[Grace Kao] The expense of buying BTS’ J-Hope concert tickets

It is no secret that I am a fan of BTS, and J-Hope is my bias. I was excited to learn that he was planning a worldwide tour this Spring and that he would be coming to the United States. However, as most K-pop fans (especially BTS fans, also known as Army) know, buying tickets for BTS is extremely complicated and expensive, and nearly impossible anyway. In fact, it is so complex that I was unable to correctly follow each step. Still, I managed to get tickets! Let me explain what the process was l

Feb. 4, 2025

[Yoo Choon-sik] DeepSeek’s advice for South Korea’s AI ambitions

Time passes regardless of what we do -- whether we study, work, pause for rest or sleep after a long day of hard work. Most of us were enjoying an extended Lunar New Year holiday in South Korea when the world was rocked by the debut of a groundbreaking generative AI model developed by a Chinese startup. Global capital markets experienced significant turbulence following the introduction by China’s DeepSeek of a generative AI model with the same name. Developed at a fraction of the cost of its Am

Feb. 3, 2025

[Lee Byung-jong] Is Davos Man back?

The wealthy business executives and global elites who gathered last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, are facing an uncertain future. On the one hand, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, coupled with his neoliberal, business-friendly agenda, offers the prospect of continued globalization to bolster their wealth. Tax cuts, deregulation and corporate-friendly policies align with their interests. On the other hand, Trump’s protectionist rhetoric -- marked by threats of h

Jan. 31, 2025

[Elizabeth Shackelford] Donald Trump’s first week signals a coercive, not cooperative foreign policy

Donald Trump has already issued a slew of dramatic proclamations, but it isn’t yet clear how many will come to fruition. In foreign policy, at least, the message is crystal clear, even if the impact isn’t yet. That message is: Do what I demand or face the consequences. Trump has demonstrated that he intends to threaten his way to his foreign policy goals. Rather than directing his ire at recognized adversaries like Russia, North Korea or China, he has focused mostly on strongarming our friends.

Jan. 27, 2025

[Lee Kyong-hee] Emerging stronger from martial law debacle

With the Constitutional Court review of his impeachment and the criminal investigation on his insurrection charges separately underway, the next chapter in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s life is being decided. We may not see the text for months, but given the gravity of his botched martial law order on Dec. 3, Yoon is unlikely to return to office. Thus, he would be added to Korea’s infamous roster of presidents fallen in disgrace. While history will remember how Yoon rattled the nation’s hard-won dem

Jan. 27, 2025

[Robert J. Fouser] Young people reject polarization

Recent polls in South Korea have puzzled political pundits. In the days after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, Yoon’s popularity hit record lows as support for impeachment surged. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea’s support rose and its leader, Lee Jae-myung, was heads and shoulders above all possible opponents in an election to replace Yoon. Then, in late December, the trends started to reverse. What happened? And what does it mean? A poll conducted in mid-January by Gallup

Jan. 24, 2025

[Stephen L. Carter] Trump’s TikTok ban reprieve

As US TikTok users rejoice at the site’s return from its 14-hour hiatus, curmudgeonly critics -- me included -- wonder whether President Donald Trump can really get around the congressional statute aimed at banning it. The short answer: of course he can. True, as a legal matter, a president can’t simply suspend the operation of a duly enacted law. As a practical matter, however, Trump will stand in a long line of chief executives who have used prosecutorial discretion to achieve the same end. Fr

Jan. 23, 2025

[Park Ki-deok] A call for allied partnership in energy transition era

As the global community accelerates its transition toward clean energy, the security of critical mineral supply chains has emerged as a cornerstone of both economic prosperity and national security. The current reality, where a single nation controls 80-90 percent of the battery precursor market and dominates critical mineral processing, presents significant challenges that require coordinated solutions among allied nations. In recent years, the vulnerability of global supply chains has been exp

Jan. 23, 2025

[Wang Son-taek] Fake truth for deniers

About 50 days have passed since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s insurrection on Dec. 3, and we are still facing absurdities and impudence. President Yoon appeared at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court and denied he ordered the troops to drag lawmakers out from the National Assembly. What he said was totally different from the statements of the military commanders who had participated in the insurrection. Several days ago, hundreds of his supporters had vandalized the Seoul Western Distr

Jan. 23, 2025

[Kim Kyuseok] Martial law and international education in South Korea

In December 2024, South Korea experienced a period of unprecedented political instability when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. This decision sent shockwaves through both domestic and international communities. However, the declaration was met with immediate and widespread opposition, resulting in a unanimous vote by the National Assembly to rescind it. Despite its brevity, President Yoon’s martial law declaration has unleashed a series of repercussions that continue to unfold, part

Jan. 22, 2025

[Kim Seong-kon] Korea in eyes of foreigners these days

In the past, the Korean people were very sensitive about how foreigners saw their country. However, Koreans these days no longer seem to care about how they look in foreigners’ eyes. Of course, we do not need to be overly conscious of foreigners’ views or assessments of us. Nevertheless, we should pay heed to foreigners’ perceptions of Korea because it fosters the image of Korea overseas. Therefore, if we want to promote a good image of Korea, we should act accordingly. Many in the foreign press

Jan. 22, 2025

[Grace Kao] Koreans’ love of MBTI

As a non-Korean, I am puzzled by Koreans’ fascination with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator psychological types. I noticed that not only do K-pop idols and other Korean celebrities talk about it, but it can even arise in other situations. Some use it to determine the compatibility of a potential romantic partner. Others may use it in job interviews or determining task assignments at work. In the US, many people are aware of Myers-Briggs, but I’ve never heard of someone choosing a partner based on

Jan. 21, 2025

[Terry Lynn Karl] A house gutted by fire

Los Angeles has been burning for about two weeks now, and the blame game is in full swing. From diversity, equity and inclusion policies and artificial intelligence data centers to the mismanagement of public resources by political leaders, fingers seem to be pointing in every direction. But the charges being thrown around miss the point: The underlying cause of the conflagration is greenhouse gas emissions generated by the burning of fossil fuels. Even as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee

Jan. 20, 2025

[Yoo Choon-sik] Bank of Korea’s surprise decision to wait

Until just a few weeks ago, whenever acquaintances of mine running their own businesses mentioned in private meetings or casual conversations that domestic demand was weak and getting weaker to an unprecedented degree, I assumed they were merely complaining under their breath. However, one statistic after another released has forced me to admit that I was gravely mistaken and to feel regret for failing to sympathize with those enduring such hardship. Domestic demand is indeed weakening by the da

Jan. 20, 2025

[Lee Byung-jong] Rising Trump risks for Seoul

The impending leadership changes in South Korea and the United States have cast a cloud of uncertainty over the future of Seoul-Washington relations. With President Trump set to be sworn in Monday and the potential confirmation of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment in South Korea, the stage is set for significant political and diplomatic shifts. If a liberal administration takes power in Seoul, a likely backlash against Yoon’s conservative policies, the relatively warm relationship between Yo

Jan. 17, 2025