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[Newsmaker] Free subway rides for seniors: Calls mount to raise eligible age to 70Social affairsFeb 3, 2023Since 1984, turning 65 in Korea has come with one nice perk: free subway rides. It has encouraged older adults to travel more for social gatherings, hiking and other activities, helping reduce rates of suicide and depression, as well as medical fees, according to research from the Korea Transport Institution. However, as Seoul's city government pushes to raise subway and bus fares from as early...
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[Newsmaker] What's behind helicopter parents on school trips?Hashtag KoreaFeb 2, 2023For many Koreans, their most treasured memories from their student days are often of multiday trips to renowned historic or natural sites around the country. These include the UNESCO-recognized historic city of Gyeongju; the country’s wartime capital and now second-biggest city Busan; and Jeju Island, the one and only Korean entry to the World’s Seven Wonders of Nature. However, an online post ...
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[Newsmaker] New visas, faster entries: Immigration changes in 2023Social affairsFeb 1, 2023South Korea has recently rolled out a series of changes for foreign visitors and residents in the country, ranging from new visas to giving young children access to automated immigration gates at airports. The measures are intended to draw more foreigners, from tourists to long-term workers, after a period of pandemic-induced strict border controls. Introduction of new visas Two new visa types...