The number of babies born in South Korea fell to a record low in September, data showed, underscoring the country’s bleak demographic situation with the chronically low birthrate.A total of 21,920 babies were born in September, down 6.7 percent from the previous year, according to data compiled by S
South Korea will foster 89,000 more people specialized in software technology by 2025 to cope with a shortage of digital talent in the future, the Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday.Unveiling the government’s plan to support younger generations in times of digital transformation, the ministry
Cosmetics firm Beaumax donated 30,000 face masks to support disadvantaged children in Myanmar struggling with COVID-19, acting on a high school student’s proposal.The Seoul-based company said Thursday it has donated the masks to Myanmar as part of nonprofit Worldshare’s “Disaster Vulnerable Overseas
The Daesan Foundation announced the four winners of the 29th annual Daesan Literary Awards on Wednesday.The organization founded by Kyobo Life Insurance awards winners in four categories, recognizing the best poetry, novel, drama or literature review and translated work. The award for best translate
Korean authorities’ overzealous approach to the COVID-19 response regarding foreigners has raised concerns of discrimination and fanning xenophobia.“When a Korean person catches COVID-19, people in the area are notified that someone has been infected. The alert goes right to their phone. When someon
Whether the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family should remain in existence again surfaced as a hot button issue Friday, as opposition lawmakers criticized its work over the past year in caring for women in need.During the annual audit of the ministry by the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and F
SEJONG -- Seoul has the smallest number of people per household, on average, among the eight major cities across the nation.The average population per household in Seoul fell to an all-time low of 2.16 -- 9.52 million people in 4.42 million households -- as of September, according to the Ministry of
People aged 65 and older made up 16.5 percent of South Korea’s population this year, a report showed, highlighting concerns that the fast-aging demographic transition could pose a drag on the country’s economy. According to the report by Statistics Korea, the number of people aged 65 and older stood
The Supreme Court on Sunday overturned a lower court’s ruling that a foreign woman who married a Korean man and later divorced could not have child custody due to a lack of Korean language communication skills.The nation’s highest court said that it partially reversed and remanded the case to the Je
For top actor Kong Hyo-jin, raising awareness on environmental issues and fighting against climate change are causes that are very close to her heart. “I wrote a book to talk about the environment and introduce basic measures that anyone can take to save the Earth from the climate crisis 10 years ag
Discrimination against foreigners and migrant workers is apparent in how they are treated here, which hasn’t changed much from the past despite more people being aware of the problem.In many cases, migrant workers are deprived of their rightful wages, subjected to poor living conditions.In December,
The dystopian Netflix hit taps South Korea’s worries about costly housing and scarce jobs, concerns familiar to its U.S. and international viewers.In “Squid Game,” the hit dystopian television show on Netflix, 456 people facing severe debt and financial despair play a series of deadly children’s gam
A South Korean court on Thursday ordered the cancellation of the forceful discharge of transgender soldier Byun Hee-soo, who took her own life earlier this year.The Daejeon District Court ruled in favor of Staff Sgt. Byun, who was dismissed from the Army in January of last year, elucidating that the
Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung has vowed to grow Seoul into a global economic powerhouse as he looks to appeal to voters in South Korea’s capital while solidifying his lead in the ruling Democratic Party’s presidential primary race.The leading presidential candidate for the ruling bloc said in
The Korea International Cooperation Agency’s project on improving water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia is gaining global attention, after it was featured in renowned international journals.The government agency dedicated to providing grant aid programs said Monday that its official development as
Afghan evacuees in Korea started a new chapter of their lives Wednesday, as the government kicked off a basic social adaptation program to help the refugees settle in the country.The Ministry of Justice started the Korea Immigration and Integration Program for the adults to help them understand and
People aged 65 and older made up 16.5 percent of South Korea's population this year, a report showed Wednesday, highlighting concerns that the fast-aging demographic transition could pose a drag on the country's economy.According to the report by Statistics Korea, the number of people aged 65 and ol
President Moon Jae-in’s top officials on Tuesday once again reiterated the administration’s commitment to returning to normal from October, when 80 percent of the adult population is anticipated to be fully vaccinated.Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, overseeing the country’s COVID-19 response headquarte
The ASEAN-Korea Centre, an intergovernmental organization, will hold ASEAN Week 2021 online and offline Oct. 5-6 to highlight partnerships between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.According to the center’s Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong, the flagship event will be co-hosted
South Korea has been named the next head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors, marking the first time a Korean representative is to hold the post since the UN nuclear watchdog was established in 1957, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. Shin Chae-hyun, the South Korean ambassad
