Stories about South Korea from February, 2008
East Asia: Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ampontan has a very elaborated post on debate and discussion about the registration of intangible cultural heritage at UNESCO among China, Japan and South Korea.
Korea: Companies that check how many times you go to the toilet
Companies that check how many times you go to the toilet ... What do you think? A post on a Korean blog about companies that monitor their employees every move, has received interesting responses.
South Korea: Lee Myung-bak’s English Education Policies
Korea Beat has a post on local reactions concerning the President Lee Myung-bak's English education policies.
South Korea: New Political Party
Newcham has an interview with lawmaker Shim Sang-jung, who is in the process of building a new political party.
Korea: Increase in Living Expenses and Freedom of Speech
While Koreans are waiting for the new administration after the presidential election, the ambitious policies of the new administration and the burning of Namdaemun (South Gate) in Seoul seem to cause Koreans to build up uncertain trust toward the administration.
South Korea: Haagen-Dazs Workers Protest
Chamnews reports about Korean Haagen-Dazs’ workers protest against the company's outsourcing and restructuring policy.
South Korea: Dark Tourism
Korea Beat translated a local report on the phenomenon of “dark tourism” to the scene of the Namdaemun/Sungnyemun fire.
South Korea: New City Hall Complex
Robert Koehler from Marmot's Hole posts the new design of city hall complex in the heart of Seoul city.
South Korea: Income Inequality
Jamie picks up the editorial from local newspapers on the worsening income inequality situation in South Korea, with some back ups from 2007 statistic.
Korea: Burning of Namdaemun
Namdaemun, the Great South Gate (called Namdaemun or Sungnyemun), which was established in the 14th century, was ravaged by a fire that broke out on the 10th of February. It...
Korea: Adjusting to college life
A Korean student recently wrote a lengthy post about her experiences adapting to college life. Her comments apparently struck a chord with many others, and responses flowed in. Her post...
South Korea: Irregular and Migrant Worker Movement
CINA posts the video produced by seoulidality on the history of irregular worker movement and the recent crack down of migrant worker organization by the South Korea government.
South Korea: Netizens on Namdaemun Fire
Korea Beat translated a report from local media on netizens’ response to the Namdaemun Fire.
South Korea and China: What If Sungnyemun Arson Happened In X?
Yi shao from my1510 imagined how would the government respond to the Sungnyemun Arson if it happened in X country rather than South Korea? Obviously no government official would step...
South Korea: The Gates of Seoul
Sewing from Marmot's Hole introduces to the readers brief historical background of the Gates around Seoul city.
South Korea: Namdaemun Destroyed in Fire
South Korea's Grade One National Treasure Namdaemun was destroyed in fire last night. Korea Beat collects local news source on this suspected arson.
Korea: Lunar New Year, do men also struggle?
New Year! It’s a big holiday in Korea. People return to their hometowns and worship their ancestors. People gather with relatives whom they haven’t seen for a while. For entertainment...
East Asia: Early Modern Periodization
Morgan Pitelka from frog in a well blogs about a symposium on “early modern” periodization in East Asia. There is an interesting debate about comparative history.
Korea: What would you do if you encounter behavior that goes against social norms?
When you encounter people or behavior against social norms, what do you do? If it is especially from the underage, do you feel some responsibility to do something as an...
