Korea 24 - 2022.01.17

Korea24 &ndash; 2022.01.17. (Monday)<br /> <br /> News Briefing: Starting Tuesday, the COVID-19 pass will no longer be required for entry into facilities deemed as low-risk, including department and large discount stores, movie theaters, museums, study rooms, libraries, and cram schools. (Eunice Kim)<br /> <br /> In-Depth News Analysis: North Korea test fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Monday morning, according to South Korean military authorities. This marks the fourth missile test launch in two weeks. For analysis on this sudden flurry of missile activity, and what it could mean for negotiations with the US and the inter-Korean peace process, Dr. Bruce Bennett, senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, joins us on the line.<br /> <br /> Korea Trending with Walter Lee: <br /> 1. Chairman of the Hyundai Development Company, Chung Mong-gyu, has announced that he is stepping down, after two buildings under construction by the company collapsed with fatal consequences over the last year. (정몽규 HDC 회장 &ldquo;사고 아파트 완전철거&middot;재시공&hellip;회장직 사퇴&rdquo;)<br /> 2. An underwater volcano erupted off the coast of Tonga last Saturday, which initially led countries nearby to issue tsunami warnings. (통가 인근 화산서 대규모 분화)<br /> 3. A couple residing in Changwon discovered a large pearl, 1.3cm in diameter, inside an oyster that they had bought to eat at home. (굴찜 먹다 발견한 커다란 진주&hellip;&quot;행운의 징조 되길&quot;)<br /> <br /> Monday Sports Round-up: In football, the Korean men&rsquo;s national team swept aside Iceland 5-1 in a friendly match on Saturday, despite the absence of their Europe-based stars. Meanwhile, the &lsquo;royal family of Korean hoops&rsquo; lit up the KBL All-Star game on Sunday. And disgraced short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee is set to find out her fate for Beijing 2022. Sports reporter Yoo Jee-ho from the Yonhap News Agency brings us the updates.<br /> <br /> Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: <br /> - In tomorrow&rsquo;s Korea Times, Kwon Mee-yoo wri