Seoul shivers through freezing start to new year SEOUL, January 2 (AJP) - Biting cold continues to linger, with morning lows in Seoul and other metropolitan areas plunging to -12 degrees Celsius on Friday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the freezing temperatures brought plenty of incidents including burst pipes, although no cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia were reported. As the cold wave advisory issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration on New Year's Eve remained in place, the city government deployed about 247 staff and workers to operate emergency shelters and other facilities, in collaboration with some 25 local districts and agencies, while maintaining around-the-clock monitoring. It also provided temporary housing, along with free meals and medical care to around 63 homeless people, and checked on the safety of over 10,000 elderly citizens living alone. "Vulnerable people such as the elderly are advised to stay indoors. If going outside is unavoidable, make sure to bundle up warmly," the city urged. 2026-01-02 10:29:00

Bus drivers in Seoul threaten strike next month over wage dispute SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Unionized bus drivers in Seoul threatened on Wednesday to go on a strike next month after wage talks collapsed earlier in the day. They rejected a 10 percent-wage raise offer and threatened to strike on Jan. 13, citing management's failure to fulfill wage-related pledges. They argued that bonuses should be included in their wages, citing a Supreme Court ruling last year, and insisted that this is "not a bargaining issue but a legal requirement." They also said the proposed offer would effectively cut their pay, calling it an attempt to avoid a legally required 12.85 percent increase, which takes previously unpaid allowances into account. The union added that a strike is inevitable as long as management continues to evade responsibility while ignoring the court's ruling and the Ministry of Employment and Labor's corrective orders. 2025-12-24 17:09:38

Safety measures to be heightened in Seoul's crowded areas during holiday weeks SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A set of safety measures for crowded areas will be enforced during the holiday season, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Friday. Security and patrols will be beefed up at about a dozen locations including Seoul's major shopping and entertainment districts of Myeong-dong, Seongsu-dong, Itaewon, and areas near Hongik University, as they are expected to be crowded around Christmas and New Year's Eve. The city government said with it will form a task force by Christmas Eve to monitor traffic, inspect emergency facilities, and coordinate rescue efforts with district offices, fire and police authorities, and relevant ministries. The city is also preparing for major year-end events and festivities including the annual bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Bell Pavilion, which draws around 100,000 visitors each year, as well as activities at popular scenic spots where crowds gather to watch the first sunrise of the coming year. These safety measures will remain in place until the first week of January, with some 1,086 surveillance cameras installed across 91 locations in the city's 25 districts. Han Byeong-yong, a city official, urged public cooperation, saying, "We ask citizens to follow safety guidelines and maintain order to ensure everyone can have a safe and happy holiday season." 2025-12-19 11:00:41

Subway workers in Seoul call off strike after last-minute agreement SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Unionized subway workers in Seoul on Friday called off their planned full-scale strike after reaching a last-minute deal with management, averting major disruptions to the morning rush hour. Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, said it reached an agreement early in the morning after overnight marathon negotiations. The workers had earlier threatened to strike from the first trains of the day unless their demands for higher wages, the hiring of more staff, and a halt to large-scale layoffs and pay cuts were met. Negotiations with workers from other unions also concluded in separate agreements later on. The key sticking point in the negotiations was staffing. Both sides agreed to hire approximately 820 workers to fill existing vacancies, with an additional 180 recruits for extended operations to be hired later through a separate process. The two sides also resolved other issues related to wages and working conditions by narrowing their differences. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-12 09:37:14

Gov't ramps up safety inspections for high-rise buildings after Hong Kong's deadly fire SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Following a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong, government authorities here are conducting emergency safety inspections of buildings over 30 floors. Despite current regulations mandating the use of non-combustible materials and the installation of safety-related equipment, some buildings constructed before these regulations took effect still use flammable materials. Of some 140 skyscrapers over 50 floors or 200 meters, 18 are affected, the National Fire Agency said on Wednesday. The agency began inspections of these buildings on Dec. 1, along with more than 80 mid-rise structures. In collaboration with local governments and experts, it will also carry out comprehensive safety checks on approximately 6,280 high-rise buildings across the country. Similarly, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will inspect construction sites for buildings over 30 stories to ensure compliance with safety measures. Training and public awareness will also be strengthened, with annual evacuation drills in preparation for fires and other disasters. Meanwhile, the death toll from last week's fatal fire in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong has risen to 156. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 17:27:11

More subway workers threaten strike SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - More subway workers are expected to go on strike next week if their demands for increased staffing are not met. The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU), which operates Line 9, separately from Seoul Metro (which manages Lines 1 through 8), held a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, threatening a potential partial strike on Dec. 11. The action would maintain train schedules but involve operational slowdowns such as delayed door closures, reduced train speeds, and refusal to perform non-essential tasks. KPTU's union members say last year's agreement to hire more than 55 additional staff has not been fulfilled. They argue that insufficient staffing leads to a higher risk of accidents. Meanwhile, unionized workers of Seoul Metro have launched a similar strike, with a full-scale walkout planned for Dec. 12. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 16:30:49

Unionized Seoul subway workers threaten strike after failed wage talks SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Unionized subway workers in Seoul threatened a full-scale strike at a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall on Tuesday. Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, warned that they would strike unless their demands for higher wages, the hiring of more staff, and a halt to large-scale layoffs and pay cuts are met. The union added that an all-out strike would begin in the coming weeks if these demands are not addressed. They warned, "If workers' safety is not ensured through the hiring of more staff, we will begin a partial slowdown on Dec. 1, followed by a full-scale strike starting Dec. 12." The slowdown would involve delayed door closures and reduced train speeds, likely causing disruptions for commuters during the morning and evening rush hours. The two sides failed to narrow their differences in recent wage negotiations, with the union seeking a 3 percent salary increase while Seoul Metro offered just 1.8 percent, citing budget constraints. In a recent vote, 83.53 percent of unionized workers supported going ahead with the strike. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 16:45:31

Ultra-fine dust advisory issued for Seoul SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - An ultra-fine dust advisory has been issued for the Seoul metropolitan area overnight, the Seoul Research Institute of Public Health and Environment said on Tuesday. Such advisories are issued when the hourly average concentration of PM2.5 exceeds 75 µg/m³ for more than two consecutive hours. PM 2.5, which is about 1/30th the size of a human hair, can pass through the filters of the human respiratory system, causing greater harm to the body than regular fine dust. The institute said a high density of fine dust was caused by accumulated pollutants from outside and inside the country, combined with stagnant air conditions. The institute said, "Vulnerable people such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory diseases are advised to refrain from outdoor activities. Those going outside should wear masks and avoid areas with heavy traffic." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 10:27:34

Seoul City secures another investment from French quantum firm SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Seoul City is deepening its ambitions to become a global hub for quantum technology, securing a $57 million investment from Quandela, a French company specializing in photonic quantum computing. The deal, signed Wednesday at Seoul City Hall, marks the city’s second major quantum-related investment agreement in recent months, following a similar deal with Pasqal, also from France. Founded in 2017 near Paris, Quandela has emerged as one of Europe’s leading quantum computing startups. The company develops photon-based quantum computers and currently employs about 150 researchers and engineers worldwide. It has delivered four quantum systems to the EuroHPC initiative, a major European Union program advancing high-performance computing. Quandela’s Seoul branch will focus on research and development, helping the South Korean capital build its credentials in a field expected to transform industries from logistics to pharmaceuticals. The signing ceremony was attended by Seoul Deputy Mayor Kim Tae-kyun, Quandela’s chief executive Niccolo Somaschi, French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, and Kim Yoo-seok, head of Quandela Korea. City officials said the investment aligns with the city’s broader plan to foster a quantum industry ecosystem in Seoul. The initiative includes establishing a joint R&D network, supporting companies specializing in quantum materials and components, and training a new generation of researchers. Future projects include the creation of the Seoul Quantum Campus and a Quantum Technology Convergence Support Center in Hongneung by 2027, followed by the Seoul Quantum Hub in 2030. The city also plans to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to attract additional foreign investment and offer incentives for global tech firms. “Seoul’s investment in Quandela is a strategic choice, given our city’s strengths in talent, infrastructure, and innovation,” Deputy Mayor Kim said in a statement. “We will continue to support global companies that invest in Seoul as we grow our quantum ecosystem.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 11:00:21

Seoul city braces for this week's nationwide university entrance exam SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students will take their annual university entrance exam at some 1,300 venues across the country on Thursday, prompting police and relevant officials to brace for safely getting them to their test venues. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday said that more subway trains, buses and taxis will be put into service on the test day, with free transportation and emergency transport vehicles also provided. In Seoul, about 114,158 students will sit for the test at 228 locations. To reduce rush-hour congestion and help students arrive at their test venues on time, the city advised public offices to open one hour late at 10 a.m. The number of subway trains will be increased by 29 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with additional trains on standby in case of disruptions. Additionally, around 646 vehicles will be stationed near subway stations and bus stops to transport students to test venues in case of need. Ye Jang-gwon, a city official, said, "We will provide full support to help students safely arrive at their test venues without any inconveniences and focus on their exams." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 16:35:26