Tag: explainer

explainer

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How a humanitarian transfer of North Korean POWs became a row between Seoul and Kyiv

A dispute over secrecy surrounding two North Korean POWs exposes diverging expectations between South Korea and Ukraine.

2026.9.30

The Hormuz trilemma: Why Lee Jae Myung’s Iran calculation is harder than Roh’s Iraq decision

Seoul faces mounting U.S. pressure, Iranian warnings and domestic opposition over a possible Strait of Hormuz deployment.

2026.9.15

How Trump's order to scale back drills complicates Seoul's wartime command bid

The shortened Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise puts fresh focus on whether Seoul and Washington can agree on a timeline for transferring wartime operational control.

2026.9.5

Actor Nana in the ENA television drama series ″Climax″ [ENA]

Hero or heel? Nana's home invasion case reignites debate on Korea's self-defense laws.

Nana is viewed as a hero after defending her mother from a home intruder in November 2025. As she prepares to testify against her attacker in court, the public questions the necessity of this confrontation, given that she acted in self-defense.

2026.4.17

The flag of Canada, left, and the flag of Alberta flap in the breeze with Wedge Mountain in the background at the site of the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on June 2. [AP/YONHAP]

President Lee's G7 summit debut sets stage for 'pragmatic diplomacy'

The upcoming G7 meeting in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17 will mark President Lee Jae-myung’s first major appearance on the world stage since taking office less than two weeks earlier.

2025.6.16

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the government complex in central Seoul in 2022. [NEWS1]

Populism, grievance and online opinion drive campaign pledges to abolish Gender Ministry

Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has resurfaced as a bone of contention in the ongoing presidential campaign.

2025.5.20

In perception-driven Korea, even breakup texts are crafted with ChatGPT

Young Koreans increasingly use ChatGPT for emotional communication, enhancing language nuance while raising concerns about dependency on AI.

2025.5.17

Kindergartners practice placing votes into a ballot box at an educational center run by the National Election Commission in Michuhol District, Incheon, on May 8. [YONHAP]

Poll position: All about Korea's upcoming presidential election

For the second time in less than a decade, South Koreans will cast their ballots far earlier than usual to elect the successor of an ousted president.

2025.5.11

Independent presidential candidate Han Duck-soo speaks during a debate session in central Seoul on May 6. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Can Han Duck-soo unite the right and win over moderates?

Han Duck-soo, who served as acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and ouster, declared his presidential candidacy last week, risking a graceful end to his political career to seize a chance to formally ascend to head of state.

2025.5.7

Officials lower the phoenix flag, symbolizing the presidential office, at the Yongsan presidential compound in central Seoul on April 4, following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Explainer: With a new president likely to move the Yongsan office, where will the phoenix rise next?

With the end of the "Yongsan era" for the top office likely after the June 3 presidential election, the location of the top office under a new administration is subject to speculation.

2025.4.15