Jason Strother

Jason Strother has written 21 posts for PRI's The World

Koreans Celebrate Christmas with Mass Blind Dating Flash Mob

In South Korea, Christmas is more of a couples holiday than a family or religious celebration. Jason Strother went to a Christmas eve “mass blind date” event in Seoul and sent this story.

‘Comrade Kim Goes Flying’: A North Korean Rom-Com

South Korean movie goers got a rare look at a North Korean romantic comedy at the Busan International Film Festival.

Bridge Signs Used in South Korea Anti-Suicide Efforts

The South Korean government has put up motivational signs on a bridge that attracts would-be jumpers to address the issue of high suicide rate in the country.

Growing Debt Worries for South Korea

People in South Korea are taking out loans for education and housing, racking up personal debt, and prompting worries that Korea could have its own debt crisis.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Overtures Toward North Korea

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, whose followers are known as “Moonies,” was a controversial religious leader who proclaimed to be the Messiah. He met with many world leaders during his life, including North Korea’s Kim Il-Sung.

North Korea Debuts at the Paralympic Games

North Korea has sent one swimmer to London for the Paralympics, but critics say the country does not treat disabled people well and should not be allowed at the games.

From North Korean Propagandist to Satirist in Exile: The Work of Song Byeok

Song Byeok does satirical art critical of the North Korean regime, including a painting of Marilyn Monroe’s body, with the head of Kim Jong Il.

Park Geun-hye Announces Bid to Become South Korea’s First Female President

The daughter of a former South Korean dictator formally launched her bid Tuesday to become the country’s next president.

Crossed Eyes: Myth of Good Luck is Bad News for Visually Impaired in India

Treatment for cross-eyed children is widely available, but many families don’t pursue it because many believe that such a child brings good luck.

Single Mothers in South Korea

It’s “Single Mothers’” day in South Korea. It’s a day that’s getting support from Korean adoptees who’ve moved back to Korea. They’d like to see single motherhood become more acceptable there so that unwed mothers feel less pressure to put their babies up for adoption.

North Korea’s ‘Legendary’ and Ficitional Punk Rock Band

What would punk rock in North Korea sound like? One way to find out is listening to Ri Seong-woong, North Korea’s most famous punk rock star. Or is he? We find out from reporter Jason Strother.

South Korea Opens Multicultural High School

South Korea has traditionally been a homogeneous society, but now there is a growing population of culturally mixed families. It can be hard for these children to fit in, so the country has just opened its first “multicultural” high school.

South Korean Military Watchful of Changes in North

The World’s Jason Strother reports on how military conscripts in the South are following the events in Pyongyang with particular interest.

The Funeral of North Korea’s Kim Jong-il Reminiscent of the Founding Leader Ceremonies

For some North Korean defectors, Kim Jong-il’s funeral was a case of déjà vu, bringing back memories of the death of Kim Il-sung, the North’s founding leader, in 1994. Reporter Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.

Why Some See Business Opportunities with New Leadership in North Korea

The last time North Korea had a transition of power, people in the South feared the outbreak of war. Now they’re taking it in stride. And as Jason Strother reports, some see the change as an opportunity for South Korean business.