[Yoo Choon-sik] Warnings over Korea’s economy

Warnings about serious economic conditions do more than simply forecast impending difficulties — they serve as urgent calls to action, urging individuals, institutions and nations to adjust their course before a disaster strikes. These warnings are not just theoretical predictions but critical signals meant to prompt meaningful changes before circumstances worsen beyond repair. One example of an advance warning having a positive effect is when an individual alters their lifestyle after receiving

May 12, 2025

[Editorial] A party in disarray

By any political measure, the People Power Party’s recent chaotic maneuverings resemble a house in flames trying to repaint its walls. At a moment when cohesion and clarity are desperately needed, the ruling conservatives have spiraled into public infighting, strategic incoherence and self-inflicted wounds — a political fiasco that may leave lasting scars ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Impeached then President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in April over his failed martial law

May 12, 2025

[Editorial] Cracks on the right

While Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate, continues to lead in national polls ahead of South Korea’s early election on June 3, the conservative bloc remains mired in disarray — fragmented, feuding and devoid of a common purpose. This high-stakes vote, triggered by the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his failed coup attempt in December, comes at a moment of deep national uncertainty. The country is grappling with sluggish growth, volatile inflat

May 9, 2025

[Lee Byung-jong] Multilateralism without the US?

The world has spent the past 80 years building the current multilateral system —anchored by institutions like the United Nations and the World Bank. Born from the devastation of two world wars, this system was largely designed and driven by the United States with the goal of ensuring lasting peace and shared prosperity. Yet it took only a few months — perhaps a few years, if counting his first term — for President Donald Trump to seriously disrupt this structure. By withdrawing from or weakening

May 9, 2025

[Editorial] Rein in prices

Surging food prices at the time when the government lacks a fincance minister are worrisome. Dining and processed food prices have gone up significantly over the last few months, further dampening the already weak consumer sentiment. It is feared that the nation's economy could end up in a vicious circle of stagnation. According to Statistics Korea on Friday, dining inflation hit a 13-month high of 3.2 percent year-over-year in April. The increase in prices of jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean

May 8, 2025

[Wang Son-taek] Power of justice

South Korea is again immersed in a high-stakes debate about justice — or the justices. The controversy reignited last week when the Supreme Court overturned an appellate court's ruling that had acquitted Lee Jae-myung, the front-runner in the upcoming presidential election. The case was returned to the Seoul High Court, with the Supreme Court claiming that the "not guilty" verdict in the second trial was flawed. The implications of the Supreme Court's decision were immense and deeply political.

May 8, 2025

[Grace Kao] BTS, the military and masculinity

In about a month, five members of BTS (Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook) will complete their military service. Members Jin and J-Hope began theirs earlier and returned to civilian life in 2024. BTS Army are excited about the reunion of all seven members and regularly post countdown trackers. I think we are at D-43, but don’t quote me on that. Their impending return reminded me of an interview I had with a major international non-Korean media outlet just before BTS entered the military. The report

May 8, 2025

[Song Jong-hwan] Korea’s strategic path amid global upheaval

Since US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 1 imposing high tariffs, global backlash has intensified. Traditional allies such as the EU and Canada have voiced strong objections, while China has launched a fierce counteroffensive. Chinese manufacturers, which depend heavily on exports to the US, are grappling with a triple crisis — steep declines in shipments, factory shutdowns and rising unemployment. Meanwhile, American consumers, faced with surging prices, have taken to t

May 8, 2025

[Kim Seong-kon] Reading 'Kapitan Lee' from a both/and perspective

I have long observed that in South Korea, people often tend to fall into an either/or trap, and thus divide everything into two opposite groups, such as good and evil, rich and poor, or win and lose. This includes the political arena: There are socialists and capitalists, progressives and conservatives, and patriots and traitors. Meanwhile, all those existing in the middle are completely ignored. It is no wonder that Korea has a reputation as a place where there is no middle ground. In Chon Kwan

May 7, 2025

[Elizabeth Shackelford] Motives of Trump’s foreign policy

“The United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest ally and partner. … At the same time, they’re talking about working positively with Russia (and) appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying murderous dictator. … Make that make sense.” I have thought a lot about what then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a March 4 news conference, in the aftermath of a notorious Oval Office meeting where President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance lambasted Ukrainian President Volo

May 7, 2025

[Editorial] Judging the judges

As South Korea hurtles toward an early presidential election on June 3 — triggered by the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol last month — a deeper institutional drama is unfolding. It centers not on campaign promises or policy platforms, but on the integrity of the country’s legal system. The main opposition, the Democratic Party of Korea, is mounting an aggressive effort to delay criminal trials involving its candidate, Lee Jae-myung. That campaign now risks undermining the independence of

May 7, 2025

[Editorial] Ministries in the crosshairs

In democratic societies, elections are meant to usher in renewal. In South Korea, they often bring a different kind of transformation, too — the wholesale reconfiguration of government itself. With the June 3 early presidential election fast approaching, Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea stands as the clear front-runner. He is also poised to pursue an ambitious overhaul of the government’s structure. His party’s proposed revisions to the Government Organization Act would

May 2, 2025

[Robert J. Fouser] Japan battles overtourism

Golden Week has long been one of the busiest times to travel in Japan. A series of holidays starting on April 29 and ending May 5 gives people at least a week off work. This year, the crowds are bigger than ever as foreign tourists pour in while Japanese stay home. The weak yen and pent-up demand after the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in 2023 have driven much of the boom. Before the pandemic, Japan had been growing in popularity as policies, such as easier entry, to attract foreign

May 2, 2025

[Wang Son-taek] New president's urgent tasks

The presidential campaign season has officially begun in South Korea. With both major party candidates confirmed or being selected, Korea will be in an election frenzy for the next month or so. In such a short campaign period, it is natural for both sides to concentrate all their resources on victory. However, this election is heavily overshadowed by Yoon Suk Yeol's illegal and unconstitutional martial law declaration on Dec. 3. The actual campaign period is only about one month. There will be n

May 1, 2025

[Editorial] Anticipated setback

A state project to open a new airport early on Gadeokdo, an island in Busan, has run into a glitch. A consortium led by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the preferred bidder for the project, submitted the basic design plan to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Monday. The key point of the plan is that the construction period needs to be extended to nine years from the seven years the government required in the notice of tender. It also said that the 10.5 trillion won ($7.3

May 1, 2025