We can’t say where the aid will end upBy Kim Yong-soon Kim Yong-soonThere have been many voices heard from both in and outside of the South Korean government advocating the resumption of aid to North Korea. The debate between the doves and the hawks has raged on ever since the peninsula was divided in 1945. This is an overly politicized issue in our domestic society of which I have no inclination

It is a matter of responsibility, pragmatismBy Rudiger Frank Rudiger FrankFood aid to North Korea is a costly endeavor; food needs to be harvested, stored, packed, delivered and distributed. We can therefore assume that it is provided for a reason; or actually, a wide range thereof. From a humanitarian perspective, food is to feed the hungry. From the perspective of South Korean farmers, deliverie

Case of ‘power blogger’ reveals ugly side of online punditsA total of 4,983 people staged a cyber protest against an online homemaking pundit Sunday morning, calling for an apology and compensation for her public deception. They said 46-year-old Hyun Jin-heui, running one of the nation’s most visited blogs, had arranged sales of an electronic gadget that could harm people’s health and bagged a for

Actor Kim Jeong-tae, 40, enjoys great popularity these days after his recent appearance on the popular KBS entertainment show “1 Night and 2 Days.”He took part in the special episode featuring supporting movie actors. After “1 Night and 2 Days” aired, Kim was praised by viewers as “the best presence ever” due to his unique, witty lines.His work began to receive attention, giving him an opportunity

On prostitution...Prostitution should not be legalized because it won’t protect prostitutes’ rights, but the rights of the owners of brothels. If you look at Germany, where prostitution is legalized, the lives of prostitutes have not changed after legalization. In order to gain full access to the workers’ rights, the prostitutes must state that they are prostitutes, and that record remains on thei

With the industry strong despite police crackdowns ...Should Korea legalize prostitution?The sex trade in KoreaDespite its illegality, the prostitution industry in South Korea is widespread and lucrative. Estimates vary wildly, but approximately 1.6 percent of the country’s GDP was generated by the sex industry in 2007, according to Korea Women’s Development Institute. Before two laws were passed

With teachers banned from striking their students...Is indirect corporal punishment right?Punishment in the classroomIndirect corporal punishment, such as push-ups, squats and laps, is permitted in elementary, middle and high schools under a law revised in March. The revision came after the Ministry of Education banned traditional corporal punishment. It is a compromise measure between traditional

On indirect corporal punishment...The role of schools in society is to give children knowledge and to prepare them to succeed in adult life. Indirect corporal punishment teaches children that their choices have consequences, just like in the real world. It also helps maintain class discipline, which is essential to creating an environment where learning can flourish. As long as it is carried out r

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors have secured the No. 1 position in sales among Asian carmakers in the European market, outstripping Toyota Motor.According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Hyundai-Kia sold 58,585 vehicles in 28 European countries in May, grabbing 4.7 percent of the market.Though the two affiliated companies saw their market share inch down 0.5 perce

On fee-cut plan ...The plan itself is a really good plan. It’s been four years already with the GNP, however, there hasn’t been any change in college fees. GNP’s college tuition cut plan was one of the biggest commitments of the party. College students voted for the GNP four years ago because they thought the tuition-cut plan was hope for them. There is one more year before Korea gets a new presid

As students take to the streets for cheaper university tuition ...Should government pay half for college?College fees in South KoreaIn recent days thousands of students have been taking to the streets to demand lower college fees, spurred on by recent pledges by both the Grand National Party and Democratic Party to cut the price of tuition.Student protests against rising fees are a common occurren

Samsung Techwin president resigns over undisclosed corruptionSamsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee stressed the need to beef up the company’s auditing functions in the aftermath of a corruption scandal at a Samsung affiliate that led to the resignation of its chief executive.“The unblemished image of Samsung’s organizational culture has been marred,” the Samsung Group owner said. Lee expressed

Giant book event to feature exhibitions, seminars and meetings with authorsThe 17th Seoul International Book Fair, one of the biggest book events in Korea, opens June 15 at COEX in southern Seoul with a total of 572 publishers from 23 countries participating.The five-day event is filled with diverse special exhibitions, seminars, and events on a variety of themes in today’s international publishin

After the Fukushima disaster and Germany’s decision to shut down its reactors ...Should Korea scrap nuclear energy?Yes: It is too dangerous for us to controlThe “nuclear renaissance” is still booming in Korea even after Japan’s Fukushima nuclear accident. Tokyo Electric (TEPCO) still seems unable to control its reactors with much more radioactivity still held inside the Fukushima nuclear power pla

Next Thursday, The Korea Herald will launch its new debate page “Voice” with the question: “Should South Korea scrap nuclear energy?” Each week, “Voice” will feature two contributors going head-to-head on a burning issue in Korean society. This space is also for you, the reader, to react to the issue and have your say. We also want to hear your thoughts on other subjects that matter to you, whethe

In a country known for its residents’ impeccable dress sense, Korea is noticeably lacking in one department: secondhand clothing. Thrift stores, sources of many a rare, quirky or vintage bargain in the U.S. and Europe, lack a major presence here. But two expats have sought to do something about Korea’s lack of secondhand fare with Clothing Swapping in Seoul.“I know that I, like many people, buy cl

Thanks to globalization, uneasy public sentiment about foreign cars has waned in recent years.In particular, young Koreans have driven the change. Foreign automakers say the general sentiment has turned to “favorable” from “negative” as younger generations, born in the 1970s and 1980s, have become mainstream buyers.They also say the number of Korean female drivers of foreign-made cars has been inc

One out of four foreign workers under the employment permit system whose visa has expired has become an illegal sojourner, the government revealed Friday.Tougher regulations are expected but some experts said it was time to consider guaranteeing permanent residency for some skillful workers.According to the ministries of employment and labor and justice, the number of people whose E-9 visas expire

Some automakers in Korea are considering reducing their output due to a shortage of parts from their Japanese suppliers hit by last week’s powerful earthquake, company officials said Friday.Renault Samsung Motors Co., Renault SA’s Korean unit, will cut production at its Korean factory to prepare for a potential parts supply disruption the company said. The carmaker will cut overtime work at its fa

Victims of Japan’s military sex slavery seek truth, apology and compensationThe weather was freezing at noon last Wednesday. Ears turned red and fingers went numb as the mercury dropped to nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius and strong winds blasted every nook and cranny. The streets of Seoul were almost empty ― just a handful of office workers rushed by to grab lunch.Braving the cold, scores of peopl