Jeju Shinbo
1. Politics
Survey shows majority support new airport plan
A survey conducted of over 3,000 Jeju residents by the paper shows that just over half are in favor of the plan to build Jeju’s second airport in Seongsan. Around 22 percent said the location needed to be changed.

2. Society
Thousands swarm Halla, icy path causes accidents
The paper argues authorities were unprepared for the thousands of people who climbed Hallasan Mountain to see the year’s first sunrise from the peak. Some 5,600 people swarmed the single path leading to the top of the mountain, leading to a number of accidents, three of which reportedly resulted in fractured bones.

Jemin Ilbo
1. Politics
Plan to simplify immigration hits roadblock
The Jemin Ilbo says difficulties lie ahead for the provincial government’s plan to simplify immigration at cruise terminals, as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is against the idea.

2. Society
Thousands ring in new year with a dip in the ocean
About 3,000 people started off the new year with a dip in the ocean at the annual Penguin Swim in Seogwipo over the weekend. This year’s event was the 16th of its kind.

Halla Ilbo
1. Economy
Rock-bottom wages and skyrocketing housing prices
The Halla Ilbo is reporting that Jeju’s average salaries are the lowest in the nation while housing prices grow at the fastest pace nationwide. According to the Korea Appraisal Board, the average annual salary in Jeju last year was around 26 million won while the national average was 31 million.

2. Society
Large-scale tourism developments delayed
A number of large-scale tourism developments have been delayed by as much as five years. The provincial government said Sunday extensions of 1 to 5 years had been given to 11 projects currently underway. The paper says some have already been in the works for close to two decades.

Yonhap
1. Inter-Korea
‘NK may be readying thermonuclear weapon tests’
Yonhap is reporting that North Korea may be preparing to test its thermonuclear weapons capabilities at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site. This according to a Sunday statement by a South Korean military unit responsible for nuclear defense.

2. National
Ex-weightlifting champion questioned over assault
Former Olympic weightlifting champion Sa Jae-hyouk was questioned by police last weekend over assault charges. Police in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, said Sa, was interrogated for about two hours Sunday evening, after he allegedly punched fellow weightlifter, Hwang Woo-man, in the face on New Year's Eve.