In the spotlight

Fortunately, not all news coming from this part of the world is doom and gloom. There were a few cultural, political and economic headlines that gave South Korea its share of the spotlight.

South Korea hits the slopes

South Korea won a major soft power victory in July when the International Olympic Committee awarded Pyeongchang the 2018 Winter Games. After two consecutive unsuccessful bids the mountainous resort area beat out its much more established rivals Munich and Annecy.

South Korea doesn't have a long tradition of winter sports culture and at the moment, Pyeongchang does not have the facilities to host such a large-scale international event. But Jason Lee, a sportscaster for South Korea's Arirang TV, says anything is possible now that the games have been awarded.

"They definitely do have a long ways to go," he says. "The nation is fully behind it."

The last time South Korea hosted an Olympic event was in the summer of 1988. Those games are credited in helping the South's transition from a military dictatorship to a vibrant democracy.

Shake up in Seoul

The balance of power in Seoul was turned upside down in October after a long time progressive activist, Park Won-soon, was elected Mayor. His victory came as a surprise to everyone, including members of the ruling Grand National Party, who failed to gauge public opinion during an election that put fiscal discipline up against expanded social welfare programs.

Observers consider the race to be a possible bellwether for next year's national assembly and presidential elections. A high youth unemployment rate and general distrust of South Korea's ruling elites could put control of the nation back into the hands of liberal politicians. And judging by how the opposition party handled affairs the last time it was in power, one could expect to see the South move closer to North Korea, while distancing itself from the United States.

Deal brings tears to the eyes of politicians

Seeing how the political tides could turn in next year's South Korean national elections, both Washington and Seoul pushed for the ratification of a long stalled free trade agreement. The KORUS FTA had awaited ratification since 2007; it passed through the US Congress with little trouble, but in the Korean National Assembly, it was a different story. On several occasions, opposition lawmakers had physically blocked the majority ruling party from entering the voting chamber. Finally, the Grand National Party called a surprise session on November 23 and rammed the bill through, albeit not without complications. Several of the bill's opponents had been able to make it into the chamber and one of them attacked other legislators with tear gas, temporarily clearing the floor before the vote was cast.

Good bye Kim, hello Kim

Throughout much of 2011, North Korea kept a rather low profile. There were on and off again discussions between Washington, Seoul and Pyongyang over the resumption of denuclearization talks, but nothing concrete was ever agreed. Then, on December 19, North Korea announced that ruler Kim Jong Il had died of a heart attack.

Even though Kim, who was either 68 or 69 years old, had been ill for years, his passing came as a surprise to many observers. Now the question is whether Kim Jong Un, the youngest son of the late ruler, will be able to carry on his family's 60-year-old regime.

"We could be having the same discussion in 60 years from now at the funeral of Kim Jong Un about a North Korea that has not changed," says Michael Breen, author of "Kim Jong Il, North Korea's Dear Leader."

During the two-day funeral ceremony for Kim Jong Il, it became clear that the power transition was underway. Kim Jong Un, who is only in his late 20s, was dubbed the Supreme Leader of the Workers' Party, the military and people by the North's Premier Kim Yong Nam.

Breen says that Jong Un has probably demonstrated that he has true leadership capabilities and has impressed the much older party official and generals that still maintain substantial influence in Pyongyang.

"They wouldn't have an imbecile as a leader," Breen says. But that doesn't mean that Kim will be ruling the nation on his own, for now. Going forward, I think for awhile, he's going to be doing what they tell him. As the old guard moves on, he will put his own mark on the country."

Breen and other analysts say it's still too early to tell if Kim Jong Un will eventually open up his nation and make the reforms needed to lift his people out of poverty and isolation.

Global attention will focus on North Korea once again on April 15, 2012, when the nation will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding leader Kim Il Sung. Pyongyang has promised that this will be the start of North Korea's transition into a strong and prosperous nation. Kim Jong Un will have his work cut out for him.

Author: Jason Strother
Editor: Sarah Berning