After passing through another turbulent year in 2007, the nation is now preparing for the New Year, in which various social sectors will see changes.

Following the alphabet, The Korea Times has picked 26 key phrases to show the social changes of 2008. ― ED.

Animal Protection

As the new animal protection law comes into effect from Jan. 27, owners of all pet dogs have to register them with the regional government and attach an identification tag to their pet's neck. Cruelty to animals will also be severely punished with a maximum fine of 5 million won, up from 200,000 won.

Battery Disposal

From January, electric cells such as alkaline/manganese, and nickel hydroxide batteries must be disposed of separately from other wastes, for recycling. Manufacturers also have to collect used electric cells within a certain ratio of their total products.

CCTV

From January, the new regulation for privacy protection requires users of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to make public its installation.

Divorce

People will have to submit a plan on how their children will be raised and an agreement on parental authority to a court hearing their divorce cases. The revised law has also extended the cooling-off period for couples applying for a divorce, which forces them to think more on their decision _ three months for those with children and one month for those without.

Electronic Wristband

Repeat sexual offenders will have to wear electronic tracking devices from October 2008. If the wearer enters restricted areas, such as certain residential zones, police and correctional officials will be alerted. Offenders released on probation or parole will also be tagged.

Fine Dodgers

People failing to pay a fine exceeding 10 million won after three warnings will be jailed for a maximum period of one month. Also, those with fines over 5 million won in arrears will lose credit worthiness as their information will be given to financial organizations.

Globally Harmonized System

The nation will introduce Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to classify and label hazardous chemicals from July. To tackle various pollutants, the government will implement regulations on noise pollution and waste disposal.

Holiday

Constitution Day, which falls on July 17, will be crossed off the public holiday list next year. The move follows the introduction of the five-day workweek system with 40 working hours.

Identification

From June, large-size portals will allow visitors to access their sites with a personal identification number (PIN) or a registered mobile phone number instead of their social security numbers. The new move is to protect Internet users from various identity-theft scams and prevent criminals from misusing personal information.

Jury System

The nation will implement a jury system, officially named ``Citizen's Participation in Criminal Trials,'' for the first time. The new system is considered to be one of the most significant and revolutionary changes to the Korean courtroom since 1895 when a modern judicial system was first introduced here.

Korean Residency

From January, immigrant workers who live and work for over five years in Korea will obtain residency status when their proficiency at their jobs is well received. The move is to stem the loss of skilled skillful immigrant workers who leave the country and decrease the proficiency of workplaces.

Lawsuit Records

From next year, people who are not directly involved in a lawsuit will be allowed to read the records and related materials about them for the purpose of study.

Maternity Leave

Mothers can apply for a maternity leave of either a maximum of three years, or a reduction of working hours to 15 to 30 hours per week.

Non-regular Workers

The regulations for the protection of non-regular workers will be applied to firms with more then 100 employees from July 1. Currently, only large companies with 300 employees must comply.

Origin Notification

From December 2008, Korean beef must carry a notification of its origin. The notification should include the birth date and transfer traces, which can allow consumers to easily check basic information of beef they buy.

Paternity Leave

Fathers of newborn babies will get paternity leave of three days when their wife gives a birth to a baby.

Quota for Fishing

South Korea and Japan will set a quota for the amount of fish each side will be allowed to catch in the other side's exclusive waters next year. The quota for each side was cut to 60,500 tons this year from 63,500 tons and the number of ships permitted to fish in the other side's exclusive economic zone was also cut to 1,025 from 1,050 in 2006.

Resident Card

People can have a resident card re-issued from any district offices in the case of loss. Also, a new family registration system will debut from Jan. 1, which will abolish the current patriarchal family registration system and replace it with a more gender-equal one.

Strike

When unionists go on a strike, they have to maintain basic operations in public sectors such as railways, airline ands electricity services.

Toll Fee

Toll fees will be discounted for compact car drivers. The definition of compact car will include those under 1000cc up from the current 800 cc.

Uninhabited Island Management

From February, about 2,670 uninhabited islands will be under more systematic management. They will divided into four categories _ preservation, semi-preservation, utilization and development.

Venue for Street Vendors

The government will designate special venues for street vendors in each district on a test basis from next year. The move aims to systematically regulate street vendors as irregular economic growth can spoil the beauty of the city.

Workers' Insurance Subscription

The subscription fee for workers' health insurance will increase by 5.08 percent of their income. The ratio of hospital coverage will go down to only 20 percent from the previous 50 percent.

Extra Benefit

Those who give a birth to a child will be have their monthly national pension deductions slightly reduced. Those with a second child through childbirth or adoption will have approximately 12 months pension payment worth taken off. Those with a third child will have 18 months deducted and people who serve in the army will have 6 months worth reduced.

Youth Crime

From July, the youth law will be applied to those between 12 and 20. Currently, criminals between 10 and 19 are subject to be punished or dealt with by the law.

Zebra Crossing

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will make a zebra crossing in the Gwanghwamun area, downtown Seoul. It will allow citizen to get easy access to Gwanghwamun plaza, construction of which begins in February.