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bernard Rowan

Explore Museums!

A great way to learn about South Korea is by visiting her museums. Korean museums are a technology for advancement. They record the path of this Tiger's ascent and lasting goals. They are living symbols of Korean history, society, culture and civilization. I've visited South Korea many times, but I always find a new museum to view. I'd like to share some of my favorites, in particular around Seoul.

2015-06-09 17:07

Korean syncretism

I'd argue that a central bane of civilization is an obsession with purity. Captivating the human imagination, purity grounds folly, death and misery. How much money have empires, kingdoms, kings, queens and nations spent? And how much invidious hatred has purity spawned? National, racial, religious and cultural purity drives prejudice, scapegoating and inhumane relations throughout our world and throughout history. Hitler built his monstrous state on delusions of purity, as did and do other fascist, totalitarian, religious and political fantasists. Still too many purists hawk their quackery ...

2015-05-26 17:04

Korea's gender dilemma

Several recent stories about women, marriage and inequality prompted me to write about Korea's gender problem. I want us to focus on what happens to women to gauge what isn't happening in marriage, family and society.

2015-05-12 17:05

Temples in Korea

Have you visited a Korean temple? You needn’t practice Buddhism or any other faith. Do so for an unforgettable experience! These places of religion, culture, nature and spirit embody the Korea of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Temples in Korea form a permanent memory for many people, including me.

2015-04-28 17:23

When I think of Korea

What do you think of when you hear the word ``Korea?” Do girl bands like Girls Generation or Bigbang come to mind? An actor or actress of “hallyu?” Popular Korean food such as bulgogi or galbi? I think many might say Kim Jong-un or one of the popular athletes like Kim Yu-na. Others think of the Korean War or a Samsung phone.

2015-04-14 17:41

Futuristic ties in NE Asia

Progress often occurs through two steps forward and one step back. At times, the number of steps forward does not keep pace with the steps back. Opinions matter and leaps can supersede prolonged periods of stasis.

2015-03-31 16:58

Lippert and democracy

The hubbub surrounding the knife attack on U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert has spawned controversy. After the incident, varying political forces in South Korea have used it to rebuke political dissent and to advance political and other interests. One Korea Times story referred to the atmosphere as representing a "masturbation nation" (March 10, 2015). I think the controversy reflects a young democracy unsure of democratic traditions.

2015-03-17 16:59

Adultery matters

This week, South Korea made world headlines. The nation's Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional a 62 year-old law criminalizing adultery. The 6-2 majority decision is important for what it said. What it didn’t say counts too.

2015-03-03 16:47

Neighborhoods in Korea

Something I liked about living in Seoul is the convenience and accessibility of neighborhoods or dong. Despite the size and pace of urban life in this cosmopolis, Seoul’s neighborhoods and those of other Korean cities provide a wealth of consumer services, schools, parks and access to Korea’s people in community settings. I’d like to share with you why I think this typical and normal feature of Korean life is itself a technology for advancement.

2015-02-17 14:45

Children and Korea

Children are our future. Children tell us how we think of ourselves. South Korea is an advanced society, but its democracy is quite new. Rooted in resistance to military and authoritarian rule, Koreans in the 1980s forged a democracy. It now holds the military accountable to the rule of law and civilian leaders to constitutional limits.

2015-02-03 16:48

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