Articles by Suk Gee-hyun
Suk Gee-hyun
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KECO leads sustainable growth drive
The state-run Korea Environment Corp. has been at the vanguard of the nation’s drive for sustainable growth by connecting the public and private sectors in projects for water improvement, waste management and greenhouse gas reduction. The company also aims to harness the nation’s strength in environmental technology and know-how to explore overseas markets and boost domestic growth and jobs. The company plans to push for 89 contracts this year worth 760.9 billion won ($684.2 million), which is m
National Aug. 12, 2013
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Test introduced for medical tour coordinators
The first state-run qualification test for medical tour coordinators will be held in September, a government agency said Thursday.Human Resources Development of Korea will hold the preliminary qualification exam on Sept. 28 for medical tour coordinators who provide foreign patients with transportation, accommodations and general information on their treatments. Along with the new plan, the Ministry of Justice will simplify the process for medical tourists to receive electronic visas, officials s
Social Affairs Aug. 9, 2013
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Historical sites illegally used for weddings
A local wedding company owner has been accused of illegally using historical sites in Jongno, Seoul, for traditional wedding ceremonies, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Friday.The Jongno District Office filed a complaint against the owner, identified by his surname Lee, in June for allegedly attracting customers to hold weddings in Munmyo and Sungkyunkwan without the Cultural Heritage Administration‘s approval for more than two years, officials said. The two properties are together des
Social Affairs Aug. 9, 2013
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Algal blooms befoul rivers
In what has become an annual summer scourge in South Korea, millions of dead fish have been washed ashore and rivers have been fouled with bright green beds of algae for the past two weeks.Residents of South Gyeongsang Province are voicing concerns over a record level of green tides in Nakdonggang River, the source of drinking water to some 3 million people in Daegu and in adjacent areas. According to the Ministry of Environment, the population of microorganisms sharply increased to dangerous le
National Aug. 4, 2013
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Tension rises over Miryang transmission line
MIRYANG, South Gyeongsang Province ― Tensions are rising between electricity authorities and residents in Miryang over a plan to build a high-voltage transmission line in the region. The Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to build a 765-kilovolt transmission line from Ulsan’s Shin-Kori nuclear power plant to the plant’s substation in Changnyeong. But the 8-year-old project is on hold due to residents’ opposition, with 52 out of 161 towers yet to be erected. “When you poke a bee hive, bees fl
National Aug. 1, 2013
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The rainy season and depression
During the rainy season, the decreased amount of sunlight can cause people to feel depressed. This is similar in mechanism to the development of seasonal depression during autumn and winter when there is a decreased amount of sunlight. However, the duration of the rainy season is shorter, which means that this type of depression is not as severe.Decreased sunlight leads to decreased production of melatonin, a neurotransmitter, which disrupts the circadian rhythm and causes depression. Melatonin
Technology Aug. 1, 2013
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Tripartite labor panel plans major overhaul
The tripartite consultative body of labor, management and government expanded its organization by inviting representatives from small and medium-sized companies, as well as youth and women. The expansion of the Economic and Social Development Commission comes as it takes on a broader role and seeks to provide a platform for dialogue among more diverse economic players to solve labor-related problems, including the government’s goal to achieve 70 percent employment by 2017.The overhaul will incre
Politics July 29, 2013
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Government jobs open to North Korean defectors
The government plans to hire North Korean defectors with career experience and certificates as formal staff in the second half of the year, the Ministry of Security and Public Administration said.Eleven low-level positions will be open for the refugees at some offices including those in charge of labor, culture, health, fair trade and food and drug safety. More details about the application process and qualifications will be announced between July and November on each ministry website. (monicasu
Social Affairs July 22, 2013
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Shinsegae chief cleared of E-mart labor abuses
Labor authorities on Monday cleared Shinsegae Group vice chairman Chung Yong-jin of suspicions of illegal surveillance and other abuses of employees at the group’s discount store arm E-mart.The Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office referred to the prosecution 14 E-mart officials, including former chief executive Choi Byung-ryul, wrapping up a six-month investigation into allegations that the management interfered with union activities last year.Chung and incumbent CEO Heo In-cheol were not
Social Affairs July 22, 2013
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Police widen probe into boot camp deaths
The deaths of five students at a private seaside boot camp Thursday have ignited debate over lax safety and flawed operations of military-style boot camps for young people. Police were widening their probe into the accident in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, in which the high-school students drowned after they followed trainers’ orders to take off their life jackets and go into the sea. Police said only six out of 12 instructors had lifeguard licenses, and eight had sea sports licenses. Some
Social Affairs July 21, 2013
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Seoul faces increasing risk of landslides
In July 2011, Seoul was hit by the heaviest rain in a century. Subway stations were closed, tree trunks were ripped from their roots and roads became rivers. The worst came in the early morning of July 27, when a huge landslide swept through one of Seoul’s most affluent areas.The wall of mud and water from Mount Umyeonsan in southern Seoul took the lives of 16 people. Hundreds of residents had to rush outside, puzzled. “‘I’ll be right back’ was the last words I heard from him,” Kim Il-young, 56,
National July 18, 2013
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Talent sharing redefines philanthropy
You need not be a millionaire to help others in need. A number of gifted experts and celebrities are proving this through their skills-donation activities. Designer Lie Sang-bong has given not only his clothes but also his time and expertise to the less privileged and social causes for the past four years.The fashion guru sketched on a folding fan to raise awareness of saving energy, made costumes for a low-budget film, and designed a uniform for the national table-tennis players.“I hope sharing
Social Affairs July 12, 2013
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Universities violate rules on wastewater
Nearly half of Korean universities with laboratories have taken advantage of loopholes in supervision and broken wastewater discharge regulations, with some releasing toxic chemicals, the Ministry of Environment said Wednesday.The ministry and local governments conducted an inspection of wastewater disposal at 215 universities across the country between March 20 and April 2.The inquiry found that 105 universities, or 49 percent, have dumped contaminants which were either unauthorized or in exces
Social Affairs July 10, 2013
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Energy-saving drive misses the mark
On a recent sizzling afternoon, several shops in Myeong-dong, downtown Seoul, kept their doors open, beckoning passers-by with cool air. The government has banned the practice with a threat of penalties, but it apparently fails to pay off. Many merchants would rather pay fines than lose sales.“Our sales drop over 50 percent when the doors are shut,” said Kim Ji-eun, a saleswoman at a boutique in the shopping district. “We’d choose to pay millions of won than see less profit.”Customers do not see
Social Affairs July 7, 2013
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Local cities compete for DMZ peace park
If the past is any guide, President Park Geun-hye’s plan to build a peace park in the Demilitarized Zone may be close to infeasible. Previous attempts by governments to bring symbols of peace into the no-man’s land, fortified with heavy arms and strewn with land mines, ended in smoke. Worse, inter-Korean ties are at one of the lowest ebbs in recent years.But regional governments bordering the 4-kilometer-wide buffer zone are brimming with hopes and already embarking on plans to host the envision
Social Affairs July 1, 2013
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