Articles by Lee Jaeeun
Lee Jaeeun
jenn@heraldcorp.com-
Pay debate plagues foreign nanny pilot
As Seoul's six-month foreign caregiver pilot program marks its first month on Thursday, significant unresolved issues -- particularly over pay. The initiative, led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, aims to offer affordable child care and light and incidental help with housework. The six-month pilot, limited to Seoul households, primarily dual-income with multiple children, and employing only Filipino national women aged 24-38, began on Sept. 3 wi
Social Affairs Oct. 3, 2024
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Seoul mayor suggests shift in immigration policy
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called for a paradigm shift in South Korean immigration policy, highlighting the importance of adopting more inclusive visa policies to tackle demographic challenges. "With a total fertility rate of just 0.7 and the elder population set to surpass 20 percent next year, the potential workforce crisis looms large," said Oh at the Foreign Residents and Migration Policy Forum hosted by the city government. Inclusive visa policies can help keep diverse international r
Social Affairs Oct. 1, 2024
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Immigration policy must go beyond labor supply: experts
South Korea needs to shift its perspective on immigration beyond merely viewing immigrants as a solution to labor supply issues, experts said at a forum in Seoul last week. Emphasizing that any successful immigration policy must account for cultural, social and legal integration, Moon Jae-wan, president of the Korea Migration Law Association, said that overlooking the wider contributions of immigrants was a flawed approach. "In a rapidly changing global landscape, we must recognize immigr
Social Affairs Sept. 29, 2024
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Seoul wins WHO award for age-friendly policies
Seoul has received an award from the World Health Organization for its policies dedicated to improving the management of senior health in the city, the city government said Thursday. Presented at the 10th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Wednesday to Friday, the Healthy Cities Recognition Award for Age-Friendly Cities highlights Seoul's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of its aging population, according to city of
Social Affairs Sept. 26, 2024
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Seoul seeks to improve foreign nanny program after two abscond
In the wake of two caregivers from the Philippines abruptly disappearing just two weeks into Seoul's foreign caregiver pilot program, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor convened a meeting in Seoul Tuesday to address operational challenges faced by the caregivers. Among the issues the meeting participants highlighted were lengthy commutes between assignments and a heavy workload associated with caring for multiple children. The meeting i
Social Affairs Sept. 24, 2024
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[Online Predators] Online reviews of sex tourism in Southeast Asia proliferate
South Koreans leaving online reviews about visiting prostitution establishments in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Laos have proliferated, despite legal prohibition both here for Koreans and there abroad, according to observers and legal experts here Monday. The posts often use terms like "byeonma" -- referring to a clandestine brothel disguised as a massage parlor -- and "cheolchang" -- for an establishment where five to seven minors are confined in smal
Social Affairs Sept. 23, 2024
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Prosecutors demand 2-year prison term for DP leader Lee Jae-myung
Prosecutors on Friday sought a two-year prison sentence for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, around two years after he was indicted for making false statements during the 2022 presidential election campaign. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Nov. 15. In the final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors urged the court to impose the sentence, accusing Lee of violating the Public Official Election Act. "The defendant repeatedly lie
Politics Sept. 20, 2024
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Nearly half of Koreans working abroad opt to return home: report
Nearly half of South Koreans who secured employment abroad through government programs have chosen to return home, with low job security and insufficient wages cited as the top two factors for their dissatisfaction. Of the 6,715 Koreans who secured overseas jobs with government assistance between 2018 and 2023, 46.6 percent -- totaling 3,129 individuals -- have since returned to South Korea, according to data released Friday by Representative Kang Deuk-gu of the Democratic Party of Korea, based
Social Affairs Sept. 20, 2024
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Digital system helps victims access information on cases
The Ministry of Justice announced Thursday the official launch of an electronic system that offers victims of criminal cases and authorities investigating the cases unlimited access to case information. This digitalized criminal procedure system allows efficient viewing of the case details and ensures confidentiality and operational efficiency, according to the Justice Ministry. Through this online portal, named "Next-Generation Korea Information System of Criminal Justice Service," in
Social Affairs Sept. 19, 2024
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N. Korea again sends suspected trash balloons toward S. Korea: JCS
North Korea has launched balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea, the South's military said Wednesday. "North Korea is once again launching balloons likely carrying trash directed towards the South," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, noting the balloons could travel toward the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, and the Seoul metropolitan area. Citizens are advised not to touch any balloons if found. Instead, the JCS urged people to report sightings to the nearest military
North Korea Sept. 18, 2024
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Lawmaker flags low detention rate in the child porn cases
Over the past three years and seven months, more than 4,000 individuals were apprehended for child pornography offenses, including production and distribution, yet only 261 of them were referred to prosecutors while in detention, according to the official data. Data released Wednesday by Rep. Hwang Jung-a of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, based on information from the National Police Agency, highlighted the extent of child exploitation offenses and the relatively low rate of dete
Social Affairs Sept. 18, 2024
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[Special] Ansan aims to become South Korea's multicultural hub, heart of immigration policy
Located southwest of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, Ansan is notable for its cultural diversity. As South Korea's first planned industrial city, it features large complexes like the Banwol National Industrial Complex, which offer numerous job opportunities and attract foreign workers. With 14 percent of its population originating from 118 countries, Ansan boasts the highest proportion of foreign residents in the country, contributing to a culturally diverse community, according to its Mayor Le
Social Affairs Sept. 17, 2024
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Seoul mulls removing W110b Sewoon walkway
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is mulling removing an elevated walkway at Sewoon Shopping Center in central Seoul, which cost the city government 110 billion won ($82 million) for its construction. The walkway which opened only two years ago has sparked "public discontent," said the city government, citing issues like inadequate sunlight underneath the walkways and problems such as water leaks. By removing the walkway, the city plans to enhance the ground-level pedestrian pathways.
Social Affairs Sept. 12, 2024
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1,200 hospitals, 1,300 pharmacies to operate in Seoul during Chuseok
Amid concerns over medical staff shortages, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday released a comprehensive plan to ensure emergency medical services remain fully operational during Chuseok holiday next week. During the holiday period from Sept. 14-18, an average of 1,184 clinics and 1,306 pharmacies will be operational each day in Seoul. The locations and medical services of these clinics have been carefully planned to ensure that they do not overlap across different areas of the city,
Social Affairs Sept. 11, 2024
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Provincial patients continue to prefer top hospitals in Seoul
Patients from outside Seoul coming into the capital still heavily favor the city's "Big 5" hospitals, government data showed Monday. According to data from the National Health Insurance Service provided by Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, 60 percent of patients from outside Seoul who sought treatment in the capital's large hospitals during the first half of 2024 went to those hospitals, which have suffered from staff shortages for m
Social Affairs Sept. 9, 2024
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