Beyond Dunia

Erasing the Tragedy, Chasing the Stock Market: An Unpacking of the "Pro-Superpower" Bias in South Korean Media’s Coverage of the Iran War

Korean media’s Iran war coverage is under fire for prioritizing economic interests and pro-Western bias over humanitarian tragedies. This lack of field reporting and uncritical "copy-paste" of Western outlets is undermining journalism, accelerating the risk of AI replacement.

2026.04.21

[Dunia Book Club] Review of Sohyun Park's 『Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Diversity of Cultures』: Expanding the Outer World and the Inner World Through Learning Southeast Asia

This article revisits how Southeast Asia is commonly understood through Park Sohyun’s Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Diversity of Cultures. It moves beyond colonial and development narratives to examine the region in a more layered way, inviting readers to question Western-centered assumptions.

2026.04.13

The Iran War Voices the Media doesn’t report

Following U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Dunia hosted a live discussion examining the war beyond military narratives. Panelists argued the conflict was a planned invasion, highlighted civilian casualties and distorted media coverage, and stressed the need for global anti-war solidarity.

2026.03.15

[DUNIA Book Club] Review of Moontae Jung’s 『Hazardous Frame』: The Dangers and Possibilities of Framing

This review of Jung Moontae’s Hazardous Frame examines the hidden perspectives embedded in Korean media’s coverage of international news. It critiques the marginalization of Asia and argues that recognizing one’s own framing is the starting point for more critical journalism.

2026.03.06

Troubling Rhetoric Justifying Strikes on Afghanistan and Iran

The preemptive airstrikes by Pakistan, the U.S., and Israel—justified as "self-defense"—have ironically authorized "defensive retaliation" by Afghanistan and Iran. This cycle is triggering a domino effect of armed conflicts across borders, severely destabilizing international security.

2026.03.01

What a Distant Vote Tells South Korea: The 2026 Bangladesh General Election

By ending 17 years of dictatorship, the 2026 Bangladesh election challenges South Korea to view politicians as accountable agents rather than idols. Given our ties to Bangladeshi migrant workers, supporting their nation’s recovery is not just a distant matter, but our duty as global citizens.

2026.02.26

[Beyond DUNIA] Watchdogs or Mouthpieces? The Media in Thailand’s 2026 Election

Media-driven narratives of security and ultra-nationalism, intensified by the 2025 Thai-Cambodian border dispute, helped propel the Bhumjaithai Party to victory in the 2026 election, sidelining reformist forces and strengthening pro-military sentiment.

2026.02.17

[Beyond DUNIA] The 2026 Thailand General Election and the Rise of "Smart Authoritarianism"

South Korean political science researcher Lee Jungwoo analyzes Thailand's 2026 election and "Smart Authoritarianism," where elites use institutions and nationalism over coups. It details conservative wins and the challenges for reformists.

2026.02.12

[Beyond DUNIA] Review of Chen Sihong’s Ghost Town: Who Gets to Tell the Stories of Asian Women

This essay reviews Chen Sihong’s Ghost Town to examine who tells the stories of Asian women. Through a gay younger brother’s perspective, it reveals how patriarchy and homophobia shape women’s lives, and suggests that their histories can be written through solidarity with other marginalized voices.

2026.01.26

[Beyond DUNIA] Is the Queer Movement Really a Western Invention?

This article challenges the idea that the queer movement originated in the West. Through the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women and the case of Indonesia, it shows how queer movements in Asia emerged from local gender systems and political repression, forming distinct histories of resistance.

2026.01.19

[Beyond DUNIA] Are There Indian Feminists Working in India, Not the United States?

This article explores Indian feminism beyond gender equality, highlighting how women resist exploitation by capital, the state, and development-driven environmental destruction. From the Chipko Movement to Dalit agro-feminism, it shows feminism as a struggle for sustainability and social justice.

2026.01.12

[Beyond DUNIA] Do Women’s Movements Exist in Southeast Asia?

The idea that Asian women are merely passive victims is rooted in Orientalism and misogyny. This essay highlights women-led movements like Indonesia’s Suara Ibu Peduli, revealing how Asian women have long resisted exploitation—and why reclaiming erased feminist histories matters.

2026.01.05