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Lee Kyung-min

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South Korea

Chinese complaints about plastic surgery increasing

By Lee Kyung-min A growing number of Chinese people are suffering side effects after undergoing plastic surgery procedures here.A group of Chinese people has been staging rallies since last month, display pictures of their appearance before and after surgery at Myeong-dong and Gangnam ― where a large number of plastic surgery clinics are located.The protestors include a Chinese woman who claims she has been having problems moving her right arm after undergoing liposuction on her abdomen in July.Another woman who had a nose job said that is now disfigured and has been treated for depression due to the severe emotional distress. Another woman who had facial bone contouring surgery said her jaw is partly paralyzed, adding that she is seeking an apology.  They claim that Korean hospitals offered negligent medical services, and are seeking help to claim compensation.According to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency, the number of complaints filed by Chinese patients increased from five in 2012 to 18 in 2014. As of August this year, 12 people have filed

Oct 7, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Prosecution forms task force to collect fines from former PM

By Lee Kyung-minHan Myeong-sookThe prosecution said Monday that it has set up a special task force to collect the 880 million won ($700,000) fine imposed on former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who was put behind bars in August for a bribery conviction.It is the second time that such a task force has been organized to collect fines from a specific person, following the previous one set up in 2013 to collect the unpaid fines of 167.2 billion won imposed in 1997 on former President Chun Doo-hwan, who had refused to pay.It is also the first time for the prosecution to form the task force immediately after the guilty verdict was confirmed.  In August, the Supreme Court upheld a high court ruling that sentenced the former prime minister to two years in prison and fined her 880 million won for taking 900 million won in illegal political funds in 2007 from Han Man-ho, the former head of construction company Hansin Gunyoung.Prosecutors said that they formed the task force after Han failed to submit a plan to pay the fine. She had some 220 million won in deposits and an apartment worth

Oct 5, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
Prosecution forms task force to collect fines from former PM
South Korea

Ex-lawmaker quizzed in POSCO probe

By Lee Kyung-minFormer lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk answers reporters’ questions before facing questioning about corruption allegations involving POSCO at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul, Monday./ YonhapThe prosecution questioned former lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk, Monday, over allegations that he played a key role in several corruption cases involving POSCO.The elder brother of former president Lee Myung-bak was summoned two years after serving a 14-month prison sentence for bribery.He appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at 10:22 a.m. Before entering the office for questioning, Lee, 80, flatly denied all allegations. “I came here not knowing why I should be here,” he told reporters. “I have nothing to say. I am tired of answering all the questions.” Asked whether he received illegal political funds and whether he was involved in contracts between POSCO and a subcontractor, he said, “I absolutely did not and was not.”Prosecutors questioned him on whether he received illegal politic

Oct 5, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
Ex-lawmaker quizzed in POSCO probe
South Korea

Lawmaker questioned over sexual assault allegation

By Lee Kyung-min  Rep. Sim Hag-bongThe prosecution questioned former ruling Saenuri Party lawmaker Sim Hag-bong, Thursday, over allegations that he raped a woman in July.The summons comes two months after the prosecution launched an investigation into the case following public criticism for the police’s initial investigation in August which cleared him of the allegation because after questioning.Before entering the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning, Sim said, “I’m sorry for causing this row. I will fully cooperate with the prosecution.” He did not comment on a reporters’ question about whether or not he admits to the rape allegation.   Prosecutors questioned him about whether he had sexual intercourse with the woman forcibly and if he urged her to withdraw the rape accusation later.Sim, 54, allegedly told the insurance sales woman, 48, to come to a hotel in Daegu and raped her on July 13. He also allegedly gave her 300,000 won in cash after having sex with her. She reported this to police on July 24, but during

Oct 1, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
Lawmaker questioned over sexual assault allegation
South Korea

Dismissal over pregnancy faces tougher punishment

By Lee Kyung-minThe government plans to revise the law to prevent employers who dismiss pregnant workers or deny them maternity leave avoid punishment.The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Wednesday that it plans to submit a revision bill to the National Assembly for approval.Under the current law, employers who fire female workers during pregnancy or after childbirth or do not allow them maternity leave are subject to punishment.However, the authorities have difficulty uncovering this illegal practice unless workers report it.Under the proposed revision, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) will provide information on pregnant women to the ministry. If a female worker becomes unemployed during pregnancy or after childbirth, the ministry will investigate whether the woman was unfairly dismissed regardless of whether the employee reports it.If a female worker does not apply for childbirth leave payment to the Employment Insurance Agency after her due date, the ministry will look into the case and if the employer has not provided for maternity leave, the ministry will penal

Sep 30, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Overseas dental training recognized: court

By Lee Kyung-minNot licensing dental school graduates who study and become certified overseas while only recognizing those who train in Korea is a violation of the right to equality, according to the Constitutional Court.The court ruled Wednesday that the law on dental specialists is unconstitutional. It demanded that the National Assembly revise the law by the end of 2016. However, the law will remain effective until that time.Under the law, those who take three-year resident courses and undertake internships at domestic medical institutions can become licensed dentists, while those who take equivalent courses at medical colleges overseas cannot. In other areas of specialization, such as surgery, overseas training is acknowledged.“It may be right for those who complete training overseas to have experience and knowledge about Korea’s medical society through more training here,” the court said. “However, it is unreasonable to apply different standards about training between dentists and other specialists because all doctors should be equipped with professional

Sep 30, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Man fined for obstructing ancestral rite

A ritual table to honor ancestorsBy Lee Kyung-minA district court fined a man 500,000 won, Friday, for flipping over a ritual table set by others to honor their ancestors.  The Seoul Central District Court found the man, only identified by his surname Kim, guilty of obstructing a memorial service.Under the law, those who disrupt a traditional ceremony, funeral or religious service face a prison term of up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,500).The provision is aimed at helping such ceremony organizers maintain quiet and order.The court said Kim got into a physical confrontation to thwart the ritual, organized by Seonyanghoe, a group of descendants of six Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) ministers called Sayuksin, at a park in Seoul set up to commemorate their loyal spirit, in 2011. The six, who were executed by King Sejo, who crowned himself after forcibly ousting his teenage nephew King Danjong, have been revered for their loyalty to this day.Kim flipped the table over when the group tried to put more food on it, thereby ruining the ceremony, according to court docu

Sep 25, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Tour to hometown of rich people to debut

By Lee Kyung-minSome people believe they can gain some of the talent and energy of highly successful individuals by visiting the latter’s hometowns.With this in mind, municipalities in South Gyeongsang Province and Korail are developing a tour program to the birthplaces of the founders of the nation’s top conglomerates that were born in the region.Officials at Uiryeong County, Gyeong Nam Development Corp. (GNDC) and Korail said Tuesday that they will develop the program, called “receiving energy from the rich for good luck,” by the end of the year.The program includes visits to the birthplaces of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull in Uiryeong; LG Group founder Koo In-hwoi in Jinju; and Hyosung Group founder Cho Hong-je in Haman County.It will also include visit to a rock named Sot in Uiryeong. According to old folktales in the region, people living within an 8-kilometer radius from the rock are likely to become rich.The birthplaces of these people are all within 10 kilometers of the rock. They are also alumni of Jisu Elementary School in Jinju.While the roc

Sep 22, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Anti-smoking research institute to open

By Lee Kyung-minThe government will open a research institute next month to study the ingredients in tobacco and assess the harmful effects of smoking.According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Monday, the institute will be set up at the KCDC’s headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, at the end of October.Data from the institute are likely to be used in the government’s ongoing lawsuit against tobacco companies over compensation for healthcare costs linked to smoking-related diseases.Its major objectives include analyzing the ingredients and additives in cigarettes and their smoke, as well as assessing the damage of secondhand exposure, the ministry said. Cigarette makers here are required to disclose the amount of tar and nicotine only, so what other ingredients or additives are included in their products are kept secret.“Such studies have so far been conducted by private institute or the tobacco makers, often facing criticism for lacking credibility,” a KCDC official said.&ldq

Sep 21, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
South Korea

Rival schools hit over game tickets

Some 300 students with the tickets were denied entrance into the Jamsil Indoor Stadium for the basketball match between Korea University and Yonsei University on Sept. 18. / YonhapBy Lee Kyung-minOrganizers of the Korea-Yonsei Festival, an annual sports event held from Sept. 18-19 between the two universities, have been criticized over alleged failure to control the number of entrance tickets.A student body from Korea University (KU) said Sunday that 300 students who had tickets were denied entrance into the Jamsil Indoor Stadium, with a capacity of some 11,000 seats, for the basketball match on Sept. 18.The students who were denied entrance blamed the organizers for wrongly estimating the number of visitors.  “We were so frustrated that we were denied entrance even with tickets in our hands, which we won hard through a random draw,” a Korea University student was quoted as saying.“Tickets should not have been given to us in the first place if we were to be left outside.”  The student body said that the university carelessly issued the tickets far mo

Sep 20, 2015By Lee Kyung-min
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