The Korea Herald

[Eli Park Sorensen] The ultimate nightmare of the modern times

Oct 3, 2012

A silent film that has lost none of its haunting significance in today’s climate of global economic anxiety and uncertainty, Charlie Chaplin’s classic “Modern Times” captures the nightmare vision par excellence of the middle class ― social demotion. Released in 1936, the film portrays the hapless character Charlie ― or, the Tramp, Chaplin’s alter ego ― comically and, at times, heroically, struggling to carve out an existence during the Great Depression in America. “Modern Times” came out at a ti
[Lee Jae-min] A bumpy road for the GGGI

Oct 2, 2012

Few Seoulites are aware that the city hosts an inter-governmental “international organization.” The International Vaccine Institute under the United Nations Development Programme, situated near Seoul National University since May 1997, is the first and the only international organization headquartered in Korea. Now, it is time for a second one ― the Global Green Growth Institute.Since its founding in June 2010 by the strong initiative of Korea, the GGGI has been a non-profit think tank located i
The U.S. has good reasons to revive draft

Oct 2, 2012

Maybe Charlie Rangel is right in saying that America should bring back the draft, although we get to the same conclusion for different reasons.Rangel believes that reinstatement of the draft is most equitable toward all. He thinks it’s unfair that privileged kids like mine don’t equally share the burden of military service. Actually, I’m starting to think that making them serve is the best way to keep them safe. It sounds counterintuitive, but think about it.Order in Afghanistan is crumbling. So
Japan’s Olympic dreams and economic reality

Oct 2, 2012

Tokyo’s mercurial governor, Shintaro Ishihara, gives new meaning to playing the sympathy card. In his dogged pursuit of staging the Olympics, and in his despair at being passed over for the 2016 games, Ishihara got desperate: He tapped into the outpouring of grief after last year’s record earthquake. His pitch for 2020, dubbed the “Olympics for Japan’s Revival,” became an appeal for pity. That gambit may be in vain given Ishihara’s role in bringing Japan and China to the brink of war. The Olympi
If Jesus was married, a lot of guys are in big trouble

Oct 2, 2012

The news that a Harvard professor has obtained evidence that Jesus Christ may have had a wife could be a problem for married guys everywhere. Really, how do we measure up?Being the son of God, he’d be perfect. He’d make Ned Flanders look like a slob. The grass would always be cut, the dirty socks always picked up, the toilet seat always down. He would listen. He would not chafe at talks about relationships.(Note: I am fully aware that there were no lawns, socks or toilet seats 2,000 years ago. W
[Kim Seong-kon] Korean wave: From fast food to gourmet cuisine

Oct 2, 2012

A few days ago, Guy Sorman, the celebrated French economist, thinker and culture critic, visited Korea to participate in a book festival sponsored by Paju Book City. In his short lecture before the opening ceremony, Sorman assured the audience that globalization will neither harm nor eradicate Korean culture.I cannot agree with him more because, according to the co-evolution theory, cultures constantly merge and one culture is enriched by another, not endangered by it. And yet, many Koreans stil
The fans are the victims of NFL owners’ greed

Sept 28, 2012

Those who lost the most Monday night in Seattle weren’t the Green Bay Packers. That was bad enough. The ones who lost the most were the fans who love the game and have made it the premier sport that it is.They lost thanks to the ineptitude of replacement referees who don’t understand the rules of the game and can’t see an interception when it’s right in front of their noses. More important, they lost to NFL owners who spout platitudes about the integrity of the game and then trade integrity for
[Jeffrey D. Sachs] The keys to national prosperity

Sept 28, 2012

NEW YORK ― In many of history’s most successful economic reforms, clever countries have learned from the policy successes of others, adapting them to local conditions. In the long history of economic development, 18th century Britain learned from Holland; early 19th century Prussia learned from Britain and France; mid-19th century Meiji Japan learned from Germany; post-World War II Europe learned from the United States; and Deng Xiaoping’s China learned from Japan.Through a process of institutio
U.S. housing market comes out of the woods

Sept 27, 2012

After sinking for six awful years, the U.S. housing market finally has bounced off the bedrock: Sales are up, prices have stabilized, more homeowners are keeping up with their mortgage payments. A huge weight on the economic recovery is slowly lifting.In recent days, reports have shown home prices starting to rise. On Tuesday came news that the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index climbed in July, the fourth straight monthly improvement. Prices in the Chicago area rose 2.7 percent in July, better t
[Liah Greenfeld] Roots of China-Japan rivalry

Sept 27, 2012

BOSTON ― The anti-Japan protests that continue to roil China are just another indication of the rise of a potent Chinese nationalism. After a century slowly fomenting among Chinese intellectuals, national sentiment has captured and redefined the consciousness of the Chinese people during the last two decades of China’s economic boom. This mass national consciousness launched the Chinese colossus into global competition to achieve an international status commensurate with the country’s vast capac
Outlook for N. Korea’s economic revival uncertain

Sept 27, 2012

North Korea is seemingly laying the foundation for future development. But it remains to be seen what results Kim Jong-un’s reform initiatives will produce.The Supreme People’s Assembly ― North Korea’s parliament ― held a one-day session Tuesday. It was the second assembly session held since Kim Jong-un’s regime was inaugurated in April.In the latest session, the assembly decided to extend the term of compulsory education from the current 11 years to 12 years. The reform is reportedly aimed at b
Revamp the stock market

Sept 27, 2012

The battle over the psychologically important threshold of 2,000 points considerably intensified as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dipped to a three-and-half-year low of 2,005 points on Monday morning. A mild rebound in the afternoon might have temporarily saved domestic investors from panic selling, but it still looks more than likely that the Chinese stock market is yet to find a bottom given the economic weakness both at home and abroad. Chinese policymakers should listen attentively
United Nations jamboree: Just more hot air

Sept 27, 2012

Every year for several weeks after the third week of September, world leaders gather at the U.N. headquarters in New York to make speeches about the state of the world and the regions they come from. It is very hard to find a good speech these days from among the 193 member countries because all leaders want to say things they have in mind, which do not necessarily reflect the reality of the world or the themes designated by the U.N.This year will be no exception. Indeed, it must be a very depre
Racing ahead with Formula One

Sept 27, 2012

Singapore’s hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix until 2017 is being received differently here, fraught as it is with cost-benefit factors that do not lend themselves to precise measurement. The race’s cheerleaders point to the winning aspects of the event ― a combination of clockwork efficiency, a Singapore trademark, and thrills. Spectators, whether in the stands or around the world, see not just the sleek cars but also the brilliant Singapore night skyline. The association can heighten the i
[Bruce Gale] Taiwan’s economy can still make a comeback

Sept 27, 2012

Just when it seemed Taiwan’s economy could hardly get worse, it did. After five straight months of decline, exports tumbled yet again last month, defying predictions that the fall would bottom out.According to Bloomberg, the consensus among economists was for a drop of around 2.7 percent last month compared to the same time last year. The actual decline, however, was 4.2 percent.Indeed, the performance underscored just how dismal the island’s economic situation has really become. Gross domestic