The New Year sees a wide range of changes in social welfare, immigration and other branches of government.

Most of the changes to take effect were drawn up with priority on welfare expansion and environmental protection.



Immigration



1. Fingerprinting for foreigners: All foreigners entering Korea will be obliged to leave their fingerprints and have their photo taken at the immigration desk. Those exempt include minors under 17 years old, diplomats and those waivered by the central administration.

Foreigners at the immigration desk should put their two thumbs on the screen as instructed and pose in front of the camera. The procedure takes several seconds.

Those who refuse to provide their personal information could be denied entrance.

2. Automatic immigration for U.S. visitors: From March, people who have gained prior authorization from the Korean or the U.S. government will be able to use the fast-track immigration desk at airports without being interviewed by immigration officers. In order to use this unmanned desk, the visitors should register themselves as trusted travelers who have their biodata such as fingerprints and a photo registered with their respective governments.



Education

1. Half tuition for University of Seoul students: Tuition fees for the upcoming semester of UOS will be halved as the Seoul city government will pay half. The amount a student has to pay will shrink to 1.1 million won for the first semester of 2012 from 2.2 million won ($1,913) in the second semester of 2011.

2. Five-day week curriculum adopted: Nearly all elementary, middle and high schools will have classes five days a week from Monday to Friday, ending Saturday classes.

Students will be required to attend a minimum 190 school days.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will provide cultural classes, sports days and other programs for students who need to be at school on Saturday, such as children from double income or low income families whose parents are not at home.

3. Free environment-friendly lunch at schools: Elementary school students and middle school first-year students in Seoul will be able to enjoy free school meals cooked with environment-friendly produce and ingredients. The program is expected to cover all middle school students by 2014.



Health & Welfare



1. Childcare subsidy for five-year-olds: The government will give parents 200,000 won every month in childcare subsidy for five-year-old children attending kindergarten or daycare. The subsidy will be paid regardless of parents’ financial situation.

2. Childcare subsidy for disabled children: Up to 200,000 won in childcare subsidy will be given every month to parents with disabled children under five. The subsidy is regardless of parents’ income level and whether the children receive professional care.

3. Minimum wage rises to 4,580 won: The hourly minimum wage rose to 4,580 won from 4,320 won in 2011. This amount will apply to all industry workers except for those on apprenticeships for less than three months and janitors. Those exempt from the new minimum wage will receive 10 percent less.

4. Smoking ban at bus stops: A 100,000 won-fine will be slapped on those who smoke at 298 bus stops in Seoul from March. A total of 1,910 community parks in the capital city will also be designated as no-smoking zones to curb the smoking rate and enhance public health.



Environment

1. Food waste disposal bags adopted: People will have to buy a special plastic bag for food waste. The system will charge for food waste disposal according to the amount of waste.

The program will take effect in 144 cities and districts in the country, which accounts for 95 percent of the total population.



Military

1. Middle school dropouts to be drafted to military: Dropouts from middle or lower schools will be drafted for mandatory military service. Currently, adult males who have not graduated from middle schools are exempt from the service. The change in the draft system will be applicable to those born after 1993.



Traffic/transportation

1. Seoul-Jinju KTX route to open: A new KTX route will link Seoul to Jinju of South Gyeongsang Province in December. The opening of the line will bring in an era of “one-day trips around the country.”

2. Registration mandatory for low-powered motorbikes: Motorbikes with engines smaller than 50 cubic centimeters will have to be registered with the local administration. Users will also have to buy insurance.

3. Travel card for foreigners: M-pass, a transportation card for foreigners in Seoul, will be issued to foreigners for Seoul Metro and its adjacent areas to allow as many as 20 trips a day. The ticket is available at Seoul tour information kiosks at Incheon International Airport and is rechargeable at GS convenient stores in Seoul.

By Bae Ji-sook
(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)