Related: “He Worked 80 Hours a Week”: The Bakery Case Stirring Debate on Labor Practices The tragedy at a popular Seoul bakery has reignited scrutiny of South Korea’s long-hour work culture — and exposed how easily labor protections can fail in the service industry. 1. What Happened In July 2024, a man in his 20s working [...]
Related: Seoul, Washington Strive to Wrap Up Trade Talks Before Leaders’ Summit The Big Picture South Korea’s economic policymakers are in Washington this week for what could be one of the most consequential trade negotiations in years. Led by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Presidential Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, Seoul’s top economic team is working to [...]
Related: Korea Weighs Allowing Pets in Restaurants, Stirring Debate Over Safety and Hygiene South Korea is entering what many call the “10-million pet era,” with nearly one in four households now sharing their home with an animal companion. As this shift reshapes the country’s social landscape, the government is preparing a major policy change — one [...]
Related: Top Court Clarifies Holiday Pay Rules for Every-Other-Day Workers Definition Weekly holiday pay (“주휴수당”) is a paid day off guaranteed by Korean labor law to employees who work at least 15 hours a week and attend all scheduled workdays during that period. It ensures workers are compensated for one day’s rest as part of their [...]
Why a Dual Citizen Couldn’t Give Up Korean Nationality — and What the Law Says About “Living Abroad” When a 20-year-old dual citizen born to a Korean mother and an American father tried to renounce his Korean nationality, he expected it to be a matter of paperwork. Instead, his case became a lesson in how [...]