Latest news with #Koreans'
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Multicultural acceptance rises among South Korean adults, drops for teens: Survey
Acceptance levels are typically higher among younger adults and students but decline with age. PHOTO: AFP SEOUL - South Korean adults' level of acceptance toward immigrants has increased slightly since 2021, but the reverse is true for middle and high school students, a government survey revealed on June 5. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family released research results measuring Koreans' acceptance of multiculturalism through indicators such as cultural openness, prejudice toward immigrants and willingness to engage in intercultural relations. A total of 11,000 individuals participated in the research: 6,000 adults aged 19 to 74 and 5,000 middle and high school students. The research is conducted every three years as part of the government's efforts to develop effective policies. The 2025 results showed that the average multicultural acceptance score for adults rose to 53.38 out of 100, up from 52.27 in 2021. It is the first increase in nine years, signaling a shift toward more inclusive attitudes. In contrast, youth scores dipped, with middle school students averaging 71 points and high school students 68.52. Acceptance levels are typically higher among younger adults and students but decline with age. Among adults, those in their 20s showed the highest levels of acceptance (55.44), while those aged 60 and above recorded the lowest average score (51.14). The report also highlighted a strong link between direct contact with immigrants and positive attitudes. Respondents who had frequent interactions with people of different cultural backgrounds showed significantly higher acceptance scores. Additionally, the study found that participation in intercultural activities has a greater influence on improving acceptance than formal education. Youth who joined multicultural programs or volunteered with immigrant communities displayed consistently higher scores than those who only received classroom instruction. Public perception regarding the contribution of immigrants to society was largely positive, with over 78 per cent of adults agreeing that the increase in immigrants helps alleviate labor shortages. Over 65 per cent said they would have a positive impact on the general economy, while more than 55 per cent agreed that they would contribute to cultural diversity. The ministry plans to use these findings to improve national social integration policies, focusing on increasing practical opportunities for interaction between citizens and immigrant communities. A government official emphasised that fostering firsthand experiences, rather than passive education, will be key to building a more cohesive and inclusive society. The National Multicultural Acceptance Survey has been conducted every three years since 2012 and is used as foundational data for shaping multicultural and integration policy in South Korea. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Multicultural acceptance rises among Korean adults, drops for teens: survey
Korean adults' level of acceptance toward immigrants has increased slightly since 2021, but the reverse is true for middle and high school students, a government survey revealed Thursday. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family released research results measuring Koreans' acceptance of multiculturalism through indicators such as cultural openness, prejudice toward immigrants and willingness to engage in intercultural relations. A total of 11,000 individuals participated in the research: 6,000 adults aged 19 to 74 and 5,000 middle and high school students. The research is conducted every three years as part of the government's efforts to develop effective policies. This year's results showed that the average multicultural acceptance score for adults rose to 53.38 out of 100, up from 52.27 in 2021. It is the first increase in nine years, signaling a shift toward more inclusive attitudes. In contrast, youth scores dipped, with middle school students averaging 71 points and high school students 68.52. Acceptance levels are typically higher among younger adults and students but decline with age. Among adults, those in their 20s showed the highest levels of acceptance (55.44), while those aged 60 and above recorded the lowest average score (51.14). The report also highlighted a strong link between direct contact with immigrants and positive attitudes. Respondents who had frequent interactions with people of different cultural backgrounds showed significantly higher acceptance scores. Additionally, the study found that participation in intercultural activities has a greater influence on improving acceptance than formal education. Youth who joined multicultural programs or volunteered with immigrant communities displayed consistently higher scores than those who only received classroom instruction. Public perception regarding the contribution of immigrants to society was largely positive, with over 78 percent of adults agreeing that the increase in immigrants helps alleviate labor shortages. Over 65 percent said they would have a positive impact on the general economy, while more than 55 percent agreed that they would contribute to cultural diversity. The ministry plans to use these findings to improve national social integration policies, focusing on increasing practical opportunities for interaction between citizens and immigrant communities. A government official emphasized that fostering firsthand experiences, rather than passive education, will be key to building a more cohesive and inclusive society. The National Multicultural Acceptance Survey has been conducted every three years since 2012 and is used as foundational data for shaping multicultural and integration policy in South Korea.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Basra heat tests South Korea ahead of Iraq clash
Shafaq News/ South Korea's head coach Hong Myung-bo warned that soaring temperatures and rising pressure could pose major challenges in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Basra. 'This match won't be easy—we're feeling the pressure,' Hong told Shafaq News. 'We trust our players to perform. Everyone is ready, and we aim to take the three points.' The Group B clash at Basra International Stadium is expected to unfold under scorching 45°C heat, heightening physical strain on both squads. South Korea leads the group with 16 points and needs only a draw to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Iraq sits third with 12 points and must win to keep its hopes for direct qualification alive. The match will also mark the debut of Iraq's new head coach Graham Arnold, appointed last month to replace Jesús Casas. South Korea will be without center-back Kim Min-jae, who opted out ahead of the Club World Cup. European-based players like Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) are expected to feature prominently, while Iraq turns to striker Aymen Hussein and promising midfielder Ali Jasim to lead the attack. The teams last met in 2023, with South Korea securing a narrow 1–0 victory, making it the Koreans' sixth win against Iraq since 2006, with three draws and one defeat.
Korea Herald
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Overseas voting begins in presidential election
South Korean nationals living or staying abroad went to the polls Tuesday to pick a new president as overseas voting began ahead of the June 3 election, according to embassy officials. The out-of-country voting will run for six days, with more than 258,000 South Korean nationals, including those registered as absentee voters, eligible to vote at 223 polling stations across 118 countries. In the US capital of Washington and three adjacent states, 4,272 South Korean voters have registered to cast their votes at a voting station set up in Annandale, Virginia. During the 2022 presidential election, 2,994 of the 4,254 registered South Korean voters in the four areas cast ballots. South Korean Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong cast his vote at the polling station, calling for citizens in the US to exercise their voting rights. "The overseas voting process is a path through which overseas Koreans' opinion can be reflected in the government's policy. That said, I hope that every single one can participate in the voting," Cho said. He also expressed hope that the alliance between South Korea and the United States will remain robust under a new government in Seoul. "I think that the South Korea-US alliance is a diplomatic relationship that plays the most central role for national interests in terms of all sectors, including diplomacy, security and the economy of South Korea," the ambassador said. "I expect and believe that the alliance will continue to remain strong and develop further after the launch of a new government (in South Korea)." In Japan, some 38,000 out of 411,000 South Korean nationals aged 18 or over with voting rights registered to vote, the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo said. Polling stations have been set up in Tokyo and other major cities like Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Sapporo, Sendai and Fukuoka. Park Cheol-hee, South Korea's ambassador to Japan, was among those who cast their ballots earlier in the day. "It's very important for overseas Koreans to exercise their right to vote for the progress of Korea," Park told reporters after voting. "I'd like to encourage as many people as possible to visit the polling stations, even if they're busy." Ten polling stations have been set up in China, including the South Korean Embassy in Beijing and the consulates general in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Xian, Wuhan, Chengdu, Qingdao and Hong Kong, as well as the consular office in Dalian. Of the 4,218 registered voters, 250 nationals came to cast their ballots during the day, an embassy official in Beijing said. The first voter was a university student in New Zealand, the South Korean Embassy in Wellington said. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Where's Huh Kyung-young? The eccentric, serial presidential candidate who once vowed to levitate lands in jail
Three-time presidential candidate detained on suspicion of financial and sexual wrongdoing Huh Kyung-young, a wacky politician who ran for South Korean presidency three times with outlandish pledges like giving 100 million won ($71,467) to every citizen, is back in the news, not as a candidate running for the June 3 election but as a criminal suspect. The 77-year-old, who holds the official title of honorary leader of the National Revolutionary Party, has been behind bars since Saturday after the Uijeongbu District Court issued a warrant for his detention on charges of fraud, violations of the Political Funds Act and coerced sexual misconduct. Having run in the 15th, 17th and 20th presidential elections and losing each time, he is widely known for making bizarre campaign promises, such as building a runway for UFOs, raising Koreans' IQ to 430 and offering tax breaks for bald people. Though widely dismissed as unrealistic and absurd, his proposals created enough buzz to be parodied on many entertainment shows. Huh is accused of using his religious facility, known as 'Haneulgung,' to sell goods at exorbitant prices. At Haneulgung, a group of his followers revere him as a spiritual leader and hold lectures and prayer sessions to promote his beliefs. Huh is also accused of sexual misconduct for touching his female followers inappropriately during what he described as spiritual counseling sessions. During a yearlong investigation, police questioned him more than 30 times and searched his facility, but he continued to refuse to cooperate and filed complaints against investigators. This led the court to grant an arrest warrant over concerns that he might destroy evidence. Can Huh run again? His recent arrest has raised questions among some online users about whether he could still run for the June 3 presidential election. 'No Huh Kyung-young this election? That feels unusual," a user wrote on X. 'Can someone in custody not run for office? I was actually looking forward to his crazy pledges," read another post. The answer is no. At this point, no one can throw their hat into the ring — the official candidacy registration period closed on May 11. As for the ongoing investigation into Huh, that does not, in itself, disqualify him from running for public office. Though this is ultimately irrelevant, as he is already barred due to a conviction last year. Article 18 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that candidates are disqualified only after a conviction resulting in a prison sentence or a heavier penalty is finalized. Huh, in April 2024, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years, for spreading false information. As a result, he is barred from running in elections until April 2034. Among the groundless claims he made were that he was the adopted son of the late Lee Byung-chull, founder of the tech giant Samsung, and that he had served as a policy advisor to former President Park Chung-hee. This was not the first time Huh was prohibited from running for office for spreading false information. During the 2007 presidential election, he promised to marry former President Park Geun-hye if elected. At that time, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and barred from candidacy for a decade. He returned to politics in 2020. Meanwhile, Huh, currently held at the Uijeongbu Police Station, was taken to a hospital early Monday morning after reporting sudden abdominal pain. However, he was returned to the detention center after doctors found no health issues, according to police. cjh@
