Articles by Moon Ki Hoon
Moon Ki Hoon
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[Herald Interview] Miss Universe Korea winner Ariel Han talks embracing true self
Beauty pageants often conjure up stereotypical images of young, attractive women in swimsuits reciting canned responses. But this year's Miss Universe Korea competition, co-hosted by The Korea Herald and Yedang Media on Sept. 30, shattered those molds, celebrating women's unique qualities both inside and out. The pageant eliminated the age restrictions that had previously limited participation to women aged 18 to 28. Gone too were the longstanding height and weight requirements. This i
Hashtag Korea Oct. 14, 2024
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Seoul unveils new perks for pregnant women
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday rolled out a package of benefits for pregnant women, a move to provide support for expectant mothers amid the city's record-low fertility rate. Effective immediately, pregnant women in the capital will enjoy priority access and discounts at various municipal facilities. The Gocheok Sky Dome and Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool are offering a 50-percent discount on usage fees and sports lessons. The Seoul World Cup Stadium is waiving entrance fees fo
Social Affairs Oct. 10, 2024
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Even elite professions split into haves and have-nots
Many young South Koreans dream of becoming lawyers, doctors or accountants, seeing the professions as a way to guarantee financial security and prestige. However, recent data from the National Tax Service reveals that the career prospects in these fields may not be as rosy as they seem. There are significant income disparities within these coveted professions, with the top 10 percent raking in up to 80 percent of the total income in certain fields. According to the data, made public Monday by Re
Social Affairs Oct. 7, 2024
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[Weekender] Make way for running crews?
They now seem to be everywhere, moving in groups, their presence felt on every corner of Seoul. "Running crews" -- groups of people that meet to run together at a specific time and place, otherwise known as run clubs -- have taken over Seoul's streets, parks and riverside tracks, reflecting the country’s growing obsession with one of the oldest and most basic human activities. "There are tons of them now," said Patrick Hong, 26, a frequent runner on the trails arou
Hashtag Korea Oct. 5, 2024
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[EYE] With Hangeul-shaped cookies, duo hopes to bring fun to the table
Tyler Rasch and Nidhi Agrawal, who have called South Korea home for years, are no strangers to wearing many hats. Rasch is a well-known TV personality renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Asian history and culture. He's also an author, translator, social media influencer and climate activist. Agrawal, who moved to Korea in 2016 keen on bridging the Indian and Korean markets, has a background across the IT industry and has juggled numerous TV and lecture appointments. The two public pe
Hashtag Korea Oct. 3, 2024
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[Survive & Thrive] From seasonal flu to TB, some foreign residents eligible for free shots
As the summer heat gives way to the crisp autumn air, it's time to start thinking about protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu. If you’re a foreign national resident in South Korea, you may be eligible for free seasonal flu shots, one of many immunizations offered under the government's National Immunization Program, as long as you meet the same priority group criteria applied to Korean nationals. Korea’s vaccine program covers for free 18 essential vaccines f
Hashtag Korea Oct. 1, 2024
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Seoul to hold grand military parade on Tuesday, disrupting major city routes
Seoul will host a large-scale military parade Tuesday in celebration of the 76th anniversary of the Korean Armed Forces, with tanks and infantry marching through some of the city’s busiest streets. The event is expected to cause significant traffic disruptions, as major roads will be closed throughout the day. People are advised to use public transportation and adjust travel plans to avoid delays. The march will begin at 1:40 p.m. from the Seoul Air Base, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. In
Social Affairs Sept. 30, 2024
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Express Bus Terminal, Gangnam stations lead subway crime statistics
Seoul’s subway system, which serves 7 million passengers daily, recorded a total of 3,516 crimes in 2023, a 4 percent rise from the previous year, police data revealed. Misappropriation of lost property made up 42 percent of all crimes with 1,408 cases. Sexual assault accounted for 36 percent with 1,230 cases, and theft 25 percent with 855 cases, according to the data made public Sunday by Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea. The released data did not include comparative figu
Social Affairs Sept. 29, 2024
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Pikki Pikki dance: Korean cheerleader dance routine takes social media by storm
In the middle of a bustling ballgame, a cheerleader casually fixes her makeup, seemingly preoccupied and unbothered — until a catchy beat suddenly brings her to her feet. She seamlessly launches into a dance routine, swiveling and swinging her thumb up and down to the bouncy, squeaky rhythm. This is not your typical cheerleading performance full of energy and acrobatics. Instead, the cheerleader maintains a cool, nonchalant expression as she throws her elbow up in place. The transition fro
Hashtag Korea Sept. 23, 2024
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S.Korea to mandate in-vehicle breathalyzers for repeat DUI offenders
In a bid to combat the persistent problem of drunk driving, South Korea is rolling out a new policy that will require repeat offenders to blow into a breathalyzer every time they start their car, authorities told local media on Tuesday. The policy, set to take effect on Oct. 25, applies to anyone caught driving under the influence more than twice in the past five years. Under the mandate, offenders will be responsible for installing the breathalyzer-like device -- referred to as the ignition int
Social Affairs Sept. 18, 2024
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[Survive & Thrive] S. Korea's safest cities? Data blackout clouds the picture
Safety ranks high on the list of priorities for South Korean and foreign residents alike when choosing where to live in the country. But despite extensive online access to public records, assessing the relative security of specific Korean cities and neighborhoods remains a surprisingly challenging task. For starters, Korea generally presents an impressive safety profile, with homicide rates ranging from 0.5 to 0.6 per 100,000 residents according to the latest estimates from the United Nations Of
Hashtag Korea Sept. 17, 2024
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1 in 4 Korean workers extend Chuseok holiday with paid leave: survey
Chuseok is one of South Korea’s two biggest traditional holidays, bringing families together under the full moon to wish for a bountiful harvest and honor ancestors. But for hardworking ordinary people in Korea, the holiday's true significance perhaps lies in the rare opportunity it offers for people to escape the daily grind of their jobs. A recent survey conducted by a recruitment platform found that approximately one in four employees -- 25.7 percent -- plan on strategically sandwi
Social Affairs Sept. 12, 2024
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Two Korean hikers die climbing Mont Blanc
The bodies of two South Korean hikers who had set out to climb the Alps' highest peak have been recovered, three days after they lost contact with the rest of their group, according to the Korean Embassy in France. French authorities found the bodies approximately 100 meters from the summit of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4,897 meters, around 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, local time. The bodies of two Italian hikers who had also gone missing were found alongside the deceased Ko
Social Affairs Sept. 11, 2024
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Forager strikes gold in Suncheon: Rare ginseng roots valued at $52,000
In the mountains of Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, a 77-year-old forager stumbled upon a jackpot: a cluster of 13 ginseng plants with long, thin roots. Their value? A whopping 70 million won ($52,000). The discovery, reported Monday by a group calling itself the “national association of ginseng harvesters," has set the country’s ginseng enthusiasts abuzz. It has also left those unfamiliar with the plant's cultural significance scratching their heads, wondering what's
Social Affairs Sept. 10, 2024
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N. Korean trash balloon blamed for Paju warehouse fire
The past five days have seen a flurry of trash and debris littering the greater Seoul area again as North Korea resumed its campaign of floating hundreds of trash-carrying balloons over the border into South Korean territory. On Sunday, one of these balloons touched off a fire in a warehouse in the city of Paju, just 28 kilometers north of Seoul, local fire officials reported Monday. The fire reportedly broke out on the rooftop of a single-story pharmaceutical warehouse at around 1:59 p.m on Sun
Social Affairs Sept. 9, 2024
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Busan film fest ends with lingering controversy over streaming platform presence