South Korea - The Korea Times

Number of heat-related patients jumps over 70 percent: How to stay safe during extreme heat

With heat wave advisories issued across South Korea — from Seoul on Monday to other regions like Incheon, Suwon, Gangwon and South Chungcheong by Wednesday — oppressive heat and humidity continue to grip the country. Such weather puts added stress on the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heatstroke. Experts advise checking the weather forecast before any outdoor activity, and staying indoors on days with heat wave alerts. Drinking plenty of water and wearing lightweight, breathable clothing can also help prevent heat-related conditions. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 27,248 patients were treated for heat-related illnesses in 2024 — up about 74 percent from 15,638 cases in 2022. These conditions, triggered by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, include heat exhaustion, heat cramps and the more dangerous heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency caused by the failure of the hypothalamus — the brain’s temperature regulation center. Symptoms

Jul 5, 2025By Hankookilbo

Number of heat-related patients jumps over 70 percent: How to stay safe during extreme heat

Your brain can’t tell if your smile is fake — and even forced laughter helps your health

Laughter isn’t just a spontaneous expression of joy — it may also be a powerful tool for better health, even when forced. Humans aren’t the only species that laugh: lions laugh when courting mates, chimpanzees giggle during physical bonding and rats emit laughter-like sounds when tickled. However, human laughter is unique in that it is deeply social. Unlike other animals, people often laugh in groups, making laughter not just a personal emotion but a collective behavior that can influence well-being. A growing body of research suggests that laughter, whether spontaneous or deliberate, may play a significant role in physical health. In a Japanese study that followed adults over 40 for an average of 5.4 years, those who laughed less than once a month had a 95 percent higher risk of death from all causes and a 62 percent higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease than those who laughed at least once a week. Another survey of Japanese adults aged 65 and older found that women who rarely or never laughed had a 78 percent higher risk of poor health compared to women who laughed dai

Jul 5, 2025By Hankookilbo

Your brain can’t tell if your smile is fake — and even forced laughter helps your health

‘Even after shellfish open, boil 5 more minutes’: Doctors warn of deadly summer sepsis

As summer heat and the rainy season arrive, medical experts are warning of a spike in Vibrio vulnificus sepsis — a severe and potentially fatal bacterial infection often caused by eating undercooked seafood. “Bacteria and viruses become more active during summer, especially around the rainy season,” said Dr. Kim Jeong-yeon, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Anam Hospital. “It’s crucial to make sure seafood is thoroughly cooked.” Kim emphasized that anyone who has eaten raw or undercooked shellfish in the past week and is now experiencing chills or fever should seek medical attention immediately. Vibrio vulnificus infections, which surge during the warmer months, can progress rapidly and become life-threatening. The infection is caused by the Vibrio vulnificus bacterium, commonly found in coastal seawater and detectable from as early as May or June. Humans can contract the bacteria either by consuming contaminated raw or undercooked seafood or through open wounds exposed to seawater. The illness presents in two main forms, depending on how the infection occu

Jul 3, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘Even after shellfish open, boil 5 more minutes’: Doctors warn of deadly summer sepsis

From cramps to colds: The hidden dangers of air conditioning in summer

As air conditioner use spikes during the humid monsoon season, health experts are warning of “air conditioning sickness,” a condition that can lead to a wide range of symptoms — especially in women. In particular, some women may experience worsened menstrual cramps or irregular periods due to the strain placed on the body by large indoor-outdoor temperature differences. Air conditioning sickness occurs when the body’s autonomic nervous system struggles to adapt to abrupt changes in temperature, leading to fatigue as the body expends more energy trying to maintain its core temperature. This imbalance can also affect blood pressure and brain blood flow. In addition to fatigue, people may suffer from headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nasal and throat dryness, indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain and swelling in the hands and feet. Respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and coughing may also appear. According to Seo Min-seok, a family medicine specialist at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, people with weakened immune systems or underlying conditions — such as asthma,

Jul 2, 2025By Hankookilbo

From cramps to colds: The hidden dangers of air conditioning in summer

Noodles, dumplings, kimchi among top sources of sodium in Koreans’ diets

Koreans consume about 1.6 times more sodium than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Tuesday. According to surveys conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the average Korean consumed about 3,136 milligrams of sodium a day in 2023, far more than the WHO’s recommended 2,000 milligrams a day. The average sodium intake for men was 3,696 milligrams per day while the average for women was 2,576 milligrams per day. Results showed that noodles, dumplings, kimchi and soup were among Koreans' main sources of sodium. “We need to make continued efforts to reduce sodium intake by cooking with less salt,” the ministry said. The WHO calls sodium reduction one of the most cost-effective strategies for addressing chronic conditions such as heart disease. Meanwhile, Koreans’ daily sugar intake was estimated at 35.5 grams in 2023, making up 7.7 percent of their total caloric input. The figure was less than the 10 percent recommended by the WHO. However, sugar intake was significantly higher among female children,

Jul 1, 2025By Kwak Yeon-soo

Noodles, dumplings, kimchi among top sources of sodium in Koreans’ diets

Korea’s monsoon health watch: Fungus, food poisoning and prevention tips

As Korea enters its monsoon season, health experts are urging the public to stay vigilant against infections such as skin diseases and food poisoning, both of which thrive in hot and humid conditions. In particular, athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection, is more likely to occur during this time and can be triggered by prolonged moisture. Wearing rain boots for extended periods without ventilation may significantly increase the risk of infection. Likewise, leaving leftover food out at room temperature can result in rapid bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Athlete’s foot is caused by dermatophytes — a group of fungi that flourish in warm, damp environments. “Many people wear rain boots to keep their feet dry during rainy days,” said Ahn Hye-jin of the dermatology department at Kyung Hee University Hospital. “But since these boots trap sweat and block ventilation, they create the ideal conditions for fungal growth.” Open-toed footwear like sandals and slippers also warrant caution. Because they expose the feet to contaminated rainwater, they increase the chance of di

Jun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo

Korea’s monsoon health watch: Fungus, food poisoning and prevention tips

Gachon Univ. medical team performs free heart surgeries for 5 Mongolian children

Gachon University Gil Medical Center recently performed free surgeries for five Mongolian children with congenital heart disease and held a ceremony to mark their full recovery, the hospital said Wednesday. This initiative was carried out in partnership with Incheon City as part of a broader medical aid program targeting children with congenital heart conditions in Asian countries. For its latest effort, the hospital’s medical volunteers traveled to Ulaanbaatar from April 18 to 24 to conduct thorough cardiac screenings, selecting five children in need of urgent surgical intervention. The children were brought to Korea and underwent surgeries between June 11 and 16. One of the children is Naranbayar Nandin Erdene, a five-year-old Mongolian girl. She had already undergone two surgeries in Mongolia, but her condition remained critical. Frequent illnesses had weakened her immune system, preventing her from attending kindergarten. Further treatment seemed out of reach in her home country due to limited medical resources and financial constraints. Thanks to the intervention of Gachon Universi

Jun 25, 2025By Jun Ji-hye

Gachon Univ. medical team performs free heart surgeries for 5 Mongolian children

Foods rich in vitamin D can help you through monsoon period

The summer monsoon is a defining feature of Korea’s climate, typically lasting for about a month. During this period, persistent rain and overcast skies dominate the forecast, often for days on end. Already this month, parts of Korea have experienced the season’s first wave of monsoon showers — over 24 hours of continuous rain and cloud cover. This naturally draws attention to vitamin D, a nutrient the human body primarily produces through sunlight exposure. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, vitamin D plays a key role in calcium absorption, which is essential for building strong bones. It also supports the immune system, helping it fend off viruses and bacteria. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to fragile bones and weak muscles, and has even been linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues. Some studies also associate low vitamin D levels with depression. Average adults should aim for 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily, while those aged 71 and older should aim for 800 IU. When sunlight is scarce — especially during monsoon season —

Jun 25, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Foods rich in vitamin D can help you through monsoon period

How Korea's war on drugs destroys lives

The crackdown on drugs in Korea has been immense in recent years, with frequent reports of arrests involving both ordinary citizens and celebrities. This effort has been further underscored by widespread anti-drug campaigns displayed prominently across public transportation. The focus is almost always on drug users being represented as criminals and not on what causes them to turn to drugs, or how to rehabilitate them. In December 2023, the suicide of a suspected drug user, actor Lee Sun-kyun, who starred in Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 film "Parasite," sparked a new type of crackdown, not on drugs themselves but on the practice of media coverage outing high-profile potential drug users and spreading accusations that result in public scrutiny. Bong formed an organization with 29 culture and arts groups, pushing for an investigation into the events that led to Lee’s death, including the police’s handling of the case, how the media covered the accusation and a call for law revisions for the human rights of artists. Journalist Huh Jae-hyun, two-time recipient of the Amnesty Korea

Jun 25, 2025By Nilesh Kumar

When is the best time to drink coffee? Experts say 9 to 11 a.m. is ideal

When is the best time of day to drink coffee? Koreans have a well-known love for coffee. According to market research firm Euromonitor, the average Korean consumed 416 cups of coffee in 2024 — the highest per capita rate in the Asia-Pacific region. That figure is about 1.5 times higher than that of Singapore (290 cups) and Japan (281 cups), which ranked second and third, respectively. Professor Lee Jae-dong from the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Center said on Tuesday, “Coffee can be either a medicine or a toxin depending on when you drink it.” While coffee acts as an energy stimulant by directly affecting the body’s circadian rhythm, excessive intake or late-day consumption may lead to various health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, anxiety, cardiovascular problems and adrenal fatigue, he explained. According to Lee, the optimal time to consume coffee is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., when it can enhance concentration and promote better blood circulation. He warned against drinking coffee between 5 a.m. and 7

Jun 25, 2025By Hankookilbo

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