Jeju Shinbo
1. Society
Phase 3 of Jeju Outer Port development to begin
Jeju Shinbo is reporting that the third phase of development for the Jeju Outer Port is soon to begin. Once complete, the facility will be capable of accommodating 100,000-ton cruise ships.

2. Education
First KIS Jeju graduates receive Ivy League offers
Korea International School will be holding its first high school graduation at its Jeju campus next month and it has announced that a large number of its graduates have been accepted to Ivy League schools in the US. A total of 54 students will be graduating and 14 have so far received acceptance letters.

Jemin Ilbo
1. Economy
Average household debt surpasses average salary
The average household debt in Jeju stands at 30 million won per household, higher than the island’s average salary of 29 million won. Experts attribute the rise in household debt to increasing real estate prices.

2. Politics
Plan to charge visitors at Hallasan Mountain scrapped
The Jemin Ilbo is reporting that the plan to charge visitors at Hallasan Mountain has been scrapped. The article says the plan was nullified after the governor expressed skepticism, saying that it would cost more to pay for personnel and administration should the change be implemented.

Halla Ilbo
1. Economy
Household debt may soon reach 8 trillion won
The Halla Ilbo is reporting that household debt on the island may soon reach 8 trillion won, based on the rate it has been increasing as of late. As of November 2015 the accumulated debt on the island totaled 7.7 trillion won.

2. Society
Jeju selected to host International Seaweed Symposium
Jeju has been selected as the host for the 2019 International Seaweed Symposium, which is held every three years. Some 1,000 experts in the field are expected to visit the island for the event.

Yonhap
1. Diplomacy
Bilateral talks on response to NK nuclear test
Yonhap is reporting that Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken held talks Wednesday. The allies are quickening moves to punish North Korea for its defiant nuclear test earlier this month.

2. Society
More than half of Koreans buy lottery tickets
More than half of South Koreans bought a lottery ticket at least once last year. That’s based on the results of a survey of 1,000 people by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.