KIHASA Update
Window on Korean Society: November 8-14
- Date 2025-11-10
- Hits 51
Nov. 9
●Teens, young adults account for 4 in 10 ER visits for self-harm The Korea Times
Nearly four in 10 people who visited emergency rooms last year as a result of self-inflicted injuries or suicide attempts were in their teens or 20s, highlighting growing mental health concerns or suicide attempts were in their teens or 20s, highlighing growing mental health concerns among young people and the urgent need for stronger prevention measures.
Nov. 10
●Greenhouse gas emissions target set at 53-61% cut from 2018 levels by 2035 The Korea Herald
A presidential committee approved a state goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53 percent to 61 percent from the 2018 levels by 2035, slightly higher than the government initially proposed last week.●One in three adults in Korea are now obese Korea JoongAng Daily
Obesity is no longer a minor concern in Korea. One in three adults is now obese, a new government survey showed on Monday, as lifestyle changes have fueled a steady rise in obesity over the past decade.●Police Revise Rules to Respect Minors' Wishes on Parental Notification The Chosun Daily
The police have decided to revise related regulations so that even if minors aged 13 or older become crime victims, they are not required to inform their parents of the case details.●Dropouts rise among students from multicultural families The Korea Times
The number of students in Korea from multicultural backgrounds surpassed 200,000 for the first time this year, yet many continue to face challenges in the classroom, according to recent government data.
Nov. 11
●Korea to rein in alcohol collabs that 'encourage drinking' The Korea Herald
The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday said it plans to impose stricter regulations on promotional collaborations between alcohol products and well-known food brands, saying such marketing appears to encourage alcohol consumption.●As populations plunge, some rural Korean provinces court overseas Koreans to return The Korea Herald
Provincial governments across South Korea are stepping up efforts to attract overseas Koreans in a bid to curb their declining populations, offering a range of living experience programs and support measures.●Only three in 10 Koreans believe that they or their children can climb the social, economic ladder Korea JoongAng Daily
Only three in 10 Koreans believe that they or their children will rise in social or economic status, according to a new government survey released on Tuesday.●Gov't unveils new safety measures, harsher penalties for child abduction cases Korea JoongAng Daily
The Korean government will begin publicly releasing the identities of suspects in child abduction or luring cases and impose harsher penalties, according to new safety measures unveiled Tuesday.●Gov't eases kiosk implementation rules to ensure access to people with disabilities Korea JoongAng Daily
The government has eased the rules for self-service kiosks related to accessibility for users with disabilities over concerns that the original standards created legal ambiguity and imposed an excessive burden on businesses.●1 in 3 Koreans now obese, highlighting mounting disease risks The Korea Times
The obesity rate among Korean adults has climbed by roughly a third over the past decade, with one in three now classified as medically obese as of last year, underscoring rising public health risks from obesity-related diseases.
Nov. 12
●S. Korea adds 193,000 jobs in October; youth employment remains weak The Korea Herald
South Korea added more than 190,000 jobs in October, continuing an upward trend in employment this year, but employment losses continued in the manufacturing and construction sectors, as well as among the younger population, government data showed Wednesday.●Older Koreans master the digital ropes at Seoul's 'smart senior centers' Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Geum-ok, a 74-year-old resident of western Seoul, confidently orders an iced Americano through a kiosk screen on a Tuesday afternoon.●Manufacturing Hubs Lead in Early Pension Claims Amid Reemployment Struggles The Chosun Daily
A man in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, who worked for over 35 years at a major corporation's factory in Gyeongsangbuk-do, retired at the end of last year.●1 in 7 South Koreans in Patient Groups The Chosun Daily
A survey has revealed that 1 in 7 South Koreans are members of patient groups.●Restaurant Refuses Solo Diners, Declares 'We Do Not Sell Loneliness' The Chosun Daily
A restaurant has sparked controversy by posting a notice that effectively refuses solo diners, stating, "We do not sell loneliness."●4 in 10 Koreans are lonely: data The Korea Herald
Four in 10 Koreans say they usually feel lonely, and the proportion rises with age, a government survey showed Tuesday.●Employment rate continues to cruise, but youth left in the dust Korea JoongAng Daily
Korea's employment rate hit a record high in October, but most of the gains were among older workers, while youth employment declined for the 18th consecutive month and the number of inactive workers in their 30s reached an all-time high.●'Hustle like you're broke': Number of people with second jobs may reach new high Korea JoongAng Daily
A person in their mid-30s, employed at a major company, moonlights as a designated driver from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and until 3 or 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.●The government needs census data. The public doesn't want to give it. Korea JoongAng Daily
On a cold November morning in western Seoul, a government census worker stood on a doorstep, explaining for the third time that day why he needed to ask about someone's marriage status and job.
Nov. 13
●Traditional Korean Medicine Outperforms Nerve Blocks in Spondylolisthesis Pain Relief The Chosun Daily
A study conductd jointly by the U.S. and South Korea has found that traditional Korean medicine treatments, such as Chuna manual therapy and acupuncture, are more effective than nerve block injections for relieving lower back and leg pain caused by spondylolisthesis.●National University Hospitals Reject Transfer to Health Ministry The Chosun Daily
As the government and ruling party recently decided to process within the year a bill to transfer the jurisdiction of nine national university hospitals nationwide from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the national university hospitals have strongly opposed.●Group Arrested for 3.6 Billion Won in Patient Referral Scheme The Chosun Daily
A group that referred patients to medical institutions and pocketed billions of won in rebates has been arrested by police.●Career-interrupted middle-aged women turn to low-paying cosmetic clinical trials The Korea Times
When Kang Young-hee, 58, arrived at cosmetics testing firm H in September, her voice already carried fatigue.
Nov. 14
●President Lee Jae-myung Pushes Labor Reform The Chosun Daily
President Lee jae-myung stated during a senior secretary meeting on the 13th, marking the 55th anniversary of labor activist Jeon Tae-il's death, "Even today, countless Jeon Tae-il stand at the threshold of life and death..."

