Michelle Ye Hee Lee
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myhlee.bsky.social
Michelle Ye Hee Lee
@myhlee.bsky.social
27K followers 460 following 720 posts
Washington Post Tokyo/Seoul Bureau Chief, covering Japan, the two Koreas and beyond. Mom to two needy cats & a rambunctious golden retriever. [email protected]
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myhlee.bsky.social
Michelle Ye Hee Lee @myhlee.bsky.social · Apr 7
New: Our deep-dive into life in Hyesan, a North Korean border city close to China, to learn how the few freedoms North Koreans enjoyed have vanished since the pandemic.

The Washington Post partnered with Asia Press to reach three residents currently living in Hyesan.

Gift link: wapo.st/4lzqExQ
How the few freedoms North Koreans enjoyed have vanished since the pandemic
The city of Hyesan, just over the river from China, once offered a glimpse of a more open North Korea. Now it exemplifies Kim Jong Un’s mounting authoritarianism.
wapo.st
myhlee.bsky.social
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁🥧
November 27, 2025 at 11:04 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged President Trump to help protect the post-World War II order — a tacit reference to supporting Beijing’s claims over Taiwan — in a phone call that Chinese analysts have claimed as a win in Beijing’s tense standoff with Japan.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
China sees Trump calls as a win in spat with Japan over Taiwan
Beijing is piling heat on Japan’s prime minister in a diplomatic standoff, even appealing to the U.S. — as a fellow World War II victor — to take its side.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Michelle Ye Hee Lee
gregjaffe.bsky.social
He Saw the Best of America and Then (at age 67) Fought for Russia in Ukraine. One of the crazier stories I've worked on. with Paul Sonne.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
He Saw the Best of America and Then Fought for Russia in Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Back in the U.S. for Thanksgiving week and have so many thoughts:
-Portions are huge
-Oh yeah, I forgot about tips
-I missed racial diversity
-Why is everything so expensive?
-There’s so much space!
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Japan’s sacred sumo ring is off-limits to women — even its new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Japan’s sacred sumo ring is off-limits to women, even its new prime minister
Women aren’t permitted to enter the sumo ring. Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader, did not present the Prime Minister’s Cup at a major tournament.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Ok, this is getting out of control. I don’t need news alerts about this couple. Please stop, everyone
November 22, 2025 at 3:29 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
China’s response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s lack of ambiguity on Taiwan has been immediate and extreme, and it is threatening to turn a diplomatic spat into a regional crisis.

Our latest on the Japan-China tensions:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
China punishes Japan’s new leader with harsh words and economic pain
Beijing is using its economic power and military muscle to convey its anger with Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi — and to send a message to the U.S.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Lai's sushi diplomacy reminds me of Abe's pineapple diplomacy
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Washington Post editorial board: “Forgetting Mohammed’s brutality and Khashoggi’s warnings is a choice, and Trump made the wrong one.”

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | ‘Things happen’
Setting the record straight about our murdered colleague.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying “things happen” and that he did not hold Mohammed responsible for the murder despite a U.S. intelligence report assessing the opposite.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of a Washington Post columnist. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are nearing a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:20 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Today is my 11th Postiversary. How has it already been more than a decade at @washingtonpost.com?

Proud of and grateful for our talented, hardworking journalists cranking out ambitious work despite everything our industry throws at us.
November 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Two months after 300 South Korean nationals were detained and left the U.S. following in an immigration raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia, some of those workers have returned to America to resume those jobs.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Some Korean workers detained in Georgia immigration raid have returned to their jobs at Hyundai site | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
SAVANNAH, Ga.--Two months after 300 South Korean nationals were detained and left the U.S. following in an immigration raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia, some of those w...
www.asahi.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Perfect day for a hike up Bukhansan, just outside of Seoul ⛰️
November 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sits down with The Washington Post after becoming the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House: wapo.st/3LTIWMC (Free link)
Syrian president details plans to work with Americans he once fought
In an interview with The Post, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant, discusses relations with the U.S., talks with Israel and bringing Assad to justice.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:51 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
The diplomatic spat between China and Japan’s new prime minister took a turn for the worse on Wednesday when an influential Chinese state media outlet said Sanae Takaichi may have to “pay a price” for "talking crap," referring to her comments on Taiwan.
wapo.st/4p41OXD
Chinese outlet lashes out at Japanese prime minister, escalating row
Less than a month since Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk, became Japan’s prime minister, the complicated relationship between Tokyo and Beijing is beginning to sour.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Ran a half marathon for the second time! The final 3 miles were uphill *and* the final 6 miles were against the wind 😩 but we conquered this cursed course and I set a new PR. We ran the “End of the Land” race in Haenam, a town in the southernmost part of the Korean peninsula.
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Best time of the year in Seoul 🍁🍂🍃
November 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Several South Korean firms have pulled or prolonged a pause on investment in U.S. projects after a massive immigration raid on a Hyundai plant in Georgia that resulted in hundreds of Koreans arrested. By @laurenkaorigurley.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Some South Korea firms pulled projects after Hyundai immigration raid
Reluctance to do business in the U.S. after a massive Hyundai immigration raid could make it tougher for South Korea to fulfill its pledge of $350 billion in U.S. investments.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:22 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
Delicious dinner, inspiring conversation, and Korean American power ✨ With the great @minjinlee.bsky.social & Chef Edward Lee in Seoul.
November 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Just opened this app to see so much baseball commentary/hyperventilation. Reminds me of the fun Twitter days. Go sports!
plumicorns.bsky.social Confusing Fall Warbler @plumicorns.bsky.social · 25d
All the thinkpieces about Bluesky don't account for the fact that it's occasionally 100% wall-to-wall baseball on here
November 2, 2025 at 4:05 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
China shot back to Trump's social media post saying he approved South Koreans to build a nuclear-powered submarine, by urging South Korea and the US to “fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations.”
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
China reminds South Korea of NPT obligations after Trump OKs nuclear submarine
The US president’s abrupt granting of approval to Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine appears to have touched a nerve with Beijing
english.hani.co.kr
October 31, 2025 at 12:12 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
Takaichi and Lee's gifts: Lee gave Takaichi K-cosmetics and Korean seaweed after she expressed her personal “love” for both items. Takaichi gifted Lee with a set of go stones and bowls in Kamakura, a sister city of Lee's hometown, Andong.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
Japanese and South Korean leaders agree to boost ties in first meeting
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first in-person talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the APEC regional summit Thursday evening.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Reposted by Michelle Ye Hee Lee
newyork.asiasociety.org
TOMORROW: join @asiapolicy.asiasociety.org for a rapid reactions webinar to the outcomes of Trump's Asia tour. With Wendy Cutler, @myhlee.bsky.social, @shayhouston.bsky.social, and @emmachanlettavery.bsky.social. Register to attend: asiasociety.org/policy-insti...
October 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM
myhlee.bsky.social
It’s been a newsy few weeks with Japanese politics and Trump’s Asia trip, with so many stories and deadlines. My brain needs a minute, so here are pics of Darcy with her two best friends at doggy daycare, Peanut and Barley. 🥹
October 31, 2025 at 12:45 AM
myhlee.bsky.social
On his nearly week-long swing through Asia, President Donald Trump accepted glittering gifts. But there was one thing the president wanted that he didn’t get: a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Free link to our analysis on the one gift that got away:
wapo.st/4hx23ba
Analysis | Trump wanted one gift in Asia he didn’t get: A visit with Kim Jong Un
The North Korean leader has grown closer to Moscow since he and Trump met in 2019 and did not respond to the U.S. president’s public push for a meeting.
wapo.st
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM