Jeju Shinbo
1. Economy
250,000 holiday visitors expected
The Jeju Provincial Tourism Association says around 250,000 people will visit Jeju over the Lunar New Year holidays.
2. Economy
Mandarin prices rise ahead of Lunar New Year
Prices of Jeju mandarin oranges have more than doubled to over 17,000 won per 10-kilogram box on the back of high demand ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Jemin Ilbo
1. Society
Not much enthusiasm for electric cars
The Jemin Ilbo is reporting that six out of ten Jeju residents say they are not interested in buying an electric vehicle despite the provincial government’s push to convert all cars on the island to electric-power by 2030.
2. Education
More national funding ‘essential’ for Nuri Program
The provincial office of education says it has received a month’s worth of funding from the central government for the Nuri Program. But the office also says if the rest is not provided, there won’t be enough money for the childcare program for three-to-five-year-olds.
Halla Ilbo
1. Economy
Imported foods on Lunar New Year tables
The Halla Ilbo is reporting that concerns are rising as more people are opting to buy cheaper imported foods, and not local products, for traditional Lunar New Year rituals.
2. Tourism
Chinese arrivals rising
The Jeju Tourism Association says around 60,000 Chinese tourists will visit Jeju next week during the Chinese spring festival holidays. That’s 17.5 percent more than during the same period last year.
Yonhap
1. Society
All suspected Zika virus cases test negative
Yonhap is reporting that all seven people in South Korea who showed symptoms of Zika infection tested negative for the virus. This comes as the country tightens quarantine measures and prepares to respond quickly to a possible outbreak.
2. North Korea
NK notifies UN authorities of satellite launch plan
North Korea has notified U.N. agencies it plans to launch a satellite later this month. This is seen as confirmation the communist nation is readying for a long-range rocket launch in violation of U.N. resolutions.
