DONALD KIRK

Seoul, South Korea

Donald Kirk is the Seoul Correspondent of the Sun.

Mr. Kirk, based in Seoul and Washington, has been covering Asia for decades for newspapers and magazines and is the author of books on Korea, the Vietnam War and the Philippines.

Latest Articles

Myanmar migrant group members hold a framed photo of Aung San Suu Kyi, who was recently moved from prison to house arrest, during a Labor Day rally at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center on May 1, 2026 at Bangkok, Thailand. — Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Jailed Myanmar Political Dissident’s Meeting With Red Cross Official Fuels Hopes for Her Eventual Release

Nobel laureate in peace Aung San Suu Kyi, now under house arrest, looks in good health in photographs released by the military regime.

By DONALD KIRK

|Aug 4, 2026|

Foreign

This still from a video made by an opposition member of the U.K. Parliament shows a French patrol vessel shadowing and apparently assisting a crowded dinghy full of migrants seeking to reach Britain across the English Chanel on July 27, 2026. — Chris Philp MP via X

Trump’s Warning of ‘Invasion’ by Illegal Immigrants Strikes Sensitive Nerve in Britain

British papers carry pictures of migrants boarding huge rubber dinghies on French beaches while French gendarmes say they’re powerless to stop them.

By DONALD KIRK

|Aug 3, 2026|

Foreign

Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street, July 20, 2026. — AP/Thomas Krych

Britain’s New Prime Minister Willing To Cooperate With Americans on Bombing Missions From British Bases

Andy Burnham does not hesitate as did his predecessor despite Iranian threats to wreak vengeance ‘within the framework of self-defense.’

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 24, 2026|

Foreign

King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government on July 20, 2026. — Aaron Chown/Getty Images

Britain’s New Prime Minister Promises the Panacea of a ‘Ten-Year Plan’ That Would Move the Country to the Left

Andy Burnham, on his first day in office and aware that voters are ‘fed up,’ promises to relieve ‘that pressure’ about finances.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 20, 2026|

Foreign

Andy Burnham makes his first official visit after being elected leader of Britain’s Labour Party at Gravesend, England, on July 17, 2026. — Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Andy Burnham Injects New Optimism as He Takes Control of Britain’s Ruling Labour Party

The U.K.’s next prime minister inspires left-leaning party members with an acceptance address that is long on promises but short on details and skips foreign policy issues.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 17, 2026|

Foreign

Andy Burnham celebrates his victory in the Makerfield by-election on June 19, 2026 at Makerfield, England. — Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images

Britain’s Next Prime Minister Likely To Pursue a Leftist Agenda on Israel, Immigration

The former mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, wants ‘to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government’ while Trump calls him ‘extremely liberal.’

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 15, 2026|

Foreign

The cast of 'High Society' at the Barbican. — Pamela Raith

‘High Society’ Brings Golden Age Glamor Back to London in a Dazzling Revival

Cole Porter’s musical, chronicling people too rich to have to strive in anything but romance, is going down a storm across the pond.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 11, 2026|

Culture

The U.S. Air Force Band performs during the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2026. — Joshua Smith via DVIDS

Despite Searing Heat, Great American State Fair Isn’t Exactly a Ghost Town as Reported

Most visitors seem happily unaware of the deluge of criticism of a show extolling America’s successes with an emphasis on patriotism and conservative values.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jul 3, 2026|

National

Kim Yo-jong with the former South Korean president, Moon Jae-in. — Bee Jae-man/Yonhap via AP, file

North Korea Blasts G7 Statement Calling for End to Its Nuclear Program While Trump Signs Deal With Iran

Kim Jong-un’s younger sister, Yo-jong, says, ‘‘Denuclearization’ is an unwavering line that can never be crossed.’

By DONALD KIRK

|Jun 18, 2026|

Foreign

Air Force fighter jets do a flyover at the UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House on June 14, 2026. — Whitehouse.gov

Reporter’s Notebook: Trump and UFC Defeat the Critics With Enormous Success at Birthday Bash Full of Fights on the White House Lawn

Between patriotic pomp and circumstance featuring military heroics from the Revolution onward, fans on the Ellipse went crazy over each gladiator-style bout.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jun 16, 2026|

National

The leader of the Republic of China’s opposition party, Cheng Li-wun, speaks with reporters at Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2026. — Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Republic of China’s Opposition Leader, on Visit in U.S., Seeks Dialogue With People’s Republic on the Mainland, Stirs Controversy

Lai Ching-te argues it’s fine to have ‘ideals about peace, but not unrealistic illusions.’

By DONALD KIRK

|Jun 15, 2026|

Foreign

The Philippine vice president, Sara Duterte, and the president, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, during the inauguration ceremony at National Museum on June 30, 2022, at Manila. — AP/Aaron Favila, file

Vice President Sara Duterte, Facing Impeachment Trial in the Philippines Senate, Eyes the Presidency

Duterte is following in the footsteps of her father and former president, Rodrigo Duterte, who is being held by the International Criminal Court at the Hague for his bloody anti-drug campaign.

By DONALD KIRK

|Jun 11, 2026|

Foreign