Those poor Russians.

I can only conclude the papers are trying to make Yi So-yeon appear as foolish as possible. From today's Joongang Ilbo:

Along with conducting 18 scientific experiments during her 10-day stay in space, Korea’s first astronaut, Yi So-yeon, is raising Korea’s space profile with diverse ethnic items.
The traditional Korean items include banknotes, scarves, hanji, or Korean handmade paper, and stuffed dolls.
Of those items, a 10,000 won ($10.13) banknote will show Korea’s long history in astronomy because the back of the note is printed with the country’s 600-year-old astronomical chart. The chart is called Chonsang-yulcha-bunya-jido, which means “astronomical chart of stars, time and space.” The chart was made during the Joseon Dynasty in 1395 and features more than 1,400 stars. Yi will explain the astronomical chart and Korea’s history of astronomy using the 10,000 won note to other astronauts.
. . .
Yi will recite a Korean poem titled “The Starry Night,” written by Yun Tong-ju and introduce the excellence of hanji. “Since hanji paper absorbs moisture in the air and emits it again, Yi will test whether hanji could be used in space,” said Song Ha-jin, the mayor of Jeonju.
A Korean intangible cultural asset called a bokjoomeoni, or a silk pouch containing word blocks, was also sent into space. With the blocks Yi will make phrases such as “I love Korea,” and “Let’s go to space” in a state of zero gravity.

For the sake of the Russians I can only hope the media is inflating the significance of what could just as easily be small talk among coworkers. If not, it appears that not even the International Space Station can offer protection from the "enlighten the foreigner about Korea" impulse that characterizes so many company dinners. And TV shows. And newspaper articles. And meetings. And when I'm just sitting there doing nothing.

Does it make me a bad person to write that when I read the headline of the Joongang Ilbo article, "Yi will leave a little bit of Korea up in space," I thought of the last paragraph of this Chosun Ilbo piece?

Even answering the call of nature in space requires a unique device. Since urine and feces would be splattered in every direction without the force of gravity, a special vacuum tool is used to collect it.

In other news, the Joongang Ilbo is looking for a copy editor. The chief responsibility of the new hire will be to hit enter between the paragraphs.