Busan to release English-based bus hailing application for foreigners

SEOUL -- South Korea's southern port city of Busan will release an English language-based bus hailing application for foreigners. The bus will take passengers to the closest bus stop to their destination. The city is looking into connecting the new transport service with a tourist pass service that allows foreigners to visit tourist attractions and use public transport using a single plastic or digital app card. According to the Busan Tourism Organization, about 2.7 million forei

August 31, 2023

​44% of S. Koreans when choose travel destinations based on friends' recommendations: survey

SEOUL -- South Koreans prefer to receive travel recommendations from friends and relatives rather than to seek travel spots themselves, a survey showed. The second-most preferred source for travel destinations was online blogs. According to a July 2023 summary for a weekly survey of 500 South Korean people aged 19 years and older, released by global market research firm Consumer Insight on August 30, 43.5 percent of people chose their travel destinations in July based on recommendation

August 30, 2023

S. Korea to lower classification of COVID-19's infection capability to same level as seasonal flu

SEOUL -- In September 2023, South Korea will classify the COVID-19 infection category as the lowest level which is the same as seasonal flu. When the infectious disease category of the coronavirus is lowered, rapid antigen tests at hospitals and clinics will no longer be provided for free. Government financial support for expensive polymerase chain reaction tests will also be cut, transferring the financial burden to ordinary citizens. When the first wave of the pandemic hit South Ko

August 30, 2023

Sales of seafood decrease due to fear of Japanese nuclear-contaminated water

SEOUL -- Consumption of seafood in South Korea has decreased for six consecutive quarters since 2022, one year after Japan announced that the country decided to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the world's worst nuclear disaster site since the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in 1996, into the Pacific Ocean. Data released by South Korea's state statistical information service on August 27 showed that the monthly average amount of money spent on pur

August 28, 2023

Coastal city Seosan to commercialize drone delivery for island residents

SEOUL -- Seosan, a South Korean coastal city with many small islands, will commercialize drone delivery for residents living on its islands. The city in the western region showcased a drone carrying dried seafood at a demonstration event attended by experts from a state aviation safety technology institute and companies specializing in drone technology. Seosan said in a statement on August 24 that its "hybrid multicopter" run by hydrogen power and batteries was tested in

August 25, 2023

India's national security advisor visits Seoul for strategic cooperation

SEOUL -- Without disclosing details, the Indian Embassy in South Korea said India's national security advisor visited Seoul for strategic cooperation in various areas, including defense, technology, and economic security. This was the first dialogue between the two nations after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in 2022. The strategic dialogue was regularly held after the two countries' summit in 2014. The fourth event took place on August 23 about two year

August 24, 2023

Workcation facility for IT workers to be built by 2024 in southeastern county

SEOUL -- A "workcation" center where IT employees can spend their vacation while handling important tasks will be built in a campsite located in South Korea's southeastern county of Namhae. Visitors can enjoy a coffee at a cafe on the first floor and engage in their projects with co-workers on the second floor. Workcation is a combination of "work" and "vacation." Unlike conventional remote working, the new work trend allows employees to work in touris

August 23, 2023

Japan decides to discharge contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear accident site into sea

SEOUL -- Japan has decided to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear accident site into the Pacific Ocean, about 12 years after the nuclear accident was caused by a massive earthquake. The Fukushima disaster is regarded as the world's worst nuclear accident since the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. The contaminated water, referred to as "treated water" by Japan, is subterranean water that came in contact with Fukushima's reactor that was melted do

August 23, 2023

Chinese group tourists to visit Busan City via cruise ship in 2024

SEOUL -- A cruise ship owned by an operator based in Shanghai will carry Chinese tourists to the southern port city of Busan in 2024. The ship with a maximum capacity of 1,200 people will visit up to 25 times next year. Busan with a population of some 3.5 million is a popular travel destination for both South Korean people and foreign visitors who seek unique and vibrant cultural experiences. The city is well-known for its beautiful seaside views as well as tasty food menus that incl

August 22, 2023

Police continues manhunt for bank robber in central city

SEOUL -- Police are continuing their manhunt for a bank robber who raided a Credit Union bank branch in the central city of Daejeon. It has been four days since the robber successfully pulled out a bank heist and ran away with some 39 million won ($29,039). South Korea had a detection rate for criminal actions of 81.2 percent in 2020. The detection rate for heavy offenses such as sexual assault, robbery, and homicide is more than 97 percent. Law enforcers are able to maintain high crime

August 21, 2023