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Korea faces mental health crisis as children’s psychiatric care visits soar

As South Korea celebrates Children’s Day, new data shows a worrying surge in the number of children seeking psychiatric care, with visits more than doubling over the past four years due to conditions such as depression and anxiety. According to data submitted by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to Rep. Jin Sun-mi of the National Assembly Education Committee, 270,625 patients under the age of 18 visited psychiatric clinics between January and November last year. That figure is more than double the 133,235 cases in 2020. The number of child psychiatric patients has risen sharply year by year: 172,441 in 2021, 212,451 in 2022, and 244,884 in 2023, with an annual average growth rate of 19.4 percent. The steepest increase occurred among children aged 7 to 12, the typical age group for elementary school students. Among boys in this age range, the number of psychiatric patients grew from 33,800 in 2020 to 76,159 in 2024 — an increase of 2.3 times. The number of girls more than doubled as well, from 12,260 to 29,165. Similar trends were observed in other age groups. Among c

May 5, 2025By KTimes

Korea faces mental health crisis as children’s psychiatric care visits soar

Illegal health insurance claims by foreigners rebound with 30 percent jump last year

After years of decline, illegal health insurance claims by foreigners and overseas Koreans saw a sharp increase in 2024, rising nearly 30 percent in total costs, according to newly released data. On May 4, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) submitted data to Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, revealing that 17,087 foreigners and overseas Koreans were caught making illegal claims on the National Health Insurance system last year — a 16.8 percent increase from 14,630 in 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 the number of illegal beneficiaries peaked at 40,265, after climbing from 25,317 in 2020. However, the figure then dropped significantly to 18,491 in 2022 and 14,630 in 2023, before reversing course last year. In 2024, there were 45,909 confirmed illegal claims, up 14.7 percent from 40,020 the previous year. The financial damage amounted to 2.56 billion won ($1.9 million), marking a 28.5 percent increase from 1.99 billion won in 2023. Roughly 95 to 97 percent of the fraud cases involved individuals who continued receiving medical

May 5, 2025By KTimes

Illegal health insurance claims by foreigners rebound with 30 percent jump last year

2 workers die after inhaling toxic gas in factory in Jeonju

Two workers died and three others were hospitalized after inhaling toxic gas at a paper mill in the southwestern city of Jeonju, authorities said Sunday. The authorities said they received a call at 9:44 a.m. that a worker fell into a manhole at the factory and lost consciousness from gas exposure. Two workers were found collapsed near the manhole and were transported to hospital in cardiac arrest but died. Another man in his 40s who was inside the manhole was rescued and taken to hospital. Two others who were on a nearby ladder complained of dizziness and were also hospitalized. The authorities believe the accident occurred when one of the workers entered the 3-meter-deep manhole filled with paper sludge, prompting his colleagues to follow in an attempt to rescue him. All five workers were South Korean nationals, according to the police.

May 4, 2025By Yonhap

2 workers die after inhaling toxic gas in factory in Jeonju

Seoul offers medical interpreters for foreign residents, multicultural families

Foreign residents and multicultural families in Korea often face hurdles beyond language barriers when visiting hospitals. From explaining symptoms to navigating the health care system, these challenges can cause delays or disrupt treatment. Seoul has unveiled a new policy aimed at easing those difficulties. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Friday that it will launch the Medical-Seoul Interpreter Community this month to help foreign residents and multicultural families overcome language barriers in medical settings. A total of 43 interpreters have been selected, covering 10 languages: Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Mongolian, English, Khmer, Japanese, Thai, Hindi and Urdu. The team includes foreign residents and local citizens who have completed professional medical interpretation training and hold relevant certifications. They will assist in situations requiring specialized support, including treatment for serious illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations and advanced medical exams. Language barriers have long been a major obstacle preventing foreign residents here from receiving

May 3, 2025By Park Ung

Seoul offers medical interpreters for foreign residents, multicultural families

Estonian student becomes first non-Korean to win Miss Chunhyang title

For the first time in the 95-year history of the Chunhyang Festival, a foreign contestant has won one of the top titles in the Miss Chunhyang beauty pageant. Mai, a 25-year-old Estonian student currently studying Korean language education at Seoul National University, came in fourth place during the Global Miss Chunhyang Pageant held on Wednesday in Namwon, a southern city often referred to as the home of some of Korea's most romantic folklore. Also a YouTuber who runs a channel under the name Kimchi Ghost Mai, she was named Miss Chunhyang “Hyun,” a title that ranks just below “Jin” (first place), “Seon” (second place), and “Mi” (third place) in the pageant’s hierarchy. The annual competition only began accepting international participants last year as part of its push for global outreach. Mai is the first non-Korean contestant ever to earn a title in the pageant’s main lineup, making her a symbol of the festival’s evolving inclusivity and growing international appeal. “I’m deeply honored to represent a tradition I’ve long admired,” Mai said after being crow

May 2, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Estonian student becomes first non-Korean to win Miss Chunhyang title

Back-to-back leadership shifts leave Koreans reeling

In the American drama “Designated Survivor,” the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development unexpectedly assumes the presidency after 12 officials ahead of him in the line of succession are wiped out. A less dramatic but equally surreal scenario unfolded in Korea on Friday, though the presidential line of succession didn’t make it to No. 13. On Thursday, former acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned to run for president, while former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok stepped down following an impeachment push in the National Assembly by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Now, with the snap presidential election set for June 3, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho is serving as acting president. With former President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached last month and the nation’s No. 2 and No. 3 officials no longer in power, South Korea is facing an unprecedented leadership vacuum, intensifying public concerns over the uncertainty of its political future. “‘Seriously? Even the education minister is acting president now?’ That was my first thought

May 2, 2025By Park Ung

Back-to-back leadership shifts leave Koreans reeling

Cho Min’s W10 million fine finalized in admissions fraud case after no appeal filed

Cho Min, 33, daughter of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, has received a finalized sentence of a 10 million won ($7,300) fine for academic admissions fraud after neither she nor prosecutors appealed the latest court ruling. According to legal sources on Friday, neither side filed an appeal to the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Appellate Division by the deadline of Wednesday, thereby confirming the verdict issued on April 23. Cho was indicted on charges of obstruction of business, obstruction of justice and the use of forged official documents. The court found that she had submitted false documents, including a forged certificate of merit from Dongyang University signed in the name of the university president, as part of her applications to the medical school at Pusan National University (PNU) in 2014 and Seoul National University graduate school in 2013. Both the trial and appellate courts found her guilty and imposed a fine of 10 million won. The lower court acknowledged that while Cho had benefited from the forged documents, she was not directly involved in creating them. Th

May 2, 2025By KTimes

Cho Min’s W10 million fine finalized in admissions fraud case after no appeal filed

Calls grow to relax political restrictions on civil servants ahead of presidential election

A growing number of public servants in Korea are calling for greater political freedoms ahead of the June 3 presidential election, criticizing what they describe as overly strict restrictions on their basic rights. Woo Geum-bong, a civil servant with 11 years of experience at Seoul’s Gangseo District Office, recently received what he called a “chilling” notice from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The document warned that during the election period, any political expression on social media, including liking or sharing posts, would be subject to investigation as a possible breach of political neutrality rules. Under Korea’s Public Officials’ Labor Union Act, civil servants are allowed to form unions, but their rights are tightly limited. Strikes and all political activities are banned. “A public official’s personal political opinion doesn’t interfere with their work, which is governed by procedures, institutions and law,” Woo said. “Yet we’re denied even the most basic political rights as citizens.” He recalled feeling particularly stifled on Dec. 4 last year, the

May 2, 2025By KTimes

Calls grow to relax political restrictions on civil servants ahead of presidential election

Bullfighting back in the ring, but activists cry foul over animal cruelty

Local governments in Korea have resumed bullfighting tournaments despite concerns over a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, drawing fierce opposition from animal rights groups. A coalition of advocacy organizations, including the Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), and Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA), held a protest Wednesday at a bullfighting arena in Dalseong County, Daegu. The group, operating under the name National Action to Abolish Cruel Bullfighting, called for an immediate end to the events, citing both animal cruelty and biosecurity risks. The protest followed the controversial resumption of tournaments in Dalseong and other counties such as Changnyeong and Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province, which had previously postponed events due to the livestock disease outbreak in March. Tensions flared at the Dalseong event after activists pointed out that a promotional banner advertised a live calf as a raffle prize — a violation of Korea’s Animal Protection Act, which bans the use of animals as prizes. In response, Dalseong officials said the prize would be replace

May 2, 2025By KTimes

Bullfighting back in the ring, but activists cry foul over animal cruelty

Korea University embraces global future with inclusivity initiatives

Marking its 120th anniversary, Korea University has unveiled an ambitious vision to become an internationally indispensable institution, with a mission to contribute to global progress beyond borders. In the short term, the university aims to rank among the world’s top 30, while positioning itself as a model institution that addresses pressing global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, aging populations and social polarization. "The university has long stood at the forefront of the nation’s development since our founding in 1905, but now, we must expand our role on a global scale by offering tangible solutions to the world’s most urgent issues," Korea University President Kim Dong-one said. He emphasized that Korea University is a place where global talents from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle the complex issues facing the international community, guided by critical awareness, interdisciplinary thinking and innovative problem-solving. In line with its ambitious goals, the university is pursuing strategies that preserve Korea’s cultural identity while s

May 2, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

Society

Society

Korea faces mental health crisis as children’s psychiatric care visits soar

Illegal health insurance claims by foreigners rebound with 30 percent jump last year

2 workers die after inhaling toxic gas in factory in Jeonju

Seoul offers medical interpreters for foreign residents, multicultural families

Estonian student becomes first non-Korean to win Miss Chunhyang title

Back-to-back leadership shifts leave Koreans reeling

Cho Min’s W10 million fine finalized in admissions fraud case after no appeal filed

Calls grow to relax political restrictions on civil servants ahead of presidential election

Bullfighting back in the ring, but activists cry foul over animal cruelty

Korea University embraces global future with inclusivity initiatives

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