The South Korean government is revising its immigration policies to allow foreign youths—such as second-generation immigrants—who have completed primary, middle, and high school in Korea to switch to work visas and continue residing with their families in the country, even if they do not pursue higher education. Additionally, the government will extend the "Status of stay to be granted to foreign children staying in Korea for a long term to guarantee their right to education" originally set to end on March 31, for another three years until March 31, 2028. The Ministry of Justice announced thes
The number of users registered in South Korea’s “119 Safety Call Service,” which provides tailored emergency medical support during crises, exceeded 1.21 million last year. According to the National Fire Agency, as of December 2023, a total of 1,218,534 people had signed up for the 119 Safety Call Service. The service allows emergency responders to access pre-registered personal information regardless of location, enabling them to deliver customized first aid and facilitate swift hospital transport. Anyone can sign up free of charge through a simple process. The service is available to all cit
The Ministry of Justice has announced the implementation of an "Electronic Entry Declaration" system, allowing foreign travelers entering South Korea to submit their entry declaration forms online. Previously, foreign nationals entering South Korea were required to manually complete a paper-based entry declaration form either onboard the aircraft or at the airport and submit it directly to an immigration officer. Immigration officers had to verify the submitted forms manually and scan them one by one during entry procedures, leading to prolonged immigration processing times. To address these i
Gyeonggi Province is enhancing social support from pregnancy preparation to childbirth and postpartum care to create a better pregnancy and childbirth environment this year. To support healthy pregnancies and childbirth for men and women of childbearing age, the province provides essential fertility testing costs for all individuals aged 20 to 49. During pregnancy, it offers essential nutritional supplements, medical expense support for adolescents and high-risk pregnant women, and psychological counseling. For postpartum recovery and maternal and neonatal health, Gyeonggi Province supports ma
Starting March 1, passengers will no longer be allowed to check in portable batteries or electronic cigarettes as part of their baggage, nor store them in overhead compartments inside the aircraft. To ensure immediate response in case of abnormal signs, passengers must carry these items on their person or store them in seat pockets. Charging portable batteries during the flight is also strictly prohibited. Particularly, terminals of embedded and protruding portable batteries must be insulated using electrical tape or stored in protective pouches, zippered bags, or plastic bags to prevent conta
The government announced that it has launched the issuance of mobile foreigner registration cards as of January this year. The mobile foreigner registration card can be used universally like the existing physical foreigner registration card and will also be expanded for use in non-face-to-face services in the future. All registered foreigners aged 14 and above who possess a smartphone in their name are eligible to obtain a mobile foreigner registration card, which carries the same legal validity as the physical card. The mobile foreigner registration card can be obtained through the Ministry o
"Osteoporosis" refers to a condition where bones become weak and prone to fractures due to a decrease in bone density. Bones are living tissues that continuously undergo a process of removing old bone and forming new bone. The amount of bone in our bodies increases as we grow, but it gradually decreases as we age. Particularly, women experience a rapid decrease in bone density within 3-5 years after menopause. When bones become weak due to osteoporosis, they can fracture easily, even with minor impacts. To minimize these risks, it is important to prevent osteoporosis early and manage it consis
Starting next year, when parental leave is taken for 12 months, the parental leave allowance will increase by 5.1 million won, from the current total of 18 million won to 23.1 million won. On the 8th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it would pre-notify legislation from the 10th until November 19th for amendments to laws including the Gender Equality Employment Act and the Employment Insurance Act, which include increases in parental leave allowances and support for replacement workers. The amendments contain major measures for expanding government support, such as increasin
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has issued guidelines on precautions and helpful information for consumers when purchasing cosmetics directly from international online platforms, in response to a recent surge in such purchases to prevent potential consumer harm. Products officially imported undergo inspections by domestic cosmetics distributors to ensure they meet safety standards. However, cosmetics purchased via international online shopping do not undergo such inspection processes, so it is recommended to purchase officially imported products. The following are precautions to consider
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 19th that the 2024-2025 seasonal influenza national vaccination program will begin on the 20th and continue until April 30th of next year. This year's national influenza vaccination program will be provided free of charge for children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older, who are at high risk of severe illness if infected with influenza, in preparation for the potential influenza outbreak this winter. Children requiring two doses will start vaccinations from the 20th, while children need
화성시가족센터(센터장 박미경)는 5월 20일부터 결혼이민자의 취업 역량 강화를 위한 직업훈련 프로그램 ‘내일(JOB)학교 - 문화다양성이해교육 강사과정’을 운영한다고 전했다. 이번 과정은 사전교육과 직업훈련으로 구성되어 있으며, 11월 11일까지 총 43회(129시간) 진행된다. 사전교육에서는 ITQ 자격 취득, 자기소개서 작성법, 면접 스킬 등 기초 직무 역량을 키우고, 이후 문화다양성이해교육을 중심으로 한 강사 양성 과정을 밟게 된다. 한 교육 참가자는 “문화다양성이해교육 강사로 성장할 수 있는 기회에 감사하다”며 “열심히 배워 멋진 강사가 되고 싶다”고 소감을 밝혔다. 화성시가족센터 박미경 센터장은 “결혼이민자의 사회 진출과 다문화 가정의 안정적인 정착을 돕기 위해 지속적으로 노력하겠다”고 전했다. 화성시가족센터는 이번 교육을 통해 결혼이민자들이 자신이 가진 강점을 기반으로 전문 강사로 성장하고, 자격증 취득과 취업 기회 확대를 통해 경제적 자립 기반을 마련할 수 있도록 지원할 계획이다. 프로그램 관련 문의는 화성시가족센터(☎ 070-8831-2227)로 하면 된다.
화성시가족센터(센터장 박미경)가 운영하는 화성형아이키움터 향남에서는 5월 24일, 30~40개월 유아 자녀와 아빠를 대상으로 한 특별 프로그램 ‘아빠랑 나랑 무지개 팡!팡!’을 성황리에 마쳤다고 전했다. 이번 프로그램은 아빠와 자녀가 함께 참여하는 체험형 미술놀이로, 아이의 오감을 자극하고 정서적 유대감을 형성할 수 있도록 기획되었다. 특히, 아빠들이 육아에 주도적으로 참여하며 자녀와 함께 교감하고 성장할 수 있는 의미 있는 시간으로 큰 호응을 얻었다. 참여 가족들은 손발 도장, 촉감 재료, 물감놀이 등 다양한 미술활동을 통해 자연스럽게 신체 접촉을 늘리고 정서적 안정과 유대감을 쌓았다. 또한, 집에서도 쉽게 할 수 있는 재료를 활용해 꽃밭 꾸미기와 완성된 작품과 함께 기념사진 촬영도 진행하며 따뜻한 추억을 만들었다. 프로그램 참여 아빠들은 “평소 바쁜 일상 속에서 아이와 보내는 시간이 부족했는데, 오늘 프로그램을 통해 아이와 웃고 만들며 더욱 가까워진 기분이다”, “집에서 미술활동을 어떻게 해야 할지 막막했는데, 쉽게 따라할 수 있는 방법을 알려줘서 큰 도움이 됐다”라며 소감을 전했다. 박미경 화성시가족센터장은 “이번 프로그램은 아빠가 자녀와의 특별한 시간
제18회 세계인의 날 기념 행사에 화성시다(多)문화어린이합창단이 5월 18일(일) 향남 도원체육공원 무대에 올랐다. 초등 1~6학년의 다문화·비다문화 아동 30여 명으로 구성된 합창단은 아름다운 목소리로 행사를 빛냈다. 화성시다문화어린이합창단은 초등 1학년부터 6학년까지 다문화 및 비다문화 아동으로 구성되어 있으며, 하모니를 내는 과정을 통해 서로의 문화적 차이를 이해하고 화합하며 상호 유대감을 향상했다. 화성시다(多)문화어린이합창단은 올해 두 번째 공식 무대를 성공리에 마쳤으며, 향후 지역 축제와 교류 행사에서도 활약할 예정이다. 관련 문의는 화성시가족센터 다문화어린이합창단 특성화사업팀(070-8831-8431)으로 문의하면 된다.