The Korea Herald

Print edition

[Florian Juergens-Grant, Luca Pellerano] Future-proofing social protection

Latest News

[Chung Chan-seung] Answer to South Korea’s crisis lies in social stress

"I’ve decided not to have children. I love children, but I can’t bear the thought of bringing one into a world where they would have to endure the same relentless struggles I have faced. The pressure, the competition, the exhaustion — it’s too much." This was the confession of a female patient, a marketing executive, who had recently married. She had worked diligently after graduating from college, earning recognition in her workplace. Yet, having grown up in an environment of relentless competi
March 18, 2025
[Grace Kao] BTS J-Hope’s New York concert

As our civil liberties dissipate in the US, music has continued to lift my spirits. On March 13, I attended BTS’ J-Hope’s concert “Hope on the Stage” in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center. He had two sold-out dates at this venue, which seats about 17,000. J-Hope was perfection personified, and I wanted to share my experience attending this concert. As all the members have completed or are in the midst of their mandatory military service, fans have been desperate to see them live. Of cour
March 18, 2025
[Editorial] Sensitive trade issue

Lifting US beef import restrictions could awaken anxiety about health The Trump administration is likely to put pressure on South Korea to further open its import market to US beef. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is said to have recently submitted an opinion letter on unfair trade practices by US trading partners to the Office of the US Trade Representative. In the letter, the US livestock lobby proposed that South Korea should start importing US beef regardless of what age the cattle
March 18, 2025
[Editorial] Diplomatic lapse

US designation of South Korea as ‘sensitive country’ feared to hit bilateral cooperation The US Department of Energy’s decision to list South Korea as a “sensitive country” has belatedly been confirmed, sparking controversy about the Korean government’s diplomatic failure and concerns about repercussions for bilateral US cooperation in the science and technology sector. The US Department of Energy put South Korea in the lowest category of its “sensitive and other designated countries list” (SCL)
March 17, 2025
[Antara Haldar] Why global governance is failing

The United Nations was established in 1945, succeeding the failed League of Nations, to pull humanity back from the brink of self-destruction. It was a bold experiment in collective security, designed to prevent another world war and manage conflicts through diplomacy rather than violence. Yet, 80 years later, we find ourselves back on the precipice of disaster. Global temperatures have breached the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold that scientists see as a Rubicon for reining in climate change over
March 17, 2025
[Yoo Choon-sik] Don’t complain, this is your ability!

It appears that the entire country has stood still these days as the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the fate of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol is widely expected to be made soon. In reality, however, the people of South Korea have never done so or cannot afford to do so because they have to work hard to make a living. There are exceptions, though. Politicians from all sides are behaving as if they have come from outer space to enjoy some sporting events without worrying much about the daily
March 17, 2025
[Editorial] Stop divisive protests

Ahead of verdict on Yoon’s impeachment, Korea’s political tensions hit fever pitch Since Dec. 3 of last year when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, South Korea has suffered an extended period of political confrontation and economic uncertainties. Regrettably, the chaotic situation shows no sign of abating amid concerns about deepening fractures within Korean society. All eyes are now on the Constitutional Court’s imminent verdict on Yoon’s fate, as more than two weeks have passed sin
March 14, 2025
[Lee Byung-jong] Is public diplomacy still needed?

Since Harvard professor Joseph Nye introduced the concept of soft power in the early 1990s, public diplomacy has become a key tool in global diplomacy. Governments — both democratic and autocratic — have embraced it to win the hearts and minds of foreign publics through direct communication and engagement. Soft power, bolstered by public diplomacy, was once considered as crucial as, if not more than, traditional hard power like military strength and economic influence. However, this idealistic n
March 14, 2025
[Editorial] Recession fears

Trump's tariffs cloud US economy, while Korea is mired in political turmoil Recession fears escalated as US President Donald Trump declined to explicitly rule out a recession in the US economy this year. "I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition, because what we're doing is very big," he said, responding to question about whether he was expecting a recession in the US this year in a Fox News interview Sunday, "And there are always periods of, it takes a little time." T
March 13, 2025
[Sheldon H. Jacobson] Focus on increasing buying power

The recent Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that prices have risen by three percent from one year ago. This is one percent above the Federal Reserve’s two percent inflation target, which they base on the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index. No matter what these indexes say, people are paying more today for what they purchase. Egg prices have been in the news, as one dozen eggs now costs over $5. Some restaurants have even added an egg surcharge. Man
March 13, 2025
[Wang Son-taek] Impending eighth challenge to democracy

Political tensions are rising in Seoul, as the Constitutional Court will soon announce its decision on whether to fire the current president of South Korea or not. The court has finished deliberations and is discussing the final judgment. Considering previous cases, the court is seen as likely to make its announcement this week or the next. Around 60 percent of Korean people strongly want to see the president fired, while another 40 percent oppose such a move. While awaiting the announcement, we
March 13, 2025

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10