By Min Yea-Ji and Lee Jihae

New policies and measures to be adopted in 2020 seek to make life more convenient and eco-friendly.

First, the minimum wage this year is KRW 8,590, up KRW 240 from KRW 8,350 last year, and applies not only to regular employees but also to foreign laborers, temporary staff, day workers and those paid based on hours. In other words, the higher wage, based on labor standard law, affects all employees regardless of nationality or type of job.

Convenience stores and discount chains will give change to customers through the latter's bank accounts instead of cash even if receiving cash payments. Customers can receive change through smartphone apps and mobile cash or cash integrated chip cards connected to their accounts.

Six discount and convenience store chains – Lotte Mart, E-Mart, E-Mart 24, CU, GS25 and 7-Eleven – and 10 prepay e-payment services are participating in the pilot project.



As early as this year's first quarter, a mobile driver's license will have the same legal status as a physical license. Blockchain technology will be applied to prevent fabrication or alteration of encrypted data, and security technology such as vaccines and security keypads used in financial services will also be applied to the mobile license.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said the e-license will make it easier for a driver to authenticate his or her identification via smartphone and without a physical license. The mobile license can also prevent crimes stemming from the loss of a physical license and reduce the cost of reissuance.

More steps will also be taken to protect the environment. Discount store chains and supermarkets last year banned disposable plastic bags, and this year, the chains will no longer provide plastic tape or rope at packing tables for customers to pack their own shopping bags.

The Ministry of Environment said it will add more measures after this pilot project is completed to encourage the wider use of non-disposable shopping bags.



jesimin@korea.kr