The Korea Herald

‘Patients overused humidifier-sterilizers’

Nov 14, 2011

Victims said they used disinfectants throughout winter or while sleeping in enclosed spacesPatients believed to have fallen ill because of humidifier-sterilizers had used the agents excessively over a long period of time, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. According to its latest report, 18 patients who have been treated for lung inflammation at Asan Medical Center said they used an average of 820 milliliters of sterilizers every month. The amount is equivalent to
Arrest warrant rejected for crane-top protesters

Nov 14, 2011

A local court denied an arrest warrant for Kim Jin-suk, a female labor activist who staged a 309-day sit-in atop a tower crane at a shipyard in Busan, court officials said Monday.Judge Nam Sung-woo of the Busan District Court rejected the police’s request for warrants to arrest Kim and three others who staged the crane-top rally to protest layoffs at Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Police had sought to arrest them on charges of trespassing and obstruction of business. “The decision (n
S. Korea's adult obesity rate stands at 30.8 percent

Nov 14, 2011

South Korea's adult obesity rate stood at 30.8 percent of all people over 19 in 2010 as people consumed more food and exercised less, a government report showed Monday.The report by the Ministry of Health and Welfare said 36.3 percent of all men were overweight last year, compared to 24.8 percent of
Court rejects arrest warrant for 'tower crane' protester

Nov 14, 2011

A regional court refused to issue an arrest warrant for a female labor activist, whose marathon protest atop a tower crane helped settle an 11-month-long labor dispute at Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction's shipyard in Busan.The Busan District Court dismissed the police's request for the warran
Cyber community jolted by FTA rumors

Nov 13, 2011

Quelling of online discussion of FTA criticized as counter-productiveAs Korea looks to ratify a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, rumors continue to spread on the Internet about disastrous consequences experienced by other countries that have sealed trade pacts with the U.S.The main claim is that the trade deal, once it takes effect, will raise medical expenses.According to the claims, simple operations such as appendectomies will cost as much as 9 million won ($7,993) and cough medic
New oral cholera vaccine receives WHO approval

Nov 13, 2011

A new vaccine to control endemic cholera and large-scale outbreaks around the world, received approval by the World Health Organization, according to the Seoul-based International Vaccine Institute, which developed the vaccine. Developed by the IVI, the vaccine is produced by Shanta Biotechnics, an Indian biotechnology company, with financial support from Gates Foundation, and the governments of Korea and Sweden. The IVI said that the vaccine will help facilitate large-scale immunization since i
Expats in Seoul invited to visit Korean families

Nov 13, 2011

The Seoul City government will invite foreign residents in Seoul to local Korean homes to help them better understand Korean culture. The city government plans to select 100 foreigners and let them visit local Korean families to experience culture and customs and enhance understanding of Korean people by having dinner together and playing traditional games on Dec. 4, officials said. Those who want to take part should fill application forms available on the website of the Seoul Global Center (glo
Hundreds protest U.S. FTA in Seoul

Nov 13, 2011

Hundreds of labor activists and farmers gathered in Seoul’s financial district of Yeouido on Saturday, demanding the government scrap the free trade agreement with the United States.Some 2,700 riot police officers were mobilized to prevent a possible clash.The rally came as South Korea’s government and the ruling Grand National Party have been stepping up efforts to get the trade deal passed through the National Assembly as early as possible after the U.S. Congress gave its final approval last m
Post-rape care leaves some women feeling victimized

Nov 13, 2011

Poor communication between centers and hospitals leads to frustrationOne-Stop Centers throughout the country provide basic emergency care for female victims of sexual violence, but some believe the system lacks compassion and efficiency. The centers provide several forms of care including counseling, medical, police and legal assistance. Before the centers were first established in 2005, victims of sexual violence had to visit several facilities separately to receive full care.And given that the
Water treatment expert named scientist of the year by reporters

Nov 13, 2011

Park Wan-chul, 56, senior researcher of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology has been named scientist of the year for his new water purification technology by the Korea Science Reporters Association, the KSRA said Sunday.Park recently developed a new technology to purify livestock waste and its odor by using microorganisms and made it available for use at local animal farms, according to the KSRA. Nicknamed the “poo doctor” for his 27 years of research in eliminating water pollutants in
Hyundai Motor's union boycotts extra weekend work shift

Nov 12, 2011

ULSAN -- Unionists at Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest carmaker, said Saturday they will boycott extra shifts over the weekend so they can participate in a rally to oppose the free trade pact with the United States. The union said that its workers will show up for th
S. Korean mountaineers killed while scaling Himalayan peak

Nov 12, 2011

Two South Korean mountaineers were killed while trying to scale Mt. Cholatse in the Nepalese Himalayas only weeks after another team went missing in the region, the local alpine organization said Saturday. The Korean Alpine Federation (KAF) said Kim Hyung-il, the 43-yea
Eight crewmen missing from sunken fishing ship

Nov 12, 2011

Eight crewmen are missing from a fishing ship that sank after colliding with a larger freighter in early hours Saturday, the Korea Coast Guard said. The 59-ton fishing ship crashed into the 2,116-ton vessel operated by Hanjin Transportation around 2:15 a.m. in the waters off Taean,
Labor activist faces arrest

Nov 11, 2011

Kim Jin-suk, a labor activist who staged a sit-in protest for 309 days atop a giant tower crane at a local shipyard, faces arrest on charges of trespassing and obstruction of business.The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said Friday that they plan to seek an arrest warrant for the female activist and three others who participated in the crane-top rally to protest massive layoffs by Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Kim climbed down from the 35-meter-high crane on Thursday after Hanjin w
Ministry orders humidifier-sterilizer recall

Nov 11, 2011

Animal testing links six products to inflammation of lungsThe Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday ordered a recall of six models of humidifier-sterilizer on suspicions they can cause life-threatening pneumonitis. The government will designate all humidifier-sterilizers as quasi-drugs subject to monitoring and regulation. Currently, humidifier-sterilizers are classified as industrial products and are exempt from health regulations.The six brands to be recalled are Oxi Ssakssak, Cefu, Wiselec