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Andrew Salmon

Seoul, South Korea-based Andrew Salmon, Asia Editor at The Washington Times. brings two decades of journalistic experience to the position. Before joining The Washington Times, he was Northeast Asia Editor of Hong Kong-based Asia Times. Andrew’s reporting previously appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Forbes, The International Herald Tribune, The South China Morning Post, The Times and The Washington Times. He has made television appearances on Arirang TV, CNN and France24. He can be reached at asalmon@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Andrew Salmon

North Korean defector-turned-restaurateur paints bitter portrait of 1990s famines

Few Koreans would turn down freshwater eel: Deboned, dipped in flour and deep fried, it is a special treat. Lee Ae-ran, however, won't touch the dish. "When I see it, my heart grows heavy," she says.

August 14, 2025

The partisan power of the pardon takes center stage in South Korea

Conservatives in South Korea -- out of power and, in the high-profile cases of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, facing serious legal jeopardy -- found little to cheer in the list of pending pardons released by the country's left-leaning presidents this week.

August 13, 2025

North Korean defectors defy sanctions to send cash back to families

North Korean defectors who tap into cross-border networks to send cash back home -- a violation of sanctions imposed by the outside world on the totalitarian state -- say exceptions should be made for "humanitarian" aid such as money to feed hungry family members.

August 12, 2025

North Korea raps upcoming South Korea-U.S. drills — mildly

Upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 exercises in South Korea earned a rebuke from Pyongyang, but future iterations of the war games may be facing threats from another direction: Washington.

August 11, 2025

Two Chinese ships collide during harassment operation

A Chinese warship collided with one of its coast guard vessels in the South China Sea on Monday as both ships were pursuing a Philippine coast guard vessel.

August 11, 2025

Former South Korean president undergoes judicial attack, humiliation

In most countries, it would be extraordinary for a former president to strip to his underwear and lie prone on the floor of his detention cell to resist being removed for interrogation, but in South Korea, such treatment is -- almost -- a norm.

August 8, 2025

Faith leaders demand freedom of religion guarantees at Korea conference

More than 300 religious leaders from around the globe descended here Thursday for a five-day conference to promote freedom of religion and universal values across all barriers of faith, culture and geography.

August 7, 2025

From stocks to U.S. trade to Japan relations, Korean president rides high

When President Lee Jae-myung saw a viral video last month of a migrant laborer being mistreated at a South Korean brick plant, the 61-year-old -- who suffered a debilitating injury himself while working in a factory as a child -- was stunned.

August 3, 2025

Australia, U.K. talk tough on Taiwan defense

Reaction in the press and among analysts has ranged from stunned to skeptical after British Defense Minister John Healey said Australia and the U.K. would fight together with Taiwan against China.

July 29, 2025

In blow to President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s ‘Great Recall’ crashes and burns

A unique, grassroots political movement in Taiwan aiming to overthrow allegedly pro-China lawmakers appears to have failed spectacularly Saturday.

July 26, 2025

Huge U.S.-allied drills across Indo-Pacific can’t hide trade, political tensions

Are soldiers, sailors and airmen better at maintaining amicable nation-to-nation relations than diplomats, trade negotiators and politicians?

July 25, 2025

China’s growing influence on Taiwan lawmakers prompts massive recall effort

An unprecedented political movement in Taiwan aims to overturn a legislative majority that, at the behest of Beijing, according to some analysts, has stymied the governance of President Lai Ching-te.

July 23, 2025

Seoul targets Family Federation, other churches, in alleged bribery probe of former first lady

The vortex of scandals surrounding former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee has sucked in the Family Federation, formerly known as the Unification Church.

July 22, 2025

Exit polls find uncertain political future for Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he will not step down despite his ruling coalition losing control of the country's upper house in Sunday's elections.

July 20, 2025

Russia-North Korea alliance spearheads brutal new world order, says expert

The alliance between invasive Russia and ultra-militarist North Korea is spearheading a brutal new world order that a weakened West is unprepared for, a leading expert believes.

July 18, 2025

Seoul states ambition to remove South Korean troops from U.S.-led command structure

South Korea's new government plans to take over wartime operational control of South Korean troops from the U.S. within five years -- a shift that would almost certainly collapse the current joint warfighting command on the peninsula and probably trigger a downsizing of U.S. Forces Korea.

July 16, 2025