Articles by Park Jun-hee
Park Jun-hee
junheee@heraldcorp.com-
Yoon, Kishida receive JFK award for mending stalled ties
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday were honored with the special International Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for their efforts in improving relations between the countries, despite historical issues and domestic opposition. “I am honored to receive this year’s “Profile in Courage Award,” a symbol of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier,” Yoon said in a prerecorded acceptance
Politics Oct. 30, 2023
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Opposition lawmakers allege celebrity drug scandals are part of government coverup
While South Korean celebrities’ drug allegations continue to dominate headlines, the main opposition party claimed on Friday that the ongoing investigation into such drug scandals may have been premeditated to divert public attention from current political issues that are unfavorable to the ruling party and the government. In a radio interview with the news channel YTN on Thursday, Rep. An Min-suk of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea said a series of drug scandals involving big
Politics Oct. 27, 2023
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Constitutional Court rules same-sex soldier acts violate code
South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Thursday upheld the military criminal code that punishes same-sex sexual activities between soldiers, even if it took place outside of military property and was consensual, saying that the military needs to maintain discipline and combat power. In a 5-4 decision, the highest court upheld the constitutionality of Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act, which stipulates that “anal sex and other indecent acts” between military personnel can
Social Affairs Oct. 26, 2023
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Association of International Ministries to hold prayer service for Itaewon crowd crush victims on Sunday
The Association of International Ministries, a network of English-speaking churches and ministries in the greater Seoul area, said Thursday it would hold a special memorial service Sunday to commemorate the victims of last year's deadly Itaewon crowd crush On Oct. 29 last year, crowds packed into an alley in Itaewon, Seoul, from three directions, forming a crush that claimed the lives of 159 people. “To those who are grieving, we grieve with you and long to pray with you and support y
Social Affairs Oct. 26, 2023
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Halloween partygoers plan for safe night out in much more subdued tone
It’s that time of the year again for a 25-year-old officer worker surnamed Na to revel in the whimsical joy of Halloween traditions like dressing up and getting together with friends. She plans to go to Itaewon during the weekend to grab a drink and later stay the night with her friend at an accommodation facility in the area -- hoping there won’t be a repeat of the Itaewon crowd crush that took the lives of 159 people on Oct. 29 last year. Although a somber atmosphere lingers in par
Social Affairs Oct. 25, 2023
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Drug crimes in Seoul most common in Itaewon, Gangnam, Hongdae: study
Drug crimes in Seoul are most common in areas with vibrant nightlife scenes and wealthy neighborhoods, a study suggested Monday. According to the study on the analysis of spatial influencing factors on drug crimes in Seoul, Itaewon, Gangnam and Hongdae are the top three spots for drug crimes. The three neighborhoods are well known for their vibrant nightlife replete with an array of escort bars, nightclubs and accommodation facilities. The study, written by inspectors at the Seoul Seongdong Poli
Social Affairs Oct. 23, 2023
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From ‘Parasite’ actor to chaebol scion, drug use back in spotlight
Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in Oscar-winning movie “Parasite,” could be summoned for questioning sometime this week, reports said Sunday, citing police, as part of an expanding investigation into suspected drug use involving the actor and seven others. According to the reports, police are also considering a warrant to take a hair sample from the 48-year-old for drug testing in case he refuses to comply. The police probe is still at an internal stage, a precursor to a formal
Social Affairs Oct. 22, 2023
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[Herald Interview] AI could make education fairer, but won’t ease competition: Princeton Review co-founder
Artificial intelligence in education can offer equitable learning opportunities for less-advantaged students, but it may not alleviate the intense competition among elite students striving to gain admission to prestigious colleges, according to a US education technology pioneer. “AI appears to be most useful to people who aren’t really good. If you’re a great writer, using AI to write your article (wouldn’t be helpful). But AI can help the bottom of the class and, arguabl
Social Affairs Oct. 19, 2023
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[Herald Interview] AI could cool Korea’s med school frenzy, says former Harvard dean
With South Korean schools set to shift to AI-driven digital textbooks in schools in 2025, Stephen M. Kosslyn, a former Harvard University dean of social science, believes the switch can cool off the country’s private education market, and competition for medical school places. He says it is an opportunity to resolve the overconcentration of talent in a narrow set of fields and colleges. AI learning models can help students find their purpose, he says gradually reducing reliance on the priv
Social Affairs Oct. 18, 2023
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Unionized Seoul Metro workers to stage walkout next month
The union members of Seoul Metro, the operator of Seoul Subway Line Nos. 1 to 8, will go on strike next month to protest management's workforce reduction plan, the union said Wednesday. The walkout, which is set to take place on Nov. 9, a Thursday, comes after the two sides failed to reach an agreement over the dispute after conducting 10 rounds of negotiations, since the initial round on July 11. “Seoul City’s plan to reduce and restructure the workforce will ultimately threate
Social Affairs Oct. 18, 2023
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Lawmaker slams research institution under Education Ministry for cultural distortion
A South Korean lawmaker on Friday criticized a government-funded research and development institution under the Ministry of Education for distorting explanations of Korean history and culture on its official website, demanding immediate correction. A report released by Rep. Chung Kyung-hee of the ruling party, who is also a member of the National Assembly’s education committee, showed that the Academy of Korean Studies has been labeling kimchi as “pao cai” -- a pickled vegetabl
Social Affairs Oct. 13, 2023
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K-pop singer calls for efforts to eradicate drugs at audit
South Korean singer-songwriter Nam Tae-hyun appeared as a witness at a parliamentary audit of the Health Ministry at the National Assembly on Thursday, calling for increased government efforts to help individuals recover from drug dependence and eradicate such illicit substances. Nam, who was indicted on charges of allegedly purchasing and administering methamphetamine with an acquaintance last year, stressed the importance of rehab programs that provide a path to a drug-free state to help in th
Social Affairs Oct. 12, 2023
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Sejong University ranks 8th among Korean peers in world university rankings for 3rd consecutive year
Sejong University in Seoul ranked eighth among South Korean universities in the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024 for a third consecutive year, the college announced Wednesday. The university was ranked in the Nos. 251-300 bracket in the publication's ranking of 1,904 schools in 108 countries, also for the third year running. In the 2020 ranking, Sejong University sat between Nos. 401 and 500, climbing to Nos. 301-350 the following year. Ranking by the number of
Social Affairs Oct. 11, 2023
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Suneung reform plans unveiled for 2028 school year
South Korea’s Ministry of Education on Tuesday unveiled plans for the 2028 school year college admissions to make the state-administered college entrance exam more equitable and change the high school grading system. The latest measures, will affect current eighth graders, giving students and parents time to prepare. The ministry is mandated to notify the public of major changes to the country’s education system four years in advance. As part of its efforts to reform the college entr
Social Affairs Oct. 10, 2023
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Questions remain after passage of anonymous birth bill
The National Assembly on Friday passed a bill allowing women to give birth anonymously at hospitals as part of its efforts to reduce the number of children denied registration at birth. But concerns are growing over the anonymous birth system, which will be introduced in July next year, with some suggesting that it might lead to more mothers giving up their children, especially when it comes to children born with a disability. Observers also say that the Protected Birth Bill still falls short of
Social Affairs Oct. 8, 2023
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