Opinion - The Korea Times

ED Yoon's broadcasting czar

Defenders of freedom do not interfere with free mediaUnionized media workers have formed the mainstay of Korea's two public broadcasters ― KBS and MBC ― since the late 1980s. It was a reaction from the long period of state-controlled broadcasting under military dictatorships. However, the government's attempt to control the media was revived during the presidency of Lee Myung-bak (2008-13).The conservative leader tried to silence critical media using the state spy agency. For broadcasting, he established the Korea Communications Commission (KCC). It is a powerful agency that holds sway over the two public broadcasters' personnel management and daily operations.Most presidents, conservative or progressive, replace KBS and MBC managers with figures sympathetic to them. But Lee went much further, driving out and destroying critics by blocking their advertising revenues, according to former spies and prosecutors. Lee did all these through his chief press secretary, Lee Dong-kwan, the officials said via records.Last Friday, President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed Lee as the KCC chief.Yoon did s

Aug 27, 2023

ED A bad precedent

Japan makes another historic blunderDefying a myriad of opposition both at home and abroad, Japan began releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, Thursday.It's a task that has a beginning but an uncertain end.“From 7.5 years to 30 years and a minimum of 30 years.” Those were the words used by Japanese media, saying it is difficult to predict when the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant will end.All optimistic conclusions about the discharge of treated nuclear wastewater assume that “everything will go as planned by the Japanese government.” But Tokyo is not even sure of when it could terminate the process.Japan cites the need to decommission the plant quickly as the reason for using this method. However, Japanese media are skeptical, citing about 880 tons of nuclear fuel debris accumulated in the plant. Few know the exact amount and locations. There are also limits to using robots to remove them. Greenpeace says it is “impossible within this century.”Those who support or endorse Tokyo's move,

Aug 24, 2023

ED It's time to change

Korea should decouple growth and electricity consumptionBy Jang DaulKorea's power generation surpassed Germany's for the first time ever last year. It is surprising that Korea needed more electricity than Germany, considering that the European country has a population that is 1.6 times bigger, land 3.6 times larger, and a GDP that is 2.2 times bigger than Korea's.Electricity was introduced to Korea in 1887 by Thomas Edison's company, only eight years after he introduced the light bulb in the U.S. It was Yu Kil-chun, the first Korean to study in the U.S., who suggested introducing electricity to King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty.Along with economic development, electricity production in Korea increased rapidly. Compared to the early 1960s, total power generation in Korea increased by three hundred times last year.As a result, Korea became the world's eighth-largest power producer in 2022 or the fourth among OECD member countries after the U.S., Japan and Canada. Korea's per capita electricity generation also increased significantly, and almost equaled the U.S.' output last year and mo

Aug 23, 2023

ED Benefits and risks

Trilateral economic solidarity is a double-edged swordThe global rivalry between America and China is an economic war, given that the G2 must avoid military clashes at any cost.So, it was natural that the leaders of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan put equal emphasis on security and economy in their summit at Camp David last week.The “trilateral supply-chain solidarity” also makes good economic sense. Together, the three countries account for one-third of the global GDP. Moreover, America's pioneering source technology, Japan's superior equipment, and Korea's manufacturing prowess create an ideal synergy in semiconductor and other high-tech industries.Korea, the smallest economy and the least advanced technological power among the three, could be the trilateral solidarity's biggest beneficiary. Significantly, the agreement allows Korea to maintain gaps with rapidly chasing China in its traditional industrial strongholds.As always, however, benefits accompany risks.The first and foremost threat is China's possible economic retaliation. After Camp David, a Chinese governmen

Aug 22, 2023

ED Attracting foreign students

Seoul desperate to tackle drastic demographic decline In the face of a drastic decline in population, the government has decided to adopt a package of measures designed to attract around 300,000 foreign students by 2027. The Ministry of Education's Study 300K Project also seeks to secure foreign workers required by state-of-the art industries in advance. For one thing, the ministry plans to raise the proportion of students with master's and doctorate degrees in science and engineering sectors ― to up to 45 percent of all scholarship recipients.The ambitious plan, unveiled by Education Minister Lee Ju-ho Wednesday, came in a desperate bid to find solutions to the tricky issues resulting from Korea's low birth rate. The sharp decline in population has been stoking concerns over the possibility of provincial towns hollowing out, coupled with labor shortages in the manufacturing, services and high-tech sectors.The project features, among other things, the formation of task force teams made up of representatives from domestic universities, provincial governments and enterprises to attract

Aug 21, 2023

ED Camp David summit

Endurance of trilateral meeting depends on US, JapanAfter their historic trilateral summit at Camp David on Friday, the leaders of South Korea, America and Japan appeared content.U.S. President Joe Biden seemed to be the happiest ― for obvious reasons.Biden has finally made Seoul and Tokyo bury their historical troubles and join Washington's efforts to keep Beijing in check, regionally and globally. It was Biden's diplomatic achievement, all of which, no doubt, will also help in his attempts to win reelection.Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who does not want his country to become a distant runner-up to China in Asia, tried not to look too joyous. Besides, Tokyo won Washington's support for releasing nuclear-tainted water into the Pacific Ocean.Ostensibly, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol looked no different from the two other leaders. However, Yoon could not completely conceal appearing relatively rigid. He could not help it. Yoon is shouldering the biggest political risk of the three. At least half of his people remain unsure if it is all right for Seoul to move toward To

Aug 20, 2023

ED Korea Inc. in quagmire

Government's misdiagnosis aggravates economic problemsThe 1997-98 Asian financial crisis was the severest economic difficulty Koreans have experienced.However, the economy has returned to that time it seems, judging by the growth rate. Economic think tanks, local and foreign, forecast Korea's economic expansion will remain in the 1 percent range this year and next, the lowest since the nightmarish period back in the late '90s. This economic expansion is lower than Japan's, marking the first reversal in 25 years.Exports remain sluggish, hit by a slump in China, a country that buys one-fifth of Korea's goods. Domestic consumption shows few signs of a revival as debt-stricken households refuse to loosen their purse strings. Uncertainties are preventing businesses from making investments. The property market is still in a bubble.The slight turnaround to an expansion in the first two quarters is owed to what economists call “recessionary growth,” as imports fell more sharply than exports. The economy is mired in a swamp with no easy escape in sight.Still, the government seems

Aug 17, 2023

ED Challenges for Korea's chipmakers

China competition and energy transition pose tasks By Troy StangaroneFor much of the past year there has been a focus on how the CHIPS and Science Act and U.S. semiconductor export controls impact the long-term viability of Korea's semiconductor facilities in China. However, the growth of a competitive Chinese semiconductor industry and demands for production based on clean energy could be just as significant for Korean semiconductor companies. Less often discussed, but relevant for Korea's semiconductor industry, is the emerging competitive challenge from China. Beijing has invested significantly in the memory chip sector in an effort to achieve self-sufficiency. So much so that, according to a 2021 report by the Semiconductor Industry Association, Chinese subsidies and investments in its semiconductor industry have reduced the cost of production in Chinese fabs below those in other countries.On the surface, Samsung and SK hynix have a significant lead on YMTC, perhaps China's best hope for a domestic memory chip firm. Samsung and SK hynix have long dominated the memory chip segment

Aug 16, 2023

ED Historical amnesia

Looking back on past is vital to avoid repeating mistakesKorea celebrated the 78th National Liberation Day Tuesday.It was good to see President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife follow Oh Seong-gyu, a wheelchair-bound Independence Army veteran, into the ceremony. Kim Young-gwan, another former independence fighter, was also beside the first couple.However, Yoon's speech made many people wonder why he invited the two centenarians to the event. After giving formal praises and thanks to patriotic martyrs, he made no mention of why they had to sacrifice their youthful years, or their entire lives, and what the nation should do so it will not repeat the unfortunate past. “Korea and Japan are partners who share universal values and pursue common interests,” Yoon said. “As partners that cooperate on security and the economy, Korea and Japan will be able to jointly contribute to peace and prosperity across the globe, collaborating and exchanging in a future-oriented manner.”The president then reiterated how the free and democratic South has emerged victorious over the totali

Aug 15, 2023

ED Dangerous waters

Allies should engage NK via dialogue and diplomacy By John Burton When the USS Kentucky last month made the first port visit by a U.S. nuclear submarine to South Korea in 40 years, it was sailing into dangerous waters. The Korean Peninsula may now be closer to a conflict than at any other time since 1994, when U.S. President Bill Clinton was contemplating an air strike against North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear facility.Start with North Korea's actions. Pyongyang continues to build up a formidable nuclear and missile arsenal. The centerpiece of its recent test program is the Hwasong-18, its first solid-fuel missile capable of reaching the U.S. The missile can be launched with little warning and gives North Korea a first or second-strike capability, potentially undermining the U.S. nuclear retaliation.In addition, North Korea may soon conduct its seventh nuclear test, which is expected to focus on achieving the miniaturization of a nuclear warhead able to fit on a missile. This is seen as the last vital step in completing its nuclear arsenal. In conducting a record number of missile tests

Aug 14, 2023

Editorial