​Veteran actress Chung Ae-rie appointed as ambassador for International Day of Yoga

SEOUL -- Veteran actress Chung Ae-rie was appointed as an ambassador for the International Day of Yoga designed to highlight the importance of Yoga, a physical, mental, and spiritual practice originated from India. The 63-year-old actress said that she thinks Yoga is a mental and spiritual tool that can shape the world into a more peaceful place. International Yoga Day has been celebrated across the world since June 21, 2015, after it was incepted in the United Nations General Asse

June 5, 2023

Unexpected North Korean missile attack alert wakes Seoul up

SEOUL -- Sounds of air raid sirens broke the silence of early morning in Seoul at about 6:30 a.m. (2130 GMT) on May 31. Without disclosing the source of the urgent notice, emergency text messages were sent out by the Seoul city government, telling citizens to get ready to evacuate. Naver, South Korea's most popular web search portal, was temporarily put out of service due to heavy internet traffic by people trying to figure out what was going on. However, despite the fuss, Seou

May 31, 2023

​S. Korea unveils roadmap to attract 700,000 foreign patients by 2027

SEOUL -- South Korea aims to attract 700,000 foreign patients by 2027 through various policies such as easing immigration procedures. Through a medical tourism project, the country will create clusters where visitors can enjoy hot springs and explore tourist spots after receiving health care services. Data released by South Korea's health ministry showed that about 248,000 foreign patients visited South Korea to receive medical treatments in 2022, up 70.1 percent from a year ag

May 30, 2023

S. Korea to lead food safety policies in Asia-Pacific region through consultative body 'APFRAS'

SEOUL -- South Korea was selected to lead food policies through a consultative body for heads of food regulators in the Asia-Pacific region. The joint body was founded to establish a safe food distribution infrastructure and handle various problems in the global food sector. The consultative body called "Asia-Pacific Food Regulatory Authority Summit (APFRAS)" was launched to respond to rapidly changing food environments and issues in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry

May 26, 2023

Researchers find dramatic weight change could increase mortality risk for middle-aged and older people

SEOUL -- Researchers have found that dramatic weight change could increase the risk of death for people aged 40 and older. The research team said those experiencing such changes of more than three percent of their total weight during a two-year period without any clear reasons are required to visit a doctor and thoroughly check their body. A joint research team consisting of endocrinologists at Samsung Medical Center and Daegu Catholic University Medical Center has confirmed the re

May 24, 2023

Seoul to use sewage gas to generate electricity

SEOUL -- Seoul will establish a 20-megawatt-hour fuel cell facility at a sewage treatment center to use biogas generated during the sewage treatment process for fuel cells' energy. The city will work with private companies to produce electricity capable of powering about 420,000 households every year. The facility will be installed at Jungnang Sewage Treatment Center in eastern Seoul by 2024, the capital city said, adding that the city has partnered with three companies -- Kore

May 23, 2023

Seoul launches same-day airport luggage delivery service from subway stations

SEOUL -- Seoul has launched a same-day luggage delivery service that connects international airports nearby Seoul and four selected subway stations. Using the service called "T-Luggage," travelers can send their luggage to airports from subway stations or vice versa. The storage and delivery service that connects four subway stations with South Korea's two major airports -- Gimpo International Airport and Incheon International Airport -- was launched on May 22, Seoul

May 22, 2023

Canadian leader agrees to expand working holiday program quota with S. Korea

SEOUL -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to increase an annual quota for the working holiday program with South Korea at a summit meeting held in Seoul. The exchange program was established to encourage the nations' young people to engage in employment activities in each country while learning each other's language and culture. South Koreans and Canadians aged between 18 and 30 are currently allowed to participate in the exchange program after gaining a

May 18, 2023

S. Korea likely to declare COVID-19 as endemic disease

SEOUL -- After about three years and four months since the first case of COVID-19 was found in South Korea on January 20, 2020, the government is likely to declare the infectious disease as an endemic disease, a disease that regularly occurs within an area or community like flu. According to real-time data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a daily average number of 17,033 people were infected between May 5 and May 11. An average number of 30 people were

May 11, 2023

S. Korea to allow drivers to self-charge hydrogen vehicles through regulatory reform

SEOUL -- South Korea will allow hydrogen vehicle drivers to self-charge their vehicles at urban charging stations like ordinary self-charging gas stations by 2024 through regulatory reforms and new safety infrastructure. Currently, the country prohibits drivers from charging their own hydrogen vehicles. In South Korea, liquified petroleum gas stations and liquefied natural gas stations also only allow workers with government-issued certification to charge vehicles. Despite hydroge

May 9, 2023