OPINION: What is self-coup? South Korean president's attempt ended in failure

SEOUL, December 6 (AJP) - Something unexpected – but hardly unprecedented – happened in South Korea on Dec. 3, 2024. With little warning, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing the threat from "pro-North Korean anti-state forces." The move, which appeared more about curtailing efforts by the main opposition – the center-left Democratic Party – to frustrate Yoon's policy agenda through their control of parliament, left man

December 6, 2024

OPINION: North Korea Provocations Underscore South Korea's Success

KENOSHA, December 05 (AJP) - North Korea’s contribution of combat troops to aid Russia in Ukraine has drawn global attention and headlines, but is only one component of ongoing ominous moves. At the start of this year, Pyongyang fired artillery barrages near a maritime buffer zone. On the west coast, Pyongyang wants to move the maritime border south. Roads and railroads linking North and South have been shut down. The North is jamming GPS signals in the South. South Kor

December 5, 2024

OPINION: South Korea had martial law for 6 hours. Why did this happen and what can we expect now?

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sent shockwaves through the world by declaring martial law in the country. Yoon's opponents in the National Assembly immediately sought to mass at the legislature to block the decree. This led to a dramatic confrontation with soldiers over control of the building. However, in the early hours of Wednesday, sufficient numbers of South Korean legislators gained entry to the chamber. Of the 300 membe

December 5, 2024

OPINION: Global markets are likely to withstand Trump-led US withdrawal from Paris Agreement

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - As the climate crisis deepens, the need for global action becomes greater than ever. Central to this effort is the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, to meet the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. So far 145 countries, collectively responsible for 90 percent of emissions, have committed to net zero targets or are actively considering them. But what if countries withdraw from their commitments, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump appears in

December 4, 2024

OPINION: Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power

SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter, despite previously suggesting he would not do so, has reopened debate over the use of the presidential pardon. Hunter Biden will be spared potential jail time not simply over his convictions for gun and tax offenses, but any "offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 1, 2024." During h

December 3, 2024

OPINION: Notre-Dame's bells have been blessed as cathedral reopens

SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - Ahead of the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, eight of the cathedral's church bells were renovated and blessed before their re-installation in the north tower. Philippe Jost, who has overseen the cathedral's restoration following the devastating fire in 2019, described the re-installation of the bells as a "beautiful, important and symbolic step." He called them the "voice of the cathedral." The sound of church bell

December 2, 2024

OPINION: Ceasefires are not panacea. Here are 4 reasons to be concerned about Israel-Hezbollah deal

SEOUL, November 29 (AJP) - The announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah is welcome news for a region torn apart by more than a year of warfare. Hopefully when implemented, the ceasefire will offer some respite for both Lebanese and Israeli civilians. The deal came into effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. However, the previous 24–48 hours had seen a dramatic increase in violence on both sides. This is part of a well-established pattern in warfare in w

November 29, 2024

OPINION: Trump's tariff threat could shake North American trade relations and upend agri-food trade

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, alleging both countries have failed to curb the inflow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. This policy is set to take effect once Trump assumes office in January. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with the premiers on Wednesday to discuss a response. During Trump's first term in office, we witnessed numerous s

November 28, 2024

OPINION: Will Trump renegotiate AUKUS treaty or walk away? That's $368 billion question

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Given the United States is Australia's most consequential military ally, it is natural to consider what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for the future of Australian defense policy – especially the AUKUS agreement. Judging by the initial comments by one of the most senior members of Australia's government, there certainly appears to be concern that Trump may look to modify – or even scrap – AUKUS. Foreign

November 27, 2024

OPINION: BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - BRICS+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasized this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren

November 26, 2024