Discussion around Crime Investigations Reveal Growing Sensitivity to Individual Rights
High-profile uses of DNA samples to identify criminals have raised concerns around individual privacy.
Public Support for Inter-Korean Sports Diplomacy Cools
While it remains an avenue for engagement with North Korea, South Koreans are more wary of bearing the cost of sports diplomacy.
Debate around South Korea’s Role in the Alliance Splits along Partisan Lines
The transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean military from Washington to Seoul remains a wedge issue in Korean politics.
Robust Online Political Discourse Carries Side Effects
Many partisan internet users are engaging in an arms race to manipulate search tools rather than engaging in substantive policy discussions.
Spotlight on Korea’s “Developing-Country” Status
U.S. demand that Korea change its status in the World Trade Organization will test the Moon administration’s political capacity to appease the U.S. government.
South Koreans Debate the Government’s Role in Shaping Social Morality
Mobilization around the push to ban sex dolls suggests that concerns around social morality could become a wedge issue in Korean politics.
Moon Takes on the Housing Market
The Moon administration looks to tackle a social issue that has eluded previous governments.
The Hidden Economic Hazard: Rent
The minimum wage increase has been much maligned, but a bigger threat to business dynamism in Korea may be the cost of renting retail space
Attention on DPRK and China Policies that Result in Sex Trafficking
Severe punishment doled out to people caught leaving the country have pushed many North Koreans to seek avenues that leave them vulnerable to exploitation
Looking Beyond the Playbook
A key factor holding back Korea’s economic recovery may be President Moon’s faithfulness to the policy tools that preceding governments used to address faltering economic growth