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World
Whos and whys of EU Association Agreement policy
e Agreement emphasizes the importance of the United Nations Charter principles, in particular the observance of human rights, democratic principles; while economic freedom and respect for human rights and democratic principles constitute the document’s essential element. I’m talking about the Association Agreement (AA) signed between the EU and Egypt in…
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Conscientious objectors
Time to consider introducing alternative service For decades, the issue of conscientious objection has been a taboo in this country where constant military tension has been the norm along the heavily fortified border with North Korea. In 2007, the then Roh Moo-hyun administration announced a plan to introduce an alternative…
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Red card for prosecution
Sex-for-leniency argument for wanton prosecutor doesn’t hold Questions have been raised over whether it is proper for the prosecution to bring “bribery” charges against a trainee prosecutor for allegedly having sex with a suspect in return for favors in an investigation. The public expressed bewilderment over why the prosecution has…
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East Asia
Election hot online, cool offline
The storm of opinion stirring up on Facebook and Twitter signals that polling day is near. However, it’s questionable whether a traveler arriving in Seoul today would recognize that Koreans are preparing to elect a new president when the streets, buildings and houses provide almost no hint. This is a…
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East Asia
Korea ranks second on global education index
South Korea ranked second in global ranking out of 50 countries surveyed by Pearson Education on a new global education index called the Learning Curve. But, the country remains notorious for the amount spent on higher education, a fact that weighs heavily on parents. The Learning Curve is a new…
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East Asia
Unification Church eyes new engagement with NK
The Unification Church Foundation in South Korea has told the government that it intends to fold its joint auto-venture in North Korea, an official said Wednesday, confirming earlier reports. But the church founded by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, appears to want to continue its engagement with Pyongyang, one…
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East Asia
‘Lower voting age below 18’
17 year-olds can serve in military but denied vote Are you 18 years old? If so, you cannot vote in any elections in South Korea. You can neither join political parties nor express your views on a certain candidate because to do so is regarded as a form of political…
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East Asia
Addiction vs. distraction
These days, many smartphone users in Korea are busy playing Anipang, a cyber game on Kakao Talk. In a crowded subway train, teenagers are absorbed in whipping their fingers to match three of the same animals in a row, a completely different scene from subway trains in countries in the…
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East Asia
Afghanistan calls for deeper ties with Korea
A senior Afghanistan official urged Seoul to facilitate engagement from Korea this week, saying economic projects will be vital for stability in 2014 when NATO scales down its forces in the war-torn nation. During a visit to Seoul Monday, Afghani Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin underscored the country’s vast natural…
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East Asia
Wangsimni: From pasture to ‘gopchang’ street
The smoky smell from restaurants and street vendors that grill “gopchang” (intestines of cows or pigs) usually depicts a night scene of the Wangsimni street in Seoul. Better known as the “gopchang” district, Wangsimni is surrounded by uneven and curvy roads spanning the gigantic construction site of urban redevelopment projects.…
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