Latest news with #SogangUniversity
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Korea's new leader's big challenge: Keeping US and China happy
Since United States President Donald Trump began his second term, key Asian ally South Korea has not had an elected leader — meaning crucially, no one to bargain with Washington on tariffs. With the country now set to vote in a presidential election on June 3, the new leader will need to juggle finding ways to stay out of Trump's trade wars with keeping both Washington — Seoul's main security partner against the nuclear-armed North — and neighbouring Beijing happy. There are two main contenders for the top job: front-runner ex-opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo. Lee, a charismatic former child factory worker turned human rights lawyer, has been dubbed "South Korea's Bernie Sanders" for his strong support of a basic income, advocating measures like direct cash payments to spur economic growth. But he's been dogged by a string of scandals, although a court recently delayed a retrial that could have derailed his bid for office. Kim was once a labour and pro-democracy activist fighting military authoritarian regimes, but he shifted his views after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kim is solidly in second, trailing Lee by 22 per cent, according to the most recent Gallup poll. Both candidates have made the economy their top priority, but their approaches are sharply different. Lee's first pledge is to make South Korea "a global economic powerhouse" — and it seems, analysts say, he's taking his left-wing party more to the centre. Lee's Democratic Party previously "emphasised labour rights and distribution, but now it is leaning towards economic growth", said Kim Yong-jin, a professor at Sogang University. Kim's conservative People Power Party, on the other hand, tends to focus more on "corporate policies rather than the national policies," he added, with their candidate emphasising his pro-business approach. Branding himself as the "job president and economy president", Kim has repeatedly emphasised that "the key to an economic overhaul is regulatory reform" — ironically for a former labour activist. South Korea's next leader will need to carefully balance its relationships with main security ally Washington and key trading partner and neighbour Beijing. Lee claims he's not in a rush to strike a new tariff deal with the US, saying he would be "prioritising national interests" above quickly sorting things out with the White House. In contrast, Kim says the most important thing for export-focused South Korea is to maintain a good relationship with Trump. "I have a very friendly and trusting relationship" with the US leader, he said, vowing to "immediately" hold a summit if elected. Lee has often been accused of being too China-friendly, saying in 2024 Taiwan was "none of our business" — a message his opponent says is "alarming". But neither candidate was really bringing fresh ideas on balancing these key foreign policy ties, said Park Seung-chan, a professor of Chinese studies at Yongin University. "Our past approach of simply siding with the stronger power is no longer viable," he said. Already hit by 25 per cent tariff on automobiles — a key export — South Korea is "highly sensitive" to tariffs, said Park Sang-byung, a political commentator. South Korean officials are in Washington trying to negotiate a "trade package" aimed at preventing new levies, but progress has been slowed by the lack of an elected leader. With export performance and economic growth rate "already facing significant concerns, if we do not actively respond to Trump's tariff war, South Korea could find itself in a very difficult situation", said Park. At this point, anyone is better than no one, experts say. Following ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous declaration of martial law and the impeachment, South Korea has cycled through two acting presidents, one of whom was the finance minister, and is now on its third. "A country needs its chief executive officer, the president, and right now South Korea is desperate," said Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University. "Typically, the president determines about 90 per cent of a country's fate," he said. Until there is a new leader in place, all negotiations are at a halt, with Vice-Trade Minister Park Seung-taek saying it was "theoretically impossible" to sort things out until after the election.
Gulf Today
22-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
South Korea vote: Who will run Asia's 4th largest economy?
Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, key Asian ally South Korea has not had an elected leader — meaning crucially, no one to bargain with Washington on tariffs. With the country now set to vote in a presidential election on June 3, the new leader will need to juggle finding ways to stay out of Trump's trade wars with keeping both Washington — Seoul's main security partner against the nuclear-armed North — and neighbouring Beijing happy. There are two main contenders for the top job: front-runner ex-opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo. Lee, a charismatic former child factory worker turned human rights lawyer, has been dubbed "South Korea's Bernie Sanders" for his strong support of a basic income, advocating measures like direct cash payments to spur economic growth. But he's been dogged by a string of scandals, although a court recently delayed a retrial which could have derailed his bid for office. Kim was once a labour and pro-democracy activist fighting military authoritarian regimes, but he shifted his views after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kim is solidly in second, trailing Lee by 22 percent, according to the most recent Gallup poll. Both candidates have made the economy their top priority, but their approaches are sharply different. Lee's first pledge is to make South Korea "a global economic powerhouse" — and it seems, analysts say, he's taking his left-wing party more to the centre. Lee's Democratic Party previously "emphasised labour rights and distribution, but now it is leaning toward economic growth," said Kim Yong-jin, a professor at Sogang University. Kim's conservative People Power Party, on the other hand, tends to focus more on "corporate policies rather than the national policies," he added, with their candidate emphasising his pro-business approach. Branding himself as the "job president and economy president", Kim has repeatedly emphasised that "the key to an economic overhaul is regulatory reform", — ironically for a former labour activist. South Korea's next leader will need to carefully balance its relationships with main security ally Washington and key trading partner and neighbour Beijing. Front-runner Lee claims he's not in a rush to strike a new tariff deal with the United States, saying he will be "prioritising national interests" above quickly sorting things out with the White House. In contrast, Kim says the most important thing for export-focused South Korea is to maintain a good relationship with Trump. "I have a very friendly and trusting relationship," with the US leader, he said, vowing to "immediately" hold a summit if elected. Lee has often been accused of being too China-friendly, saying in 2024 that Taiwan was "none of our business" — a message his opponent says is "alarming". But neither candidate is really bringing fresh ideas on balancing these key foreign policy ties, said Park Seung-chan, a professor of Chinese studies at Yongin University. "Our past approach of simply siding with the stronger power is no longer viable," he said. Already hit by 25 per cent tariff on automobiles — a key export — South Korea is "highly sensitive" to tariffs, Park Sang-byung, a political commentator, told AFP. South Korean officials are currently in Washington trying to negotiate a "trade package" aimed at preventing new levies, but progress has been slowed by the lack of an elected leader. With export performance and economic growth rate "already facing significant concerns, if we do not actively respond to Trump's tariff war, South Korea could find itself in a very difficult situation," said Park. At this point, anyone is better than no one, experts say. Following ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous declaration of martial law and the impeachment, South Korea has cycled through two acting presidents, one of whom was the finance minister, and is now on its third. "A country needs its CEO, the president, and right now South Korea is desperate," Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University, told AFP. "Typically, the president determines about 90 per cent of a country's fate," said Kim. Until there is a new leader in place, all negotiations are at a halt, with vice trade minister Park Seung-taek saying it is "theoretically impossible" to sort things out until after the election. Without a president — or even a finance minister — it is a "major crisis" for South Korea, "a situation where a lack of leadership is a serious problem," Kim added.
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
South Korea vote: Who will run Asia's fourth largest economy?
SEOUL - Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, key Asian ally South Korea has not had an elected leader -- meaning crucially, no one to bargain with Washington on tariffs. With the country now set to vote in a presidential election on June 3, the new leader will need to juggle finding ways to stay out of Trump's trade wars with keeping both Washington -- Seoul's main security partner against the nuclear-armed North -- and neighbouring Beijing happy. Who's in the running? There are two main contenders for the top job: front-runner ex-opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo. Lee, a charismatic former child factory worker turned human rights lawyer, has been dubbed "South Korea's Bernie Sanders" for his strong support of a basic income, advocating measures like direct cash payments to spur economic growth. But he's been dogged by a string of scandals, although a court recently delayed a retrial which could have derailed his bid for office. Kim was once a labour and pro-democracy activist fighting military authoritarian regimes, but he shifted his views after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kim is solidly in second, trailing Lee by 22 percent, according to the most recent Gallup poll. Economic priorities? Both candidates have made the economy their top priority, but their approaches are sharply different. Lee's first pledge is to make South Korea "a global economic powerhouse" -- and it seems, analysts say, he's taking his left-wing party more to the centre. Lee's Democratic Party previously "emphasised labour rights and distribution, but now it is leaning toward economic growth," said Kim Yong-jin, a professor at Sogang University. Kim's conservative People Power Party, on the other hand, tends to focus more on "corporate policies rather than the national policies," he added, with their candidate emphasising his pro-business approach. Branding himself as the "job president and economy president", Kim has repeatedly emphasised that "the key to an economic overhaul is regulatory reform", ironically for a former labour activist. What about the US, China? South Korea's next leader will need to carefully balance its relationships with main security ally Washington and key trading partner and neighbour Beijing. Front-runner Lee claims he's not in a rush to strike a new tariff deal with the United States, saying he will be "prioritising national interests" above quickly sorting things out with the White House. In contrast, Kim says the most important thing for export-focused South Korea is to maintain a good relationship with Trump. "I have a very friendly and trusting relationship," with the US leader, he said, vowing to "immediately" hold a summit if elected. Lee has often been accused of being too China-friendly, saying in 2024 that Taiwan was "none of our business" -- a message his opponent says is "alarming". But neither candidate is really bringing fresh ideas on balancing these key foreign policy ties, said Park Seung-chan, a professor of Chinese studies at Yongin University. "Our past approach of simply siding with the stronger power is no longer viable," he said. What are the stakes? Already hit by 25 percent tariff on automobiles -- a key export -- South Korea is "highly sensitive" to tariffs, Park Sang-byung, a political commentator, told AFP. South Korean officials are currently in Washington trying to negotiate a "trade package" aimed at preventing new levies, but progress has been slowed by the lack of an elected leader. With export performance and economic growth rate "already facing significant concerns, if we do not actively respond to Trump's tariff war, South Korea could find itself in a very difficult situation," said Park. Does it matter who wins? At this point, anyone is better than no one, experts say. Following ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous declaration of martial law and the impeachment, South Korea has cycled through two acting presidents, one of whom was the finance minister, and is now on its third. "A country needs its CEO, the president, and right now South Korea is desperate," Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University, told AFP. "Typically, the president determines about 90 percent of a country's fate," said Kim. Until there is a new leader in place, all negotiations are at a halt, with vice trade minister Park Seung-taek saying it is "theoretically impossible" to sort things out until after the election. Without a president -- or even a finance minister -- it is a "major crisis" for South Korea, "a situation where a lack of leadership is a serious problem," Kim added.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
South Korea vote: Who will run Asia's fourth largest economy?
SEOUL: Since US President Donald Trump began his second term, key Asian ally South Korea has not had an elected leader -- meaning crucially, no one to bargain with Washington on tariffs. With the country now set to vote in a presidential election on June 3, the new leader will need to juggle finding ways to stay out of Trump's trade wars with keeping both Washington -- Seoul's main security partner against the nuclear-armed North -- and neighbouring Beijing happy. Who's in the running? There are two main contenders for the top job: front-runner ex-opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo. Lee, a charismatic former child factory worker turned human rights lawyer, has been dubbed "South Korea's Bernie Sanders" for his strong support of a basic income, advocating measures like direct cash payments to spur economic growth. But he's been dogged by a string of scandals, although a court recently delayed a retrial which could have derailed his bid for office. Kim was once a labour and pro-democracy activist fighting military authoritarian regimes, but he shifted his views after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Kim is solidly in second, trailing Lee by 22 per cent, according to the most recent Gallup poll. Economic priorities? Both candidates have made the economy their top priority, but their approaches are sharply different. Lee's first pledge is to make South Korea "a global economic powerhouse" -- and it seems, analysts say, he's taking his left-wing party more to the centre. Lee's Democratic Party previously "emphasised labour rights and distribution, but now it is leaning toward economic growth," said Kim Yong-jin, a professor at Sogang University. Kim's conservative People Power Party, on the other hand, tends to focus more on "corporate policies rather than the national policies," he added, with their candidate emphasising his pro-business approach. Branding himself as the "job president and economy president", Kim has repeatedly emphasised that "the key to an economic overhaul is regulatory reform", -- ironically for a former labour activist. What about the US, China? South Korea's next leader will need to carefully balance its relationships with main security ally Washington and key trading partner and neighbour Beijing. Front-runner Lee claims he's not in a rush to strike a new tariff deal with the United States, saying he will be "prioritising national interests" above quickly sorting things out with the White House. In contrast, Kim says the most important thing for export-focused South Korea is to maintain a good relationship with Trump. "I have a very friendly and trusting relationship," with the US leader, he said, vowing to "immediately" hold a summit if elected. Lee has often been accused of being too China-friendly, saying in 2024 that Taiwan was "none of our business" -- a message his opponent says is "alarming". But neither candidate is really bringing fresh ideas on balancing these key foreign policy ties, said Park Seung-chan, a professor of Chinese studies at Yongin University. "Our past approach of simply siding with the stronger power is no longer viable," he said. What are the stakes? Already hit by 25 per cent tariff on automobiles -- a key export -- South Korea is "highly sensitive" to tariffs, Park Sang-byung, a political commentator, told AFP. South Korean officials are currently in Washington trying to negotiate a "trade package" aimed at preventing new levies, but progress has been slowed by the lack of an elected leader. With export performance and economic growth rate "already facing significant concerns, if we do not actively respond to Trump's tariff war, South Korea could find itself in a very difficult situation," said Park. Does it matter who wins? At this point, anyone is better than no one, experts say. Following ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol's disastrous declaration of martial law and the impeachment, South Korea has cycled through two acting presidents, one of whom was the finance minister, and is now on its third. "A country needs its CEO, the president, and right now South Korea is desperate," Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University, told AFP. "Typically, the president determines about 90 per cent of a country's fate," said Kim. Until there is a new leader in place, all negotiations are at a halt, with vice trade minister Park Seung-taek saying it is "theoretically impossible" to sort things out until after the election. Without a president -- or even a finance minister -- it is a "major crisis" for South Korea, "a situation where a lack of leadership is a serious problem," Kim added. - AFP
Korea Herald
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Yoo Seung-ho returns to stage as Brutus in reimagining of 'Julius Caesar'
Actors Yoo Seung-ho and Son Ho-jun, who last shared the stage in the Korean production of "Angels in America," are reuniting for "Killing Caesar." The new theatrical project will run from May 10 to July 20 at Sogang University's Mary Hall in Seoul. The actors shared that their return to the stage — less than a year after their last performance — was driven by what they described as 'a longing that overpowered the fear of the stage.' "The stage is a place of learning for actors. And I wanted to experience the joy of breathing with an audience once again," Yoo said at a press conference Wednesday at Chungmu Arts Center in Seoul. Yoo reflected on the challenges of his stage debut in "Angels in America," in which he portrayed Prior Walter, a gay character and drag queen, who becomes a victim of social prejudice and self-hate after being diagnosed with AIDS and is abandoned by his lover. 'I know I didn't receive great reviews. I recognize that I was lacking. It was my first time performing in front of a live audience, and everything felt overwhelming,' he said. 'After the show ended, my fellow actors told me, 'Someday, you'll want to do theater again.' Strangely enough, it didn't take long before I missed being in rehearsal.' "Killing Caesar" is a reimagining of the Shakespearean tragedy "Julius Caesar," adapted by playwright Oh Se-hyuck and directed by Kim Jung. Unlike the original, which builds toward Caesar's assassination, "Killing Caesar" opens with the murder and shifts its focus to the power vacuum and political fallout among the conspirators. The production foregrounds Brutus' idealism and the moral ambiguity between principle and betrayal. In a casting twist, Yoo and Son — who previously played the same character in "Angels in America" — now face off in opposing roles. Son plays Caesar, while Yoo steps into the role of Brutus. 'There's a stereotypical image of Caesar and Brutus, and also of the actors Yoo and Son,' the director said. 'We wanted to break that mold. Seeing how these actors challenge expectations will be part of the fun.' The star actors' previous collaboration has also forged a lasting offstage friendship. In March, Yoo joined Son's newly founded management company, 333, after leaving YG Entertainment. The two continue to meet regularly with "Angels in America" castmate Yang Ji-won to talk about their craft. Yang joins "Killing Caesar" as well, taking on a dual role as Mark Antony and Cassius. Playwright Oh revealed that the project began with a message from Yang in the winter: 'Three passionate actors want to do a passionate play.'' 'To be honest, I was scared to take on theater again. But working with people I trust gave me the courage to try once more," said Yoo.
