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The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Columnists

Andrei Lankov

Land of misinformation

One of the most oft-repeated topics in present-day South Korea is ``hallyu,” or Korean wave, which has allegedly swept across China, Japan and many other countries of Asia. Koreans are surprised, thrilled and amused by seeing themselves as a provider of cultural icons and mass entertainment. So it’s understandable that being carried away by nationalist enthusiasm they often tend to overemphasize the impact and significance of the hallyu phenomenon.

2011-05-08 17:01

Sotoji -- small private plot

Every visitor to North Korea who has passed through mountainous areas in the country has seen some peculiarities of the modern North Korean landscape.

2011-04-24 16:59

Remittances by defectors

Until some 10 years ago, defection from North Korea implied that the person’s connections with his or her homeland would be broken for a long time or perhaps, even forever. North Korea was a huge black hole from where almost nothing could get out. But this is not the case anymore.

Jong-eun2011-04-10 17:37

Libya and North Korea

So the military operation in Libya continues. Its eventual outcome is not quite clear, but the prognosis is not good for the regime in Tripoli. However, it is already clear that the developments in Libya are likely to influence the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions between the North and South have been remarkably high in the last few years.

Jong-eun2011-03-27 17:53

Quite unlikely yet, but ...

Not long ago the present author published a column which dealt with the growing income and improving living standards in North Korea. Indeed, contrary to some alarmist reporting, the last decade was a time of slow but tangible increases of income and consumption levels for North Koreans.

Jong-eun2011-03-13 17:43

Kim Jong-ils gamble

On the 16th of February North Korea celebrated the birthday of Marshal Kim Jong-il, the second most important national holiday.

2011-02-27 17:52

Socialist realism

When North Koreans talk about their arts, they never fail to mention that it follows the traditions of ``socialist realism.” But what is ``socialist realism” in visual arts?

2011-02-13 16:42

Between myths and facts

I am old enough to have experienced life under the Soviet Union.

Jong-eun2011-01-30 17:17

What to expect in 2011?

So, the year 2011 of the Christian era has finally arrived ― and, in accordance to the established tradition, it is time to wonder about what we should expect to happen in the relations between the two Korean states during the next 12 months.

Jong-eun2011-01-16 16:29

Travel permits in N. Korea

The North Korea of the old Stalinist days is gradually dying. In some regards the North is still a Stalinist society, but it is changing even if these changes do not necessarily attract much outside attention. One of the most dramatic transformations of the last year is a great relaxation of the control over movement inside North Korea.

2011-01-02 16:11

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