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[Misc] (HL-20190217~20190223) Weekly Headlines
최고관리자  |  19-02-21 01:12
Trump Signs Directive in Move to Create a Space Force 
President Donald Trump took a step on Feb. 19, needed for lawmakers to begin the lengthy process of creating a U.S. Space Force, a new branch of the military dedicated to handling threats in space. Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4, which puts in place the foundation for a legislative initiative that could establish a Space Force as a new military service comparable to the U.S. Marines. In an oval office signing ceremony, Trump said the Space Force is a national security priority.

China May Use N. Korea as Bargaining Chip in Trade Talks, Expert Says
U.S. and Chinese negotiators meet this week for the last time before a March 1 deadline set by the two countries to reach a deal on trade. If talks don’t yield a satisfactory outcome, an increase in tariffs and the resulting tensions may hurt U.S.–North Korea engagement as well, an expert said. A Chinese delegation arrived in Washington to start another round of trade talks with the U.S. trade officials on Feb. 19. The White House earlier said that if both sides fail to reach a deal by March 1, the United States would increase tariffs on Chinese goods.

Government rolls back ‘K-pop beauty guidelines’ following backlash
The government said Wednesday it is scrapping some of the more controversial guidelines it intended to bring diversity to the screen, following criticism from politicians and K-pop fans on suggestions of an appearance-based quota. The decision comes just days after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family published its new guidebook on gender equality on Feb. 12, in which it urged broadcasters not to present a “monolithic beauty standard” to help tackle lookism altogether. “Most idol groups have skinny bodies, fair skin and similar hairstyles, and wear revealing clothes and makeup,” the 50-page guidebook reads, encouraging producers and TV networks to reduce the chances that people with similar looks appear on TV together. Another clause said that women weather presenters should avoid wearing “too much makeup” or “revealing clothes,” and reduce “showing skin.”

Military changing to embrace diversity
The number of foreign residents in Korea continues to grow and now accounts for some 3.6 percent of the country’s population. This story is part of a series that examines how Korea is grappling with the issue of multiculturalism, as well as the challenges facing new arrivals. In a country where the phrase “homogenous nation” was once chanted with pride not long ago, there was nothing strange about a provision within the military law that exempted men of mixed heritage from military service if they were “clearly biracial” in appearance, despite being South Korean nationals. But the presence in Korea of more foreigners and more international couples is slowly leading the country to a change of attitude. Within the past decade, the military law was amended requiring all men of Korean nationality to serve in the military, regardless of race or ethnicity. (Naturalized South Koreans and North Korean defectors can also enlist, but they are not subject to conscription and can still opt out.) The fact that the number of soldiers had decreased due to low birth rates and the aging population also played a part.

Samsung unveils first foldable gadget
Samsung Electronics has finally unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, at the Unpacked event for the 10th anniversary edition of Galaxy S phones in San Francisco on Wednesday. The highly anticipated Galaxy Fold features the world’s first 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display, which folds into a compact device with a cover display, offering a new way of multitasking, including watching videos and playing games. 

Supreme Court ups maximum working age to 65
The Supreme Court recognized Thursday the age of 65 as the maximum age that people are physically fit to work, breaking the nearly 30-year precedent that will likely reshape the notion of retirement and impact related industries. The 13-judge bench reversed an appellate court ruling that ordered the family of a drowning accident victim to be compensated based on the applied age of 60 to determine the indemnity.