Articles by Shin Ji-hye
Shin Ji-hye
shinjh@heraldcorp.com-
Korea positively reviewing extent of Afghans’ stay
The South Korean government is positively reviewing plans to allow Afghan nationals in Korea to stay beyond the expiration of their current visas until the country regains stability, according to government sources. “Although it has not been confirmed yet, we are positively reviewing extension of their stay like we did for the Burmese,” one source from the justice ministry said. In March, the government decided to implement a special stay for about 25,000 Myanmar people. The mo
Foreign Affairs Aug. 20, 2021
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Korea to consider animals not ‘things’
The Ministry of Justice made a pre-announcement of legislation Thursday to revise the Civil Act to introduce the clause to declare “Animals are not things.” As the number of households with companion animals has increased significantly over recent years in Korean society, there is widespread social consensus that animals should be more protected and cared for as living creatures. There are also growing concerns about animal cruelty and animal abandonment. The rationale behind insu
Social Affairs Aug. 19, 2021
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Health workers plan strike, demanding more staff, support
With public health workers warning of a strike, concerns are rising that hospitals already struggling with surge in patients could face series difficulties. On Wednesday, 122 branches of the Korean Health and Medical workers’ Union (136 medical institutions) filed for a dispute settlement with the Labor Relations Commission. The union demanded an expansion of public health centers, medical workers, infrastructure and financial support. If the union does not settle with the government in
Social Affairs Aug. 19, 2021
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Critical cases rise among unvaccinated young people
The prime minister has urged young South Koreans to get vaccinated for COVID-19, saying more of the country’s unvaccinated young people are becoming critically ill. “We believe that some people still avoid vaccination because of concerns about side effects. And some don’t get shots because they think the coronavirus is nothing,” Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Wednesday. “However, even among unvaccinated young people, the number of severely ill patients (due to
Social Affairs Aug. 18, 2021
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[Herald Interview] Parliament should represent teens, LGBT people
South Korea’s youngest member of parliament believes the National Assembly should be more inclusive and represent the diversity of the Korean public, not just middle-aged men. “They say the National Assembly should resemble the citizens, but that’s not what the current parliament does,” said 29-year-old Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive Justice Party in an interview with The Korea Herald. “Currently, 80 percent of the members are male, and those in
Politics Aug. 17, 2021
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As infections rise, concerns emerge over collapse of medical system
There are fears that the medical system could collapse under the weight of the fourth wave of COVID-19, with some hospitals reporting bed shortages and a woman dying at a treatment center while waiting for care. As of Sunday at midnight, the daily number of newly confirmed cases was 1,556, the highest Sunday figure ever recorded in South Korea. The number of confirmed cases now stands at 225,481. Of the newly confirmed cases, 1,493 were locally transmitted and 63 were imported, with 857 of t
Social Affairs Aug. 16, 2021
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Assembly speaker visits Turkey, Azerbaijan to cement ties
National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug began his nine-day visit to Turkey and Azerbaijan on Friday, hoping to strengthen cooperation on the economy and defense, officials said Sunday. He will spend six days in Turkey and three days in Azerbaijan, according to the speaker’s office. During his visit to Turkey, South Korea’s strategic partner, Park will seek support for the participation of Korean businesses in large-scale infrastructure and defense projects in the nation. On
Politics Aug. 15, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Ruling party forges ahead with “fake news” law despite opposition
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party is poised to push ahead with the revision of the Act on Press Arbitration, despite resistance from opposition parties and the media. The Act on Press Arbitration aims to mediate disputes over media reports that infringe on people’s rights, interests or reputations. The ruling party recently proposed a revised bill that would further toughen consequences for false reports, including the introduction of punitive damages. Under the revised law
Politics Aug. 15, 2021
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Concerns loom as schools set to reopen amid virus surge
As schools are set to start opening amid the latest surge in infections, health concerns emerge among unvaccinated students, parents and teachers. The Ministry of Education plans to gradually increase in-person classes, but some concerned students and parents are demanding a full review of the policy in posts on the website of presidential Blue House. A petition posted by one student Wednesday reads, “In my school -- although it is hard to generalize -- students’ wearing masks is
Social Affairs Aug. 12, 2021
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Korea reports record new cases, 4th wave still not at peak
South Korea’s COVID-19 situation continued to deteriorate Wednesday with 2,223 new cases reported Wednesday. This is the first time Korea’s daily tally has risen above 2,000 since the pandemic began last year. The cases are unlikely to drop anytime soon as highly contagious delta variants have become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in line with holiday season and slow inoculation, experts say. Health Minister Kwon Deok-chul said a meeting on the day, “Although we hav
Social Affairs Aug. 11, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Juvenile drug cases on the rise
Drug cases are on the rise in South Korea, with a marked surge in the number of juveniles arrested on drug charges, officials said Tuesday. According to government data, 7,565 people were arrested on drug charges and 1,138 people were imprisoned for drug offenses between January and June. Drug arrests rose 8.6 percent from the same period last year. The number of drug arrests stood at 12,613 in 2018, 16,044 in 2019 and 18,050 in 2020. The crackdown was carried out by the Ministry of Food a
Social Affairs Aug. 10, 2021
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Rep. Park Jin urges government to protest China’s interference
Rep. Park Jin, a four-term lawmaker vying to become the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, has urged the government to protest what he called China’s interference in South Korea’s security sovereignty. At a videoconference at the ASEAN Regional Forum, held Friday, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed opposition to the Korea-US joint exercises and called for the easing of sanctions against North Korea. On Sunday Park wrote in his blog, “Wang Yi&rs
Politics Aug. 9, 2021
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Sarang Jeil Church defies restrictions
Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul is again raising concerns about COVID-19 by forging ahead with face-to-face worship services and announcing a large-scale rally. Its leader, the Rev. Jeon Kwang-hoon, was indicted on charges of violating a ban on rallies in connection with a similar event last year. Since the implementation of tough restrictions in the Greater Seoul area July 12, the church has conducted four face-to-face worship services. Under the current quarantine rules, only 19 people are all
Social Affairs Aug. 9, 2021
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[Newsmaker] More Koreans suffer mental disorders amid pandemic
The number of Koreans who have suffered from mental disorders and eating disorders has risen in the pandemic, data showed Sunday. Last year, the number of people diagnosed with either depression, insomnia, anorexia or bulimia stood at 1,504,181, up by 67,233, or 4.67 percent, from the previous year, according to government data. The data, from the state-run Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, was disclosed by independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ho. Depression accounted for 55.7 perce
Politics Aug. 1, 2021
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[Herald Interview] Bill allowing politicians to take babies to work look set to pass
After Rep. Yong Hye-in, 31, of the Basic Income Party, brought her 2-month-old son to her workplace on July 5, her photos went viral on social media. On the day, she held a press conference to urge the passage of her bill that would allow a lawmaker to enter a plenary session with an infant who needs nursing. Under the current law, only lawmakers, the prime minister, state council members and those authorized by the assembly speaker are allowed. When her photos made headlines, opinions were
Politics Aug. 1, 2021
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