Hyung-A Kim

Hyung-A Kim

Hyung-A Kim is Associate Professor of Korean Politics and History at The Australian National University.

Political scandals hang over Moon’s rush to populist projects

As South Korea’s left-wing President Moon Jae-in enters the third year of his presidency, he appears to be rushing into two all-out populist projects at the risk of his presidential credibility. First, Moon is rushing into joint economic projects with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite Kim’s commitment to denuclearisation remaining uncertain after the collapse …

Political scandals hang over Moon’s rush to populist projects Read More »

The Roadblocks to Reform in South Korea

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is shaking up the country’s Constitution. His recent constitutional amendment bill proposes a presidential system that caps a presidency at two consecutive four-year terms while limiting presidential powers and strengthening the rights of the prime minister and the National Assembly. In contrast to Moon’s proposal, the opposition parties (especially the …

The Roadblocks to Reform in South Korea Read More »

Heir-apparent in gaol: is it the end of the ‘Samsung Republic’?

Controversy over corruption continues in South Korea months after the impeachment and gaoling of former President, Park Geun-hye, writes Hyung-A Kim The billionaire heir-apparent to South Korea’s largest family-owned conglomerate or chaebŏl, Samsung Electronics, has been gaoled for five years for bribery and embezzlement, among other charges. Lee Jae-yong, aged 49, also known as Jay …

Heir-apparent in gaol: is it the end of the ‘Samsung Republic’? Read More »

Post-Park impeachment sets up left-winning presidential election

Candidates for South Korea’s presidential elections next month promise radical reform following the fall of President Park Geun-hye, writes Hyung-A Kim The formal indictment of recently impeached and ousted former president Park Geun-hye on 18 charges on 17 April 2017, including that of receiving or demanding 59.2 billion won (A$52.1 million) in bribes, has indisputable …

Post-Park impeachment sets up left-winning presidential election Read More »

Park’s impeachment unlikely to end South Korea’s political saga

South Korea prepares for new presidential elections in 60 days—and the new president will face immediate pressing issues, writes Hyung-A Kim At 11am Seoul time last Friday (10 March), eight judges of South Korea’s Constitutional Court, in a nationally televised decision, ruled unanimously to remove President Park Geun-hye from office on 13 charges. ‘Her violations …

Park’s impeachment unlikely to end South Korea’s political saga Read More »