The parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee on Wednesday decided to defer a decision on a pro-labor bill that aims to limit companies from making claims for damages against legitimate labor union disputes. National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jung Chung-rae said that the decision was put on hold, citing the need for further discussions due to differences between the ruling and opposition parties. The National Assembly passed a similar bill last year, but P

Social Affairs July 24, 2024

The founder of South Korean tech giant Kakao Corp. was detained Tuesday on charges of stock price manipulation related to the firm's takeover of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment last year, prosecutors said. The Seoul Southern District Court granted the prosecution’s request for a pretrial detention warrant for Kim Beom-su, also known as Brian Kim, on charges of violating the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, citing concerns about evidence destruction and flight r

Social Affairs July 23, 2024

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on Monday that it has decided to raise the meal expense limit for public officials from 30,000 won ($22) to 50,000 won, citing the need to reflect the country's steep inflation since the limit was set. This proposal came eight years after the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, also known as the "Kim Young-ran law," was implemented. The antigraft act, named after the former Supreme Court justice who was then head of the co

Social Affairs July 22, 2024

The employment rates and wages of South Korea's female workers significantly dropped after they become mothers, with about one in two mothers leaving their jobs after giving birth, a recent study showed Monday. According to a report released by the Korea Development Institute, women's employment rates decreased by 47.1 percent in the short term -- defined as within four years after childbirth -- and by 43.4 percent in the long term -- defined as five to 10 years after childbirth. Simil

Social Affairs July 22, 2024

Prosecutors questioned First Lady Kim Keon Hee face-to-face for the first time from Saturday to early Sunday on allegations of her involvement in a stock manipulation case, as well as receiving a Christian Dior handbag and other luxury gifts in exchange for favors, the South Korean prosecution confirmed Sunday. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office announced Sunday that Kim was questioned for around 12 hours, from 1:30 p.m. Saturday to 1:20 a.m. Sunday, at an undisclosed government build

Social Affairs July 21, 2024

When it comes to his big day, hotels, wedding halls and convention centers have never been an option for Bae Sung-jae. The 38-year-old always wanted a wedding that broke from the Korean norm, where hundreds of guests gather at an indoor venue to watch the newlyweds make their wedding vows, followed by a meal or a buffet, and then a photo session. The budget was also an issue. Wedding venues charge not only for food and drinks but also use of the venue, screen for videos and flowers. Instead, he

Social Affairs July 20, 2024

Gyeonghuigung, a palace from the late Joseon era (1392-1910), and its surrounding area will be transformed into an expanded historical and cultural park in a gradual project running until 2035, the Seoul city government said Wednesday. The new park, covering approximately 136,000 square meters, will be 10 times the size of Seoul Plaza. The project aims to shine a light on Gyeonghuigung, a lesser-known palace, which has attracted fewer visitors compared to the nearby Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung

Social Affairs July 17, 2024

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Labor Ministry announced on Tuesday that applications from families interested in hiring caregivers from the Philippines are to open Wednesday, marking a step forward in implementing a government-facilitated foreign nanny program for the first time. Families eligible for the pilot program are those with children under 12 years old, single-parent households, households with multiple children and dual-income families. Applications are to be accepted via design

Social Affairs July 16, 2024

A series of memorial events were held across the country Monday to mark the first anniversary of the Osong tragedy, where 14 people lost their lives and 16 were injured due to the flooding of an underground roadway in July last year. At a ceremony held at the Gungpyeong 2 underpass in Osong-eup of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province — the site of the tragedy — Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader and acting leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, vowed to remember the v

Social Affairs July 15, 2024

The National Forensic Service has concluded in its analysis of the tragic wrong-way accident near City Hall Station in Seoul that the cause of the accident was driver error, the head of Seoul police told reporters Monday. The forensics report counters the claim by the 68-year-old driver, identified by his surname Cha, that the accident was caused by sudden unintended acceleration. He told investigators that the brakes were not working at the time of the accident. The car stopped after hitting pe

Social Affairs July 15, 2024

The minimum wage for 2025 has been set at 10,030 won ($7.30) per hour, surpassing the 10,000 won mark for the first time since the system was introduced in 1988 and eliciting mixed reactions from business owners and employees. This decision, reached during the Minimum Wage Commission’s 11th plenary meeting Friday, represents a 1.7 percent increase from the current 9,860 won per hour. The new rate translates to a monthly wage of approximately 2.1 million won, based on a standard 40-hour wor

Social Affairs July 12, 2024

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will reconsider its plan to erect a 100-meter-tall flagpole with a giant Taegeukgi, or South Korea's national flag, in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Mayor Oh Se-hoon said during a press briefing held at the city hall on Thursday. The mayor said he would take public opinions before pushing ahead with the plan to create the National Monument Space featuring the large flagpole, initially announced on June 25 on the 74th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean

Social Affairs July 11, 2024

Dobong, a gateway connecting Seoul with northern Gyeonggi Province, has historically been a bedroom community lacking the industrial infrastructure necessary for economic growth. The district's abundant green space, including Bukhansan National Park, and national conservation efforts have constrained its ability to attract businesses, limiting local job opportunities. However, the district head is now seeking sustainable ways to generate new income by leveraging the national park and promot

Social Affairs July 10, 2024

Samsung Electronics' largest labor union announced Wednesday an indefinite extension of their ongoing strike, claiming that their collective action could cause potential disruptions in production at one of the world’s leading chip manufacturing sites. The announcement followed a three-day strike, which ended without any engagement from management. “We declare a second round of strikes for an indefinite period as we have confirmed that management doesn’t have the will to ta

Social Affairs July 10, 2024

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday that the Seoul Olympic Main Stadium would serve as a temporary baseball venue for the next five years as construction is set to begin on the new Jamsil Dome Stadium. The arrangement is part of a broader urban development plan unveiled in September 2023, which includes the construction of the Jamsil Sports MICE Complex in southeastern Seoul. The project will expand the city's capacity for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (M

Social Affairs July 9, 2024