menu_open Columnists
Michael Breen

Michael Breen

The Korea Times

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Korean democracy upgrade: Goodbye public sentiment, hello law

Ever since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived imposition of martial law in early December, we have experienced one surprise after another....

10.01.2025 8

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Was there method in President Yoon's martial law madness?

In the wake of Tuesday night’s on-off declaration of martial law, as bewilderment turned to anger and the nation, it seemed, realized President...

05.12.2024 2

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

How should Koreans view the second Trump presidency?

A few months ago, as soon as our political leaders figured that Donald Trump might win the presidential election, they asked the United States if...

14.11.2024 2

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Is America's choice Hitler or the commie?

If the pollsters are right this time and the race is that tight, when Americans vote on Tuesday for their next president, the outcome may well...

31.10.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Will Han Kang's Nobel literature prize make Koreans read books?

Michael Breen When Han Kang won the Nobel Prize this month, people rushed to buy her works. Bookstores reported sales of over 1 million copies...

31.10.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Is America's choice Hitler or the commie?

If the pollsters are right this time and the race is that tight, when Americans vote on Tuesday for their next president, the outcome may well...

31.10.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Will Han Kang's Nobel literature prize make Koreans read books?

Michael Breen When Han Kang won the Nobel Prize this month, people rushed to buy her works. Bookstores reported sales of over 1 million copies...

27.10.2024 2

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Could North Korea change its name?

North Korea this month amended its constitution to formalize its abandonment of reunification. It followed up immediately with an announcement that...

13.10.2024 5

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Would Korea's political discourse gain from courtesy?

When Im Jong-seok, a senior figure in the previous government, recently suggested that South Korea give up trying to take over North Korea and...

03.10.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

When the absence of fear is scary

In a discussion recently about young people who don’t bother with relationships or careers, the only Korean man in our group made a point that...

30.09.2024 3

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

When the absence of fear is scary

In a discussion recently about young people who don’t bother with relationships or careers, the only Korean man in our group made a point that...

29.09.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

With martial law claims, opposition shows it is too frivolous to lead

When the leader of the main opposition party in a stable, advanced democracy hints that the government is planning to introduce martial law, as...

05.09.2024 3

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Will Kim Dae-jung's former home become a cafe?

The news earlier this month that the late Kim Dae-jung’s son had sold the family home in Seoul to the owner of a coffee franchise stirred up the...

22.08.2024 2

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Koreans need to be more confident about modern history

When South Korea’s Olympic athletes were wrongly introduced as North Koreans at the opening of the Paris Olympics, it was a minor error for the...

06.08.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

The real fight against bigotry in Korea

Many years ago, I turned up at an office to find the manager I had come to see, going through a pile of papers. As we talked, he continued this...

25.07.2024 1

The Korea Times

Michael Breen

Frivolous impeachment drive reveals contempt for democracy

Despite Korea’s healthy reputation for feisty politics, the current petition to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol exposes an underlying weakness in...

11.07.2024 2

The Korea Times

Michael Breen