Asia

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant economic disruption to the international economy since the Great Depression. The IMF estimates that the global economy contracted by 3.5 percent last…

Today’s global economy is highly interconnected and interdependent. Supply chains across the world are finely tuned to deliver parts just when they are needed, so that companies and industries do…

Japan led, and was transformed, by the global supply chain revolution. Facing growing protectionism in industrialized markets and reeling from sharp yen appreciation in the aftermath of the 1985 Plaza…

The U.S.-China trade war and the pandemic have had a profound impact on cross-border supply chains. In the past few years of U.S.-China tensions, China has been accused of engaging…

For many people who visit Korea for the first time, one of the things that stands out the most is the country's clean, reliable, and efficient public transportation. This was…

More than 100 million Americans cast their ballots on November 8, and we have a new president-elect. The Trump victory came as a surprise to most, with polls and pundits…

In this episode, which originally aired in 2011, we hear from author Mike Kim, who speaks with Korean Kontext about his experiences living and working with North Korean refugees on…

Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 woes have hit a crescendo in recent weeks, with the company officially halting production and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially banning the devices from all…

What Happened As vaccines begin wider distribution in Korea, the digitally literate youth are at a significant advantage in finding appointments over the elderly who are at a greater risk of infection. Police reported that social media users admitted to using tools like automated keystroke sequences to increase their chances of finding vaccine appointments. Vaccine scarcity and the zeal of…

As a result of more South Koreans choosing to stay at home since the start of the pandemic, Netflix saw its subscribers soar in the country. This rise in demand has prompted the streaming giant to invest USD 500 million in creating new Korean content and cement its position as a leader in the Korean streaming market.…

What Happened Lawmakers have proposed two new bills to ban the discrimination of individuals based on gender, ethnicity, age, and other identities. A petition calling for the bill to be brought to the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee has gained traction, receiving over 100,000 signatures within 30 days. Even with overwhelming support from the public, anti-discrimination laws have…

What Happened South Korea plans to resume in-person classes for all students in the fall. Ahead of this full reopening, the government expanded the maximum in-person attendance for middle school students in the Seoul metropolitan area in mid-June. This decision comes on the heels of a new study that showed declining academic achievement levels among some middle school students. Implications: The…