North Korea confirmed that it has blown up sections of roads and railways leading to South Korea, calling it a "hostile state," North Korean state media reported Wednesday.

BACKGROUND:Opioids are known to cause respiratory depression, aspiration, and to suppress the immune system. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between short- and long-term opioid use and the occurrence and clinical outcomes of pneumonia in South Korea.METHODS:The data for this population-based retrospective cohort analysis were obtained from the South Korean National Health Insurance Service. The opioid user group consisted of those prescribed opioids in 2016, while the non-user group, who did not receive opioid prescriptions that year, was selected using a 1:1 stratified random sampling method. The opioid users were categorized into short-term (1–89 d) and long-term (≥90 d) users. The primary end point was pneumonia incidence from January 1, 2017–December 31, 2021, with secondary end points including pneumonia-related hospitalizations and mortality rates during the study period.RESULTS:In total, 4,556,606 adults were enrolled (opioid group, 2,070,039). Opioid users had a 3% higher risk of pneumonia and an 11% higher risk of pneumonia requiring hospitalization compared to non-users. Short-term users had a 3% higher risk of pneumonia, and long-term users had a 4% higher risk compared to non-users (P < .001). Additionally, short-term users had an 8% higher risk of hospital-treated pneumonia, and long-term users had a 17% higher risk compared to non-users (P < .001).CONCLUSIONS:Both short- and long-term opioid prescriptions were associated with higher incidences of pneumonia and hospital-treated pneumonia. In addition, long-term opioid prescriptions were linked to higher mortality rates due to pneumonia.

The buzz surrounding his post even caused a temporary block on his Instagram account due to a surge in user engagement

South Korean actor Song Jae Rim, known for his roles in popular K-Dramas, passed away at 39 in Seoul

South Korean actor Song Jae-rim died yesterday (Nov 12) at the age of 39. The Seongdong Police Station in Seoul confirmed that he was found deceased in his apartment at around 12.30pm. According to media reports, a friend whom he was supposed to meet for lunch had visited his home and reported the death. A two-page letter was reportedly found at the scene but the cause of death has not been confirmed. A police official, however, stated that there are "no signs of foul play". His wake was held at Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital Funeral Hall at 5.30pm yesterday. His funeral will be held tomorrow at Seoul City Crematorium. Jae-rim gained popularity after starring in the 2012 drama The Moon Embracing the Sun and the 2014 reality series We Got Married. This year, he starred in two dramas — My Military Valentine and Queen Woo. Following news of his death, comedian Hong Seok-cheon and other celebrities posted tributes to Jae-rim on social media.

SEOUL - South Korea's military said it will hold a three-day joint exercise with the United States and Japan starting on Wednesday (Nov 13), featuring fighter jets and marine patrol aircraft as well as the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington. The Freedom Edge exercise is a response to what the South Korean military said were threats from North Korea, which recently conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test, drawing condemnation from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. It also comes as the US State Department said North Korean troops have started engaging in combat operations in Russia's war with Ukraine. The exercise will include South Korean and Japanese fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft, as well as the USS George Washington, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The trilateral exercise follows a first round held earlier this year after the leaders of the three countries agreed at a summit in 2023 to hold annual training drills. Pyongyang has long condemned joint drills between South Korea and the United States, calling them a rehearsal for invasion.

SEOUL — South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol recently began practising golf, for the first time in eight years, in preparation for future meetings with US President-elect Donald Trump, Yoon's office confirmed on Tuesday (Nov 12). South Korean media said Yoon visited a golf course on Saturday for a sport his office said he had last played in 2016. "A lot of people close to President Trump... (told me) President Yoon and Trump will have good chemistry," Yoon told a press conference on Thursday, after congratulating Trump by telephone on his win. Former Trump administration officials and influential Republicans had offered to help build ties with the incoming president, he added. Analysts said Yoon may seek to find a way to capitalise on a personal friendship with Trump to advance Seoul's interests as Trump's "America First" foreign policy plans and his unpredictable style play out in his second term. South Korean companies rely heavily on trade with the United States, and during Trump's first term, the countries clashed over cost-sharing for the roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

South Korea, China, and Japan pledged their joint commitment to finalize negotiations for a global treaty on medlinkplastic pollution/medlink (!--ref1--).

South Koreans were most likely to succumb to medlinkcancer/medlink, medlinkheart disease/medlink, or medlinkpneumonia/medlink in 2023. According

The number of babies born in South Korea soars for the first time in 19 months in April, according to new data. According to the data compiled by

Government officials indicated that they are considering pausing license suspensions and other administrative actions against striking trainee doctors,

South Korean men made up one-third of all medlinkchildcare/medlink leave takers in the first half of this year, marking a historic milestone as their

The Agriculture Ministry reported that South Korea confirmed its second case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) this year on a cattle farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

South Korea's National Assembly is expected to pass a bill this week extending the maximum medlinkparental leave/medlink from two years to three. (!--ref1--) Rep.

South Korea has confirmed its fourth case of medlinkAfrican swine fever/medlink from pig farms this year, highlighting an urgent need for heightened biosecurity measures.

In response to the WHO's global health emergency declaration for medlinkmpox/medlink outbreaks in Africa, South Korean authorities are intensifying quarantine and surveillance efforts.

The South Korean government announced that they have increased disinfection efforts and inspections at pig farms in response to a confirmed medlinkAfrican

In South Korea suspected bird flu cases at a local farm have been detected. The suspected cases of the avian influenza were discovered at an

At a duck farm in South Korea, another suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported. According to the ministry, the latest

A new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported at a duck farm in South Korea, as revealed by sources. The latest case was reported

South Korea's Agriculture Ministry announced the confirmation of the first highly pathogenic medlinkavian influenza/medlink case (!--ref1--) in

The chief of a global initiative tasked with providing affordable treatments to low-and-middle income nations has said that South Korea's effective handling of Covid-19 can offer valuable lessons for the world in addressing future pandemics and existing diseases.

Song Jae-rim was found dead in his apartment on November 12.

Berkeley, CA : University of California Press, [2023]

India will take on hosts China in the final on September 17, 2024.

South Korean Perspectives on China-Russia Collaboration in the Arctic South Korean Perspectives on China-Russia Collaboration in the Arctic

From the beaches of Pohang to the ivy-covered walls of Yonsei University in Seoul, many tourists enamoured by the Hallyu are choosing to explore South Korea and its culture through K-drama and K-pop tours

Analysts said Mr. Yoon may seek to find a way to capitalise on a personal friendship with Mr. Trump to advance Seoul's interests as Trump's "America First" foreign policy plan

South Koreans are familiar with Andhra Pradesh and since Kia Motors is here, more Korean companies may wish to come too, says Sangwoo Lim

While warning aircraft and vessels near western border areas, South Korea's military did not specify how North Korea was interfering with GPS signals or detail the extent of disruptions

Curto also must do community services and undergo training and education with an organization approved by FIFA

The highly contagious but less deadly BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron has pushed the figures to greater highs in recent weeks in South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa strutted across the stage and performed in a singing contest.

South Korea has ordered Facebook owner Meta Platforms to pay 21.62 billion won ($15.67 million) in fines after finding it had collected sensitive user data and given it to advertisers without a legal basis

1. South Korea takes first cautious steps into a post-Covid world  The Guardian
2. S. Korea warned of COVID-10 second wave  NEWS.com.au
3. South Korea reverses on reopenings amid nightclub outbreak  The Age
4. S.Korea leader says no panic as cases rise  SBS News
5. Coronavirus: How South Korea 'crushed' the curve  BBC News
6. View Full coverage on Google News

The country’s NGOs and trade unions were critical in monitoring the situation, and reaching vulnerable groups.

Israel has just reported a potent monoclonal antibody (mAb) against SARS CoV-2. Firms in South Korea, the US are leading mAb trials.

The new flareups and fears of a second wave of contagion underscored the dilemma authorities face as they try to reopen their economies.