[Security Forum] Uncertainties cloud security on Korean Peninsula, experts say

A second Donald Trump administration is expected to bring a slew of uncertainties to the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, which calls for Seoul to bolster its alliance with Washington and find a key role in the US’ potential policy shifts, experts pointed out Wednesday. During a panel discussion at the Korea Herald Security Forum titled "Alliance After US Election 2024: A Seoul Perspective" held at the National Assembly in Seoul, four experts addressed looming concerns

Nov. 14, 2024

Korean study finds 'obese' BMI may actually be healthiest

In South Korea, a body mass index over 25 is considered "obese," but recent research suggests the healthiest range may actually be higher than that. Health experts are now urging that the threshold be raised to 27. Oh Sang-woo, a family medicine professor at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, recommended raising Korea's obesity threshold to a BMI of 27, noting that the current classification may not currently be ideal. "Research conducted 20 years ago found that the lowest

Nov. 12, 2024

Dialogue launches without junior doctors, main opposition

A consultative body, comprising the government, medical sector, and ruling party, was launched on Monday to seek a resolution to the standoff that began in February and deliver tangible results by year-end. It was held with opposition from the main opposition party and striking junior doctors and students against the expansion plan boycotting the meeting. The move comes after ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon proposed the formation of a four-way consultative body in early September t

Nov. 11, 2024

Will ousting KMA chief on eve of new talks shift medical standoff?

Hopes for a decisive breakthrough in the monthslong medical stalemate are rising as the consultation body intended to join the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, rival parties and the medical circle for talks is set to launch Monday morning, a day after a major leadership change in the Korean Medical Association. The body's launch comes after ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon proposed in September the formation of a four-way consultative body in an attempt to resolve the ongoing medi

Nov. 10, 2024

S. Korea, ASEAN seek ‘sustainable, resilient future’ with elevated partnership

Government officials and renowned scholars from South Korea and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations convened at an international conference to chart pathways for further developing cooperation, building on the October milestone that elevated Korea-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership 2024 was held Thursday under the theme "Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Future" at the Lotte Hotel i

Nov. 10, 2024

S. Korea to expand scope of deepfake sex crime undercover probes

In an effort to clamp down on the rapid spread of deepfake sex crimes here, investigative authorities will be able to go undercover to catch digital sex offenders in cases where victims are adults and enable online platforms to block sexually explicit content before review, the Korean government said Wednesday. Rolling out a comprehensive package of strengthened measures to handle AI-generated sexual abuse, the government announced plans to push for a revision to the Act on Special Cases Conce

Nov. 6, 2024

As Suneung nears, 'magic pills' lure test takers, but experts warn of risks

With only a week left before the national Suneung college admissions exam, some test takers and their parents are reaching out for additional assistance to manage test anxiety jitters: pills that make them brainier. Lee, an 18-year-old third-grade high school student who attends a private school in Incheon's Songdo district, is one of them. "I heard that the anxiety-soothing pills and traditional Korean medicine like 'cheongsimhwan' could ease test anxiety symptoms such as ra

Nov. 6, 2024

[Out of the Shadows] Seoul room clubs offer drugs to compete for clientele

Room salons -- private bars that hire women to entertain guests -- are often accused of abusing their closed-door nature to provide illegal prostitution services. But recently they have been turning to drugs to compete for customers. The main substances used here are ketamine and ecstasy, according to people close to the matter and the police. “The term ‘candy,’ for example, is slang for ecstasy, and its main consumers are visitors of nightlife facilities and those working in e

Nov. 5, 2024

Seoul bans doctors, dentists' self-prescription of propofol

The Korean government is pushing to ban medical professionals from prescribing propofol for themselves to reduce the risk of misuse, officials said Friday. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it will propose an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Narcotics Control Act to prohibit doctors and dentists from prescribing or administering propofol to themselves and receive public opinion on the policy until Dec. 10. Propofol is a sedative used mostly during cosmetic procedures or when pe

Nov. 1, 2024

Med students' requests for academic leave likely to be approved by this month

The academic leave requested by protesting medical students who left classrooms since February to oppose the Korean government's drastic quota hike in medical school admissions will likely be finalized by this month, while some schools are cautious in granting the approval, according to education authorities Friday. The move comes after the Education Ministry on Tuesday decided to allow medical schools the freedom to grant the leave to encourage medical students' return and normalize d

Nov. 1, 2024