Stories about South Korea from April, 2013
Do All Miss Korea Contestants Look Alike?
The web was abuzz over the photo of 20 of South Korean pageant contestants who all look uncannily alike, and jeering comments were made against South Korean women's beauty standards. However, some Korean net users, pointing out some media coverage can be misleading, posted another photos of contestants which people can...
Bill Gates’ Handshake Irks South Koreans
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has sparked controversy for his single-handed handshake when meeting with the South Korean president. Gates’ left hand was jammed into his pants pocket during the handshake, which is considered disrespectful in South Korea. An extensive photo compilation of Gates’ handshake [ko] was viewed more than 76,000 times in...
South Korean Spy Agency's Political Meddling
The latest police investigation found that at least two agents from the South Korean National Intelligence Service have illegally posted online comments to influence the presidential election. An online petition was posted [ko] on Daum Agora site in support of one police woman who bravely revealed that she has been pressured...
YouTube Lags in South Korea While Internet Zips By
In South Korea where net users are accustomed to whizzing along with one of the fastest Internet connection speeds in the world, YouTube's sluggish performance is a source of constant complaints. The reason behind the video-hosting website's snail-like speed? The utter disrespect that South Korea's dominant corporations have for net neutrality.
No More Apologies – Japan's Facebook Users Share ‘Fake’ Propaganda
A thousand Japanese Facebook users unknowingly endorsed and shared a fictitious image that claimed to be an official publication and highlighted the negative impact Japan's apologetic stance in history has on the country's children.
East Asia's Appetite for Eels Pushing Species to the Brink
During Japan's sweltering midsummer it's traditional to eat a plate of golden-brown broiled unagi kabayaki, or broiled eel. But the tradition is now at risk. Skyrocketing demand for glass eels, once considered a high-brow delicacy, is pushing Japanese fishermen to exhaust the population and causing prices to soar.
Psy's YouTube Phenomenon Continues
South Korean rapper Psy's new single, Gentleman, has already surpassed 120 million views on YouTube within four days of release, despite unfavorable reviews and worries that Psy could wind up one-hit wonder after his ridiculously successful Gangnam Style. Read more about the new music video from K-pop blog.
South Korean Anti-Discrimination Law Faces Conservative Pushback
South Korean conservative groups are mounting a fierce resistance to a proposed anti-discrimination law in South Korea that would prohibit discrimination based on religion, political ideology, or sexual orientation.
Anonymous Hacks North Korean Sites, Reveals South Korean Users
Hacktivist collective Anonymous hacked into North Korea's official Twitter and Flickr account revealing registered users of the country's official website. The news was initially welcomed in South Korea, but opinion quickly turned after some users on the list turned out to be South Korean.
Anonymous Reportedly Hacks North Korea
Hacktivist collective Anonymous claims to have hacked North Korean government websites and stolen more than 15,000 user records. North Korea Tech blog wrote about their message posted online.
South and North Korea in ‘State of War’
North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats against South Korea and its allies. The North's latest aggression, however, has been as intense as ever and tensions in East Asia region have escalated dangerously fast over the past few weeks.
Al Jazeera: Amplifying (Global Voices) Women's Voices
Global Voices women rose to the challenge when Al Jazeera's Opinion editor announced he wished to flip the gender ratio that typically rules in the media, publishing 80/20 in favor of women throughout the month of March.
