South Korea - The Korea Times

Swine fever-infected wild boars on steady rise in Korea

The number of wild boars infected with the African swine fever virus has been increasing in South Korea. YonhapThe number of wild boars infected with the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus has been continuously increasing despite a two-month hiatus of new outbreaks at local farms, data showed Saturday. The total number of boars infected with the virus here has reached 39 since the first such case was reported in October, according to local quarantine authoritiesThe animal disease struck South Korea for the first time at a farm bordering North Korea, Sept. 17.So far, the country has confirmed 14 cases of ASF at local farms, although the last case among domesticated pigs was reported Oct. 9.Although the incubation period is around three weeks, authorities are still remaining vigilant as another outbreak could happen anytime through contact with the wild boars. As part of preventive measures, the government has already culled nearly 400,000 pigs.Last month, it also completed the construction of fences totaling 118 kilometers in length and 1.5 meters high in Gyeonggi and Gangwon prov

Dec 7, 2019

Swine fever-infected wild boars on steady rise in Korea

WHO decries 'collective failure' as measles kills 140,000

Measles infected nearly 10 million people in 2018 and killed 140,000, mostly children, according to the World Health Organization. GettyimagesbankMeasles infected nearly 10 million people in 2018 and killed 140,000, mostly children, as devastating outbreaks of the viral disease hit every region of the world, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.In figures described by its director general as "an outrage", the WHO said most of last year's measles deaths were in children under five years old who had not been vaccinated."The fact that any child dies from a vaccine-preventable disease like measles is frankly an outrage and a collective failure to protect the world's most vulnerable children," said the WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus.The picture for 2019 is even worse, the WHO said, with provisional data up to November showing a three-fold increase compared with the same period in 2018.The United States has already reported its highest number of measles cases in 25 years in 2019, while four countries in Europe - Albania, the Czech Republic, Greece and Britain ?

Dec 6, 2019

WHO decries 'collective failure' as measles kills 140,000

Public outraged over health minister's response to sexual violence among children

By Kim Hyun-binHealth and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo has come under fire for his controversial remarks that many claim defend the “perpetrator” in a sexual violence case between a boy and girl, both aged five, at a daycare center.The ministry released a written apology and explanation following the strong criticism, but it did not help ease the outrage. and many people ― especially parents ― are calling for his resignation over the remarks which even sexual violence counselors regarded as inappropriate.Health Minister Park Neung-hooThe issue was brought to light after the victim's mother posted an article in an online community Nov. 29.According to the mother, her five-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a fellow classmate at a state-run daycare center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, with the boy pulling down her pants and penetrating her genitals and anus with his fingers while three other boys watched. The girl claimed such acts took place multiple times for months, and she was diagnosed with vulvovaginitis at an ob/gyn clinic.The mother expressed grief tha

Dec 3, 2019By Kim Hyun-bin

Public outraged over health minister's response to sexual violence among children

What to know about psoriasis

A psoriasis patient uses anti-inflammatory ointment to relieve symptoms. According to government data, 163,531 people were treated for psoriasis in 2018. /GettyimagesbankBy Bahk Eun-jiPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a genetic basis, but environmental triggers often make symptoms of the disease flare up. Skin cells of psoriasis patients proliferate up to 10 times faster than normal. The main symptoms of psoriasis are red, flaky, crusty patches and slivery scales covering them. It also causes intense itching or burning sensations.Patients who have recovered still have a high chance of recurrence over their life time.According to data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), 163,531 people were treated for psoriasis in 2018. The number of patients treated for the skin disease has been around 160,000 annually for the last five years since 2014.“Unlike some other skin conditions such as scabies and impetigo, psoriasis is not contagious. It isn't caused by contagious bacteria or another type of infection, but it is often a lifelong condition that requi

Dec 2, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

Seoul confirms 33rd wild boar infected with African swine fever

A notification that says visitors must be subject to fumigation due to African swine flu is shown at Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. YonhapA wild boar found dead near the border with North Korea has tested positive for African swine fever (ASF), authorities said Saturday, bringing the number of such cases to 33 in South Korea.The wild boar was caught by a joint team of soldiers and civilian hunters in Yeoncheon, northwest of Seoul, earlier this week, the National Institute of Environmental Research said.South Korea confirmed 14 ASF cases at pig farms in September and October, when the country's first case of the deadly hog disease was confirmed in a border area.The animal disease does not affect humans but is deadly to pigs. There is currently no vaccine nor cure for the disease. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals or their remains, unlike other animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, which is airborne.Local authorities have been deploying hundreds of soldiers and civilian hunters to areas bordering North Korea for operations to shoot

Nov 30, 2019

Seoul confirms 33rd wild boar infected with African swine fever

Ferocious dog owners to be required to buy insurance

By Bahk Eun-jiIt will be mandatory for owners of dogs categorized as “ferocious canines” to buy insurance in case their animals bite other people, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, Friday.Owners of dogs categorized as “ferocious canines” should buy insurance in case their animals bite other people, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and rural Affairs said Friday. /GettyimagesbankThe ministry said a relevant revision bill on the Animal Protection Law is likely to be passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly soon.Five breeds ― Tosa, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and Rottweiler ― and their mixed breeds are categorized by the ministry as fierce dogs. “Although owners of ferocious dogs are already required to muzzle their dogs, the mandatory insurance is also needed considering the steadily increasing number of dog attacks in recent years,” the agriculture ministry said in a statement, adding many other countries including the U.S. and Singapore have similar rules.

Nov 29, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

Ferocious dog owners to be required to buy insurance

No. of depression patients in 20s doubles in 5 years

By Bahk Eun-jiThe number of people in their 20s suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the last five years, according to data submitted to Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), Friday.The number of people in their 20s suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the last five years, the government data showed Friday. /GettyimagesbankAccording to the data, 98,434 people in their 20s were treated for depression last year, nearly double from 2014's 49,975. The total number of patients treated for depression in all age groups was 751,930 in 2018, up 28 percent from 588,155 in 2014.By age, those in their 60s topped the list with 133,712, followed by those in their 50s with 129,255 and 70s with 121,193. Although the number of patients was smaller than in the elderly groups, the increase rates for teenagers and those in their 20s were sharp. Last year, 42,535 in their 10s were treated, up 78 percent from 23,885 in 2014. The rate for people in their 20s also rose 97 percent during the period and ou

Nov 29, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

No. of depression patients in 20s doubles in 5 years

INTERVIEW 50 years on, Yonsei Cancer Center continues pioneering path

Yonsei Cancer Center's Director Keum Ki-chang, M.D., Ph.D, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times, Nov. 20, at his office in Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Anna J. Park, Kim Eil-chulFirst established in 1969, Yonsei Cancer Center celebrates its 50th year anniversary this year. The center was South Korea's very first medical institute that solely focused on cancer patients. During the last five decades since its launch as an affiliate institute of the Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei Cancer Center has now grown into a 15-story medical complex where approximately 638,000 patients from in and outside Korea visit and are treated annually. Marking the half-century anniversary of the center, The Korea Times sat down with the center's director, Keum Ki-chang, M.D., Ph.D. (Radiation Oncology), on Nov. 20 at his office in Seoul and talked about the medical center's past development, current endeavors and future goals. Keum has been leading the center since March this year. Founded in 1969 as Korea's very first medical institution focusing so

Nov 28, 2019By Anna J. Park

[INTERVIEW] 50 years on, Yonsei Cancer Center continues pioneering path

UN designates 'day of clean air'

By Bahk Eun-jiThe United Nations has adopted a resolution designating Sept. 7 as a day for clean air, an initiative led by Korea to raise awareness about air pollution and boost international efforts to solve the problem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.The United Nations Second Committee of the General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate Sept. 7 as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Tuesday. /YonhapOn Tuesday, the Second Committee of the General Assembly approved the resolution for the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which will be observed starting next year with assistance from the United Nations Environment Program.It is the first special day designated by the U.N. following the Korean government's lead, and the first resolution on air pollution to be endorsed at the Second Committee, which deals with economic growth and development issues. Twenty-two countries including the U.S. and Israel took part in the joint proposal, the foreign ministry said.The resolution was made after President Moo

Nov 27, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

K-beauty event kicks off on sidelines of summit

Scores of local cosmetics are displayed at a department store in Seoul. Korea Times fileBy Kim Hyun-binKorea is one of the world’s most influential countries in terms of cosmetics and other beauty products, and this influence has grown along with the worldwide popularity of Korean dramas, movies and songs. So the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit being held in Busan is a key opportunity for local cosmetic companies to introduce their products to the dignitaries and visitors from the 10 ASEAN member nations.More than 60 Korean companies are taking part in the ASEAN-ROK K-Beauty Festival, which is being held at BEXCO in Busan on the sidelines of the summit being held Monday and today.The festival was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under the slogan “ASEAN Beauty, Make up Our Dreams.”There are booths introducing cosmetics developed by 61 small- and medium-size companies as well as the country’s largest cosmetics company AmorePacific, which is showcasing its latest product lines.In the K-beauty

Nov 25, 2019By Kim Hyun-bin

Health