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The American military is gradually leaving Yongsan, a major garrison located in the heart of Seoul. How are the dynamics of military spatial reorganization playing out beyond the metropolis? In this conversation, Bridget Martin, a contributor to Korea Exposé and a researcher at the University of California at Berkley joins host Andre Goulet to explore the U.S. military presence in South Korea, and how the country's landscapes are shaped by the country's unresolved conflict with North Korea. This conversation was recorded on December 11th, 2018. Look for Bridget’s ‘Field Notes from South Korea: Local Development in the Land of Securitized Peace’ at scholarworks.csun.edu. And read her article on KOREA EXPOSÉ: https://www.koreaexpose.com/sunshine-land-war-game-north-korea/

With a unique cultural and geographical history going back centuries, the ‘Joseonjok’ are considered too different to be fully Chinese in China while simultaneously 'not good enough to fit in’ in South Korea. In this conversation, writer Eddie Park joins host Andre Goulet to discuss his recent investigative reporting from the Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Yanbian, China. This interview was recorded on October 25th, 2018. Read Park's piece at KOREA EXPOSÉ: https://www.koreaexpose.com/too-different-to-be-chinese-not-good-enough-to-be-korean/ Image courtesy of Jonathan Skjott. Find his audio tour of Seoul's Daerim-dong neighbourhood at http://jskjott.com/Joseonjok.html

Is there room for freedom of conscience in the South Korean military? Amnesty International says that there are more than 230 conscientious objectors currently incarcerated in the country. But a Constitutional Court ruling this summer, a ruling that states that the government must provide alternative civilian roles for those who refuse to take up arms due to religious or political reasons, sends a clear message that conscientious objection to military service is a human right. On this episode of ké cast, Korea Exposé staff writer Jieun Choi joins host Andre Goulet to discuss this major shift in legal rights for Conscientious Objectors. This episode was recorded on October 3rd, 2018. Watch Jieun's video interview with a conscientious objector, photographer Kim Min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=81&v=qscYBawW9C4 Photo credit: The Hankyoreh

South Korean society has long been intolerant of outsiders, but the outrage sparked this summer by a thousand Yemeni asylum seekers on Jeju Island illustrates the depth of the country’s xenophobia. On this episode of ké cast, Korea Exposé Publisher Se-Woong Koo joins host André Goulet to discuss why, despite its vaunted democracy and economy, compassion and humanitarian instincts are in short supply in South Korea. Read Se-Woong's piece 'Tyranny of South Korea's Majority Against Refugees' at https://www.koreaexpose.com/south-korea-xenophobia-shows-itself-yemen-refugees-situation/ For more ké cast, go to koreaexpose.com. This conversation was recorded on August 28th, 2018. Photo credit: National Public Radio

This summer, South Korea's spycam 'molka' culture is bringing tens of thousands of women together in Seoul's Daehakro neighborhood for the largest recorded women’s protests in South Korean history.    On the first episode of a new season of ké cast, Korea Exposé managing editor Haeryun Kang (@Haekoko) joins host Andre Goulet (@andremarrgoulet) to discuss why the women are so concerned, why spycam porn is difficult to regulate and what to expect from this movement in the future. Read Haeryun's piece 'My Life Isn't Your Porn: Why South Korean Women Protest': https://www.koreaexpose.com/south-koreas-biggest-womens-protest-in-history-is-against-spycam-porn/    For more ké cast, go to koreaexpose.com. This conversation was recorded on June 26th, 2018.

"Fat" female comedians in S. Korea are often reduced to narrow roles that highlight their weight. They're even seen as an empowering counter-current to conventional ideals of femininity.  Is fat comedy for female comedians a tool for empowerment? Or a reinforcement of stereotypes? The ensuing discussion is not so clear-cut as you think. Host Bruce Harrison sits down with Korea Exposé managing editor Haeryun Kang and CEO Se-woong Koo. Read full article: https://www.koreaexpose.com/kim-min-kyoung-more-than-fat/

What’s the motivation behind beautification projects in Seoul like the Cheonggyecheon Stream and the city’s new Seoullo 7017 Skypark? Bruce Harrison speaks with Korea Exposé Environment editor Ben Jackson and managing Editor Haeryun Kang about how these beauty makeovers fit into Seoul’s sprawling urban landscape and who they impact. Read full article: https://www.koreaexpose.com/seoullo-urban-asset-vanity-project/

BBQ is one of the most popular ways to socialize in Korea, and it embodies a rich history of communal activity in this country. So then why are BBQ restaurants now popping up in South Korea where you can cook meat and eat it alone? Korea Exposé politics editor Steven Borowiec went to out to try the solo BBQ experience for himself. He discusses what the new 'honbap' trend says about South Korean society. Host Bruce Harrison and intern Seohoi Park join him. Read full article: https://www.koreaexpose.com/honbap-eating-alone-new-norm-korea/

Welcome to South Korea's most famous art forgery scandal.  Host Bruce Harrison sits down with Korea Exposé's managing editor Haeryun Kang and CEO Se-woong Koo to talk about about an unresolved mystery in South Korean contemporary art.  It’s the artist versus the establishment, and reputation is on the line for both sides. Read the full article: https://www.koreaexpose.com/chun-kyung-ja-portrait-beauty/

What is the anal sex taboo in South Korea? Host Bruce Harrison and Korea Exposé CEO and Founder Se-woong Koo talk about homophobia in South Korea.  Some conservative groups here fear homosexuality and anal sex will seriously harm society. On the other hand...it appears sex, including anal, is slowly becoming less of a hush-hush topic in South Korea. Read the article: https://www.koreaexpose.com/south-korean-evangelicals-anal-obsession/

Korea Exposé is launching a summer podcast series: a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of our reporting. ké cast season 1 premieres July 3. Get a sneak listen here. We’ll keep you updated on how to subscribe and when.