OPINION: Thailand and Korea: A legacy of friendship and sacrifice

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - It is encouraging to see Korea and Thailand gaining renewed momentum in their economic partnership, as demonstrated at the recent Ignite Thailand–Korea Business Forum in Bangkok. More than 500 participants, including senior officials from both nations, explored cooperation in smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, digital

December 12, 2025

OPINION: Won discount reflects structural weaknesses

The trauma of the 1997 financial crisis still casts a long shadow over South Korea. A rising dollar-won exchange rate evokes memories of a time when the rate surged to nearly 2,000 won per dollar and the foundations of the economy shook. Today’s rate—hovering around 1,470 won—is the highest since the 2009 global financial crisis, and its persistent climb has stirred fresh unease. Research by the Hyundai Research Institute shows that South Korea’s equilibrium excha

December 12, 2025

OPINION: Why Beijing cannot tolerate Tokyo's remark related to Taiwan Strait

Recent comments by Japanese leaders linking a Taiwan Strait contingency to Japan’s “survival crisis” have triggered a strong response from China. During recent conversations, many South Korean acquaintances asked why Beijing reacted so forcefully. China considers a firm response not only necessary, but also legitimate — and I hope this commentary clarifies Beijing’s position for Korean readers. First, Japan is interfering in China’s internal a

December 12, 2025

OPINION: The compass for Seoul's FX policy now points to Tokyo

The Federal Reserve has cut its rate target range again this week, but the news barely rippled across Korean markets. The dollar strengthened, Korean stocks softened and yields inched upward — hardly the reaction one expects after a major policy decision from Washington. That muted response reflected an important shift in global finance: the Fed may still set the rhythm, but it no longer commands the stage. Markets registered the U.S. rate cut and immediately turned their ga

December 11, 2025

OPINION: Morning 3K, Keep going

My day begins with what I call a “morning 3K.” Since January, this routine has quietly reshaped my life. In summer, I rise at 5:30 a.m.; in early winter, at 6:30. As dawn breaks, I drink a glass of water and head to a nearby park. After a brief warm-up, I run three kilometers in about twenty minutes. The seasons have changed around me—spring, summer, fall, and now winter. In summer, sweat pours down, and I rinse my face with cool water. Even in late fall, I f

December 11, 2025

A German lesson for Korea amid geopolitical shifts

“What is South Korea’s perception of China? Germany is currently deliberating its strategy toward China,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked President Lee Jae Myung during their first summit at the G20 in Johannesburg on Nov. 22. Lee did not respond immediately. Merz, sensing the moment, added that Berlin would take Seoul’s perspective into account as it shapes its new China strategy. Lee, for his part, asked what Germany had learned from over

December 10, 2025

OPINION: What South Korea can learn from UK housing policy

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - Following his victory in the 2024 general election, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled an ambitious housing policy aimed at tackling what he described as a "national crisis." The plan included supplying 370,000 homes annually, totaling 1.5 million over five years, with a focus on expanding public sector involvement, developing new towns, and making use of green belt areas. His housing policy focused on two main priorities: restructuring

December 8, 2025

OPINION: Political paralysis exposes need for structural reform

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - The National Assembly has become a battleground of extreme confrontation rather than a forum for meaningful discussion. Deep political polarization, where each party sees itself as righteous and the other as fundamentally wrong, has eroded any space for compromise or dialogue. The concentration of power by a dominant party has encouraged authoritarian tendencies and shifted politics toward identity-based conflict rather than practical problem-solving. Thi

December 8, 2025

When will South Korea get off the treadmill?

Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG aren’t just South Korean brands anymore; they’re global fixtures, as ubiquitous as fast Wi-Fi and K-dramas on long-haul flights. There are few corners of the world where someone hasn’t heard of South Korea. In cultural visibility, the last decade has felt as dizzying as the old Han River Miracle — a second, soft-power-driven version. The artificial intelligence boom literally cannot operate without Korean memory chips. K-po

December 6, 2025

In the World Cup and the market, the ultimate winner is the one who manages uncertainty

The group draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America has presented the Korean national team with a formidable challenge. Facing Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of the European playoffs (Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, or North Macedonia) is difficult enough, but the real variable in this group is the environment. The fact that all matches will be played in Mexico becomes an opponent in itself. High altitude, temperature fluctuations, and humidity e

December 6, 2025