Ruthie Yarbrough

Ruthie is a certified English and Korean instructor with teaching experience in both South Korea and the United States. She holds an MA in Korean for Professionals from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and has a strong research background in third language acquisition. She is excited to translate for Watching America!

South Korea: Not an Escape, but an Eviction: The United States Is Losing the Middle East

Ruthie Yarbrough - August 14, 2026. Published in Hankyoreh

The United States did not simply stumble into a trap in the Middle East; it deliberately walked into one.

South Korea: Approving Saudi Uranium Enrichment and Imposing Tariffs: The US Hits a Nerve

Ruthie Yarbrough - July 31, 2026. Published in Kyunghyang

The United States' decision to permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for civilian nuclear power is something that South Korea should not take lightly.

South Korea: Just Leave Sports Alone

Ruthie Yarbrough - July 17, 2026. Published in Hankookilbo

What exactly does fairness mean to Trump?

South Korea: Mayor Mamdani Fuels Divide between Democratic Party and Jewish Community

Ruthie Yarbrough - July 4, 2026. Published in Dong-A Ilbo

The fierce debate within the party over pro-Israel and anti-Israel positions, sparked by Mamdani, is likely to continue disrupting U.S. politics for the foreseeable future.

South Korea: Trump’s Face on a Dollar Bill?

Ruthie Yarbrough - June 5, 2026. Published in Dong-A Ilbo

It would be difficult to find another instance of an incumbent leader featuring their own face on a bill in a non-monarchic, democratic country.

South Korea: Precarious US-China Rivalry: Risky Game of Chess

Ruthie Yarbrough - May 22, 2026. Published in Segye

[T]he parties have thrown Taiwan into the fire. Trump will even use security threats against allies or partners as bargaining chips.