500 bird strikes reported in past 5 years: data

A total of 500 aircraft incidents involving bird collisions have been reported in airports across South Korea over the past five years, according to data Wednesday. According to the data unveiled by Rep. Heo Jong-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party, the total number of aircraft bird strike cases during takeoff and landing totaled 500 since 2019. The lawmaker cited the data submitted by airport authorities. Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul and Gimhae International Airport in B

Oct. 25, 2023

[Graphic News] Cancer, heart disease among major causes of death in 2022

Cancer and heart diseases were among the major causes of death for South Koreans in 2022, data showed, with the total number of deaths hitting a new record. Last year, the total number of deaths reported in the country came to 372,939, up 17.4 percent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea. It was the highest figure since the agency began compiling such data in 1983. The agency said 727.6 deaths were reported per 100,000 South Koreans last year. Cancer was the major cause of death, t

Oct. 25, 2023

Crowd crush victims forced to cope alone

Bereaved families and surviving victims of last year’s deadly crowd crush in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul say they have been left to deal with their pain on their own, as governmental resources were either unavailable or insufficient. Among the 159 people who died after overcrowding reached catastrophic levels in Itaewon on Oct. 29, 2022, was Choi Joung-joo’s daughter Yu-jin. “My wife wanted to get therapy after our daughter passed, so she made a call to our district offic

Oct. 24, 2023

[From the Scene] Don't remember Itaewon alley as place of death, victims' families say

On a Saturday night in October, dozens of people were lined up outside the Waikiki Beach Pub in the narrow alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, in Itaewon, Seoul. “We should have arrived before 8:30 p.m.," one said. "There are always lines around 8:30 p.m. these days during the weekend. I heard that we need to wait more than 30 minutes to enter." It was not the only packed bar on Itaewon World Food Street, the center of Itaewon nightlife. Most bars along the street were full of

Oct. 24, 2023

Man fined for assaulting soldiers who refused to praise Kim Jong-un, Putin

A man in his 20s has been fined 7 million won ($5,200) for abusing and assaulting junior soldiers during military service. According to Incheon District Court on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was found guilty of abusing and assaulting soldiers while he was on his compulsory military service last year. The man is reported to have punched two soldiers five times on Sept. 10, 2022. The incident occurred at an army camp in Gyeonggi Province when two soldiers refused to say "Long live Kim Jong-un, Lo

Oct. 24, 2023

Ex-Taekwang chief's home searched over alleged embezzlement

Police searched former Taekwang Group Chairman Lee Ho-jin’s home and the company’s affiliated companies over allegations against Lee of embezzlement and breach of trust on Tuesday. Investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency searched Lee’s home, as well as Taekwang Group's office in the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, and Taekwang Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to secure evidence regarding Lee’s suspected crime.

Oct. 24, 2023

ASEAN-Korea Centre to release video on career mentoring for ASEAN students

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Korea Centre will release a video centered on career mentoring for ASEAN students residing in South Korea on Thursday. As part of their “Hey ASEAN” series, the video aims to help students from ASEAN member countries in Korea explore career opportunities and prepare for employment. Both students and mentors will be featured in the video to answer questions regarding the recruitment process and work life in Korea. The video will be released on

Oct. 24, 2023

Seoul introduces own version of 'Jessica's Law' to stem child sexual abuse

The Ministry of Justice on Tuesday announced plans to deprive convicted child sex offenders of their rights to choose where to live after they are released from jail. The Justice Ministry will propose a new bill aimed at restricting the civil rights of convicted child sex offenders at a Cabinet meeting, following a legislative notice to collect public opinions beginning from Thursday. The government is looking to designate specific areas where those sentenced to 10 years or more for child sexual

Oct. 24, 2023

Korean delicacy of live octopus leads to choking death of 82-year-old

Sannakji -- octopus seasoned with salt and sesame oil and served while still squirming – is among South Korea's most notorious delicacies. The local dish shot to global infamy thanks to an iconic scene from 2004's "Oldboy," where Choi Min-sik's character devours a whole wriggling octopus alive at a sushi bar. Numerous videos on YouTube show fearless foreign tourists trying sannakji in Korea’s local fish markets, highlighting the cuisine’s enduring cult

Oct. 24, 2023

Monk sentenced to 18 months for assaulting woman who refused sex

A 64-year-old Buddhist monk has been given an 18-month prison term for assaulting a woman after she refused his sexual advances, according to the Cheongju District Court on Monday. Charges against the monk included assault, fraud and intimidation. The monk is reported to have assaulted a 52-year old woman at a house in Gamgok-myeon, Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, on Feb. 9, 2022. He allegedly demanded sex, and when she refused his request, the monk slapped her across the face and assa

Oct. 24, 2023

Drugs smuggled in through Incheon Airport surge since pandemic: lawmaker

The amount of drugs smuggled into South Korea through the country's main gateway has increased since international travel resumed after the pandemic, an opposition lawmaker said Tuesday. The amount of narcotics smuggled into South Korea through Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, rose from 129,362 grams in 2020 to 538,241 grams in 2022, Rep. Maeng Sung-kyu of the main opposition Democratic Party said, citing data from the Korea Customs Service. From January to July this year, 311,

Oct. 24, 2023

Gender ministry to discipline 123 parents for not paying child support

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Tuesday it has ordered disciplinary measures for 123 parents who failed to pay child support after divorcing their spouses. A review committee under the ministry ordered the identity disclosure of 12 people on the ministry's website, banned 71 others from leaving the country and suspended the driver's licenses of 40 people. The number of people under disciplinary measures has been on the rise since the ministry began issuing disciplinary

Oct. 24, 2023

12 suspected cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle under investigation

South Korea's agriculture ministry said Tuesday 12 suspected cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle have been under investigation, as health authorities were scrambling to prevent the disease from spreading. Since the first-ever outbreak of the disease last Friday, South Korea has reported a total of 17 confirmed cases so far. Health authorities have begun vaccinating cattle in the affected areas. Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun has said the disease may further spread for the time bein

Oct. 24, 2023

Touting historic ties with Saudi Arabia, Yoon calls for new partnership for growth

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- President Yoon Suk Yeol said South Korea and Saudi Arabia could contribute to sustainable global growth by forging a future-oriented partnership that encompasses the fields of energy, digital technology, biology and space, underscoring a history of cooperation between the two countries. On his third day of a state visit to Saudi Arabia, Yoon stressed the importance of the special partnership between the two countries that began in the 1970s, serving as the foundation fo

Oct. 24, 2023

Korea reports 7 more cases of lumpy skin disease, total now at 17

South Korea reported seven additional cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle, sparking concerns over the nationwide spread of the highly infectious disease, the agricultural ministry said Monday. The authorities have confirmed 17 cases of infection so far since the first outbreak in South Chungcheong Province on Friday, with 1,075 cows being culled so far, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Of the seven cases reported in the day, four were reported from Gyeonggi Pro

Oct. 23, 2023

Lotte aquarium, activists battle over release of beluga whale

Lotte World Aquarium recently filed charges against a local marine animal rights advocates' group for holding a protest within its premises, the latest development in their ongoing battle over the release of a beluga whale. Songpa Police Station in southern Seoul last week said it is pressing charges of destruction of property and interference with business against eight activists from the group Hot Pink Dolphins, a marine conservation activist group. Last year, they held a protest at the L

Oct. 23, 2023

Drug crimes in Seoul most common in Itaewon, Gangnam, Hongdae: study

Drug crimes in Seoul are most common in areas with vibrant nightlife scenes and wealthy neighborhoods, a study suggested Monday. According to the study on the analysis of spatial influencing factors on drug crimes in Seoul, Itaewon, Gangnam and Hongdae are the top three spots for drug crimes. The three neighborhoods are well known for their vibrant nightlife replete with an array of escort bars, nightclubs and accommodation facilities. The study, written by inspectors at the Seoul Seongdong Poli

Oct. 23, 2023

S. Korea's rising problem: unemployed youth giving up on job searching

Nearly 4 out of 10 young unemployed Koreans have been jobless for the last three years, highlighting an emerging issue in Korean society: a growing number of young people are giving up on job searching. According to data Statistics Korea released Sunday, 218,000 Koreans aged from 15 to 29 had not been employed for more than three years as of May 2023. Among them, 80,000 were those who spent time mostly at home without seeking employment or training and education for hiring opportunities, the age

Oct. 23, 2023

The Herald Retiree’s Club

HERALD CLUB -- The Herald Retiree’s Club held an "Ansan Dulegil Hiking" event on the outskirts of Seoul on Oct. 21. Around 40 members participated in this annual autumn trek, walking along the forest path adorned with red autumn leaves and enjoying camaraderie. The club chairman, Park Haeng-hwan (fourth from left, front row), Honorary Chairman Yoon Ik-han (fifth from left, front row), Adviser Kwon Chung-won (second from left, back row), CEO Jeon Chang-hyeop (sixth from left, fron

Oct. 23, 2023

Things to note to prevent disputes in international contracts: The critical clause of governing law

With globalization, various types of international contracts have emerged, emphasizing the importance of well-reviewed international contracts. It is important to understand the core of international contracts, as disputes in international trade could dramatically increase the costs in terms of time and money. Here, we discuss the concepts of international contracts with Attorney Han Daeun, from law firm Law-win. Q. What is an international contract? An international contract is a legally bi

Oct. 23, 2023