[Kim Seong-kon] Hoping for no 'October surprises' this year

In 2006, I briefly stayed in Buffalo, New York, on my way from the University of California, Berkeley to Harvard. In October that year, a heavy blizzard hit Buffalo so hard that everyone was stuck at home for about a week, suffering through all manner of ordeals, from blackouts and empty refrigerators to road blocks caused by huge piles of snow. The people of Buffalo called the untimely weather calamity “the October surprise,” because a blizzard was not expected in the fall. In the U

Oct. 9, 2024

[Nedra Rhone] Americans ready to flee the country?

The first time Jen Barnett and her now husband Brett Andrews discussed permanently leaving the US was in 2016. Barnett, an Alabama native and Emory University alum, said rising political polarization in the US and a long-standing desire to live abroad pushed them to scout out Vancouver, Canada, as a possible destination -- with Seattle as a possible “blue state” home. But it turned out, neither city felt like a place they wanted to live long-term. So they shelved the idea until 2020

Oct. 9, 2024

[Grace Kao] Why K-pop lip-syncing doesn’t bother me

Lip-synching during stage performances does not bother me. In fact, I sometimes prefer it. I know this is likely a minority opinion. Maybe it’s because I grew up on MTV and also watched shows like “American Bandstand,” “Soul Train,” and British music show “Top of the Pops.” The shows above all featured “live” performances by pop acts, but everyone knew they were lip-synching. Many acts also “played” their instruments on stage with

Oct. 8, 2024

[Antara Haldar] Alberto Fujimori's neoliberalism

The script of Latin American politics too often reads like a “dictator novel,” and on Sept. 11, another chapter drew to a close with the death of Alberto Fujimori. As the president who most defined -- and divided -- modern Peru, Fujimori’s legacy remains a topic of heated debate. One version of Fujimori’s epitaph would commend his economics and condemn his politics, but the deeper lesson his life story offers may be that it is impossible to separate the two. Fujimori&rsqu

Oct. 8, 2024

[Lee Kyong-hee] Tone-deaf first lady causes chaos

It seems the nation is engulfed in a relentless maelstrom. Unseemly rumors and speculations surrounding Kim Keon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol, continue to boil at a level in which even state governance is disrupted. Yet, the first lady shows no sign of curbing her behavior. Nor does Yoon exhibit anything but single-hearted dedication to protecting her. Yoon’s devotion defies his signature motto of “common sense and fairness” as the nation’s top prosecutor. It

Oct. 7, 2024

[Francis Wilkinson] MAGA could spark 'Fourth Founding'

It has been a long night of terror for American pluralism and democracy. The Republican Party since 2016 has burrowed ever deeper into authoritarian terrain. You don’t have to be a political scientist to register that reality. Democratic political parties aren’t awash in lies and they don’t nominate criminals and coup plotters to leadership. Not so complicated, really. Trumpism is a daily assault on many targets, including basic decency. But among them is optimism. When lies ar

Oct. 7, 2024

[Robert Fouser] Why the US election looks so close

The US presidential election is now just a month away. October traditionally brings surprises, but as things stand now, the race is a nail bitter. Vice President Kamala Harris has maintained a small lead over former President Donald Trump in nationwide polls since mid-August, but the race for 270 Electoral College votes remains extremely close. Campaigns are focusing their efforts on seven battleground states where a few thousand votes here or there could determine the winner. Compared to most p

Oct. 4, 2024

[Wang Son-taek] Taking domestic politics into account in Middle East conflict

As Israel proceeds with a ground offensive against Hezbollah, the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating day by day. The prospects for ending the war are dim, while the loss of lives, including innocent civilians, and property damage continues to mount. In the past, during such crises, the United States would intervene to manage the situation. However, such interventions seem absent this time. The elements that guaranteed global peace and stability have suddenly vanished. Has the internat

Oct. 3, 2024

[Shang-Jin Wei] To reform UN Security Council

As world leaders convened in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, the prospect of reforming the Security Council emerged as a major topic of discussion. A key question is whether the council should add more permanent members. Proponents of expansion argue that adding countries like India, Brazil or Japan would make the Security Council more representative of the UN’s membership. Critics, however, warn that adding more permanent members with veto power could cripple the council

Oct. 3, 2024

[Nedra Rhone] How to quash political rumors

The lyrics from a catchy ’80s tune have been running through my head for the past week. “Stop spreading those rumors around. Stop spreading those lies.” Calling to mind this 1986 song by Timex Social Club was the lighthearted way I dealt with heavy emotions about the impact recent political rumors have had on the country. All week long, I read dispatches from Springfield, Ohio, recounting the school closures, bomb threats, deployment of state troopers and fear of some residen

Oct. 2, 2024

[Kim Seong-kon] Understanding uniquely American things

There is a fascinating trend I have noticed in online media articles about America lately, such as “16 uniquely American things,” “13 positive stereotypes about Americans” or “23 US things that make the rest of the world jealous.” Those photo articles provide intriguing insights into what seems distinctively “American” in the collective mind and culture of the US. In the past, people often thought of America as a dreamland or the land of opportunit

Oct. 2, 2024

[Howard Davies] To restore European competitiveness

Judging by its strong, dramatic language, Mario Draghi’s big report on European competitiveness was clearly intended to get EU decision-makers’ attention. Rather than trying to sugarcoat the pill, he warns that Europe is falling ever further behind the United States. Not only has it largely missed the digital revolution, but it is about to miss the AI revolution, too. Not one European technology firm can rival the likes of Apple or Microsoft. Moreover, Draghi notes that productivit

Oct. 1, 2024

[Grace Kao] Korea’s obsession with designer handbags

In Seoul, there are designer handbags everywhere. The Hermes Birkin for the ultimate flex. The Chanel Medium Double Flap for the very fancy. Lady Dior bags by Christian Dior are very popular. Of course there are the ubiquitous Louis Vuitton bags -- how many Speedy 30 bags can you see in a single day? Of course you also see Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta and sometimes Burberry too. I’ve seen YSL, Mulberry and Chloe here and there. I’m not here to judge Koreans’ love of designer ba

Oct. 1, 2024

[Yoo Choon-sik] Protecting sound firms from zombies

While there is no official definition agreed on globally, zombie firms are widely referred to as those that are risky, unproductive and unviable, yet which still manage to avoid immediate default, most likely thanks to continued support from banks, investors or governments, in light of misaligned incentives. The existence of zombie firms can be said to be inevitable for any country adopting market capitalism, at least for a certain period and under certain conditions, such as immediately after u

Sept. 30, 2024

[Room Tone] Guide to navigating Busan International Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival is one of the most popular and vibrant cinematic events in Asia. With its glamorous red carpet, a massive lineup of international films and a picturesque setting by the sea, it draws cinephiles, filmmakers and journalists from across the globe. Behind the dazzle, however, lies a complex, sprawling experience that can be difficult to navigate. The first rule of survival at BIFF is: Wear comfortable shoes. While the allure of dressing up for screenings or wa

Sept. 27, 2024

[Lee Byung-jong] Big tech vs. nation-states

Elon Musk might be one of the richest and most influential people in the world, but he is not untouchable. In Brazil, he recently had to give in to a court order to remove far-right extremists’ accounts from X, the powerful social media platform he owns and runs. Having defied the court order for months in the name of free speech, Musk had to surrender finally as the court blocked the site for 20 million Brazilian users. This case shows how nation-states could rein in the seemingly inv

Sept. 27, 2024

“Wellness: A Strategic Overview of Well Aging”

While we often think of wellness as a singular concept, it is inherently multifactorial, encompassing dimensions such as the physical, mental, emotional and social. These dimensions are interconnected and collectively contribute to our overall quality of life. Life thrives when our bodies maintain homeostasis -- a delicate balance necessary for survival. Homeostasis ensures that bodily systems regulate functions like salt levels, brain pressure and optimal heart rate. Any disruption to this bala

Sept. 26, 2024

[Career Compass] ‘Respect is earned, not given’

I interviewed Eun-Mi Chae, the former CEO of FedEx Korea and currently an independent director of SKC. She broke new ground as the first Korean female CEO in the express transportation industry, successfully leading the company for 16 years. With over 35 years of experience, Chae is a pioneer, an exceptional communicator and an inspiring role model. Q. What was your mindset when you were first appointed as CEO? A. When I was appointed CEO of FedEx Korea, two key pieces of advice shaped my leader

Sept. 26, 2024

[Wang Son-taek] Why do we need bipartisan diplomacy?

In diplomacy, the national interest should be the highest priority. Yet, a country's internal political dynamics can significantly impact its ability to engage in diplomatic issues effectively. The recent controversy surrounding the bid for the Czech nuclear power plant becomes a case study of how internal political strife can undermine diplomatic efforts. The blame game between the ruling and opposition parties in South Korea reflects a lack of bipartisan cooperation in diplomacy. The oppo

Sept. 26, 2024

[Lisa Jarvis] Decriminalization and fentanyl overdose

This month, a brief, ambitious and many would say calamitous experiment came to an end: Oregon rolled back Measure 110, its policy decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. Rather than handing out small fines with a nudge toward treatment, police are once again giving misdemeanors to people who are found with opioids or meth. What can we learn from this first-of-its-kind experiment in the US? Many would argue that it showed us what not to do. But an honest assessment of w

Sept. 26, 2024