Benjamin A. Engel
@benjaminaengel.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Korean Studies at Dankook University. Research interests: Korean modern history, US-Korea relations, democracy and human rights
Pinned
brill.com
My latest article is finally published: "Paving the Way for the Marlboro Man: Bilateral U.S.-South Korea Negotiations on Liberalizing the South Korean Cigarette Market, 1985–1988." 1/
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
Chat GPT will revolutionize the world! Also Chat GPT:
November 11, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Chat GPT will revolutionize the world! Also Chat GPT:
2 Major League Baseball Pitchers Are Charged in Gambling Investigation
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Strong critique of Lee Jae Myung's pursuit of nuclear submarines from a progressive also interested in improving Korea's defense.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
Korean military expert calls pursuit of nuclear submarine ‘vanity of a nation drunk on delusion of becoming world power’
Military expert Kim Jong-dae strongly criticized the move, calling it a step backward into platforms of the past and only adding to Korea’s reliance on the US
english.hani.co.kr
November 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Strong critique of Lee Jae Myung's pursuit of nuclear submarines from a progressive also interested in improving Korea's defense.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
Its fairly shocking how the rhetoric out of Trump 2.0 towards South Korea has been so different from Trump 1.0. I keep wondering if this isn't just some bait-and-switch operation. When does Trump come back and demand $5 billion for US troops in Korea?
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
Hegseth says Pentagon will support 'model ally' South Korea's drive for nuclear-powered submarines
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored Tuesday in Seoul that the Pentagon will work with relevant agencies to support U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to help South Korea build nuclear-po...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Its fairly shocking how the rhetoric out of Trump 2.0 towards South Korea has been so different from Trump 1.0. I keep wondering if this isn't just some bait-and-switch operation. When does Trump come back and demand $5 billion for US troops in Korea?
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
Proof that a certain kind of talent in or knowledge about one field doesn't make you knowledgeable about politics nor renders you unsusceptible to propaganda and misinformation.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
Self-declared 'world's smartest man' applies for U.S. asylum from 'pro-North Korean' government
A Korean man who claims to have the world’s highest IQ has applied for political asylum in the United States, saying he can no longer live under what he called a “a pro North Korea leftist government ...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Proof that a certain kind of talent in or knowledge about one field doesn't make you knowledgeable about politics nor renders you unsusceptible to propaganda and misinformation.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...
New banner near campus. After the second Lee Jae Myung-Trump meeting I thought they might give up, but then again I suppose the Yoon Again folks have no other play.
November 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
New banner near campus. After the second Lee Jae Myung-Trump meeting I thought they might give up, but then again I suppose the Yoon Again folks have no other play.
If you think tipping isn’t a thing in Korea you’ve been to the wrong restaurants
October 31, 2025 at 10:32 AM
If you think tipping isn’t a thing in Korea you’ve been to the wrong restaurants
American responses to the golden crown gift getting some attention in the Korean media. KBS translated the entire Daily Show segment.
youtu.be/tPIcpHn_K9A?...
youtu.be/tPIcpHn_K9A?...
[지금뉴스] “황금왕관? 대체 뭐 하는 거예요!” 미국서 풍자 소재 된 트럼프 선물 / KBS 2025.10.31.
YouTube video by KBS News
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 11:58 PM
American responses to the golden crown gift getting some attention in the Korean media. KBS translated the entire Daily Show segment.
youtu.be/tPIcpHn_K9A?...
youtu.be/tPIcpHn_K9A?...
Looking back years from now we may find that yesterday’s meeting between Trump and Lee Jae Myung was a major milestone in South Korea developing nuclear weapons. Korea seems closer than ever to closing the nuclear fuel cycle and securing enrichment capability.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
Lee, Trump Agree to Discuss Nuclear Submarine Fuel Supply
Lee, Trump Agree to Discuss Nuclear Submarine Fuel Supply Talks Follow Trumps Recognition of South Koreas Submarine Needs Amid Norths Progress
www.chosun.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Looking back years from now we may find that yesterday’s meeting between Trump and Lee Jae Myung was a major milestone in South Korea developing nuclear weapons. Korea seems closer than ever to closing the nuclear fuel cycle and securing enrichment capability.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
Many people understand the game South Korea is playing but giving Trump a gold crown a week or so after massive No Kings protests in US is a really bad look.
edition.cnn.com/2025/10/29/w...
edition.cnn.com/2025/10/29/w...
Trump gets gold crown from South Korea | CNN
President Donald Trump received a replica of a historic golden crown from South Korean president Lee Jae Myung. The gold-plated gift, decorated with trees and animals, is based on the ancient Silla Ki...
edition.cnn.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Many people understand the game South Korea is playing but giving Trump a gold crown a week or so after massive No Kings protests in US is a really bad look.
edition.cnn.com/2025/10/29/w...
edition.cnn.com/2025/10/29/w...
Nothing new here, but one thing that strikes me about Trump lately is that he talks as if he isn’t in charge. How can you “oppose” what your administration is doing? You’re the boss. He takes 0 responsibility.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/202510...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/202510...
Trump ‘very much opposed’ to Georgia ICE raid, working on new visa plan - The Korea Times
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “very much opposed” to the recent immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia that led to the detentio...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
October 27, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Nothing new here, but one thing that strikes me about Trump lately is that he talks as if he isn’t in charge. How can you “oppose” what your administration is doing? You’re the boss. He takes 0 responsibility.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/202510...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/202510...
Big game today~ M-I-Z!
October 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Big game today~ M-I-Z!
Most wouldn't guess it, but the University of Missouri has long, deep, and lasting ties to Korea. As a Mizzou grad, I'm happy to be a party of that legacy.
www.koreaherald.com/article/1059...
www.koreaherald.com/article/1059...
Missouri, Korea build nuclear research project on 70-year partnership
Leaders from the University of Missouri arrived in Seoul this week to start a new chapter in a partnership that stretches back seven decades -- from the afterma
www.koreaherald.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Most wouldn't guess it, but the University of Missouri has long, deep, and lasting ties to Korea. As a Mizzou grad, I'm happy to be a party of that legacy.
www.koreaherald.com/article/1059...
www.koreaherald.com/article/1059...
For the first time a poll has found that a majority of South Koreans say unification with North Korea is not necessary. This is the continuation of a trend, especially among young people, as South Koreans fear the economic costs of unification.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
51% of South Koreans say unification with North not necessary
More than half of South Koreans view unification with North Korea as unnecessary, a poll showed Monday, marking the first time that those unsupportive of unification with Pyongyang have exceeded those...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM
For the first time a poll has found that a majority of South Koreans say unification with North Korea is not necessary. This is the continuation of a trend, especially among young people, as South Koreans fear the economic costs of unification.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
You don’t even have to insinuate Republicans are Nazis anymore. They proudly label themselves as such.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Trump nominee says MLK Jr. holiday belongs in ‘hell’ and that he has ‘Nazi streak,’ according to texts
Paul Ingrassia’s bid to lead a whistleblower agency is set for a Senate confirmation hearing Thursday.
www.politico.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:43 AM
You don’t even have to insinuate Republicans are Nazis anymore. They proudly label themselves as such.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
I'm sure they were already operating in the country, but why come out and say your are violating international law and norms on sovereignty? Why put your agents in danger?
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump says he has authorized covert CIA action in Venezuela
The CIA has surged personnel to the Caribbean and Central America as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on drug cartels in the region, people familiar with the matter say.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I'm sure they were already operating in the country, but why come out and say your are violating international law and norms on sovereignty? Why put your agents in danger?
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Finally feels like a real Korean autumn. For the last several weeks Seoul had inexplicably tuned into Seattle with gloomy clouds and constant rain.
October 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Finally feels like a real Korean autumn. For the last several weeks Seoul had inexplicably tuned into Seattle with gloomy clouds and constant rain.
I'm not sure why anybody should take the Unification Ministry seriously if Korean politicians won't. Its absurd that the Yoon administration dissolved bodies for inter-Korean dialogue. Its absurd that the Lee administration is dissolving bodies for human rights.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
Ministry of Unification Restores Inter-Korean Dialogue Units
Ministry of Unification Restores Inter-Korean Dialogue Units Human Rights Office, Abduction Team Dissolved; Workforce Expands to 600
www.chosun.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I'm not sure why anybody should take the Unification Ministry seriously if Korean politicians won't. Its absurd that the Yoon administration dissolved bodies for inter-Korean dialogue. Its absurd that the Lee administration is dissolving bodies for human rights.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
Democratic Party introduces a bill to restrict protests that incite discrimination and use hate speech. If the Korean far right is as dangerous as they say, they should think long and hard about how this law will be used when the right returns to power.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...
Bill to curb anti-China rallies stirs debate over freedom of assembly - The Korea Times
Korea’s ruling party has introduced a new bill that would prohibit rallies considered to promote hate or discrimination, in response to an increase...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
October 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Democratic Party introduces a bill to restrict protests that incite discrimination and use hate speech. If the Korean far right is as dangerous as they say, they should think long and hard about how this law will be used when the right returns to power.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...
Argentinian voters cannot vote out the guy who destroyed their economy or the bailout to save the economy will disappear. Honestly I’m surprised Trump can so consistently find new lows for US foreign policy.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Ties Economic Support for Argentina to Coming Elections
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Argentinian voters cannot vote out the guy who destroyed their economy or the bailout to save the economy will disappear. Honestly I’m surprised Trump can so consistently find new lows for US foreign policy.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
The Democratic Party is floating the idea of forcefully dissolving the People Power Party as unconstitutional due to its alleged role in martial law. But that won't kill the movement behind the PPP and only opens the DP up to more criticism of itself by tyrannical.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
Justice Minister Considers People Power Party Dissolution
Justice Minister Considers People Power Party Dissolution Minister Jung to review petition if special counsel confirms partys martial law role
www.chosun.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The Democratic Party is floating the idea of forcefully dissolving the People Power Party as unconstitutional due to its alleged role in martial law. But that won't kill the movement behind the PPP and only opens the DP up to more criticism of itself by tyrannical.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
My latest article is finally published: "Paving the Way for the Marlboro Man: Bilateral U.S.-South Korea Negotiations on Liberalizing the South Korean Cigarette Market, 1985–1988." 1/
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
My latest article is finally published: "Paving the Way for the Marlboro Man: Bilateral U.S.-South Korea Negotiations on Liberalizing the South Korean Cigarette Market, 1985–1988." 1/
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
A shelter for 1,000 people in a city of 10 million. Is this really about defense or a very expensive attempt to hype North Korea as a threat?
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
Seoul plans nuclear protection shelter beneath Songpa public housing
Seoul is planning to build a civil defense shelter capable of withstanding nuclear and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) attacks beneath a public housing complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:11 AM
A shelter for 1,000 people in a city of 10 million. Is this really about defense or a very expensive attempt to hype North Korea as a threat?
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10...
Descendants of Japanese commanders during the Imjin War offer apologies for Japan's brutal invasion of Korea. You know there is deep animosity between two countries when an apology for a war over 400 years ago makes the news.
임진왜란(1592~1598) 때 조선 산하와 백성을 짓밟았던 일본 장수의 후손들이 선조의 만행을 사과했습니다. 1592년 임진왜란이 일어난 뒤 처음 사죄이니 433년 만입니다.
“임진왜란은 참혹한 침략전쟁…선조 잘못 사죄합니다”
“임진왜란은 지옥이었습니다. 수많은 사람이 목숨을 잃은 잔혹한 침략 전쟁에 대해 진심으로 사죄합니다.” 임진왜란(1592~1598) 때 조선 산하와 백성을 짓밟았던 일본 장수의 후손들이 선조의 만행을 사과했다. 1592년 임진왜란이 일어난 뒤 처음 사죄이니 433년 만
www.hani.co.kr
October 13, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Descendants of Japanese commanders during the Imjin War offer apologies for Japan's brutal invasion of Korea. You know there is deep animosity between two countries when an apology for a war over 400 years ago makes the news.
North Korea has a law to try and keep English loan words from being used. Meanwhile, South Korea is leading a cultural explosion that is now forcing Korean loan words into the English language.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
From ‘kimbap’ to ‘maknae,’ Oxford English Dictionary sees explosion of Korean loanwords
The lion’s share of terms of Korean origin have been added within the last four years, with a total of 48 Korean loanwords now listed in the OED
english.hani.co.kr
October 13, 2025 at 4:00 AM
North Korea has a law to try and keep English loan words from being used. Meanwhile, South Korea is leading a cultural explosion that is now forcing Korean loan words into the English language.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...