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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

Controversy rises over booster shot for Janssen vaccine

A man receives a Janssen coronavirus vaccine at a medical clinic in South Gyeongsang Province, June 10. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Controversy is rising over the administration of booster shots for recipients of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, as they have reported the largest number of breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated people. While some medical experts believe the government should immediately offer additional shots to the group, others advise that the plan should undergo a more prudent review.President Moon Jae-in ordered the health authorities Monday to swiftly come up with a plan to administer booster shots for people who received the single-dose regimen Janssen vaccine, as a recent study in the U.S. suggested that its protection drastically weakens after five months. According to the study which examined the vaccine's efficacy among 620,000 discharged service members in the U.S., the prevention rate plunged to 3 percent in August, from 88 percent in March. On Oct. 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) expert panel recommended a booster dose

Oct 19, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Controversy rises over booster shot for Janssen vaccine
  • New virus cases less than 2,000 for 11th day amid rising vaccination rate
Society

Umbrella union's planned strike meets criticism

This photo shows posters on display at Sungkyunkwan University's Seoul campus, put up by the New National Council of Student Representatives and a coalition of self-employed individuals, criticizing the planned strike of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions. Courtesy of the New National Council of Student RepresentativesBy Lee Hyo-jin Criticism is growing against a major umbrella union here over its plan to stage a mass rally on Wednesday, prompting fears over a possible virus resurgence that could disrupt the country's path towards a “Living with COVID-19” scheme.A group representing conservative college students and a coalition of self-employed individuals across the country have put up banners at around 100 university campuses that criticize a demonstration being organized by the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).The KCTU plans to launch the walkout to demand the improvement of working conditions for irregular workers, a minimum wage hike and revisions to labor laws, despite the government's repeated warnings that it will be in violation of the social dista

Oct 18, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Umbrella union's planned strike meets criticism
Society

Over half of businesses with migrant workers in Busan found violating labor laws

Migrant workers and civic activists call for improvements in labor conditions, at a rally held by Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul, April 25. The event was held to mark May 1 International Workers' Day. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin More than half of the businesses employing foreign nationals in Busan and its surrounding South Gyeongsang Province were found to have been violating labor laws according to monitoring conducted by the government between 2018 and 2020.According to data submitted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to independent lawmaker Rep. Yoon Mee-hyang earlier this week, 582 out of 1,121 employers of migrant workers in the area, accounting for 52 percent of the businesses surveyed, were found to be in violation of at least one point from the Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers or the Labor Standards Act.Of the violators, only three employers faced fines, while the others were merely given a warning by labor authorities. Yoon said the labor ministry has been neglecting the reports filed by foreign employees seeking help against on employers who violate their rights u

Oct 15, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Over half of businesses with migrant workers in Busan found violating labor laws
Health

Eased COVID restrictions unlikely to lead to sudden increase of cases

A coronavirus testing center in Songpa District of Seoul is crowded with people waiting to get tested, Friday. Yonhap Gov't eases regulations on private gatherings, operation of multiuse facilitiesBy Lee Hyo-jin Health experts believe that the government's latest decision to ease social distancing regulations, highlighted by a relaxed cap on group sizes at gatherings, would not lead directly to an abrupt increase in infections. On Friday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures (CDSC) Headquarters announced the latest quarantine scheme, effective Monday for the next two weeks, as it prepares to take the first step toward adopting a “living with COVID-19” strategy next month, under which the country is expected to return gradually to normalcy.Although the current distancing levels ― Level 4 in Seoul and its surrounding areas and Level 3 in other regions ― will remain in place, the authorities have decided to ease regulations on private gatherings and the ope

Oct 15, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Eased COVID restrictions unlikely to lead to sudden increase of cases
  • President Moon, first lady receive COVID-19 booster shots
Society

How Afghan evacuees are preparing for life in Korea

Afghan children attend a taekwondo class on a playing field at the Leadership Campus of the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. They arrived in Korea with their parents in late August when the Korean government evacuated Afghans who had worked with the Korean government after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Joint Press Corps'Special contributors' learn language, basic living info about KoreaBy Lee Hyo-jin JINCHEON ― For a 13-year-old Afghan girl, learning taekwondo in Korea brings her a feeling of freedom that she was unable to experience back in her home country. “In Afghanistan, women cannot participate in sports freely like men do, so it's satisfying to attend taekwondo classes with boys, without wearing a hijab,” the girl told reporters after a taekwondo class on Wednesday.A 15-year-old boy who also attends the class said, “There was always war going on in Afghanistan ever since I was born. But now I feel safe in Korea. I feel confident and hopeful about my future.”The two children are

Oct 14, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
How Afghan evacuees are preparing for life in Korea
Law & Crime

Drug smuggling attempts through USFK postal service increasing

gettyimagesbankBy Lee Hyo-jin Over the last four years, the customs authorities detected illegal drugs worth over 24 billion won ($20 million) smuggled through the postal service of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) into the country, according to government data. According to data submitted by the Korea Customs Service for a National Assembly audit session, Tuesday, from 2017 to August of this year, the customs authorities seized a total of 11.2 kilograms of illegal drugs shipped through the USFK military postal service, amounting to some 24.7 billion won in retail value. In 2017, the agency caught two drug smuggling attempts, with the volume of seized drugs adding up to 8,227 grams. The volume of seized drugs decreased sharply to 201 grams in 2018, but it jumped again in 2019, when customs seized 368 grams of banned substances in 17 separate cases.In 2020, there were 13 cases, with the amount of seized drugs totaling 618 grams, while 1,778 grams of illegal drugs have been confiscated from January to August of this year alone.The customs authorities conduct X-ray scans of every p

Oct 13, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Drug smuggling attempts through USFK postal service increasing
Health

Major cluster infections tied to traditional markets

Vegetables lie scattered in front of Mapo District Office in Seoul, Oct. 9, thrown away by merchants at Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market in protest of the office's order to shut down the market after over 90 COVID-19 cases were found to be linked to it. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Several traditional markets in Seoul have emerged as hotbeds of COVID-19 infections in recent months, raising concerns among merchants and visitors. Since July, four traditional markets in the capital have been linked to major outbreaks, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Of them, the largest number of related cases was reported at Garak Market in southern Seoul's Songpa District. As of Sunday, 840 patients have been traced to the market since a worker there first tested positive on Aug. 31. The infections were transmitted among the workers, visitors, their families and acquaintances. A total of 51 cases were linked to Cheongnyangni Market in Dongdaemun District after the first case was detected there on Aug. 30, while Jungbu Market in central Seoul has faced 320 cases

Oct 12, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Major cluster infections tied to traditional markets
  • New infections remain in 1,000s for 4th day
  • PM calls on more foreign residents to get vaccinated
Health

Infection resurgence feared to disrupt path to 'Living with COVID-19' era

A medical worker take a sample from a man for a coronavirus test at a makeshift testing center near Seoul Station, Monday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Concerns are rising over increased infections following the recent long weekends, adding uncertainties to the government's envisioned plan for a gradual transition to a “Living with COVID-19” strategy. The administration is gearing up to adopt a strategy of co-existing with the coronavirus, under which people would be able to return to “normal life” gradually, as the health authorities plan to focus more on the treatment of critically ill patients, rather than controlling daily new cases.Although detailed plans have yet to be unveiled, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said that Nov. 9 is likely to be the start date for the transition.“We believe that 70 percent of the population will be fully vaccinated by the fourth week of October,” she said during a National Assembly audit, Oct. 8. Considering that two weeks are required for vaccine recipients to acquire immunity,

Oct 11, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Infection resurgence feared to disrupt path to 'Living with COVID-19' era
  • Pregnant women get conflicting messages about COVID-19 vaccine
  • New cases under 2,000 for 3rd day on fewer tests
Health

Pregnant women get conflicting messages about COVID-19 vaccine

gettyimagesbankBy Lee Hyo-jin Pregnant women are uncertain whether or not to get COVID-19 vaccinations, as some doctors have been giving advice that contradicts the government's message as well as insisting that the vaccination of mothers-to-be should undergo more extensive review. The government has recommended that pregnant women get inoculated, saying that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks. Beginning Oct. 18, they will be administered with an mRNA vaccine ― Moderna or Pfizer.After the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) began to receive reservations starting from 8 p.m. on Saturday, some 990 eligible recipients made vaccine appointments during the first four hours. According to the KDCA, a total of 731 pregnant women have been infected with the virus in the country as of August, among whom about 2 percent have developed serious illnesses, more than six times that of women aged between 20 and 45.“U.S. studies show that infected pregnant women have had three times higher risk of hospitalization, 2.9 times higher risk of treatment using a v

Oct 11, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Pregnant women get conflicting messages about COVID-19 vaccine
  • New cases under 2,000 for 3rd day on fewer tests
  • Infection resurgence feared to disrupt path to 'Living with COVID-19' era
Law & Crime

Gov't urged to reduce riot police deployment THAAD base

Police officers attempt to disperse protesters blocking the delivery of equipment onto a U.S. THAAD base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, April 28. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin A human rights committee under the National Police Agency (NPA) has recommended the law enforcement authorities to reduce the number of riot police deployed to a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile base in the southeastern county of Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province.“As the current number of riot police there can lead to a violation of the protesters' freedom of assembly and demonstration, the authorities should actively take necessary measures,” the committee said during a regular meeting held late September.The NPA committee consists of 13 members ― 12 external members and one police officer from the audit and inspection division. The committee further asked the authorities to submit additional data, based on which it can judge whether the police are guaranteeing the protesters' freedom of assembly and demonstration.The THAAD missile battery system was deployed in 2017 to bett

Oct 11, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't urged to reduce riot police deployment THAAD base
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