North Korean leader Kim Jong Il holds a piece of corn during his visit to Dongbong collective farm in North Korea, in this undated picture released on Nov. 8, 2009 by North Korea's official news agency KCNA. (Reuters/KCNA)

Analysis: Kim Jong Il's cry for help

Analysts feel that the Nov. 10 naval clash between the Koreas is a signal from Pyongyang that it's ready to talk.

SEOUL, South Korea — The Nov. 10 naval clash in disputed Korean waters between North and South Korean forces ended in an intense exchange of fire and the retreat of a North Korean vessel enveloped in flames.

The skirmish off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula — the first in seven years — was a stark reminder that the two Koreas are still at war. But most analysts...

Recent on South Korea:

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Silicon Sweatshops: A promising model

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 18, 2009 06:54 ET

There's no easy way to police supply chains in Asia. But one US high-tech firm and its Taiwan supplier are taking a creative approach that might just work.

Special report: Silicon Sweatshops

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:05 ET

Despite strict "codes of conduct," labor rights violations are the norm at factories making the world's favorite high-tech gadgets.

What do you think about Silicon Sweatshops?

News Desk - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:04 ET

Are high-tech supply chains in Asia good business or exploitation? You decide.

Silicon Sweatshops: Shattered dreams

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:24 ET

Migrant workers making gadgets at Taiwan's high-tech parks sign deals that make them modern-day indentured servants.

Silicon Sweatshops: The China connection

Kathleen E. McLaughlin and Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

For migrant workers, an electronics factory job can be a ticket into China's booming middle class. But for many, it turns into a nightmare of poor working conditions and indifferent bosses.

Silicon Sweatshops: Disposable workforce

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

Laid-off Taiwanese workers accuse their firm of violating industry codes even when times were good.

Obama in Japan: Reassuring an old friend

Justin McCurry in Tokyo - Japan - November 14, 2009 16:58 ET

America's first "pacific president" extends a hand. But it's not all smiles.

Obama in Beijing: What you will see. And won't see.

Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 14, 2009 15:56 ET

In China, anything is possible. Nothing is easy.

A World of Trouble: Is the nightmare over?

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - October 14, 2009 13:35 ET

With signs of economic recovery finally emerging, here's where things stand in 20 countries around the world.

Can Korean scholars save a language?

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - September 22, 2009 09:00 ET

In an effort to preserve their language, the Cia-Cia people of Indonesia try adopting the Korean alphabet.

At your service, any time, any task

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - August 27, 2009 11:37 ET

Is your time valuable? In South Korea you can hire an "instead man" to buy makeup or go to school for you.

Bending over backwards for a pork cutlet in Seoul

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - August 25, 2009 15:07 ET

A Korean restaurateur is only on the market for serious customers.

Forget the PGA loss. Will Tiger go for gold?

Mark Starr - Sports - August 17, 2009 18:23 ET

It appears golf is headed for the 2016 Olympics. Here's why.

Pyongyang's negotiating tactics

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - August 8, 2009 08:09 ET

Release of US journalists fuels anger over South Koreans still held captive.

Stolen from Mongolia for sex

Mitch Moxley - Asia - August 3, 2009 09:00 ET

Deception, prostitution and crime: The toll of human trafficking.

Kim Jong Chill?

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - July 28, 2009 08:33 ET

Yes, North Korea is making its own beer and, apparently, beer commercials. Bottoms up.

The deadly air they breathed

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - July 24, 2009 15:15 ET

South Korea ignored warnings about the dangers of asbestos. Now it has a major health problem. Are other Asian countries next?

Fears of a nuclear Burma

Patrick Winn - Thailand - July 22, 2009 12:15 ET

The evidence, the conspirators and one "very concerned" Hillary Clinton

The world of underground tattooing

Jiyeon Lee - South Korea - July 20, 2009 15:04 ET

South Koreans are starting to embrace tattoos — but they have to go to underground parlors to get them.

Global Blogs:

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Naver's response to the Vandom letter?

Gusts of Popular Feeling - South Korea - November 20, 2009 03:56 ET

On Wednesday, the Korea Times reported on Andrea Vandom's letter to NHN regarding Anti-English Spectrum:Korea's No.1 Web portal Naver has started to look into a letter of complaint from a foreign English lecturer over a blog that many Western English teachers called...

Defector gives insights on North Korean military

Grant Montgomery, Family Care Foundation - South Korea - November 20, 2009 01:01 ET

BBC's Newsnight program spoke to Korean defector Joo-il Kim, who says he was an anti-tank battalion commander in North Korea's army for seven years until he fled the country in 2005. ...

President Obama's Visit to South Korea

Korea Report - South Korea - November 19, 2009 12:16 ET

President Barack Obama visited South Korea towards the end of his Asia trip on Nov. 19. Though the summit took place amicably (The New York Times photo above shows the news conference after the summit), the public reception on the streets was divided into two camps, one with...

Alcoholism in Korea

Ask a Korean! - South Korea - November 18, 2009 22:01 ET

Dear Korean,Why are there so many alcoholics in Korea? Why is it so socially acceptable to be an alcoholic in Korea? What sorts of organizations are there for helping alcoholics in Korea?Someone deeply affected by an alcoholic when living in KoreaDear Drunk Friend,Let us take...

Honeymoon: Macau's Monte Fort

Lee's Korea Blog - South Korea - November 17, 2009 07:33 ET

While casinos are the major pulling force for the majority of tourists to Macau, the area does have a lot of other things to offer. Its unique history as a Chinese-Portugese outpost has shaped the landscape, with various forts and 16th century European architecture spread across...