Chinese Korean War movie stokes K-anger, N Korean currency’s mysterious surge, and Koreans don’t wash their hands
K-NEWS BITES
Sat 2021-10-16 (KST)
US allies vow cooperation on cybercrime (1 min read)
“The US allies -- about 30 countries including South Korea, Japan, the UK and Canada -- vowed to bolster cooperation to combat the growing threat of ransomware and other cybercrimes, at an online session hosted by the White House National Security Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.”
1,000 food delivery workers to join one-day general strike next week (1 min read)
“Delivery workers of South Korea's leading food delivery services, Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats and Yogiyo, designated Wednesday next week as ‘No-delivery Day’ and will take part in the general walkout called by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU)...”
[Newsmaker] Korea to hold safety review of Moderna vaccine (2 min read)
“South Korea’s top health agency said Thursday that it would be evaluating the age recommendations for the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the wake of recent decisions by some European countries and Japan, which are now discouraging its use in some young people.”
New virus cases slow down, eased distancing rules to be applied for 2 weeks (2 min read)
“The country added 1,684 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,670 local infections, raising the total caseload to 339,361… The country added eight more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,626. The fatality rate was 0.78 percent.”
“... the government said it will allow social gatherings of a maximum of eight people, up from the current cap of six, in the capital area after 6 p.m. if four of them are fully vaccinated.”
General COVID Information for residents in Korea:
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
Coronavirus Statistics for South Korea
Chinese war blockbuster fuels anger in South Korea (4 min read)
“To many South Koreans, the film is another propaganda piece filled with historical inaccuracies and bankrolled by the Chinese government to incite deeper patriotic feelings among the country's younger generation.“ The article includes the official trailer of the film.
Engaging North Korea Via Subnational Diplomacy (3 min read)
“While subnational engagement by itself will not be a solution for the many challenges that exist between North Korea and the United States, there is precedent for a visit by a subnational official to provide a breakthrough on certain issues with a country with which the United States does not have diplomatic relations.“
North Korean Currency’s Mysterious Surge Prompts a Guessing Game (5 min read)
“There are competing theories for why it’s happening, ranging from Kim’s pandemic border closure killing demand for foreign currencies to the isolated country instituting a crackdown on their use. Whatever the reason, most observers agree it’s no good thing.”
N. Korea opens western sea route to receive medical supplies: UNICEF (1 min read)
Oren Schlein, the head of the Seoul liaison office for UNICEF said, “The sea route from China's Dalian to Nampo has been opened… Some medical supplies have been shipped (to North Korea), and more will be delivered.”
Woowa Bros. befuddled by increasing consumer dissatisfaction with Baemin (3 min read)
“Woowa Brothers claims that the relatively higher consumer dissatisfaction rate is primarily attributable to the differences in the logistics systems used by the various operators.” A representative said, “If there is a problem with food quality, that is the restaurant's fault. If the delivery was slow, that is the driver or food delivery company's mistake. People often think we manage all of that. We are just a platform operator.”
Samsung Galaxy S21 range will probably get Android 12 by December (2 min read)
“It’s worth noting that the version of Android 12 that the Samsung Galaxy S21 range will get won’t be the same as the version Google has unveiled.” For example, “arguably the biggest feature of Android 12 won’t initially be present. We’re talking about Material You, a feature that lets you drill down and completely personalize the look of Android 12.”
Only 3 in 10 Koreans wash hands with soap after using toilet: survey (1 min read)
“Among those who said they don't [wash their hands], 51.4 percent said they simply hadn't developed the habit of handwashing, while 29 percent said it is bothersome and 5 percent cited the absence of soap in the washrooms they use as the reasons for failing to observe basic hygiene.”
Afghan teen evacuees share joys of new life in Korea (3 min read)
“During their six-month stay at the National HRD Institute in Jincheon, the government provides diverse programs for them on integrating into Korean society that will help them to support themselves... The Afghans have received long-term residence visas (F-1) from the government.”
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