KoreaTimes - Thoughts of the Times

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Asia

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

SCMP
Asia

The Korea Times

Opinion

Thoughts of the Times

Thu, June 1, 2023 | 10:13

The environment and our lives

The environment and our lives

The earth we live on is 4.5 billion years old. So far, many creatures have lived and disappeared. However, there is something that humans are misunderstanding. It seems that humans think they will live on Earth forever, but they won't. For example, just as dinosaurs lived for 190 million years and disappeared, we humans can disappear at any moment.

2023-03-07 16:05

Financial markets and US

Financial markets and US

There is continuing bad news about bonds, property, stocks and other investments along with concern about inflation. Everything seems to be going down, except inflation, which is rising.

2023-03-06 16:45

Korean arms exports versus military aid to Ukraine

Korean arms exports versus military aid to Ukraine

No one expects Korea to take a leading role in helping Ukraine survive Russia's criminal war of aggression. And I should also say that I find Korean public opinion on the issue quite bearable. The most horrible crimes against humanity in Europe since World War II may, seemingly far away, not top people's list of concerns. But I rarely encounter the moral confusion, misinforma...

2023-03-05 16:45

Sheaf burning

On Feb. 5, the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, villagers near Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, celebrated a traditional event called "sheaf burning." Before the event, various activities were held, including games, festivals, and performances. The event culminated with a leader of the village reading a written prayer for the New Year, followed by performances of Korean na...

2023-03-02 16:45

Misfortunes are unforeseeable

Misfortunes are unforeseeable

On a balmy spring morning in May 1989, everything looked normal for another promising day. I was scheduled to go to Seoul the next day to attend the annual commencement of the University of Maryland for which I had been teaching Korean Studies since the 1970s. Everything was set except for my regular eye check at Yeungnam University Hospital, where I had been hospitalized for...

2023-03-01 16:50

Should subway protests continue?

Should subway protests continue?

On Jan. 2, members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) held a protest at Samgakji Station on Seoul Metro lines 4 and 6. SADD members failed to get on the subway, and the confrontation caused major issues because the group inconvenienced citizens getting on and off the train during the morning rush hour.

2023-02-28 16:50

Stopping by the Sixth Floor Museum

Stopping by the Sixth Floor Museum

As I stopped by the Sixth Floor Museum in Texas, the inaugural speech of John F. Kennedy seemed to resonate. Let me share with you some parts of his address which are still applicable.

2023-02-27 16:50

Dazzling smile underneath mask

Dazzling smile underneath mask

“The first step is always the hardest.” The way we wear face masks today reminds me of this proverb. It has been weeks since the indoor mask mandate was lifted in Korea except for certain high-risk places. And recently, on Feb. 17, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said that Korea may completely lift the indoor mask mandate earlier than forecast, as in May, if the downward trend of...

2023-02-26 16:50

Loving our low-floor bus system

Loving our low-floor bus system

Low-floor buses have no steps at one or more of their entrances. They also have a low floor for part or all of the passengers' cabins. I first became aware of low-floor buses a few years ago, when I stayed in Hawaii for academic purposes for several months, before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

2023-02-23 16:50

Irony of economic development

Irony of economic development

Usually people are not having many chances to have decent jobs as they get older. However, in some sense, this is not only a problem for seniors but also for younger people, as employment has been unstable and industry growth has stagnated in the 21st century. In this time of computer science and cutting-edge AI information technology, chances of employment and job opportunit...

2023-02-22 16:50

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