Opinion - The Korea Times

ED KCC chairperson in vortex

A million-dollar question has been raised after President Yoon Suk Yeol named former war correspondent Lee Jin-sook as the new chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC): How long will she stay in the position?

Jul 7, 2024

ED Power abuse by opposition

In South Korea, the two main pillars of power are the National Assembly and the prosecution, with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration often referred to as “republic of prosecutors.” On Tuesday, the Assembly-dominating opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) tabled a motion to impeach four incumbent prosecutors. This move arouses a significant anxiety about the Assembly's misuse of impeachment for political revenge and maneuvering.

Jul 4, 2024

ED Quo Vadis, America?

The year 2024 has been labeled as the super-election year. Elections are being held in about 70 countries around the world. Even one more election is added unexpectedly in France in the wake of the surprising victory of far-right parties at the European Parliament election. The election is going on in a way backfiring against the intention of French President Emmanuel Macron. Its first-round outcome only reaffirmed the troubling trends of the rise of far-right parties across Europe.

Jul 3, 2024

ED Webtoon debuts on Nasdaq

Naver's webcomic subsidiary, Webtoon Entertainment, made a successful debut on the Nasdaq. Boosted by strong demand from institutional investors, the company concluded its first trading session on Wall Street last Thursday with a 10 percent increase in share value, closing at $23 per stock on the Nasdaq. The company was valued at $2.7 billion just before listing. However, the share price declined to $21.58 by Monday's close.

Jul 2, 2024

ED Mounting uncertainties

The U.S. presidential race has entered a phase of increased unpredictability following the first debate between President Joe Biden and his rival, Donald Trump. The televised debate on Thursday saw both candidates exchanging fiery rhetoric on a range of issues including diplomacy and the economy.

Jul 1, 2024

ED Fathers' misdeeds

The fathers of two Korean stars received seemingly unwanted attention last week following media reports about their alleged involvement in illicit activities. One was Son Woong-jung, the father of Korea’s world-class footballer Son Heung-min, and the other, was TV show host Park Soo-hong’s father whose name was not made public to protect his privacy.

Jun 30, 2024

ED Protect migrant workers

The recent fire at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, which claimed the lives of 23 workers, highlights the urgent need to protect migrant workers in Korea. Tragically, 18 of the victims were foreign nationals, including 17 ethnic Chinese and a Laotian. These workers, hired through a subcontractor on a daily basis, were not provided with essential safety training despite working with highly hazardous materials.

Jun 27, 2024

ED Seoul-Beijing detente?

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Pyongyang last week could provide an opportunity for Seoul to improve relations with Beijing.

Jun 26, 2024By John Burton

ED Accept special counsel offer

Returning 73 days after taking responsibility for the defeat in April 10 general elections, Han Dong-hoon, former interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), has thrown his hat in the race for the party leadership. He also dropped a "bombshell" of a proposal -- for the PPP to lead a special counsel bill for an investigation into the death last July of a Marine during a flood rescue operations. The probe into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun is a politically fraught issue. After the military investigations, the Corruption Investigation Office For High-ranking Officials, is currently conducting aprobe into whether the presidential office and the ministry influenced in the investigations .

Jun 25, 2024

ED Explore nuclear options

Relations between South Korea and Russia have significantly deteriorated, prompted by recent mutual accusations about a military cooperation agreement between North Korea and Russia. On Sunday, South Korea reaffirmed its strong commitment to supplying arms to Ukraine if Russia provides precision weapons to North Korea. "The types of weapons we will supply to Ukraine will depend on Russia's next move," National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin stated in an interview with KBS.

Jun 24, 2024

Editorial