A Seoul multicultural support center has begun enrollment for free occupation, language and social support training for foreign brides, migrant workers and multicultural children, according to city officials Tuesday.The Seoul Haevichi Multicultural Family Support Center is accepting up to 360 students on a first-come, first-served basis for its seven courses divided into 26 classes, which will begin December 5.The curriculum includes Korean language courses, care-giving and babysitting occupatio

10.2 trillion won earmarked for IP investment by 2016 The government will invest 10.2 trillion won ($8.9 billion) by 2016 in the country’s intellectual property capabilities, the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property announced Tuesday.The figure was included in the national intellectual property plan approved by the council Tuesday.Plans for executing the measures will be drawn up from plans submitted by 21 concerned government ministries and 16 major regional governments. The action pla

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- A cargo ship carrying 21 crewmen, including nine South Korean sailors, is presumed to have sunken in the South China Sea earlier in the day, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.According to the ministry, the 15,000-ton ship lost contact after leaving Penang, Malaysia.Hong

Decision comes 30 years after Korea started stacking controversial agentPolice have decided to discard the use of controversial 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) teargas by the end of the year, which was used to disperse protests. Instead, they will utilize less potent agents such as pelargonic acid vanillylamide or capsaicin sprays to reduce health hazards, the National Police Agency said Monday. According to the authorities, there are 4,528 liters of CS teargas liquid, a chemical which can caus

A sentencing guideline regarding employees of child-care service providers found guilty of sexually abusing adolescents was being drawn up by top court officials on Monday. According to the Sentencing Commission of the Supreme Court, those found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor or teen with disabilities will be strictly punished.The commission also announced its plan to prepare sentencing guidelines regarding those found guilty of sexual abuse against a male teen or adolescent,

Four out of 10 elderly people in Seoul feel alienated and depressed, a survey on quality of life among senior citizens in Seoul showed Monday. The Seoul Welfare Foundation surveyed 1,590 people age 60 or older currently living in Seoul, and suggested the Seoul city government reflect the research in formulating its welfare policies for the aged, officials said. According to the survey, 41.1 percent of respondents raised concerns about being alienated in society. Regarding their health, 23.7 perc

The average lifespan of Koreans will hit 89.38 years by 2040 in an economy where per capita income will have doubled to $38,408, a state report said.The Ministry of Strategy and Finance Ministry said Asia’s fourth largest economy will continue to expand exports and that 2009’s per capita income of $

JEJU ISLAND (Yonhap News) ― Maritime police on this resort island said Saturday they have seized three Chinese fishing boats for poaching and obstruction of duty in South Korean waters.Jeju maritime police first seized a Chinese boat which was illegally fishing inside South Korea’s exclusive economic zone off Jeju at around 4:25 a.m. Soon after, 25 Chinese trawlers approached a South Korean maritime police vessel in the area to demand the release of the seized Chinese boat.As the Chinese boats i

Long-term foreign residents of Korea may now register their new addresses online after moving, the Justice Ministry said Sunday.The ministry announced that starting Monday, foreigners and Koreans living overseas may register their change of residence or address online, following digital verification.Until now, foreigners were required to complete change of residence applications at their local immigration or government office within 14 days of moving, according to officials.The ministry believes

The cold spell will continue to grip the nation Monday, with the mercury dropping below minus 9 degrees Celsius in the morning, the state weather agency said Sunday. The Korea Meteorological Administration warned of a wind chill factor likely to dip into the minus-10s. Some Chungcheong and west coastal areas will see snow. The cold spell will linger through Tuesday, the KMA said. The sudden coldness appeared on Sunday morning, pushing away the unusually mild autumn days. The morning low in Seoul

High-ranking officials from donor and recipient nations meeting in South Korea later this month expect to discuss a new global mechanism that can better manage and improve the impact of global development aid, key organizers said Sunday.About 2,500 government delegates and leaders of international organizations, including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will start a three-day conference in the southern port city of Busan on Nov. 29. The 4th High-Le

A North Korean spy has been caught impersonating a defector from the North, the South's public security authorities said Saturday.The man was identified as a member of the North's Military Security Command in a routine investigation of newly arrived defectors, government agencies, including the Nati

NEW YORK (AP) -- The number of foreign children adopted by Americans fell by 15 percent last year, reaching the lowest level since 1994 due largely to sharp cutbacks by China and Ethiopia, sources of most adoptees in recent years.Figures released Tuesday by the State Department for the 2011 fis