It may not be immediately visible, but artificial intelligence is quietly changing Korean workplaces. Since ChatGPT was first unveiled in late 2022, followed by an expanding array of AI tools, nearly 20 million South Koreans have downloaded five major generative AI apps as of July this year. The number of active monthly users stood at 7 million. The Korea Herald interviewed seven individuals across a wide range of professions, including a journalist, web designer, lawyer, translator, music p

weekender Nov. 9, 2024

Seoul police have uncovered six companies accused of mass-sending phishing messages beginning with “international sender” under the direction of criminal organizations, authorities said Thursday. After investigating the six firms from May to October this year, police sent 20 individuals -- among them a key operator named Kim, his employees and system developers – to the prosecution on charges of violating the Telecommunications Business Act and the Information and Communicati

Social Affairs Nov. 8, 2024

A group of South Koreans held a campaign denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in front of the North’s permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva on Wednesday, one of its organizers said Thursday. The campaign, organized jointly by the South Korean civic group People for Successful Corean Reunification and the Seoul-based advertising agency Jeski Social Campaign, was initiated at the plaza in front of the United Nations Office building where a session of the UN Human Rights Cou

North Korea Nov. 7, 2024

Yearbooks have long been cherished as a way to remember the school days, friendships and experiences that shape our youth. However, in South Korea, people are now questioning whether the tradition of creating photo albums featuring all students and faculty should continue. This shift in sentiment comes after an increase in deepfake pornography, where photographs of classmates have been illegally used to create sexually explicit content using artificial intelligence technology. While some are cal

Hashtag Korea Nov. 7, 2024

Gyeonggi Province has newly assigned addresses to a total of 27,297 low-income dwellings that previously did not have their own addresses, officials said Wednesday. These mostly small, often single-room units located in 3,980 buildings are home to some of Gyeonggi Province's most financially vulnerable residents. The lack of addresses has made it difficult for the occupants to access essential government services, including public benefits, and causes inconveniences such as lost or return

Social Affairs Nov. 6, 2024

Six out of 10 newly hired employees leave their jobs within the first year in South Korea, government data showed Sunday. The report, from the Korea Employment Information Service under the Labor Ministry, shows that only 40.1 percent of wage workers -- those subscribed to employment insurance schemes after being hired -- retained their positions for more than a year as of 2021. The rate of employees staying in their jobs for over a year has been steadily declining, from 42.2 percent in 2021

Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2024

In YouTube’s vast sea of content, one particular subgenre is gaining traction among Koreans: video chronicles of the lives of pets, particularly dogs and cats. Catering to viewers looking to escape life's stresses by watching adorable animals, pet videos have cultivated a large and devoted community of fans who regularly tune in for lighthearted moments. Some of these famous animals offer more than just cuteness -- they have a unique vibe, backstory or personality. Here are four of th

Hashtag Korea Oct. 26, 2024

Seven national parks across South Korea have been found to absorb approximately 2 million tons of greenhouse gases annually -- equivalent to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by 147,000 Korean nationals per year. As of 2021, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted annually per citizen is 13.1 tons. According to a report released Thursday by the Korea National Park Service, part of the Ministry of Environment, the parks -- Seoraksan, Odaesan, Taebaeksan, Sobaeksan, Chiaksan, Bukhansan and

Social Affairs Oct. 25, 2024

The world we once knew, shaped by decades of work toward multilateralism, international governance and legal systems, is drifting apart. Conflicts, crises and rising hostilities are making international cooperation and development efforts increasingly difficult. Yet in this time of challenges, South Korea has been a valued partner and contributor to the United Nations Development Programme, stepping up to play a bigger role in several areas, chief Achim Steiner said in a recent interview with

Foreign Affairs Oct. 22, 2024

Ever since the arrival of her daughter six years ago, the precious little being has become the center of Park Eun-jeong's world. It also marked the beginning of a new dynamic in her marriage: a sexless, more companionate relationship with her husband. “(After the baby was born,) we gradually drifted into a sexless relationship. I was tired from taking care of the baby and doing housework. My husband also looked exhausted when he came home. He no longer initiates it either,” Park

Hashtag Korea Oct. 20, 2024

As tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula, a recent survey shows that just some 1 in 7 people here would be willing to participate in a war if conflict erupts. According to a survey released Thursday by opposition Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Hwang Hee, 13.9 percent of respondents said they would join the war effort. The survey, conducted by the Korean National Defense University in 2023, involved 1,200 people aged 18 to 75. The figure has dropped from 22.7 percent in 2014 and 20.9 percent in 2

Social Affairs Oct. 18, 2024

Cabbage prices alert When the weather starts to cool, one particular product becomes critically significant to South Korea’s price monitoring authorities: cabbages. As the main ingredient in the most widely consumed type of kimchi, napa cabbage prices directly influence the cost of living here, with ripple effects felt in far-reaching areas, from school cafeterias to military barracks. Signs of strain are already visible this week with more than a month to go until the nationwide kimch

Social Affairs Oct. 16, 2024

In 2008, as a 25-year-old university student, Steven Heo boarded a plane bound for Tanzania, seeking an extraordinary experience before graduation. However, what was meant to be a one-year stay turned into a life-changing journey that reshaped the path of the philosophy and psychology major. Now in his early 40s, Heo leads Africa Insight, a Seoul-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and combating stereotypes, while fostering cultural exchange between Korea and Africa. In

Social Affairs Oct. 12, 2024

Experience Africa's rich and diverse culture at the 7th Seoul Africa Festival, which takes place at Seoul's Banpo Hangang Park on Saturday Hosted by Africa Insight and sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the festival features a variety of performances and programs in collaboration with African communities. The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. with a vibrant parade led by DjembeCola Roots, a group inspired by the performing arts of West Africa, particularly Mande music and da

Culture Oct. 11, 2024

SEJONG -- Two events kicked off a new campaign this week to celebrate and elevate Hangeul, the Korean writing system and cornerstone of the nation’s culture, by cultivating legions of Hangeul ambassadors around the world. On Tuesday, the day before Hangeul Day, the inaugural Sejong Hangeul Olympiad brought together 105 contestants from 24 countries to showcase their Korean language skills. Designed to encourage Korean learning and reward exceptional learners, the competition, held in the

Social Affairs Oct. 10, 2024