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South Korean Supreme Court Ruling Recognizes State Responsibility for Disability Access, Boosting Calls for Reform

South Korean Supreme Court Ruling Recognizes State Responsibility for Disability Access, Boosting Calls for Reform

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – In a landmark decision, South Korea’s Supreme Court has held the state accountable for inadequate accessibility for people with disabilities, ordering compensation and setting a precedent for broader systemic reform. On December 19, the court ruled that the government must pay KRW 100,000 (approximately $70) in damages to each plaintiff [...]

South Korea’s Marriage Rates Plunge as Aging Population Presents New Challenges

South Korea’s Marriage Rates Plunge as Aging Population Presents New Challenges

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – The proportion of never-married individuals in their 40s has increased dramatically in South Korea, with 23.6% of men and 11.9% of women remaining single in 2020 – representing a 6.7-fold and 5.7-fold increase respectively compared to 20 years ago, according to a new government report.  Statistics Korea released these findings [...]

Korea Considers Establishing ‘KSMC’ to Bolster Semiconductor Ecosystem

Korea Considers Establishing ‘KSMC’ to Bolster Semiconductor Ecosystem

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean industry and academia have proposed creating a “KSMC” (Korea Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), modeled after Taiwan’s TSMC, to address challenges facing the nation’s semiconductor industry. The plan, revealed at a seminar held by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK) on December 18, aims to build a [...]

South Korea’s ‘Generation X’ Struggles With Retirement Planning Amid Financial Pressures

South Korea’s ‘Generation X’ Struggles With Retirement Planning Amid Financial Pressures

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study by Woori Financial Group reveals that nearly 60% of South Korea’s Generation X—those born in the 1970s—have not begun preparing for retirement. The findings, published in Woori’s 2024 Trend Report, highlight the financial challenges faced by this generation, many of whom are burdened with supporting both [...]

South Korean Consumers Embrace Budget-Friendly, Small-Packaging Trends Amid High Inflation

South Korean Consumers Embrace Budget-Friendly, Small-Packaging Trends Amid High Inflation

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A new analysis of social media data reveals that South Korean consumers are increasingly adopting cost-conscious spending habits, focusing on low-priced and small-packaged products. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on economic efficiency in response to prolonged inflation. Rising Concerns About Inflation According to KPR Digital Communication Research Institute, [...]

K-Pop Fandom Shapes South Korea’s Protest Culture Amid Presidential Impeachment

K-Pop Fandom Shapes South Korea’s Protest Culture Amid Presidential Impeachment

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – K-pop fandom, primarily composed of women in their 20s and 30s, has emerged as a defining force in South Korea’s protest culture, blending activism with the hallmarks of fan culture. The recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol highlighted this unique phenomenon, with protests resembling the energy and organization of [...]

South Korea’s Industrial Policies in Limbo After President’s Impeachment

South Korea’s Industrial Policies in Limbo After President’s Impeachment

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ambitious industrial agenda, including a focus on nuclear energy, offshore gas development, and semiconductor industry support, faces potential setbacks following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14. Industry experts warn that any weakening of government semiconductor support could cause South Korea to miss a crucial [...]

South Korean Corporate Giants Convene Strategy Meetings Amid Global Uncertainty

South Korean Corporate Giants Convene Strategy Meetings Amid Global Uncertainty

SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, including escalating U.S.-China tensions and the anticipated inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term, South Korea’s major corporations are conducting high-level strategy meetings to fine-tune their business plans for 2024. Samsung Electronics to Focus on Core Competitiveness Samsung Electronics will host its biannual Global [...]

South Korea Faces Backlash Over AI-Driven Digital Textbooks Initiative

South Korea Faces Backlash Over AI-Driven Digital Textbooks Initiative

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean government’s ambitious plan to introduce AI-powered digital textbooks (AIDTs) has met with significant resistance from educators and civic groups nationwide, leaving the policy in jeopardy.  Initially slated for rollout in March 2025 for select elementary, middle, and high school students, the initiative aimed to bolster digital [...]

‘Pay It Forward’ Movement Takes Root at Seoul Protest Sites

‘Pay It Forward’ Movement Takes Root at Seoul Protest Sites

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Cafes near South Korea’s National Assembly have become centers of an impromptu “pay it forward” initiative, where supporters nationwide and abroad are purchasing refreshments in advance for protesters calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.  “A young voice called asking about our cheapest rice cakes, saying they wanted to pay [...]