Reader's Digest: seasonal flu, Terra-Luna founder, outdoor mask mandate

The biggest news of this week came when President Yoon Suk-yeol traveled to the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City and was caught on a hot mic in a profanity-laced rant against U.S. President Joe Biden. Yoon’s apparent concern was that a recently-passed piece of U.S. legislation would provide tax cuts for those who purchase electric vehicles - but only for EVs assembled in North America. (KOMMON covered this issue in-depth last week.) The Yoon administration denied any wrongdoing.

Reader's Digest

Seasonal flu shots begin and for many they are free

(Korea JoongAng Daily)

Worried about a potential "double epidemic" of COVID-19 and the flu, Korea has started administering free seasonal flu shots to high-risk groups Wednesday this week. The eligible recipients are children, pregnant women, and people 65 or older, including foreign nationals on long-term stays. According to the KDCA, the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine can be done at the same time, in different arms.

Korea asks Interpol to issue Red Notice for Terra-Luna founder

(The Korea Times)

[Screenshot from Coinage's YouTube channel]

When a crash in May wiped out the value of the Terra (LUNA) cryptocurrency "stablecoin" and dragged down Bitcoin and the entire market, its founder, Do Kwon, had just moved his HQ to Singapore. While he has been claiming that he is cooperating with the authorities, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office has now concluded that he is "on the run" to avoid investigation and asked Interpol to issue an arrest warrant so that he can be extradited to South Korea.

Fast internet speeds can’t save South Korea’s terrible websites

(Korea Pro)

In this piece, Chad O'Carroll explores how South Korea is both a tech behemoth with best-in-class internet speeds, yet UI/UX decisions on websites appear dated when compared to contemporary standards in other advanced nations.

Korea to lift outdoor mask mandate starting next week

(The Korea Times)

From Monday, people attending outdoor gatherings of 50 or more people, sporting events, and concerts will not have to wear masks anymore. Rules for indoor mask wearing will remain in place for the time being.

Today’s K-culture no longer needs the “K” qualifier

(The Hankyoreh)

An editorial in The Hankyoreh explores to what degree Korean cultural offerings have reached the heights of mainstream Western cultural products. To quote the sub-title: “K-dramas, K-pop and K-movies once defined not by genre but nationally have struck a chord globally.”

Drug-ridden depiction of Suriname shows Korean media must do better

(Korea JoongAng Daily)

With audiences around the world now watching Korean-made dramas and movies, the Korean media has repeatedly been accused of a lack of cultural sensitivity, most recently for the way the new Netflix hit drama Narco-Saints (titled Suriname in Korean) depicts the former Dutch colony as a country riddled with gang activity, corrupt police officers, and a president accepting bribes. The Surinamese government is not amused and is deliberating legal action.

Foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan vow 'sincere efforts' to resolve historic disputes

(The Korea Herald)

The heads of states of Korea and Japan, President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, held their fist bilateral meeting since December 2019 in New York on Wednesday. During their 30-minute meeting at a conference building near the U.N. headquarters, the two leaders "agreed on the need to improve bilateral relations", according to the presidential office, which may mark a significant step forward, considering the low point to which the two countries' relations have sunk recently.