From now on people are able to access telemedicine services from hospitals where they have received in-person treatment within the past 6 months based on the physician's judgment, regardless of the specific medical condition. Additionally, telemedicine services during holidays and nighttime hours, previously limited to pediatric cases, will now be expanded to include all age groups. The expansion of initial telemedicine consultations now encompasses not only certain mountainous regions but also extends to emergency medical service-deficient zones, covering 39% of all cities and counties. The M
A recent analysis of the occurrence of norovirus-related food poisoning over the past five years has revealed a total of 245 cases. Notably, during the winter months from December to February, there were 102 cases, accounting for approximately 42% of the total incidents. To prevent the increased occurrence of norovirus food poisoning during the winter season, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is urging adherence to preventive measures, such as personal hygiene management. Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus that causes food poisoning when ingested through contaminated water or food. It ca
The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage (Kim Seong-bae, Director general), an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, has published a translated version of The Conservation of Shipwrecks Excavated from Underwater, which was originally published in Korean in 2021. The book is being republished in English in an effort to share ancient shipwreck conservation practices and survey results from South Korea with interested parties in other countries. The book summarizes the conservation treatment and natural science-based analysis of the four ancient shipwrec
To prevent and alleviate respiratory ailments during transitional seasons, consider utilizing specialty crops known for their respiratory benefits. Here, we introduce the health effects of ginger, Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum), and Big Blue Lilyturf (Liriope platyphylla), along with ways to incorporate them into your home. 1. Ginger: Ginger has a slightly warm nature and a spicy taste, promoting warmth in the body. It is known to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, phlegm, and coughing while exerting detoxifying effects. Especially effective when consumed during colds, ginger with its s
As winter approaches, it is essential to find ways to save on heating costs. Here are some methods to consider: 1. Adjusting Faucet Direction after Hot Water Use: After using hot water, turning the faucet towards the cold water side can prevent unnecessary circulation in the boiler, which constantly heats water. This circulation can contribute to higher heating costs. Therefore, it is advisable to turn the faucet towards the cold water side after using hot water, reducing the need for continuous water heating. Additionally, lowering the hot water temperature setting can further decrease energy
The Deoksugung Palace Management Office of the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center under the Cultural Heritage Administration, led by Director Kwoen Jeom-su, and the German Embassy in Seoul, represented by Ambassador Georg Wilfried Schmidt, are co-hosting the special exhibition “Journey into Tomorrow” at Deoksugung Palace’s Dondeokjeon Hall from December 9th to December 17th. This exhibition commemorates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany. The choice of the Dondeokjeon hall for this special exhibition is highly symbolic, as it served as a center for diplomatic a
With South Korea's total fertility rate dropping to 0.778, the government is intensifying its efforts to combat the declining birthrate. Among various population policies aimed at overcoming low birth rates, one particularly noteworthy initiative is the "First Encounter Voucher." The First Encounter Voucher is provided by the national or local government in accordance with the revised "Framework Act on Low Birth Rate in An Aging Society" since April of last year. It is designed to alleviate the financial burden of child-rearing and targets children born on or after January 1, 2022, who have be
Increased Risk of Foodborne Bacteria Growth Due to High Temperature Variations in Autumn. When cleaning various food items, prioritize washing vegetables, meat, and seafood in that order. Over the past five years, it has been revealed that autumn is the season with the highest occurrence of food poisoning cases following summer. The reason for this is the significant temperature fluctuations in autumn, with cooler mornings and evenings and higher daytime temperatures, which make it easier for foodborne bacteria to proliferate. When preparing a packed meal for outdoor activities on a brisk day,
The change of seasons brings about significant temperature fluctuations, making our bodies vulnerable to respiratory illnesses like colds and flu due to weakened immunity. At the change of seasons in autumn, it is essential to strengthen immunity through proper diet and exercise to maintain good health. Particularly, consuming foods to boost immune strength is a fundamental and safe approach that does not strain the body. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, can aid in enhancing immunity. Additionally, ginger, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, and more contribute to
In South Korea, there are various types of visas and issuance methods for foreign nationals. The required documents for each type of visa may vary based on the type of residence and the specific immigration office or branch. Except for the cases of foreign workers, diplomacy, overseas Korean, marriage migrant, working holiday (H-2), and official business, foreigners can work in Korea under two main types of visas: E-7 visa and D-10 visa. The D-10 visa includes D-10-1 which is specifically for job seekers and allows graduates to engage in job search activities. Upon successful job search, they
Starting from October 19, free COVID-19 preventive vaccinations will be conducted nationwide at medical institutions and public health centers. Young-mi Ji, the director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, announced the '2023-2024 Seasonal COVID-19 Vaccination Plan' on the 26th, stating that the goal of this vaccination is to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19 among those aged 65 and above and immunocompromised individuals, minimizing health damage. Director Ji emphasized, "We have introduced newly developed vaccines tailored to the current prevalent XBB lineage var
The government announced that it will implement the 2023-2024 seasonal influenza national vaccination from September 20th to April 30th of the following year. This year, as influenza continues to spread, it is important for individuals aged 65 and above, pregnant women, and children to actively receive preventive vaccinations. Let's address questions regarding preventive vaccinations through Q&A. Q1. Who are the beneficiaries of this year's national influenza vaccination? A. Children aged 6 months and above up to 13 years old, pregnant women, and individuals aged 65 and above are eligible
The Gaya Tumuli of the Republic of Korea has been successfully inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, which has been held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 10 to 25, 2023, made the final decision to inscribe the Gaya Tumuli on the World Heritage List on September 17. The Gaya Tumuli, newly inscribed on the World Heritage List, is a serial property consisting of seven tumuli sites which represent the ancient civilization of ‘Gaya’ that existed on the Korean Peninsula. The seven tumuli are as follows: ▲ Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Tumuli in
The National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency has issued a special warning, stating that "recently, there have been some changes in the tactics used in phone-based financial fraud schemes." While the fundamental structure of crimes involving deceiving individuals by promising loans at lower interest rates than their current loans by impersonating investigative agencies or threatening them with involvement in criminal cases by impersonating the police remains largely unchanged, there have been specific changes in the methods employed. Firstly, there has been a cha
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has urged strict adherence to food poisoning prevention guidelines, emphasizing personal hygiene management and compliance with food storage temperatures as there is concern about the risk of food poisoning during the day when temperatures rise, despite the coolness of autumn mornings and evenings. In the recent 5 years, a total of 341 cases of food poisoning occurred during the fall season (September to November), with 9,236 patients. Analysis shows that among these cases, pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella accounted for 26% of the total occ