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Wed, August 23, 2017 | 11:18

Opinion > Times Column >

Ruth Benedict was wrong on China

The unprecedentedly strong tsunami and the resultant meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear reactors on March 11, 2011, caught me by surprise. More stunning were the responses of the Japanese. Putting aside their nuclear contamination woes, they refused to purchase products en masse. If I had been there, I would have tried hard to snap up products made before the nuclear catastrop...

2017-08-16 17:47

Rise of streaming media

The English dictionary defines “ubiquitous” as “existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time” or “omnipresent.” This description applies to the information society that the Korean government has been pursuing since it announced the vision of “U-Korea,” a plan to achieve “ubiquitous communications” across the country in 2004. Related ministries and leading Korean ...

2017-08-09 17:20

'The Battleship Island' and Japan's apology

Controversy is brewing over the blockbuster “The Battleship Island.” It portrays the misery faced by the Koreans who were forced to work in the coal mines of the “hellish” Hashima Island during World War II. The film has attracted more than 4 million viewers in only one week, and has triggered criticism from both Korea and Japan. The Japanese media has been slamming the film ...

2017-08-02 18:01

Moon's N. Korea approach

North Korea is showing signs of preparing to launch a ballistic missile yet again very soon - this time probably using a submarine. The harsh reality facing South Korea is that it has few options to counter the North’s additional provocation. The Kim Jong-un regime has completely ignored President Moon Jae-in’s repeated dialogue overtures. It did not even show any interest in...

2017-07-26 18:51

Asia's hot desserts now

Asian desserts are becoming noticeably more available in Korea. In my neighborhood alone, there are several stores selling Taiwanese pastries and Hong Kong drinks that were not there a few months ago. Desserts are some of my favorite small luxuries. They have a good effect on picking up the mood and raising the energy level.

2017-07-12 17:29

'People-centered growth'

By Park Yoon-bae One of the top priorities of the Moon Jae-in administration is to narrow the widening income disparity to usher in a fair and equal society.Since taking office on May 10, President Moon has been striving to promote “income-based economic growth” as part of efforts to help people earn more and receive a fair share of the nation’s economic fru...

2017-07-12 17:28

Hong Kong's cultural power

It has been 20 years since China regained sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain. The world was eyeing Hong Kong on June 30, 1997, when the handover ceremony began with dignitaries from China and Britain, including then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Prince Charles. To mark that special day 20 years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Hong Kong last week and presided o...

2017-07-05 17:24

From region to religion

Korea is a republic of human networks. Koreans seem to have a natural tendency to form groups in line with their hometown, educational background and religion. If you want a significant job at any institute or company, you are strongly recommended to join groups involving their leaders. I half-jokingly call this “from region to religion,” comparable to “from ship to chip” whi...

2017-06-28 17:42

Golden age for pets

As the number of single households in Korea is increasing, people’s interest in pets or companion animals also seems to be growing too. Recent data shows that Korea’s pet population has surpassed 10 million and is expected to double by 2020. The pet industry amounted to 3.5 trillion won in 2015. That figure is expected to reach 6 trillion won over the next three years, which ...

2017-06-21 17:09

Gaya history and pro-Japan scholars

President Moon Jae-in has generated a far-flung controversy by citing the need to shed light on the history of the Gaya region largely referring to the lower part of the peninsula. Moon’s move is proper as he aims at regional reconciliation between the southeastern Gyeongsang Province and southwestern Jeolla Province. It is also desirable as a means to cope with possible terr...

2017-06-14 17:52

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