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
성남시가족센터(센터장 송문영)는 수정 커뮤니티 센터 1층, 수정구 탄리로 59에 성남시에 거주, 13세 이하 자녀를 양육하는 가정이 이용 가능한 무료 놀이시설 '수진동 공동육아나눔터'를 운영하고 있다. 이용 대상은 성남시 거주 13세 이하 자녀와 부모로 반드시 성인 보호자를 동반해야 이용이 가능하다. 공동육아나눔터는 아이를 양육하는 주민들이 육아 정보를 공유하며 자녀를 함께 돌보는 열린 공동체 공간이다. 보호자와 자녀 동반 입장 하에 이용 가능한 무료 놀이시설이며, 공간과 프로그램이 무료로 제공된다. 실내 놀이공간에는 장난감과 도서 200종이 비치돼 있고, 내부에는 수유실과 집단놀이실을 갖췄다. 수유실은 1인용 소파와 기저귀 갈이대, 세면대를 포함하여 냉장고와 정수기, 전자레인지 등을 비치해 편의성을 높였다. 공동육아나눔터는 공휴일을 제외한 평일 오전 9시~오후 6시까지 3부제로 운영된다. 운영시간은 은 △1 회차 10:00~11:30 △2회차 13:00~14:30 △3회차 15:00~16:30이며, 12:00~13:00은 이용이 불가하니 희망하는 시간대를 확인하여 예약 후 이용하면 된다. 성남시민은 무료로 이용이 가능하며, 이용자 퇴실 후 공간 및 장난감을
성남시가족센터(센터장 송문영)는 5월 21일 결혼이민자 한국어교육 1학기 수료식을 개최했다. 이번 교육은 3월 4일부터 5월 21일까지 총 60일간(정규과정 100시간, 문법정리 20시간) 초급1·초급2·중급1·실용한국어 4개 반에 61명이 참여했다. 센터는 오전·오후 3개 반의 대면 수업과 직장인 대상 야간 온라인 반을 병행 운영하며 단계별 학습을 지원했다. 수료식에서는 출석률과 성취도 기준을 충족한 24명에게 이수증을, 전 회기 개근자 10명에게 개근상을 각각 수여했다. 송문영 센터장은 각 반을 직접 방문해 수료증과 개근상을 전달하며 “한국어 능력은 다문화가정 구성원으로서 생활 적응과 삶의 질 향상의 핵심”이라고 강조했다.행사 후에는 다과를 곁들인 친교 시간을 마련해 수강생과 강사 간 유대감을 다졌다. 센터는 2학기 수업을 6월 4일 부터 7월 31일까지 매주 월ㆍ목에 오전(10:00~13:00), 오후 (13:30~16:30), 야간 온라인 (19:00~21:00)으로 운영할 예정이며, 문의는 가족정착팀(031-757 9327)으로 하면 된다.
성남시가족센터(센터장 송문영)는 여성가족부의 지원으로 '세계 전통놀이 지도사 양성과정' 참여자를 이달 말까지 모집한다. 이 과정은 결혼이민자의 역량 강화와 다문화사회에 대한 인식 개선을 목표로 하며, 한국뿐만 아니라 중국, 일본, 러시아, 몽골, 베트남, 태국 등 아시아 국가의 전통놀이 기법과 교수법을 학습하고, 민간 자격증을 취득할 수 있는 기회를 제공한다. 교육은 7월 1일부터 28일까지 총 20회기(60시간)로 진행되며, 강의안 평가와 시연 평가를 통과하면 자격증 발급비도 전액 지원된다. 최근 OTT 드라마에서 전통놀이가 조명받고, 스마트폰 과다 사용에 따른 디지털 피로감이 확산되면서 보드게임과 전통놀이에 대한 관심이 급증하고 있다. 전통놀이는 두뇌와 감성 자극은 물론 신체 발달, 창의력, 문제해결 능력, 사회성 함양 등 교육적 가치가 높아 유아부터 노인까지 폭넓게 즐길 수 있는 장점을 지니고 있다. 교육부는 기존 늘봄학교(방과 후 돌봄) 프로그램을 2026년까지 초등학교 6학년까지 전면 확대할 계획으로, 놀이 중심의 교과 외 신규 프로그램 도입을 권고하고 있다. 이에 따라 전통놀이 지도사에 대한 수요는 서울 용산여성인력개발센터, 인천시, 구리시 등 지