OPINION: Upgrading democracy: Should we change how we talk about politics?

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - If President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment is upheld by the Constitutional Court next month and if Lee Jae-myung or another Democratic Party candidate wins the election to replace him, media will predictably report that Korea’s leadership has changed from right to left. Some might modify these words a little and say we have moved from the center-right to the far-left. Or, they might say we have gone from the far-right to the center-left. Bu

February 28, 2025

OPINION: Nowruz is elebration of rebirth of earth

SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Nowruz is the most important Iranian tradition and the largest annual celebration of the people living in the cultural and civilizational sphere of the great Iran which is celebrated every year at the beginning of spring—at the moment when the earth enters the vernal equinox. Nowruz is celebrated on the occasion of the end of the cold season and the beginning of the period of reproduction when nature is renewed and the working season begins, especiall

February 26, 2025

Opinion: Kazakhstan's economic policy direction for 2024 and prospects for Korea-Kazakhstan economic cooperation

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - What is the general perception of Kazakhstan among Koreans? Many might think of it as a "landlocked country in Central Asia" or "a country where many Koreans live." The fact that only about 40,000 South Koreans visited Kazakhstan in 2024 suggests that the country remains rela

February 10, 2025

OPINION: Kazah President Tokayev's vision charts new path for enhanced ties with Korea

SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - On Jan. 28, 2025, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the extended government meeting, where he outlined key national priorities aimed at accelerating Kazakhstan’s economic development, fostering global partnerships, and advancing technological innovation. His strategic vision presents numerous opportuniti

February 3, 2025

OPINION: How Korea can emerge from uncertainty to discover a brighter future

SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Korea’s reputation as a developed country took a big hit with the ongoing crisis over President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law bid. Not only did it raise questions internationally about political stability, but it has also led business people to worry whether the legal system works to the level expected of a developed country. It is no surprise then that foreign investors have been withdrawing from the market and that the value of the won has

January 21, 2025

OPINION: South Korea at crossroads after president is impeached – here's what will happen next

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - South Korea's National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 14. The vote marks the third time a president has been impeached in the country's constitutional history. Out of 300 assembly members, 204 voted in favor of the motion, 85 voted against, three abstained, and eight votes were declared invalid. This outcome indicates that at least 12 votes in favor came from Yoon's conservative ruling People Power

December 18, 2024

OPINION: FIFA has human rights policy, so how could it award Saudi Arabia 2034 soccer World Cup?

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Last week, FIFA officially awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup. The Gulf Kingdom was the sole bidder after the Asian Football Confederation made it clear it would not support an Australian bid. Supporters of the decision, including respected sports journalist Tracey Holmes, argue a World Cup in the kingdom offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to foster positive change. A range of celebrities and players also congratulated the Saudi Arabian Footbal

December 17, 2024

OPINION: Trump wants China's help in making peace in Ukraine

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has invited China's president Xi Jinping to his inauguration on Jan. 20 in a surprise move which appears to be part of a plan to involve Beijing in ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. Just after his recent meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, Trump posted, "There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin," and "China can help." That latter remark has sudd

December 16, 2024

OPINION: South Korea shook presidential power grab – failure to impeach now risks damaging democracy

SEOUL, December 13 (AJP) - Days after announcing – and then rescinding – martial law in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's future remains uncertain. Immediate efforts to impeach the president over the attempted power grab have failed, due to the boycott of the vote by Yoon's ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP). But that won't be the end of the matter; on Dec. 9, 2024, South Korea's Justice Ministry banned Yoon from leaving the country until t

December 13, 2024

OPINION: Taiwan president's trip skillful, successful

KENOSHA, December 12 (AJP) - "Peace is priceless, and war has no winners." Taiwan President Lai Chin-te, also known as William Lai, included that statement in a Honolulu address to an audience of Hawaii and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress. Lai was on a brief two-day “transit” stop in Hawaii, carefully choreographed to show U.S. support for Taiwan without indicating formal diplomatic relations. This reflects ongoing tensions with m

December 12, 2024