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East Asia
Future of NK leadership at time when society changes rapidly
The beautiful and charming Ri Sol-ju, the wife of the North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un, has not been seen for quite a while. After few months of frantic activity, she has nearly (but not quite completely) disappeared from the public view. The sudden drop in frequency of her public appearances…
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Stabilizing people’s lives
Start by knowing correct reasons of past failures For one, surveys show that the majority of voters want governmental change but the ruling party candidate, Park Geun-hye, is enjoying the highest ratings in the polls. This is largely because Park has successfully kept her distance from the unpopular President Lee…
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East Asia
A micro look at name cards
Sometimes details, even very small ones, have big things to say. Such it is with the ubiquitous name card in Korea. In going through a pile of recently received cards, a number of thoughts come to mind. Romanization: This is the great emotion stirrer that divides people into three camps…
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East Asia
Contain or engage NK leader?
Park cautious; Moon forthcoming When late President Kim Dae-jung stepped off his plane in North Korea in 2000, he was serenaded by a brass band before clasping hands with late dictator Kim Jong-il. His successor, the late Roh Moo-hyun, strode across the military demarcation line on foot seven years later.…
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East Asia
Asiana receives highest medal from Cambodia
Asiana Airlines has received the Cambodian government’s highest medal for foreigners for its contribution to the Southeast Asian country, the airline said Monday. The firm’s main contribution in Cambodia includes the establishment of solar street lamps and financial support for local schools there. The Royal Order of Sahametrei, Grand Cross,…
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East Asia
Lukewarm!
Moon’s standing likely to be weakened ahead of Dec. 19 poll Independent candidate-turned-king maker Ahn Cheol-soo broke out of his mini-hiatus Monday and supported opposition challenger Moon Jae-in over conservative ruling party candidate Park Geun-hye. However, Ahn’s dry comments felt like a telegraphed endorsement and as he appeared to be…
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East Asia
Ko Un’s works published in three countries
Prominent poet Ko Un’s works have been published in three countries with the support of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI). The institute has supported the translations of 33 volumes by Ko in 14 languages so far. The newest translations are “First Person Sorrowful” published by Bloodaxe Books in…
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East Asia
Actor Lee Min-ho to meet with fans in Japan
Hallyu star Lee Min-ho, 25, met his Japanese fans for a third time Sunday, at the National Convention Hall of Yokohama, Japan. “I finally have a chance to meet my fans after a long time because of the long shooting period of my latest drama. I’d like to have a…
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‘Gangnam Style’ puts Seoul on the travel map
As the shiny black party van glides down Teheranno Boulevard past Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton windows, the driver hits the remote, releasing a soft rain of colored LED lights. A familiar pulsing beat fills the air, unleashing images of a galloping dance move in the minds of everyone in…
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East Asia
Exodus?
Goldman, HSBC scaling back operations here The government’s move to turn Seoul into an Asia financial hub is going adrift as a growing number of foreign financial firms are moving to either pull out of Korea or scale back their operations here. Foreign players are suffering from poor business performances…
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