N Korea slams US on racism, eSports added to the Asian Games, and professor caught lecturing from bathtub
K-NEWS BITES
Fri 2021-10-29 (KST)
Cabinet approves greenhouse gas reduction target (1 min read)
“The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the government's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The pledge, which was passed at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, represents a significant raise in the country's previous greenhouse gas reduction target of 26.3 percent.”
Jeju April 3 incident victims to receive record state compensation (1 min read)
“The government plans to pay about 960 billion won ($820 million) to the victims of the bloody 1948-1954 suppression of a civilian uprising on Jeju Island, the interior ministry said Wednesday, marking the largest state compensation for civilian victims connected to past tragedies… On April 3, 1948, Jeju islanders began protesting against US military-led rule following Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule. The then-government distorted the uprising as a communist riot and massacred an estimated up to 30,000 civilians, about 10 percent of the island's population at the time, in armed crackdowns over the subsequent years.”
Korea offering COVID-19 booster to people age 50 and up, J&J recipients (2 min read)
“People aged 50 and older, anyone who received Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, medically vulnerable people and those deemed essential workers will become eligible to receive COVID-19 ‘booster’ vaccinations beginning the second week of November, the national health protection agency said Thursday… People who were initially vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines are recommended to receive a third dose of the same vaccine. Since no AstraZeneca vaccine is available as a booster, its recipients will get either of the mRNA vaccines.” Please refer to the article for more details of the various criteria for the booster vaccines.
New virus cases hit over 2,100 as infections spike ahead of easing of virus curbs (1 min read)
“The country added 2,111 fresh COVID-19 cases, including 2,095 local infections, raising the total caseload to 358,412… It is the first time in 20 days that the daily caseload has surpassed the 2,000 mark. The daily count was 1,952 the previous day, 1,266 on Tuesday and 1,190 on Monday..… The death toll rose by 11 to 2,808. The fatality rate stood at 0.78 percent.”
General COVID Information for residents in Korea:
Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea
Coronavirus Statistics for South Korea
Can Moon’s Final Attempt to End the Korean War Work? (5 min read)
“... Moon’s hands are tied as a mediator between the U.S. and North Korea. The outcomes of the failed Hanoi summit proved that Washington would not lift the crippling economic sanctions unless the North agrees with its approach, which is ‘complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization.’ Pyongyang, meanwhile, demands sanctions relief – and now military concessions as well – before beginning any substantial dismantling of its nuclear program. Despite deadlock on the nuclear issue, Seoul expects the related countries to consult over the end-of-war declaration before the end of Moon’s term. That issue, while not simple, would be less diplomatically complex than a full agreement on denuclearization.”
N. Korea slams US, some western countries for skipping UN meeting on racism (1 min read)
“In a note posted on the foreign ministry's website, North Korea criticized the US, Britain and others for not taking part in a high-level meeting at the UN General Assembly last month to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that calls for racial justice. It accused the countries of having ‘the darkest history’ in racism and ‘pouring cold water’ on efforts to protect and improve human rights, while claiming to be ‘advanced nations’ and acting like ‘judges’ in the fields.”
North Korea food crisis: Leader Kim Jong Un asks people to 'eat less' until 2025 (1 min read)
“North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has asked the people of his country to eat less until 2025 in a bid to combat the food crisis. Food prices are soaring in North Korea due to a lack of supply which is unable to meet the demand of people living in the country. The food shortage in North Korea have been exacerbated by the sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic, and last year’s typhoons.”
6 companies to recall nearly 330,000 vehicles over faulty parts (1 min read)
Hyundai Motor, Volvo Korea, and sellers of the Fleta two-wheelers (Kia, McLaren, Husqvarna Motorcycles Korea and Myeong Won INC), will “voluntarily recall nearly 330,000 vehicles to fix faulty components, the transport ministry said Thursday… The problems include a faulty brake pedal system in Hyundai's Palisade SUV, air bag inflator problems in Volvo's S60 sedan, and a faulty fuel hose system in the McLaren 570S, which is imported by Kiheung International… Vehicle owners can contact or visit designated repair and service centers to replace the parts free of charge, the ministry said.”
Esports talent in Korea gets boost from big business, easing of gaming ban (3 min read)
South Korea announced in “August that it would abolish a decade-old law which bans those below the age of 16 from playing online games on computers from midnight to 6 a.m, over a growing consensus that youths are increasingly using their mobile phones instead… South Korea's move is in contrast to that of China, the world's biggest esports market, which in late August drastically limited the amount of time under-18s can spend on video games to a mere three hours a week. Esports will also feature as a medal sport for the first time at the Asian Games in Hangzhou next year.”
Professor holds online class while in bathtub (1 min read)
“The professor, whose name was withheld, was giving an online lecture with only audio available. But the camera was accidentally turned on, revealing his upper body above the waterline to his students, according to local broadcaster SBS... He switched off the camera immediately and continued giving the lecture. However, the sound of water splashing in the bathtub continued, students told the media outlet… The professor sent an email of apology to the students to claim that he had a high fever after receiving the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and… he was trying his best not to cancel the class.”
Hanshin University establishes Korea’s 1st graduate school of interdisciplinary convergence esports (2 min read)
“The school on Monday said in a press release that students will be granted a Master of Science degree upon finishing the program of esports convergence, which will open from the spring semester next year… The school added that the curriculum of the esports convergence graduate school is designed to help students become professionals who can participate in esports competitions or join relevant industries for their career.”
Wine not? (1 min read)
The Hyundai Department Store chain “is holding a wine fair at its 16 branches across the country until Oct. 31. Some 500,000 bottles of wines will be on sale.“ Grab some while you can, as the sale closes this weekend!
Seoul Gourmet Week to deliver ‘glocal’ cuisines (1 min read)
“The 2021 Seoul Gourmet Week will kick off both online and [in-person on Friday] to introduce and promote Seoul’s unique gourmet culture to potential domestic and foreign tourists, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization jointly announced... Six programs are on standby to awaken visitors’ taste buds -- the Seoul Restaurant Week, Gourmet Tour Live, Seoul Glocal Food Market, Seoul Bus-taurant, Seoul-icious Cine Flavor and Live Cooking Class.” Please refer to the article for further details.
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