People & Events

Between ideal and reality

By Cho Jun-yong The death of Kim Jong-il is a compelling issue to the world, which can lead up to significant impacts — positive or negative. Yet so far, there have not been any special transitions on the Korean Peninsula. However, there is no doubt that the relationship between North and South Korea teeter on the brink. The third leader of Kim’s kingdom, Kim Jong-un, believed to be in his 20s, is continuing family business cautiously and stubbornly with his dutiful subordinates. No one can predict whether he will make a fresh wind toward capitalism or continue to stabilize the current social unrest. With the current conflicts in the Middle East, including the war in Iraq, the North’s nuclear weapons strategic value has raised dramatically. In that regard, the temporary disarmament agreement concluded in late February has played a key role. However, it still has ambivalence. It has been an instrumental stepping-stone for the South to evolve the current inter-Korean relationship, and has made the North participate in the six-party talks. They had a bilateral a

Unification by Sunshine Policy

By Park Yoon-beom Inter-Korean relations have been highly unstable in the past several years. The level of military tension between both sides of the Demilitarized Zone escalated to an unprecedented level. In 2010, North Korea carried out its two deadliest attacks in the modern history, taking the lives of 50 South Koreans. The policy, dubbed “Denuclearization, Opening and Vision 3000,” was designed to provide economic assistance over the next 10 years, in cooperation with other countries, to help North Korea undertake reform and increase its per capita national income to $3,000. Since denuclearization was a precondition to a country which would not abandon nuclear weapons and programs, the inter-Korean policy was unable to successfully engage North Korea. The conservative government chose the path of hard-line approach. It defined the previous government’s North Korea policy as a failure regarding it as “pumping” economic aid to Pyongyang’s hands. The current policy toward Pyongyang resulted in the two Koreas facing the current diplomatic stalemate. The inter-

Extending olive branch to North

By Jennifer Alenga Despite the idealistic goal of working toward a re-unified Korean Peninsula, it is fair to acknowledge that the very geopolitical factors that fed into the separation are still actively at play. As the shifts in the geopolitical tectonic plates that came with the fall of communism in the Soviet Union and its satellite states in Eastern Europe gathered pace, the natural inclination of strategic thinkers was that the Stalinist North Korean regime was inevitably bound for the same fate as its ideological compatriots. By all intents and purposes, it is emblematic of a fundamental defiance of the standard conventions. Being one of the most poorly understood states in the world, strategic thinkers have time and again failed to effectively calibrate Pyongyang’s steps. For instance, while some view it from a position of vulnerability because of its economic difficulties, it has also emerged as an irrational actor with the propensity to be ruthless, according it the status of a dangerous player. Peaceful coexistence should be pursued through mutual acco

(37) 'Yonsama': Korean love god captures Japanese hearts

Actor Bae Yong-joon leads ‘hallyu’ (Korea wave) By Andrew Salmon Some years ago, this writer climbed into a taxi in Seoul. As is commonly the case, the driver asked where I was from. On hearing “the United Kingdom,” he responded, “Aha! Beckham!” Then, in excellent Konglish, he continued, “U.K. — David Beckham! Korea — Bae Yong-joon!” For a moment, I was nonplussed. I was about to respond, “No my good man, Bae is a thespian, not a footballer” when the penny dropped. Bae was to Korea what Beckham was to the United Kingdom: an international sex symbol. While the United Kingdom has had its share of male superstars dating back to the days of John, Paul, George and Ringo and the “British Invasion,” this was a novel experience for Korea, a nation that had previously been known more for exports of supertankers than dreamboats. Moreover, Bae’s fame had ignited in — of all places — Japan, the nation that had, for most of the 20th century, had a problematic relationship with Korea. The vehicle that conveyed Bae to super-stardom was inauspicious. “Winter

Kim Joo-hyun named new KDIC head

By Kim Tae-jong The new president of the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) Kim Joo-hyun pledged Tuesday to do his utmost to deal with pending issues such as the stalled operations of four savings banks. “We should do our best to complete the sale of the four troubled savings banks in a quick manner to minimize inconvenience to depositors,” Kim said in his inaugural speech. He also asked employees to work hard to instill more public trust in the country's deposit insurance system. The former director general of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSS) took the helm of the state-run deposit insurer from May 27, succeeding outgoing Lee Seung-woo. Kim graduated from Seoul National University, majoring in economics. Throughout his career he has served in various posts at the FSS.

Rising Korean stars 'Boyfriend' make official Japan debut

By Rachel Lee Rising Korean stars “Boyfriend” made their official Japan debut Monday. The boy group’s agency said that they have signed a contract with Bing Entertainment, an agency based in Japan, and will release their first single on Aug. 22. Famous Japanese musicians such as B’z, ZARD and Kuraki Mai belong to the same agency. The group consists of six members ― Kim Dong-hyun, 23, Shim Hyun-seong, 18, Lee Jeong-min, 18, Jo Young-min, 17, Jo Kwang-min, 17, and No Min-woo, 16. They debuted in Korea in 2011 with their first single titled “Boyfriend.”They have won a number of accolades including the Rookie Award at the 21st Seoul Music Awards and Best New Artist at the 26th Golden Disk Awards. “We are thrilled to start our career in Japan but we are nervous at the same time,” said Kim Dong-hyun, the leader. “We finished recording last week and our song Be My Shine is perfect for the summer,” Kim added. The song was co-produced by Japanese lyricist Matsui Goro and Korean composer duo Sweetune. Videos recorded at the press conference will be broadcast via four major Japa

Georgia's Independence Day

Hiddink visits Korea

Hiddink visits Korea: Former Korean football team manager Guus Hiddink, left, shakes hands with Chung Mong-joon, the honorary president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, Monday. The 65-year-old Dutchman came to Korea to participate in the signing agreement ceremony for the Huh Jung-moo and Guus Hiddink Football Foundation in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province today. / Korea Times

Ex-Seoul Mayor in London to study, avoid politics

By Lee Ji-eun Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon left to study in London for at least half a year Sunday, and to distance himself from politics as the presidential election nears, said an aide Monday. “Oh will stay there for at least six months with his family,” the aide said. “He is intentionally avoiding the sensitive time leading up to the presidential election in December.” The ex-mayor will focus on major cities around the world to look at their efforts to create jobs and help promote economic growth as a fellow at the Graduate School of Social Science and Public Policy at King’s College London, said the aide. Oh, who is said to be among the presidential hopefuls for 2016, resigned as Seoul mayor last year, although he had two and a half years remaining in his second four-year term. At the time, the conservative mayor made an aborted attempt to block a free school lunch program launched by the city council controlled by the liberal opposition in the capital’s first-ever referendum in August.

Korea Sweden Cultural Society to organize luncheon for royal couple

By Kim Se-jeong Lee Se-ung, president of the Korea Sweden Cultural Society, has the job of making King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia’s first visit to Korea unforgettable. The royal couple is arriving in Seoul Tuesday for a four-day visit. Lee is organizing a luncheon Wednesday for the couple at the Lotte Hotel, where some 300 guests composed of those who shape culture and educational landscape of Korea have been invited. “During the luncheon, the king and queen are expected to have a chance to interact with them,” Lee said in a press release. Created in 2002, the Korea-Sweden Cultural Society is a non-profit organization working toward enhancing cultural and educational understanding between the two countries. The society’s major activities include publishing books, creating scholarships and organizing symposiums and lectures. It invites Swedes to Korea for cultural exchanges. Working closely with the Swedish Embassy in Seoul, it has sponsored cultural activities as well. Lee is also the president of Seoul Cyber University. Invited by Preside