The city of Suwon will host the 12th Walk Together Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hwaseong Haenggung Square. The event invites Korean nationals and immigrants to walk side by side, fostering communication, harmony, and mutual understanding within the community. Participants will stroll along the scenic Suwon Hwaseong Fortress trail, experiencing a vibrant mix of cultural performances, interactive programs, and prize events designed for all ages. This year’s festival goes beyond a simple walking event — it’s designed as a community-based celebration of cu
The 2026 Free Newspaper Subscription Program will be open from October 13 to 27. This initiative, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Press Foundation, aims to promote reading culture across the nation by providing free newspaper or magazine subscriptions for one year to citizens who face financial challenges in subscribing to print media. The program targets recipients of basic living subsidies, low-income households, and persons with disabilities. Each household can receive one newspaper or magazine for a year, with the full subscription fee covered by the
Held on September 9 at Royal Hotel Seoul, the council mapped out integrated support, faster reporting channels, and stricter oversight in partnership with 17 regional governments. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) convened the “Central–Local Council on the Employment Permit System (EPS)” on September 9 at the Royal Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, joined by officials from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments as well as related ministries. The meeting was arranged to share the government’s policy direction on foreign workers with local governments and to discuss central–local collaborati
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Korean National Police Agency will launch a full-scale crackdown on five major traffic violations that disrupt road order, including illegal lane cutting and blocking intersections. After a two-month guidance period in July and August, the police announced that they would move beyond public education efforts and begin actively enforcing the rules to reinforce fundamental traffic order. The five targeted violations include behaviors such as entering intersections despite congestion ahead, forcing into lanes between stopped vehicles, making U-turns out of order,
As the rainy season and heatwave subside, mosquito activity has entered its peak, prompting public health authorities to issue warnings about mosquito-borne diseases. From late August to early October, the risk of illnesses such as malaria and Japanese encephalitis—transmitted by mosquitoes both domestically and abroad—increases significantly. With more people engaging in outdoor activities during this time, following personal prevention guidelines becomes especially important. Health authorities emphasize the correct use of mosquito repellents that are officially approved as “quasi-drugs” as
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
양평군가족센터는 지난 21일부터 양평군 내 1인 가구를 대상으로 정서적 안정과 사회적 관계망 형성을 돕는 ‘1인 가구 여가지원 사업 솔로앤조이(Solo&Joy)’를 본격적으로 운영하고 있다고 밝혔다. 이번 사업은 1인 가구의 여가활동 참여 기회를 확대하고, 여가를 통해 심리적 안정과 사회적 연결을 강화하기 위한 취지로 마련됐다. 프로그램은 △중장년 1인 가구 대상 ‘힐링타임, 취향 한 스푼’ △노년 1인 가구 대상 ‘행복한 노년, 취미가 있는 하루’ △통합 1인 가구 대상 ‘나를 위한 자유, 함께하는 여가’ 등으로 구성됐다. 참여자들은 프로그램을 통해 다양한 여가활동을 경험하며 자신만의 취향을 발견하고, 지역사회 내에서 정서적 안정감과 소속감을 높일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 박우영 센터장은 “1인 가구가 빠르게 증가하는 시대에 혼자 사는 분들이 지역사회 안에서 서로 연결되고 지지 받을 수 있도록 돕는 것이 가족센터의 중요한 역할”이라며 “이번 프로그램이 참여자분들께 삶의 활력과 정서적 회복의 기회를 제공하기를 바란다”고 전했다.
구미시 가족센터는 25일 다문화가족 70여 명이 문경을 찾아 한국문화탐방 프로그램을 진행했다고 26일 밝혔다. '한국문화탐방'은 가족이 함께 한국의 전통문화와 역사적 장소를 방문함으로 가족 간 유대감을 형성하고 한국문화에 대한 이해를 높이기 위한 프로그램이다. 이들은 전날 문경 에코월드를 방문해 고구려와 신라 건축물, 석탄박물관 관람을 통해 한국의 역사와 문화를 배우는 시간을 가졌다. 결혼이민자는 자국의 역사와 비교하며 공통점과 차이점을 알아가면서 가족 안에서도 상호문화를 이해하고 존중하는 시간을 가졌다. 한 참여자는 "가까운 지역에 아이와 함께 다양한 경험할 장소를 알게 되어 좋았고, 평소 보지 못했던 아이들의 새로운 모습을 볼 수 있어 의미가 있었다"라고 했고, 다른 참여자는 "한국문화를 여러 방법으로 가족과 함께 알아갈 수 있어 즐거웠고, 한국과 친해진 것 같다는 느낌이 든다"라고 말했다. 도근희 구미시가족센터장은 "앞으로도 다문화 가족을 위한 교육, 상담, 문화 프로그램을 연중 운영할 계획"이라고 말했다.
화성시가족센터(센터장 박미경)는 2025년 10월 1일, 화성시 관내 1인가구 33명을 대상으로 추석맞이 절기 프로그램 ‘송편 만들기’를 진행했다. 이번 프로그램은 민족 대명절인 추석을 맞아 전통음식인 송편을 직접 빚으며 명절의 의미를 되새기고, 1인가구 간의 따뜻한 정서적 교류를 도모하기 위해 마련됐다. 프로그램은 ▲송편의 의미·종류·재 료 소개 ▲강사 시연 ▲삼색 송편 만들기 ▲참여자 간 추석 계획 나누기 ▲가 족이나 지인에게 사랑의 편지 쓰기 순으로 진행됐다. 참여자들은 직접 만든 송편과 함께 손편지를 가족과 지인에게 전달하며 나눔의 의미를 더할 예정이다. 한 참여자는 “추석을 맞아 색다른 경험을 하여 잊었던 명절의 의미를 찾는 뜻깊은 시간이었다. 특히 송편도 직접 빚어보고 오랜만에 손편지를 쓰며 가족에게 사랑을 전할 수 있어 더 특별했다. 강사님과 기획해주신 화성시가족 센터에 감사드린다”고 소감을 전했다. 박미경 센터장은 “이번 송편 만들기 프로그램은 1인가구가 명절 문화를 체험하면서 서로의 마음을 나누고 가족과 지인에게 정을 전할 수 있도록 마련된 자리였다”며 “앞으로도 1인가구의 생활과 정서적 필요를 반영한 다양한 프로그램을 지속적으로 운영하겠다”