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Kim Se-jeong

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

I am covering trend, food and fashion. Previously, I covered diplomacy, city, environment and unification.

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South Korea

1,300 put in isolation

By Kim Se-jeongMore than 1,300 people have been quarantined in their homes or at hospitals and medical facilities after coming into contact with confirmed or suspected sufferers of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). This is 500 more than the previous day, the government said Wednesday.It also confirmed five additional cases of the disease, bringing confirmed cases to 30 people, two of whom have died. Among the 28 remaining cases, three patients are in critical condition, an official said.The MERS outbreak started on May 20 with a patient who had visited several countries in the Middle East.Among the 1,312 people at government-designated quarantine facilities or in their homes, 398 have shown symptoms like fever and respiratory problems and are being tested.The government also confirmed an additional case of tertiary infection Wednesday, following the first two cases a day before. The third person stayed at a hospital where the 16th patient stayed, like the two previous cases of tertiary infection.The Ministry of Health and Welfare expects the number of such cases to increase bu

Jun 3, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
  • Are we facing mutated MERS?
South Korea

MERS cases rise to 15; soldier quarantined

Health and Welfare Minister Moon Hyung-pyo apologizes during a press conference in Seoul, Sunday, for the government’s poor initial response to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Kim Se-jeong The number of people infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reached 15 Sunday, 11 days after the first case of the illness was confirmed.Since over 100 people have been in contact with the patients, the cases are likely to increase, experts say.An Army soldier was quarantined in a military unit in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, after his mother, whom he visited, turned out to be infected with MERS.About 30 soldiers in his unit were also quarantined.The Ministry of Health and Welfare appears ready to take preemptive measures, saying it will put those with a high chance of infection into isolation wards.Citizens older than 50 or those with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart or kidney problems would be subject to such isolation.The ministry said that 42 of the 120 people currently in voluntary quarantine in

May 31, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
MERS cases rise to 15; soldier quarantined
South Korea

Sexual slavery survivor named as freedom fighter

A photo of Kim Bok-dong, a sexual slavery survivor, is seen in  a photo book published by Reporters Without Borders and AFP. / YonhapBy Kim Se-jeong Kim Bok-dong, a woman forced into sexual slavery survivor during World War II, has been chosen as one of the world’s 100 activists for press freedom.The Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan ― a Seoul-based NGO that advocates for rights for such women ― said Sunday that Reporters Without Borders (RWB) and AFP picked the 90-year-old as one of “100 Heros pour la Liberte de la Presse.”RWB is a France-based non-profit organization that advocates freedom of expression for journalists around the world. Together with news agency AFP, it selected 100 recognizable activists around the world and profiled them in a photo book, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary and AFP’s 70th.“Kim’s activities were recognized by journalists around the world. We thank Kim for her efforts,” Yoon Mi-hyang, director of the council, said.She was listed with other heroes in

May 31, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
Sexual slavery survivor named as freedom fighter
South Korea

HOTEL LOBBY

The Renaissance Seoul Hotel is presenting a special concert by the Harvard Krokodiloes on June 20 and 21 in the hotel’s Trevi Lounge.The Harvard Krokodiloes, founded in 1946, are Harvard University’s oldest a cappella singing group. They are 12 tuxedo-clad undergraduates who sing songs from the Great American Songbook; and are currently on a world tour. The show on June 20 will begin at 8 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on June 21.For more information and reservations, call (02) 2222-8627.   The Lotte City Hotel Daejeon presents family room packages until May 31.The Hollywood Twin room package is good for a family with toddlers, and costs 120,000 won. The Family Triple room package consists of three single beds, offered from 140,000 won. The Family Double Double room is perfect for a four-member family, offered at 150,000 won. The hotel also offers rooms for parents. The Parents Comfortable package is available from 90,000 won, while the Family Connecting room package, perfect for one big family, is available from 180,000 won. Tax and service charges are excluded. For m

May 28, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
HOTEL LOBBY
Travel & Food

Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg offers elegance, luxury

Each of the hotel’s 147 rooms is furnished with a high bed with a feather over-mattress, a duvet and pillows. / Courtesy of Sofitel Paris Le FaubourgSofitel Paris Le Faubourg has all the characteristics that many travelers in Paris look for in a hotel: location, elegance, luxury and exclusivity.The hotel, which is part of a French chain, sits at the heart of the Faubourg Saint-Honore, a street lined with luxury brand shops. Major tourist destinations — the Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Champs—Elysees and Grand Palais Galeries — are also steps away.Walking into the lobby of the hotel, one is overwhelmed by the architecture of the 18th century private mansion, and the decadent interior design, including the furniture and fabric, all of which display rich materials and patterns. The most eye-catching pieces in the hotel are the audacious ‘70’s-style chandelier, the superb mirrors and the floor in the middle of the lobby, which gives the illusion of reflecting a painted ceiling.Each of the hotel’s 147 rooms is furnished with a hig

May 28, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg offers elegance, luxury
Travel & Food

Millennium Seoul Hilton revamps restaurant menus with new chef

Bernhard Butz, 53, is the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s new culinary director./ Courtesy of the Millennium Seoul HiltonBy Kim Se-jeongThe competition in Korea’s hotel industry is intensifying. New hotels spring up every so often in Seoul to cater to locals and the rising number of tourists, especially the Chinese.Hotels are making significant, creative efforts to stay afloat; to win guests, the Millennium Seoul Hilton is betting on its food and beverage, appointing a new culinary director.According to the hotel, Bernhard Butz, 53, was a perfect fit. It was looking for a professional who can bring fresh ideas into the hotel’s deli, bar and five restaurants.Almost two months into the job, Butz this week unveiled his first innovation — the Namssants.The Namssants is a cross between a croissant and a sweet roll and is named after Mt. Nam, which is adjacent to the hotel. The Namssants is a cross between a croissant and a sweet roll and is named after Mt. Nam, which is adjacent to the hotel. The hotel is in the process of getting a patent for the pastry’

May 28, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
Millennium Seoul Hilton revamps restaurant menus with new chef
South Korea

14 out of 100 teenagers addicted to Internet or smartphones

By Kim Se-jeong Fourteen out of every 100 teenagers are addicted to either their smartphones or the Internet, according to a survey released Thursday.The survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family showed that the number of students who have an addiction to either the Internet or smartphones is 208,446, which is 14.6 percent of the 1.42 million students surveyed. Last year, this number was 242,406, or 15 percent.The ministry said that 49,398 of the students, or 3.5 percent, are addicted to both the Internet and their smartphones.These students are unable to have a normal life due to their addictions and need professional help.The ministry questioned 1.42 million students in the fourth, seventh and tenth grades across the country for the survey.This is the most comprehensive survey ever carried out by the ministry on the usage of the Internet and smartphones among teenagers. It was first conducted in 2009.Addictions among younger students also showed a significant increase.The number of fourth graders addicted to both the Internet and smartphones this year is 7

May 28, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
South Korea

More than 260,000 foreign patients treated in Korea in 2014

By Kim Se-jeong The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday 266,501 foreigners sought medical services in Korea last year, spending 560 billion won ($506 million) in total.The ministry said the number was up more than 50,000 from 2013 and predicted that the cumulative number of patients since 2009, when the first survey was conducted, will surpass 1 million by end of this year.In 2009, the number was 60,201, followed by 81,789 in 2010, 122,297 in 2011, 159,464 in 2012 and 211,218 in 2013. In 2015, the number is expected to reach 300,000, said a ministry official.The figures include foreigners living in Korea that have their own private insurance.According to the ministry, the majority of patients were Chinese _ last year the number was 79,481, up from 56,000 in 2013. Americans came second with 35,491, followed by Russians, Japanese, Mongolians, Kazakhs, Vietnamese, Canadians, UAE citizens, Filipinos and Uzbeks. Each patient spent 2.08 million won on average for their treatment, but UAE nationals spent the most at 15.37 million won per person.By services, internal medicine s

May 28, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
South Korea

Sterilizer victims wll sue British firm

Relatives of victims of “killer” humidifier sterilizers and civic activists protest near a Seoul office of Reckitt Benckiser, a British firm that sold the products in Korea, Wednesday. / Courtesy of the Asian Citizen’s Center for Environment and HealthBy Kim Se-jeong Victims of humidifier sterilizers and their relatives said Wednesday that they will file a damages suit against Reckitt Benckiser, a British company that sold the sterilizers in Korea, in a U.K court. “With legal action in the U.K., we are hoping to let the public in the U.K and in Europe know that Reckitt Benckiser’s products are dangerous. Hopefully this will pressure them into apologizing,” Kang Chan-ho, leader of family members, said at a gathering outside the Oxy Reckitt Benckiser office in Seoul, Wednesday.The announcement came days returned from the U.K. where they visited the company’s headquarters to protest.Kang has a nine-year-old daughter suffering from lung problems due to the sterilizers. They both went to England last week.The British company told the fam

May 27, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
South Korea

Foreign residents like Seoul's public transit

By Kim Se-jeongForeign residents gave the highest score for Seoul’s public transportation system and air quality, according to the city’s recent survey.Ethnically, the Chinese population showed the greatest satisfaction of life in Seoul.They gave 76 points for the city’s environment, including the above-mentioned two factors.Safety came second in their satisfaction list with 74.4 points, followed by the social environment with 71.7 points and education with 69.7 points.They cited difficulty in communication as the greatest challenge, giving it 61.7 points.The Seoul Institute, which was responsible for the survey, said Sunday that the city averaged about 70 points out of the perfect 100.The survey was conducted last October from a sample of 2,500 foreign residents in the capital city.The survey also showed the Chinese were the most content ethnic group, giving their life quality in Seoul 73.4 points. Chinese, with ethnic Koreans included, are the largest foreign group in Seoul.Japanese residents were the least satisfied group, giving only 56.7 points.Korea-Japan

May 24, 2015By Kim Se-jeong
Foreign residents like Seoul's public transit
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