SEOUL, May 14 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s political and labor circles are locked in heated debate over a proposal to raise the legal retirement age from 60 to 65, reflecting growing tensions between an aging population and youth employment concerns. The issue, reignited during Labor Day remarks by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, has polarized [...]
SEOUL, May 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Unregulated electronic cigarette vending machines selling synthetic nicotine products are proliferating near schools in South Korea, sparking public concern over youth access and health risks, amid mounting calls for legislative reform. A recent investigation revealed unmanned vape shops operating near elementary, middle, and high schools in central Seoul, often [...]
SEOUL, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Starting May 16, Seoul will implement the nation’s first designated no-go zones for electric scooters and similar personal mobility devices in two bustling areas: Hongdae Red Road in Mapo District and the Banpo private education district in Seocho District, city officials announced Monday. The pilot initiative, jointly launched by [...]
SEOUL, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has newly designated robotics and defense technologies as part of its portfolio of advanced technologies the country aims to strategically develop as new economic growth engines, the industry ministry said Monday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy posted a notification of designation of the two new [...]
SEOUL, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea grapples with the financial implications of its aging population, the government has released the nation’s first full-scale survey on so-called “dementia money”—the frozen assets held by elderly citizens with dementia—and experts are urging swift action modeled on Japan’s experience. According to the Presidential Committee on Aging Society [...]
SEOUL, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — In a new step toward carbon neutrality in the building sector, the South Korean government has introduced a savings program that rewards citizens with higher interest rates if they reduce their electricity consumption. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Sunday the launch of the “Energy-Saving DooDream Savings” product, [...]
SEOUL, May 11 (Korea Bizwire) — On a sunny spring afternoon in Seoul’s Yeouido Hangang Park, police officers outfitted with wearable robotic exoskeletons patrolled bustling recreational areas, turning heads among picnickers and joggers. The futuristic gear—reminiscent of RoboCop—is part of a new initiative by the Seoul Metropolitan Police to bring advanced technology into community policing. Launched [...]
SEOUL, May 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has begun crafting its Fifth Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society, a sweeping five-year strategy aimed at countering the nation’s deepening demographic crisis. The new plan, set to take effect in 2026, will replace the current fourth plan that expires this year. At the [...]
SEOUL, May 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The government-led investigation into a major data breach at SK Telecom Co. is expected to release its findings by the end of June, Minister of Science and ICT Yoo Sang-im said Friday. The breach, which occurred on April 18, involved a large-scale leak of universal subscriber identity module (USIM) [...]
SEOUL, May 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Facilities Corporation announced Friday that it will open a new AI-powered “Smart Shelter” in the Jonggak underground shopping center this November, transforming long-vacant retail spaces into a tech-driven experience zone blending shopping innovation and public rest areas. Spanning approximately 76 square meters (23 pyeong), the Smart Shelter will [...]