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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Desperate to stay connected, but…

Facebook, smartphones fail to satisfy young generation’s crave for connections By Kim Bo-eun, Jung Min-ho, Kim Jung-yoon and Bahk Eun-ji Facebook, Twitter, Kakaotalk and other social networking services keep the young generation staying connected each other. Hooked up by Internet or smartphones, they spend an enormous amount of time interacting with their friends or followers online. These young people, anxious about their future amid fiercer competition in their workplaces, crave to build these online connections. But does this interaction make them really connected? Rather, many say they are far from satisfied with the connections which they say are “shallow” or “superficial” ― like the solitude in crowds. They say they sometimes feel more isolated than ever in this Internet era. Four Korea Times intern-reporters in their 20s had a heart-to-heart talk on relationships, jobs, appearance and other issues. ― ED. On social connections Bahk Eun-ji (Bahk): I think thriving matchmaking businesses across the country reflect that young people, though furiously connect

May 2, 2012

What‘s in a jaw – alternative approach to inexplicable pain

From irregular periods, trembling hands to zits, a myriad of health problems can be explained with the jaw, according to Moon Hyung-joo, director of Moon Dental Hospital in Seoul. Detailing a number of cases he treated over 15 years, Moon offers an alternative perspective to medical mysteries in his book “Jaws of Healthy People.” Though readers accustomed to compartmented understanding of human anatomy and diseases may find it too anecdote-based, the 259-page volume is a refreshing read for anyone interested in developing healthy habits. Nine out of 12 cranial nerve tunnel through temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or jaw joint. Also, the TMJ’s movements directly influence the first and second neck bones which support the brain. Moon argues that the location makes it one of the most integral parts that can dictate the entire health. Therefore, integral treatment to correct skewed alignments and relieve stress on around the mouth-neck area can improve diverse conditions. For example, a patient in her 20s did not get her periods for over six years. After fruitless visits to gynecol

May 1, 2012

How much do you know about mental health?

Expo raises awareness, offers pop quiz and free counseling By Noh Hyun-gi ILSAN, Gyeonggi Province — Is depression a personality problem? Do people talk about their plans to commit suicide? Are blackouts from drinking related to a brain tumor? These are samples of true-or-false questions that perplexed most visitors at the two-day Mental Health Expo at KINTEX, which ended Sunday. At the second annual event co-hosted by the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA), the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Association of Suicide Prevention, over 100 booths occupied by a variety of related organizations tested people’s knowledge about depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, ADHD, addictions and more. The free event also offered 25-minute counseling with psychiatrists from leading hospitals. The purpose of the gathering was to raise public awareness about the importance of mental health. “So many people who came to our booth thought introvert characteristics lead to depression” said Lee Whang-bin, a physician representing Korean Society of De

May 1, 2012

Mental Health Expo at Kintex

The Korean Neuro-Psychiatric Association and MBC will hold a Mental Health Expo at Ilsan’s Kintex, Saturday and Sunday. The free event will offer free consultations with psychiatrists and activities for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), game addiction, depression and dementia, as well as 100 lectures by medical professionals and those who have recovered from various illnesses. The hall will house five “villages,” or booths. Parents can bring their children to the booth by Dream-I Village to be tested for ADHD, internet and game addiction and receive advice from practitioners on healthy parenting. Healing Village invites visitors to diagnose themselves for alcohol, substance, gambling, Internet and smoking addictions. It will also screen video clips on fighting addiction. Golden Village welcomes seniors and caregivers who wish to learn about daily exercise to ameliorate dementia. Adults can speak with doctors at Happiness Village on depression that may accompany prolonged unemployment or after giving birth. Hope Village will tackle the issue of suicide.

Apr 26, 2012

Korean healthcare standard recognized

The Korea Institute of Healthcare Accreditation (KOIHA) acquired International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) recognition according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Wednesday. This will boost Korean hospitals’ efforts to attract patients from overseas as there is no need to apply for accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the American equivalent of KOIHA. Accreditation from ISQua means that KOIHA’s standard for medical facilities is on par with JCI, the Australian Council on Healthcare Standard, and Haute Autorite de Sante (France). The organization based in Ireland certifies local institutions that oversee the quality of healthcare services. As of this month, ISQua endorses 37 standards managed by 22 international groups. “A number of healthcare professionals were waiting for this. Until now, hospitals spent significant time and money to be JCI certified as the American standard was widely accepted as a mark of excellence with ISQua backing — especially crucial for medical tourism,” Kim Kyun-sook, project ma

Apr 26, 2012

Listening: first step of suicide prevention

By Kelly Frances “I lost all passion. Before, whatever I did it was enjoyable, but these days, even if I try to be passionate, I do not have any energy.” Following the suicides of four students and a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) last year, a fifth student took his own life. His parting words left family and friends struggling to understand what pushed the “normally cheerful” boy into despair. In response to the tragedy, KAIST president Suh Nam-pyo formed an emergency committee dedicated to suicide prevention. Psychiatrist Park Jin-seng shared tips on coping with people in crisis, emphasizing that a good listener has the power to prevent suicide. “In some ways, listening is more important than talking,” says Park. When conversing with someone who is deeply depressed, it is important to listen calmly, carefully and with patience.” “The urge to survive is a powerful instinct,” he explained. “Even in the final moments before a suicide attempt, every person really wants to live. For this reason, suicidal people can be per

Apr 26, 2012

Hospitals turn smarter, greener

Medical facilities seek alternative energy specialty consulting to save cost By Noh Hyun-giTraditionally, the deciding factors of success at private and midsized hospitals were simple – location, location, and location. However, patients are becoming pickier and medical institutions more budget-conscious. For example, the Fukushima nuclear power plant failure single-handedly caused awareness and fear of radiation to leap. In hospitals, patients often question radiation exposure levels X-rays and CT scans nowadays. “The goal of every manufacturer is to reduce radiation without compromising image quality – a solution to become green,” said Park Hyeon-gu, CEO of Siemens Healthcare Korea, Tuesday. The firm, which was launched April 5 in Korea, is a derivative of Siemens, a leading producer of medical equipment based in Germany. Park’s team offers comprehensive consulting for hospitals from conception collaboration with construction firms. “Turning green is not limited to endorsing safety. It requires a facility to reduce energy consumption and str

Apr 26, 2012

(186) How do you identify yourself?

By Janet Shin We all have our weaknesses and fears. While I try to seek happiness, I also ascertain a doomed side behind the truth of life. It is because this seemingly righteous but rather unpleasant fact is the rationale for our happiness. In describing yin and yang, I wrote that if there is no brightness, there can be no darkness. Without the sun, shade cannot be cast. Without lacking, we never appreciate what we are given. If we are wantless, life is not worth living. I have never seen a person who is completely satisfied with life. Even those who say they are happy have their inner anxiety. Some are anxious not to lose what they have while others are restless, yearning to acquire more. We are all apprehensive about our uncertain future. This is common to everybody, whether a star entertainer, a promising politician, an influential leader or a successful businessman. It is needless to talk about ordinary people’s life. One day, a woman with a somber expression wanted her saju read. She sobbed throughout the reading bemoaning the fact that there was no true love be

Apr 26, 2012

Story of ‘the hill‘

Snap on Itaewon gay bar Once hidden, now on surface By Jung Min-ho, Bahk Eun-ji, Kim Bo-eun, Kim Jung-yoon The street was tranquil as dusk set in, but bars and clubs on “Gay Hill” were getting buzzed, ready to welcome customers. Some were looking for a snug space to quench their thirsts with a swig of beer, but others were looking for company to spend the evening chatting with. The bars on this street in Itaewon are small, old, but “time-honored.” Korean gay culture sprouted from this hill; the bars and clubs have played a role as a rendezvous among gay people. Always Homme is one of them, known as the oldest gay bar in town. A group of girls were first in the place, as regulars, asking how the bartenders were doing. They kissed each other on the cheek and ordered Margaritas. Outside, drag queens wandered the streets, clad in high heels and short skirts, their blond wigs in an up-do with ribbons. ‘It’s not my problem’ Park Ji-yong, a 20-year-old bisexual, is a regular at gay clubs. “I knew I was different from other boys when I was in third grade in elem

Apr 25, 2012

Fortuneteller peels away secrets of saju

“I see that you will have a lot of chance to travel next year,” said Janet Shin, as she read the fortune of one foreign executive at the official residence of the Jordanian ambassador in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. The executive readily agreed as his itinerary for next year does involve a great deal of traveling. Janet Shin is a saju expert who gave a lecture in English on the “discipline” as part of the Korea CQ Forum. The forum is hosted by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI). Traditionally, Koreans at the start of the year, read their yearly fortune in a book called “Tojeong’s Secret Book.” To some 35 expatriate participants, Shin explained saju, or the four pillars of destiny, which is an ancient Chinese fortune-telling technique, and how it is related to the destiny of a certain time or person. Jordanian Ambassador to Korea Omar Nahar, Slovak Ambassador Dusan Bella, vice chairman of Doosan Group Jim Bemowski and his wife Susanne, Christian Dior general manager Vincent Bernard and The Korea Times President Park Moo-jong attended the event as well

Apr 25, 2012By Kwon Mee-yoo
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