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Lee Hyo-jin

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.

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Health

Korea approves first-ever digital therapeutics device

Mobile application Somzz, the first-ever digital therapeutics device to gain approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, displayed during a briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin A domestically developed mobile application that can be used to treat insomnia won regulatory approval, Wednesday, becoming the first-ever digital therapeutics device to be introduced in Korea.The ground-breaking move is expected to spur the development of the nation's digital therapeutics industry. But some questions remain, such as how the cutting-edge digital software will be included in the state health insurance system, as well as possible confusion over the absence of prescription guidelines.The Ministry of Drug and Food Safety announced its approval of Somzz, a digital treatment device based on a software application for insomnia patients developed by Aimmed, a digital healthcare company.Somzz uses cognitive behavioral therapy and analysis of circadian rhythms to treat sleep disorders through an array of treatment methods i

Feb 16, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Korea approves first-ever digital therapeutics device
Society

Court ruling lets two Russian men seek refugee status in Korea

A lawyer with the Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL), the legal representative of two Russian men who filed a complaint calling on the immigration authority to nullify its non-referral decision on their refugee applications, speaks during a press conference held after a court ruling at Incheon District Court, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hyo-jinTwo men finally able to leave Incheon airport after being stranded for 5 monthsBy Lee Hyo-jinA local court on Tuesday ordered the Incheon Immigration Office to review refugee applications submitted by two Russian men who landed in Incheon International Airport last year after fleeing the military draft in their home country.The Incheon District Court ruled in favor of the Russian men who filed complaints against the immigration authority, but dismissed a complaint filed by another man who was in a similar situation. The judge did not give a detailed explanation about the ruling during the hearing, saying that a detailed verdict will be issued later.There are two more Russian men ― college student Vladimir Maraktaev and former footba

Feb 14, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Court ruling lets two Russian men seek refugee status in Korea
Health

Doctors threaten strike over possible legislation of Nursing Act

A coalition of medical workers including the Korean Medical Association holds a press conference in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, calling on lawmakers to retract the proposed Nursing Act. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Doctors have warned they will stage a strike in protest of the proposed legislation of the Nursing Act ― a new set of laws that stipulate the roles and duties of licensed nurses ― as they view it may cause confusion in the public healthcare system if passed.The Korea Medical Association (KMA) held a press conference in front of the National Assembly, Monday, to condemn the lawmakers' recent decision to fast-track the Nursing Act. On Feb. 9, the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee voted to fast-track the Nursing Act, which had been stalled at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for over eight months, to the main floor for a plenary session. Considering that the Nursing Act has garnered support from lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which controls more than half of the 300-seat Assembly, the bill is likely to be

Feb 13, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Doctors threaten strike over possible legislation of Nursing Act
Politics

Korean team rescues 3 additional survivors in Turkey

Korean rescuers save a 17-year-old boy from the ruins of a building in Antakya, Turkey, Saturday (local time). Courtesy of Korea Disaster Relief TeamBy Lee Hyo-jin A Korean rescue team deployed in quake-hit Turkey rescued three more survivors from the rubble on Saturday (local time), raising the number it has saved to eight. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) has managed to pull out two family members ― a 17-year-old boy and his 51-year-old mother from the ruins of a building in Antakya, at around 7:18 p.m. and 8:18 p.m., respectively. The rescuers used specialized equipment in the operation which lasted for some five hours.The woman was in a relatively stable condition, but her son was unconscious as his lower body had been trapped under concrete slabs. The Korean medical team provided first aid to the teenager before he was transferred to a hospital.Earlier in the day, around 2:02 p.m., a 65-year-old woman was rescued in a joint operation by the KDRT and local rescuers. She was transferred to a nearby hospital, the foreign ministry said.&ldqu

Feb 12, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Korean team rescues 3 additional survivors in Turkey
  • Miracle rescues as Turkey-Syria quake deaths pass 28,000
  • Turkey probes contractors as earthquake deaths pass 33,000
Society

Illegal 'room cafes' spark debate on teen sex

This photo shows the inside of a room cafe in Daejeon which was found to be illegally operating in a recent police crackdown. Courtesy of Daejeon Metropolitan Police AgencyBy Lee Hyo-jinA growing number of “room cafes” that do not comply with regulations has sparked debate on teenagers' sexual activities ― a taboo subject in Korea ― after the government vowed to crackdown on these facilities where underage students were found to be having sex.Room cafes, which began appearing in the early 2000s, offer a private space with basic amenities to visitors. But in recent years, many of these establishments have evolved into hotel-like facilities. Unlike the past, when curtains or partitions were installed to offer privacy, some cafes now provide separate rooms with lockable doors. Many rooms are also equipped with a screen, bed and even a bathroom in some cases.Although these room cafes look no different from motels or DVD rooms ― where minors are prohibited from entering under the Youth Protection Act ― these facilities have been able to circumvent the law, as they are register

Feb 12, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Illegal 'room cafes' spark debate on teen sex
Society

Korean team rescues 5 survivors in quake-hit Turkey

Members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) rescue a man from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of KDRTYoon offers condolences to TurkeyBy Lee Hyo-jinMembers of Korea's rescue team deployed in quake-stricken areas of Turkey have managed to save five people from the rubble on Thursday morning (local time), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) launched its rescue operation early Thursday morning, after setting up a base camp near a high school in Antakya, Hatay Province.Hours later, around 6:37 a.m., rescuers pulled out a man in his mid-70s from the ruins of a building. The survivor was conscious and was in relatively stable condition. The authorities added that the rescue team recovered four bodies from the same site.Members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) rescue a man in his 70s from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of KDRTAround 10 a.m., the rescue team saved two family members ― a two-year-old girl and her father in his 40s.The rescuers also pulled out a 35-year-old wo

Feb 9, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Korean team rescues 5 survivors in quake-hit Turkey
  • Death toll tops 21,000 from Turkey-Syria quake as hopes fade
  • 'Shame on you!': Erdogan faces voter fury in quake zone
Society

Debate heats up over raising cut-off age of senior citizens

An elderly man looks at job postings at a recruitment fair for seniors held in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, June 21, 2022. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin A debate has erupted over raising the cut-off age of senior citizens after several local governments revealed plans to raise the eligibility age for free subway rides. The cutoff point for old age currently stands at 65 in Korea.Discussions on redefining the start of old age are expected to gain traction as the government is reviewing extending the subscription period of the national pension and delaying the age of pension benefits.The rationale behind such moves is to reduce the government's surging social welfare spending burden as Korea sees a steep increase in the elderly population. However, some critics point out that raising the official age of senior citizens may only worsen the country's elderly poverty rate, which already stands at the highest level among OECD member countries.The official cutoff point for old age has remained at 65 since 1981 with the establishment of the Senior Citizen Welfare Act. But the proportion of elderly peopl

Feb 8, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Debate heats up over raising cut-off age of senior citizens
Health

Korea could resume issuing short-term visas to Chinese visitors soon

Jee Young-mee, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency speaks during a press conference held at the agency's headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Korea Disease Control and Prevention AgencyKDCA chief says life will return to normal in 2023By Lee Hyo-jin Korea is mulling the resumption of issuing short-terms visas to Chinese nationals earlier than late February, according to Korea Disease Control Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jee Young-mee. Her remarks came as Seoul and Beijing are engaged in a tit-for-tat involving travel restrictions triggered by a resurgence of coronavirus infections in China.Since Jan. 2, authorities in Korea have tightened virus restrictions on visitors from China, suspending issuances of short-term visas and requiring those entering the country ― regardless of their nationality ― to receive a PCR test before and after arriving here. Introducing such measures, the government said it will review whether to lift the restrictions in late February.In an apparent retaliation, Beijing also suspended is

Feb 7, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Korea could resume issuing short-term visas to Chinese visitors soon
Society

Finance ministry, Seoul city at odds over free subway rides for seniors

Commuters pass through the fare gate at Sinchon Station on Seoul Metro Line 2, Jan.24. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin The Seoul Metropolitan Government is at odds with the Ministry of Economy and Finance over sharing the burden of the snowballing deficit of Seoul Metro, the capital's subway operator. The city government is demanding that the ministry partially cover the financial deficit incurred due mainly to the free senior travel scheme ― a welfare policy adopted by the central government almost 40 years ago.Under a senior welfare policy enacted in 1984, every person aged 65 or older is entitled to use the subway free of charge in any city, regardless of their income. As the share of the elderly population nationwide has been rising steeply ― from 5.9 percent in 1984 to 17.5 percent in 2022 ― Seoul Metro has been pointing at the welfare policy as a major reason for its years-long operating losses.The finance ministry, however, has refused to recognize this, saying that issues surrounding the city's public transportation system should be handled solely by the local authority.Seoul city issue

Feb 6, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Finance ministry, Seoul city at odds over free subway rides for seniors
Society

Discussions on raising age for free subway rides gain momentum

People pass through the fare gate at Sinchon Station on Seoul Metro Line 2, Jan. 24. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin The government and the ruling party will review changing the eligible age for free subway ridership ― possibly to 70 from the current 65 ― in a bid to stem the snowballing deficit caused by the welfare policy offered to senior citizens.“We will discuss with the government the issue of raising the age of free ridership as well as how the central and local governments should share the burden of financial deficits,” ruling People Power Party floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young told reporters, Friday.The lawmaker's remark came days after Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon cried foul that the Ministry of Finance is refusing to share the burden of Seoul Metro's snowballing deficits incurred by the free ridership scheme for the elderly ― a policy adopted by the central government about 40 years ago.Under a senior welfare law enacted in 1984, all seniors aged 65 and above can use the subway free of charge in any city, regardless of their income.But following Seoul city's recent announcement t

Feb 4, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Discussions on raising age for free subway rides gain momentum
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.