With many offenders escaping punishment ...Is Korea soft on white-collar crime?It is a common public perception: Korea is soft on white-collar crime, particularly when it involves high-level politicians, government officials or chaebol.Speaking at the breach of trust case against Hanwha Group chairman Kim Seung-youn, an unnamed prosecutor implored the nation’s justice establishment to take a greater stand against corporate crime. “If we continue to fail to punish (tycoons) for one reason or anot

With economic inequality shaping up as an election issue...Should big companies have to share profits?The concept of profit-sharing has been controversial since its announcement in early 2011 by Chung Un-chan, a former prime minister and current head of the Commission on Shared Growth for Large and Small Companies. Chung, appointed by a President Lee Myung-bak desperate to shake off his pro-big business image, rankled conglomerates by proposing that some of their “excess” profits be directed tow

As the Education Ministry seeks to nullify it ...Is Seoul’s student rights ordinance proper?In an election year, little can be considered above ideological conflict. Education is no exception. An ordinance on student rights, passed by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education late last month, is the latest source of controversy within an education system recently rocked by extreme bullying and student suicides.Liberal superintendent Kwak No-hyun, returning to work after being fined for bribery duri

Some 2,500 years after the death of Confucius ...Does Confucianism have a role in Korea today?The teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius have had a profound influence on South Korea. So much so, that the nation is sometimes referred to as the most Confucian society on earth. An emphasis on family, personal betterment and respect for age and authority continue to feature highly in Korean life to this day, some 2,500 years after the philosopher’s death.Ethicist and director of the Institute fo

With negotiations set to begin soon ...Should Korea sign an FTA with China?Free trade agreements have been a cornerstone of Korean economic policy in recent years. Since Korea reached its first FTA with Chile in 2004, the country has signed deals with the European Union, Singapore, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and, most recently, the U.S. Now attention has turned to the possibility of an FTA with the nation’s biggest trading partner of all, China.On a state trip to Beijing earlier

With the highest university attendance rate in the developed world …Are Koreans overeducated?Koreans are arguably second to none in their zeal for education. Some 82 percent of Korean high school graduates go on to third level education, more than in any other OECD country. There are more than 400 colleges and universities and 70,000 second-level private academies called “hagwon” around the country, while Korean high school students consistently outperform their international peers in reading an

With increased social spending an increasingly popular policy ...Should Korea adopt a welfare state?Social welfare was a defining issue in Korean politics last year. President Lee Myung-bak, having come to power in 2008 with a message of small government, less regulation and lower taxes, was confronted with a slew of opposition proposals for expanding welfare. Then came calls for increased welfare from the unlikely source: Grand National Party, driven by the loss of a Seoul referendum against fr

After the death of Kim Jong-il...Is reunification closer to reality?As soon as North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death was announced, speculation began on the implications for South Korea’s relationship with Pyongyang. A major question is how Kim’s death and the transition of power to his youngest son Kim Jong-un will affect the long-held goal of Korean reunification. With the elder Kim gone, is a reunified Korean Peninsula closer to becoming a reality?According to North Korea scholar and Kookmi

With response to Kim Jong-il’s death reigniting the debate ...Should the National Security Law be abolished?Divisive debateThe National Security Law has divided Korean public opinion since its introduction in 1948. To its proponents, more often on the conservative side of politics, the law is a necessary safeguard against North Korea and communist subversion of the state. To its critics, generally on the political left, it is used a tool to stifle criticism of the government and economic status

More than 18 months after its introduction ...Is current teacher evaluation effective?Testing teachersTeacher Evaluation for Professional Development, a system to evaluate the performance of teachers at primary and secondary schools, was introduced in April 2010, after months of planning and debate. Under the system, fellow teachers, parents and students assess teachers using 18 criteria. High-performing teachers are rewarded with research opportunities, while those who score poorly must undergo

With many cases causing public outrage ...Is punishment for sex crime too lenient?Scales of justiceA series of high-profile sex crime cases in recent years has caused public uproar over perceived leniency in sentencing. Perhaps most controversial of all was the punishment doled out to three teachers at Gwangju Inhwa School for sex crimes against deaf students. Two teachers were sentenced to six months and two years in prison for sexual assault, while the principal received a suspended sentence o