence Card will include a larger, full-color photograph of the cardholder, which is a 35% increase in size compared to the current black-and-white photo. Additional

Taebaek and Namwon Embrace Prisons to Revitalize Local Economies and Stem Population Loss As the population decline in rural areas across South Korea continues to exacerbate, cities like Taebaek and Namwon are exploring unconventional solutions to address this pressing issue. The construction of prisons is becoming an increasingly popular choice for these cities, as they aim to revitalize their economies and attract new residents. Taebaek, a former coal-mining town, has seen a drastic reductio