Articles by Lee Jaeeun
Lee Jaeeun
jenn@heraldcorp.com-
Yoon says 2,000 increase in med school quota non-negotiable
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday remained set on his push for an increase in the annual medical school enrollment quota of 2,000, saying the number "is non-negotiable." "No excuses can justify (doctors') collective action of taking people's health hostage and posing a threat to people's lives," Yoon told some 100 participants including mayors and provincial governors at the Central and Local Government Cooperation Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential of
Social Affairs Feb. 27, 2024
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Korea to accept foreign workers' industrial accident claims via embassies
Foreign embassies in South Korea can now process and submit applications from their citizens claiming industrial accident compensation, the Korea Worker's Compensation and Welfare Service announced Monday. Previously, only the victims themselves, the victims’ direct relatives and certified labor attorneys could apply for compensation on behalf of the victims. For instance, the bereaved family of a Cambodian woman in her 30s who was found dead while residing in an unheated plastic gree
Social Affairs Feb. 26, 2024
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Medical services disruption escalates with 27 surgeries canceled
South Korean hospitals are experiencing further disruption amid a growing walkout by the country’s junior doctors, who perform surgeries and provide other treatment at major hospitals. The Ministry of Health and Welfare received 40 adverse effects from the doctor walkout as of 6 p.m. on Thursday, with reports renewing daily. These cases consist of 27 instances of delayed surgery, six cases of patients being refused treatment, four appointment cancellations, and three delays in hospitaliz
Social Affairs Feb. 23, 2024
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Korea recommends work from home when fine dust levels high
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday said that it will recommend that people work from home whenever emergency dust reduction steps are taken, starting next month. According to the Ministry of Environment, the Special Task Force Committee on Fine Dust will include a recommendation to work from home or take time off when emergency dust reduction measures of fine dust are implemented in the government's "Total Response Plan for Spring Fine Dust," which it is set to announce next
Social Affairs Feb. 22, 2024
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Past successes behind doctors' confidence
Despite the public's negative response and the government's stern warning against doctors leaving hospitals in protest of a drastic medical school quota expansion that would add 2,000 new spots per year, Korean doctors have remained adamant, expressing confidence that they would not back down until the plan is withdrawn. Among the doctors remaining steadfast over the government's threats of legal action is Noh Hwan-kyu, the former chair of the Korea Medical Association, an interes
Social Affairs Feb. 21, 2024
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Korean victim receives first compensation for forced labor from Japanese company
The bereaved family of a forced labor victim under Japan's 1910-1945 colonization received 60 million won ($44,850) in recompense in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling, marking the first case in which funds from a Japanese company were transferred to a forced labor victim. The family of the late victim surnamed Lee, who worked at the firm's shipyard starting in September 1944, withdrew 60 million won on Tuesday from the Seoul Central District Court, which Osaka-based industrial and
Social Affairs Feb. 20, 2024
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Human rights body to fund research on foreign workers' conditions
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced Monday that it plans to fund research on the working conditions of migrant workers, to expand the statistics available specifically on migrant worker deaths and potential support systems. The commission will be accepting research proposals for related studies with a maximum funding award amount of 50,000,000 won ($37,374) per project from March 7, 10 a.m. through March 10, 10 a.m. via their website. “Various factors make migrant worke
Social Affairs Feb. 20, 2024
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Seoul touts economic potential of S. Korea-Cuba ties
The South Korean presidential office said Sunday that the establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba would create new economic opportunities for Korean companies, though it conceded it would take time. “The establishment of diplomatic relations and the future opening of a permanent mission in each country will lay the groundwork for expanded economic cooperation in a gradual manner," the presidential office touted the anticipated impacts of forging of ties announced on Wednesday. The
Social Affairs Feb. 18, 2024
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Hwasun, county of dolmen colony in South Jeolla Province, aims to become younger
Famous for the Hwasun Dolmen Remains, the world's only dolmen colony registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province is now setting its sights on the future, according to Gu Bog-gyu, the county’s governor, pointing to the city's 10,000 won ($7.50) apartments. “Outside the capital region, many rural areas face a serious population decline problem, and Hwasun was no exception. However, by offering 10,000 won apartments to younger generations
Social Affairs Feb. 14, 2024
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Plant construction workers oppose foreign labor
Hundreds of plant construction workers held a rally Wednesday to urge the government not to allow plant construction companies to hire foreign workers. The Korean Plant Construction Workers’ Union, under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, staged rallies across the country, including in Seoul, Yeosu in South Jeolla Province and Ulsan. “Many Koreans are facing difficulties finding jobs at plant construction sites as construction business continues to stagnate. We condemn the Yoo
Social Affairs Feb. 14, 2024
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Health care crisis looms as doctors prepare for strike over med school quota expansion
Fears of a health care crisis were brewing in South Korea on Monday, as doctors and medical residents discussed taking collective action in protest of the government's planned hike in the medical school student quota. The Korean Medical Association, the country's largest coalition of doctors groups with 130,000 members, threatened to go on strike on Thursday and hold a national meeting of doctors in Seoul on Saturday. Another group of interns, residents and trainee doctors, the Korean
Social Affairs Feb. 12, 2024
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Foreign nanny plan put on hold as Philippines suspends worker deployment
A moratorium set by the Philippine government on sending their workers to South Korea has put the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s plan to bring in foreign domestic workers on hold, while also leaving some local farms with a shortage of workers as they will have fewer seasonal workers from the Philippines than in previous years. The Seoul city government said last year that it would bring in around 100 Filipina domestic helpers during the second half of 2023 in a pilot program to tackle the
Social Affairs Feb. 7, 2024
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Yoon meets trilateral dialogue representatives for 1st time
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday met representatives of the country’s tripartite panel of labor, management and the government, urging them to jointly resolve pending issues. “Labor-management issues are not simply issues between groups with different interests but should be discussed within the larger framework of ‘sustainability’ in this society," he said as he hosted a luncheon with the member of the Economic, Social and Labor Affairs Committee. "If we comm
Social Affairs Feb. 6, 2024
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Seoul unveils plan for world's largest 'vertical' business district in Yongsan
The Seoul city government unveiled a set of plans to transform an abandoned train maintenance depot in the central district of Yongsan into an international business district, with the construction of a 100-floor skyscraper and a sky trail linking high-rises there as the centerpiece. In a press briefing Monday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the government will transform an area of unused land near Yongsan Station into an “international business district as a new center for global urban compe
Social Affairs Feb. 5, 2024
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3 serious accidents in SMEs reported a week after law expansion
Three serious accidents were reported by enterprises with fewer than 50 employees in the first week since the enforcement of workplace safety laws was expanded, South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor said Sunday. The ministry reported deaths at work at SMEs in Busan, Gangwon Province and Gyeonggi Province since the laws subjecting employers to penalties for fatal accidents were expanded to smaller businesses on Jan. 27. For instance, a male worker in his 50s died after being crushed
Social Affairs Feb. 4, 2024
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