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Mao's nuclear libido

When the Truman administration in 1945 dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan, Mao Zedong's reaction was uncommon. He belittled the nuclear bomb as a “paper tiger” (zhi lao hu). He said that "American reactionaries" were trying to scare people by exaggerating the power of nuclear weapons. Mao's remarks were for domestic audience. He was trying to reassure the Chinese people.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-12-11 17:30

The nuclear talks with North Korea have fallen into a twilight zone - a state of suspended animation - six months after U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in Singapore.

John Burton | 2018-12-10 17:59

Last analog president

George H.W. Bush was my first president as an adult, and I wasn't impressed. It felt like we were getting the second fiddle to the larger-than-life Ronald Reagan, a listless holdover from an analogue era struggling to understand the new digital age with MTV attention span. Perhaps it was inevitable that Bush lost to Bill Clinton after a single term. Clinton was charismatic, energetic and polished, everything Bush wasn't.

Jason Lim | 2018-12-09 18:22

More sex in driverless cars?

Will sex be more common in driverless cars? At least some studies speculate that to be the case, suggesting the likelihood that more people will die in clashes of driverless cars, a byproduct of artificial intelligence (AI), yesterday. (The Washington Post, Nov. 13, A15)

Semoon Chang | 2018-12-09 18:01

Talking about summitry

Summitry is in the air. Excitement and speculation are rife. Everyone is talking about talking. How about talks between the leaders of the two Koreas, between each of them and the U.S. president, maybe a meeting of all three together?

Donald Kirk | 2018-12-06 17:35

Don't worry, be happy now

When it comes to happiness, many Koreans may call to mind the famous ad copy: “Happiness does not come from grades.” The well-known saying might be a consolation for people who did poorly at school and did not show a good work performance. But the reality is not that simple. Many of them still think they are unhappy, saying grades do work.

Park Moo-jong | 2018-12-06 17:26

Korea's anger-suicide crisis

I am alarmed by the spate of recent stories about incidents of anger and related crimes or antisocial acts by young adults in South Korea. I want to discuss this already widely-discussed matter again. Young South Korean adults, not unlike other nations' citizens, face unprecedented pressures and strains. To some extent, generational pressure arises from Korea's success. Second, particular to Korean anger is “han.” Third, Korean leaders must face the complete underdevelopment of the country's society in addressing anger and depression as mental illness. I say it's an undeclared national crisi...

Bernard Rowan | 2018-12-04 17:26

Premature crisis-mongering

In the world of sports, there is a phenomenon called the “sophomore slump.” It occurs when an athlete, who received rookie of the year award in their debuting year, gives a disappointing performance in the second year.

Choi Sung-jin | 2018-12-04 17:23

In recent weeks, I have documented the birth of sijo in English in America. And I've contrasted the rise of sijo in English with the death of sijo in Korean. Today, I am proposing a way to revive sijo in Korean.

Mark Peterson | 2018-12-03 17:38

Studying or socializing with refugees?

Volunteers eager to help North Korean refugees run into a brick wall with my nonprofit: No socializing. That takes fun out of volunteering for those who dream of helping North Korean refugees with clubbing, hiking or dating.

Casey Lartigue, Jr. | 2018-12-03 17:33

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