The South Korean government should step up efforts in building a chemical-safe society and Oxy Reckitt Benckiser should sincerely apologize to all victims affected by their products since 2006, the United Nations special rapporteur said in a report. Baskut Tuncak, the UN special rapporteur for human rights and disposal of hazardous substances, underlined the “government’s obligation to protect a...

This is the third installment of a three-part series on Seoul’s battle against three types of urban pollution: smell, noise, and light. -- Ed. Office worker Wi, 26, often plays soccer at a public field near Gangnam, but he recently faced resistance from some residents who live nearby. An official from the district office asked Wi and his teammates to avoid playing soccer there at night, as ther...

Another subway maintenance worker died in an accident over the weekend while repairing subway facilities, rekindling concerns regarding the safety management of subway operator Seoul Metro. According to Gwangjin Fire Station, 28-year-old employee surnamed Park fell down below the railroad bridge during maintenance operations near subway line No. 2 Seongsu Station at 1:12 p.m. on Saturday. The a...

Despite the different drinking cultures around the world, there is one universal truth that no one can escape from after a night of heavy drinking: the hangover. As studies technically show, the only way to avoid the dreaded hangover is to drink less, but there are other tactics people use to reduce the pain and suffering that come having one too many. While the go-to cure for many people is to...

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Wednesday denounced the central government’s overlapping plan to utilize the land in Yongsan following the scheduled relocation of the US troops next year. He said the city will continue to draw up detailed plans to create an urban park upholding the historical value of the site. After several rounds of talks stretching decades, South Korea and the US agreed in 2004 ...

Citizens are perhaps the most important factor in defining public art, said Ahn Kyu-chul, a formative arts professor at Korea National University of Arts. “Citizens can call hanging love locks at N Seoul Tower in Namsan public art if they like, why not?” said Ahn during a lecture to a hundred participants who had gathered at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Saturday for Seoul City’s project to uncover...

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that it has confirmed this country’s second case of cholera in Geoje, South Gyeongsang province. The confirmation comes two days after the discovery of South Korea’s first case of cholera in 15 years. According to the health authorities, a 73-year-old woman was confirmed to have been infected with cholera after she ate defrosted...

The National Health Insurance Service, a public corporation managing health care here, is reaching out abroad with South Korea’s health insurance models to share its expertise and accomplishments. For decades, the NHIS has provided low-cost access to quality health care for citizens and its health insurance system has also gained recognition as one of the most efficient in the world. It attract...

This is the second installment of a three-part series on Seoul's battle against three types of urban pollution: smell, noise, and light. --Ed. Bustling with talented young buskers, Seoul’s Daehangno and Hongdae streets turn into vibrant stages at night. After sunset, diverse buskers flock to the popular areas to show off their skills ranging from rapping, dancing and even putting on magic show...

South Korean health authorities said Tuesday that it has confirmed the first case of cholera in 15 years in Gwangju. It is the first time that a local citizen has been infected with the disease without having traveled overseas. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a 58-year-old man was infected with cholera in the southern city of Gwangju, after he started suffering fro...

The Korea Meteorological Administration’s error in reporting that the abnormal heat wave would soon end has led to questions over its ability to forecast the weather. The KMA said last week that heat would subside over the weekend and the tropical night phenomena will also diminish. However, the daytime high hit 36.5 degrees Celsius in Seoul on Monday, while a heat wave warning and advisory wer...

Some of the victims and members of civic group have dismissed the government’s additional confirmation of 37 victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants, arguing the state’s categorization process is flawed. Based on the third round of victims’ damage reports collected last December, the Environment Ministry conducted the verification process on 165 out of 752 applications for recognition as victi...

Some of the victims and members of civic group have dismissed the government’s additional confirmation of 37 victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants, arguing the state’s categorization process is flawed. Based on the third round of victims’ damage reports collected last December, the Environment Ministry conducted the verification process on 165 out of 752 applications for recognition as victi...

This is the first installment of a three-part series on Seoul’s battle against three types of urban pollution: smell, noise and light. --Ed. For Kim Ok-jin, 56, summer is the season of the year when her anxiety peaks, especially when she tries to open her windows. Her main concern is not the scorching weather, but the food smell that wafts over to her house from a “galbi” (Korean barbequed ribs...

South Korea’s abnormal heat wave that has been ongoing since July will come to an end this weekend, the state weather agency said Thursday. The Korea Meteorological Administration said that the heat will subside at the end of the week and the tropical night phenomena will also diminish. The temperatures are expected to cool off as sporadic rain is set to hit central regions such as Gangwon Prov...