Domestic

Ghosts and goblins are everywhere in Korean folktales, causing havoc for people through their antics. Equally common are the shamans who act as intermediaries, helping offer solutions to life's supernatural…

For many years, South Korea has been a homogeneous country. But with more foreigners coming to live in Korea, that is starting to change. In fact, the Korea Institute for…

As Seoul has grown, it has become more and more international. The city has been making an effort to attract more foreign visitors, whether as tourists, students or workers. This…

  With the recent retirement by Yi So-yeon, South Korea’s remaining astronaut, many have turned attention to Korea, wondering whether there is a future for its space program. According to Daniel Pinkston of the…

What Happened Survey from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that Korea’s fertility rate was 0.92 in 2019, lowest among member countries. Data from September 2021 revealed that the birth rate dropped 6.7% compared to the same time last year. Although the South Korean government has offered cash incentives for parents, the policy has…

What Happened Newspapers criticized a female police officer who fled the scene of a stabbing. The incident reignited debate over the capability of women to serve in the police force. But the incident also comes amid growing criticism of police competence and growing calls to improve the training of its personnel. Implications: Discussions of broad social issues are increasingly being scrutinized…

What Happened Foreign nationals’ acquisition of Korean properties in 2021 hit a record high. Data shows that Chinese nations ranked top among international purchasers of Korean properties for nine consecutive years. The government plans to tighten supervision on overseas purchases of Korean real estate. Implications: South Korea’s domestic challenges shape its attitudes towards foreign partners. Media discussions on Chinese investment in…

What Happened Civil Servants joined the nationwide walkout organized by the umbrella union Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on October 20. Civil servants are currently demanding fixed lunch breaks. This follows the death of a civil servant, allegedly due to overwork and bullying. Implications: Workers in Korea are increasingly forming coalitions across sectors and vocations. In contrast to past efforts to…

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Please join KEI and KIEP for a discussion about the first 10 years of KORUS and the future of the U.S.-Korea economic relationship.

Please join KEI for a discussion on American attitudes towards the Korean Peninsula after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Please join KEI for a discussion on how COVID-19 has affected the growing rivalry between the United States and China.