Korea 24 - 2022.03.18

Korea24 &ndash; 2022.03.18. (Friday)<br /> <br /> News Briefing: President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol has officially launched his transition team and he has stressed that priority will be given to the needs of the general public and national interests. (KOO Hee-jin)<br /> <br /> In-Depth News Analysis (Weekly Economy Review): The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2018, starting its efforts to battle the spiraling inflation. Meanwhile, Russia has managed to avert defaulting on its foreign debt despite increasing international sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. To discuss these developments and its potential impact, including here in South Korea, Economic Professor Yang Jun-sok from the Catholic University of Korea joins us on the line.<br /> <br /> Korea Trending with Walter Lee:<br /> 1. A new variant of COVID-19 has been reported in Israel that contains elements of the omicron and stealth omicron variants. (이스라엘서 오미크론+스텔스오미크론 변이 발견)<br /> 2. A museum in Russia has requested the early return of artworks by artist Kazimir Malevich that are on display at an exhibition in Seoul. (러시아의 화풀이?&hellip;&ldquo;한국에 전시 중인 미술품 반환해라&rdquo;)<br /> 3. The Kiwoom Heroes have controversially signed its former shortstop, Kang Jung-ho, despite having previously been virtually expelled from the KBO after 3 DUI&rsquo;s. (키움, 강정호와 계약&hellip;KBO에 임의해지 복귀 승인 요청)<br /> <br /> Movie Spotlight: The iconic veteran actor Choi Min-sik stars in a new film, &#039;In Our Prime (이상한 나라의 수학자)&#039; that tells the story of a North Korean defector and mathematician, who is working as a security guard at an elite high school. Also out this week is &lsquo;Spencer (스펜서), a biopic of Princess Diana, starring Kristen Stewart. Our critics Jason Bechervaise and Darcy Paquet provide their thoughts on the films.<br /> <br /> Next Week From Seoul with Richard Larkin: <br /> - Amended social distancing rules start Monday, with caps on private gatherings in South Korea going up from six to eight people. <br /> -