UNESCO’s Memory of the World

A live broadcast titled “Finding Dispersed Families” was mentioned on the UNESCO Memory of the World, a heritage documentary, on Oct. 10. The special program, which aired from June 30 to Nov. 14, 1983, aimed to help reconnect families separated during the 1950-1953 Korean War. It resulted in 10,189 successful reunions. The list included a 453-hour-long broadcast and producers’ documents.

“It seems a country's spending reflects its national stereotypes… bookish South Koreans splurge more than most on education.”

The Economist reported that the stereotype of South Korea’s frenzy for education turned out to be true based on its expenditure data.  Among the world’s top 20 economies, South Koreans spent 6.7 percent of their income on education while other countries spent 1.1 percent to 4.4 percent in the same category. Experts said that South Korea’s private education expenses account for a big part in the high percentage.

Backing Up Memories

Cyworld, which used to be South Korea’s favorite social networking service around a decade ago, said they will go through a massive renovation and close down some of its website features. After the announcement, a great number of users crowded on the social media platform to back up their online memories. Cyworld extended the deadline from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 as a more-than-expected number of users returned to save their memories.

Suicide Rate

South Korea’s suicide rate dropped to the lowest level in six years. But with 27.3 committing suicide per 100,000 people, the country still holds the highest rate among the countries of the Organization Economic Cooperation and Development. Suicide also stands as the top cause of death for those in their 20s and 30s. On average, 3.2 people in their 20s and six people in their 30s end their lives every day in South Korea, the report added.

“U-Turn” Students

More than 1,300 graduates of four-year universities re-enrolled at two-year colleges in 2015, up 25 percent from two years earlier. The so-called “U-turn” students came amid the country’s economic slump, as graduates of two-year colleges have a higher employment rate at 61 percent, which is 8 percent higher than four-year university graduates.