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INTERVIEW Korea advised not to follow US model in war on drugs

Jesus, a drug producer, shows an image of fentanyl on his phone in this March 2022 file photo. Reuters-YonhapUS expert warns of negative consequences of regulating prescription opioids amid drug overdose concerns in Korea This is the first in a two-part series about controlled substance abuse to highlight its fatal consequences on public health ― ED. By Kang Hyun-kyung Controlled substance abuse and its fatal consequences have become a common headache for policymakers in Korea and the United States, since doctor shopping or visiting multiple physicians to obtain multiple prescriptions recently emerged as a major public health problem in Korea. The United States has been grappling with the opioid epidemic for decades. Since 2000, more than 500,000 people have died in the U.S. due to opioid overdose. And the situation became worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Opioid overdose deaths have increased dramatically since 2019. In 2021 alone, over 100,000 people died in the U.S. due to opioid overdose. Among others, heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, have become the leading c

May 17, 2023By Kang Hyun-kyung

[INTERVIEW] Korea advised not to follow US model in war on drugs

Nurses set to take collective action after Yoon vetoes Nursing Act

Members of the Korean Nurses Association cries after a press conference in front of the presidential office, Tuesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's announcement of his decision to veto the Nursing Act. YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyePresident Yoon Suk Yeol exercised his veto power against the opposition-led Nursing Act, Tuesday, despite continued calls from nurses to sign it into law.The president made the decision during a Cabinet meeting, siding with doctors, nursing assistants and other medical workers, who claim the act will only divide the medical profession and cause conflict and confusion. In protest against the president's decision that could eventually lead to the scrapping of the bill, the nurses' association threatened to begin collective action.Independent from the Medical Services Act, the Nursing Act is aimed at clarifying the scope of nurses' duties and improving their working conditions. Nurses claim the Medical Services Act views them as being subordinate to physicians. Also, due to ambiguities in the current law, nurses say they are often forced to perform duties outside

May 16, 2023By Jun Ji-hye

Nurses set to take collective action after Yoon vetoes Nursing Act

DPK slams Yoon's veto of nursing act, calling it act of 'arrogance'

President Yoon Suk Yeol walks into a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, May 16. YonhapThe main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Tuesday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's veto of the controversial nursing act, labeling it as an act of "arrogance" that disregards the legislative right of the National Assembly.Yoon exercised his veto power for the second time since taking office to reject the act, which is aimed at defining nurses' roles and improving their working conditions. The act was unilaterally passed by the DPK last month amid strong protests from doctors and nursing assistants."President Yoon's veto of the nursing act is 'hypocrisy' that only cares for the medical system on the outside, 'incompetence' that does not carry out a presidential election pledge, and 'arrogance' that disregards the National Assembly's legislative right," DPK spokesman Rep. Kim Han-kyu said in a release.The DPK, supported by nurses, has argued the bill is essential in redefining roles of nurses as more independent and professional services amid growing medical needs. T

May 16, 2023

DPK slams Yoon's veto of nursing act, calling it act of 'arrogance'

Yoon rejects nursing act in his second veto

Yoon rejects nursing act in his second veto

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, May 16. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol rejected the opposition-led nursing act Tuesday amid strong protests from doctors and nursing assistants against it, exercising his veto power for the second time since taking office.The act, which was railroaded by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea last month, is aimed at stipulating the roles and responsibilities of nurses, and improving their working conditions."The people's health cannot be exchanged for anything," Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office, before rejecting the legislation and asking the National Assembly to reconsider it.Yoon said people's health comes ahead of anything else, such as politics, foreign policy and economic policy, and can only be properly maintained through cooperation between various groups of medical professionals."The nursing act is creating excessive conflict between these related groups, and the move to separate nursing services from medical institutions is causing people to feel an

May 16, 2023

Yoon rejects nursing act in his second veto

Opposition party urges president not to overuse veto power

Rep. Park Kwang-on, right, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly, Monday. On the left is DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung. YonhapHealth ministry says Nursing Act hinders cooperation in medical fieldBy Jun Ji-hyeRep. Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), urged President Yoon Suk Yeol not to overuse his veto power, Monday, as the president is widely expected to veto the opposition-led Nursing Act during a Cabinet meeting set for Tuesday amid strong protests from doctors and nursing assistants who are opposed to the law.Rep. Park said during a party meeting that Yoon's possible veto shows his ignorance regarding the National Assembly.“The president should exercise his veto power carefully and not overuse it,” he said. The floor leader noted that the legislation of the Nursing Act was one of Yoon's election pledges, urging the president to sign it into law at the Cabinet meeting.The comments came as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the government

May 15, 2023By Jun Ji-hye

Opposition party urges president not to overuse veto power

Yoon rejects nursing act in his second veto

Ex-president visits Cheonggye Stream

Former President Lee Myung-bak crosses Cheonggye Stream in downtown Seoul, followed by his supporters and former aides, Monday. The restoration project of the stream in 2005 is considered one of Lee's major achievements during his time in office as Seoul mayor from 2002 to 2006. Joint Press Corps

May 15, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin

Opposition leader says Japan should use Fukushima water for drinking if it's safe

Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, talks during a party meeting, May 15. YonhapOpposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday rejected Japan's claims of the safety of the water set to be released from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, saying if it is safe enough to drink, the country should just do that.The safety of the contaminated water from the Fukushima plant has been a hot issue as President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister agreed at a summit earlier this month to have a group of South Korean experts visit the plant to check its safety ahead of the water release.The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has expressed opposition to the inspection visit, raising questions about whether the team can conduct a thorough inspection and claiming that the trip could end up endorsing Japan's plan to release radioactive water."Japan is putting forward claims that the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, if treated, is safe enough to drink," Lee said. "If it is safe enough to drink, they should use it as

May 15, 2023

Opposition leader says Japan should use Fukushima water for drinking if it's safe

PPP to launch own investigation team over opposition lawmaker's cryptocurrency scandal

Rep. Kim Nam-kuk, a former member of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea / YonhapThe ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Monday it plans to launch an internal task force to look into suspicions surrounding cryptocurrency dealings of opposition lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk.Kim has come under fire following revelations he owned around 800,000 Wemix coins in 2021, worth around 6 billion won ($4.5 million), a significant amount inconsistent with his frugal image. Suspicions have arisen over where the money came from and whether he used insider information.The first-term lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has also faced allegations he traded cryptocurrency coins while he was attending at least two meetings of the judiciary committee of the National Assembly, which took place in May and November of last year.Kim quit the DPK on Sunday, saying he does not want to become a burden to the party. That led to the suspension of the party's fact-finding probe and an ethics investigation of Kim.Rep. Kim Sung-won, head of the PPP's task force on the scandal, said the

May 15, 2023

PPP to launch own investigation team over opposition lawmaker's cryptocurrency scandal

Gov't, ruling party agree on measures to ease energy cost burdens

The government and the ruling People Power Party hold a meeting on a hike in electricity and gas rates at the National Assembly in Seoul, May 15. YonhapThe government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Monday to implement a set of support measures aimed at easing energy cost burdens on households ahead of an upcoming hike in electricity and gas rates.The government plans to raise electricity and gas rates for the second quarter, resulting in an estimated additional monthly cost of 3,000 won (US$2.24) and 4,400 won, respectively, for an average four-member household.This decision comes after a delay of over a month due to public opposition, despite soaring global energy prices and the snowballing losses of state utility firms."The government and the ruling party have agreed that the increase in electricity and gas rates can no longer be postponed," Rep. Park Dae-chul, the PPP's chief policymaker, told reporters.To mitigate the impact on energy-vulnerable households, including recipients of the government's livelihood support, basic pension, or disabled pension program, the

May 15, 2023

Gov't, ruling party agree on measures to ease energy cost burdens

Korea to hike Q2 electricity, gas rates by 5.3% on high costs, losses

Yoon thanks teachers on Teachers' Day

President Yoon Suk Yeol takes a picture with children at a children's baseball game at Yongsan Children's Garden in Seoul, in this photo provided by his office, May 14. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol thanked all teachers Monday for their love and dedication to children as he marked Teachers' Day."On Teachers' Day, I deeply thank you for your love and dedication," he wrote in a Facebook message."Raising a person is impossible without love. It is thanks to teachers' love and dedication that our children are able to grow brighter and healthier," he added.Yoon is scheduled to hold a luncheon with a group of teachers at his office later in the day. (Yonhap)

May 15, 2023

Politics

Politics

INTERVIEW Korea advised not to follow US model in war on drugs

Nurses set to take collective action after Yoon vetoes Nursing Act

DPK slams Yoon's veto of nursing act, calling it act of 'arrogance'

Yoon rejects nursing act in his second veto

Opposition party urges president not to overuse veto power

Ex-president visits Cheonggye Stream

Opposition leader says Japan should use Fukushima water for drinking if it's safe

PPP to launch own investigation team over opposition lawmaker's cryptocurrency scandal

Gov't, ruling party agree on measures to ease energy cost burdens

Yoon thanks teachers on Teachers' Day

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