Korea Times Editorial Reporter
I am now the chief editorial writer of The Korea Times. I also worked as the managing editor of the newspaper for 26 months from April 2018. Before that my stints included Politics Desk editor, Business Desk editor, City Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. As a journalist of The Korea Times, the most influential English newspaper of Korea, I have been committed to promoting 'international justice' beyond the social justice pursued by vernacular papers. My career includes working as a visiting scholar in Britain's Cambridge University from 2006-07.
The most immediate crisis confronting South Korea is the erosion of its democratic foundations. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 sent shockwaves throughout the nation. For a country that has prided itself on its democratic transformation since the 1980s, this sudden and drastic action threatened to unravel the very principles of democracy that South Korea has painstakingly built.
![[ED] Turn crisis into opportunity](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
How does K-culture reflect Korean culture? The world’s attention is currently attuned to K-culture. The Korea Times — Korea's leading English newspaper with 74 years of history — is launching “Lee Kyung-hwa's K-culture MiMi: Aesthetics, Beauty, Taste.”
Calls for equipping South Korea with nuclear weapons are gaining momentum, spearheaded by prominent politicians and noted experts. They emphasize the inevitability of the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) nuclear armament as an essential measure for ensuring its survival amid ever-escalating security risks.
The 2024 Korean occult-themed film "Exhuma" has become the first movie to hit the 10 million viewership in Korea this year. Besides Korea, the film has also been captivating global audiences transcending cultural borders. It is resonating deeply, especially in South East Asia as well as in North America, and is poised to open in India, Turkey and Russia. In Laos and Cambodia, it has become the No. 1 Korean film in history.
Russia, which is now embracing North Korea, has received plenty of flak for assuming a diplomatically discourteous attitude toward South Korea. This may prompt a need for Seoul to more efficiently cope with the ever warming relations and increasing cooperation – including military ties among others – between the two autocracies.
Various surveys indicate Donald Trump will win the next U.S. presidential election. Polls conducted by major U.S. media outlets such as The New York Times and NBC News predict Trump’s victory over his likely archrival President Joe Biden. Trump is now enjoying more than majority support from Republicans as the most promising presidential candidate for the November election.
China has taken growing global flak for allegedly having repatriated some 600 North Korean defectors to their reclusive home country against their will last week. Justice for North Korea, a human rights advocacy body, asserted Chinese authorities put the refugees in trucks bound for the North. The defectors had been detained in five Chinese cities near borders such as Hunchun in Jilin and Dandong in Liaoning provinces. Some claimed even North Korean security guards were seen assisting the forced repatriation.
By Tom Purcell Last week a whistleblower testified before Congress, alleging that federal officials have concealed evidence of unidentified flying objects from the public for decades.I'm not sure why advanced beings would want to talk to us, but if they came today, I imagine their visit might go something like this:“Take me to your leader!” the small, gray being with a large, light bulb-shaped head says to me.“He's taking a nap,” I say. “We're not sure he's really in charge, anyhow.”“Then take me to who is in charge,” says the alien.“Nobody's sure about that, either.”“But I have important questions about your government and your people,” says the alien. “I wish to gather any wisdom that your people can teach me.”After I stop laughing, I offer to do my best to help the creature understand human nature.“Explain to me how your government works,” says the alien.“I'm not sure anyone can fully explain that,” I say, “but I'll give it a go.”The alien nods, genuinely curious, and I continue.“My country's founders were very distrustful of government because they feared that some wicked humans
White Beach on the Philippine resort island of Boracay provides a spectacular sunset. Korea Times photo by Shim Jae-yunBy Shim Jae-yunBORACAY, the Philippines ― Fatigued by stressful daily routines, we may feel tempted to take a cozy rest in a quiet and clean place. It would be better if such leaves with potentially tedious itineraries are occasionally sparked by dynamic outdoor activities. Boracay is renowned for its scenic beaches that attract tourists from around the globe. Enthralling sunsets, emerald-colored seawater, fine sand and hopping tours make Boracay a heaven for tourists. Boracay is the most frequented travel destination among more than 7,600 islands of the Philippines. It ranked ninth out of the top 20 islands in the world in the 29th in the World Travel Awards in 2022. Diverse convenience facilities, such as luxurious resorts and well-serviced hotels offering various cuisines, add to the pleasure of travelers.The island's residents who we encountered appeared happy with broad smiles. In the downtown area, many roads were under repair and maintenance with signs that re
By Shim Jae-yunAs a managing editor of The Korea Times (2018-2020), I met with Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming many times during various events. At that time, in a very casual atmosphere, we had candid conversations on various topics. I felt a friendliness toward him as he was well-acquainted with Korean affairs and, among others, seemed to harbor deep affection toward Korea and its people. Xing studied at a university in North Korea.It was somewhat shocking to me when I heard Xing made a seemingly “reckless” remark that he should not have said during his meeting with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung. First of all, Lee should not have taken such a humiliating low-key attitude of politicking to take advantage of Xing's status, regarding his attack against the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's move to approve Japan's bid to release contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea. Lee might have attempted to neutralize the ruling camp's offensives at his numerous apparent criminal acts surrounding land development and other corru