Kelly Kasulis

May 25, 2020

Young pop stars in South Korea, struck with nostalgia, are performing covers of old-timey trot music on competition shows like “Mister Trot,” which have viewers vote for their favorite acts in an “American Idol”-style format.

Sexual violence

South Korea reels from latest high-tech, online sex trafficking case

The World

April 29, 2020

The Nth Room online sex trafficking case is the latest in a series of high-tech sex crimes online. Activists worry that at least 74 victims — all women and children — will not receive justice for these crimes.

COVID-19: The latest from The World

South Korea's delivery workers face 'unbearable' pressures amid COVID-19

The World

April 03, 2020

Even before COVID-19 swept through the country, South Korea had a well-known reputation for being a so-called “delivery nation.”

Arts, Culture & Media

Oscar-nominated 'Parasite' speaks to a growing divide in South Korea

The World

February 06, 2020

The film forces viewers to confront the theme of economic inequality around the world. And in South Korea, that theme hits especially hard as people struggle against a slacking economy, unstable geopolitics and ever-surging living costs.

Lifestyle & Belief

Seoul’s subsidized housing gives newlyweds a new lease on the future

The World

December 11, 2019

With dwindling birth rates and high unemployment, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is dishing out millions to help newlywed couples like Cho and Seo buy or rent homes in the city — all in hopes that they’ll have kids.

Military

South Korea wants to draft more men for its shrinking military — and punish those who dodge

The World

December 09, 2019

Last year, South Korea had roughly 599,000 troops in its armed forces, but the supply of able-bodied males are expected to halve within the next decade.

Conflict & Justice

South Korea just repatriated two North Korean fishermen. Why?

The World

November 22, 2019

The two are suspected of murdering 16 of their fellow crew members and allegedly dumping their bodies overboard. North Korean defectors and human rights activists are blasting the government for sending them back to “certain death” without a proper trial.

Culture

South Korea has a burgeoning tattoo scene. But most tattoo parlors are illegal.

The World

October 24, 2019

Since 1992, the South Korean government has arbitrarily enforced a law that limits the act of giving tattoos to medical professionals.

Global Politics

South Korean minister of justice resigns amid national reckoning with corruption

October 14, 2019

"... We ordinary people — patriotic Korean people — are against Cho Kuk," said one protester in South Korea. The minister of justice stepped down amidst accusations against his family of nepotism and embezzlement.

Nuclear

Just ‘empty’ words? South Korea’s Moon calls for peace with North Korea by 2045.

The World

September 03, 2019

Moon pledged peace with North Korea by 2045, but his timeline left some skeptical. South Korea hasn’t even been able to convince North Korea to accept rice donations ahead of a looming famine.

Kelly Kasulis

Recent Stories

Move over K-pop: Korean youth turn to old-time trot music

South Korea reels from latest high-tech, online sex trafficking case

South Korea's delivery workers face 'unbearable' pressures amid COVID-19

Oscar-nominated 'Parasite' speaks to a growing divide in South Korea

Seoul’s subsidized housing gives newlyweds a new lease on the future

South Korea wants to draft more men for its shrinking military — and punish those who dodge

South Korea just repatriated two North Korean fishermen. Why?

South Korea has a burgeoning tattoo scene. But most tattoo parlors are illegal.

South Korean minister of justice resigns amid national reckoning with corruption

Just ‘empty’ words? South Korea’s Moon calls for peace with North Korea by 2045.

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