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The damaged black box from the crashed South Korean plane will be sent to the US for analysis.

The flight data recorder from the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in South Korea will be sent to the U.S. for analysis, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Wednesday. The crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew, marking South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster in nearly 30 years.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will lead the analysis of the damaged flight data recorder, with South Korean investigators participating. Meanwhile, initial data from the cockpit voice recorder is being converted into voice files in South Korea, a process expected to take two days.

Authorities hope the black boxes will provide critical information to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings suggest a possible bird strike, landing gear failure, and a concrete barrier at the runway's end as contributing factors.

Families of the victims have been visiting the crash site to pay their respects. An altar has been set up at the airport for mourners, and buses have transported relatives to the site. So far, 11 of the 179 victims’ bodies have been released for funeral arrangements.

Footage of the crash shows the plane sliding on its belly, hitting an embankment, and erupting into flames. A joint investigation involving 12 South Korean and 10 U.S. officials, including representatives from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, is ongoing.

Politics

Social Media - Empowering Democracy or Fueling Polarization?

The recent political unrest in Korea, marked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, has spotlighted the dual role of social media platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) in shaping democracy. These platforms empowered citizens to mobilize swiftly, but they also fueled misinformation and societal polarization.

Positive Impacts:
During the crisis, social media became a lifeline for rapid information sharing. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s YouTube livestream of his attempt to access the National Assembly garnered over 2.4 million views, galvanizing public action. Citizens used social media to broadcast real-time updates, preventing military control of the Assembly. Experts highlighted this shift from traditional media, which often operates on slower schedules, to platforms enabling immediate civic engagement.

Professor Choi Jin-ho of Gyeongsang National University noted that such tools are pivotal for democracy, as they allow citizens to bypass traditional media's limitations and directly influence public discourse.

Challenges:
However, the same platforms exacerbated misinformation and polarization. A study by the National Assembly Research Service revealed that 87% of political YouTube content focused on opinions, with 86% using hostile language. Algorithms often create echo chambers, exposing users only to content that aligns with their views, intensifying societal divides.

Political commentator Park Sang-Byung warned of confirmation bias, urging citizens to balance social media with traditional media sources to mitigate the risks of algorithm-driven echo chambers.

As Korea navigates this evolving media landscape, experts emphasize the need for responsible social media use to foster democracy while addressing its potential pitfalls.

Travel Guide Korea

Where to enjoy snowfall in Korea in 2025?

There are lots of places in Korea where snowfall is there but what is the best place you can enjoy the snow in Korea? [link]

K-pop

Leading agencies prepare for a wave of K-pop group debuts this year.

JYP Entertainment and other leading K-pop agencies are set to launch new groups in 2025, signaling another promising year for the industry.

JYP's highly anticipated seven-member boy group, KickFlip, is at the forefront of these debuts. First introduced at the 2024 MAMA Awards in Los Angeles, the group represents a bold new direction for the agency. Named after a skateboarding move where the board rotates 360 degrees, KickFlip embodies innovation and a commitment to breaking traditional boundaries.

The group includes four finalists from the 2021 survival show "LOUD": Lee Gye-hun, Amaru, Keiju, and Lee Dong-hyeon. One finalist, Yoon Min, departed JYP last year to pursue a solo career under Howtouse Entertainment.

KickFlip’s pre-debut promotions, initially set to begin on Dec. 27, were postponed to Jan. 6, 2025, out of respect for the recent Jeju Air plane crash victims.

As KickFlip gears up for its debut, fans eagerly await the fresh energy and unique concept they will bring to the K-pop scene, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead.

Job Post

Woori Bank Customer Center Foreign Language (Uzbek) Consultation

Working conditions: Contract worker

Work area: Seongdong -gu, Seoul

Salary: Monthly salary of 2,230,000 won

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Jeju English Kids Cafe Native Speaker Level Crew Recruitment

Working conditions: part-time job

Work area: Seogwipo City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

Salary: Hourly wage 15,000 won

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