Raphael Rashid

‘Men don’t know why they became unhappy’: the toxic gender war dividing South Korea Toxic masculinity is a global phenomenon, but nowhere is it more virulent than in this hypermodern, connected society. What can other countries learn from this ‘ground zero’ of misogyny?

‘Men don’t know why they became unhappy’: the toxic gender war dividing South Korea

‘Men don’t know why they became unhappy’: the toxic gender war dividing South Korea Toxic masculinity is a global phenomenon, but nowhere is it more virulent than in this hypermodern, connected society. What can other countries learn from this ‘ground zero’ of misogyny?

Excellent long read by @koryodynasty.bsky.social in the Guardian. Definitely worth your time this weekend.

‘Landmines have become the greatest protectors’: how wildlife is thriving in the Korean DMZ The demilitarised zone between North and South Korea has become an ecological oasis with nearly 6,000 species documented, including rare cranes, deer and bears

‘Landmines have become the greatest protectors’: how wildlife is thriving in the Korean DMZ

‘A structural dependence on heavy industry’: can South Korea wean itself off fossil fuels? Renewables face a bureaucratic maze in a country built on top-down and carbon-intensive development

‘A structural dependence on heavy industry’: can South Korea wean itself off fossil fuels?

South Korea set to decide whether to let Google Maps finally work properly The country is one of only a handful in the world – alongside China and North Korea – where Google Maps fails to function as it should

South Korea set to decide whether to let Google Maps finally work properly

Integration classes and complaints offices: South Korea charts a path to a cohesive multicultural future As South Korea nears official multicultural status, Seoul wants newcomers to integrate – but they still face discrimination and prejudice

Integration classes and complaints offices: South Korea charts a path to a cohesive multicultural future

‘Punishing workers for getting old’: how South Korea’s wage system impoverishes the elderly As nation moves to raise retirement age, new report warns the real problem isn’t when people retire, but how

As part of South Korea’s “peak wage” system, Young Soo’s wages were cut by 20% when he turned 56, and by a further 10% each year after. By the time he is forced to retire next year, he will earn just 52% of what he did at 55. @koryodynasty.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

North Korea’s military is being transformed on the battlefields of Ukraine – so why is Seoul silent? Observers question whether South Korea grasps the threat it faces from Pyongyang’s partnership with Moscow

North Korea’s military is being transformed on the battlefields of Ukraine – so why is Seoul silent?

Secondly, the White House is explicitly referencing the election of Lee Jae-myung in the context of what it calls Chinese interference. I've been following US-South Korea relations for a while, and I don't remember a similar statement.

After the drama of martial law and impeachment, South Korea faced another twist: a snap presidential election. I followed the extraordinary political upheaval and the voices of ordinary Koreans navigating this historic moment in this documentary.

Airs tomorrow at 9pm KST on MBC!

내일 저녁(목) 9시 MBC에서 <라파엘 리포트> 2부 특집 다큐멘터리 방송할 예정입니다!

비상계엄 이후 격변의 대선 현장을 직접 취재했습니다. 전국을 돌며 만난 시민들의 진솔한 목소리도 함께 들어보세요.

많관부!

As South Korea heads to the polls, can Lee Jae-myung bring the country back from the brink? The Democratic party frontrunner has drawn support from conservatives who see him as the path back to political normalcy after the chaos of Yoon Suk Yeol

As South Korea heads to the polls, can Lee Jae-myung bring the country back from the brink?

My latest for the Guardian ahead of tomorrow's snap presidential election:

‘Without time, there is no flavour’: a South Korean grand master on the art of the perfect soy sauce Ki Soon-do’s soy sauce has been served to Donald Trump and gained Unesco heritage protection. It is recognition that is 370 years in the making

My latest for the Guardian, on South Korea's only master of traditional aged soy sauce. Ki Soon-do preserves a 370-year family tradition while Korean jang-making culture receives UNESCO recognition. Where patience isn't just a virtue. It's an essential ingredient. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Here's a photo of the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul today where spring was in the air!

But did you know that not long ago this was an ugly elevated highway?

A success story about how removing, not adding, infrastructure can benefit a city.

My article: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Baekyangsa. The sound of the river at night, the serene nature of the mountains, and the rain dancing on the pond. It was truly magical. Though we had to wake up at 4am to meditate!

South Korea's templestay programmes are a must-do when visiting the country. I stayed at Baekyangsa last night, and my goodness, was it beautiful.

BREAKING: First hearing for retrial of Lee Jae-myung's election law case set for 15 May at 2PM. Supreme Court yesterday overturned lower court ruling and sent case back.

Keep in mind the deadline to register candidates is 11 May and the presidential election is on 3 June.

"My ideology is just one: that the miracle must not end here, that we must continue, move forward, nothing more than this."

Han described himself in 3 points:

"I am an economic president who can win. I am not left or right but someone moving forward. I am someone who will keep his promises and immediately step down."

Han asked: "Must we keep dividing by left and right, east and west, men and women, older and younger?". Added, "Neither conservatives alone achieved industrialisation nor progressives democracy... The fruits must return to all citizens who've worked hard every day."

On US tariff tensions, Han cited recent call with Trump and "meaningful progress" in high-level talks. "I am the person who has done this work the longest and can do it best" he said, referencing his experience as South Korea's first trade negotiation chief and US ambassador.

Han's boldest proposal: complete constitutional reform in 3 years then step down.

"I'll draft reforms in year 1, complete them in year 2, hold new elections under the new constitution in year 3, then immediately resign," he pledges, offering himself as a transitional leader.

Han outlined 3 key promises:

1) Constitutional reform

2) Resolving US tariff crisis using his trade expertise

3) National unity: "I am not pursuing a 'Han Duck-soo government' but rather 'your government'".

BREAKING: Former PM Han Duck-soo has officially thrown his hat into the presidential race, declaring his candidacy at the National Assembly.

Lee Ju-ho becomes acting president after a dramatic night saw Han Duck-soo resign to run for presidency and successor Choi Sang-mok suddenly quit to avoid impeachment.

Lee pledges "fair election management" in unprecedented situation where South Korea's 4th-in-line now leads the nation.

Update: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will declare his candidacy for the presidential election today today at 10am, reports Yonhap News.

His announcement is titled "A Promise to the People". www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR2025...

This is actually really embarrassing and not a good look for South Korea on the world stage.

Hours ago, South Korea notified foreign missions in Seoul that the new acting president would be Choi Sang-mok.

Now it will be education minister Lee Ju-ho.

We now have an unprecedented situation where South Korea will go through its *third* acting president since December.

Presidential power ping-pong has been:

Yoon Suk Yeol > Han Duck-soo > Choi Sang-mok > Han Duck-soo > not Choi > Lee Ju-ho.

This wasn't just about Choi. Tonight the opposition also moved to impeach Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jeong, accusing him of abetting Yoon's martial law and obstructing prosecutions.

The impeachment motion against Choi Sang-mok was introduced in parliament tonight, pushed by the opposition. They cited Choi's failure to appoint a Constitutional Court nominee despite a court ruling that this inaction violated parliamentary authority.