Dec 8, 2014 | Writing
Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Oct. 7, 2014. SEOUL, South Korea — It’s yet another booming market that China dominates: electric shock shields, spiked batons, electric shock stun batons, thumb cuffs, neck restraints and the like. In China,...
Dec 7, 2014 | Writing
Editor’s note: This story was first published in May 2013. SEOUL, South Korea — This year, North Korea has been flaunting its nuclear hardware in an effort to extort concessions from the United States and South Korea. But the tactic has failed to provoke panic...
Dec 2, 2014 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Jong Un has had a wild and crazy 2014. He rang in the New Year with rumors (later retracted) that his executed uncle had been “stripped naked, thrown into a cage, and eaten alive by a pack of ravenous dogs.” If you think that’s a grotesquely...
Nov 26, 2014 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — In North Korea, Americans caught committing mere peccadilloes — offenses that aren’t even crimes elsewhere — can expect little mercy from Kim Jong Un’s regime. Close to a dozen US citizens have been arrested and released since the 1990s, with a...
Nov 13, 2014 | Writing
SEOUL, South Korea — Rapper Kwon Ji Yong, who goes by the stage name “G-Dragon,” is among South Korea’s most prominent male sex symbols, winning over fans with his suave, boyish looks and chic dance moves. Often surrounded by a bevy of female dancers, G-Dragon greets...
Nov 8, 2014 | Writing
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in January. US officials announced today that Kenneth Bae has been released by North Korea and is returning home. You can read about his surprise release here. SEOUL, South Korea — Since the Korean War, which...
