Jul 26, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — This week, North Korea is celebrating. An auspicious date approaches. Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of the armistice that halted the Korean War of 1950 to 1953. Americans know the conflict as the “Forgotten War,” a devastating campaign that...
Jul 24, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Cheol Woong belonged to North Korea’s coddled elite. Then in 2001 he was accused of treachery. His crime: playing a Richard Clayderman piece on his piano. Scion of a privileged political family in the reclusive state, Kim was a star pianist in...
Jul 23, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — For more than 60 years, a US-imposed constitution has barred Japan from raising a standing army. Instead, it has been forced to rely on American troops for protection. But that could soon change. In an election on Sunday, the ruling coalition —...
Jul 23, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL — Jiyeong Kim, 25, embodies the pinnacle of female ambition in South Korea. She dreams of making it to the top, and dedicates all of her free time to achieving her goals. Every day, the attractive coffee shop barista hits the gym for two hours, eats a single...
Jul 18, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — Americans are apparently blasé about government eavesdropping. In the days after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that Washington spies extensively on its own citizens, polls found that about half of Americans...
Jul 17, 2013 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea, as usual, looks menacing, but can’t seem to keep its black ops under wraps. On Wednesday, Cuba came forward as the culprit behind a stash of weapons bound for North Korea. Panamanian authorities uncovered the illicit cargo last...