SEOUL, July 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday the deployment of 125 new “Digital Guides”—individuals tasked with assisting elderly citizens in using digital tools such as kiosks, mobile apps, and online ticketing systems at subway stations, welfare centers, and public parks. The new cohort, part of the city’s 7th class of Digital [...]
SEOUL, July 23 (Korea Bizwire) — In a bid to enhance emergency response during disasters, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has introduced South Korea’s first AI-powered 119 emergency call system, allowing residents to report incidents quickly and conveniently—even during surges in call volume caused by extreme weather or large-scale emergencies. The AI callbot system, launched on [...]
SEOUL, July 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul AI Foundation announced Wednesday it has identified 119 high-priority bus stops across the city for the installation of heated benches, aiming to alleviate discomfort for commuters during winter months. The study, conducted at the request of Guro District, used a data-driven approach to maximize the effectiveness of [...]
INCHEON, July 23 (Korea Bizwire) — In the wake of a shocking patricide involving a homemade gun in Incheon’s Songdo district, a South Korean lawmaker has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at closing loopholes around illegal firearm production and distribution. Rep. Jung Il-young of the Democratic Party said Monday he will soon propose revisions to [...]
SEOUL, July 22 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s National Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday passed a controversial bill that would strip artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks of their official status as “textbooks,” reclassifying them instead as general “educational materials.” The move marks a significant challenge to one of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s flagship education [...]
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — One year after South Korea implemented a program allowing pregnant women in crisis to give birth under pseudonyms, 109 women have utilized the service, and 171 others have opted to raise their children following state-supported counseling, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The program, known as the [...]
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — The first-round applications for the government’s cash handouts to all South Koreans began nationwide Monday and will continue until Sept. 12, the interior ministry said. Under the plan intended to help stimulate domestic consumption, all South Korean citizens residing in the country as of June 18, the day before [...]
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — In response to the rapid proliferation of new synthetic narcotics, the South Korean government is seeking to drastically shorten the classification timeline for temporary controlled substances from the current 40 days to roughly two weeks, aiming to bolster early detection and enforcement capabilities. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety [...]
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea prepares to roll out its nationwide consumer coupon initiative aimed at reviving domestic spending, some foreign residents, including permanent residents and marriage immigrants, are set to benefit from the program for the first time. Beginning July 21, eligible residents can apply for the consumer coupons, which offer [...]
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — As small restaurant owners continue to struggle with rising operational costs and a sluggish economy, South Korea’s National Assembly is considering introducing a cap on delivery app fees — a move that could significantly reshape the country’s booming food delivery sector. At the center of the debate is the [...]