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 [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s potential growth rate is projected to fall below 2% next year, signaling challenges for the nation’s long-term economic sustainability, according to a report released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on December 19. Without structural reforms in labor markets, birthrate improvement, and increased workforce participation by women and [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s Statistical Office released its 2024 Social Trends report on December 19, revealing significant insights into the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs, rising obesity rates, and shifting societal behaviors. AI and Job Displacement AI technologies like ChatGPT could replace 2.7 million jobs, nearly 10% of [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea braces for its coldest winter yet, electric vehicle (EV) owners are expressing growing frustration over significant drops in driving range during frigid weather. Online forums have been buzzing with complaints, with many surprised by how much their EV range decreases compared to summer. Questions about efficient [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Amid growing concerns over domestic consumption following the December 3 martial law crisis, small business owners and self-employed workers are reporting devastating impacts on what should be their peak season for sales. A post titled “December Sales Have Gone Crazy Due to National Crisis” appeared on December 18 in an [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled on December 19 that conditional regular bonuses, tied to employment status or minimum workdays, must be included in the calculation of ordinary wages. This landmark decision overturns a 2013 precedent that required bonuses to meet strict “fixed” payment criteria to qualify, sparking significant debate [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent South Korean Supreme Court ruling, allowing nurses to perform bone marrow aspiration procedures under general supervision, has ignited sharp divisions among medical professionals, nurses, and patient advocacy groups. The ruling coincides with ongoing discussions on the implementation of the Nursing Act, set to take effect in June 2025. [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on December 19 that it has applied universal design principles to improve accessibility and safety in public spaces, including pedestrian underpasses, hiking trails, and public restrooms in traditional markets. Universal design ensures spaces are safe and convenient for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea has reformed what was deemed an “absurd regulation” that applied different postpartum care support standards to maternal grandmothers and paternal grandmothers-in-law, the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced on December 19. The issue emerged as the top concern in the government’s “Absurd Regulations Public Contest” and was discussed [...]
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 [...]