The ground upstream of a dam in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang, is parched on Aug. 4 after days of extreme heat and drought.[KIM JONG-HO]
Sterling had the temerity to go on vacation for a couple of days, leaving it to minions like us to put together the newsletter. Anyway, I hope you all had a good weekend, and here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, we look at how Koreans and Japanese are losing faith in the United States — though this has not led to friendlier feelings toward China, at least in Seoul. We also talk to elusive graffiti artist Mr. Tongue, see whether Samsung can make itself cool with the iPhone kids with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, look at Hyundai's new Avante and how it compares to the iconic Sonata and hear from the cast of the film "The Assassin(s)" to learn about how they found happiness on set telling the tale of one of modern Korea's darkest moments.
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Today's top story
KOREA
Koreans, Japanese lose faith in 'America First' U.S.
The United States is losing credibility among the public in key Asian countries, including South Korea, as Washington’s “America First” approach puts growing pressure on the region.
As the U.S. Donald Trump administration’s “America First” policy spreads its influence around the world, a sense of urgency is growing among U.S. allies over the need to prepare for a potential crisis without Washington. Fundamental doubts about alliances are emerging not only within NATO, but also among Asian allies — South Korea and Japan.
For years, Washington has underscored the geopolitical importance of its alliances with Seoul and Tokyo in Northeast Asia by describing them as a “linchpin” and a “cornerstone,” respectively.
In Seoul’s backstreets, Mr. Tongue turns a fleeting mark into a citywide language of faith and free art
For the observant resident or traveler, the thing that most frequently catches the eye in Seoul may not be a famous landmark or a cluster of teenagers dancing to K-pop in a plaza, but the image of a tongue — the signature motif of the graffiti artist known as… Mr. Tongue.
Can the Galaxy Z Fold 8 make Samsung cool with the iPhone generation?
The newly released Galaxy Z Fold 8, a wider, passport-sized foldable, is winning over young female buyers in a way Samsung's foldables never have before.
Will Hyundai discontinue the Sonata as the new Avante moves upmarket?
Sales of Hyundai Motor's new Avante are off to a record start, while the compact sedan's larger size and higher price are bringing it closer to the midsize Sonata.
For cast of ‘The Assassin(s),’ actors find happiness on set telling story of dark period in Korean history
Park Hae-il returns to the big screen after four years as a hard-nosed newsroom editor opposite Lee Min-ho, who plays a rookie reporter with a strong sense of justice, in a historical drama set in 1970s Korea, a time of social and political upheaval.
