KIHASA Update
Window on Korean Society: November 1-7
- Date 2025-11-03
- Hits 148
Nov. 1
●Gov't to require tobacco companies to disclose harmful substances in products Korea JoongAng Daily
Starting this month, tobacco companies will be required to test and disclose the harmful substances contained in their products, as part of a government initiative to protect public health and uphold the public's right to information.
Nov. 2
●Four out of 10 patients at Seoul hospitals are from other regions: data The Korea Herald
Over 40 percent of patients who were treated at Seoul-based hospitals last year were visitors from other regions, data showed Sunday--another indication that the country's medical staff and infrastructure are concentrated in the greater Seoul area.●Production staff in Korea work nearly 50 hours a week, with little job security The Korea Herald
A report from a state-affiliated agency recently indicated that production staff members of local media are routinely overworked, with a quarter of the employment contracts not in writing.●Young man survives year living in car after jeonse scam, selected for public housing Korea JoongAng Daily
A man in his 20s who had been living in his car with a cat for over a year after falling victim to a jeonse (Lump sum) housing deposit scam has been selected for a public rental housing program--a story that has drawn attention online.
Nov. 3
●Revealing 'bad fathers' personal information prompts them to reach out to abandoned children, activist claims The Korea Herald
Though controversial, Korean activist Koo Bon-chang says his actions--revealing the faces of estranged fathers who refuse to pay child support--have prompted several men to reach out to their abandoned families in the Philippines.●Dozens of university applicants rejected for school violence records--and this gets warm welcome The Korea Herald
For generations of South Korean students, college admission has been more than an academic milestone.●Legal loophole allows cigarette, vape sales near daycare centers The Korea Herald
A legal loophole that enables tobacco and e-cigarette products to be sold near daycare centers is fanning criticism from the public.●Tropical mosquito species found on Korean Peninsula for 1st time ever The Korea Herald
Commonly known as the southern house mosquito, the species Culex quinquefasciatus was recently found on Korea's southernmost island of Jeju, the first time this particular species has ever been found in the country.●How Korea's 'Young 40s' men dress wrong, try too hard, misread women Korea JoongAng Daily
"Do you think your appearance, clothing and mindset are younger than your age?"
Nov. 4
●Foreigners charged for performing unlicensed dental treatments in Jeju Korea JoongAng Daily
Two foreign women are facing charges for performing unlicensed dental treatments in Jeju on undocumented people from the same country and immigrants who came to Korea through marriage.●Korea experiences significant rise in influenza cases this flu season Korea JoongAng Daily
Korea is facing a sharp rise in influenza cases, with infections at the end of October more than tripling compared to last year, raising concerns among health officials of one of the worst flue seasons in the past decade.
Nov. 5
●Why are Korean weddings so fast? The Korea Herald
In Korea, speed and efficiency define almost every aspect of life, and weddings are no exception.
Nov. 6
●Govt. proposes minimum 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 The Korea Herald
The South Korean government on Thursday unveiled its proposal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2035 from the 2018 level.●Korea can't live without dawn delivery. Can it sill protect the workers behind it? The Korea Herald
"Every night, I place my order after putting my kids to bed. ..."●Uptick in births prompts parents to book 1st birthday party venues well in advance Korea JoongAng Daily
A steady rise in births is fueling a wave of early bookings for first birthday parties and weddings, as Korean families move quickly to secure venues months or even a year in advance.●Multicultural marriages hit postpandemic high but lag overall growth The Korea Times
The number of multicultural marriages in Korea last year reached its highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data released Thursday by Statistics Korea.●Proposed Seoul ordinance seeks 'reciprocity' in support for foreign residents The Korea Herald
A bill recently submitted to the Seoul Metropolitan Council to apply "reciprocity" to welfare and support programs for foreign residents has sparked controversy over potential discrimination.●Koreans are buying PAP aids online, bypassing insurance rental systems and medical approval Korea JoongAng Daily
Koreans are purchasing positive airway pressure (PAP) aids online, avoiding the country's insurance-based rental system that requires medical testing and doctor approval.●Investigation reveals excessive prescribing of narcotic appetite suppressants in Busan Korea JoongAng Daily
Multiple doctors in Busan have been caught prescribing psychotropic appetite suppressants, such as phentermine, far beyond recommended medical limits.●Marriages with foreign spouses in Korea rise for 3rd year in 2024 Korea JoongAng Daily
The number of marriages between Koreans and foreign spouses rose for the third consecutive year in 2024, data showed Thursday.
Nov. 7
●Flue Surges Early, Spreading Rapidly Among Children The Chosun Daily
Influenza (flu) is spreading earlier than usual this year, with rapid transmission particularly among children.●Mental Disorder Patients in South Korea Jump 40% in Five Years The Chosun Daily
Last year, approximately 2.83 million patients in South Korea received treatment for mental disorders, marking an increase of nearly 40%, 780,000 people, compared to five years ago in 2019.●Early flu season lead to surge in influenza cases: data The Korea Herald
South Korea saw a rapid rise in influenza cases in the last week of October, data showed Friday, as 2025-26 flu season started some two months earlier than last year.

