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Cynthia Kim
For Cynthia Kim's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
South Korea's economy is one of the world's most advanced by many metrics but has been unable to shake its classification as an emerging market due to a host of issues, including the way its currency is managed.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 25, 2024
South Korea's push to make its markets global dogged by FX history
The export powerhouse is struggling to loosen the tight currency restrictions that have been a major pain point for investors and traders in the country.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during an interview at the Presidential Office in Seoul on Feb. 4. Yoon has been working to cheer domestic retail investors, who have been heavy sellers of Seoul shares.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 23, 2024
Seoul hopes Japan stock playbook can narrow 'Korea discount'
Reforms floated last month by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol may not continue to boost the Seoul bourse, analysts say.
Polish soldiers near a K2 tank, delivered in the first batch of arms from South Korea under contracts signed in recent months, in Wierzbiny near Orzysz, Poland, in March last year
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 8, 2024
Financing uncertainty clouds South Korea's push for massive arms deals
Both parties in South Korea have introduced bills to boost the state bank as the country seeks to expedite a $22 billion weapons purchase from Poland.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol arrives for a State Banquet at the Guildhall, in London on Nov. 22.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 4, 2023
South Korea's Yoon picks Choi Sang-mok to spearhead economy
Choi will need to maintain economic momentum ahead of elections next April, which will determine the legislative support level for a number of bills.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 14, 2022
Kids later than sooner: South Korean women freeze eggs as child-rearing costs surge
Fewer women are having children and those who do are in no rush, with the sky-high costs of housing and education making financial security a must.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 23, 2022
The jobs — and aging faces — behind South Korea's record low unemployment numbers
The country logged a record-setting run of low unemployment through February, at 2.7%, with almost half of the job increases driven by people 60 and older.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 25, 2021
No 'Squid Game': South Korea's real-life debt trap
The reality for some in the country is rising personal borrowing, the highest suicide rate among advanced nations, and the rarity of getting free of debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 25, 2021
South Korea's youth debt binge shows no sign of slowing as rate hike looms
A debt binge by young Koreans concerns the country's central bank, which may soon deliver its first interest rate rise in three years.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 10, 2021
Young voter anger over housing and jobs threatens Moon's legacy in South Korea
With one year left in his single five-year term, Moon's promise for a more just, compassionate and equitable society rings hollow to many.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 16, 2021
Last three schoolchildren on Nokdo beach trace South Korea's arc to demographic crisis
South Korea has become the world's fastest-graying society with the lowest birth rate anywhere in 2020, according to the World Bank.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Oct 29, 2020
As COVID-19 persists and U.S. poll nears, China's growth lifts Asia
China is now the only major economy forecast by the International Monetary Fund to report growth — of 1.9% — this year.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jul 19, 2018
Wage, hours policies by South Korean leader Moon backfire for jobless, low income workers
President Moon Jae-in wants South Koreans to work less and earn more — and to achieve that his government has hiked the minimum wage and slashed the maximum length of the working week.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Feb 23, 2018
Distrust of unions and GM hangs over South Korean efforts to stem job losses
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in a bind.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Sep 14, 2017
One year after China's THAAD warning, South Korean business suffer
On a faded notice pasted to the padlocked doors of the Lotte Mart superstore in Jiaxing, China, a date can still be read: March 6, 2017 — when the store was ordered to "temporarily" close over alleged fire safety issues.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 9, 2017
South Korean President-elect Moon's main policy pledges
South Korean liberal human rights lawyer Moon Jae-in won the presidency in an election on Tuesday, exit polls showed, ending nine years of conservative rule.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
May 4, 2017
In the South, voters seeking 'Korea first' leader may head to polls in near-record numbers
Jason Lim, a 36-year-old South Korean engineer living in Washington, thinks it is important to maintain a solid alliance with the United States — but not at any cost.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 10, 2016
Kim taps image of his grandfather, North Korea's eternal leader, to project power
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is attempting to move away from the "grim" era of his father as he seeks to project power by tapping the charismatic image of his grandfather — the nation's revered founder and "eternal leader" Kim Il Sung.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 24, 2016
Young voters' fear of 'Hell Chosun' puts South Korea's Park on back foot
Spend any time on South Korean social media sites, and you're bound to see the phrase "Hell Chosun." For Korean millennials, that refers to the hellish future that lies ahead. Such youthful disillusionment goes a long way toward explaining the electoral drubbing voters gave President Park Geun-hye's ruling party in this month's parliamentary election.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 21, 2014
South Korean class trip to resort island turned into horror with sinking
It was supposed to be their last bit of teenage fun.

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