Today that is July FIRST we are ushering in the second half of the year with quite a number of changes in national policies ranging from foreign exchange transactions to government supported after-school activities to mental health services.
Lee Seung-jae has details.
Monday is a start to the new week, a new month, and officially the second half of the year.
It also means major changes being implemented nationwide starting on July 1st.
This comes as the finance ministry on Sunday released its booklet that contains changes to be implemented for the second half of 2024, including 233 policy changes.
And among the changes, for those that trade the U.S. dollar,.. the foreign exchange market for the U.S. dollar will be extended from 9 AM to 3:30 PM to 9AM to 2 AM the next day.
Trading hours for the Korean won and other currencies will remain the same at 9AM to 3:30PM.
The move comes as the government looks to increase the convenience of currency exchange for domestic and foreign investors and reduce transaction costs.
Also, foreign investors who want to trade Korean stocks and bonds will be able to exchange the U.S. dollar for the won in real-time through domestic financial companies or a Registered Foreign Institution.
The government funded after school program called ‘Neulbom School’ will also be expanded to be available to all first graders, in all 61-hundred elementary schools nationwide.
The program was launched last year to alleviate the burden on working parents amid the country’s low birthrate crisis.
What started off with just 459 schools, expanded to over 27-hundred by the start of spring semester this year, and will now be available in all elementary schools.
Also starting Monday, as part of the government’s push to provide professional psychological counseling to one million people by 2027, those suffering mental disorders such as depression and anxiety will be able to get free help.
Eight sessions are provided through the government-funded program, to those who are recognized as needing psychological counseling.
More policies will be implemented throughout the second half of the year, to bring about both minor and major changes to benefit people’s livelihoods.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272709
Arirang TV(public institution's name)'s public work is used according to KOGL