South Korea and the UK have reached an agreement to improve their Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The agreement includes easing origin standards for key exports like automobiles and K-food, and opening up the UK high-speed rail and service markets.
The deal also introduces new trade norms such as digital trade regulations and supply chain cooperation, expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment plans to support 3.5 million heat pumps by 2035 to reduce 5.18 million tons of greenhouse gases.
Priority will be given to areas without city gas, social welfare facilities, and facility farms.
Heat pumps are eco-friendly devices that can replace fossil fuel heating, and the ministry will support the development of various types of heat pumps.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 16th that the amendments to the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment and Industrial Accident Insurance Premium Collection Act were approved in the cabinet meeting.
The payment period for substitute workers for parental leave will be extended by up to one month, and the subsidy will be paid in full for the duration of the substitute worker’s employment.
Due to the increase in the minimum wage next year, the maximum amount of job-seeking benefits will rise to 68,100 won per day.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced an amendment to the enforcement decree to include plastic toys in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.
The recycling cost for toys is set at 343 won per kg, and general plastic toys can be separated and disposed of like other plastic items.
Toys that are electrical or electronic must be disposed of through dedicated small appliance collection bins or municipal electronic product recovery systems.
The Hometown Love Donation Program has surpassed 100 billion won in cumulative donations in its third year.
Increased donations to special disaster areas and the expansion of private platform donations are key factors.
Next year, the tax deduction rate will be further expanded, leading to increased participation.
A system improvement is being promoted to allow local government recommended personnel to participate in government committees.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Government Legislation, and the Council of Governors of Korea have approved 20 amendments to presidential decrees.
This amendment is expected to enable local governments to participate more actively in the decision-making process of major national policies.