“Abandon the ‘signifier’ of a democratic fighter and become an ‘idol’ of a practitioner”
By Lee Byung-cheol * SEOUL: Idol (牛墒) is the name of the Janggi-pyo type. While his older brother was staying at Taejongsa Temple in Busan for a while on probation, the monk Doseong, who was the head priest of the temple, shaved his head and became a monk. This is the name he received from […]
On Memorial Day, South Korea honors its fallen heroes
By Habib Toumi Manama: On Thursday June 6, 2024, I will make sure that I will say a prayer for the Korean soldiers who died defending or in the service of their country. It is always painful for anyone to lose loved ones and for a nation to lose men and women in uniform or in […]
A look at Kim Ryang’s ‘Film Youth, Dong-ho’ and Lim Yu-ri’s ‘Echo’
By Jeon Chan-il * CANNES: “Film Youth, Dong-ho” is a well-made ‘creative documentary’ that penetrates the human side of former Busan Film Festival Chairman Kim Dong-ho. Twenty-six-year-old director Yuri Lim’s “Echo”, attracted attention for its rare director’s challenge and vision even though it failed to win an award. Although it is a bit late, let’s take […]
The Two Faces of the Taliban: “We will watch”. “How well will we lead Afghanistan?”
By Lee Shin-seok* KABUL: The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled Afghanistan (hereinafter referred to as Afghanistan) twice (1996-2001 and 2021-present). The Taliban’s first term in power in Afghanistan was marred by tyranny that suppressed all freedoms. The Taliban, who are entering their second term in power in 2021, say they are different from […]
South Korea to resume blasting propaganda, K-pop music across DMZ border with North Korea
SEOUL: South Korea is ready to reactivate fixed and mobile propaganda loudspeakers near the border with North Korea as Seoul took steps to fully suspend a 2018 inter-Korean military pact. The loudspeakers used to blare criticism of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un regime’s human rights abuses, news and K-pop songs. The loudspeaker campaigns were part of […]
The Poetic Gardens of Ko Un
By Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, President, Asia Journalists Association SEOUL: In an exceptional meeting, I had the chance to receive the great Anthology dedicated to the iconic Korean poet Ko Un celebrating his 90th birthday. The front book cover of the Anthology with the title ‘He is Beyond Our Longing’, which is 440-page long, has the contribution […]
Gyeongbokgung Palace: A sublime journey to 14th century Korea
By Dr Rohel Aijaz SEOUL: The month of May had just begun. The day was hotter than usual, yet I was excited for what lay ahead. It was my second day in Seoul and I had decided to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. After having a Kimchi pancake for breakfast at a restaurant right next to our […]
Ansan tops with natural beauty, vibrant living, futuristic education
Habib Toumi ANSAN: The stylish picture shows high-rise white buildings near lush multi-colored parks and wide, well-manicured highways with the bold message “Ansan: The best land to live under the sky.” The description is attributed to King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd King of Joseon, as he was impressed by the abundance of seafood and fertile […]
Kazakhstan’s Tokayev first Central Asian President to deliver Singapore Lecture
SINGAPORE: Singapore and Central Asia countries should work closely together in areas of mutual interest, a senior Singaporean minister has said. Addressing the 46th Singapore Lecture, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean welcomed the visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the island country and stressed the significance of bolstering ties […]
Korea’s renewable energy wonder: The Sihwa Tidal Power Plant – High energy capacity, low environmental impact
By Habib Toumi ANSANCITY: The comon view across teh globe is that power plants are associated with degrading the environment and spoiling the aesthetics of their surroundings. But, such a view does not stand in the Republic of Korea where the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant (TPP) has, to the contrary of the generally-held view, […]