The Peninsula
The Peninsula blog is a project of the Korea Economic Institute. It is designed to provide a wide ranging forum for discussion of the foreign policy, economic, and social issues that impact the Korean peninsula.
Headwinds for LGBTQ Rights in South Korea
Mai Anna Pressley
June 5, 2022
South Korea’s LGBTQ community continues to face barriers to enjoying full civil rights as ambivalence and homophobia embolden political discrimination.
Legal Challenge to Wage Cap on Older Workers
Sarah Marshall
June 4, 2022
The system sought to free up private sector resources to hire more youths, but it has exacerbated insecurity of older workers.
South Korea’s Struggle with School Violence
Mai Anna Pressley
May 28, 2022
South Korea is experiencing a surge in bullying accusations against public figures - an extension of the ongoing struggle against school violence.
Foreigners Face Discrimination with Little Recourse
Mai Anna Pressley
May 21, 2022
Despite a growing foreigner population, there are few legal protections against prejudicial treatment towards this community in South Korea.
Pyongyang Acknowledges COVID Deaths and Orders Mobilization to Slow Spread
Robert King
May 20, 2022
The mass mobilization of medical personnel suggests Pyongyang is deeply concerned about the outbreak but it may not be able to easily access outside help.
Cuisine Traditions Spotlight Generational Divide
Kayla Harris
May 8, 2022
While dog meat consumption has been a tradition in Korea for centuries, younger generations are voicing their aversion to the custom.
South Korea’s Road to Reproductive Rights
Mai Anna Pressley
May 7, 2022
Decriminalization of abortion in South Korea is a sign of progress, but much more can be done to safeguard the reproductive rights of Korean women.
Beyond the Data: Gender and Immigration in South Korea
Julia Fadanelli
May 6, 2022
Despite a declining workforce and a need for foreign workers, South Korea maintains some of the strictest immigration controls among the OECD countries.