The star North Korea defector and formulaic narratives
There are a small number of North Korean defectors who make it onto the global stage. Some of them, don’t just tell their stories—they tell the right kind of stories.
2025 02 21
The American threat to South Korea’s conservatives
At conservative protests in South Korea, it is not uncommon to see demonstrators waving American flags - or even (in)famously dressing up as Captain America. The symbolic act underscores a deep-rooted belief that the United States is an unwavering ally, committed to South Korea, and acting in its interests.
2025 02 19
Rubio-Cho meeting highlights illusion of shared interests
The 15 February meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul was little more than a diplomatic ritual devoid of substance. Although dressed up as a high-level reaffirmation of U.S.-South Korea ties, the meeting delivered nothing new.
2025 02 16
Korea, Japan, China foreign ministers meeting
The proposed trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea on 22 March in Tokyo represents a notable step in regional diplomacy.
2025 02 14
We are living in a simulation and Korea’s at the center
Now, if we are, in fact, living in a simulation and this simulation is created by advanced beings that share similarities to ourselves, then the question then becomes: What is the simulation for?
2025 02 12
South Korea’s household debt gangrene
South Korea’s growing household debt has reached levels that present a significant risk in the context of increasing global economic uncertainty. Household debt in South Korea is among the highest in the world relative to GDP, reflecting years of low-interest rates and easy access to credit.
2025 02 10
Humanities in the age of AI
For years, critics have lamented the decline of the humanities, particularly within the framework of the corporate university.
2025 02 04
Current candidate choice augurs poorly for South Korea’s political future
South Korea's political landscape is marred by a history of contentious candidate selection processes, leading to public disillusionment and political instability.
2025 02 04
Trump’s press conference as a reminder of ‘fire and fury’
The recent press conference following the tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., provides a glimpse into a crisis management style we’ve all forgotten.
2025 01 31
South Korea’s tourisn and hospitality sector faces challenges
In South Korea, two recent airline accidents have intensified concerns over aviation safety, raising questions about the reliability of domestic carriers. As South Korea positions itself as a major travel hub in Northeast Asia, incidents that undermine trust in air travel directly affect its tourism sector.
2025 01 31