SPENCER H. KIM WRITES – Generally speaking, for decades there have been basically two frames of reference in South Korea ― the conservative world view and the progressive world view. There was a certain tribalism mentality in that conservatives or progressives felt the need to subscribe to their “list” of…
KATRINA CROSBY WRITES – The young girl sits on a chair with a small bird on her left shoulder, her eyes staring straight ahead. A second chair is left empty beside her, inviting onlookers to reflect on what the statue represents. This particular statue is located in Busan, South Korea,…
KOREA TIMES STAFFER CHOI HA-YOUNG WRITES –Hong Seok-hyun, an uncle of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong, has resigned as JoongAng Media Network chairman, triggering rumors he may join the presidential race. He said in an email to staff on Saturday he would soon form a Think Tank to deal with…
JAY SEO WRITES – In South Korea, March 1 is Independence Movement Day, a national holiday commemorating the thousands of brave revolutionaries who in 1919 dared defy Japanese military rule. Independence Movement Day is also known as Samiljeol, the meaning of which is three-part: sam means “three” while il means…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR CHUNG-IN MOON WRITES — Unsettling shadows descended on the Korean Peninsula at the end of 2016. A security threat on top of domestic troubles with the South Korean president under impeachment proceedings, politics swept up in turmoil, candlelight vigils likely to stretch into next year, and depressing economic…
FROM SEOUL, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROF. HANS SCHATTLE ON THE YONSEI UNIVERSITY FACULTY WRITES TO LMU/ASIA MEDIA INTERNATIONAL – “I hope life is good with you at this busy time of year. I wanted to let you know about a conference (see below) taking place in Seoul early next summer –…
SABRINA VERDUZCO WRITES – In an historic rebuff, President Park Geun-hye has been hit with impeachment. In an overwhelming vote South Korea’s National Assembly has voted to do just that. Now a Constitutional Court is to rule on that legislative action, while a caretaker president moves into the Blue House…
KATELYNN BARKLEY WRITES – Since the election of Donald J. Trump as next president of the United States, the country appears divided against itself. Protesters are in an uproar over the results, closing down freeways in California and marching on Trump Tower in New York City. The effect has…
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – K-Pop idols appear to be present in virtually every aspect of Korean media. They’re acting in television and web dramas, hosting and guest starring on variety shows, promoting various brands and products, and even competing in the Korean E-Gaming scene. On November 1, S.M. Entertainment officially…
FASSA SAR WRITES — Korean filmmakers and actors put pressure on President Park Geun-hye to release the names of 9,473 film artists – including film-makers, actors and studio executives – that have allegedly been put on a secret list that would deny them government financial and logistical support for their…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR SPENCER H. KIM WRITES FROM SEOUL — Just as we often need Ministers of Bad News, we also need Ministers of Good News. As anyone who knows me knows, I love the book by former U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, “The Arrogance of Power.” The title grabs you,…
MARY GRACE COSTA WRITES – South Korea, not known as a world-beater as a foreign investor, has pledged $10 billion in energy and infrastructure investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The extraordinary pledge came at this year’s Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference. KOAFEC is the meeting of a consulting group founded…
Pictured above – in triplicate no less!- is well-known Prof. Hans Schattle of the Political Science Dept. of Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s best and always one of Asia’s top-rated universities. The picture was snapped during a recent Wednesday night class in the Life Science Building on the gorgeous…
SABRINA VERDUZCO WRITES – In the smartphone showdown between Samsung and Apple, iPhones have the global upper hand, but in South Korea, Samsung has been reigning supreme. So it is no surprise that the consumer safety recall of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones has sparked a panic. Videos of…
JAY SEO WRITES – Claiming previous laws were so vague as to be unenforceable, a prominent animal rights proponent this summer proposed legislation to once and for all make eating dog and cat meat illegal. It’s traditional among older South Koreans to eat bosintang, a type of dog meat soup,…
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – In this episode of I Hate To See You Go (K-Pop Edition), Han Sunhwa will be departing from big-name girl group SECRET. On September 26, TS Entertainment, SECRET’s management agency, confirmed that the singer/actress would be leaving the quartet after her contract expires in October. Following…
