The monstrous magnitude‑8.8 earthquake on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025, served as a stark reminder that seismic safety is global — not confined to distant places. With recent major quakes striking neighboring Japan, Taiwan, and China, the Korean Peninsula can no longer be assumed earthquake‑free. Seismic activity is increasing in frequency and strength worldwide. In early 2024, a 7.6‑magnitude quake rocked Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan, claiming over 200 lives. Weeks later, a 7.1 event in Xinjiang endured in freezing conditions. Then in April 2025, Hualien, Taiwan, was struck b
With the arrival of the 2025 Boknal season—Chobok on Sunday, July 20; Jungbok on Wednesday, July 30; and Malbok on Saturday, August 9—Korea sees a rise in demand for health-boosting foods and dining. Boknal refers to the hottest days of summer according to the lunar calendar, and how one manages health during this period has long been considered important in Korean tradition. Samgyetang, a traditional ginseng chicken soup made by boiling a whole chicken with ginseng, garlic, jujube, and glutinous rice, remains a staple summer dish. Known for its high protein and mineral content, it is believed
Starting July 21, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) will launch its nationwide “Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon” program, distributing up to KRW 550,000 per person to Korean nationals to boost domestic consumption and support the local economy in the post-COVID-19 era. The payments will be made in two phases. The basic eligibility is determined by Korean nationality and residency as of June 18, 2025. As a general rule, foreign nationals are not eligible. However, exceptions are made for certain categories: foreigners listed on the same resident registration document as a Ko
From July 2025, a slight increase in National Pension contributions will apply to some subscribers in South Korea. However, not everyone is subject to the change—it only affects a small group of individuals with either very high or very low incomes. According to authorities, this increase is not a financial loss; rather, higher contributions will lead to higher future pension payments. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Pension Service (NPS) announced that starting July 1, 2025, they will revise the income brackets used to calculate pension contributions. The “standard monthly
From July 2025, a slight increase in National Pension contributions will apply to some subscribers in South Korea. However, not everyone is subject to the change—it only affects a small group of individuals with either very high or very low incomes. According to authorities, this increase is not a financial loss; rather, higher contributions will lead to higher future pension payments. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Pension Service (NPS) announced that starting July 1, 2025, they will revise the income brackets used to calculate pension contributions. The “standard monthly
Gyeonggi-do, in cooperation with the Gyeongin Regional Post Office, will expand its international express mail service (EMS) discount program—previously limited to multicultural families—to include certain foreign residents starting June 25. Since 2011, Gyeonggi-do and the Gyeongin Post Office have provided EMS fee discounts to support the early settlement of multicultural families in Korea. Beginning this year, the eligibility criteria have been extended to include a broader group of foreign nationals. The expanded beneficiaries include foreign nationals residing in Gyeonggi-do such as intern
From this summer onward, any resident diagnosed with a heat-related illness—such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke—because of the heatwave can receive a KRW 100,000 insurance payout simply by applying. Vulnerable groups are also eligible for additional support covering hospitalization fees and transportation costs. Gyeonggi Province operates the ‘Gyeonggi Climate Insurance’ program for all residents to prepare for health damage caused by climate, and encourages anyone who experiences a covered illness to apply promptly. Launched on April 11 of this year—first in the nation—every Gyeonggi-do res
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it conducted planned inspections of 45 overseas direct-purchase food products with high consumer interest—sold on Amazon, eBay, and other overseas online marketplaces—and found ingredients subject to domestic import blockade in 22 products, taking measures to block their entry. In this inspection, to prevent consumer harm in advance among those interested in improving chronic conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, a total of 45 products claiming efficacy for hypertension treatment/relief (15 products), hyperlipidemia t
A new financial product rewards customers with higher interest rates the more electricity they save. On May 12, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the launch of the “Energy-Saving Do-Dream Installment Savings Account” in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Korea. This savings product offers up to an additional 3.5% interest rate based on the reduction in electricity usage during the six-month period from June to November, compared to the same period in the previous year. It is structured as a one-year maturity savings account with a monthly deposit cap of KRW 1 m
In recognition of World Hypertension Day, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), in collaboration with the Korean Society of Hypertension, is launching the “Blood Pressure Measurement Campaign (K-MMM25).” May has been designated as ‘Blood Pressure Measurement Month’ as part of the campaign, which aims to raise global awareness of the importance of blood pressure management. With 13 million people in Korea currently diagnosed with hypertension, the initiative seeks to highlight the risks associated with high blood pressure and the necessity of regular monitoring. Key messages w
하남시가족센터(센터장 문병용)는 지역 내 다문화가족과 유관기관을 대상으로 통·번역지원서비스를 연중 운영하며, 언어 소통에 어려움을 겪는 결혼이민자의 안정적 지역사회 적응을 적극 지원하고 있다. 특히 자녀가 어린이집, 유치원, 학교에 재학 중인 다문화가정의 수요가 높은 ‘가정통신문 다국어 번역서비스’는 큰 호응을 얻고 있다. 해당 서비스를 이용한 사나***코 씨는 “자동번역은 빠르고 편리하지만 가끔은 부정확해 이해되지 않는 부분이 있다. 가족센터 통번역사는 문장 번역뿐 아니라 한국 문화나 말속에 담긴 의미까지 설명해줘서 큰 도움이 된다.”고 만족감을 전했다. 현재 하남시가족센터에는 일본어 전문 통번역사가 상주하고 있으며, 중국어·베트남어·영어 등 다른 언어권의 번역이 필요한 경우 서포터즈사업 및 타 센터 통번역사와의 연계를 통해 다양한 언어 서비스를 제공하고 있다. 통번역지원서비스는 전액 무료로 제공되며, 이용을 원하는 시민은 하남시가족센터(031-793-2993) 사업2팀으로 문의하면 된다.
지난 11월 15일, 하남시가족센터 모두가족봉사단이 ‘자원봉사자의 날(Honour’s Day)’ 기념행사를 성황리에 개최했다. 이날 행사는 2025년 한 해 동안 진행된 봉사단의 활동 실적과 성과를 공유하며, 참여자들의 노고를 격려하는 자리로 마련됐다. 먼저 2025년 모두가족봉사단의 연간 실적과 주요 성과가 발표되었고, 가족 봉사자들은 “의미 있고 성장하는 한 해였다”, “자신의 시간과 열정을 나누는 분들이 있어 감사와 배움을 느꼈다” 등 다양한 피드백을 나누며 서로를 격려했다. 특히 이번 행사에서는 모두가족봉사단이 함께 영화 ‘퍼스트 라이드’를 관람하며 가족, 이웃 간 유대감을 더욱 돈독히 하는 시간을 가졌다. 연간 활동 영상 시청부터 영화 감상까지 한 자리에서 경험한 봉사자들은 밝은 표정으로 행사를 마무리하며 높은 만족감을 보였다. 문병용 센터장은 “올 한 해 봉사자들의 헌신 덕분에 지역사회에 다양한 긍정적 변화가 있었다”며 “앞으로도 가족이 함께 성장하고 소통하는 봉사 활동을 지속적으로 확대해 나가겠다”고 말했다.
구리시가족센터는 12월 4일 구리시 여성행복센터 4층 대강당에서 아이돌보미 140여 명이 참여한 가운데 '2025년 아이 돌봄 지원사업 성과공유회'를 성황리에 개최했다고 밝혔다. 아이돌봄지원사업은 양육 공백이 발생한 가정의 생후 3개월부터 12세 이하 아동에게 아이돌보미가 직접 방문해 돌봄 서비스를 제공하는 사업이다. 이번 성과공유회는 한 해 동안 구리시 아이돌봄서비스 현장에서 활동한 아이돌보미들의 노고를 격려하고, 사업 성과를 공유하기 위해 마련된 자리이다. 행사에서는 성실한 활동으로 타의 모범이 된 우수 아이돌보미에 대한 시상식이 진행됐으며, 정서적 회복과 스트레스 해소를 위한 '힐링 프로그램'도 함께 운영돼 참석자들의 큰 호응을 얻었다. 윤성은 구리시가족센터장은 "한 해 동안 묵묵히 헌신해 주신 아이돌보미 선생님들께 진심으로 감사드린다"라며 "앞으로도 아이돌보미 선생님들이 자부심을 가지고 안정적으로 활동할 수 있도록 지속적으로 지원하겠다"라고 말했다. 한편, 구리시가족센터는 아이돌봄서비스의 전문성과 품질 향상을 위해 정기적인 아이돌보미 집담회와 정서 치유 프로그램 등을 운영하고 있다. 아이 돌봄 지원사업 관련 문의는 구리시가족센터 아이돌봄팀(031-55