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No. of childbirths in S. Korea rose for first time in 9 years in 2024

2025/02/26 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with some promising news on the local front. The nation's birth rate and fertility rate both rose for the first time in nine years, driven by more marriages and supportive measures. Our Lee Soo-jin covers the latest data. The number of births last year in South Korea rose for the first time in nine years, marking a rare and encouraging shift in the nation's long-suffering demographic crisis. Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that there were 2-hundred-38-thousand-3-hundred births in 2024, up 3-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. This marks the first time since 2015 that the number of births in Korea saw an on-year increase. And the nation's total fertility rate the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime also rose for the first time in nine years to point-75 , after it fell to its lowest annual figure of point-72 in 2023. "This shift is driven by the post-COVID-19 rise in marriages and an increase in the population of women in their 30s. Our survey also shows that, compared to two years ago, attitudes toward childbirth and parenting have become somewhat more positive." The official also said that as the number of marriages last year came to 2-hundred-22-thousand-4-hundred-22, the highest recorded since 2019, the number of births may continue to see an upward tick this year. The positive shift comes as the government implemented various policies last year such as extending the duration of parental leave. Yoo Hye-mi, senior presidential secretary for low birth rate response, said on Wednesday that the government will address policy gaps in childcare and housing while supporting families with multiple children to sustain the increase. And the number of births for just the month of December also rose 11-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. But despite the turnaround in the total fertility rate, it remains low by international standards, as South Korea is currently the only country with a fertility rate below 1, signaling a continued need for targeted efforts to boost population growth. The country saw a natural population decline for the fifth straight year, as the number of deaths once again outnumbered the number of births. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

No. of childbirths in S. Korea rose for first time in 9 years in 2024

2025/02/26 17:00

We start with some promising news on the local front. South Korea's birth rate and fertility rate both rose for the first time in nine years driven by more marriages and supportive measures. Our Lee Soo-jin covers the latest data. The number of births last year in South Korea rose for the first time in nine years, marking a rare and encouraging shift in the nation's long-suffering demographic crisis. Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that there were 2-hundred-38-thousand-3-hundred births in 2024, up 3-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. This marks the first time since 2015 that the number of births in Korea saw an on-year increase. And the nation's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, also rose for the first time in nine years to point-75, after it fell to its lowest annual figure of point-72 in 2023. "This shift is driven by the post-COVID-19 rise in marriages and an increase in the population of women in their 30s. Our survey also shows that, compared to two years ago, attitudes toward childbirth and parenting have become somewhat more positive." The official also said that as the number of marriages last year came to 2-hundred-22-thousand-4-hundred-22, the highest recorded since 2019, the number of births may continue to see an upward tick this year. The positive shift comes as the government implemented various policies last year such as extending the duration of parental leave. Yoo Hye-mi, senior presidential secretary for low birth rate response, said on Wednesday that the government will address policy gaps in childcare and housing while supporting families with multiple children to sustain the increase. And the number of births for just the month of December also rose 11-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. But despite the turnaround in the total fertility rate, it remains low by international standards, as South Korea is currently the only country with a fertility rate below 1, signaling a continued need for targeted efforts to boost population growth. The country saw a natural population decline for the fifth straight year, as the number of deaths once again outnumbered the number of births. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] Sharing the beauty of Korean calligraphy

2025/02/26 14:00

So Sung-jin, what do you have for us today? A key element we cannot exclude when talking about Korean culture is the Korean alphabet, also known as Hangeul. More specifically, I want to show how Hangeul can be expressed as a form of art through calligraphy. A delicate brush stroke lands on the paper. These single strokes come together to create characters from the Korean alphabet Hangeul. This is known as Hangeul seoye, or Hangeul calligraphy. 94-year-old Jung Joo-hwan has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to practicing calligraphy, and is one of the first to practice the artform. “Hangeul was easy to learn and memorize. It’s also very scientifically made. Look at the beauty of these characters.” Calligraphy in Korea has used both Hanja, which are Chinese characters, and the Korean alphabet Hangeul. But last month, Hangeul seoye was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage recognizing its unique writing style using Korea’s own alphabet as well as its unique font and brushwork. Jung runs his own academy where he passes on his knowledge of calligraphy. “I like letters, but I also started learning calligraphy to control my mind more peacefully and cultivate a sense of virtue, which I think has been helping.” “An old saying says that calligraphy helps grow patience and trains the mind. Not only does this calligraphy demonstrate the beauty of the written characters but it also can develop one’s own character.” And calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa feels Hangeul is a better medium to convey meaningful messages. “The reason why I like Hangeul seoye is because I can convey emotions through characters that really represent our sound since it is the Korean alphabet. That’s why moving forward I want to try everything I can using Hangeul seoye and find what I really can accomplish.” The Korea Heritage Service said it will provide support for scholarly studies and initiatives aimed at promoting the transmission of cultural heritage. Seoye is an age-old tradition, and with efforts like these to promote it further, this calligraphy could play a key role in sharing not only the Korean writing system, but also its culture. Sung-jin, could you explain more on Hangeul seoye itself? I briefly explain it in my article as the act of writing Hangeul or the Korean alphabet but it’s a bit more than that. It also encompasses the traditional knowledge and stories behind the use of the Korean ink and the brush. As such any recording of the lives on Korean whether it be metal, stone, textiles all imply Hangeul seoye. More noteworthy is actually the various fonts and writing styles that this seoye comes in. And how does one actually write it? You would take an Asian brush which is often made out of animal hair, wet it with Korean ink and then draw each stroke by stroke. I said these come in different writing styles, but each of these fonts have a personalized handwriting style and examples of some of these include minche, palace type and block type. Why has it been designated as national intangible heritage? Well, not only does it hold a long history demonstrating the history of Hangeul itself, but it also was an important instrument in various records including literary works, practical writing and letters. It also contributes to the study of folk history and the Korean language history, suggesting it holds much cultural value adding on to the. Fascinating to be such beautiful artwork. Thank you for the report Sung-jin! Pleasure as always!

At least 4 dead after collapse at highway bridge construction side

2025/02/25 20:00

Earlier this morning, structures supporting a bridge under construction collapsed in the city of Anseong, killing four workers. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the incident. Ahn Sung-jin brings the latest. At least 4 people died and 6 were injured, some seriously, on early Tuesday after the collapse of concrete structures supporting a highway bridge under construction in Anseong, south of the country's capital Seoul. All of the casualties were workers at the site on the Seoul-Sejong Expressway. The construction workers were on the underdeck installing support beams when five 50-meter concrete structures collapsed. The National Fire Agency was quick to issue a nationwide emergency order, while completing its rescue efforts. "The police and fire departments are cooperating to identify the exact cause of the incident, but nothing has been found so far." However, speculation has arisen that the catastrophe may have happened in the process of installing the underdecks after one of the beams was loaded, leading one to collapse after the other like dominoes. Acting President Choi Sang-mok called for the mobilization of all available personnel and resources to prevent any further damage. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said it will form an investigative team with 78 members to determine the cause of the collapse. The police also plan to thoroughly examine whether there are any grounds to file involuntary manslaughter charges. The Ministry of Interior and Safety asked Anseong to do its best to support the victims and their family members, while the Ministry of Land and Infrastructure established a response headquarters to oversee the prompt resolution of the incident. The main contractor of the construction side, Hyundai Engineering, issued an official apology and stated that it is actively cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure the correct identification of the cause of the collapse. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Deadly bridge collapse kills four construction workers, injures six

2025/02/25 17:00

In other news. At least four people lost their lives earlier on this Tuesday following a catastrophic collapse at a construction site on the Seoul-Sejong Expressway. Park Kun-woo has the latest. The bridge under construction was on the Cheonan-Ansung section of the expressway, which will link the capital to the administrative center in Sejong. Four construction workers were killed in the bridge collapse, while six others were injured, some seriously. The National Fire Agency quickly issued a nationwide emergency stand-by order, dispatching nearly 200 personnel with equipment to cope with the damage. Rescue efforts were concluded around 2:30 PM. While the exact cause is still under investigation, it's known the incident progressed after five bridge decks, supported by piers, 상판 5개가 기둥에서 이탈하면서 10명의 작업자를 덮치면서 사고가 발생했습니다. Hyundai Engineering is the lead contractor of the bridge building and road connection. Following the incident, the transport ministry set up an accident response headquarters to address the situation and develop measures to prevent a similar incident. The Ministry of Interior and Safety also visited the site and ordered nearby road construction areas to be secured in the case of any additional collapses, while stressing the importance of firefighter safety. The ministry also said it would do its best to support the surviving victims and bereaved family members. The Seoul-Sejong expressway is divided into two parts, one within the greater Seoul Metropolitan Area and the other outside this linking to Sejong, where Tuesday's incident occurred. While the metropolitan part was opened for use at the beginning of this year, it's expected that there will be delays in the non-metropolitan section due to the collapse. The expressway was originally slated for completion by the end of 2026. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Korean culture classes taught at Korean universities and campus culture

2025/02/25 14:00

The new school year begins next week here in Korea. It’s an especially exciting month for freshmen at universities, who are preparing for a new chapter in their lives. Today, we invite David Tizzard, Professor of Korean Studies at Seoul Women's University (and Hanyang University) to talk about Korean culture classes as well as culture on the university campuses here in Korea. Welcome Professor Tizzard! Q1) Most universities in Korea will be kicking off their new school year or semester on March 4th. Are you excited to meet your new students? (How are you getting yourself ready to meet them?) Q2) Professor Tizzard, you mainly teach about Korean culture. With the Korean wave or hallyu sweeping across the world, do you feel like the interest in Korean culture classes has increased? Q2-1) What class do you teach this semester and how have your classes so far been received by students? (How about the response from foreign students?) Q2-2) What in particular do you want your students to take away from your class? Q2-3) It must be a unique experience to be teaching about Korean culture as a foreigner, right? 3) Let’s now talk about the culture that freshmen experience at university. Anything that stands out for you? 4) Compared to the past, I feel like there is a closer relationship between professors and students. What do you do to make yourself more approachable to new students? 5) We’ve been seeing an increase in international students studying at Korean universities these days. Is there any activity or experience that should be on their to-do-list on Korean university campuses?

[Short-form] Workcations in Korea

2025/02/24 14:00

What do workcations look like in Korea? Discover the blissful spots where productivity meets paradise.

S. KOREA'S BUSAN FEARS DEMOGRAPHIC DISASTER

2025/02/21 17:00

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Friday February 21st here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. It's time for our weekly coverage of the various stories about Korea that made international headlines in recent times. For this I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on the media coverage today. Colin it's good to have you here. 1) Kelly, a British daily recently published a piece on the demographic decline in South Korea's second largest city, Busan. 2) Colin, concerns have been raised about urban centralization in Seoul being especially severe. 3) Kelly, amid efforts here to tackle rural decline, what can you tell us about similar campaigns elsewhere to keep rural communities alive and thriving? 4) And Colin, what do you propose to keep some of Korea's smaller communities on the map? 5) Kelly, moving forward, one German media outlet recently applauded Korea's adoption of an AI-based call service for regular checks on senior citizens living alone. 6) Colin, staying with the German media. 7) And again Kelly, going back to our earlier discussion about centralization here in the capital city, why do you believe most foreign travelers to Korea do not seek to travel beyond the boundaries of Seoul? 8) Meanwhile Colin, on a more solemn note. All right.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The '2025 National Brand Up Exhibition' has opened in Seoul to emphasize the importance of digital media diplomacy and address AI-driven distortions of Korean culture. Co-hosted by Yonhap News Agency and VANK, a non-governmental organization focused on digital diplomacy, the exhibition addresses growing concerns over generative AI spreading misinformation about Korea. The event presents notable cases of AI-induced distortions and aims to set the record straight. Organizers warned that misinformation and disinformation threaten not only Korea's cultural identity but also its territorial sovereignty, underscoring the need to ensure the world accurately understands Korea's cultural history. The exhibition runs through next Tuesday at the underground walkway of the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan. Asia's largest drone exhibition, Drone Show Korea, will kick off at BEXCO in Busan next Wednesday for a three-day run. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year's event will be the biggest yet, featuring over 300 companies from 15 countries. Industry leaders from China, the U.S., and European nations like Finland, Germany, and Poland will take part. Key highlights include the Defense Ministry unveiling an advanced AI-powered combat system and Korean Air showcasing its autonomous unmanned flight technology. Don't miss the futuristic drone fireworks show, where 600 drones will light up the sky over BEXCO on opening night. Gyeongju City in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is stepping up efforts to attract more tourists by highlighting its rich cultural heritage. This year, the city will invest seven billion won, or roughly 4.9 million U.S. dollars, to launch 18 cultural heritage projects. Focusing on World Heritage sites like Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, the city will host festivals, and academic conferences and offer a range of interactive cultural programs for visitors. It also plans to feature media art exhibits that provide a vibrant glimpse into Korea's cultural legacy. The Gyeongju World National Heritage Industry Expo, Korea's only specialized exhibition on national heritage, will take place in June, with the goal of drawing global attention to Gyeongju ahead of the APEC summit, which will be hosted in the city this fall. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Nigerian drug trafficking ring leader targeting S. Korea arrested

2025/02/20 17:00

Back on the local front. The leader of a Nigerian drug trafficking ring targeting South Korea has been arrested. According to the National Intelligence Service on this Thursday the 59-year-old individual called "K. Jeff" was detained in Nigeria last Thursday following a five-year joint investigation with Nigerian authorities. Over 45 kilograms of drugs were seized upon his capture. Victims here in South Korea were tricked through romance scams into transporting drugs that were hidden in everyday items like chocolates and suitcases.

[K-wave] New discoveries shed light on Silla royal palace

2025/02/20 14:00

The National Heritage Service has unveiled key findings from a Silla royal capital excavation project, marking ten years since its launch. By uncovering even the smallest historical details, the initiative has brought the story of the ancient Silla Dynasty to life. Our Han Da-eun takes us through the remarkable discoveries. This site was once a royal palace annex during the Silla Dynasty. It housed "Donggung," the crown prince's residence, and also served as a venue for grand banquets during national celebrations. The site was renamed from "Anapji" to "Donggung and Wolji" in the 1980s when pottery fragments inscribed with the letters "Wolji", meaning "pond reflecting the moon," were discovered. Extensive excavation and restoration efforts have revived the site as one of Korea's most iconic historical landmarks over the past decade. "The primary goal was to find and restore eight key relics of the Silla Dynasty and highlight their significance as a world heritage site." Recent excavation initiatives have resolved the long-standing debate over the exact location of Silla's royal palace and the crown prince's residence, "Donggung." They also discovered the Silla Dynasty's advanced drainage systems, civil engineering methods, and fortification construction techniques, showcasing the remarkable architectural and engineering expertise of the era. The latest excavation project also uncovered national treasure-level artifacts, including model wooden boats used in rituals, ivory dice, and ultra-small gold leaf crafts, which are thinner than a human hair. "How could such tiny gold leaf crafts have been created in an era without even microscopes? It may sound exaggerated, but it almost seems like a mystery." The heritage service plans to utilize unearthed artifacts in various ways to engage the public with Korea's historical gems. It also pledged to promptly share the restoration process and its findings with the public. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

Philippine village battles dengue fever by offering bounty for mosquitoes

2025/02/20 10:00

In the Philippines, the Addition Hills village in Mandaluyong City has launched a program, offering residents a bounty for captured mosquitoes. The initiative, introduced on Wednesday, aims to combat the rising cases of dengue fever in the densely populated capital region, by offering one Philippine peso, which is less than two U.S. cents, for every five dead or alive mosquitoes or larvae turned in. The strategy was implemented following a significant increase in dengue cases in the country, with over 28,000 reported nationwide as of February 1, marking a 40% rise compared to last year.

S. Korea's 'Stephen Hawking' students pursue their studies despite rare muscular disease

2025/02/19 17:00

Up next we share with you an uplifting tale of triumph over genetic disorders thanks to tailored medical attention to allow for a relatively normal life like going to college. Kim Jung-sil reports. A ceremony honored young individuals with muscular dystrophy who continue to pursue education. This rare type of disease can affect movement, speech, and even breathing. However, with personalized care at Yonsei Gangnam Severance Hospital’s pulmonary rehab center, they’ve overcome numerous challenges. 20-year-old Ji-seong has been a patient at this hospital since he was a child. Still undergoing treatment, Ji-seong will start university as a freshman next month. "In the past, my breathing difficulties made daily life very uncomfortable. But now, I'm able to deliver a speech like this and take part in events and school activities, which is truly wonderful." The perseverance of these students has been made possible by the medical support of experts like Professor Kang Seong-woong, a leader in this field. "Watching these students overcome their struggles makes me realize what I’m going through is not a big deal. While I help my patients, I’ve received a lot of help myself." Professor Kang also shared his approach to treating his patients. "Just like how a weak leg requires a cane for support, these patients need specialized breathing support. My goal is to help them choose the right breathing method so they can continue their social activities and lead fulfilling lives." These students' achievements prove that with the right care and determination, anything is possible. "He has grown up healthily and has worked harder on his studies than we ever expected. We are proud and very grateful." The resilience of these students paves the way for a bright future and serves as an inspiration to never give up. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Beijing-based travel agency offers tours to N. Korea for first time in five years

2025/02/19 17:00

A Chinese travel agency is promoting tours to North Korea for the first time in five years. On its website Beijing's Zixinghui travel agency is currently offering a 3-night 4-day trip to the Rason Special Economic Zone starting next Monday. According to the agency "special approval" has been secured from North Korea for the first Chinese private group tours in five years. Back in February last year a group of Russian tourists become the first foreign team of travelers to visit North Korea since the global pandemic.

Pope Francis receiving treatment for respiratory infection

2025/02/19 10:00

The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed that Pope Francis has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The Pope, aged 88, has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, initially diagnosed with bronchitis, which worsened after a week. While the Vatican reports that the Pope continues to receive treatment and is in good spirits, all public engagements have been canceled. Pope Francis has a history of lung infections and had part of his right lung removed when he was young.

S. Korea's 'Stephen Hawking' students pursue their studies despite rare muscular disease

2025/02/19 10:00

A special ceremony was held this week to celebrate students overcoming rare muscular and respiratory diseases. Just like Stephen Hawking, these individuals have defied the odds in the pursuit of knowledge. Our Kim Jung-sil went to the celebration. A ceremony honored young individuals with muscular dystrophy who continue to pursue education. This rare type of disease can affect movement, speech, and even breathing. However, with personalized care at Yonsei Gangnam Severance Hospital’s pulmonary rehab center, they’ve overcome numerous challenges. 20-year-old Ji-seong has been a patient at this hospital since he was a child. Still undergoing treatment, Ji-seong will start university as a freshman next month. "In the past, my breathing difficulties made daily life very uncomfortable. But now, I'm able to deliver a speech like this and take part in events and school activities, which is truly wonderful." The perseverance of these students has been made possible by the medical support of experts like Professor Kang Seong-woong, a leader in this field. "Watching these students overcome their struggles makes me realize what I’m going through is not a big deal. While I help my patients, I’ve received a lot of help myself." Professor Kang also shared his approach to treating his patients. "Just like how a weak leg requires a cane for support, these patients need specialized breathing support. My goal is to help them choose the right breathing method so they can continue their social activities and lead fulfilling lives." These students' achievements prove that with the right care and determination, anything is possible. "He has grown up healthily and has worked harder on his studies than we ever expected. We are proud and very grateful." The resilience of these students paves the way for a bright future and serves as an inspiration to never give up. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport, injuring at least 15

2025/02/18 10:00

Over in Canada, a Delta Air Lines plane crash-landed on Monday at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping upside down upon impact. The aircraft carried 76 passengers and four crew members. Emergency responders reported at least 15 injuries, with three critical injuries, including a child. While the cause of the crash is yet unknown, the flight was operating amid windy weather after a snowstorm. Initial investigations point to the recent heavy snowfall as the cause of the crash. All flights at the airport were suspended, causing delays and diversions.

'Comfort woman' activist Gil Won-ok dies at age 97; seven registered victims remain

2025/02/17 17:00

In other news. Another survivor of Japan's forced sexual slavery during World War Two has passed away. According to authorities here Gil Won-ok passed away at the age of 97 this past Sunday. Following her horrifying ordeal Gil spent her life seeking to raise global awareness about Japan's atrocities. She was 13 years old when she was taken from her home in Pyongyang and forced to work as a sex slave. Out of the 2-hundred-40 survivors of Japan's shocking wartime system of sexual slavery registered here in South Korea only seven now remain. Politicians across the aisle here in the country are mourning her passing. The ruling People Power Party has highlighted the importance of remembering "the witnesses of the history" while the main opposition Democratic Party has vowed to work on legislation for survivors of Japan's sexual atrocity and for a sincere apology from the Japanese government.

'Comfort woman' Gil Won-ok passes away at age 97

2025/02/17 10:00

A former victim of Japan's forced sexual slavery during World War Two passed away on Sunday. According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Gil Won-ok passed away at the age of 97. Gil was also an activist who worked to raise awareness of Japan's atrocities both domestically and internationally. She was only 13 years old when she was taken from her home in Pyongyang, and was forced to work as a sex slave. Her death now reduces the number of surviving victims in South Korea to just seven. 240 victims have registered with the government, and 233 have passed away.

Fire breaks out at construction site of luxury resort in Busan

2025/02/14 20:00

A fire broke out in one of the buildings of a luxury resort under construction in the city of Busan, killing at least six people and injuring dozens. Our Lee Soo-jin has the details. A fire that broke out in a construction site of a luxury resort in Busan has left six people dead. According to the Busan Metropolitan City Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the fire started at 10:51 AM near the swimming pool on the first floor of one of the hotel buildings under construction in Gijang County, on the eastern coast of Busan. Construction began of the Banyan Tree Haeundae Busan, in 2022, with its opening scheduled for this year. While the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency has launched an investigation into the exact cause of the fire, the blaze reportedly started among stacks of insulation material. Around 20 minutes after ignition, the fire department had deployed all personnel from a fire station in its jurisdiction, as well as a helicopter. At 12 PM, it raised its response to Level 2, which means the mobilization of up to 80 fire fighting units from 8 to 14 fire stations. The fire not only left six people dead, all of whom were working at the construction site, but also 25 who sustained minor injuries. "When we arrived at the scene, the fire was at its peak, and the six individuals were already unconscious by the time we began the rescue operation." Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered relevant agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency to mobilize all available personnel and equipment. He also stated that the safety of the firefighters was of the utmost importance, and that every effort should be made to ensure that no lives were lost during search and rescue operations. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.