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Column
Pyongyang blowback
In 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attack, a term used by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency entered common currency. Throughout the 1980s, the Mujahideen, that loose conglomeration of Afghan tribal forces and international Muslim groups fighting against Soviet forces occupying Afghanistan, were supplied and supported by the CIA. Following the…
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Japan and neighbors
Tokyo must know reasons for diplomatic isolation Japan is suffering both internally and externally, with an unending economic slump at home and diplomatic conflicts with its neighbors abroad. Tokyo has brought most ― almost all ― of these troubles upon itself. That means the country should seek solutions not outside…
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Column
Smartphone addiction: disease or obsession?
Many foreigners marvel at the Koreans’ engrossment in smartphones. For instance, in a subway car, one would often find more than half of the passengers, especially young ones, are so absorbed in their mobile devices that they sometimes miss their stops. Smartphone addiction, often called communication addiction disorder, is a…
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President and foreign policy
Korea needs leader with historical, diplomatic sense Contrary to popular expectations and previous instances, President Lee Myung-bak made only cursory remarks about Japan and other regional problems in his Liberation Day speech Wednesday. Instead, he mostly focused on the economy, especially on how Korea has joined the ranks of leading…
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Column
Fate of Africa
Good news from Africa: after two decades of bloody anarchy, Somalia is finally on the mend. There is something resembling a government coming into being in Mogadishu, with much help from African Union troops ― although the country’s most popular comedian, Abdi Jeylani Marshale, famous for his parodies of Islamic…
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Column
IOC, Dokdo, PSY
A la Lex Column on the back page of The Financial Times, I tackle multiple subjects in today’s column. IOC The International Olympic Committee (IOC) barred Korean midfielder Park Jong-woo from the closing ceremony of the London Olympics for displaying a banner saying, “Dokdo is our territory.” The IOC cited…
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Column
Independence Day ― Korea and India
To commemorate the common anniversary of Independence Day for South Korea and India on Aug. 15, let us resolve to cooperate and coordinate on mutually beneficial economic and non-economic relations. To my mind, non-economic relations are more important than economic ones. Together, both of us with the wisdom of professionals…
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Olympic medal in football
Occasion for another take-off, not complacency Many foreigners might have wondered about Koreans’ near frenzied reaction to their team’s victory over Japan in Olympic football Friday. If so, they don’t know at least two things: what football means for most Koreans, and what a victory over their archrival in this…
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Column
Selfish love
Love is considered the most important among the virtues necessary for humanity. That is why love has been taught across the ages and in all countries of the world by saints. Love means basically giving something good to others unconditionally. Let’s leave love for one’s own children out of the…
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Diplomatic war on East Sea
Diplomatic rifts between Seoul and Tokyo largely come from historical problems stemming from the legacy of imperial Japan’s 35-year colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula (1910-1945). The forced annexation ended upon Japan’s defeat in World War II but vestiges of resentment and hurt from historical events still remain in the…
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