KoreaTimes - Blogs

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Blogs

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 14:30

Our obsession with unreal beauty

Our obsession with unreal beauty

Somewhere to the right of this text there is a picture of me. It's publicly visible, but on the rare occasions that I go outside, I can stroll the streets, dodging the motorbikes and busses safe in the confidence that any beloved Korea Times reader who happens to pass me will almost certainly fail to recognize me.

2021-11-06 09:32

Korean language is not degrading - it's evolving

Korean language is not degrading - it's evolving

Hangeul Day 2021 is, sadly, over. The last crumbs of the “batchim”-themed cakes have been swept away, the Hangeul board games are back in the cupboard gathering dust, the balloons in the shapes of “nieun” and “rieul” lie deflated in the corner. Yet, as this year's celebration of King Sejong's ingenious alphabet system fades into memory, we can't seem to escape from news and o...

2021-10-23 09:10

The reality of adopting a kitten in Korea

The reality of adopting a kitten in Korea

Since our wedding, my wife and I have been thinking about getting a cat - by which I mean that I've been trying to convince my wife to let us get one. And last week, after over two years of careful consideration (pleading), we (my wife) finally decided that we were ready.

2021-09-25 09:31

What does tolerance even mean?

What does tolerance even mean?

We live, it seems, in divided times. I suppose we always have, but in the past few years the social ruptures have become noticeably deeper and more severe. So partisan and so divided are we today that people living on the same street or in the same town experience vastly different realities. Former U.S. President Barack Obama has spoken on this several times, reflecting that ...

2021-09-11 09:17

Biden must take responsibility for catastrophe in Afghanistan

Biden must take responsibility for catastrophe in Afghanistan

“You don't think this actually could have been handled better in any way? No mistakes?” asks the interviewer.

2021-08-21 13:06

Despite all the problems, Tokyo Olympics bring hopes and inspirations

Despite all the problems, Tokyo Olympics bring hopes and inspirations

In the run-up to the Olympics this year, I was feeling pretty gloomy about the whole prospect, to the extent that I nearly wrote an article arguing that it should just be canceled. With the virus showing no real sign of disappearing even in countries with high vaccination rates, and with the announcement that no audiences would be allowed to watch the games, I felt that it wa...

2021-08-08 08:22

Korea is safe country but its roads are not

Korea is safe country but its roads are not

The big bosses of the bus companies never actually ride the bus in Korea, not for their daily commute or for running errands or shopping. I have no evidence for this claim, but it has to be true, and therefore I repeat it boldly: they don't ride the bus. If they did, things would be very different.

2021-07-24 13:39

Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality

Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality

With eight long months to go before the presidential election, politics is already becoming somewhat strange if not going pretty mad.

2021-07-10 14:14

Sexual harassment and violence in universities

Sexual harassment and violence in universities

I can't imagine that many people were surprised when The Korea Times reported earlier this month findings by Kyung Hee University, showing that 60 percent of the alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse in its graduate school were professors.

2021-06-27 13:47

Taking off the masks

Taking off the masks

The government recently announced a set of incentives designed to increase the uptake of vaccinations. There is a raft of measures, but foremost among these is the promise that, starting in July, those who have received their first jab of a COVID-19 vaccine will not be required to wear a mask outdoors. While the long-awaited announcement of the easing of restrictions should h...

2021-05-29 12:22

1 2 3 4

Top 10 Stories

1	Scientists find green way to turn CO2 into fuel with sunlight

2	Kim Jong-un's rejection of Russia's food assistance irritates North Korean defectors

3	Opposition party in turmoil as leader could be arrested on Tuesday

4	Korea boosts subsidies to rev up falling EV sales

5	Russia lodges protest to S.Korean envoy over Yoon's UN speech

6	Lawmakers want to grill business tycoons over decision to rejoin FKI

7	Foreign employees rewarded for contribution to Korea's shipbuilding industry

8	Saudi Arabia celebrates 93rd National Day

9	Gov't reviews changing description of Fukushima wastewater

10	'Songpyeon' for low-income families

DARKROOM