What Happens to All Those Election Banners?
VOTE FOR ME! I CAN CHANGE SOUTH KOREA! Colorful election banners decorated South Korea’s streets throughout the recent presidential election campaign. The country is now left with reportedly over 17,000 strips of synthetic fabric, which threatens to go to waste (they will likely be incinerated or buried
“Icon of Debt”: S Korea's Most Sought-After Celebrity
Seven years ago, he was banned from major television channels after being convicted of running an illegal gambling business. Today, Lee Sang-min is one of the most sought-after celebrities in South Korea. He is a permanent panelist on 11 television shows. In May, he ranked first in a celebrity
Internet Users in S Korea: Beware of Ransomware
Ransomware, an international cyber-attack that started last Friday, hit South Korea over the weekend. Moviegoers in CJ CGV, the country’s biggest multiplex cinema chain, reported seeing screens infected by the virus. As a preventative measure, the city of Incheon shut down the internet for 1,400 personal computers, in
Can Moon Jae-in Really Save S Koreans from ActiveX Hell?
In March, then-president hopeful Moon Jae-in pledged to rid all government-run websites of ActiveX and abolish the much-hated public certification system. Many South Koreans, fed up with the anachronistic security protocols, reacted with excitement and joy. Now, Moon Jae-in is South Korea’s new president. He
Find the Missing Gay Emoticons on Samsung's Galaxy S8
After the debacle of Samsung Electronics’ combusting Galaxy Note 7, the company’s latest phone — Galaxy S8 — appears to have been launched successfully. Despite reports of minor technical defects, the reviews of the product have been positive, and pre-order sales of the S8 and S8+ have been Samsung’
President Moon Jae-in: Between Everyman Persona and North Korea
On the morning of Mar. 10, the eyes of the nation were on the constitutional court, which unanimously ruled that impeached president Park Geun-hye had to go. One journalist, however, was in Hongeun-dong, Seoul, evidently to scrutinize a plastic bag in front of a modest apartment. The bag featured the
Forest Fire Alert: Where Was the Control Tower, Again?
With Moon Jae-in and the presidential election decorating the headlines, it’s easy to forget the natural disaster that hit South Korea last Saturday. Three wind-fed forest fires broke out independently in the northeastern region of the country, destroying over 300 hectares of forestland, evacuating over 500 people and mobilizing
Meet Tory, South Korea's Potential First-Dog-To-Be
Tory is a South Korean mixed-breed dog whose fortunes may be about to change drastically. After being rescued from an abusive owner and given refuge in an animal shelter, Tory’s next stop might just be the most prestigious home in the nation: that of newly-elected president Moon
Can S Korea's Blue House Reporters Ask More Questions Now?
On his first day as president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in held a press conference in Chunchugwan, the Blue House’s press building. After talking for a little less than 10 minutes, Moon left without a Q&A session. His top aides stayed behind for nearly 20
The Triumph of Yearning
On Tuesday night in Seoul, the scent of victory mingled with the aromas of stale beer and fried chicken. At a crowded bar and chicken joint in Seoul’s Mapo district, several dozen supporters of new South Korean president Moon Jae-in gathered to watch the results of the national election
After S Korea's Presidential Race: What's Next?
Just when the whole world seemed to be lurching to the right, France stepped away from a presidency under Marine Le Pen on Sunday. South Korea has now followed suit, kicking its conservatives into the wilderness after almost a decade in power and choosing progressive candidate Moon Jae-in
S Korea Election Day: Voter Snapshots in Seoul
A year ago today, Park Geun-hye probably would have had no idea how May 9 2017 would unfold. She would’ve imagined carrying out her official duties as president, albeit a lame duck president. She would’ve been thinking about the presidential election that would take place&