The Korea Times

Gov't on alert over Chuseok gatherings

Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae speaks during a meeting with vice superintendents of 17 metropolitan and provincial education offices at the Government Complex in Sejong, Wednesday. Yonhap The health authorities are urging citizens to refrain from gathering and traveling, amid growing concerns that the country's virus cases are likely to reach a peak during the Chuseok holiday, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, which runs from Sept. 20 to 22 this year.9월 20일~22일 추석 연휴 동안 국내 확진자 수가 정점에 달할 것이라는 우려가 증가하는 가운데 보건 당국이 국민들에게 모임과 이동을 자제해 달라고 촉구했다.Ahead of the traditional holiday, the numbers of daily new cases of COVID-19 are hovering around 2,000.추석 명절을 앞두고 코로나19 일일 확진자 수는 2,000명대를 맴돌고 있다.Experts are concerned that the virus spread will gain speed after Chuseok, and predict that infections will continue to increase especially in the capital area.전문가들은 추석 이후 바이러스 전파가 확산되는 것을 우려하는 가운데 특히 수도권 지역에서 감염이 계속될 것으로 전망하고 있다.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,943 new infections for Wednesday, including 1,921 local transmissions, raising the aggregated total to 2

Sep 20, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Business

Eximbank donates meal boxes for vulnerable groups

Officials from a social welfare center in Yeongdeungpo District in Seoul deliver meal boxes to the house of a senior citizen living alone, Wednesday. Courtesy of Eximbank The state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) has delivered meal boxes for socially vulnerable groups in Seoul, as part of efforts to fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR) ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the bank said Thursday. 한국수출입은행이 목요일 추석을 앞두고 CSR (기업의 사회적 책임) 달성의 일환으로 서울 내 사회적 취약 계층에 도시락을 전달했다고 밝혔다.The packages of meal kits were donated to a group of 270 households ― including 170 elderly persons living alone ― in Yeongdeungpo District, southwest Seoul.도시락은 서울 남서지역 영등포구의 독거 노인 170명을 포함해 약 270가구에 전달되었다.Eximbank teamed up with local welfare centers there for contactless home delivery of the meal boxes, with officials from the centers leaving deliveries at the front door of recipients' residences amid lingering fears of the ongoing pandemic.수출입은행은 지역 복지 센터와 팀을 구성해 비대면으로 가정에 도시락을 배달했으며 현재에도 남아 있는 코로나19의 감염 우려로 복지 센터의 직원들이 수령자의 집 현관문 앞에 도시락을 두고 갔다.The bank also donated fruits and agricultural prod

Sep 19, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Eximbank donates meal boxes for vulnerable groups

Business

Statistics Korea launches SDGs data platform in English

Image capture of the main page of SDGs data platform operated by Statistics Korea. Courtesy of Statistics Korea The platform allows real-time monitoring of progress in SDGs, and is expected to promote data-driven global public policymaking, the statistics agency said.통계청은 이 플랫폼이 SDGs의 진행 상태를 실시간으로 확인할 수 있으며 데이터를 기반으로 한 국제적 공공 정책수립을 촉진할 것으로 기대된다고 밝혔다.The SDGs include 17 goals announced at the U.N. General Assembly in September 2015, an initiative to be jointly achieved by 2030, for the sustainable development of mankind, as defined by its core principle of inclusiveness, "Leaving No One Behind."SDGs는 2015년 U.N. 총회에서 결의된 17개의 목표들을 포함한다. 이 목표들은 포용성, 즉 “어느 누구도 뒤처지지 않게 한다(Leaving No One Behind)”라는 핵심 원리에 의해 정의된 바와 같이 모든 인류의 지속 가능한 발전을 위해 2030년까지 공동으로 달성될 계획이다.Examples include poverty, inequality, climate crisis and violence, issues on which the New York-headquartered international organization requires a unified response and continued commitment by countries and stakeholder groups around the world.이에 대한 예시들은 빈곤, 불평등, 기후 위기, 폭력 등의 내용을 포함하고, 이들은 뉴욕에 본부를 둔 UN이 전 세계의 국가와 이해관계

Sep 19, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Statistics Korea launches SDGs data platform in English

Culture

Han Sun-hwa feels more relaxed after quitting K-pop girl group

Singer-turned-actress Han Sun-hwa / Courtesy of Cine Sopa As a K-pop singer, Han Sun-hwa didn't love every facet of her job. She lived with a high amount of anxiety and struggled with the lifestyle that came with being famous.K-pop 가수 한선화는 자신의 일의 모든 면을 다 좋아하지는 않았다. 그녀는 큰 불안감과 함께였고 유명해지면서 찾아오는 삶의 방식에 힘겨워했었다. She couldn't even enjoy a cup of coffee with her friends because she felt guilty about taking time off from work.한선화는 일하는 것으로부터 쉬는 것에 죄책감을 느꼈기 때문에 친구들과 차 한 잔을 즐길 수도 없었다.After working ceaselessly for seven years ― from the time she shot to fame in girl group Secret in 2009, until she left the group to pursue acting in 2016 ― she was exhausted, both physically and mentally.지난 2009년 걸 그룹 시크릿으로 유명해진 뒤 2016년 연기자로 변신할 때까지 7년 간 쉬지 않고 일한 한선화는 신체적으로, 그리고 정신적으로 완전히 지쳤다."As a member of the girl group, I was always so busy. I didn't have any time for relationships. There was no time to step back and ask myself, 'How do I actually feel?' I was too hard on myself, believing that my skills would deteriorate if I were to take a break. My biggest fear, at that time, was falling

Sep 17, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Han Sun-hwa feels more relaxed after quitting K-pop girl group

National

3 in 10 employees experience 'work-from-home syndrome'

Gettyimages Three out of every 10 employees who telecommute are experiencing "work-from-home (WFH) syndrome" as the pandemic rolls on and the boundary between work and life blurs. 코로나19 팬데믹이 지속되고 일과 생활의 경계가 모호해짐에 따라 재택근무 직장인 10명 중 3명이 재택근무 증후군을 겪고 있다.According to a survey of 910 remote workers conducted by recruiting platform Job Korea from Sept. 3 to 10, 32.1 percent of the respondents said they have experienced the WFH syndrome, experienced as physical and emotional stress.9월 3일부터 10일까지 채용 플랫폼 잡코리아가 910명을 대상으로 시행한 설문조사에 따르면 응답자의 32.1%가 신체적, 감정적 스트레스를 겪으며 재택근무 증후군을 경험했다고 답했다.Where multiple answers were allowed, 54.8 percent said they experienced a feeling that they're still working even after work, similar to 46.2 percent who answered they are in a nervous and stressed state all day.복수 응답 가운데 직장인 54.8%는 퇴근 후에도 여전히 일을 하고 있는 기분을 경험한 적이 있다고 답했는데 이는 46.2%가 하루 종일 긴장하고 스트레스 느끼는 상태라고 답한 것과 다름 없다."In a from-home working environment, the physical distinction between work and home life is pretty vague. I think that's why I can't get my mind off of work even when my computer is turned off

Sep 16, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

3 in 10 employees experience 'work-from-home syndrome'

National

Parents hesitant about vaccinating children over safety concerns

Students walk toward an elementary school in Seoul, Sept. 6. Yonhap Debate is arising over the government's plan to allow COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 12 to 17 starting next month.다음 달부터 12~17세 소아 청소년들을 대상으로 코로나19 백신 접종을 허용하려는 정부의 계획에 논란이 일고 있다.Some parents say the inoculations will ensure their children's safety and allow them to be more active, while others say they are concerned about potential side effects. 일부 학부모들은 백신 접종이 자녀의 안전을 확보하고 더욱 활동적이게 될 것이라 말한 반면 다른 이들은 잠재적인 부작용이 우려스럽다고 전했다.The health authorities said, Monday, they plan to start offering vaccinations for children in that age group in the fourth quarter and will announce details within this month after consulting with the education ministry.월요일 보건당국은 올해 4분기부터 소아 청소년에게 백신을 제공할 계획이라면서 교육부와 논의해 이 달 안으로 세부 내용을 발표할 계획이다.They are considering providing the Pfizer vaccine as recommended by the Korea Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, adding the vaccine has been proven safe for use for the age group in various countries including Japan and the United States.보건 당국은 예방접종전문위원회의 권고에 따라 화이자 백신 제공을 고려하고 있으며 일

Sep 15, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Parents hesitant about vaccinating children over safety concerns

Business

'Naver Webtoon storytech platform cannot be replaced'

Kim Jun-koo, CEO and founder of Naver Webtoon / Courtesy of Naver Naver’s storytech platform, which consists of webtoons and webnovels, has garnered 6 million creators with over 167 million users visiting the site each month, making it the most dominant platform of its type in the world.웹툰과 웹소설로 구성된 네이버의 스토리테크 플랫폼은 매달 6백만명의 웹툰 창작자와 1억 6천 7백만 사이트 방문자 수를 기록하며 동종업계 중 세계에서 가장 주요한 플랫폼이 되었다.Naver Webtoon locally established its “Webtoon Canvas” service and globally launched “Canvas” as an amateur participation system established to enhance amateur content creators. 네이버 웹툰은 아마추어 창작자들을 늘리기 위해 국내에 ‘웹툰 캔버스’ 서비스를 설립했고, 국제적으로도 ‘캔버스’ 서비스를 출시했다.Due to the platform, Naver holds the largest number of active webtoon creators in the world.이 플랫폼 덕분에 네이버는 세계에서 가장 활발한 웹툰 창작자들을 보유하고 있다.“Webtoons are different from other published cartoons in their content and genre, and it is necessary to continuously find new creators to maintain a foothold in the market. Naver Webtoon has been investing in the global amateur platform from the local market.

Sep 14, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

'Naver Webtoon storytech platform cannot be replaced'

National

Local governments encourage foreign residents to get vaccinated

Foreign residents wait to receive COVID-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination center in Gwangju, Sunday. Yonhap Local governments are ramping up efforts to encourage foreign residents to receive vaccinations against COVID-19 as the number of new infections among foreign nationals is steadily increasing. 국내 체류 외국인들 사이에 신규 감염자 수가 계속 증가함에 따라 정부는 이들의 코로나19 백신 예방 접종을 독려하기 위해 힘쓰고 있다.According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Tuesday, 15.2 percent of newly confirmed patients between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 were foreign nationals. 화요일 질병관리청에 따르면 8월 29일부터 9월 4일까지 확진자 가운데 15.2퍼센트는 국내 체류 외국인들이었다.In particular, more than half of confirmed cases were non-Koreans in some cities and counties which have a large number of migrant workers due to the large presence of factories and farms there — 55 percent in Hwaseong and 50.5 percent in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, and 67.6 percent in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, over the same period.특히 공장이나 농촌이 많은 시군구에서 외국인 확진자가 많이 나왔는데, 이 기간 외국인 확진자는 경기 화성에서 55퍼센트, 안산에서 50.5퍼센트, 충남 논산에서 67.6퍼센트가 발생했다.For Seoul, 6.3 percent of new pat

Sep 13, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Local governments encourage foreign residents to get vaccinated

National

Unmanned stores increase, along with shoplifting

A customer uses a self-payment kiosk at an unmanned store in Seoul, in this July 13 photo. Yonhap The number of unmanned stores has risen as shop owners have sought to cut costs due to financial burdens suffered from the increase in the basic wage and a dearth of traditional customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with the proliferation of online shopping options. 온라인 쇼핑 선택지가 다양해지고 COVID-19 대유행으로 인한 전통적인 고객 수가 감소하면서 기본급 인상으로 인한 재정적 부담으로 인해 점주들이 비용 절감을 추구함에 따라 무인 매장의 수가 증가했다.Along with the increasing number of such stores, however, the number of cases of theft taking place in the absence of staff has also been rising.그러나 무인 점포의 수가 증가함에 따라 직원이 없는 상황에서 이를 노린 절도 사건 역시 갈수록 늘고 있다.According to the National Police Agency, the number of shoplifting incidents at unmanned stores surged from 203 in 2019, to 367 in 2020 and 686 from January to May of this year.경찰청에 따르면 2019년 203건이었던 무인 점포 절도 범죄는 2020년 367건으로 증가했고, 올해 1월에서 5월동안 686건으로 급증했다.In December of last year, three minors shoplifted at five different stores in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, for three hours using a stolen car

Sep 13, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Unmanned stores increase, along with shoplifting

National

Consumers seek Chuseok gift sets with less plastic packaging

Consumers choose Chuseok gift sets from the shelves via a brochure at NH Hanaro Mart's Yangjae outlet in southern Seoul, Sept. 2. Yonhap Companies beginning to adopt more recyclable packaging기업들, 재활용 가능한 포장재 사용 시작Kim Ji-seon, 28, said that she feels guilty whenever she sees the huge amount of packaging materials in the gift sets that she receives for the two biggest holidays here, Chuseok and the Lunar New Year.김지선 씨(28)는 한국 최대 명절인 추석과 설날에 받는 선물 세트의 엄청난 양의 포장재를 볼 때마다 죄책감을 느낀다고 말했다.Almost all of the packaging is plastic, while some of it is made of several different materials combined together, so that she can't even separate them into recyclable categories.거의 모든 포장재가 플라스틱이지만 일부 포장재는 다른 재료들이 함께 섞여 있기 때문에 이를 재활용품 범주로 분리할 수 없다."I always thought the plastic packaging in these sets was bigger than the gifts themselves," she said.김 씨는 “언제나 선물 그 자체보다 플라스틱 포장이 더 크다고 생각했다”고 말했다.Kim is not the only consumer who feels uncomfortable with the plastic waste they have to dump when receiving holiday gift sets. 선물 세트를 받고 플라스틱 쓰레기를 버려야 하는 것에 불편함을 느끼는 소비자는 김 씨만이 아니다.Such growing consum

Sep 11, 2021By Ahn Seong-jin

Ahn Seong-jin

Read more

Gov't on alert over Chuseok gatherings

Eximbank donates meal boxes for vulnerable groups

Statistics Korea launches SDGs data platform in English

Han Sun-hwa feels more relaxed after quitting K-pop girl group

3 in 10 employees experience 'work-from-home syndrome'

Parents hesitant about vaccinating children over safety concerns

'Naver Webtoon storytech platform cannot be replaced'

Local governments encourage foreign residents to get vaccinated

Unmanned stores increase, along with shoplifting

Consumers seek Chuseok gift sets with less plastic packaging

Top 5 stories