Search

Korea

Korea

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 »

North Korea: impulsive and reckless on the outside, rational and strategic within

North Korea’s nuclear weapons capabilities will not undermine the current deterrence system and regional balance of power nor lead to a nuclear arms race, writes Stephen Szuster The resumption of a nuclear weapons program in North Korea and its successive missile tests in recent months have stoked great alarm, especially when the regime is routinely

North Korea: impulsive and reckless on the outside, rational and strategic within 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 »

North Korea: can we learn to stop worrying and love the bomb?

Despite efforts to dissuade North Korea from its current path, the reclusive regime continues to pursue its military program with increasing intensity. Bernard F. W. Loo considers the options On 3 September 2017, North Korea conducted its 6th nuclear test. This nuclear test comes hot on the heels of the 29 August test of a

North Korea: can we learn to stop worrying and love the bomb? 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 »