The Korea Herald

Readers’ VOICE

Aug 8, 2011

On dog meat ...We eat many animals, why should dogs get special treatment? Perhaps because of their intelligence? Scientists tell us pigs are actually smarter, and yet we eat pork. Their status as a popular pet? Again, pigs can be pets as well (Charlotte’s Web anyone?) Admittedly inhumane treatment
Should dog meat be banned?

Aug 8, 2011

As some restaurants serve up the dish for the summer ...Animal rights activists protest the consumpt ion of dog meat in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap News) Eating man’s best friendThe production and consumption of dog meat is somewhat of a legal gray area in South Korea. In a strange leg
Readers’ VOICE

Aug 1, 2011

On gambling ...Gambling should be legalized in Korea just like in other nations. First of all, gambling businesses stimulate the economy.Currently, the police in Korea restrict illegal gambling. If casinos were allowed in Korea, spending on the police would decrease and these units would be deployed
Should casinos allow Koreans?

Aug 1, 2011

With all but one of the country’s casinos foreigner-only ...Gambling and the lawGambling in Korea is in principle illegal, falling under articles 246 and 247 of the Criminal Act. There are exceptions to these laws, however, including the two national lotteries Lotto and Toto, horse, motor and cycle
Readers’ VOICE

Jul 27, 2011

On abortion ...If someone tried to kill you while sleeping, what would you do?Maybe you would shout out “Robber! Help me!” for a neighbor to hear. Or you might call the police.The baby in a mother’s womb is alive like us. Even if he can’t shout and talk, can we, even their parents, take away their life? We don’t have a right to do this. That is why the relationship is not top to bottom but horizon
Should the abortion law be liberalized?

Jul 27, 2011

With the current statute largely ignored ...A common practice outside the lawAbortion in South Korea is illegal in most circumstances, with only a limited number of exceptions listed under 1973’s Maternal and Child Health and the Mother and Fatherless Child Health Acts. An abortion may legally be performed if either parent has a eugenic, hereditary or communicable disease; the pregnancy is the res
Readers’ VOICE

Jul 20, 2011

On English lectures ...Korean students have studied English very hard at school, educational institutes and even gone abroad to study the language. We have invested enormous time and money in English.Though the situation is such, when a foreigner asks us something, why are we embarrassed?When we are faced with English, why do we feel repulsion about it first?There are many reasons for this but I t
Should a law ban sexualizing of K-pop teens?

Jul 20, 2011

Following the FTC’s guidelines to protect young entertainers ... K-pop groups with underage members such as KARA have caused controversy with their provocative dress and dance routinesDrawing a line between sex and popOver the last 15 years, K-pop has grown from being entertainment for Koreans to being the subject of affection of fans across Asia, North America and Europe. Concerns over the incre
Readers’ VOICE

Jul 13, 2011

On English lectures...I think the English lecture debate in Korea has two sides, which is good because it is an exciting moment to share ideas among students in English. However, it is true that it also has limitations.This semester, I took two lectures in English. One I took was about Korean theater. We were taught how Korean theatre has developed with shamanism. I think it would have been better
Should Korean colleges teach in English?

Jul 13, 2011

With Korea part of an ever more globalized world...Balancing globalization and reality in the lecture hallLectures conducted in English have become commonplace at Korean universities in the last few years. It has been reported that universities in Seoul conduct between 20 and 40 percent of their lectures in English. A desire to keep in step with globalization and bump up Korean universities’ place
Readers’ Voice

Jul 6, 2011

North Korean dictators are enjoying their luxurious lives through seizing the aid provided to help those on the streets.Even though the South knows that not all the food will reach those in need, South Korea keeps sending food.Just because North Korea is a brother nation does not give them the right to starve the poor. The South should realize the truth and find a better way to help civilians rath
Readers’ VOICE

Jul 6, 2011

On food aid...Food is a basic human need with water, shelter, education and primary health care. It is a prerequisite for health -- the most important component of human resource development. Food security is now listed among the social determinants of health which is clearly a determinant of HRD - life, dignity, civil society, progress, justice and sustainable development. As an awakened academic
Should food aid to N.K. be resumed?

Jul 6, 2011

Divisions over aidEver since President Lee Myung-bak suspended food aid to North Korea upon taking office in 2008, the question of its resumption has been highly contentious. Lee ended the shipments of rice that had taken place under his liberal predecessors with the insistence that aid be tied to denuclearization by the North. The sinking of the Cheonan last March and the attack on Yeonpyeong isl
Should Korea legalize prostitution?

Jun 29, 2011

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
Is indirect corporal punishment right?

Jun 22, 2011

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