China to replace top envoy to South Korea

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming arrives at Severance Hospital in western Seoul to visit the funeral parlor to pay respects to late Hyosung Group Honorary Chairman Cho Suck-rai, in this  March 31 photo. Yonhap

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming is expected to leave his post after more than four years on the job as 안전 Beijing has decided to replace him, according to diplomatic sources Friday.

The Chinese government reportedly instructed him to return home and Xing is expected to depart this weekend or early next week, the sources familiar with the matter said.

Xing took office as the top Chinese envoy to Seoul in January 2020. Xing is known for his extensive knowledge and experience in Korea-related affairs, including his fluency in Korean.

But he has made little public appearance since his conversation last year with South Korea’s main opposition party leader drew heated criticism in South Korea.

In the meeting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, Xing warned that South Korea will “definitely regret it” if it “bets on China’s loss” in the strategic rivalry with the United States.

Xing has since reportedly been experiencing difficulties meeting with government officials in South Korea.

Some observers say that Xing’s expected departure indicates Beijing’s effort to improve ties with Seoul amid signs of the 대표하는 two sides trying to better manage their bilateral relations amid North Korea’s close alignment with Russia

Gov’t expands caregiver roles to int’l students to tackle older adult care shortage

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The government introduced a new initiative to address the shortage of long-term caregivers for older adults by expanding eligibility to 추천 foreign workers. As part of its plan, a new employment visa category tailored for caregivers will be introduced, aimed particularly at international students in Korea.

In addition, the government aims to gradually reduce the number of elderly individuals assigned to each caregiver in order to enhance the quality of long-term care services.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced, Friday, a new policy enabling international students graduating from domestic universities to work in caregiving services for older adults.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the growing shortage of long-term caregivers as the nation becomes a super-aged society.

Starting in July, both current international students and graduates will be eligible to obtain caregiver qualifications. Graduates who secure jobs in nursing facilities will be able to obtain E-7 visas, which permit employment in 88 occupations designated by the justice minister.

The government will implement a pilot program, allowing up to 400 international students annually to obtain two-year visas to work as caregivers.

The health and welfare ministry also announced a plan to gradually reduce the number of recipients each nursing care worker is responsible for, aiming to enhance the quality of long-term care services.

The ratio of residents to caregivers in nursing facilities will be reduced from the current 2.3 to 2.1 starting in 2025.

Considering the potential staffing shortages, the ministry will allow the existing standard of 2.3 residents per caregiver to remain in place until the end of 2026.

With a potential shortage of caregivers looming due to the new staffing criteria and the fact that the average age of current caregivers reached 61.7 years as of December last year, the government is actively encouraging international students to enter the caregiving field.

Furthermore, ethnic Koreans from abroad with H-2 visas who obtain caregiver qualifications will be eligible to switch to F-4 visas, allowing extended stays.

Meanwhile, the government also plans to bring in approximately 100 caregivers from the Philippines to Seoul for a six-month pilot 대표하는 program, aiming to ease the child care burden on young working parents and address the declining birthrate.

PPP leadership hopefuls intensify attacks on ex-leader Han Dong-hoon

Ex-PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon is greeted by his supporters at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Friday. Yonhap

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leadership hopefuls are intensifying their attacks on former interim leader Han Dong-hoon, who is leading the polls of the four-way race.

Along with Han, five-term lawmaker Rep. Na Kyung-won, former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong and five-term lawmaker Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun have declared their bids for PPP chairmanship, which will be decided at a national convention on July 23.

Gallup Korea surveyed 1,002 adults from June 25 to 27 to gauge the popularity of potential candidates for the PPP’s new chairperson and Han 안전한카지노 received 28 percent support, followed by Na with 19 percent, Won with 13 percent and Yoon 3 percent. Over half of the PPP supporters said they plan to vote for Han as the next party chairman.

Won, emphasizing his strong connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused Han of betraying the president. This appears to reference the ongoing tensions between Han and Yoon, including allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee receiving a luxury bag as a gift from a pastor in 2022, which have contributed to their strained relationship.

“Even if the president’s approval rating is declining, one shouldn’t embrace it when it’s favorable and reject it when it’s unfavorable. The politics of betrayal and opportunism leave everyone dissatisfied,” Won said.

Rep. Yoon also took aim at Han, saying, “I doubt whether Han will faithfully cooperate with the government if he becomes a party chairman, given the fact that the president has no trust in him.”

Han refuted the accusations, saying, “The only things politicians should never betray is the nation and the people.”

He also expressed resentment over the ruling conservative party being heavily influenced by decisions from the presidential office, questioning, “Is normalizing party-government relations the ultimate goal of politics?”

Rep. Na indirectly denounced her rival.

“I believe the polls reflect Han’s popularity, not necessarily public opinion of his accomplishments. The true answer to politics lies in the field and with the people, but it’s challenging for someone who hasn’t been actively involved in such activities to become a party leader,” she said.

Han, a former prosecutor and the Yoon government’s inaugural justice minister, assumed the interim leadership of the conservative party in December. He spearheaded the election campaign aimed at restoring voter confidence. Despite these efforts, the party secured only 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. Han subsequently resigned, taking responsibility for the electoral defeat.

Meanwhile, Han continues to face criticism from veteran politicians like Daegu Mayor and former five-term lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo, and North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo. Both have refused to meet Han, seemingly keeping their distance from him.

Some interpret Hong’s move as an attempt to bring down a potential opponent ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Han still 대표하는 remains one of the strongest potential candidates for the next election, although his support rate has dwindled.

‘Inside Out 2’ dominates domestic box office

Poster for the film, 'Inside Out 2' / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

Disney’s animated movie, “Inside Out 2,” is making waves at the Korean box office, attracting an accumulated audience of 4.63 million as of Friday, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

The coming-of-age film sold more than 100,000 tickets on Thursday alone, topping the box office for 16 consecutive days since its release 카지노사이트모음 on June 12. Trailing behind were the thriller “Hijack 1971” and the horror movie “A Quiet Place,” which drew 48,796 and 45,236 viewers on the same day, respectively.

“Hijack 1971,” starring Sung Dong-il and Yeo Jin-goo, is based on a true story of a South Korean man who hijacked a plane to cross the border into North Korea. “A Quiet Place: Day One” is an American post-apocalyptic horror film set in a world dominated by blind yet noise-sensitive extraterrestrial creatures.

Directed by Kelsey Mann, “Inside Out 2” portrays an adventure of Riley, a 13-year-old girl who encounters new emotions — anxiety, envy, embarrassment and ennui — as she experiences puberty.

It is the sequel to the 2015 movie “Inside Out,” which drew a total of 4.97 million viewers in Korea. If the sequel’s popularity continues, it is expected to shatter the record set by the first film.

“I really wish I had a movie like this when I was growing up because I know you’re going through a lot at that age,” Mann told the American magazine, Variety. “And a lot of the time you think it’s only you that’s going through it, that no one else is going 대표하는 through it. I knew that was a big opportunity with this movie. We can make this big film that goes out to the world to tell a lot of people that they’re not alone.”

Israeli ambassador commemorates victims of Hamas on National Day

Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor gives a speech about the victims of Hamas during Israel's National Day event in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Embassy of Israel in Seoul

In a poignant departure from the usual festivities, Israel’s National Day was commemorated with an art exhibition at Gallery Eun in Seoul, Wednesday. Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting the current somber mood in Israel.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a 스포츠토토존 time to dance,” Tor began, quoting Ecclesiastes. “We have chosen this year to commemorate Israel’s National Day, our day of independence, differently. Not with song and with laughter, but with art of anguish.”

Since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas, many Israeli artists have given expression through art to intense feelings of grief, despair, hope and prayers. The Embassy of Israel in Seoul presented the works of 19 Israeli artists dedicated to the hostages and expressive of a collective national mourning and pain, but also deep yearning for their safety and freedom.

The exhibition, titled “Captives of Hope,” features works by 19 Israeli artists and aims to convey the national sentiment of mourning and crisis.

“We are proud, and also sad, to present here in Insadong in Gallery Eun the works of 19 Israeli artists depicting the national mood, the sense of mourning and upset, of crisis and horror, the feeling of a situation which is untenable and unresolved, which Israel and its people are feeling today,” Tor said.

“We have called this exhibition ‘Captives of Hope.’ Our hope is that the captives go free, but all of us – the hostages, you the visitors today, all of Israel – we are all captive to our hopes, prayers, determination that they go free.”

The ambassador emphasized the solidarity and resilience of the Israeli people.

“Israel’s strength is in its solidarity, in our commitment to each other, in our feeling that we are one and cannot abandon each other, no matter what,” he said. “This is why the redemption of captives is a key principle of Jewish law from the Talmud and Medieval times until today, and why Israel will not rest until we bring home our captives alive, and also, God forbid, those who are not alive. We are resolved, and we won’t abandon them.”

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Tor underscored that out of the 120 abducted people held in Gaza, forty-three have died. He expressed hope and belief that the remaining seventy-seven are still alive.

“This art does not signify revenge. It does not signify a lack of awareness for the plight of Gaza or the suffering of many Gazans in this terrible war,” he said.

“This art signifies harsh reality – the plight of the people who were murdered and wounded and raped on the Gaza border going about their lives without malice, and the plight of the hostages, the captives who have disappeared from the first moment of this 대표하는 conflict on Oct. 7, who have had no access to the Red Cross, people many whose plight we do not know, people who we must find a way to bring home. Our people.”

Ohtani erased the gap between ‘0.444 batting average and OPS 1.468’ and Betts in four consecutive COL games as a leadoff

At this rate, Mookie Betts will be able to concentrate on rehabilitation. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers also played leadoff in the last game of the four consecutive games against the Colorado Rockies, completing his adjustment to the leadoff perfectly. 토토사이트 추천

Ohtani played as the first and designated hitter in an away game against Colorado at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on the 21st, and successfully got on base three times with one hit, one RBI, one run and two walks from three times at bat, including his 21st home run of the season. The Dodgers beat Colorado 5-3 with Gavin Stone, who allowed two runs in 5.1 innings as the starting pitcher for Ohtani’s performance, and finished the four consecutive games with three wins and one loss.

In place of Betts, who was away for a while after suffering a fracture in the back of his left hand against the Kansas City Royals on the 17th, Ohtani, who played as a leadoff in this four-game series, performed better than this. In this four-game series, “leadoff Ohtani” has a batting average of 0.444 (8 hits in 18 times at bat), an on-base percentage of 0.524, a slugging percentage of 0.944, and an OPS of 1.468 two homers, seven RBIs and three walks.

Ohtani showed off his fearsome performance in the game as well. In his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, Ohtani hit an 89.1 mile sinker that came into the middle with a ball count of 2B-1S, hitting a solo home run that slightly crossed the fence. It was Ohtani’s 21st home run of the season, and Ohtani became the lone lead in home runs in the National League, beating over Marcell Osuna of Atlanta.

Since then, Ohtani walked with two outs and runners on first and third bases in the top of the second inning to continue the grand slam chance, but failed to enter the home due to the failure of the follow-up hit. In the third at-bat in the top of the fourth inning, after a full count match, he struck out swinging on an 81.1 mile (about 130.5 kilometers) changeup that Block threw tightly on the low outside course.

Ohtani, who only hit a fly to center field in his fourth at-bat with no outs in the top of the sixth inning, got on base with an intentional walk in his last at-bat with two outs and a runner on first base in the top of the eighth inning. With his performance on the day, Ohtani’s overall performance this season has reached 0.318, on-base percentage 0.391, and slugging percentage 0.615 with 21 homers and 53 RBIs.

“Crazy Presence” Kim Ha-sung, “Unfair Strikeout→Ball + steal + Lake Bisho,” and the team won two consecutive home runs with two outs in the ninth inning – 2nd place Mercury

Despite the unfair decision, Kim Ha-sung (29) of the San Diego Padres showed off his stellar performance in baseball. He stole base and defended well, showing off his talent at the end of the game without reservation. At the 2024 Major League Baseball home game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego, California on the 21st (Korea time), Kim Ha-sung started as the ninth batter’s shortstop, and recorded no hits, one walk, one strikeout, and one steal from three times at bat.

There was a special event. Before the game, actor Lee Byung-hun visited the stadium with his family and met with Kim Ha-sung to exchange gifts. Lee also touched Kim Ha-sung’s muscles and admired him. The club posted a special meeting with Lee, who already appeared in Hollywood movies and became a world star through the drama “Squid Game,” on its official social network service, saying, “Welcome to Petco Park for frontman Lee Byung-hun.” The frontman also gained popularity in the U.S. thanks to his role in “Squid Game.” 토토사이트 순위

He had a pleasant game with a special guest, but his start was not good. As the first batter in the bottom of the second inning, Kim turned to the dugout in vain. While watching the third pitch, Kim, who was driven to a score of 1-2, tried to pick out the ball by enduring the end, but the curve that fell when the ball was bent outward from the fourth pitch, got a strikeout call.

It was a clear ball even for the MLB game, but the referee seemed to have judged that it had passed the zone due to the curveball trajectory. Kim had no choice but to feel unfair.

Entering the fourth inning with two outs and no runners, Kim boldly targeted sinker near the body of the first pitch this time, but the ball was caught by left fielder Yelich’s glove. He made a bold hit for the first time in a long time, but his course was not good.

In the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs and no runners, Kim Ha-sung took the batter’s box. The ball, which hit a sinker of 97.8 mph (157.4 km) heading to the middle of the fifth ball, was caught by shortstop Adames and reached first base faster than Kim Ha-sung.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Kim Ha-sung stood at the batter’s box with two outs and no runners, with his team leading 6-4. After picking out first and second balls against Bradley Blaylock, he hit a four-seam fastball and a cutter that came into the third and fourth ball zones, but the result was a foul. He also picked out a slider that went out of the fifth pitch, leading to a full-count match. Fans of Petco Park chanted “Ha Sung Kim,” and Kim Ha-sung endured a high fastball and walked to get on base.

With his 44th walk of this season, Kim even managed to steal second base. He stole his 15th and stole second base. He displayed all of his talents in the last at-bat. Kim showed off his top-ranking skills by ranking fifth in the NL with a walk and tying for ninth with a stolen base.

He also shone in the defense. He quickly rushed to Kim Ha-sung’s ambiguous ball in the top of the sixth inning, and threw fast. The lower court was safe, but the result of video reading changed. Petco Park applauded due to Kim’s fantastic defense that turned the out into safe.

However, his batting index declined. Kim’s batting average for this season fell from 0.217 to 0.214. His on-base plus slugging percentage also declined from 0.330, 0.382 to 0.329 and 0.377. His on-base plus slugging percentage came to 0.706.

The San Diego Padres lined up in the order of Luis Arraez (first baseman), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Jurickson Profar (designated hitter), Jake Cronenworth (second baseman), Manny Machado (third baseman), David Peralta (left fielder), Luis Campusano (catcher) and Kim Ha-sung (striker). The starting pitcher was Adam Mazur.

In contrast, Milwaukee faced off with Bryce Turang (second baseman), William Contreras (catcher), Christian Yelich (left fielder), Willie Adames (striker), Sal Frelick (right fielder), Reece Hoskins (designated hitter), Tyler Black (first baseman), Joey Otis (third baseman) and Blake Perkins (center fielder). Jake Bowers started the game.

Milwaukee was ahead. After getting on base with a double by the first batter in the top of the first inning, it headed to the third base when Contreras grounded out to the second base, and dug into the home when Yelich hit a grounder. First baseman Arraez threw home the ball to make the game-winner, but Turang’s foot was faster.

San Diego, which failed to add an out count, was driven to the bases with one out due to Adames’ hit and Frelick’s walk, but it was fortunate that Hoskins induced a double play to the third baseman and finished the inning without additional runs.

San Diego quickly turned the tide. Arraez set the table with a walk, Tatis Jr. had a hit to the left, and Tatis Jr. was out at the second base when Cronenworth hit a grounder to shortstop with one out, but Machado hit a three-run homer (No. 7) with two outs and runners at the first and third bases, successfully turned the game around 3-1.

Merrill then launched a back-to-back cannon. He rolled up the curve ball count, which was at a disadvantage of 0-2, and ran away with a three-point arch (No. 9) over the right fence at Petco Park.

Milwaukee closely chased after him in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Adames had a four-seam fastball to hit a two-run homerun (13) over the middle wall. San Diego managed to secure its lead by sending down Mazur and Adrianne Morehorn to post even one out count remaining until the winning pitcher’s requirement.

San Diego regained its composure with Tatis Jr.’s solo shot (No. 14). Tatis Jr. hit a bullet that pulled a low curveball five pitches in the bottom of the fifth inning at 111.8 miles (179.9 kilometers) per hour and hit the left outfield 136 meters from the home plate.

When Yuki Matsui, who took the mound in the top of the seventh inning, gave up a hit to Turang, gave up a walk to Contreras, and was on the verge of loading the bases with two outs by walking Adames again with two outs, San Diego called up Wandy Peralta and struck out pinch hitter Gary Sanchez with three pitches to get out of the crisis.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tatis Jr.’s hit and Profar’s RBI wedge double drove the gap back to three points, but Peralta walked two and Turang hit an RBI timely hit in the top of the eighth inning, narrowing the gap to two points again.

The atmosphere was darkened by allowing a tie in the top of the ninth inning, but Cronenworth hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, eventually making the game a thrilling victory for San Diego.

San Diego Padres won 7-6 and recorded 39 wins and 40 losses along with its two consecutive wins. It maintained its second place in the NL West. In contrast, Milwaukee maintained its lead in the NL Central despite recording 44 wins and 31 losses after winning two consecutive games.

Badminton doubles duo bracing for possible Olympic showdown against teammates

Korean women's badminton doubles team player Baek Ha-na, left, and Lee So-hee, hold up their gold medals from the All England Open at Incheon International Airport, March 19. Yonhap

In the bronze medal match of the women’s doubles in badminton at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the Korean team of Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong defeated a team from the same country, Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan. The celebration for the winners was understandably muted, with Kim in particular overcome with emotions afterward after denying her longtime teammates a medal.

Lee could have a chance at revenge in Paris this summer, but with a new partner by her side in Baek Hana. Kim and Kong are still together, but Lee and Baek are considered a stronger medal contender now. They check in at No. 2 in the world rankings, five spots ahead of Kim-Kong.

The Lee-Baek tandem has won five of its six meetings against the Kim-Kong team, most recently beating them in three sets in the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Open on June 7. Lee and Baek went on to win their second straight Indonesian title.

As they were preparing for their first Olympics together, Lee and Baek said Wednesday they did not rule out the possibility of another all-Korean duel.

“If we do end up facing each other, I’d rather do that in the final,” Lee, 30, said in a media scrum during an opening training session at the Jincheon National 안전 Training Center in Jincheon, some 85 kilometers southeast of Seoul. “And if that does happen, I’d be really excited. And even though we play for the same country, I don’t think either of our teams will back down from each other. It should be a fun match.”

Baek, 23, said a Korea vs. Korea matchup would be “the toughest battle” for her team.

“Regardless of our opponents, I have to make sure I will stay out of my own way,” Baek with a smile. “I can’t afford to think too much out there.”

Baek, who is about to make her Olympic debut, said she has been trying to heed Lee’s advice that she has to trust in the process and let the results take care of themselves.

“I think it’s easier said than done,” Baek added. “But it’s not for lack of effort on my part.”

Flights disrupted at Incheon Int’l Airport for 3 hours due to N. Korean balloon campaign

A trash-carrying balloon floated over from North Korea is found on the Han River near Jamsil Bridge in Seoul, in this picture provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, June 9. Yonhap

Domestic and international flights were suspended or delayed for about three hours at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday due to North Korea’s resumed trash-carrying balloon campaign, officials said.

On Tuesday night, North Korea launched another batch of large balloons carrying trash toward South Korea, marking the sixth such action against the South since late May.

Another batch of hundreds of balloons was flown to South Korea’s border areas Monday night as well.

Due to the North Korean balloons, takeoffs and landings of both domestic and international flights were suspended or delayed 추천 at Incheon International Airport from 1:46 a.m. to 4:44 a.m. on Wednesday, the airport operator said.

The decision was made due to concerns about potential safety accidents involving balloons possibly being sucked into airplane engines, company officials said.

All flights resumed normal operations as of 7 a.m. 

Figure skater Lee Hae-in on 3-year suspension over sexual harassment dispute

Figure skating star Lee Hae-in responds to fans' cheers after completing her women's single free skating performance at the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.  Reuters -Yonhap

(18, Korea University), a female national figure skater, has been identified as the athlete who received a 3-year suspension for drinking alcohol and allegedly sexually harassing a minor teammate during overseas training.

While she deeply regrets the drinking, she clarified that the victim was her boyfriend and denied the sexual harassment allegations.

Lee apologized on her social media, saying, “Drinking alcohol was absolutely wrong, and I am deeply reflecting on my actions.”

However, she firmly denied allegations of sexual harassment.

“The victim was my boyfriend when we were in high school. We broke up due to parental objection, but we reunited during this training camp.”

She added, “I thought it was just playful behavior or expressions of affection between lovers, and I never imagined it would lead to such a misunderstanding.”

Lee’s lawyer reportedly said that the couple had kept their relationship secret this time due to opposition from her family. The lawyer 합법 explained that their behavior might have seemed strange to those unaware of their relationship, leading to the sexual harassment controversy.

Because their relationship was secret, they did not disclose it during the initial investigation by the Korean Skating Union.

According to the Korea Skating Union, during the joint national team training camp in Varese, Italy, from May 15 to 28, Lee drank alcohol in her room with fellow skater A.

At that time, a minor male teammate, B, was also present. Lee allegedly engaged in behavior that made B uncomfortable. The union imposed a 3-year suspension on Lee and a 1-year suspension on A.

B, who had entered the women’s dormitory, received a reprimand for violating training guidelines.

Lee, considered the “post-Kim Yuna” and a silver medalist at last year’s World Championships, faces the risk of missing the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics due to the suspension.

She has appealed the decision to the Korea Sports Council, the higher body of the skating union.

Her lawyer said, “We will fully explain that it was light physical contact in a romantic relationship and seek leniency for Lee Hae-in’s mistakes.”

This is not the first sexual scandal in Korean skating. In 2019, Olympic short track gold medalist Shim Suk-hee revealed years of sexual abuse and rape by her coach, Jo Jae-beom, sparking the #Me Too movement in the skating community.