South Korea - The Korea Times

Revised health law to protect patients' human rights

 Gov’t to strengthen criteria on involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients By Lee Kyung-min The government has strengthened criteria on the involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients to better protect their rights.The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Sunday the Korean Mental Health Act will take effect on May 30. The revised law seeks to halt the decades-old practice under which patients could be placed in mental institutions against their will. The law allowing that went into effect in 1995.Under the revised law, a doctor can order an involuntary commitment of a suspected patient for only up to 14 days for further diagnosis with the consent of the patient’s legal guardians. Up to three months of hospitalization is allowed only after another doctor at a separate state-run hospital agrees with the detention.Starting May next year, the hospital must submit a report to a special committee within three days of admitting a patient. The committee, comprised of up to 30 members with expertise in psychiatry, law and human rights, as well as recovered me

May 21, 2017

Pesticide ban helps Korea lower suicide rate: WHO

By Kim Se-jeong Korea’s suicide rate is high but it has reached a meaningful achievement since 2011 thanks to a pesticide ban, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).According to the WHO’s World Health Statistics, Korea canceled the re-registration of paraquat in 2011 and banned its sale in 2012. These actions resulted in an immediate and clear decline in pesticide-poisoning suicides, and contributed to a decline in the overall suicide rate.Paraquat, a weed killer commercialized in 1961, was sold in Korea until 2011. “The intervention appeared to reduce the suicide rate among all population groups including both sexes, all age groups, and those living in urban and rural areas. More than half of the overall reduction in the suicide rate between 2011 and 2013 could be attributed to the paraquat ban. Notably, this was achieved without any impact on crop yield,” the report said.Korea’s suicide rate is highest among the OECD countries. By the WHO statistics, Korea’s annual suicide rate in 2015 was 28.4 per 100,000 people, fourth-high

May 19, 2017

Pesticide ban helps Korea lower suicide rate: WHO

Police develop Victim Trauma Scale

Police have developed a scale to measure the trauma level of victims of crime, and distributed it to stations nationwide.Police personnel who provide psychological assistance to victims developed the Victim Trauma Scale. It is comprised of 23 statements such as “I am constantly reminded of memories related to the incident,” “It is difficult to visit places similar to the crime scene” or “I keep having nightmares.” The scale measures symptoms to determine whether the victim is experiencing acute stress disorder.Based on the scale, when victims show a certain level of trauma, police refer them to counseling centers or institutions specializing in psychotherapy.On a scale of 115, victims scoring between 53 and 89 will be referred to counseling centers and those scoring 90 and above will be sent to hospitals or psychotherapy institutions.“The scale will enable police to check the psychological state of victims, allowing for swift intervention,” an official said.

May 16, 2017

생리컵, 7월부터 국내에서 판매된다

오는 7~8월이면 국내에서도 생리컵을 구입할 수 있게 된다. / 코리아타임즈(서울=코리아타임스) 우지원 인턴기자 = 올해 하반기면 ‘생리용품 불모지’였던 국내에서도 드디어 생리컵을 구매할 수 있게 될 전망이다.14일 식품의약품안전처에 따르면 현재 식약처와 상담을 진행중인 생리컵 관련 업체 중 한 수입업체가 곧 수입허가 사전신청서를 제출할 예정이다. 식약처는 신청 자료를 토대로 55일간의 사전검토 기간 내에 수입 제품의 안정성을 검토하고 검토가 끝나는 대로 사전검토허가서를 발급하겠다는 방침이다. 이후 약 2주간의 정식 수입허가단계를 거치고 나면 오는 7~8월이면 국내에서도 생리컵을 구입할 수 있게 된다.생리컵은 개당 2-3만원의 저렴한 가격에 반영구적으로 사용할 수 있는 실리콘 재질의 여성용품이다. 지난해 저소득층 청소년이 생리대를 살 돈이 없어 신발 깔창을 대신 사용했다는 사연이 알려지면서 국내에서는 생리대 대체용품에 대한 관심이 급격히 증가했다. 이 가운데 생리컵이 집중적으로 조명받으면서 작년부터 일부 업체들이 생산 및 판매를 시도했으나 식약처는 의약외품에 해당하는 생리컵이 정식 허가를 얻지 않았다는 이유로 판매를 중지시켰다. 때문에 여태까지 기존 사용자들은 해외 직구를 통해서만 생리컵을 구입할 수 있는 형편이었다. 지난 3월 초에는 기독교 여성단체인 감리교여성지도력개발원이 프랑스에서 생리컵 500개를 공동구매를 통해 국내에 들여오려다 실패하기도 했다. 개발원에 따르면 당시 공동구매를 공지한 지 일주일 만에 716건의 신청이 들어올 만큼 반응은 뜨거웠으나 법적 문제로 인해 관세사들이 수입신고를 거절하면서 수입이 무산됐다.

May 15, 2017

도살 직전 유기견, 세계 최초 퍼스트 도그 되나?

박정희 전 대통령과 반려견 방울이노무현 전 대통령과 반려견 누리 (서울=코리아타임스) 우지원 인턴기자 = 문재인 대통령이 19대 대통령으로 당선되면서 그의 남다른 동물사랑이 화제가 된 가운데, 문 대통령이 대선 후보 시절 약속한 유기견 입양이 실제로 이뤄질지 이목이 쏠리고 있다.지난 5일 문재인 당시 더불어민주당 대선후보 측은 문 후보가 대통령에 당선되면 유기견 ‘토리’를 퍼스트 도그로 입양하기로 했다며 “문 후보와 가족들이 ‘토리’를 새로운 친구로 맞을 날을 기대하며 토리가 새로운 환경에서 잘 지낼 수 있도록 특별히 배려하겠다고 밝혔다”고 전했다. 잡종견인 토리를 입양견으로 선정한 이유에 대해서는 “편견과 차별에서 자유로울 권리는 인간과 동물 모두에게 다 있다는 철학과 소신을 토리의 입양 결심으로 보여주려고 한다”고 설명했다. 실제로 문 대통령의 동물 사랑은 각별하기로 유명하다. 현재 문 대통령 가족은 풍산개 ‘마루’와 ‘깜’, 고양이 ‘찡찡이’와 ‘뭉치’와 함께 살고 있다. 문 대통령과 토리의 인연은 한겨레의 남종영 환경 전문기자와 동물단체인 동물자유연대, 카라, 케어가 함께 추진한 캠페인에서부터 시작됐다. ‘한 나라의 동물보호 수준을 보려면 대통령과 퍼스트 도그를 보면 된다’는 취지로 진행된 이 캠페인은 각 캠프의 대선 후보들에게 세 마리의 유기견 후보를 제시하고 이 중 가장 궁합이 맞는 한 마리를 골라 ‘퍼스트 도그’로 입양할 것을 권유했다. 이 중 토리는 식용으로 도살되기 직전 구조된 잡종견으로, 검은 개에 대한 편견 때문에 여태껏 입양 선택을 받지 못했던 처지다.‘퍼스트 도그’라고 불리는 대통령의 반려견은 생명 존중과 동물 보호를 상징할 뿐 아니라 나아가서는 국민들이 대통령을 친근하게 느끼도록 일조하는 역할을 한다. 뉴욕타임스는 "미국 유권자들에 대한 안내서가 있다면 '대선후보는 반드시 개를 사랑해야 한다'는 구절이 앞쪽에 있을 것"이라고 말하기도 했다. 한국의 역대 대통령들 역시 청

May 12, 2017

Future of Traditional Korean Medicine depends on 'scientization' and standardization

 By Bang Moon-kyu  In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to include the International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) in the derived classifications based on the reference classification of the WHO Family of International Classifications Network (WHO-FIC). Furthermore, as a result of the concerted efforts by Korea in exerting proactively over the last 11 years along with China and Japan, the 11th revised edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) _ due to be published in 2018 _ will include traditional medicine.Such a heightened interest in and demand for traditional medicine in many countries can be explained by greying populations.With the number of patients suffering from chronic geriatric illnesses on the rise and growing interest in well-being, traditional medicine which is highlighted by preventive medicine and prophylaxis, and a holistic approach to healing is gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional medicine.Globally, the traditional medicine market is growing by an average of 5.98 percent annually, an

May 7, 2017

Future of Traditional Korean Medicine depends on 'scientization' and standardization

Western, traditional Korean medicine doctors clash over X-ray, blood tests

Candidates vow better pension for old voters

By Kim Se-jeongKorea is an aging society. Almost a quarter of its eligible voters are 60 or older. They are vulnerable because of deteriorating health and social support that falls short of their needs.All five major presidential candidates offered generous welfare packages targeting the elderly population.The most controversial issue is the amount of basic pension given to those 65 years or older. Currently, it’s 206,050 won per month and anyone whose income is not in the top 30 percent is eligible.Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party promised to provide all people in the age bracket with 300,000 won per month, the most generous pledge.Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea who enjoys a lead in the race and Hong Joon-Pyo of the Liberty Korea Party made the same promise: increasing the amount to 300,000 won per month, while keeping eligibility the same.Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party also promised to raise the amount to 300,000 won only for those whose income level is in the lowest 50 percent. Yoo Seong-min of the Bareun Party promised an increase but didn’t

May 1, 2017

Parents to receive monthly allowance for childcare

Children participate in a session at a child care center in Seoul. All major presidential candidates are promising to provide a monthly allowance to parents for childcare./YonhapBy Kim Se-jeong No matter who becomes the next president, parents will start receiving a monthly allowance for childcare. The amounts and beneficiaries will differ depending on which of the five leading candidates wins the presidential election.Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea, the frontrunner in the race, has promised to give 100,000 won per month for children up to five years old. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party pledged 100,000 won a month for children up to 11 years old; but, only parents whose income level is in the lowest 20 percent will be eligible to receive it.Parents with a new-born baby are currently receiving a sum of money to help with childcare expenses, but the allowance is something new.Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party said she will also give 100,000 won for all children up to 11 years old. Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party said he will give 150,000 won but o

Apr 30, 2017

Parents to receive monthly allowance for childcare

Candidates vow more public housing

By Kim Se-jeong Lack of affordable accommodation is a growing challenge in Korea and all major presidential candidates have promised to provide more public housing to solve the problem.Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the frontrunner in the race, promised to provide 170,000 public housing units every year he is in office ― which would total 850,000 homes.Runner-up Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party made a similar promise, pledging 150,000 units every year. Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party said he would provide 120,000 units per year, while Yoo Seong-min of minor conservative Bareun Party promised 150,000 until 2022. Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party promised 150,000 new homes per year.Each candidate has a different idea regarding beneficiaries.  Moon has newlywed couples in mind and pledged to dedicate 30 percent of the promised housing units to them alone. Ahn’s focus is on college students and young jobseekers, promising 50,000 units for them every year. Sim and Yoo have in mind young people who live alone, while Hong had no t

Apr 27, 2017

Election 2017 S. Korea needs nuclear submarines: leading candidate

Medical tourists surpass 360,000

By Jung Min-hoThe number of foreigners visiting Korea for medical purposes jumped 23 percent in 2016 from a year earlier, the government said Thursday.According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of medical tourists increased to 364,189 last year from 296,889 in 2015. Meanwhile, revenue from them surpassed 860 billion won ($760 million), a record high.Korea’s medical tourism boom seems unaffected by the Chinese government’s retaliation over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system here.China accounted for 35.1 percent of the visitors with 127,648, followed by the United States with 48,788 (13.3 percent), Japan with 26,702 (7.3 percent), Russia with 25,533 (7 percent) and Kazakhstan with 15,010 (4.1 percent).When it comes to expenditures per patient, the United Arab Emirates,  which accounted for 3,562 of the visitors, was the highest with 12 million won, followed by Thailand (5.2 million won) and Kazakhstan (4.2 million won). The ministry said 284 patients spent more than 100 million won.Contrary to popular belief, plastic surgery wasn’t the