Doctors at top Korean hospital to strike over medical student increase

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - Doctors at Seoul National University Hospital, Korea's top medical institution, have decided to go on strike starting June 17, escalating their protest against the government's plan to sharply increase the enrollment of medical students. The SNUH professors' emergency committee said Friday that SNUH and three affiliated hospitals will indefinitely stop providing all medical services except for emergency rooms and intensive care units. The d

June 7, 2024

Unionized workers stage first strike at Samsung Electronics

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - Unionized workers at Samsung Electronics staged the first-ever strike at the tech giant on Wednesday, with the one-day action expected to have minimal impact on production. The National Samsung Electronics Labor Union had instructed its 28,000 members to use paid leave on the day after wage negotiations with the management fell apart early last week. The union, which represents 22 percent of the 125,000 employees of the world's largest maker of mem

June 7, 2024

Why young couples opt for unconventional weddings

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - Sharing wedding vows in front of hundreds of guests in a formal and sacred ceremony has long been the norm for most Koreans, something they might experience at least once in their lifetime, although it comes with extravagant bills. But amid economic downturn along with the erosion of traditional values, many cash-strapped young couples now turn to more intimate and casual weddings. These weddings usually come in the form of private parties or simple fes

June 7, 2024

Surge in online threats as anxiety grips more Koreans

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - "I'll kill 50 people at Seoul Station on May 24. I don't care whether they would be men or women." This eerily threat was the latest in a series of disturbing posts uploaded online, causing fear and anxiety among Koreans. Korea, a country long known for its relative public safety, has seen an alarming rise in online threats that spill into actual violent crimes. Similar distressing posts frequently surface on online forums like Dcinsi

June 7, 2024

Opinion: Cryptocurrencies use massive amounts of power – but eco-friendly alternatives come with their own risks

SEOUL, June 7 (AJU PRESS) - As the urgency of climate change ramps up, focus is increasing on digital currencies to address their environmental impact. According to industry forecasts, the global cryptocurrency market is expected to surge to US$4.94 billion by 2030. But the process of mining digital currencies such as Bitcoin requires immense computational power – causing a significant drain on energy resources. "Miners" use sophisticated hardware to solve compl

June 7, 2024

PHOTOS: Gov't offers exit option for trainee doctors in protest

SEOUL, June 5 (AJU PRESS) - The government announced it will allow hospitals to accept resignations from trainee doctors in protest, paving the way for them to return to work or find new jobs elsewhere. That removes legal burdens that might have prevented their return. Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyoo-hong said Wednesday that the government will allow hospitals to accept their resignations, enabling them to pursue other career paths. He also said there will be no penalties for the stri

June 5, 2024

Korean, African business leaders discuss stronger economic ties

SEOUL, June 5 (AJU PRESS) - Korea signed a slew of agreements aimed at boosting cooperation with African countries during a business summit held in Seoul, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday. The business gathering on the sidelines of the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit the previous day to discuss business opportunities was attended by Korean and African government officials, business leaders and prominent African state leaders. Among them were Mohamed Ould C

June 5, 2024

PHOTOS: Activists take to streets to mark World Environment Day

SEOUL, June 5 (AJU PRESS) - Gwanghwamun Square, at the heart of Seoul, turned into a stage for environmental activism on Wednesday. Marking World Environment Day, Green Korea United, a prominent environmental organization, staged a guerrilla street performance titled "Symbiosis," calling for legal personhood for animals, plants and the natural environment. By bestowing legal rights upon cherished natural habitats and threatened wildlife, a stronger foundation can be laid for th

June 5, 2024

G-Dragon joins KAIST as visiting professor

SEOUL, June 5 (AJU PRESS) - G-Dragon of boy band Big Bang has joined the Korea Institute of Science and Technology as a visiting professor, the tech-heavy school said Wednesday. He will offer lectures for graduate and undergraduate students in Department of Mechanical Engineering during his two-year tenure until June 2026. Known for his flamboyant style and interest in fashion, the singer is expected to bridge cutting-edge technology with pop culture, sharing his experiences as a

June 5, 2024

Netflix' erroneous Spanish subtitle for East Sea triggers anger among Koreans

SEOUL, June 5 (AJU PRESS) - Netflix's latest Korean hit series caused a stir by erroneously referring the East Sea as the "Sea of Japan" in its Spanish subtitle, reigniting patriotic Koreans' sentiments about the geographical name. "The 8 Show," which has been popular since its release last month, used the "unproper" exonym for Koreans in a scene where one male character sings Korea's national anthem. The erroneous description quickly r

June 5, 2024