Articles by Kan Hyeong-woo
Kan Hyeong-woo
hwkan@heraldcorp.com-
[Herald Interview] Weirdos change the world: KAIST chief
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology President Lee Kwang-hyung is hoping to put the institution on the global map, by starting with “failures.” KAIST is one of Korea’s leading universities, but its standing on the global stage remains far behind its local reputation. According to the QS Global World Rankings 2022, KAIST came in 41st spot as one of the two Korean schools along with Seoul National University to crack the top 50. KAIST’s standing among t
Social Affairs Aug. 11, 2021
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More students to attend in-person classes in 2nd semester: ministry
The Ministry of Education announced Monday that in-person classes will be expanded in phases during the second semester. According to the ministry, kindergartners and first and second graders will be able to attend in-person classes regardless of which social distancing level the health authorities designate. At Level 3, three-quarters of elementary school students between grades three and six, two-thirds of middle school students and half of first- and second-year high school students can g
Social Affairs Aug. 9, 2021
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Social distancing rules questioned amid surge in cases
Despite having its most restrictive social distancing measures in place for nearly a month, South Korea is still scrambling to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The country reported 1,729 newly confirmed cases in the 24 hours ending Saturday at midnight, setting yet another record. It is the highest daily case tally on a weekend since the outbreak began early last year. “The fourth wave led by the delta variant, unlike the past waves, is characterized by faster spread and stronger in
Social Affairs Aug. 8, 2021
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Korea wavers on carbon neutrality
The Presidential Committee on Carbon Neutrality unveiled Thursday three options for reducing carbon emissions by 2050, but only one of them achieves carbon neutrality. Depending on which road map the country decides to follow, net emissions in 2050 could vary from zero to 25.4 million metric tons. “The committee established the vision of a safe and sustainable carbon neutral society from the climate crisis and reviewed the scenarios based on five principles: accountability, inclusivene
Social Affairs Aug. 5, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Gyeonggi’s push for relief funds fuels infighting
The clash among the ruling Democratic Party’s presidential contenders is gaining renewed steam, despite the candidates’ vow to work as “one team.” The infighting resurged over Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung’s idea of providing cash handouts for all residents in the province, as it drew criticism from other presidential hopefuls. He first mentioned the idea Sunday, saying that he is considering an option to give COVID-19 disaster relief funds to the 12 perce
Politics Aug. 3, 2021
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Students from 26 countries advised to travel to Korea after 70% first-dose vaccination rate
In preparation for an influx of students coming for the fall semester, the Education Ministry has come up with a separate set of guidelines for students from 26 countries where there has been a higher risk of the spread of virus variants, including the highly contagious delta variant. The government has designated 26 countries where COVID-19 variants are spreading fast. The countries are South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Brazil, Suriname, Paraguay, Chil
Social Affairs July 29, 2021
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Anti-corruption agency summons Seoul education chief in power abuse probe
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on Tuesday summoned Seoul Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon for an ongoing probe over alleged power abuse in pushing for unfair employment. Cho is accused of abusing his authority by pressing for a 2018 special employment process for five teachers who were fired after being convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act. He has denied the allegations since the CIO launched the probed into his case in April. “Re
Social Affairs July 27, 2021
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Russian mountaineer accuses climbers of passing by missing Korean mountaineer
Russian mountaineer Vitaly Lazo has openly accused climbers of passing by Kim Hong-bin, a disabled South Korean mountaineer who went missing July 18 after reaching the Broad Peak in Pakistan -- one of the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world -- and ignoring the stranded 56-year-old for hours without even sending an SOS to the base camp. Lazo, who tried to rescue Kim, according to Korean officials at the base camp, posted his message Friday on the Instagram account of Death Zone Freeride, a R
Social Affairs July 25, 2021
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Despite quasi-lockdown, virus spread continues across Korea
Reporting over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for the 19th consecutive day Sunday, South Korea is struggling to contain a stubborn fourth wave of infections even with the stiffest social distancing measures in place. The number of newly confirmed cases in the 24 hours ending Saturday at midnight was 1,487, marking the highest daily tally reported on a weekend since the coronavirus outbreak started early last year. Due to a surge in the number of infections in the Greater Seoul area earlier t
Social Affairs July 25, 2021
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NLCS Jeju students excel in IB Diploma exam again
North London Collegiate School Jeju’s Class of 2021 scored an average of 39 points in the International Baccalaureate diploma program, demonstrating academic excellence even with the virus-ridden year. The IB diploma program is a two-year educational assessment that provides internationally accepted qualification for entry into top universities across the globe. According to NLCS, it marked the second year in a row for the school’s graduate class to post an average score of 39. T
Social Affairs July 25, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Buddhist monks fined for breaching social distancing guidelines
Buddhist monks are facing criticism after seven of them were caught having a private gathering in violation of local social distancing guidelines. According to the local government of Haenam in South Jeolla Province, there was a report of several Buddhist monks having a meal together with alcoholic drinks on Monday evening, when the region’s social distancing guidelines prohibiting private gatherings of more than four people had come into effect. A photograph showed eight people sitting
Social Affairs July 22, 2021
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Korea to take part in G-20 environment ministers’ meeting in Italy
Korea’s Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae will attend the G-20 environment ministers’ meeting and climate and energy ministers’ meeting that kicks off Thursday in Italy, the Ministry of Environment said Wednesday. As a multilateral forum that addresses major global issues such as international finance, climate change and sustainable development, the G-20 consists of 19 countries and the European Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, F
Foreign Affairs July 21, 2021
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Incheon trashes Greater Seoul’s landfill hopes
The Ministry of Environment has once again come up empty-handed in its attempt to find a local government willing to build an alternative landfill to take in waste generated from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. Incheon’s Sudokwon Landfill has been handling garbage from Seoul and Gyeonggi Province since 1992, but the city government announced last year that it would scrap the arrangement after 2025 when the contract expires. The Environment Ministry first conducted a search for po
Social Affairs July 20, 2021
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Mass infection during military mission draws criticism
The Korean military is facing mounting criticism after more than 80 percent of the 301-strong Cheonghae unit tested positive for the coronavirus while carrying out anti-piracy operations in the waters off Africa. “The (COVID-19) test results on all 301 crew members of the unit showed that 247 tested positive and 50 negative. The samples of four individuals were undecipherable,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday. The government sent two KC-330 tanker transport planes to bring
Defense July 19, 2021
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Vaccination begins for high school seniors
High school seniors began receiving their coronavirus shots Monday, becoming the first teenagers in the country to be inoculated. According to the Education Ministry and health authorities, high school faculty members including teachers, school administrative staffers and other workers who are in close contact with students started getting their shots Monday along with the teenagers. The students and teachers are getting Pfizer’s vaccine. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved i
Social Affairs July 19, 2021
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