Israel’s friends and foes
The writer observes that: "Israel appears to be losing friends and gaining new foes, largely due to its increasingly forceful posture toward its neighbours."
Lee Byung-jong
Anti-China sentiment in South Korea
The surge in anti-China sentiment is alarming because it reflects a broader nativist and nationalist undercurrent, the writer argues.
Foreign media and Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s reason for convening a foreign-media-only press conference is not difficult to grasp. He wanted the world to understand that Korea’s…
Japan’s first female prime minister
For Japan’s new prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, expectations are mixed. On the positive side, she rose to power through political and bureaucratic experience rather than family…
A Korea–Japan Economic Community
The writer says: "If political courage matches economic logic, the idea could eventually gain traction. If not, it will remain a daring dream, perhaps ahead of its time, but not…
Foreign students surge in South Korea
210,000 foreign national students registered at Korean institutions last year — a staggering 15 percent increase from the previous year.
Japan PM Ishiba’s flattery diplomacy
The Japanese Prime Minister's summit with the unpredictable and impulsive new US president, Donald Trump, demonstrated a masterclass in diplomacy, showcasing how to manage Mr.…
Time to Join the G9
Together with Australia, Korea could try to become a new member of the rich countries’ club, currently limited to the G7 (the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and…
Time for stronger Seoul-Tokyo ties
For many young South Korean tourists, Japan is no doubt their favorite travel destination. It's close, cheap and familiar. They can indulge in shopping or enjoy tonkatsu (fried…
Big tech vs. nation-states
Overseas-based tech giants like Meta, Google, Apple, X, Netflix or Amazon have become so powerful and dominant that some nation-states have difficulty controlling and curbing…