About 30% of children's daycare centers to be closed in 2028 due to low birth rate: data

SEOUL -- About 30 percent of children's daycare centers and kindergartens in South Korea will be closed in 2028, due to low birth rate, data released by a private child care and education institute showed. Recent data from South Korea's National Assembly Budget Office (NABO) reveals a projected 49.6 percent decrease in the population of young people aged 0 to 14 by 2040, dropping to approximately 3.18 million from 6.32 million in 2020. This projection assumes that the fert

January 30, 2024

Exports of S. Korean processed rice products achieve record-high of $217 mln in 2023

SEOUL -- Data released by the agriculture ministry reveals that South Korean processed rice exports reached a record-high of $217.2 million in 2023. The surge in exports can be attributed to the global popularity of South Korean rice products, including instant cooked rice packs, rice cakes, frozen "Gimbab," Korean-style rice rolls filled with various ingredients such as vegetables and meat, wrapped in seaweed. This rise in popularity can be linked to the increased recog

January 29, 2024

Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrates 75th year of anniversary of foundation of Republic of India

SEOUL -- The Embassy of India in South Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of India on Sevit Islands, a set of three artificial islands in southern Seoul known as a cultural complex, on January 26. The country was founded about two and a half years after gaining independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. "It is a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers that democracy has not only taken deep roots but flourished

January 26, 2024

Busan to host barista contest to select S. Korean representative for World Barista Championship

SEOUL -- A barista competition to pick South Korea's national barista will take place in the southern port city of Busan, well known for its fervent coffee culture. Using a coffee machine, contestants will create 12 beverages such as espresso and milk-based drinks within 15 minutes. The winner will participate in a global barista championship in May 2024. The 2024 Korea National Barista Championship (KNBC) is scheduled for four days, starting on February 1. To host the event,

January 26, 2024

S. Korea leads in number of overseas travelers during Lunar New Year holidays among Asian countries

SEOUL -- South Korea has become the country with the largest number of travelers headed to overseas countries during the Lunar New Year holidays among other Asian countries that follow the lunar calendar, according to data released by the global tourism information company Agoda. The Lunar New Year is celebrated over a three-day festive holiday known as "Seollal" in South Korea. Families typically gather at the eldest member's house to prepare food and catch up with

January 26, 2024

Flying passenger vehicles to be demonstrated above S. Korea's iconic canal in 2024

SEOUL -- South Korea has selected Ara Waterway, a canal that connects the Han River that flows through Seoul with the Yellow Sea, as the first location to demonstrate flying taxis, also known as urban air mobility vehicles. Starting in August 2024, flying passenger vehicles will be tested above the canal's 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) section in the western port city of Incheon. Urban air mobility (UAM) is a future ecosystem involving flying passenger vehicles in city areas. Aerial

January 25, 2024

Increased consumer prices affect preparation of Confucian rite for Lunar New Year holidays

SEOUL -- Increased consumer prices have affected the preparation of "Charye" a Confucian rite that is carried out during the three-day traditional Korean Lunar New Year holiday. The ancestral ritual involves one or two large tables full of offerings including food, fruits, and beverages. On Seollal, the Lunar New Year Day, and Chuseok, the traditional Korean autumn harvest thanksgiving holiday, non-Christian families traditionally arrange tables laden with dishes encompa

January 24, 2024

35% of S. Koreans have experienced more convenient lifestyle through subscripted services: survey

SEOUL -- Survey data revealed that approximately 35 percent of South Koreans have embraced subscripted services to enhance their daily convenience. The most popular among these services was home appliance rental and hygiene management, utilized by 18 percent of the population. A subscripted service, also known as a subscription service, is a retail solution that consistently delivers products or promised services monthly without requiring users to regularly renew orders or supply

January 23, 2024

S. Korea tries to increase birth rate by providing total subsidies worth $22,000

SEOUL -- The national committee, tasked with addressing the challenges of a low birth rate and an aging society, aims to encourage more couples to have children by offering government subsidies totaling 29.6 million won ($22,223) until the newborn child reaches seven years old. Recent data from South Korea's National Assembly Budget Office (NABO) reveals a projected 49.6 percent decrease in the population of young people aged 0 to 14 by 2040, dropping to approximately 3.18 mil

January 22, 2024

Winter Youth Olympics to be held in S. Korea's eastern province

SEOUL -- The Winter Youth Olympic Games is set to take place in South Korea's eastern province of Gangwon, well known for its mountainous and forested landscapes, on January 19, 2024. South Korea is the first Asian country to host the multi-sport event, drawing 1,803 athletes from 79 nations. The Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG), organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) encompasses a range of winter sports such as alpine skiing, curling, and biathlon. Previously

January 19, 2024