South Korea - The Korea Times

'Humidifier disinfectant damaged mental health'

Members of the Special Investigation Commission on Social Disaster announce the results of a study on the physical and mental health of toxic humidifier sterilizer victims during a news conference in Seoul, Thursday. /Yonhap Besides physical health problems, victims show long-term angerBy Bahk Eun-jiNearly seven out of 10 surviving victims of toxic humidifier disinfectants have been suffering from chronic anger, a government study showed, Thursday.Their mental health has been deteriorating as much as their physical condition, with more than half of them having a level of anger 2.27 times higher than unaffected people.The Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectant and 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disasters announced the results of the study on the victims' physical, mental and socioeconomic damage. At the request of the commission, the Korean Society of Epidemiology interviewed 100 households selected randomly from 4,127 households of 5,253 family members who th

Mar 14, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

'Humidifier disinfectant damaged mental health'

SK Chemicals executive arrested in humidifier sterilizer scandal

Elderly drivers may be banned at night, on expressways

Police are considering restricting elderly people's driving at night and on expressways. / gettyimagesbank By Kang Seung-wooElderly people may not be allowed to drive at night or on expressways, as police are considering a partial ban on their driving amid an increasing number of car accidents caused by them.According to the Korean National Police Agency, Wednesday, they will map out a comprehensive plan, including a conditional license system for elderly drivers, as part of measures to improve the nation's traffic safety.“Considering elderly drivers' slower reaction time and their high risk of fatal speed-related accidents, we plan to restrict them at night and on expressways,” police said in a press statement.However, not all elderly drivers will be subject to the limitation, only those who fail to meet certain criteria in cognitive function and night driving tests.The move comes as the number of drivers aged 65 or older is increasing steadily amid the aging of the population ― 8 percent in 2016, 8.8 percent in 2017 and 9.4 percent in 2018. As well, the portio

Mar 13, 2019By Kang Seung-woo

Elderly drivers may be banned at night, on expressways

Gov't to ban radioactive material in consumer products

The government will ban using radioactive materials in consumer goods following public concerns over radon gas emitted from various products. Korea Times fileSouth Korea will ban using radioactive materials in consumer goods this year following public concerns over radon gas emitted from various products, the government said Tuesday.The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said the government finalized this year's policy aimed at preventing a recurrence of radon contamination concerns, including banning the use of the radioactive mineral monazite.The commission said the use of monazite ― a mineral known as the main reason for the emission of radon ― will be banned in all products that come in close contact with people.The plans come as a number of consumer products ranging from mattresses to accessories have been found to emit higher-than-permissible levels of radon gas. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that can be found in nature as an indirect decay product of uranium or thorium. Being exposed to radon for long periods of time can lead to lung cancer.The agency said it will

Mar 12, 2019

Gov't to ban radioactive material in consumer products

Parents seek more info when hiring babysitters

By Bahk Eun-jiParents want to check a babysitter's career and criminal record, but this is uncommon because most of them hire babysitters through introduction from acquaintances, a survey showed, Monday.According to the survey conducted by Korea Institute of Child Care and Education of 939 parents who have hired babysitters, 40.8 percent said they wanted to check the babysitter's personal information, including criminal record, because the most important thing is whether or not the babysitter is reliable.The second-most important thing was the person's experience at 35.4 percent, followed by the sitters' academic background, 6.8 percent, and his or her health with 5.2 percent.However, 75.6 percent of the parents hired their sitters through introduction from acquaintances including relatives, and this made it difficult for them to get an objective review and information about the sitters. Another 9.4 percent said they were introduced to the babysitters by postpartum helpers, and 8.8 percent used the bulletin board of their neighborhood community.For the reasons of hiring babysitters,

Mar 11, 2019By Bahk Eun-ji

Junk food has same effects on brain as drugs

By Kim Hyun-binThe sweet smell of freshly baked doughnuts, hamburgers, pizza, and golden crisp French fries have become the symbol of 21st century junk food. No matter how good they taste in the moment, these types of foods are the source of numerous chronic diseases due to their lack of nutrients and high calories. The addictive nature of junk food can also easily change taste preferences.According to a report by the U.S. Scripps Research Institute, there is a strong similarity between junk food and hard drugs ― such as cocaine and heroin ― as they share the same addictive biochemical mechanisms, which makes it extremely difficult to quit.The report states that the mechanisms that drive people into drug addiction are behind the compulsion to overeat, pushing people into obesity. Junk food and drugs stimulate the same brain pleasure centers, according to the report.Researchers at Scripps used rat models and found that obesity coincides with a progressively deteriorating chemical balance in the brain's reward circuitries. As the brain become less and less responsive, rats quickly deve

Mar 10, 2019By Kim Hyun-bin

Junk food has same effects on brain as drugs

2,500 Koreans make W100 mil. per month in 2018

People cross the street at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The National Health Insurance premium is mandatory for any fulltime worker. / Korea Times fileBy Kim Hyun-binNearly 2,500 people earned more than 100 million won ($88,000) per month last year, according to government data, Sunday.A National Health Insurance Corp. (NHIC) report revealed that 2,495 workers paid a health insurance premium of 3.1 million won per month. These individuals represent 0.014 percent of the 17 million people that subscribe to the country's national health insurance.Those that paid 3.1 million won in premiums last December, were people receiving a monthly paycheck over 99 million won ― mainly executives at conglomerates and CEOs of companies who receive hundreds of billions of won annually.The national health insurance premium is mandatory for any fulltime worker. Half of the premium cost is paid for by the worker and the other half by the employer.Before last July, the maximum insurance premium stood at 2.39 million won paid for by high-income groups that received more than 781 million won a month.However,

Mar 10, 2019By Kim Hyun-bin

2,500 Koreans make W100 mil. per month in 2018

Korean adoptee in search of biological parents

Sarah Funston and her daughters, Hattie, 6, and Harper, 9 / Courtesy of Sarah FunstonBy Jung Min-hoSarah Funston (Kim Mee-jo) has a purple birthmark (looks like a bruise) on the back of her right calf, which is a unique identifier.Throughout her childhood, Sarah Funston felt “supported and loved” by her adoptive family. She often wondered about her biological parents, but did not feel the need to look for them ― until she gave birth to her first daughter.“I've always been curious about my birth family, but the impetus for my search began after having my own biological children nine years ago,” Funston, now 37, told The Korea Times. “I finally had the courage to seek answers about my culture and my past.“I currently work as a social worker. Growing up (as an adoptee), I know the complexities involving adoption and how it impacts all parties ― the adoptees, the adoptive parents and the birth parents. As I help others in my professional role, I also need to explore my own personal narrative about my own history and what that means to me.”Funston

Mar 7, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Korean adoptee in search of biological parents

90% of foreign patients satisfied with Korea's medical services: survey

Korea's medical services have gained much recognition from foreign patients, with more than 90 percent expressing willingness to receive treatment again. / GettyimagebankBy Kim Jae-heunKorea's medical services have gained much recognition from foreign patients, with more than 90 percent expressing willingness to receive treatment again and recommend the services to acquaintances back home, a government survey showed, Wednesday.In the survey conducted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute on 1,200 foreign inpatients and outpatients who visited Korea last year from various regions ― including Russia, China, the United States, Japan and the Middle East ― respondents gave an average 90.5 points out of 100 for their satisfaction with the treatments.Since the assessment began in 2012, patient satisfaction has been on the increase with grades improving from 88 points in 2012 to 90.5 last year.The foreign patients were especially highly satisfied with medical and non-medical services, as well as convenience in registration, payment system and medical coordination.They point

Mar 6, 2019By Kim Jae-heun

90% of foreign patients satisfied with Korea's medical services: survey

Two Koreans die in Swiss euthanasia facility

A local paper reported that one of the Koreans had late-stage cancer. gettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoTwo Koreans have died in a Swiss euthanasia facility in recent years.Dignitas, a non-profit society that provides assisted or accompanied suicide to its members, said Tuesday that two Koreans had died in its facility ― one in 2016 and the other in 2018.According to Seoul Shinmun ― a local daily that first reported on the people ― one of them had late-stage cancer.Dignitas says it helps members with severe physical or mental illnesses to end their lives. Founded in 1998, more than 2,700 people have died with its aid.According to its website, all adults can become members regardless of their nationalities. As of the end of 2018, 32 Korean nationals were registered as members.In Korea, terminally ill patients can refuse artificial life-extending treatment, but euthanasia is prohibited.

Mar 6, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Two Koreans die in Swiss euthanasia facility

12,000 people die of fine dust-caused diseases a year: lawmaker

Wearing a dust mask has become something of a “must-do ritual” before leaving home in Korea as dense smog has blanketed the country for days. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Park Si-soo Nearly 12,000 people die a year of diseases linked to polluted air, a lawmaker said on Tuesday, citing environment ministry data. Rep. Hong Chul-ho of the main opposition Liberty Party of Korea said cardiovascular diseases and stroke were the biggest causes of the deaths (58 percent combined). Next were respiratory infections and chronic lung diseases (18 percent combined), followed by lung cancer (6 percent).Hong's claim was based on the ministry's 2017 study exploring deaths in 2015 by diseases caused by the inhalation of polluted air, including ultrafine particles PM2.5 or smaller. PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3 percent the diameter of a human hair.“Fine dust has become a greater health risk than ever before,” Hong said. “The government should come up with a countermeasure b

Mar 5, 2019

Health