1. South Korea’s human rights record was put under the microscope on Thursday as part of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review. While welcoming South Korea’s improvements on human rights, the member states requested the nation to resolve issues such as the abolition of the death penalty.
2. According to Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday, South Korea will reduce the number of COVID-19 beds to 3900.
3. The U.S. Commerce Department reported Thursday that in the fourth quarter, the country's GDP rose at a 2.9 percent annualized pace despite global economic hardship.
