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Seoul Extends Transportation Aid to All Expectant Mothers Amid Birth Rate Crisis

Seoul Extends Transportation Aid to All Expectant Mothers Amid Birth Rate Crisis

SEOUL, Mar. 17 (Korea Bizwire) –In an ambitious push to tackle South Korea’s alarmingly low birth rate, officials in Seoul announced on Sunday that they would provide transportation subsidies to all pregnant women living in the capital, regardless of how long they have been residents. The measure, eliminating a previous six-month residency requirement, is part [...]

Walkout Causes Major Hospitals to Incur Billions of Won in Daily Deficits

Walkout Causes Major Hospitals to Incur Billions of Won in Daily Deficits

SEOUL, March 16 (Korea Bizwire) – Major general hospitals have requested the government expand low-interest loans for them as the protracted walkout by trainee doctors has disrupted hospital operations, causing billions of won in deficits per day, sources said Friday. The walkout, which has continued for over three weeks, disrupted operations of major general hospitals [...]

Political Parties Ramp Up Campaign Efforts amid Shifting Opinion Polls

Political Parties Ramp Up Campaign Efforts amid Shifting Opinion Polls

SEOUL, Mar. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — With only a month left before the April 10 parliamentary elections, political parties are unveiling various pork-barrel election pledges and intensifying efforts to secure key districts, as recent public opinion polls indicate a slight yet significant shift. The quadrennial vote holds significant importance for the ruling People Power Party [...]

South Korea Proposes Tattoo Licensing for Non-Medical Professionals Amid Broader Medical Practice Reforms

South Korea Proposes Tattoo Licensing for Non-Medical Professionals Amid Broader Medical Practice Reforms

SEOUL, Mar. 9 (Korea Bizwire) –In a significant shift from traditional regulations, the South Korean government is moving towards allowing non-medical professionals to perform tattooing, provided they obtain a national certification. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it had commissioned a study on the examination for tattoo artists on March 4, in anticipation [...]

Foreign Ministry Revamps Bureau Dealing with N.K. Nuclear Issue Amid Prolonged Stalemate in Talks

Foreign Ministry Revamps Bureau Dealing with N.K. Nuclear Issue Amid Prolonged Stalemate in Talks

SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) – The foreign ministry will scale back the bureau handling the North Korean nuclear issue and create a broader strategy department focused on foreign policy intelligence-gathering, officials said Thursday, a major shakeup that mirrors the prolonged impasse in nuclear talks with Pyongyang. The tentatively named Office of Strategy and Intelligence [...]

Gimhae Unveils Comprehensive Support Plans for Foreign Residents and Multicultural Families

Gimhae Unveils Comprehensive Support Plans for Foreign Residents and Multicultural Families

GIMHAE, Mar. 5 (Korea Bizwire) –The city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province, home to over 20,000 registered foreign nationals, announced on March 4 its commitment to facilitating the stable settlement of foreign residents and multicultural families through a variety of supportive measures.   The city has decided to extend its foundational learning support for [...]

Telemedicine Use Doubles Amid Doctor Protests Against Medical School Expansion

Telemedicine Use Doubles Amid Doctor Protests Against Medical School Expansion

SEOUL, Mar. 4 (Korea Bizwire) –In response to collective action by trainee doctors opposing a significant increase in medical school admissions, the government’s full-scale expansion of telemedicine services has led to a twofold increase in its usage. To address the potential medical service gaps at major hospitals, particularly those serving as training institutions for resident [...]

South Korea’s First Spy Satellite Transmits ‘High-Resolution’ Images of Central Pyongyang

South Korea’s First Spy Satellite Transmits ‘High-Resolution’ Images of Central Pyongyang

SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s first military spy satellite has successfully transmitted “good-resolution” images of central Pyongyang back home following the satellite’s launch in December, military sources said Sunday. The first indigenous South Korean military spy satellite was placed into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Dec. 2, allowing [...]

Presidential Stance: Firm Against Alleged Mobilization of Drug Salesmen for Doctors’ Rally

Presidential Stance: Firm Against Alleged Mobilization of Drug Salesmen for Doctors’ Rally

SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) – The presidential office vowed Sunday to respond with “zero tolerance” after allegations emerged online that some doctors were trying to forcibly mobilize drug salesmen for their rally protesting the government’s medical school quota hike plan. The announcement came as some 20,000 doctors from across the nation were expected to [...]

ILO Expresses Concern Over Japan’s Lack of Action on ‘Comfort Women’ and Forced Labor Issues

ILO Expresses Concern Over Japan’s Lack of Action on ‘Comfort Women’ and Forced Labor Issues

SEOUL, Mar. 1 (Korea Bizwire) –The International Labor Organization (ILO) has voiced its concern over the absence of concrete actions by the Japanese government to resolve the issues surrounding ‘comfort women’ and forced labor during the Japanese military’s occupation. This statement was highlighted during a joint memorial service held by the Korean Confederation of Trade [...]