South Korea - The Korea Times

‘Only 1% recover from addiction — but I did, and so can you’

"Addicts are told they only have three roads: prison, a psychiatric hospital or death. Watching people around me disappear one by one, I realized I had nowhere left to go. It had to be now." Composer Han Dong-hwi, 29, who is recovering from an addiction to the psychotropic sleep aid zolpidem, made the comments during an interview in his music studio in Eunpyeong District, Seoul. Not long ago, he was driving under the influence of pills, nearly setting his kitchen on fire while cooking late at night and blacking out without warning. In 2020, he was prescribed zolpidem after reporting insomnia to a hospital. He never imagined he would end up as what he now calls a "drug addict." "The doctor simply said, ‘Take one pill before bed.’ I wasn’t told about any risks or side effects," he said. Neither he nor his family initially recognized the signs, like raiding the refrigerator in the middle of the night or eating uncontrollably in a daze. "When I came to, I couldn’t remember anything. My first instinct was always to find my phone and car keys to check if I’d done anything dangerous."

Jul 12, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘Only 1% recover from addiction — but I did, and so can you’

Korea hikes minimum wage by lowest margin since '97 Asian financial crisis

The minimum wage is set to rise by just 2.9 percent next year — the smallest first-year increase under any Korean president, falling short even of the previous conservative administration’s pace. The modest increase defied expectations and comes under the leadership of President Lee Jae Myung, marking a shift in the administration’s economic trajectory, defined by a shift toward expanded welfare programs and a focus on income-led growth. At its 12th plenary session held Thursday at Government Complex Sejong, the Minimum Wage Commission voted to raise the hourly minimum wage to 10,320 won ($7.50) for 2026 — up only 290 won from the current level. The rise of 2.9 percent marks the smallest first-year increase under any administration since the 2.7 percent rise enacted during President Kim Dae-jung’s tenure in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. In contrast, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration approved a 5 percent increase in its first year. The decision reflects a notable shift. Observers say the commission’s public-interest members prioritized the financial strains o

Jul 11, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

Korea hikes minimum wage by lowest margin since '97 Asian financial crisis

Jeju students call for action as some tourists flout public decency

Lee Hyun, an 11-year-old at Pyoseon Elementary School, believes that good manners define a person. Lately, she’s been observing that many tourists on Jeju Island disregard even the most basic etiquette. “I once saw tourists talking loudly and playing music on a village bus in Jeju,” Lee told The Korea Times. “Some people were trying to sleep, and others were taking online classes with earphones in. That kind of behavior can be really disruptive to other passengers.” To help address the issue, Lee and five of her friends submitted a proposal Friday through the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province’s website, suggesting ways to improve etiquette among tourists. On Jeju Island, a popular Korean destination for domestic and international tourists, growing concerns about public order have emerged as local frustrations rise over disruptive behavior attributed to some visitors. On Thursday, the Korean Broadcasting System reported that a young boy was seen urinating near a bus stop by Hamdeok Beach in Jeju City. A witness said that nearby adults, who were part of the same group, did n

Jul 11, 2025By Park Ung

Jeju students call for action as some tourists flout public decency

Korea to mandate 20-minute worker breaks every 2 hours during heat waves

In response to a severe heat wave gripping Korea, the government implemented new regulations requiring employers to provide outdoor workers with at least a 20-minute break every two hours during periods of extreme heat. The move comes as the nation grapples with dangerously high temperatures, and Seoul is in its first heat wave warning of the year, significantly earlier than in previous years. A heat advisory is triggered at 33 degrees Celsius, while a warning is issued for 35 degrees or higher. The urgency for stronger heat-related protections was underscored by the death of a 23-year-old Vietnamese construction worker in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. On a recent sweltering day, the worker was found collapsed and unresponsive at a construction site, with a body temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius. He was later pronounced dead. The death has intensified calls from labor groups for the swift enactment of revised safety regulations to prevent further heat-related fatalities. The Regulatory Reform Committee on Friday passed a proposed amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health Stand

Jul 11, 2025By Park Ung

Korea to mandate 20-minute worker breaks every 2 hours during heat waves

InterviewHUFS nurtures global talent, bridging nations through language and innovation

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) is redefining its role — evolving beyond a language-focused institution to become a global talent incubator, blending linguistic expertise with emerging technologies and strengthening its international alumni network. HUFS President Park Jeong-woon underscored the school’s efforts to transition from a provider-centered to a learner-centered model, with the aim of helping students more effectively pursue their individual aspirations. "We’re focusing more on what students truly need — creating an environment where they can explore and pursue their own dreams," Park said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "Learner-centered education allows students to define their own paths. Our university is building programs that integrate language and technology to help students grow into globally competitive, cross-disciplinary experts." HUFS was honored with the "Most Innovative Project" award in the 2024 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), following a sweeping academic overhaul that merged overlapping language majors and introd

Jul 11, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

HUFS nurtures global talent, bridging nations through language and innovation

Commission raises minimum wage by 2.9% for 2026

The Minimum Wage Commission said Thursday it has reached an agreement to raise next year's minimum wage by 2.9 percent to 10,320 won ($7.51) per hour. The decision was made by the tripartite panel, which consists of nine representatives each from labor, management and the general public. It marks the first agreement reached among the three sides in 17 years. Based on a standard monthly workload of 209 hours, the new minimum wage translates to a monthly income of 2,156,880 won. The commission is obliged to complete its review on the new minimum wage by mid-July for a formal announcement by the labor minister by Aug. 5 every year.

Jul 11, 2025By Yonhap

Commission raises minimum wage by 2.9% for 2026

Warming waters draw tropical species north, changing Korean fishing

An unusual sight unfolded off the coast of Jeju Island on Monday afternoon. Around 3 p.m., sea surface temperatures approached 30 degrees Celsius — 7 to 8 degrees higher than at the same time last year, according to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province's Ocean and Fisheries Research Institute. But the heat wasn’t the only surprise. Fishermen hauled in a manta ray nearly 1.8 meters long, a species typically native to tropical and subtropical waters. The manta ray, listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and rarely caught this far north, is one of many warm-water species now appearing in Korean waters as ocean temperatures continue to rise due to climate change. According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science, sea surface temperatures in Korean waters rose by about 1.35 degrees Celsius between 1968 and 2021 due to climate change. As a result, abnormal temperature patterns have become more frequent, leading to increased sightings of toxic jellyfish and subtropical fish species. Last year, the average annual surface temperature

Jul 10, 2025By Park Ung

Warming waters draw tropical species north, changing Korean fishing

‘My husband opened a credit line just to order chicken’: Can gluttony be grounds for divorce?

Can a spouse’s excessive appetite become grounds for divorce? On Tuesday, the YTN legal advice program “Lawyer Cho In-seop’s Counseling Room” featured the story of a woman, identified as Ms. A, who has been married for three years. She said her husband’s insatiable eating is placing a financial burden on their household and causing ongoing marital strife. “My husband eats more than just one chicken a day. He vacuums up all the food like a machine,” Ms. A said. “I don’t know whether I should be angry at him or at the chicken.” She admitted that her husband’s appetite wasn’t a surprise. “He was like this when we were dating, and back then I actually found it endearing,” she said. “But about a year into our marriage, I started to see him as a pig blinded by gluttony.” One evening, she ordered fried chicken on her way home from work so they could enjoy it together. But when she arrived, there was nothing left. Her husband had eaten all the chicken, tteokbokki and even the pickled radish that came with it. His appetite didn’t stop at casual meals. On a holiday

Jul 10, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘My husband opened a credit line just to order chicken’: Can gluttony be grounds for divorce?

Deadly heat wave sparks urgent calls for worker protections

An unprecedented heat wave in Korea has led to a sharp rise in heat-related illnesses and deaths among outdoor workers, prompting growing calls for stronger legal safeguards and stricter enforcement. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 1,228 cases of heat-related illness and eight suspected deaths were reported nationwide between May 15 and Tuesday. Among them, 238 cases occurred Tuesday. The figure is a 2.5-fold increase from the 486 cases from the same period last year, underscoring the mounting toll of the global climate crisis. The surge has been especially pronounced since early July, when heat wave advisories covered much of the country. It also signals an urgent threat to human life, especially for those most vulnerable to extreme heat. A Vietnamese day laborer in his 20s died at a construction site in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on Sunday, his first day of work. He was found unconscious, with a body temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius, sitting on the ground. Two other fatal heatstroke cases have been reported in the province this year, including farm

Jul 9, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Deadly heat wave sparks urgent calls for worker protections

Korea moves to ban mobile phones during school hours

Starting as early as March next year, elementary, middle and high school students in Korea are expected to face a ban on using mobile phones and other smart devices during class, with additional restrictions likely to extend to school grounds outside of class hours. The move comes amid growing concerns from educators and parents regarding the pervasive influence of smartphones on student concentration and academic performance. Proponents of the ban argue that constant digital distractions hinder effective learning, reduce face-to-face interaction and contribute to issues like cyberbullying. However, the ban also raises significant questions about its practical implementation and long-term impact. On Monday, the National Assembly’s Education Committee passed a revision to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, establishing a legal basis for the new restrictions. The bill balances several competing proposals, including one calling for a total ban on smart devices in schools and another seeking to limit restrictions to elementary students only. Although similar measures have been in

Jul 9, 2025By Park Ung

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