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Culture
The Two Faces of the Taliban: Two countries still far away, Korea and Afghanistan
The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled 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 before, but the…
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Culture
Second anniversary of Songhae’s death: A national MC looking back through review of KBS’ ‘Songhae Musical’
By Younghoon Choi * SEOUL: When I was the editor-in-chief of <Dong-A Ilbo>, I put a lot of effort into serializing the memoris of Mr. Song Hae (27 April 1927 – 8 June 2022) that are a treasure trove of stories. But it failed. This is because of the painful…
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Society
The Two Faces of the Taliban: A place where women’s hair salons are closed, but men’s hair salons are wide open
The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled 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 before, but the…
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Culture
“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…
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Politics
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…
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Culture
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…
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Politics
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,…
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Culture
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…
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Society
Uzbekistan’s Khiva: Crown Jewel of the Silk Road is the 2024 tourism capital of the Islamic world
KHIVA: The city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, an ancient city famous for its rich history and vibrant culture, will soon receive large numbers of visitors from all over the world, especially from the OIC Member States to participate in the Twelfth Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers on…
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Politics
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…
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