Home / Archive by category Public Insight (Page 303)

Archive by category Public Insight

230,000 South Korean Self-Employed Pay Higher Health Insurance Despite Lower Income

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent analysis of South Korea’s health insurance system has revealed a significant disparity affecting many self-employed individuals. According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, approximately 230,000 self-employed business owners are paying health insurance premiums based on their highest-paid employees’ salaries, even when their own incomes are lower. [...]

South Korea Grapples with ‘Judge Shopping’ Controversy in High-Profile Cases

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A legal provision designed to ensure fair trials has become the center of a contentious debate in South Korea. The rule, which allows for the reassignment of judges in certain circumstances, is increasingly being scrutinized for potential abuse. Critics argue that it’s being exploited as a strategy to change presiding [...]

Seoul Cracks Down on ‘Dumping Tourism’ to Protect City’s Image

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – In a bid to safeguard its reputation as a premier travel destination, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched an undercover operation to investigate low-cost tour packages sold overseas. The initiative aims to curb the spread of so-called “dumping tourism,” which officials fear could tarnish the city’s image and lead to [...]

South Korea’s Aging Population Faces Isolation and Poverty, New Statistics Show

SEJONG, Sept. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent government report reveals that more than one in three elderly South Koreans living alone have no one to talk to, highlighting a growing crisis of isolation among the country’s aging population. Statistics Korea released its 2024 Elderly Statistics report on September 26, painting a stark picture of the [...]

Court Rules Samsung C&T Not Liable for Delayed Interest Payments to Elliott

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – A Seoul court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by U.S.-based hedge fund Elliott seeking some 26.7 billion won (US$20.2 million) in delayed interest from Samsung C&T as a fallout of the 2015 merger of two Samsung units. Elliott, which owned a 7 percent stake in Samsung C&T, led a [...]

Supreme Court Overturns Acquittal of Syrian Man Accused of Inciting Terrorism

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) –The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a lower court’s acquittal of a Syrian man accused of inciting participation in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group by uploading videos created by IS, sending the case back for retrial. The 39-year-old Syrian individual, who previously worked at a junkyard in Pyeongtaek, some [...]

South Korea’s Retail Employment Decline for 60 Consecutive Months as Online Shopping Booms

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – The rise of e-commerce in South Korea has led to a steady decline in retail employment, with the number of sales workers decreasing for 60 consecutive months, according to recent government data. Statistics Korea reported on September 26 that the number of sales workers last month stood at 2.55 million, [...]

Industrial Disasters Involving Immigrant Workers Expected to Reach 10,000 This Year

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Industrial disasters affecting immigrant workers are on the rise, driven by incidents at small manufacturing and construction worksites, with up to 10,000 cases expected this year, a labor ministry report showed Friday. A total of 6,715 applications for the recognition of industrial disasters were filed by both registered and [...]

At Samsung Electronics, a Graying Workforce Signals Shift in Corporate Demographics

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – For the first time in its history, Samsung Electronics, the South Korean tech giant, has more employees aged 40 and above than those in their 20s, according to a recent analysis. This demographic shift underscores a rapidly aging workforce at one of the world’s leading technology companies. The Korea CXO [...]

S. Korea Produces 1st Homegrown Engine for K9 Howitzer

SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has produced the first homegrown engine for the country’s K9 self-propelled howitzer after a yearslong development project, the state arms procurement agency said Friday. The move comes after the country began the 32.16 billion-won (US$24.5 million) project in 2021, involving STX Engine Co., Hanwha Aerospace Co. and [...]