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South Korea Plans Agricultural and Rural Vision for 2045 by Year-End The South Korean government is set to develop a vision for agriculture and rural areas by 2045 by the end of this year.On June 23, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a kickoff meeting for the 'Agriculture and Rural 2045 Strategy' at the Government Sejong Center.The meeting aimed to assess the impact of major agricultural policy changes since the end of Japanese colonial rule, as well as megatrends such as climate change and agricultural markets on the nation’s agriculture and rural sectors.During the meeting, the ministry announced plans to present a future vision for agriculture and rural areas by year-end and to specify key tasks that will serve as a basis for setting medium- to long-term policy directions.To achieve this, a task force (TF) will be established, led by Vice Minister Kim Jong-gu. The TF will consist of three teams focusing on macro agriculture, agricultural innovation, and rural environment, with participation from relevant departments and the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI). Additionally, a separate 'Future Communication Team' composed of private experts, organizations, and industry representatives will be formed to gather input.The 2045 strategy is expected to reflect key national policy tasks in the agriculture and rural sectors under the administration of President Lee Jae-myung. These tasks include fostering agriculture as a national strategic industry responsible for food security, transitioning agricultural policy to strengthen national responsibility, leading balanced growth and energy transition in rural areas, and creating a society where people and animals coexist happily.Vice Minister Kim stated, "The establishment of the 'Agriculture and Rural 2045 Strategy' aims to reflect on the journey of our agriculture and rural areas since liberation and prepare for the next 20 years. We will present a new blueprint that encompasses the vision and execution direction of future agricultural policies, leading to sustainable changes in rural areas in collaboration with the public."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:12:00 -
Government Seeks Public Ideas to Reduce Daily Plastic Waste of 21,000 Tons 국내에서 하루 평균 2만1000여t의 플라스틱이 버려지는 가운데 정부가 불필요한 플라스틱 사용을 줄이고 재활용률을 높이기 위한 국민 아이디어 발굴에 나선다. 기후에너지환경부는 오는 25일부터 국민생각함을 통해 '불필요한 플라스틱 및 재활용 걸림돌 개선 아이디어 공모'를 상시 접수한다고 24일 밝혔다. 이번 공모는 생활 속 제품과 포장재에서 발견되는 과도한 플라스틱 사용 사례와 재활용을 어렵게 하는 요소를 발굴해 실제 정책에 반영하기 위해 마련됐다. 공모는 불필요한 플라스틱 사용을 줄이거나 종이·목재 등 다른 소재로 대체하는 방안과 분리배출 및 재활용을 방해하는 요소를 개선하는 방안 등 두 분야로 진행된다. 정부에 따르면 국내에서 배출되는 플라스틱은 포장재와 생활용품 비중이 큰 것으로 나타났다. 플라스틱은 적절히 회수되지 않을 경우 미세플라스틱 문제를 유발하고 소각·매립 과정에서 온실가스를 배출하는 등 환경 부담을 키우는 요인으로 지목된다. 최근 자원안보와 공급망 안정성의 중요성이 커지면서 플라스틱 사용량 감축과 재활용 확대는 환경정책을 넘어 경제·산업 측면의 과제로도 주목받고 있다. 순환경제 체계 구축을 위해서는 국민이 일상에서 느끼는 불편과 개선 의견을 정책에 반영하는 과정이 중요하다는 지적도 나온다. 접수된 아이디어는 전문가 심사를 거쳐 선정되며, 산업계 협의를 통해 포장재 재질·구조 평가제도와 순환이용성 평가제도 등에 반영될 예정이다. 정부는 반기별로 우수 아이디어 9건을 선정해 포상하고, 실제 제도 개선으로 이어질 수 있도록 후속 검토도 추진할 계획이다. 김고응 기후부 자원순환국장은 "국민들이 일상에서 느낀 불편과 개선 아이디어가 실제 정책으로 이어질 수 있도록 적극 검토하겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:08:00 -
Measures to Prevent Fraud in Used Goods Transactions: Restrictions on Savings Accounts The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is tightening regulations on savings accounts that can be exploited for online fraud in used goods transactions. On June 24, the FSS announced improvements to the savings account system at banks and small financial institutions to protect consumers from online transaction scams. This move comes in response to a rise in fraudulent activities where scammers exploit the ability to open multiple savings accounts quickly and remotely. Currently, individuals can open only one demand deposit account across all financial institutions within 20 business days, but there are no limits on the number of savings accounts. This loophole has allowed fraudsters to post fake sales listings on online marketplaces, receive payments into multiple savings accounts, and then withdraw cash by prematurely closing those accounts. In one case, a scammer opened 32 savings accounts within three days and defrauded 126 victims of approximately 1.2 billion won (about $1 million). Another fraudster created 13 accounts in two days, swindling 80 victims out of around 700 million won (about $530,000). As a result, the FSS will now limit individuals to a maximum of three savings accounts per financial institution per quarter. This limit includes accounts that are closed early. Consumers wishing to open additional accounts will need to visit a branch in person. The account cancellation process will also be strengthened. If a savings account is closed within three business days of opening, customers will be required to visit a branch to complete the cancellation instead of doing it online. However, to minimize inconvenience for consumers, products with a monthly contribution limit of 1 million won or those that allow contributions only from the account holder's existing accounts will still be freely opened and closed as before. According to the FSS, 87.2% of savings accounts in the banking sector and 85.3% in the small financial sector fall under this category. The FSS plans to enhance internal controls for anti-money laundering in banks and savings banks to ensure that customer verification and suspicious transaction reporting are strengthened if savings accounts are suspected of being misused for fraud. Financial institutions are expected to implement these measures by the third quarter of this year after updating their operational procedures and systems.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:08:00 -
Birth Rate Increases for 22 Consecutive Months, But Natural Population Decline Continues with Total Fertility Rate at 0.93 The number of births has been on the rise for nearly two years, yet the total fertility rate remains in the 0.9 range, indicating a continued natural population decline, according to the National Data Agency's "April 2026 Population Trends" report released on June 24. In April 2026, the number of births increased by 3,734, or 18.0%, compared to the same month last year, totaling 24,521. This marks the 22nd consecutive month of rising birth rates since July 2024. The total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, rose to 0.93, an increase of 0.13 from the previous year. Births increased across all regions for three consecutive months. The composition of births by order showed that the percentage of first and second children increased by 0.3 percentage points each compared to last year, while the share of third children and beyond decreased by 0.7 percentage points. In April, the number of deaths was recorded at 28,405, a decrease of 386, or 1.3%, from April of the previous year. While deaths increased in four regions, including Busan and Incheon, they decreased in 12 regions, including Seoul and Daegu, with Gyeongnam remaining stable. The overall population, after accounting for deaths, saw a natural decline of 3,884. This marks the 78th consecutive month of natural population decline since November 2019. During this period, the number of marriages increased by 1,703, or 9.0%, to 20,622 compared to the same month last year. In the same month, divorces totaled 7,829, an increase of 531, or 7.3%. Last month, the number of movers was 466,000, a decrease of 7,000, or 1.5%, from the previous year. Among the total movers, 65.0% relocated within the same region, while 35.0% moved between regions. The population mobility rate, which indicates the number of movers per 100 people, was 10.8%, down 0.2 percentage points from May of last year. Net migration varied by region, with Gyeonggi (2,433), Chungnam (1,284), and Incheon (1,237) experiencing net inflows, while Seoul (-4,221), Gyeongbuk (-663), and Ulsan (-646) faced net outflows.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:08:00 -
Ministry of Gender Equality and Police Agency Launch Joint Task Force to Combat Violence Against Women The Ministry of Gender Equality announced on June 24 that it will establish a policy task force with the Police Agency to strengthen responses to violence against women, including stalking and dating violence. The first meeting will take place on June 25 at the Government Seoul Building. Previously, the Ministry and the Police Agency had engaged in discussions on a case-by-case basis as needed. However, due to the increasing instances of stalking and dating violence leading to serious crimes such as murder, and the evolving nature of violence against women, they decided to implement a regular policy task force for more proactive and systematic responses. Earlier, Minister of Gender Equality Won Min-kyung stated during a press briefing on June 11 at the Government Seoul Building that they are working with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the Police Agency to enhance the response and protection system for victims of stalking crimes. The policy task force will hold biannual meetings chaired by the Vice Minister and quarterly practical meetings at the director level, with additional meetings convened as necessary in response to significant incidents. Previously, discussions were held with police personnel each time an incident occurred. Now, the goal is to establish a continuous cooperation system to share information and respond more effectively. The first meeting, chaired by Vice Minister Jeong Gu-chang, will focus on strengthening cooperation in the overall response system to violence against women, including stalking and dating violence, with participation from both agencies at the director level. Key agenda items will include: enhancing protective measures for victims, promoting awareness of high-risk indicators for stalking and dating violence (red flags), strengthening on-site capabilities reflecting the characteristics of intimate partner violence, and improving support for victims of prostitution and human trafficking. Vice Minister Jeong stated, "Close cooperation among related agencies is essential to effectively respond to violence against women, such as stalking and dating violence. Through this policy task force, the Ministry of Gender Equality and the Police Agency will continuously review and strengthen victim protection and support, as well as on-site response measures, to create a social safety net that assures the public."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:08:00 -
Eight in Ten Companies Selectively Rehire Older Workers Amid Concerns Over Age Limit Extension Among companies rehiring older workers, 80% are adopting a selective rehiring approach based on job performance and other evaluations. Additionally, more than half of these companies predict that extending the legal retirement age to 65 will necessitate adjustments such as changes to wage structures or reductions in new hiring. On June 24, the Korea Employers Federation released the results of a survey conducted among 500 companies with more than 30 employees that operate a post-retirement rehiring system. The survey found that 80.4% of responding companies utilize a selective rehiring method that considers the necessary workforce size and candidate qualifications, while only 19.6% indicated they would rehire all interested individuals. The most critical factor in selecting candidates for rehiring is job performance and work results, cited by 59.5% of respondents. Other important considerations include the rarity of skills and knowledge transfer needs (44.8%) and the physical and mental health status relevant to job performance (43.8%). Regarding wages for rehired workers, 59.0% of companies reported that pay remains the same as before retirement. Conversely, 34.2% indicated that wages would decrease, with larger companies more likely to report reduced pay levels. The average wage reduction reported was 20.6%. Companies identified the potential for legal disputes during the rehiring process as their greatest concern. The highest percentage, 47.1%, cited legal risks associated with adjusting wages and working conditions, while 39.2% expressed worries about disputes during contract termination and re-signing. If the legal retirement age is uniformly extended to 65, 52.4% of responding companies believe additional institutional responses will be necessary. The most common response anticipated is the restructuring of wage systems (34.4%), followed by reductions in new hiring and the scaling back or elimination of rehiring programs, as well as voluntary retirement options. Lee Sang-cheol, head of the Employment and Social Policy Department at the Korea Employers Federation, stated, "In an ultra-aging society, it is necessary to shift the labor market paradigm to utilize workers based on job roles and productivity rather than age." Meanwhile, at a forum hosted by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions on June 23, a proposal was made to gradually extend the retirement age from 2028 to 2032, ensuring that those born in 1972 and later would have a guaranteed retirement age of 65.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:04:00 -
Government Evaluates Implementation of Biodiversity Policy with 365 Projects The government is taking steps to enhance the effectiveness of its biodiversity conservation policies by reviewing the implementation status of the National Biodiversity Strategy. The National Biodiversity Institute announced on June 24 that it will hold a public hearing on June 25 at the COEX Conference Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, to discuss the achievements from the past year and future tasks related to the '5th National Biodiversity Strategy (2024-2028).' This public hearing is being organized in response to the international community's shift to a common indicator system for evaluating biodiversity policy outcomes following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). South Korea has been implementing the 5th National Biodiversity Strategy since last year, which is set to run until 2028. This year marks the second year of the strategy's implementation, and the review of the first year's results will take place. The National Biodiversity Strategy serves as the country's top-level plan for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. As the international monitoring system strengthens, the importance of systematic evaluation and monitoring domestically is also increasing. During the public hearing, the implementation status of 365 projects being carried out by 13 relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, will be shared along with the results of the second-year evaluation. Notably, this year's evaluation will not only include a self-assessment by the government but also involve a cross-verification process by a 41-member evaluation team composed of representatives from central and local governments, civil society, youth representatives, and experts involved in the strategy's formulation, enhancing objectivity and reliability. Biodiversity conservation is recognized as a key task for responding to the climate crisis and ensuring ecosystem resilience. The government plans to incorporate feedback from the public hearing to improve the implementation system of the National Biodiversity Strategy and enhance the effectiveness of policy initiatives. The discussions and evaluation results from the public hearing will be reflected in the 2025 implementation report, which is scheduled for publication in December of this year. Yoo Ho, Director of the National Biodiversity Institute, stated, "Restoring biodiversity is a task that requires participation not only from the government but also from local governments, civil society, and future generations. Through this public hearing, we aim to strengthen a practical implementation system that expands participation across society."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:04:00 -
Government Introduces Grid-Forming Technology to Enhance Renewable Energy Stability As the share of renewable energy generation increases, ensuring the stability of the power grid has become a key challenge. The government is set to introduce 'grid-forming' technology, a next-generation power system stabilization method. On June 24, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced the formal implementation of grid-forming technology, which enhances the voltage and frequency control functions of inverter-based systems, including energy storage systems (ESS) and solar power. Unlike traditional methods where inverters merely follow the voltage and frequency of the power grid, grid-forming technology allows inverters to autonomously establish and maintain these parameters. This technology is seen as a solution to compensate for the declining system inertia due to the expansion of renewable energy facilities and to improve grid stability. The government has collaborated with Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Power Exchange, and experts from academia and research institutions, as well as domestic inverter manufacturers, to establish performance requirements for grid-forming that are suitable for the domestic transmission environment. The new performance standards will apply to long-duration battery energy storage systems (BESS) entering commercial operation in the centralized contract market starting December 2027. Related businesses must comply with performance requirements and operational standards according to the regulations for electric facilities used in transmission and distribution and the rules for power market operations. According to the 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand, the government plans to introduce 540 MW of long-duration BESS in 2027 and 2028, and 600 MW in 2029. Industry experts believe that ESS equipped with grid-forming technology will not only serve as a simple power storage solution but also play a role in stabilizing the power grid. This is expected to help mitigate potential grid instability issues that may arise during the expansion of solar and wind power generation. The Ministry of Climate plans to expand support for domestic inverter manufacturers to enhance their competitiveness in overseas markets based on this technology. Lee Jae-sik, Director of Power Grid Policy at the Ministry, stated, "As the transition to a renewable energy-centered system accelerates, ensuring grid stability is crucial. We will enhance system stability through the operation of ESS equipped with grid-forming capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:04:00 -
Government Accelerates Site Selection for High-Level Nuclear Waste Disposal The South Korean government is moving forward with the selection of a site for a high-level radioactive waste disposal facility, organizing a forum to share experiences from leading countries in community engagement. The High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Committee and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency announced that they will hold the 9th International Forum on Radioactive Waste Safety Management from June 25 to 26 at the Community House Masil in Jung-gu, Seoul. This forum aims to explore ways to build trust with local communities during the site selection process for the high-level waste disposal facility. The process was officially initiated in April when the committee approved a site suitability investigation plan. The international forum will focus on the theme, "High-Level Waste Communication Concert: Building Trust Between Operators and Local Communities, Learning from International Cases." The safety of the disposal facility is not only dependent on technical aspects but also on the acceptance of the local community, which is a critical factor in advancing the project. Other countries have conducted site selection processes over decades through community engagement and local support policies, making this forum particularly relevant. Approximately 150 participants, including domestic and international waste management experts, local government officials, community members, and academics, are expected to attend. Notably, representatives from leading waste management countries such as Finland, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, and Switzerland will share their communication experiences and conflict resolution cases. Kim Hyun-gwon, chair of the High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Committee, plans to meet with officials from Posiva Solutions in Finland and the Swedish waste management agency to discuss the current status of projects and community support measures before the event. The government aims to expand cooperation with international waste management agencies through this event and strengthen the collection of community opinions and information disclosure in future site selection processes. Kim stated, "Establishing a safe permanent disposal system is a national task to avoid passing the burden to future generations. We will secure social acceptance based on two-way communication rather than unilateral persuasion."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 12:04:00 -
President Lee's Approval Rating Falls Below 50% for First Time President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has been on a downward trend since the June 3 local elections.A poll released on June 24 revealed that negative evaluations of the president's performance have surpassed positive ones, marking a 'dead cross' in approval ratings.The Korea Social Opinion Institute (KSOI) conducted a survey from June 22 to 23, polling 1,005 adults aged 18 and older via 100% automated response (ARS) method. The results showed that 47.7% of respondents approved of President Lee's governance, while 48.2% disapproved, with 4.1% unsure.This is the first instance of a dead cross phenomenon appearing in KSOI's survey, following a similar finding by Gallup Korea.President Lee's approval rating dropped by 2.7 percentage points from the previous survey conducted on June 8-9, while disapproval ratings increased by 2.5 percentage points.KSOI analysts attributed the sharp decline in approval ratings post-election to a combination of factors, including the impact of the election results, accountability for the Central Election Management Commission's ballot shortage, and ongoing controversies surrounding the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights.In party support, the Democratic Party saw a 1 percentage point increase to 39.6%, while the People Power Party fell by 0.8 percentage points to 37.3%. The gap between the two parties stands at 2.3 percentage points.Following these parties, the Reform Party received 2.7%, the Progressive Party 1.9%, and the Justice Party 1.6%. Additionally, 14.0% of respondents indicated they had no party affiliation.Amid escalating conflicts within the ruling party over the retention of supplementary investigation rights, 47.7% of respondents supported granting these rights to prosecutors in the new Public Prosecution Office, which will be established after the abolition of the current prosecution system. Meanwhile, 31.3% believed that supplementary investigation rights should be abolished for judicial reform, and 21.0% were unsure.The survey utilized wireless virtual numbers provided by the three major telecommunications companies and had a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 5.6%. For more details, please refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-24 11:56:00