opinion_
-
Ominous signs from the north
Kim’s attention should turn inside, not southward There has always been the so-called North Korean factor or risk in major economic and political moments in South Korea. The upcoming presidential election seems to be no exception. President Lee Myung-bak held an emergency national security meeting at Cheong Wa Dae Wednesday…
Read More » -
Column
[World Report] Scientists: Indo-Autralian plate boundary may be breaking up
Nature Journal on Wednesday (Sept 26) published three papers on scientists finding of hint of new tectonic plate boundary. A pair of earthquake that occurred in the Indian Ocean on 11 April 2012 signaled the latest step of the formation according to the Nature. Seismologists have suspected since 1980s that…
Read More » -
Column
[Indonesia Report] Wire tapping mechanism added on corruption eradication investigation regulation
Illustration of phone tapping (Photo: www.kompas.com) Indonesian House of Representative is drafting a mechanism of tapping by Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission(KPK). According to Kompas.com, Indonesian House of Representative is drafting a revision on Regulation no. 30 year 2002 on Commission of Corruption Eradication. In the current regulation of article 12…
Read More » -
Column
Ahn, Psy and rise of the outsider
Two things happened last week that captured the zeitgeist in Korea. One was the announcement by Ahn Cheol-soo, the software entrepreneur, that he was running for president and the other was rapper Psy’s “Gangnam Style’’ breaking the world record for the most liked YouTube video. What connects these two seemingly…
Read More » -
Column
Psy way
I remember watching “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” in a theater near Broadway in New York more than a decade ago, bowling over with laughter whenever Mike Myers would go “shagadelic.” He was strange, yet a fun character. Far from the average Hollywood looker, there was something endearing…
Read More » -
Column
To adopt a Canadian name
English names taken by ethnic minorities in Canada are not only for the purpose of making one feel more comfortable; it is also with a view to subconsciously lead the white Canadian into thinking an Anglicized name means Western business etiquette is a natural consequence. “Benny” is a popular name…
Read More » -
Reset ties with Japan
Korea needs longer-term, cooler-headed approach Japanese anti-Korea protests, though mainly led by a few ultra-rightist groups, are going way too far by insulting and trampling on Korea’s national flag. Many ordinary Japanese do not hide their contempt and dislikes of their former colony, either. Koreans can’t help wondering what made…
Read More » -
Imelda’s shoes: one of great symbols of excess
An alert dictator always keeps one eye on the nearest exit in case, as so often happens with autocrats, a speedy departure suddenly becomes in order. Such a fate befell Philippines strongman Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda, in 1986 after 20 years in which they and their cronies looted…
Read More » -
Column
Ideological exclusion in Korea
Korea’s recent hosting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Jeju Island was sadly marred by the government’s decision to quell legitimate debate by barring the entry of four foreign attendees suspected of being opposed to the construction of a controversial naval base at…
Read More » -
Column
[Indonesia Report] Nine terrorist suspects arrested in major cities
Indonesia Counter-terrorism Squad, Detachment 88, arrested another terrorist suspect in Mondokan Village in Solo, Indonesia on Sunday (Sept 30). Indonesian police and army forces seized the location around 11 a.m. local time to clear the crime scene when Detachment 88 arrested JP, Kompas, Indonesia Mass Media, reported. According to a…
Read More »