S. Korean young consumers indulge in special package tours instead of free traveling

SEOUL -- Influenced by popular YouTube creators and other social media viral content, young consumers in their 20s and 30s choose to go on special package tours organized by travel companies instead of free traveling in domestic and overseas tourist hotspots. Package tours became popular in South Korea in the 1980s when the general financial level of the people improved enough for them to go on short trips. Organized trips offered transport, accommodation, attraction, and meals so

June 9, 2023

​2 mln S. Koreans 'silently exit' from country's favorite messenger group chat rooms in 3 weeks

SEOUL -- Two million people have "silently exited" from group chat rooms created on Kakao Talk, South Korea's favorite smartphone messenger app with more than 47 million monthly active users, during the first three weeks since its operator added a feature that allowed people to leave chat rooms without notifying other users. It is common to see companies of various sizes operate group chat rooms with up to dozens of workers because company operators can easily send

June 7, 2023

Indonesia partners with Pusan National University to develop hydrogen-based waste management vessel

SEOUL -- Indonesia's maritime ministry will work with the Pusan National University to develop and utilize a hydrogen ship capable of cleaning up ocean waste. A joint research institute will be also established at the university located in South Korea's southern port city of Busan. Pusan National University (PNU) said in a statement that the institute signed an agreement on June 2 to cooperate in the shipbuilding and maritime affairs. The two organizations will carry out va

June 5, 2023

​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