Asia

The year 2006 witnessed increasing concern among both Americans and South Koreans that their alliance of more than 50 years might be in jeopardy. Differences between the two governments over…

Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy in Declining Centrally Planned Economies and in Early Transition Economies: Some Observations of North Korea

North Korean Economic Reform: An Uncertain Future for a Third-Way Exploration

China's Impact on the Korean Economy

When Kim Jong-il died in 2011, the world held its breath as North Korea entered uncharted waters. No other communist dictatorship in the last century – for that matter no…

On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched a surprise invasion of South Korea and started a war that is still technically ongoing. But it was – as North Korea’s Kim…

The North Korean economy is changing – we know this because of widely reported growth of private markets since the famine of 1990s. But black markets and illicit activities are…

In May, The Korean-born Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin was named The National League Pitcher of the Month. When you think of Asians and baseball, you might think first…

By Nicholas Hamisevicz After the month of August featured shooting, shouting, and a negotiated joint statement, September mainly focused on laying the groundwork necessary to implement the August 25 agreement or to scuttle it. The two Koreas were able to agree on family visits scheduled for October 20-26. However, the last half of September saw…

With Germany marking the 25th anniversary of unification this is the first part of a five part series looking at insights from the German unification experience for the Korean peninsula. Part II on political unification can be found here. Part III on integrating the bureaucracy and the military can be found here. Part IV on the social challenges of unification can…

By Lilka Marino Recent tensions along the Demilitarized Zone have been notable for one reason: North Korea launched rockets at loudspeakers that broadcasted an array of propaganda from regional and international news, weather reports, and economic updates from both sides of the border. Curiously enough, the program also included certain K-pop songs chosen for their…

By Lilka Marino On the evening of 23 September, 1.6 billion Muslims all across the globe will begin their yearly observance of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. During this time, Muslims from North Africa to East Asia honor both the sacrifices made by Abraham and the end of the traditional season of…