The Korea Times

HOTEL LOBBY

 Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s Aequalis Spa presents “Peace of Mind Treatment” and “Glowing Body Treatment” packages for people who are looking for urban relaxation.The “Peace of Mind Treatment” includes steam shower, oil massage and ear candling treatment that will enhance blood circulation and improve the health of ears. Ear candling is known to be good for insomnia and headaches. The package costs 298,000 won, including tax and service charges.The “Glow Body Treatment” includes a mud mask and body massage on back and foot for 30 minutes. It costs 220,000 won.The packages will be available until Dec. 31, and the spa is located on the 28th floor. For more information and reservations, call (02) 2211-1680.   Renaissance Seoul Hotel opens “R’s Healing Cafe” at the hotel’s recreation center until Oct. 31.The cafe, which is open between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. every Saturday, offers buffalo wings, pizza, sausage, fish cake, assorted set menu, soft drink, beer and iced-coffee for guests. The

Oct 8, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

SMG union demands higher wages for living in Seoul

By Kim Se-jeong Unionized workers of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) are demanding an increase in their wages to reflect the higher living costs in the capital.In a press release, the Seoul City chapter of the Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) demanded the city change its ordinances to pay more to its employees as they have to bear higher living and educational costs than those in other parts of the country.The union’s demand has been met with criticism from the general public.“Despite the high living costs, there are many advantages for those living in Seoul, such as convenient cultural facilities and a good education,” a blogger said. “The union members were not forced to work in Seoul, they themselves chose to work here.”The union was motivated by the SMG’s salary guidelines for its civilian contractors, which takes into account the higher living costs.Every year, the city government releases a desired monthly income for a Seoul household of three to make a minimum living. The income for 2016 was set at 1.49 million wo

Oct 6, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

Dress code toughened for cabbies

By Kim Se-jeong Taxi drivers in Seoul will be banned from wearing slip on sandals, shorts and caps to improve the quality of service from November, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said Monday.The adoption of a dress code is in line with a law that requires public transport drivers to have neat attire or clothes designated by the operators.Sleeveless shirts, shorts and sweat pants are not permitted, as well as barefoot driving.They will also be barred from wearing caps that can be used to partially hide a driver’s identity from passengers. This grew out of complaints from female passengers fearful of male drivers who might kidnap them.Drivers who violate the dress code will be subject to 100,000 won fines. In addition to the fine, cabbies caught violating the rules will be suspended from working for three days. For a second violation, the suspension will be five days.The city government has long talked about implementing a dress code for taxi drivers.Between 2009 and 2010, the city made it mandatory for all taxi drivers to wear shirts with stripes. The city provided

Oct 5, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

Events, traffic control due over weekend

By Kim Se-jeong Several parts of major roads in the capital are expected to be closed over the weekend because of festivals.The International Fireworks Festival will be held in Yeouido, central Seoul, on Saturday evening, and vehicles will be banned on the road between the southern part of Mapo Bridge and 63 City from 2 to 9:30 p.m., according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.Parts of Olympic Highway, which are connected to Yeouido, may also be blocked depending on the volume of the traffic in the vicinity.Roads near Gwanghwamun Square and City Hall will be closed on Sunday for the Hi Seoul Festival and a walking festival, with the times of closure differing. For the walking festival, the closure will be stretched to Mount Nam Tunnel No. 3, Banpo Bridge, Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Han River Park in the morning.In southern Seoul, the road from Samseong Station to the COEX intersection will be blocked for the Peace Marathon and Gangnam K-Pop Festival for the entire weekend.For more information about road blocks and bus detour routes, visit www.spatic.go.kr or call (02) 700-5000

Oct 2, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

Former PM attends court hearing

Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo answers reporters’ questions before the first hearing about allegations he accepted a bribe, at the Seoul Central District Court, southern Seoul, Friday. / YonhapBy Kim Se-jeong Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo attended the first hearing in the case of his alleged acceptance of a bribe from a businessman, Friday.Lee, 65, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court around 2 p.m.It was the first time he had appeared in public in 140 days. He had suspended his activities since May 15 when he underwent questioning from the prosecutors about the accusation. Lee resigned from the prime minister post in April, only two months after taking the position.Before entering the court, reporters asked him what he did during his days in seclusion. Lee said, “I’ve thought about what I must do to reveal the truth.”He also said he would reveal everything in court, adding, “There’s nothing that can beat the truth.”Lee was indicted for allegedly taking 30 million won from Sung Woan-jong, the late former chairman o

Oct 2, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

People & Events

Man in love with Upo Wetland

Lee In-sikBy Kim Se-jeongLee In-sik, 63, a retired school teacher, moved to the Upo Wetland in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, five years ago.Lee bought an empty storage space there, spending all of his severance pay. He used that space to teach visitors about the importance of wetlands, and he opened a library inside the space on Aug. 29. On the same day, his book on Upo was published.The book, “The Secret Garden, Upo,” is an essay and a collection of his 5-year-long work at Upo, the nation’s largest inland wetland and one of eight on Ramsar’s wetland list in Korea.He goes out to the 2.13-square-kilometer wetland twice a day, acting like one of its guardians.Lee’s dedication to Upo has continued for the last 24 years.He was behind the effort to put Upo on the list of Ramsar wetlands. He urged Changwon, a city near Upo, to host the Ramsar International Convention and made it happen in 2008. He also writes for local newspapers and accepts invitations to speak about the wetlands.Asked about his motivation, he cited a toxic chemical spill in the Nak

Oct 2, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

First MERS patient goes home

By Kim Se-jeong The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) patient zero has been released from hospital.His release came 129 days after he was confirmed to have the disease at Samsung Medical Center in late May.According to the ministry, the 68-year-old man was told he could go home on Sept. 25 after having tested negative for the deadly virus and completing a series of other treatments and counseling sessions at the National Medical Center.The first patient showed symptoms of fever and coughing after returning from a business trip to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. His condition was confirmed on May 20.The man sought medical treatment at three hospitals over nine days, including St. Mary Hospital in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where he infected dozens of people including his wife.The man slowly recovered and after testing negative on June 29 he was moved from an isolation ward to an ordinary ward. Since then he received treatment for complications and psychiatric counseling.In an earlier interview with a loc

Oct 1, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

KT&G CEO nominee under investigation

By Kim Se-jeongBaek Bok-inProsecutors said Wednesday that they are investigating Baek Bok-in, CEO nominee of KT&G, for his alleged involvement in the company’s slush fund scandal and other corruption.The news came less than two weeks after Baek, now vice president, was nominated to head the company.Former CEO Min Young-jin stepped down at the end of July amid an investigation into allegations that he had created slush funds through the company’s affiliates.A shareholders’ meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 to confirm Baek’s nomination, and it remains to be seen whether the shareholders will approve his new position.Prosecutors said they are reinvestigating the allegations that Min, Baek and other executives of the company paid too much to a subcontractor that helped KT&G develop land near Namdaemun in central Seoul.Earlier in 2013, the prosecution investigated the allegation that Baek forced the head of the subcontractor to give false testimony to investigators and then helped him flee overseas. At that time, the prosecutors’ request for an arrest w

Sep 30, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

South Korea

Protesters face tougher punishment

A protester attacks a policeman with a stick during a rally of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in central Seoul on Sept. 23. The National Police Agency plans to take stern measures against violent demonstrators. / YonhapBy Kim Se-jeongStreet protests here often involve physical clashes between protesters and police officers, resulting in injuries.As a consequence, police have implemented tougher measures to be used against demonstrators who use violence or violate rally-related regulations.The National Police Agency said Tuesday that it has adopted a zero-tolerance stance against those who interfere with police officers on duty, with the new measure taking effect immediately.The police said they are adopting a tougher attitude because protester interference with police on duty has recently gone from bad to worse.Protesters who use violence against officers will now be detained at the scene, and police will ask the prosecution to seek arrest warrants for them.Also, there will be tougher penalties against those who cross police lines during demonstrations.Until now, polic

Sep 29, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

Travel & Food

Sheraton Seoul D Cube runs charity bike ride with UNICEF

Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s General Manager Matthias Y. Sutter, left, will lead a charity bike tour next month. / Courtesy of Sheraton Seoul D Cube City HotelSheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s General Manager Matthias Y. Sutter will lead a charity bike tour next month to raise funds to help hungry children around the world.According to the hotel, the initiative is a collaboration with UNICEF, and the team of seven bikers ― five from the hotel and two from UNICEF ― will leave Busan on Oct. 1 for a four-day ride to Seoul.The team will stop by Dalseong Dam in North Gyeongsang Province, Mungyeong Hot Springs in North Gyeongsang Province and Ipo Dam in Gyeonggi Province before reaching the hotel.Funds will be raised from supporters of the bike ride. The hotel opened a Facebook page to attract supporters who are willing to make donations during the ride. The funds raised will be used to treat malnourished children around the world. "We hope to raise awareness and funds to support children who are suffering from malnutrition and look for everyone's sup

Sep 24, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

Kim Se-jeong

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HOTEL LOBBY

SMG union demands higher wages for living in Seoul

Dress code toughened for cabbies

Events, traffic control due over weekend

Former PM attends court hearing

Man in love with Upo Wetland

First MERS patient goes home

KT&G CEO nominee under investigation

Protesters face tougher punishment

Sheraton Seoul D Cube runs charity bike ride with UNICEF

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