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Myanmar's military should not turn clock back Myanmar's military seized power in a coup Monday, ending the Southeast Asian country's efforts for a democratic transition. It imposed a one-year state of emergency and detained democratically elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi and other leaders of her party ― the National League for Democracy (NLD). The coup is a serious setback to democracy in the pove..

Multiple disputes over cultural and historical awareness have shaken the K-pop scene over the past 12 months. K-pop act GFriend's leader Sowon apologized Monday for sharing photos of herself hugging a mannequin dressed as a Nazi soldier. In July, girl group BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" music video created a stir for using a statue of the deity Ganesha ― an elephant-headed Hindu god ― without ..

Two stars have suffered the consequences of their political views critical of the Moon Jae-in administration: One lost his job and the other was criticized by some supporters of Moon. Singer JK Kim Dong-uk, best known for his 2002 mega hit song “Life Sentence,” was recently let go by the Ulsan-based broadcasting company UBC. For the past 10 years, he had been the MC of UBC's evening music show, ..

Rich nations should ensure equitable access to vaccines Wealthy nations have come under fire for fighting over limited COVID-19 vaccine supplies amid the ongoing pandemic. This ugly “vaccine nationalism” raises fears that the developed world will hog doses, leaving poorer nations behind when it comes to securing vaccines. World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu..

Allies should coordinate transition of OPCON South Korea and the United States have revealed differences over Seoul's plan to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from its ally. Now, both sides need to engage in closer consultation to narrow their differences and ensure security and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Taking back OPCON from the U.S. is crucial for the South to reg..

Management, union should avoid catastrophe with dialogue The trilateral agreement on preventing delivery workers' deaths from overwork is facing a crisis after just six days. The Parcel Delivery Workers' Solidarity Union said Wednesday that it would enter into an indefinite strike from Friday because the logistics companies have already abrogated the accord. Suppose the strike at major logistics..

It's imperative to encourage companies to invest more in R&D South Korea's trade deficit with Japan amounted to $20.84 billion last year, up from the $19.16 billion recorded in 2019 when Seoul's trade shortfall with Tokyo fell below $20 billion for the first time since 2003. In 2020, South Korea posted its largest trade deficit with the Middle East owing to oil imports ― its deficit with Japan w..

Corruption probe body kicks off Political neutrality and independence key to success Kim Jin-wook started work Friday as the inaugural head of the new Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) after receiving a certificate of appointment from President Moon Jae-in a day earlier. Kim's appointment comes in the wake of fierce conflict between the ruling and opposition partie..

Samsung should have transparent governance Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was put behind bars again Monday immediately after he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for bribery and embezzlement in connection with a corruption scandal that led to the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye. The sentence is a reminder that no one is above the law. It also sent a clear m..

Gyeonggi governor should take some time before executing decision The Gyeonggi Provincial Government has decided to provide another round of disaster relief funds for everyone living in the province. The decision was made in the form of Governor Lee Jae-myung accepting a proposal from the province's assembly, which argued that the provision of relief funds was necessary to help residents struggl..