The Korea Herald

[Dominique Moisi] Emotional calendars in Europe

Oct 22, 2012

PARIS ― Madrid and Warsaw recently looked very similar: both were the sites of massive demonstrations. But the crowds gathered at Europe’s western and eastern extremities had very different agendas in mind.In Spain, citizens were united by economic and social despair. They took to the streets to express their rejection of a European Union-imposed austerity policy that they believe is leading them into an abyss. They want jobs and the dignity and salaries that go with them. The indignation of som
French favor Obama in presidential race

Oct 21, 2012

PARIS ― The people of France have spoken on the subject of the U.S. presidential election. Naturally, you couldn’t care less about what anyone else (let alone the French) thinks about you or your electoral choices, right?The French aren’t particularly interested in appearing too keen on America, either. A Harris Interactive poll found that 66 percent of respondents either care little about the U.S. presidential race or not at all. However, should a gun be put to their head mid Gallic shrug, 88 p
[Robert B. Reich] The Party of Non-Voters

Oct 21, 2012

However you read the polls, the 2012 presidential election is turning into a nail-biter. Former Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are just about tied among likely voters.The bump Romney got from the first debate seems to have been matched by the bump the president got from the good jobs report for September. (We won’t know the real results of Tuesday night’s matchup for another week.)But beware. Polls of “likely voters” are notoriously imprecise because they reflect everyone who says t
Gangnam style? Not in North Korea

Oct 21, 2012

By now, “Gangnam Style” has become part of the pop culture lexicon. The infectious song by South Korean singer Psy broke the Guinness world record for “most likes” on YouTube. The video has been watched nearly 425 million times and has inspired flash mobs and parodies by lifeguards, Ivy leaguers and hot moms.If you haven’t heard of “Gangnam Style,” you’ve probably spent the last month orbiting in outer space.Or perhaps you live above the 38th parallel, in North Korea.North Korea is as isolated a
Is there hope for U.S. manufacturing?

Oct 21, 2012

Mark Twain said there was no difference between someone who did not read and one who could not read. The same goes for manufacturing. A country that does not manufacture isn’t unlike a nation that cannot.There is much talk in the U.S. these days to bring back manufacturing jobs for energizing the stagnant economy. But, how? The malaise that has gripped the manufacturing sector shows no sign of abating. Can this be remedied?I was drawn to Korea when I advised one of the largest conglomerates of t
[Joel Brinkley] Children often targets of Islamic extremists

Oct 21, 2012

Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who Taliban miscreants shot in the head last week, has once again galvanized worldwide public opinion against Muslim extremism.The Taliban boasted about the shooting, saying this young girl’s education advocacy was a deviant symbol of “Western culture in the area.” God forbid!Now she’s an icon. But if you don’t follow this issue closely, you may be surprised to learn that Muslim extremists injure and kill innocent little girls all the time.For years now
Hunger makes a mockery of world economy

Oct 19, 2012

The lobby of Tokyo’s majestic Imperial Hotel was people-watching central last weekend. Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, whisked by with 20 television cameras in tow. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble zoomed by moments later with even greater hysteria. Next came Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan, Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, Indian Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram and other notables on hand for the IMF’s annual meeting. Amid
[David Ignatius] A war chest for Syria’s rebels

Oct 19, 2012

WASHINGTON ― Left on its current course, America’s sensibly cautious policy toward Syria is unfortunately going to come to an unhappy end: The jihadist wing of the opposition will just get stronger, and gain more power to shape Syria’s future. But what’s the right alternative? How can the U.S. help the Syrian opposition while avoiding another costly military intervention in the Muslim world? I’ve been puzzling over this dilemma since traveling into Syria two weeks ago with the Free Syrian Army.
Europe must do more to save currency union

Oct 18, 2012

The battle to save the euro turns on one question: Can large governments, notably Italy and Spain, get their debts under control? Because they are in a monetary union, they can’t take the easy way out by devaluing their currencies to make their obligations smaller and exports cheaper relative to those of other countries. Instead, they have to make painful budget cuts and slash workers’ wages to restore their competitiveness ― moves that, in the short term, can make their debts less manageable by
[Robert B. Reich] America’s structural problem

Oct 18, 2012

The White House is breathing a bit easier. The president’s awful debate performance was bad enough. If it had been followed by a bad jobs report, the president’s chances for reelection might have plummeted.But the report showed September’s unemployment rate dropping to 7.8 percent ― the first time it’s been under 8 percent in 43 months.Look more closely, though, and the employment picture is murkier.According to the separate payroll survey, just 114,000 new jobs were added in September. At least
Signs of a breakdown in school environment

Oct 18, 2012

How should a student respond when he or she becomes the object of bullying?Philippine Psychiatric Association spokesperson Dr. Babes Arcenas, in an interview with another paper, said that those who are bullied should stand their ground the first time the act of intimidation or harassment occurs: “The first time it is done, show that you can fight back. You have to show that you are in control because if they see you crying, they will think they have power over you. You should be able to tell the
Critical thinking key to economic growth

Oct 18, 2012

The surprising increase of year-on-year exports in September may have eased some worries about Taiwan’s economic condition, but so far the government still does not have a concrete plan for stimulating the economy. In the past, Taiwan’s government devoted sizeable resources to one particular industry ― electronics, making it the engine for economic growth.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited is one successful example of this strategy. This model, however, may not be suitable for so
Passing the buck on nuclear power

Oct 18, 2012

The government’s irresponsible attitude toward nuclear power generation is becoming clear. It seems that the government does not want to pursue concrete steps to reduce and eventually end the nation’s reliance on nuclear power despite its new long-term energy policy under which it is supposed to utilize all the available policy resources to achieve “zero operation” of nuclear power plants in the 2030s. This attitude is exemplified by its readiness to accept the resumption of the suspended constr
[Shashi Tharoor] Indian P.M.’s second wind

Oct 18, 2012

NEW DELHI ― In September, India’s mild-mannered prime minister, Manmohan Singh, turned 80. He also turned a page: After months of being pilloried by every pundit with a soapbox for indecision and weakness, and for presiding over “policy paralysis” while corrupt colleagues allegedly made off with the country’s silver, Singh has boldly seized the initiative. A series of reform announcements, and some frank talk to the public, have underscored his new message: “I am in charge.”The initial steps tha
Netanyahu foolish to take sides in U.S. election

Oct 17, 2012

Benjamin Netanyahu is so eager to see Mitt Romney elected president that he’s making a fool of himself.For the last couple of weeks, the Israeli prime minister has been the featured player in a Republican-sponsored TV ad playing in Florida. It shows excerpts from Netanyahu’s United Nations speech last month in which he tacitly attacks President Obama for his failure to set a clear red line for Iran’s nuclear program.“The world tells Israel: ‘Wait, there’s still time,’” he says. “And I say, wait