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Thu, April 26, 2018 | 08:42

Opinion > Columnists > Michael Breen >

Jailing conscientious objectors

In a historic change from past practice, Korean courts this year are opting to acquit rather than punish young men who refuse to do compulsory military service on the grounds of their religious beliefs.

Michael Breen | 2016-08-22 17:17

Is the world really turning dark?

Everywhere these days, it would seem, the conversation among people who follow news turns on a troubling question: What is going on? Like, Brexit. Why would the electorate in one of the world's most wealthy and stable countries vote for a historic change of national strategy without any idea of where it would take them?

Michael Breen | 2016-08-08 17:00

In Search of Korean values

In its research last year to develop the new national brand - Creative Korea - the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism came up with three key national values: creativity, passion and harmony. But are these really the core values of Korea? Harmony could be. It fits with the long Confucian tradition. The trouble, though, is that Confucius has left the building. The lock was changed and he wasn’t given a new key. You just don’t see people striving for harmony by accepting their place in orderly relationships. Something else seems to have taken over.

Michael Breen | 2016-07-25 16:05

Creative Corea needs a vision

Here's a question for the thoughtful reader: what is this country's vision? Once upon a time, it used to be re-unification. But it isn’t any more. Re-unification with the broken North would be so expensive and socially disruptive that, without any government actually having adopted an anti-unification position, we've all come to accept that it should be postponed indefinitely.

Michael Breen | 2016-07-14 16:09

Likelihood of Brexit light

The most important thing to note about last month's Brexit referendum is that the government is obliged to follow through on the result. Regardless which way the soon-to-be-chosen next prime minister voted herself, she must commit to a course of Britain leaving the European Union.

Michael Breen | 2016-07-11 16:59

Reunification with North Korea

Several years ago, I met a Methodist minister, jailed for his religion in the North Korean city of Wonsan, who had survived a massacre of prisoners in the opening weeks of the Korean War. This devout man lived a minimalist life in a dingy apartment down by the Han River, slept on a hard floor with a wooden pillow and passed much of his time reading the Bible. He had even taught himself Hebrew.

Michael Breen | 2016-06-27 16:57

Time to put the comfort woman statue where it belongs?

The comfort woman, a blue scarf wrapped around her grey neck, sits across from the Japanese Embassy, as innocent as a schoolgirl.

Michael Breen | 2016-06-13 17:45

Corporate shabbiness

Whatever criminality may or may not eventually emerge from the humidifier sterilizer tragedy in which hundreds of consumers died, the response of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, one of the main companies involved, is the latest example in a long parade of corporate shabbiness.

Michael Breen | 2016-05-30 16:54

Queen's message to China

A video which catches Queen Elizabeth in an unguarded moment telling a senior policewoman that Chinese officials with President Xi Jinping on his visit to Britain last October had been “rude” has prompted a slew of commentary.

Michael Breen | 2016-05-16 16:37

Why future generations will discount my words of wisdom

One night last week, after I had wobbled home from a meal of braised lamb and too much wine, a question bubbled to the surface of my mind, followed by a thought. First, the question: Just as in our age we look back on the past and wonder how otherwise nice and sophisticated people could own slaves or send children up chimneys, is there anything about our civilized world today that will disturb future generations?

Michael Breen | 2016-05-02 16:24

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Missile attack on Syria