Spiritual Asia (25): Why Korean shamanism is still alive today This is the twenty-fifth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. ​​​​ The great path of world shamanism, Japanese June 30, 2026

Reflections on 35 years of Quebec–Korea partnership SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - On the evening of June 24, the rooftop gathering at Art Nine in Seoul's Dongjak District felt less like a formal diplomatic event and more like a warm family reunion. Hosted by the Quebec Delegation in Seoul to celebrate Quebec's National Holiday (La Fête nationale), the reception marked a profound milestone: the 35th anniversary of Quebec's institutional presence in Korea. Quebec, Canada's predominantly French-speaking province, i June 30, 2026

Op-Ed: Civilian control should not be confused with civilian interference The debate over civilian control of the military is one of democracy's greatest achievements. But invoking civilian control to justify political or bureaucratic interference in military affairs is something entirely different. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has increasingly expanded its involvement in operational military matters that traditionally fall within the authority of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). What is presented as an exercise in democratic c June 30, 2026

Anatomy of KOSPI roller coaster It takes a strong stomach to ride the KOSPI roller coaster. The benchmark soared as if there were no ceiling, lifting investors to dizzying heights as they celebrated what seemed an unstoppable ascent. Then came the plunge. Within days, the market unraveled. An index racing toward historic highs suddenly became synonymous with panic. Four trading sessions encapsulated explosive gains and breathtaking losses, euphoria and fear, optimism and despair. This was no ordinary bout o June 30, 2026

Spiritual Asia (24): Gut, the mountain spirit, the seven stars, and the ancestors This is the twenty-fourth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. K-culture re-awakens the spirituality of Korean shama June 29, 2026

Spiritual Asia (23): Beginning of a spirituality that connects heaven and humanity This is the twenty-third installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. If Japanese Shinto explains Japanese spirituali June 29, 2026

Spiritual Asia (22): Beyond Shinto - rediscovering nature and human spirit This is the twenty-second installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. We have reached the final chapter of our journey th June 29, 2026

Spiritual Asia (21): Shrines and Matsuri sustain Japanese communities SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The second gateway to understanding Japanese Shinto is the shrine, or jinja. Shinto began with a sense of the sacredness of nature. At its roots was the belief that a divine presence dwelled in mountains and seas, forests and rivers, rocks and waterfalls, the sun and the wind. But for the sacredness of nature to enter people’s daily lives, there had to be a place where it could be remembered, enshrined and encountered repeatedly. That place was the sh June 27, 2026

Spiritual Asia (20): The story of Japanese Shinto This is the twentieth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series exploring the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. This chapter turns to Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest living faiths, and examines how its teachings on truth, free will and moral responsibility continue to resonate in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. To understand Japan deeply, you must first underst June 26, 2026

Should South Korea become another Taiwan? South Korea is behaving, more by momentum than by design, as if becoming Taiwan is the goal. Chips already make up 40 percent of the country's exports. Two companies sit behind eight of every ten core memory chips feeding the world's AI accelerators. KOSPI has been the best-performing major index for two straight years running on the back of that concentration. And the government is encouraging Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to expand their footprint beyond the capi June 25, 2026