Consumer technology in North Korea is evolving rapidly, and especially cell phones are increasingly popular and widespread. We spoke to Professor Suk-Young Kim about how …
One source of K-Pop’s success can be found in its exceptionally active and dedicated fans. To learn more about the relationship between idols and their …
Science Fiction, and most prominently movie franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek, is not particularly popular in South Korea. In contrast to that, North …
China’s foreign policy has become more assertive in recent years, stoked worries in its neighbors and is increasingly seen as a challenge towards America’s presence …
The relations between South Korea, Japan and the United States are often described as triangular. The two Asian countries are in long-standing alliances with America, …
In South Korea, child-rearing remains primarily the responsibility of mothers. They face various pressures from society – and frequently their own families – as to …
South Korea’s foreign policy has been extensively studied. But while the country’s diplomats are at the center of its relations with the world, little research …
Politically, South Korea is experiencing some eventful years: last April saw parliamentary elections with a loss of the ruling party; next year will see presidential …
Relations between Japan and South Korea are perplexing: the two countries are major trade partners and tourist destinations for each other’s people as well as …
Over the past decade, the number of foreign students in South Korea has increased eightfold. While welcome, they find themselves in a largely homogeneous society …
Advertisement in South Korea might seem no different from what can be seen in many other countries. At the same time, the country’s political, economic …
For the past two decades, North Korea has repeatedly caused international concern with its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. To go beyond their political …
For defectors, escaping from North Korea is only the beginning of a long and perilous odyssey. Most start their journey by crossing into China, where …
North Korea and China have a special relationship. But while their cooperation started as an ideological alliance and was forged in blood during the Korean …
One particular genre in the Korean musical tradition is Pansori, a form of storytelling. One of its contemporary key elements is the expression of Han …
While many South Koreans consider proximity with the United States a catalyst for security and prosperity, others believe the U.S. often behaves as a condescending …
Historical disputes between South Korea and Japan revolve around how much, and in what fashion Japan should apologize for its colonial past. Koreans argue that …
While Korean pupils perform well in international comparison, the country’s school system is often described as brutal. Its students are among the least happy and …
While organized crime is a popular topic for Korean movies, the general public knows little about the criminal underworld. We were lucky to interview Jonson …
In early December 2015, officials from most countries will convene for the so-called “COP21” summit in Paris. Their objective is to reach a strong agreement …
Seoul is establishing itself as a hotspot for design, fashion and music. We interviewed Tom Büschemann, the co-founder and CEO of Platoon Kunsthalle, a platform …
The newest “textbook controversy” currently shaking up South Korean politics is a stark reminder that history is neither neutral nor apolitical. To understand the origin …
In 2000, then President Kim Dae-Jung became the first Korean to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, his legacy remains controversial. An outspoken critic of …
High-speed internet, smartphones and mobile services are ubiquitous in South Korea and shape the everyday lives of its people. But what are the unique characteristics …
Ever since the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the Korean central bank has been building up massive foreign currency reserves. While this is arguably a …
Former President Kim Dae-Jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his Sunshine Policy; at the same time, critics have branded it as naive appeasement …
The late 19th century in Korea was a period of political and social turmoil with increasing Japanese interference and unrest in the streets. Witness to …
The confrontational U.S. policy towards North Korea under George W. Bush has often been criticized by experts and policymakers alike. Yet the question remains whether …
Modern international relations are a direct result of a series of European treaties from the 17th century. In contrast, Asia before the arrival of the …
South Korea is widely considered a full-fledged democracy. Yet many experts and activists denounce what they consider to be a rise in authoritarian tendencies in …
Much of the public knowledge about North Korea comes from a limited number of sources. But what about intelligence agencies? How do they gather intelligence …
South Korea is becoming a “hyper aged society” – which is already having major economic and social repercussions. These effects are bound to worsen in …
South Korea’s path to democracy was long and arduous. While the 1980s was the decade that saw democracy eventually triumph, the role played by pro-democracy …
While skyscrapers and design buildings abound in South Korea, the country’s traditional architecture is also regaining popularity. Especially the hanok, the Korean ancestral house, is …
Japan’s conquests in Asia during the late 19th and early 20th century had very material objectives, yet the country also took great care in justifying …
Think tanks have gained popularity worldwide for their role as policy advisors, and South Korea is no exception. Yet while they provide research and advice …
Seoul is a global hub for eSports due to the presence of top-ranked players, a solid industry ecosystem, and large audiences eager to watch competitions …
South Korea ranks very low in indexes measuring inequality between men and women. Such rankings reflect social norms that South Korean women are expected to …
South Korea remains a strongly homogeneous country, yet in recent years there has been an increasing inflow of migrants. One particular element of immigration in …
Since withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003, North Korea successfully conducted three nuclear tests and declared that it had developed a nuclear weapon. Yet …
In stark contrast to K-Pop, now a multi-billion dollar industry, and despite support from the South Korean government, Korean traditional music - or "Gugak" - …
During the 1990s, North Korea suffered one of the worst famines of the 20th century. The result was not only a humanitarian catastrophe: the large-scale …
Behind the glitter of Korea’s economic success story lies a land of fault lines and social strife. Yet, topics such as poverty, discrimination and disenfranchisement …
South Korea is dotted with Buddhist temples and almost a quarter of the Korean population define themselves as Buddhists. Yet Buddhism has seemingly little power …
To the surprise of many, Swiss and Swedish forces are tasked with monitoring the military buildup on the inter-Korean border. Their officers are stationed in …
South Korea did not only experience rapid economic development, it is also the first country to successfully transition from development aid recipient to major aid …
The portrayal of women in Korea's media and entertainment industry provides the backdrop for our fourth episode. Together with media specialist and acclaimed blogger James …
For our first episode we sat down with Andrei Lankov, one of the world's foremost experts on the society of North Korea. As he argues, …
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Korea and the World is a podcast that interviews academics, professionals and intellectuals living and working in South Korea on current political, economic and societal issues.
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