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Wed, September 19, 2018 | 09:03

Opinion > Columnists > Andrew Salmon >

Time to sex up Hanbok

Taiwan, 1959. A reporter for “The Korea Republic” (the predecessor of an English language publication that exists today) visited a museum in Taipei.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-08-01 16:46

Pigs, dogs and journalists

It's big news. A senior education ministry official, Na Hyang-wook, speaking pompously in a boozy meeting with journalists, likened the public to “pigs and dogs.” Several reporters were present, but only one, from a leftist newspaper, dared report Na's comments. A public uproar resulted and Na was flagellated and fired.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-07-18 16:53

Inaccurate slogan, uncreative officials

Yet again, Korea is being rebranded. We have the brilliant minds at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to thank for - fanfare, please - the new national slogan “Creative Korea.” This initiative raises several questions. Firstly: Do we really need a rebrand, given that the old (though underused) international brand, “Dynamic Korea,” still remains so relevant for most sectors of economy and society?

Andrew Salmon | 2016-07-11 16:08

New Hermit Kingdom arises

One hundred and six years after the Kingdom of Joseon (1392-1910) fell to the dominant globalizing force of its day - aggressive colonialism - another country is assuming the mantle of “The Hermit Kingdom.” In a national referendum, the United Kingdom voted itself out of the world’s most ambitious globalization project, the European Union (EU). Detaching themselves from the largest free-trade, free-travel and free-residence zone on earth, Britons ignored all advice from political, diplomatic and economic experts.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-07-04 16:51

Time and place for Konglish

Near my office stands a sandwich shop. It is convenient, its prices are reasonable and its offerings healthy. I go a couple of times a week and am greeted as a regular by the friendly staff.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-06-06 16:44

Korean-English, not Konglish (Part 1)

Saviors of Korean economy

Quo vadis, Korean economy? Woeful predictions of doom and gloom abound. Domestic spending evaporated after the credit crisis of 2002, leaving the economy reliant upon exports and at the mercy of the volatile global economy. But in sector after sector - at present, mobile telecommunications and shipbuilding - Chinese manufacturers are leveraging their giant home market to out-produce and under-cutting Korean competitors

Andrew Salmon | 2016-05-23 16:51

Dummies' guide to Kim's dictatorship

Years ago, the foreign editor of a major British newspaper, upon learning that I was heading for Korea, congratulated me. I was fortunate, he said, because Korea was the “world’s last great news story” - the only unresolved battleground of the epoch-defining Cold War.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-05-09 16:36

Fashion police, take a hike

According to recent reports, a brouhaha is brewing over whether the nation’s ajumma (matrons) and ajosshi (married blokes) should tour European capitals sporting the garish Alpine gear that is de rigeur for this demographic. Indignant netizens apparently believe such fashion sense is laughable, inappropriate and downright disrespectful in Europe's sophisticated streets and plazas.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-04-25 16:36

Cross-cultural catastrophes

U.S. talk-show host Conan O'Brien recently visited Korea, and the comedic sketches he made here are now circulating on social media. Despite his impressive pedigree as an entertainer, I found his efforts pedestrian, his comedy puerile.

Andrew Salmon | 2016-04-11 16:25

Heroes and 'Hell Joseon'

A despised political class. Corrupt, unaccountable big business. Savage competition, killer stress. A deepening wealth divide, an unfair society. Falling youth opportunities, rising youth suicide rates…it's a dark picture. Not for nothing do many young Koreans call their nation “Hell Joseon.”

Andrew Salmon | 2016-03-28 16:42

90% of young Koreans sympathize with 'Hell Joseon'

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