Jeju Shinbo
1. Economy
Future unclear for Yerae Resort Complex
The Jeju Shinbo is reporting that Berjaya Jeju Resort, the operator of the Yerae Resort Complex, failed to pay back loans due Wednesday, leaving JDC to repay the debt instead and become the new major shareholder.

2. Society
Deep-sea divers shunning Jeju
Deep-sea divers are reportedly turning away from Jeju due to the complex registration procedures and high prices involved here. This is despite their preference for the underwater scenery unique to Jeju waters.

Jemin Ilbo
1. Economy
Lack of construction materials affecting Jeju economy
The Jemin Ilbo is reporting that the recent construction boom has resulted in a shortage of building materials. This, in turn is pushing up prices, which are being passed on to homebuyers.

2. Economy
Abnormal weather pushes up prices for holiday food
Abnormal weather conditions are pushing up prices of the food used in ancestral memorial rites over the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays. Onion prices have more than doubled and the prices of pork and pears are also on the rise due to supply shortages.


Halla Ilbo
1. Society
Effort to designate tourist sites ‘ineffective’
The Halla Ilbo says that the provincial government’s designation of certain places as quote/unquote “excellent tourist service establishments” is proving to be ineffective. A recent checkup of the 136 listings showed many were miswritten, leading to duplicates.

2. Economy
Winter electricity use surpasses summer figures
Winter electricity usage rates are continuing to surpass those of the summer, overturning previous trends for summer air conditioning to be costlier than winter heating.

Yonhap
1. Economy
‘Four in 10 households unprepared for old age’
Yonhap is reporting that approximately four in 10 South Korean households have no concrete plans to cope with life after retirement. A report showed by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs showed 38.5 percent of local households are unprepared for old age.

2. Inter-Korea
Inter-Korean trade hits record high in 2015
Trade volume between South and North Korea reached an all-time high in 2015 despite strained inter-Korean ties over the North's pursuit of nuclear weapons. The Korea International Trade Association says cross-border trade came to 2.71 billion US dollars last year, up 15.8 percent from a year earlier.