POWER OF KOREAN PASSPORT, POPULARITY OF ITS APARTMENTS

Welcome to yet another edition of Press Perspective.

It's Thursday July 31st here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

It's time for our talk on issues of social interest here that made international headlines as well.

For more I have Hanna with French weekly paper La Tribune Dimanche.

Hanna welcome back.

I also have writer Colin with the pundit's take on the day's discussion.

Colin it's good to have you here.

Colin, the peak summer holiday period for Korea is late July to early August. You've been here for a while now, do share with us one memorable way of indulging in the season here in the country.

Hanna, quite a number of Koreans also seek to spend their summer overseas and findings show the South Korean passport ranks second in terms of global power. What is the significance of this ranking?

Colin, let's now talk about another headline related to South Korea by the foreign media. The LA Times carried an interesting piece about the popularity of apartments here in the country as opposed to individual houses as is the case in the U.S. What are your thoughts on this discrepancy?

Hanna, this article also touches upon the reason behind the popularity of apartments in Korea. Do share this reason with us as well as your own thoughts.

Hanna, what was your first impression regarding Korea's preferred style of residence?

Colin, what has been the impact of such similar residence style on the Korean society?

Hanna, speaking about the society here. A new study by Statistics Korea shows South Koreans are sleeping less and spending more time on screens. Do tell us a bit more about this study, and what are your observations with regard to the daily impact of smartphones on South Koreans?

Colin, staying with this study by Statistics Korea. We are also spending less time on meals and more of us are dining alone. What are your takeaways with regard to this reality?

All right.