The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation released the answers for this year’s Suneung, or college scholastic ability test, on Monday, after reviewing complaints filed against this year’s exam questions.The institute, which organizes the multi-subject standardized exam, released the answers to this year’s Suneung, held on Nov. 15, on its website. It said it reviewed all 991 complaints submitted by test-takers and confirmed no errors were made in the 107 questions that faced objections. 

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2018

A group under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions demanded direct talks with President Moon Jae-in on Monday, denouncing him for not keeping his promise to turn all temporary workers into regular or permanent workers.The labor group, which represents temporary workers, held a press conference in front of the presidential office expressing disappointment with the Moon administration for keeping silent in response to its request for a direct meeting between the president and the group’s 100 r

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2018

In his first visit to Korea, Jason Yin said he had an unpleasant experience witnessing Koreans spitting on pavements multiple times during his two-week stay here.“Without showing any signs of guilt or shame, Koreans would just spit in public,” the 35-year-old Canadian told The Korea Herald. “Nobody seemed to be bothered by it, though. I saw it happen so often, so naturally.”Kwaku Ananse, a Ghana national, had similar complaints.“Korea must find a way of managing public spitting. Very rampant and

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2018

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday it will launch additional nighttime bus services and expand operations of existing bus lines to meet the increase in demand expected at the end of the year. The city government will introduce four new nighttime bus routes that pass through major city spots, including Gangnam, Hongik University, and Yeongdeungpo, from Dec. 1 to 30.  (Wikimedia Commons)The bus numbers are the N877 departing from Saejeol Subway Station to Hongdae Station; N866 from Da

Social Affairs Nov. 22, 2018

Korea’s top court said it will resume disciplinary procedures for justices involved in a massive judiciary power abuse case, apparently under pressure from ongoing public discussions on impeaching the offenders. The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will reopen the disciplinary committee against 13 judges for their collusion in a power abuse case involving former Supreme Court Justice Yang Seung-tae, with the aim of taking action by the end of the year. The move comes three months after the las

Social Affairs Nov. 22, 2018

Korea’s major labor umbrella union staged a walkout Wednesday to protest the government plan to expand the implementation of flexible work-hour system. About 160,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, or about 18 percent of its 900,000 members, participated in the walkout for at least four hours to express their objection to the system, which they claim will worsen the working conditions for laborers. (Yonhap)The flexible work-hours system allows employees to work for any hours

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2018

The government said Tuesday that those convicted of violent crimes such as sexual and child-related abuse will be banned from working in the delivery business for up to 20 years. The proposed revision of the Truck Transport Business Act, which prohibits violent criminals from working in the transport business, was passed in a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in and is to be enacted starting Nov. 29. (Yonhap)The amendment aims to protect consumers from violent crimes, such as s

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2018

A veteran lawmaker criticized opposition members who are moving to form an alliance against President Moon Jae-in, saying it was “not right” to prevent a head of state from doing his duty. In a radio interview Tuesday morning, Rep. Park Jie-won, a former culture minister and four-term lawmaker from the minor opposition Party for Democracy and Peace, warned of the many crises facing the country. Park Jie-won (Yonhap)Noting that that the country faces a crisis on five fronts -- denuclearization, e

Politics Nov. 20, 2018

In the wake of a massive judiciary power abuse scandal, a group of judges on Monday said the judges involved in the irregularities have “seriously violated the Constitution,” and addressed the need for their impeachment. The National Judges Representative Meeting kicked off its second regular meeting at 10 a.m. to discuss a resolution demanding the impeachment of judges involved in the power abuse of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae. Of 119 total judge representatives across the

Social Affairs Nov. 19, 2018

Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung criticized police Monday, after they announced his wife as the owner of a Twitter account that spread false rumors about his political opponents.In a press conference Monday, Lee denounced police as lacking in judgment in pointing to his wife, Kim Hye-gyeong, as the owner of the “Hyegyeonggung Ms. Kim” Twitter account.  (Yonhap)Police began investigating the case after thousands of posts spreading false information about Lee’s political rivals, including Pres

Social Affairs Nov. 19, 2018

Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday that it is reviewing to introduce new taxi services for pets and women, amid rising conflict between taxi drivers and carpooling services. According to an official from the city government, Seoul City is looking to introduce new services targeting different passenger needs, such as taxis for pet owners, women and senior citizens by launching taxi transport franchises. (Yonhap)Receiving protests from corporate and private taxi drivers for allowing carpool

Social Affairs Nov. 16, 2018

On the day of Suneung, South Korea’s college scholastic ability test, hundreds of thousands of students looking both determined and nervous flocked to test sites across the country. Cheering crowds gathered Thursday in front of many of the 1,190 test sites, including Yongsan High School in Seoul, to wish best of luck to students taking possibly the most important test for youths here. They beat drums and cheered loudly early in the morning, as test takers made their way through the school gate.(

Social Affairs Nov. 15, 2018

Jun Won-tchack, a right-wing lawyer and political pundit who was recently fired from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party’s reinforcement committee, expressed regret over his dismissal on Wednesday.Jun was appointed as a member of the conservative party’s organization reinforcement committee in October, which is in charge of managing personnel appointment. However, the party fired him Friday, as Jun and the party’s interim leadership clashed over when to hold a national convention to elect ne

Politics Nov. 14, 2018

Just a day before Thursday’s college scholastic ability test, or Suneung, a tense atmosphere prevailed as students geared up for the exam for which they have long prepared. Authorities also took nation-wide measures to support test takers. At Yongsan High School, third-year students left the school early while their juniors lined up on the sidelines to cheer those who would take Suneung the next day. Third-year students leave the school gate as their juniors and teachers cheer for them, a day be

Social Affairs Nov. 14, 2018

International Youth Fellowship awarded grand prizes to three winners for its 18th English Speech Contest on Saturday.The annual contest with it final round in Sejong Hall at Seoul Human Resources Development Center saw total participation of 1,315 middle school, high school and college students. 2018 IYF English Speech Contest winners (from left): Kim Jong-sung of Keimyung University, Park Sun-ae from Cheonan Ohseong High School and Oh Sun-ah from Sesory Music Middle and High School (IYF)The mid

Social Affairs Nov. 13, 2018