Showing 1 - 10 of 1,317
Why China won't budge on N Korea
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 07/11/2017
» Over the next few days, Donald Trump will be visiting the leaders of Japan, South Korea and China, and the same topic will dominate all three conversations: North Korea. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in will be looking for reassurance that the United States will protect them from North Korea's nuclear weapons, but in Beijing Mr Trump will be the supplicant.
Lessons from Korea on soft power
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 28/03/2022
» South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae recently bagged the Best Actor title at the 27th Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month. This makes him the first Korean actor to take home the Best Actor accolade in the Drama Series category. Lee is known internationally for his lead role in the nine-episode survival drama Squid Game.
Thailand's going bananas for Korea
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/09/2019
» When South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Thailand recently, he highlighted two Thai names, Nichkhun of 2PM and Lisa of Blackpink as symbols of the excellent South Korean-Thai friendship. Nichkhun Horvejkul and Lalisa Manoban are young Thai idols who are making a living as K-Pop performers in Seoul. Both of them speak fluent Korean, they are trained to sing in Korean and are well-versed in K-Pop dancing.
Time for a Seoul-Tokyo peace pact
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 12/08/2019
» I love kimchi and I love ramen. I love the bushido way of life and Japanese humility, and I love South Koreans' resilience and devotion to education that helped them lift their country from poverty after World War II to become an Asian economic powerhouse. And in my opinion, both South Koreans and Japanese are among the nicest people in the world.
If Trump tries to 'solve' N Korea, his bluff might be called
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 05/04/2017
» Never mind the legalities of the situation. Never mind morality either. Just answer the pragmatic question: Is it ever a good idea to start a nuclear war? Because that's the notion that Donald Trump is actually playing with.
'Phi noi' workers need solution
Editorial, Published on 05/11/2023
» We often hear about the experiences of tourists in Thailand, but there's rarely any discussion of Thais travelling abroad. This changed recently when the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea began trending on X, with netizens accusing the country of discriminating against Thai tourists. Everyone from the average tourist to influencers joined the debate and shared stories of being interrogated and/or refused entry into South Korea despite having all the right paperwork.
Soft power sells best when not force-fed
Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 07/08/2023
» South Korea knows how to sell its products. Apart from K-entertainment, the country has also popularised K-merchandise through pop culture. From fried chicken and ramyeon cup noodles to egg drop sandwiches and soju, instant coffee and dietary supplements, we have seen countless products from South Korea in series and movies successfully create a huge customer base in Thailand.
Making change via K-Pop and Thai-Y
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/05/2022
» K-Pop and artistic ripples through films and other forms of entertainment from South Korea have been conquering the world in recent years, as part of soft power and smart power.
Halloween tragedy tests Seoul's unpopular leader
News, Published on 03/11/2022
» A nightmarish disaster whose victims were predominantly the young. A right-of-centre leader whose popularity is sliding. A political flashpoint potentially in the making once the nation absorbs the tragedy.
Clutching at straws
Oped, Postbag, Published on 01/06/2024
» Re: "Thaksin to fight royal insult case: Lawyers raise doctored video concerns", (BP, May 30).