In March 2022, Yoon Suk-Yeol became the 8th President of South Korea, with a 1% victory margin over his competitor. This result has become known as the most closely contested presidential election...Show moreIn March 2022, Yoon Suk-Yeol became the 8th President of South Korea, with a 1% victory margin over his competitor. This result has become known as the most closely contested presidential election outcome in South Korea. Then-candidate Yoon announced arbitrarily in January 2022 on his Facebook account the abolishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as a campaign pledge. This case study has sought to illuminate motives behind this policy move and explain why this particular case highlights complex social issues central to gender equality in Korean society. A framework of analysis is offered for the reasons behind the high political and social upheaval in Korea concerning gender. Outcomes of the analysis point to a reorganization of the Ministry due to its contested position and a required renewed approach on gender equality.Show less
Although an under-researched subject, South Korea is one of only two countries able to make the most advanced chips fundamental for high-tech and innovation. Against a backdrop of the US-China...Show moreAlthough an under-researched subject, South Korea is one of only two countries able to make the most advanced chips fundamental for high-tech and innovation. Against a backdrop of the US-China trade war and the globality of the industry, South Korea has been forced to consider its partnerships. The country’s largest export industry faces challenges from China and is under growing pressure from the United States. Still, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, its two major semiconductor manufacturers, have invested substantially in the United States to take advantage of the country's protectionist subsidizing policies. As a result, South Korea has also implemented policies to boost the competitiveness of its domestic industry, such as the K-Semiconductor Strategy. Finding itself between its defence guarantor and largest trading partner, South Korea has slightly drifted towards the US. Nonetheless, this is not without risk and South Korean semiconductors remain under pressure.Show less
In preparation for the 2022 Philippine presidential election, K-pop fans nationwide united to campaign for presidential candidate Leni Robredo. The most crucial organisation that set this in motion...Show moreIn preparation for the 2022 Philippine presidential election, K-pop fans nationwide united to campaign for presidential candidate Leni Robredo. The most crucial organisation that set this in motion, K-pop Stans 4 Leni, created a community to talk politics, campaign for Robredo, and spread truthful information concerning the election. Through interviewing a member of this organisation and circulating a survey, this research aims to research how and why Filipino K-pop fans used K-pop as a tool for their political expression and activism during the 2022 Philippine presidential election and, therefore, how K-pop can be political. Results show that the participants in the organisation are politically active in character. The organisation became a political force using K-pop mechanisms to mobilise many fans swiftly. This research concludes that the organisation used K-pop since it effectively mobilises a large demographic who support their goals. Furthermore, this thesis concludes that K-pop fandom can be political, as shown by KS4GG. However, it cannot be concluded that all aspects of K-pop are political due to a lack of political participation. As this research primarily analyses participants involved with the organisation K-pop Stans 4 Leni, this should be noted as a limitation and allows for further research to be done.Show less
This thesis explores the influence of the portrayal of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the K-drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo on public perception and attitudes toward ASD in South Korean society...Show moreThis thesis explores the influence of the portrayal of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the K-drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo on public perception and attitudes toward ASD in South Korean society. The study begins by examining the ASD portrayal in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, aiming to comprehend its positioning and characteristics in relation to general criticisms of ASD portrayals. Subsequently, interview videos featuring Korean individuals with ASD are analyzed to identify similarities and differences between their lived experiences and the drama's portrayal. An online survey is then conducted among South Koreans to investigate the impact of the ASD portrayal in Extraordinary Attorney Woo on public perceptions and attitudes toward individuals with ASD. The findings reveal that the drama presents an authentic character with ASD, fostering understanding and awareness of ASD as a spectrum disorder. However, certain aspects of the portrayal, such as romantic relationships and savant skills, do not accurately reflect the realities of individuals with ASD. Nonetheless, the portrayal of ASD in Extraordinary Attorney Woo positively influences public perception and promotes improved understanding and knowledge of ASD in South Korean society.Show less
South Korea-China bilateral relations deteriorated in the wake of the THAAD announcement in July of 2016. China considers the anti-ballistic missile defense system currently situated on South...Show moreSouth Korea-China bilateral relations deteriorated in the wake of the THAAD announcement in July of 2016. China considers the anti-ballistic missile defense system currently situated on South Korean soil a gross violation of their national security. Subsequently, Chinese public opinion of South Korea regressed swiftly due to negative representation of South Korea’s security policies throughout Chinese state media. In response, South Korea employed public and traditional diplomatic approaches to restore bilateral favorability. Through a mixed method exploratory study, which considers quantitative and qualitative data, the effectiveness of public diplomacy in the given context was clearly deduced . This approach is seldom employed in the field of diplomacy research and thus resulted in a more innovative understanding. The findings demonstrate the insignificant impact that public diplomacy had on Chinese public opinion subsequent to the THAAD incident. Influential Chinese state media, effective traditional diplomatic alternatives, and insufficient coordination represent the key roadblocks for public diplomacy’s efficiency in targeting the Chinese population. Anticipating these variables can facilitate further development of public diplomacy strategies by South Korean policy makers.Show less
